| Forth Valley | 3,191 | 3,136 | 2,959 | 2,900 | 2,761 | 7 | ** | 12 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178051,"EventID":"S2W-05285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many non-occupied local authority-owned houses there are in each local authority area, expressed also as a ratio to the total number of local authority-owned houses i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many non-occupied local authority-owned houses there are in each local authority area, expressed also as a ratio to the total number of local authority-owned houses in each area.","AnswerText":"The data on local authority-owneddwellings and dwellings vacant as at 31 March 2003for each local authority are published in the Scottish Executive StatisticalBulletin (Housing Series) Housing Trends in Scotland: Quarter ending 31 March 2003. This can be accessed onlinethrough the Scottish Executive website www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00266-00.asp. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178052,"EventID":"S2W-05286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1877,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":70,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each local authority has spent on housing grants for domestic lead water pipe replacement in each year from 1992-93 to 2002-03.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each local authority has spent on housing grants for domestic lead water pipe replacement in each year from 1992-93 to 2002-03.","AnswerText":"The information requestedhas been provided in a table entitled “Housing grants for domestic lead waterpipe replacement”, a copy of which has been place in the Parliament’s ReferenceCentre (Bib. number 30536).","AnswerDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178053,"EventID":"S2W-05287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide up-to-date figures for the 2003 fisheries aid package detailing funding paid out under the (a) Transitional Aid scheme, (b) decommissioning scheme","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide up-to-date figures for the 2003 fisheries aid package detailing funding paid out under the (a) Transitional Aid scheme, (b) decommissioning scheme and (c) rates relief package and whether each scheme is open for further application.","AnswerText":"Scottish export statisticsfor 2002 will be made available by the Scottish Executive early in 2004. Wherepossible, these will detail the value of exports across all sectors of the Scottish economy to principal markets located in the European Union and therest of the world.The latest available figureswhich provide this breakdown relate to the manufacturing sector only and arefor 2002. These were published by the Scottish Council for Development andIndustry (SCDI) in December 2003 and show the top forty markets for Scottishmanufactured exports. In 2002, 55% of Scottish manufactured exports were to theEuropean Union. A copy of SCDI’s report was made available to the Parliament’sReference Centre (Bib. number 30521) and can be accessed on the internet at http://www.scdi.org.uk/file.php?id=1684. The latest available exportstatistics for all sectors of the Scottish economy are for 2001. These werepublished as part of the Global Connections Survey commissioned by ScottishDevelopment International in February 2003 and, where available, show the valueof exports to principal markets located in the European Union and the rest of the world. A copy of the survey was made available to the Scottish Parliament InformationReference Centre (Bib. number 30520) and can be accessed on the internet at: http://www.scottish‑enterprise.com/publicationsglobalconnectionssurvey20012002revised10march2003se.pdf. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178054,"EventID":"S2W-05288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of trade is with European Union candidate countries, broken down by country.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of trade is with European Union candidate countries, broken down by country.","AnswerText":"Scottish export statistics for 2002 will be made available by the Scottish Executive early in 2004. Where possible, these will detail the value of exports across all sectors of the Scottish economy to principal markets located in the European Union and the rest of the world. Where they are identified as principal export markets, European Union candidate countries will be shown.The latest available figures which provide this breakdown relate to the manufacturing sector only and are for 2002. These were published by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) in December 2003 and show the top 40 markets for Scottish manufactured exports. European Union candidate countries are shown where they are a top export market. A copy of SCDI’s report was made available to the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 30521) and can be accessed on the internet at http://www.scdi.org.uk/file.php?id=1684.The latest available export statistics for all sectors of the Scottish economy are for 2001. These were published as part of the Global Connections Survey commissioned by Scottish Development International in February 2003 and, where available, show the value of exports to principal markets located in the European Union and the rest of the world. European Union candidate countries are shown where they are a top export market. A copy of the survey was made available to the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 30520) and can be accessed on the internet at http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/publicationsglobalconnectionssurvey20012002revised10march2003se.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178055,"EventID":"S2W-05289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made a projection of the potential value of expansion in trade to new European Union members after enlargement.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made a projection of the potential value of expansion in trade to new European Union members after enlargement.","AnswerText":"Bradley Dunbar Associatesproduced a context paper for Scottish Enterprise in August 2003 entitled Opportunitiesand Challenges of EU enlargement which is available at www.scottish-enterprise.com/euenlargement. A wide range of information on potential trading opportunitiesis also available to businesses from a number of other sources including theEuro Info Centres, Scottish Development International and the Business GatewayInternational Trade.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178056,"EventID":"S2W-05290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what barriers to trade with the European Union currently exist.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what barriers to trade with the European Union currently exist.","AnswerText":"The regulation ofinternational trade is a reserved matter. However, the Scottish Executive continues to be in regular contact with DTI, UK Trade andInvestment and other government departments on trade issues, including thoserelating to the European single market, to ensure that Scottish interests arefully taken account of.On 7 May 2003, the Commissionlaunched its new internal market strategy for 2003-06, building on the originalInternal Market legislative programme first started in 1992. The strategy is a 10-pointplan designed to make the internal market work better and respond to thechallenges of enlargement, an ageing population and a challenging economicenvironment of slowing productivity and growth. Officials in the Scottish Executive are continuing to liaise withDTI on the strategy and monitor developments on this issue. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178057,"EventID":"S2W-05291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to promote trade between Scotland and the European Union and EU candidate countries and what further action it is planning to take.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to promote trade between Scotland and the European Union and EU candidate countries and what further action it is planning to take.","AnswerText":"Scottish DevelopmentInternational (SDI) promotes the internationalisation of Scottish companies inline with the Scottish Executive’s Global Connections strategy. The EU is a keymarket for Scotland and SDI provides a wide range of support measures tocompanies and organisations to assist them to develop trading links, globalalliances and strategic partnerships. These include the provision of marketresearch, delivering customised entry support for companies looking at newmarkets, assistance on outward missions and attendance at major exhibitions andin market assistance through SDI’s network of overseas offices.In respect of the EUcandidate countries, activity to date has been largely concentrated on raisingawareness and SDI has been working closely with the Euro Info Centres onawareness activities directed at business across Scotland. For the future,specific opportunities have been identified in sectors such as engineering andenvironmental services; financial services and business process operations; e-businessand software; electronics; food and drink and tourism. Where otheropportunities are also identified, companies will have access to the full rangeof SDI services to ensure that these are maximised. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178058,"EventID":"S2W-05292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3279 by Mr Jim Wallace on 11 November 2003, whether in its contacts with Her Majesty's Government detailed discussions have taken p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3279 by Mr Jim Wallace on 11 November 2003, whether in its contacts with Her Majesty's Government detailed discussions have taken place on the income threshold at which graduates start to repay their student loans and, if so, what options are under consideration.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is inregular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues including therepayment threshold for student loans.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178059,"EventID":"S2W-05293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4767 by Mr Jim Wallace on 17 December 2003 and if it is not possible to make an international comparison on the measure, how it wil","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4767 by Mr Jim Wallace on 17 December 2003 and if it is not possible to make an international comparison on the measure, how it will be possible to assess when it has met objective 4, target 6 of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning chapter of its Draft Budget 2004-05.","AnswerText":"The target referred to is“Reducing the gap in unemployment rates between the worst 10% of areas and the Scottish average by 2006”.The measure is constructedby subtracting the claimant count unemployment rate for Scotlandfrom the claimant count unemployment rate for the worst 10% of wards in Scotland. Definitionsof claimant unemployment vary across countries due to different eligibilitycriteria for unemployment benefit, so international comparisons are notpossible. The Scottish Executive iscommitted to reducing disparities in unemployment between different parts of Scotland. “Reducethe gap in unemployment rates between the worst 10% of areas and the Scottish averageby 2006” was set out in Building a Better Scotland and is one of theperformance measures for achieving A Smart, Successful Scotland and SocialJustice – a Scotland where everyone matters. The Fraser of AllanderInstitute report Measuring progress towards Smart, Successful Scotland, 2003indicated that over the past 10 years the gap between unemployment levelsin Scotland’s worst 10% of areas and the Scottish average has closed from justover 20% to 5%. Progress towards this targetwill continue to be monitored through Smart, Successful Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178060,"EventID":"S2W-05294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what one-off payments it made to Argyll and Bute Council in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01, (c) 2001-02, (d) 2002-03 and (e) 2003-04.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what one-off payments it made to Argyll and Bute Council in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01, (c) 2001-02, (d) 2002-03 and (e) 2003-04.","AnswerText":"The number of one-off payments made and the total amount paid to Argyll and Bute Council is shown in the table. The information is only available from 2001‑02. | Year | Number of Payments | Amount | | 2001-02 | 72 | £18,169,168.83 | | 2002-03 | 193 | £16,567,338.56 | | 2003-04 | 133 | £8,788,825.63 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178061,"EventID":"S2W-05295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available to Argyll and Bute Council in each of the last five years to subsidise the running costs of local authority-run ferry services, broke","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available to Argyll and Bute Council in each of the last five years to subsidise the running costs of local authority-run ferry services, broken down by ferry service.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive funding for most local authority services is made bymeans of a single block grant. Within the formula used to calculate that grant,the assumed level of expenditure on ferry services by Argyll and Bute is shownin the following table. However, it is up to each local authority how itallocates its funding to individual services taking account of local needs andpriorities as well as national priorities.Support for Ferries (GAE)(£000) | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | | 366 | 284 | 246 | 318 | 337 | 354 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178062,"EventID":"S2W-05296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland has received over each of the last three financial years including 2003-04; how the funding is disbursed, and what ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland has received over each of the last three financial years including 2003-04; how the funding is disbursed, and what conditions are attached to such funding.","AnswerText":"The Mountain RescueCommittee of Scotland is the representative and co-ordinating body for mountainrescue teams in Scotland. In the last three financial years the onlyExecutive funding directly to the committee has been a payment in 2003-04 of£5,000, to contribute to the costs of the 2003 Conference of the InternationalCommission for Alpine Rescue at Coylumbridge.Several Scottish policeforces make financial or other contributions to mountain rescue teamsaffiliated to the committee. The Executive is providing an additional £300,000to forces in 2003-04 to supplement the funds they would otherwise devote forthis purpose. This funding will be ring fenced to mountain rescue teamsaffiliated to the committee. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178063,"EventID":"S2W-05297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role police forces play, and what advice they provide, in relation to the funding arrangements for the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role police forces play, and what advice they provide, in relation to the funding arrangements for the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Mountain RescueCommittee of Scotland is the representative and co-ordinating body for mountainrescue teams in Scotland.The police have primaryresponsibility for all land-based search and rescue, and for this purpose theycall on support from other agencies including the voluntary mountain rescueteams affiliated to the committee. It is open to each police force tocontribute to the costs of the teams working in the force area. The Executivetook account of advice from Northern Constabulary and the Association of ChiefPolice Officers in Scotland in our decision to provide an additionalring-fenced £300,000 per annum to police forces, from 2003-04, to enable forcesto increase the amounts they provide to the affiliated teams. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178064,"EventID":"S2W-05298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4321 by Cathy Jamieson on 15 December 2003, whether it has discussed the content and implications of Her Majesty's Government's dra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4321 by Cathy Jamieson on 15 December 2003, whether it has discussed the content and implications of Her Majesty's Government's draft Civil Contingencies Bill as part of its regular contact with that government.","AnswerText":"Yes. The Executive hasdiscussed the content and implications of Her Majesty’s Government’s CivilContingencies Bill.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178065,"EventID":"S2W-05299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4323 by Cathy Jamieson on 15 December 2003, whether it has discussed the content and implications of Her Majesty's Government's dra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4323 by Cathy Jamieson on 15 December 2003, whether it has discussed the content and implications of Her Majesty's Government's draft Gambling Bill as part of its regular contact with that government.","AnswerText":"Yes. The Executive has discussed with Her Majesty’s Government the content and implications of the bills in its Legislative Programme, including the Gambling Bill.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178066,"EventID":"S2W-05300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4358 by Ms Margaret Curran on 16 December 2003, whether it has discussed the content and implications of Her Majesty's Government's","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4358 by Ms Margaret Curran on 16 December 2003, whether it has discussed the content and implications of Her Majesty's Government's proposal to introduce a bill to set up child trust funds as part of its regular contact with that government.","AnswerText":"The Executive has discussedwith Her Majesty's Government the content and implications of the bills in itslegislative programme, including the Child Trust Funds Bill. The discussionsfor each bill have reflected the extent of the relationship with devolvedmatters.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178067,"EventID":"S2W-05301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4462 by Cathy Jamieson on 11 December 2003, whether it has discussed the content and implications of Her Majesty's Government's dra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4462 by Cathy Jamieson on 11 December 2003, whether it has discussed the content and implications of Her Majesty's Government's draft Asylum and Immigration Bill as part of its regular contact with that government.","AnswerText":"Yes. The Executive hasdiscussed with Her Majesty’s Government the content and implications of the billsin its Legislative Programme, including the Asylum and Immigration Bill.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178068,"EventID":"S2W-05302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4369 by Cathy Jamieson on 15 December 2003, whether it has discussed the content and implications of Her Majesty's Government's dra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4369 by Cathy Jamieson on 15 December 2003, whether it has discussed the content and implications of Her Majesty's Government's draft Corruption Bill as part of its regular contact with that government.","AnswerText":"The Executive has discussed with Her Majesty’s Government the content and implications of the bills in itslegislative programme and, while the current programme does not include a draftCorruption Bill, proposals for such a bill were raised and have been discussedwith her Majesty’s Government in the context of its previous programme.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178069,"EventID":"S2W-05303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of reports in The Herald on 2 and 3 January 2003 that nearly one third of its suppliers are not paid within its target period of 30 days, what the precise r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of reports in The Herald on 2 and 3 January 2003 that nearly one third of its suppliers are not paid within its target period of 30 days, what the precise reasons are for this; what steps it has taken, and what further steps it will take, to address this situation; what estimate it has made of the impact of late payments of these bills on businesses in Scotland, and whether any late payments have resulted in interest being added onto such unpaid bills and, if so, at what rate and in what proportion of cases.","AnswerText":"Irecognise the importance to business of prompt payment of invoices. This is whyour policy is to aim for payment within 30 days. The Scottish Executive’s 2002-03 accounts reported that 68.5% of invoices were paid within thetarget period that year. This reflected difficulties some staff had in makingpayments following the introduction of a new computerised financial andaccounting system. The Executive acted promptly to deal with the difficulties,and continues to take specific action when particular problems arise. As theaccounts record, performance had improved to almost 80% by March 2003, and hassince improved further, with over 87% of invoices paid within 30 days inDecember, very similar to the average performance in 2001-02. I am keen toimprove the performance even more.It is not possible to assessaccurately the impact of delays on business, because of the variability in thenature of the businesses, and the different delays that might be encountered.No late payments resulted in interest being added to unpaid bills. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178070,"EventID":"S2W-05304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue an apology for the fact that it has not ensured that suppliers of goods and services to the Executive are paid on time and, in particular, in respe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue an apology for the fact that it has not ensured that suppliers of goods and services to the Executive are paid on time and, in particular, in respect of the 12-month period where nearly one-third of its bills were not paid on time.","AnswerText":"I have written to the mainbusiness organisations in Scotland about this, informing them of the improvement in the Scottish Executive’s performance in achieving prompt payment ofinvoices this year. In December 2003, over 87% of invoices were paid within the30 day target period. I am keen to improve performance even further.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178071,"EventID":"S2W-05305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what economic factors it takes into consideration when identifying sites for the relocation of civil service agency jobs outwith Edinburgh.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what economic factors it takes into consideration when identifying sites for the relocation of civil service agency jobs outwith Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"The Executive advises bodiescarrying out relocation reviews that several socio-economic factors should be takeninto consideration when carrying out the qualitative assessment of prospectivelocations. The factors include income and employment deprivation, healthdeprivation and disability, education, skills and training deprivation, andgeographical access to services. We are currently considering the consistencyof socio-economic statistics to be used by bodies in relocation reviews.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178072,"EventID":"S2W-05306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether low pay in a particular area is taken into account when it identifies sites for the relocation of civil service agency jobs outwith Edinburgh.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether low pay in a particular area is taken into account when it identifies sites for the relocation of civil service agency jobs outwith Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"The Executive advises bodiescarrying out relocation reviews that low pay should be one of severalsocio-economic factors taken into account when carrying out the qualitativeassessment of prospective locations.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178073,"EventID":"S2W-05307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-919 on 1 August 2003, by Allan Wilson and S2W-1693 by Ross Finnie on 1 and 26 August 2003, whether it will reconsider its decisio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-919 on 1 August 2003, by Allan Wilson and S2W-1693 by Ross Finnie on 1 and 26 August 2003, whether it will reconsider its decision not to publish the cabinet papers and other documents requested.","AnswerText":"No. The position remains asset out in the answer given to question S2W-919. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178074,"EventID":"S2W-05308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the civil service advice to ministers in respect of the relocation of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), with particular reference to the choice of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the civil service advice to ministers in respect of the relocation of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), with particular reference to the choice of Inverness as the location for the new headquarters for SNH and the input of SNH and its consultants in connection with this matter.","AnswerText":"The advice given to ministersis exempt from disclosure under Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information (Internal discussion and advice). This is in line with thelong standing convention that it is in the public interest to maintain theconfidentiality of exchanges between officials and ministers concerning policyadvice and to protect the processes by which government reaches a collectiveview.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178075,"EventID":"S2W-05309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its response to the consultation paper on children's oral health, Towards Better Oral Health in Children, and whether it will indicate its position o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its response to the consultation paper on children's oral health, Towards Better Oral Health in Children, and whether it will indicate its position on compulsory water fluoridation.","AnswerText":"The outcome of thisconsultation, which covers a number of issues bearing on children’s oralhealth, including fluoridation of the public water supply, will be announced assoon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178076,"EventID":"S2W-05310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2003,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":21,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of its grant funding allocated to Argyll and Bute Council in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99, (d) 1999-2000, (e) 2000-01, (f) 20","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of its grant funding allocated to Argyll and Bute Council in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99, (d) 1999-2000, (e) 2000-01, (f) 2001-02 and (g) 2002-03.","AnswerText":"The main grant fundingallocated to Argyll and Bute Council are shown in the following table. | (£ million) | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | | Aggregate External Finance | 110.1 | 108.0 | 107.7 | 110.9 | 113.5 | 121.8 | 136.7 | | Capital Allocations | 14.7 | 16.9 | 12.7 | 11.3 | 12.6 | 17.2 | 12.4 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178077,"EventID":"S2W-05311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available for the development of an advertising slogan to promote Scotland abroad.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available for the development of an advertising slogan to promote Scotland abroad.","AnswerText":"As detailed inevidence recently submitted to the European and External Relations Committee,the Executive is looking at all aspects of its work to promote Scotland's interests overseas. Part of this work involves ensuringthat the public sector's overseas marketing activities are coherent andeffective. We have therefore commissioned research on overseas views of differentmarketing approaches. The exact level of funding required will not be knownuntil further work has been carried out.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178078,"EventID":"S2W-05312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4368 by Lewis Macdonald on 15 December 2003, whether it has discussed the content and implications of Her Majesty's Government's dr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4368 by Lewis Macdonald on 15 December 2003, whether it has discussed the content and implications of Her Majesty's Government's draft bill covering electricity (trading and transmission) and nuclear sites and radioactive substances as part of its regular contact with that government.","AnswerText":"The Executive has discussedwith Her Majesty’s Government the content and implications of the bills in itslegislative programme, including the Energy Bill. The discussions for each billhave reflected the extent of the relationship with devolved matters. We have now issued a Sewel motion to the Parliamentcovering those provisions within the Energy Bill that fall in devolvedcompetence.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178079,"EventID":"S2W-05313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the use of applets by the eProcurement Scotl@nd web service restricts or prevents its use by (a) buyers and (b) suppliers who use “open systems” compute","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the use of applets by the eProcurement Scotl@nd web service restricts or prevents its use by (a) buyers and (b) suppliers who use “open systems” computer software and hardware or who conform to cross-industry rather than proprietary standards.","AnswerText":"TheeProcurement Scotl@nd service is made up of a number of elements, for example,transaction software and e-tendering software. The service provider is requiredto ensure that the service is not reliant on proprietary standards such as thetype of web-browser used.Applets are used in alimited number of situations. We are not aware of any compatibility issuessurrounding the use of applets in the transaction software, but we haverecently become aware of a compatibility issue in the e-tendering software. Theservice provider has been asked to address this issue. Our intention is thatwherever possible, cross-industry standards, rather than proprietary standards,will be applied, and this is a fundamental requirement of the service. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178080,"EventID":"S2W-05314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what areas will benefit from the launch of NHS Digital TV next summer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what areas will benefit from the launch of NHS Digital TV next summer.","AnswerText":"NHS Direct Digital TV willbe rolled out in summer 2004. The service will be available to everyone in the UK whosubscribes to digital TV.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178081,"EventID":"S2W-05315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input NHS Scotland has had to the development of NHS Digital TV.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input NHS Scotland has had to the development of NHS Digital TV.","AnswerText":"NHS Digital TV is a departmentof Health initiative in England led by NHS Direct. NHS 24 is currently indiscussions with NHS Direct on how the Digital TV service will be developed,including the development of a separate Scottish section.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178082,"EventID":"S2W-05316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any research into the incidence of air-related deep vein thrombosis treated in hospitals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any research into the incidence of air-related deep vein thrombosis treated in hospitals.","AnswerText":"The Information andStatistics Division of the Common Services Agency maintains statistics on hospitaldischarges and diagnoses. It is possible to identify cases of deep veinthrombosis linked to travel generally, but not cases specifically linked to airtravel. In 2002, 10 such cases were recorded, and the provisional figure for2003 is 13. However, caution is necessary in interpreting these figures. Somehospitals may not have recorded a possible link with travel. Also, it ispossible that the same patient may have been seen more than once in the courseof a year. We are not aware of any research relating specifically to thesefigures.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178083,"EventID":"S2W-05317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commission research into the incidence of air-related deep vein thrombosis treated in hospitals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commission research into the incidence of air-related deep vein thrombosis treated in hospitals.","AnswerText":"The Information andStatistics Division of the Common Services Agency maintains statistics onhospital discharges and diagnoses. There are no plans to collect informationseparately on incidences of air-related deep vein thrombosis treated inhospitals.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178084,"EventID":"S2W-05318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance to GPs, nurses, consultants and other health professionals on the symptoms of air-related deep vein thrombosis to raise awareness and avoid","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance to GPs, nurses, consultants and other health professionals on the symptoms of air-related deep vein thrombosis to raise awareness and avoid misdiagnosis.","AnswerText":"It is not possible todistinguish the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis which may have been triggeredby air travel from those of deep vein thrombosis in people who have not flownrecently or at all, so it would not be possible to issue such specificguidance. Though the Executive does not issue clinical advice to medicalprofessionals directly, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN),which is funded by the Executive, has issued advice on what may be done toprevent or reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism, including deep veinthrombosis, developing in the first place. The good practice clinical guidelineProphylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism was published in October 2002 andincludes a section on long distance travel. SIGN guidelines are made availableto the NHS at all levels, and are kept under regular review to take account ofnew published research.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178085,"EventID":"S2W-05319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is specialist deep vein thrombosis (DVT) provision for any DVT cases whether air-related, pregnancy-related or other; what the nature of this provision is, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is specialist deep vein thrombosis (DVT) provision for any DVT cases whether air-related, pregnancy-related or other; what the nature of this provision is, and where such provision is located.","AnswerText":"All acute hospitalsthroughout Scotland will be able to treat DVT. The treatment is not normallycomplicated, however, and many cases are managed by the patient’s GP orself-managed by the patient after instruction. In cases of recurrent DVT, whichrequire investigation for an underlying predisposition to form clots(thrombophilia), screening is widely available across NHS Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178086,"EventID":"S2W-05320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider the benefits of an awareness-raising campaign with the general public to reduce the incidence of air-related deep vein thrombosis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider the benefits of an awareness-raising campaign with the general public to reduce the incidence of air-related deep vein thrombosis.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plansfor such a campaign. The possible effects of air travel as a trigger factor indeep vein thrombosis have already received widespread publicity.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178087,"EventID":"S2W-05321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the availability is of thrombophilia screening across Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the availability is of thrombophilia screening across Scotland.","AnswerText":"In December 2000 the UKNational Screening Committee recommended that there was no evidence to supportthe introduction of a population-based thrombophilia screening programme.Screening for individuals considered to be at high risk is available throughoutNHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178088,"EventID":"S2W-05322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the availability is of Doppler machines across Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the availability is of Doppler machines across Scotland.","AnswerText":"Doppler machines are widelyavailable in acute hospitals throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178089,"EventID":"S2W-05323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the population of each deprivation quintile is in each NHS board area, expressed as a percentage of total board area population, in each year since 1998-99.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the population of each deprivation quintile is in each NHS board area, expressed as a percentage of total board area population, in each year since 1998-99.","AnswerText":"Populations for eachdeprivation quintile based on the Carstairs Index of Deprivation are onlyavailable for Census years. Results relating to 2001 are provided in the followingtable. These results are provisional.Census Populations by CarstairsDeprivation Quintile and Health Board | | Population | | | Carstairs Deprivation Quintiles | | Health Board | 1 - Least Deprived | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 - Most Deprived | Total | | Ayrshire and Arran | 38,437 | 66,138 | 63,774 | 98,727 | 101,073 | 368,149 | | Borders | 19,157 | 45,078 | 30,393 | 12,136 | 0 | 106,764 | | Argyll and Clyde | 67,328 | 76,460 | 71,554 | 102,038 | 102,691 | 420,071 | | Fife | 61,271 | 61,405 | 72,052 | 127,175 | 27,526 | 349,429 | | Greater Glasgow | 152,486 | 86,014 | 80,939 | 125,853 | 423,805 | 869,097 | | Highland | 19,569 | 82,176 | 69,761 | 36,846 | 562 | 208,914 | | Lanarkshire | 29,244 | 99,347 | 124,455 | 172,168 | 126,078 | 551,292 | | Grampian | 227,178 | 114,432 | 103,493 | 50,413 | 30,420 | 525,936 | | Orkney | 0 | 19,245 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19,245 | | Lothian | 203,563 | 141,027 | 197,813 | 168,942 | 67,022 | 778,367 | | Tayside | 109,789 | 105,050 | 42,467 | 45,354 | 86,352 | 389,012","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178090,"EventID":"S2W-05324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2767,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has allocated for the development of biomass energy in 2003-04.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has allocated for the development of biomass energy in 2003-04.","AnswerText":"There is no separate fundingallocation at present for individual renewable technologies. The Forum forRenewable Energy Development in Scotland will shortly begin investigating ways in whichbiomass energy might be further developed in Scotland. I expect to receiveits recommendations later this year. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178091,"EventID":"S2W-05325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2767,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many biomass projects are currently in operation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many biomass projects are currently in operation.","AnswerText":"There is currently onebiomass electricity generating plant in Scotland. The plant, powered by chicken litter and operatingunder a Scottish renewable obligation contract, is located in Fife.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178092,"EventID":"S2W-05326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2767,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to use forests as carbon sinks.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to use forests as carbon sinks.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executivecurrently has no plans to use forests solely for their action as a carbon sink.However, increasing the areas of sustainably managed forest often has benefitsin removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Through the Scottish ForestryGrant Scheme and Farmland Premium Scheme financial incentives are available tolandowners for planting.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178093,"EventID":"S2W-05327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2767,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding it has given to the development of carbon sinks in the last year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding it has given to the development of carbon sinks in the last year.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive doesnot support developments solely for their action as a carbon sink and, as such,we do not keep records of the proportion of expenditure directly attributableto the development of carbon sinks.Support is given, however,to developments where carbon sequestration is but one of a number of benefits. Forexample, the Scottish Forestry Strategy supports new tree planting for a fullrange of benefits including improved biodiversity, recreational opportunities andtimber production, as well as carbon sequestration. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178094,"EventID":"S2W-05328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2767,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what grants are available to companies wishing to develop forests as carbon sinks.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what grants are available to companies wishing to develop forests as carbon sinks.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive doesnot support developments solely for their action as a carbon sink. Incentivesto plant new woodland and for replanting felled woodland are targeted to meetour priorities and programmes for forestry as outlined in the Scottish ForestryStrategy.Grants to plant new woodlandare available through the Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme (SFGS) and theFarmland Premium Scheme. Grants are also offered for replanting felled woodlandunder the SFGS. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178095,"EventID":"S2W-05329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2767,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many carbon sink projects are currently in operation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many carbon sink projects are currently in operation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive doesnot keep records of the number of carbon sink projects in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178096,"EventID":"S2W-05330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many salaried dentist posts have been advertised since the introduction of such posts and how many vacancies there are currently in each NHS board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many salaried dentist posts have been advertised since the introduction of such posts and how many vacancies there are currently in each NHS board area.","AnswerText":"Salaried dentist posts werefirst introduced in the late 1960s and advertising and filling of vacancies isa matter for the relevant NHS boards/Primary Care NHS Trusts. The informationrequested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178097,"EventID":"S2W-05331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to the recommendations contained in the report of the Water Customer Consultation Panels, Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges for ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to the recommendations contained in the report of the Water Customer Consultation Panels, Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges for Low Income Households, published in December 2003.","AnswerText":"The Executive has consideredthe recommendations contained in the panels’ report on affordability. The Executiveis committed to securing substantial efficiency savings at Scottish Water asthe principal means of easing pressure on water and sewerage charges for allcustomers, including those in low income and vulnerable households. Inaddition, particular assistance to low income households is provided throughthe link between water charges and the council tax banding and discountarrangements. In terms of the specific recommendations in the report:TheExecutive is assessing the impact that ending the current Water and SewerageCharges Reduction Scheme will have in light of harmonisation of charges. Adecision on whether any further action is required will be made in light ofthis assessment. Incomesupport is a reserved matter for the UK Government. Local authorities are currently responsible forcollecting charges for domestic customers. This is an efficient and customer friendlyway of charging. It enables customers to pay for two services with one bill; and itavoids them having to meet, through higher water bills, the costs thatotherwise would arise from having to establish and maintain a separate billingsystem for water and sewerage services. Thepractice of local authorities collecting water and sewerage charges is also thebasis of the crucial link between charges and the council tax banding anddiscount arrangements. Giving Scottish Water responsibility to collect chargeswould not only result in increased bills for customers, it would undermine thesearrangements to the detriment of low income and vulnerable households. The Executive has no plansof directing Scottish Water to pursue a policy of household metering. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178098,"EventID":"S2W-05332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop accessible subsidised transport provision for people with disabilities who are unable to access public transport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop accessible subsidised transport provision for people with disabilities who are unable to access public transport.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committedto ensuring that public transport is accessible to people with disabilities.Under the partnership agreement the Executive is committed to assessingimproved public transport concessions for disabled people.The assessment will, amongother things, look at the barriers to accessible transport for disabled people,enhanced concessionary fares and options for door to door travel. To achievethis we will work with public transport providers, the Mobility and AccessCommittee for Scotland, voluntary and other interested bodies. We are aboutto commence a public consultation on how best to take forward the assessmentand extending the concessionary bus fare scheme to a national off-peak schemefor older and disabled people. Ministers have also approveda £0.5 million per annum budget to pilot rural demand responsive transportbetween 2004-06 and a further £0.5 million per annum to pilot urban communitytransport/demand responsive transport over the same period. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178099,"EventID":"S2W-05333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the transitional relief scheme for water rates beyond March 2004.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the transitional relief scheme for water rates beyond March 2004.","AnswerText":"The Executive is assessingthe impact that ending the current Water and Sewerage Charges Reduction Schemewill have in light of harmonisation of charges. A decision on whether anyfurther action is required will be made in light of this assessment.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178100,"EventID":"S2W-05334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its target for an additional 525 student nurse places by the end of 2003 has been achieved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its target for an additional 525 student nurse places by the end of 2003 has been achieved.","AnswerText":"The Executive remainscommitted to building the capacity of NHSScotland.To date we have recruited429 of the 525 additional student nursing and midwifery places that wereallocated for academic year 2003-04. Efforts are still continuingto recruit to the target number. Higher education institutions have still toconfirm the number of students commencing in the February 2004 intake. We arealso expecting a further intake to the HNC route in February 2004. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178101,"EventID":"S2W-05335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current status and outcome is of the IT training scheme for primary care health professionals and, in particular, whether the scheme has been rolled out across S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current status and outcome is of the IT training scheme for primary care health professionals and, in particular, whether the scheme has been rolled out across Scotland.","AnswerText":"As part of theimplementation arrangements for the new General Medical Services (GMS)Contract, the GMS Information, Management and Technology (IM&T) Training/FacilitationProject was initiated in summer 2003. Itis a one-off initiative to inform the design of on-going GP practice IM&Ttraining programmes, which will be the responsibility of NHS boards/trusts aspart of the new contract arrangements.All 15 NHS boards in Scotlandhave now initiated projects, and are making progress to support theimplementation of the IM&T requirements of the new GMS Contract, in linewith their local arrangements, at GP practice level. The local projects arebeing supported centrally by the CSA GMS IM&T Programme through guidance,toolsets and workshops. The intention is to use thisapproach as a model for addressing the IT training needs of other health careprofessionals, starting initially with community pharmacists. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178102,"EventID":"S2W-05336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its review of progress in delivering the plan for action on alcohol problems will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when its review of progress in delivering the plan for action on alcohol problems will be published.","AnswerText":"We have set up a sub-groupof the Scottish Advisory Committee on Alcohol Misuse to lead on the review ofprogress in delivering the Plan for Action and in determining priorities forfuture action. The group meets for the first time in February and we expect tocomplete the review by the end of April.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178103,"EventID":"S2W-05337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients had been waiting longer than nine months for in-patient treatment at the end of 2003.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients had been waiting longer than nine months for in-patient treatment at the end of 2003.","AnswerText":"Validated waiting timesfigures for 31 December 2003 will be published by ISD Scotland on its“NHSScotland Acute Activity, Waiting Times and Waiting Lists” website on Thursday 26 February 2004.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178104,"EventID":"S2W-05339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of the statement by Historic Scotland that Castle Tioram in Moidart should be “ruins in a landscape” and whether it has any plan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of the statement by Historic Scotland that Castle Tioram in Moidart should be “ruins in a landscape” and whether it has any plans to allow the castle to be restored and, if so, what steps it will take to facilitate the restoration.","AnswerText":"Castle Tioram is a scheduled monument and thus of national importance for its archaeological and historicinterest. At the public local inquiry held in 2001 into an application forscheduled monument consent for the restoration of the castle, Historic Scotlandargued the case for consolidation. Scottish ministers subsequently refusedscheduled monument consent for the application.Any future application forscheduled monument consent in respect of the castle would be considered on itsmerits and in line with Scottish Executive policy. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178105,"EventID":"S2W-05340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2686,"Party":"Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the consultation paper on its national concessionary travel scheme for elderly and disabled people will be issued; how the consultation paper will be distributed, a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the consultation paper on its national concessionary travel scheme for elderly and disabled people will be issued; how the consultation paper will be distributed, and to whom.","AnswerText":"The consultation paper onconcessionary travel will be issued as soon as practicable. It will bedistributed by post to key stakeholders, including groups representing olderpeople.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178106,"EventID":"S2W-05341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is given to women (a) under 50 and (b) over 50 who currently receive hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is given to women (a) under 50 and (b) over 50 who currently receive hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms.","AnswerText":"The UK Committee on Safetyof Medicines (CSM) and its expert working group on hormone replacement therapy(HRT) have kept the safety of HRT under constant review and have providedadvice to health professionals and women in response to important new evidenceas it emerged. The latest advice was cascaded to health professionals and womenin December 2003.At that time, the CSMadvised that, for women of all ages, the benefits of short-term use of HRT forthe relief of menopausal symptoms outweigh the risks for most women. For women who are over 50years of age, HRT should no longer be considered as a first-line therapy forthe long-term prevention of osteoporosis. In women who are under 50 years andhave experienced a premature menopause, HRT may be used until the age of 50years. Prescribers are advised thateach decision to initiate treatment with HRT should be made on an individualbasis and that women should be made aware of the increased risk of adverseeffects. Each treatment decision should take into consideration the known risksand benefits of HRT, the contraindications for use and each woman’s individualcircumstances. Importantly, the treatment should be re-evaluated at leastannually in light of any new knowledge and any changes in the woman’s riskfactors. Product information providedwith each pack of HRT reflects safety information. In addition, the Medicinesand Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and CSM website www.mhra.gov.uk contains comprehensiveinformation about the known risks associated with HRT use. As with all licensedmedicines, the CSM keeps the safety of HRT under close review, and would takeappropriate action if further evidence relating to its safe use becameavailable. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178107,"EventID":"S2W-05342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact is of refusal of continuing hormone replacement therapy, due to recently published medical research, on the quality of life of women affected.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact is of refusal of continuing hormone replacement therapy, due to recently published medical research, on the quality of life of women affected.","AnswerText":"For many women, the symptomsthat occur at menopause adversely affect their quality of life. Followingcareful assessment of findings from a number of studies that provide importantinformation on the safety of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the UK Committeeon Safety of Medicines (CSM) and its expert working group on HRT have reviewedthe use of HRT in its licensed indications and issued clear safety advice tohealth professionals and women.The CSM’s advice regarding theshort-term treatment of these symptoms is unchanged and HRT remains the firstchoice of treatment. However, in these women, the lowest effective dose shouldbe used for the shortest possible duration, each decision to start HRT shouldbe made on an individual basis with a fully informed woman and treatment shouldbe re-evaluated at least annually in light of new knowledge and any changes inthe woman’s risk factors. The CSM has further advisedthat HRT should no longer be considered as the first choice treatment for theprevention of osteoporosis in women who are at increased risk of fractures, asthe risks are considered to outweigh the benefits. However, HRT may still beused in women who are intolerant of, or unresponsive to, other osteoporosistherapies. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178108,"EventID":"S2W-05343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to extend the breast screening service to women under 50, in light of recent research findings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to extend the breast screening service to women under 50, in light of recent research findings.","AnswerText":"At present women under 50are not offered routine breast screening due to the density of their breasttissue which makes it difficult to detect small breast cancers by mammography.The findings of a UK trial looking at the benefits of screening womenfrom the age of 40 are expected in 2005 and will be considered in due course.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178109,"EventID":"S2W-05344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to NHS boards on contraceptives recently approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to NHS boards on contraceptives recently approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium.","AnswerText":"Scottish MedicinesConsortium (SMC) advice is issued direct to NHS boards by the SMC. Informationabout products recommended by the SMC for use within NHSScotland can be foundon their website www.htbs.co.uk/smc ,or by contacting the SMC secretariat at Delta House, 50 West Nile Street,Glasgow, G1 2NP (0141 225 6997).During 2003, the SMCreviewed 3 contraceptive products Yasmin, Evra and Cerazette. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178110,"EventID":"S2W-05345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-07T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how community investment in wind farms projects is being encouraged.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how community investment in wind farms projects is being encouraged.","AnswerText":"We are keen to see optionsfor communities securing a financial stake in renewables developments fullyexplored. To that end, we are discussing with Highlands and Islands Enterprisea possible scheme they are considering for their area; and we will considerwhether a similar scheme might be introduced in the rest of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178111,"EventID":"S2W-05346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2686,"Party":"Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its decision on the future of Earnock High School, Hamilton.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its decision on the future of Earnock High School, Hamilton.","AnswerText":"I hope to be in a positionto announce a decision shortly.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178112,"EventID":"S2W-05347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2686,"Party":"Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be put in place to ensure the safety of pupils travelling to Blantyre, should it decide to close Earnock High School, Hamilton.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be put in place to ensure the safety of pupils travelling to Blantyre, should it decide to close Earnock High School, Hamilton.","AnswerText":"It is not appropriate tospeculate on a ministerial decision which has yet to be taken.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178113,"EventID":"S2W-05348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2686,"Party":"Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be put in place to ensure that pupils have access to all out-of-school activities, should it decide to close Earnock High School, Hamilton.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be put in place to ensure that pupils have access to all out-of-school activities, should it decide to close Earnock High School, Hamilton.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-5347. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178114,"EventID":"S2W-05349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2686,"Party":"Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be put in place to ensure the servicing of the growing school roll in light of the increasing housing stock in Hamilton, should the Executive decid","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be put in place to ensure the servicing of the growing school roll in light of the increasing housing stock in Hamilton, should the Executive decide to close Earnock High School.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-5347. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178115,"EventID":"S2W-05350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will have a hard shoulder and, if not, how much it would cost to add one.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will have a hard shoulder and, if not, how much it would cost to add one.","AnswerText":"The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is being designed as a dual 2 lane, all purposecarriageway. In normal circumstances, this type of road does not have a hardshoulder. However, unlike significant stretches of the A90 dual carriagewaysouth of Aberdeen, the new by-pass road, it will have a 1m wide marginalstrip adjacent to the nearside running lanes. The costs of adding a hardshoulderhave not been explored.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178116,"EventID":"S2W-05351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1805,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":1,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking regarding the use of seatbelts on school buses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking regarding the use of seatbelts on school buses.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive issued revised guidance to education authorities on school transportissues in August 2003. Circular 7/2003, copies of which are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 29135), reminds them of their dutyof care for the safety of pupils, including pupils using school transport, andmakes it clear that all statutory requirements must be complied with.The guidance sets out thelegal requirements with regard to the fitting of seat belts in vehicles used totransport children on organised school trips, including home to schooltransport. It also encourages local authorities to consider how best to ensurethat children use seat belts, where these are provided. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178117,"EventID":"S2W-05352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what share of the total budget for the proposed online upgrade of the A80 is being provided by European structural funds, expressed both in cash and percentage terms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what share of the total budget for the proposed online upgrade of the A80 is being provided by European structural funds, expressed both in cash and percentage terms.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178118,"EventID":"S2W-05353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reduce the number of road deaths and casualties.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reduce the number of road deaths and casualties.","AnswerText":"The Executive is addressingroad safety through a combination of engineering, enforcement and education.TheExecutive has set targets for a 40% reduction in the number of people killedand seriously injured in road accidents and a 50% reduction in those figures forchildren by 2010, compared with the average for the years 1994-98. Goodprogress has been made. By 2002 the number of deaths and serious casualties was27% below, and the number of child deaths and serious casualties was 38% belowthe baseline. TheExecutive provides funding to the Scottish Road Safety Campaign for thedevelopment of key road safety education initiatives and publicity messages.The campaign has produced a range of educational resources, many aimed atchildren, and has mounted effective publicity campaigns, focussing on drink anddrug driving, speeding, seat belt use and young driver safety. TheExecutive funds free membership of the Children’s Traffic Club in Scotland,which offers road safety training to all three and four year old children in Scotland. TheExecutive is providing funding for local authorities, totalling up to £27million between 2003 and 2006, for the introduction of 20 mph speed limitsoutside schools and related safety projects. TheExecutive is also providing funding totalling £1,080,000 over five years forpilot child pedestrian training schemes. Twelve selected local authorities arereceiving funding to enable them to set up and run schemes to train five and sixyear old children in pedestrian skills. The Executive is providinglocal authorities with dedicated fundingof nearly £38 million for cycling, walking and safer streets projects over theperiod 2000-06. The Executive is alsofunding school travel co-ordinator posts within all Scottish local authorities. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178119,"EventID":"S2W-05354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage the use of alternative dispute resolution by its departments, the NHS and other government bodies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage the use of alternative dispute resolution by its departments, the NHS and other government bodies.","AnswerText":"The Executive supports inprinciple the use of alternative dispute resolution where feasible andappropriate. It is a matter for each individual department and public body todetermine what use to make of alternative dispute resolution.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178120,"EventID":"S2W-05355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on alternative dispute resolution and other mediation services in each of the last four years, broken down by department.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on alternative dispute resolution and other mediation services in each of the last four years, broken down by department.","AnswerText":"Information is not availablein the format requested.There are a variety ofalternative dispute resolution processes, including direct negotiation,arbitration, mediation and conciliation, and the use of Ombudsmen andregulators. The Executive has recently legislated to establish a new ScottishPublic Sector Ombudsman, providing a “one stop shop” in place of severalprevious bodies. Other recent initiatives bythe Executive in this area include: SE funding for familyMediation Scotland (c. £700,000 per annum); SE funding for the EdinburghIn-Court Advice and Mediation Service (£22,000 p.a.). The Executive iscurrently considering whether to extend funding for mediation, possibly throughfurther pilots; Changes to Sheriff CourtRules in Glasgow to allow sheriffs to refer commercial actions foralternative dispute resolution where appropriate; SE Procurement Directoratehas issued guidance for contractors endorsing the use of alternative disputeresolution in Scotland; Justice Department iscurrently updating a booklet containing general information about resolving disputeswithout going to court, and officials are in discussion with the ScottishMediation Network to examine how best the Executive can support the furtherdevelopment of mediation services and encourage greater use of alternative disputeresolution generally; A working group has been setup by Health Department to look at the use of mediation in clinical negligencecases; The Education (AdditionalSupport for Learning) (Scotland) Bill will require local authorities to establishmediation services to help to avoid or resolve disagreements between theauthority and parents. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178121,"EventID":"S2W-05356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the answer to question S1W-16309 by Sir David Steel on 29 June 2001, whether the environmental certification details referred to have been placed in the Scotti","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the answer to question S1W-16309 by Sir David Steel on 29 June 2001, whether the environmental certification details referred to have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre and whether details of all timber used since July 2001 will be placed there.","AnswerText":"The Convener of the HolyroodProgress Group has now written to the member with the details requested, andplaced a copy of that letter in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerDate":"2004-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178122,"EventID":"S2W-05357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its recent decision to award funding to local authorities for 20 mph speed restrictions outside schools, whether it will allow local authorities to use th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its recent decision to award funding to local authorities for 20 mph speed restrictions outside schools, whether it will allow local authorities to use this money for other purposes such as improved gritting on school bus routes.","AnswerText":"The capital funding beingmade available by the Executive to local authorities for the introduction of 20mph speed limits around schools can also be used for safer routes to schoolprojects and the development of home zones. A wide range of measures can beimplemented under safer routes to school schemes, including crossings forpedestrians and cyclists, the provision of footways and cycle-ways, and trafficfree entrances to schools. This specific additional funding does not cover thegritting of roads.Non-trunk roads are theresponsibility of the local authorities concerned, and their funding forms partof the general local government finance settlement. It is entirely a matter forindividual authorities to decide what priority should be given to themaintenance and improvement, including gritting, of each road for which theyare responsible. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178123,"EventID":"S2W-05358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many eviction applications have been made by Glasgow Housing Association since the completion of the Glasgow housing stock transfer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many eviction applications have been made by Glasgow Housing Association since the completion of the Glasgow housing stock transfer.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Herresponse is as follows:We are unable to supply theinformation requested. Communities Scotland collects the information on evictions on an annualbasis (as at 31 March each year). We will be able to supply annual informationabout evictions for this organisation after they submit their return in Junethis year. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178124,"EventID":"S2W-05359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many eviction applications were made by Glasgow City Council in each of the three years preceding the Glasgow housing stock transfer.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many eviction applications were made by Glasgow City Council in each of the three years preceding the Glasgow housing stock transfer.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive currently collects information on the number of eviction actions takenagainst council tenants which proceeded to court, the number of cases whichresulted in an eviction order and the number of cases which resulted in aneviction. This return only commenced in April 2001 and data are available forGlasgow City Council up to December 2002. Data on applications which did notresult in a court case are not collected centrally.The data on evictions foreach local authority are published quarterly in the Scottish Executive Statistical Bulletin (Housing Series) Housing Trends in Scotland.This is available online in the published data section of the HousingStatistics Branch reference site (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/housing/hsbref), or from the SPICe library. For the financial year2001-02, there were 2,779 actions taken which proceeded to court. For the lastperiod during which Glasgow City Council submitted a return, which was April-December2002, there were 1,787 eviction actions which proceeded to court. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178125,"EventID":"S2W-05360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations were postponed due to bed shortages in the (a) South Glasgow University Hospital NHS Trust and (b) North Glasgow NHS Trust in each of the last five ye","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations were postponed due to bed shortages in the (a) South Glasgow University Hospital NHS Trust and (b) North Glasgow NHS Trust in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178126,"EventID":"S2W-05361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations were postponed due to bed shortages at the old Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in each of the three years prior to its closure.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations were postponed due to bed shortages at the old Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in each of the three years prior to its closure.","AnswerText":"The information, in the formrequested, is not available. An average of the two years 2001-02 gives a totalnumber of cancellations of 1,141 per annum, with 149 of these attributed to alack of beds.There are many explanationsfor the cancellation of operations, other than a shortage of beds. They rangefrom surgery no longer required, surgery done elsewhere, patient not fit, andpatients not turning up. Others are cancelled perfectly legitimately, and inadvance. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178127,"EventID":"S2W-05362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations have been postponed due to bed shortages at the new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in each year since it opened.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations have been postponed due to bed shortages at the new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in each year since it opened.","AnswerText":"The information is notavailable in the form requested. Latest figures indicate that, between Apriland December 2003, a total of 989 operations were cancelled, of which 109 wereattributed to a lack of beds.There are many explanationsfor the cancellation of operations, other than a shortage of beds. Operationswhich are cancelled perfectly legitimately, and in advance, range from surgeryno longer required, surgery done elsewhere, patient not fit, and patients notturning up. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178128,"EventID":"S2W-05363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider a compensation scheme for deckhands who have lost their employment in the fishing industry due to decommissioning on a similar basis to the compe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider a compensation scheme for deckhands who have lost their employment in the fishing industry due to decommissioning on a similar basis to the compensation awarded to deep-sea trawler men who used to fish off Iceland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to provide compensation to fishermen formerly employed onvessels which have been decommissioned.Mechanisms are in placethrough the local enterprise network and other public sector agencies toprovide a wide range of support and advice to any fishermen made unemployed asa result of decommissioning. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178129,"EventID":"S2W-05364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost would be to the NHS should home-based respite services no longer be provided in north and west Sutherland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost would be to the NHS should home-based respite services no longer be provided in north and west Sutherland.","AnswerText":"The Executive recognisesthat many unpaid carers need a regular break from caring in order to supportthe caring relationship. Our Partnership Agreement reflects our firm commitmentto develop respite provision across Scotland. Over the last three years £22 million has beenprovided to local authorities specifically to develop short break services. Theseresources are just part of the total resources available to local authorities.Those authorities decide with key partners, including health boards, how muchto spend on delivering home-based respite. If a carer has to withdraw fromsupporting a cared-for person, for whatever reason, that inevitably has financialimplications for authorities, health boards and the other key agencies involvedin providing alternative care. Information is not available on the cost to theNHS of withdrawing home-based respite services in north and west Sutherland, orelsewhere.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178130,"EventID":"S2W-05365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children are currently waiting for a diagnosis of autism, broken down by NHS board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children are currently waiting for a diagnosis of autism, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"The information requested isnot held centrally. The Scottish Executive is committed to improving therecognition, assessment and diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders, throughimplementation of the Public Health Institute of Scotland’s AutisticSpectrum Disorders Needs Assessment Report. We are working towards this byincreasing the range of information and training on autistic spectrum disordersfor families and professionals.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178131,"EventID":"S2W-05366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made in respect of the renovation or restoration of Kinloch Castle on Rum; whether it has any plans to restore and preserve the castle and, if","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made in respect of the renovation or restoration of Kinloch Castle on Rum; whether it has any plans to restore and preserve the castle and, if so, how the restoration will be funded; what information it has on the current estimated cost of restoration, and whether there has been any change in this cost, in light of the recommendations of the report by Page and Park architects, Conservation, Management and Business Plan Proposals relating to Proposals for Future of Kinloch Castle.","AnswerText":"The Executive has made nosuch representations and has no such plans. Kinloch Castle isowned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) so this is an operationalmatter for SNH to take forward.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178132,"EventID":"S2W-05367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the broad criteria are for the designation of community health partnerships.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the broad criteria are for the designation of community health partnerships.","AnswerText":"The main aims of community healthpartnerships (CHP) were described in the white paper Partnership for Care.Further information on the broad criteria is contained in the NHS Reform Billand is underpinned by the recent consultation process on CHP guidance whichdescribes the proposed form and function of CHPs.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178133,"EventID":"S2W-05368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what process should be followed to reach agreement over the boundaries of community health partnerships.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what process should be followed to reach agreement over the boundaries of community health partnerships.","AnswerText":"Health boards should workwith all stakeholders to agree the boundaries which are in the best interest oflocal communities and partner organisations. Where a community health partnershippotentially crosses into two health board areas the respective boards shouldinvolve and agree the boundaries with their local authority partners.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178134,"EventID":"S2W-05369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether community health partnerships should, where possible, reflect natural communities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether community health partnerships should, where possible, reflect natural communities.","AnswerText":"Community health partnerships(CHP) should, where possible, reflect natural communities. They must be fit forpurpose and the size should be based on the principle of co-terminosity betweenCHPs and local authorities and natural communities. Consideration must also begiven to the minimum population size required to deliver a wide range ofservices for local people.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178135,"EventID":"S2W-05370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what importance is attached to the views of GPs and local communities in determining the boundaries of community health partnerships.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what importance is attached to the views of GPs and local communities in determining the boundaries of community health partnerships.","AnswerText":"We attach the highest importanceto gaining the views of all professional staff and local communities inevolving community health partnerships (CHP) and this includes the issue of boundaries.The consultation paper on the development of CHPs issued on the 18 Julyemphasised that NHS boards must ensure that local authority partners are fullyinvolved in the development of CHPs and that all proposed schemes should bedeveloped through a bottom up inclusive process and demonstrate that the viewsof all stakeholders have been taken into consideration.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178136,"EventID":"S2W-05371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a mandatory rates relief scheme for community amateur sports clubs, similar to that introduced in England and Wales.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a mandatory rates relief scheme for community amateur sports clubs, similar to that introduced in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2O-1066 which is available on the Parliament’swebsite, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2005-02-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178137,"EventID":"S2W-05372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities provide rates relief to sports clubs and what funding has been allocated to local authorities to provide such rates relief in each of the last fiv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities provide rates relief to sports clubs and what funding has been allocated to local authorities to provide such rates relief in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Sports clubs may qualify fora number of rate reliefs such as mandatory charitable rate relief, and/or discretionaryrate relief or small business rate relief. Only information relating to theamount of discretionary rate relief granted to sports clubs by each localauthority is held centrally. The table below shows the amount of discretionaryrate relief granted by each local authority to sports clubs in the last fiveyears. The Executive funds 100% of any discretionary rate relief granted tosports clubs.Discretionary Relief for Sports Clubs: 1998-99 to 2002-03 | | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03* | | Aberdeen City | 137,963 | 186,921 | 208,970 | 145,020 | 265,311 | | Aberdeenshire | 454,998 | 457,548 | 524,103 | 570,105 | 605,328 | | Angus | 140,252 | 150,026 | 170,652 | 180,148 | 192,560 | | Argyll and Bute | 196,373 | 232,547 | 261,281 | 281,930 | 289,724 | | Clackmannanshire | 25,301 | 29,157 | 29,643 | 30,189 | 31,517 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 252,616 | 266,198 | 279,552 | 288,210 | 294,596 | | Dundee City | 105,240 | 109,535 | 119,578 | 126,000 | 132,494 | | East Ayrshire | 71,471 | 76,477 | 110,036 | 132,809 | 114,480 | | East Dunbartonshire | 143,894 | 186,908 | 257,642 | 278,304 | 286,519 | | East Lothian | 251,442 | 264,519 | 280,847 | 348,251 | 380,624 | | East Renfrewshire | 153,906 | 154,842 | 158,757 | 179,198 | 180,967 | | Edinburgh, City of | 726,318 | 751,327 | 810,044 | 841,948 | 859,368 | | Eilean Siar | 22,485 | 27,511 | 29,463 | 31,251 | 37,231 | | Falkirk | 42,214 | 46,286 | 49,791 | 50,433 | 73,615 | | Fife | 287,627 | 295,251 | 280,373 | 330,908 | 333,193 | | Glasgow City | 346,262 | 347,199 | 374,905 | 398,709 | 398,257 | | Highland | 134,10","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178138,"EventID":"S2W-05373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government in respect of the introduction of 80% mandatory rates relief for community amateur sports clubs and what the cos","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government in respect of the introduction of 80% mandatory rates relief for community amateur sports clubs and what the cost would be of the introduction of such a scheme in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive officials are in regular contact with officials fromthe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The additional cost of introducing 80%mandatory rate relief for community amateur sports clubs is estimated to be inthe region of £1 million. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178139,"EventID":"S2W-05374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual expenditure has been on public relations and advertising by Highlands and Islands Airport Ltd since 1997 and what the estimated budget for such expenditu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual expenditure has been on public relations and advertising by Highlands and Islands Airport Ltd since 1997 and what the estimated budget for such expenditure is for the next three years.","AnswerText":"The annual amounts are as follows: | | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 est | 2004-05 est | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | | | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | | HIAL | 32,703 | 38,648 | 51,263 | 58,728 | 57,661 | 146,608 | 192,381 | 173,000 | * | * | | Support through HIAL from other agencies | | 30,000 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | | Totals | 32,703 | 68,648 | 51,263 | 58,728 | 57,661 | 146,608 | 192,381 | 173,000 | * | * | Note: *estimated amounts are not available but HIAL’s 5-year plan shows that the figures will increase each year by inflation ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178140,"EventID":"S2W-05375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will reach a decision on the retail development planning application at Westway Retail Park, Arbroath, following the local public inquiry held in October 2003.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will reach a decision on the retail development planning application at Westway Retail Park, Arbroath, following the local public inquiry held in October 2003.","AnswerText":"The Scottish ministers arecurrently awaiting the recommendations from the inquiry reporter on thisplanning application. When the report becomes available, ministers willconsider the findings carefully and every effort will be made to reach an earlydecision.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178141,"EventID":"S2W-05376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents occurred on the B822 between the Gonachan Bridge, Fintry and the border with East Dunbartonshire, north of Lennoxtown, in each of the last 10 yea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents occurred on the B822 between the Gonachan Bridge, Fintry and the border with East Dunbartonshire, north of Lennoxtown, in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"Data about injury roadaccidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the Stats 19 statistical report format. These returns cover onlyaccidents in which one or more people were injured: they do not cover damageonly accidents.The table gives the numbersof injury road accidents which were identified in the STATS 19 returns asoccurring on the B822 between the point where that road crosses the GonachanBurn and the point where it crosses the East Dunbartonshire Local Authorityboundary, north of Lennoxtown, in the years 1993 to 2002 inclusive. It should be noted that thestatistics given in the table are based upon the data which are held in thecentral statistical database and which were collected by the police at the timeof the accident and subsequently reported to the Executive. They may differfrom any figures which the local authority would provide now, because they donot take account of any subsequent changes or corrections that the localauthority may have made to the statistical information, for use at a locallevel, about the location of each accident, based upon its knowledge of theroad and area concerned. | Year | Number of injury road accidents that occurred on the B822 between the point where that road crosses the Gonachan Burn and the point where it crosses the East Dunbartonshire Local Authority boundary, north of Lennoxtown. | | 1993 | 2 | | 1994 | 0 | | 1995 | 3 | | 1996 | 1 | | 1997 | 1 | | 1998 | 0 | | 1999 | 0 | | 2000 | 1 | | 2001 | 1 | | 2002 | 0 | | Total | 9 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178142,"EventID":"S2W-05377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual (a) actual and (b) additional cost would be of providing free prescriptions to (i) the whole population and (ii) those people who are currently not eligib","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual (a) actual and (b) additional cost would be of providing free prescriptions to (i) the whole population and (ii) those people who are currently not eligible and who have (1) a terminal illness and (2) long-term health problems.","AnswerText":"It is not possible toproduce firm estimates of the actual or additional costs to the NHS ofproviding free prescriptions for the whole population of Scotland orfor the patient groups specified.The NHS currently receivesaround £47 million per year from prescription charge income. This income wouldbe lost if prescriptions were provided free. In addition NHS spending on GPservices, the drugs bill and pharmacists’ remuneration could rise if peopleobtained on prescription items that they would previously have bought over thecounter. Such increases, though likely, cannot be quantified. Cost reductionsare unlikely to exceed £1 million per year, made up of administrative savingson certain prescription fraud prevention measures, prescription charge refundsand pre-payment certificate services which would no longer being required. The costs or savings whichwould arise from providing free prescriptions for people suffering from aterminal illness or long-term health problems cannot be estimated. The numberof people that fall into these groups is not known, neither is the numberrequired to pay for their prescriptions under the current prescription chargingarrangements. Consequently, it is not possible to identify and cost the drugsprescribed or the number of prescriptions written for these patients. Peoplesuffering from a terminal illness who are receiving palliative care in hospitalor in a hospice do not pay for their prescribed drugs. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178143,"EventID":"S2W-05378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage overseas students at Scottish universities to live and work in Scotland after they graduate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage overseas students at Scottish universities to live and work in Scotland after they graduate.","AnswerText":"The First Ministerannounced in September 2003 the proposal to set up, by autumn 2004, a national relocationadvice service centre. This would give advice to a diverse range of clientsexpressing an interest in living and working in Scotland. Early focus will beon retaining students on completion of their studies. We will encouragestudents who utilise our excellent higher education facilities to remain in Scotlandafter they graduate. One of the aims of the initiative is to help facilitatethe process for foreign students to remain in Scotland after graduationshould they wish to do so.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178144,"EventID":"S2W-05379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will make public the annual rental it pays for the accommodation, other than the Assembly Hall, which parliamentary staff","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will make public the annual rental it pays for the accommodation, other than the Assembly Hall, which parliamentary staff and MSPs occupy.","AnswerText":"The answer given to questionS1W-30522 on 7 November 2002 provided details of the financial arrangements thenapplying in respect of the Assembly Hall and other accommodation.By way of update, the termsunder which our various properties are let from City of Edinburgh Council are currently being renegotiated. These negotiations include a reviewof rent. The current annual total rent paid to City of Edinburgh Council is £1,256,750. Annual rentals in respect ofother accommodation remain as given in the answer to question S1W-30522. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178145,"EventID":"S2W-05380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds are available for tenant and resident associations in areas of deprivation and low household incomes where such voluntary organisations seek to renovate local ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds are available for tenant and resident associations in areas of deprivation and low household incomes where such voluntary organisations seek to renovate local neighbourhoods and make them more secure.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her replyis as follows:Direct funding for tenantand resident associations is the responsibility of individual landlords andshould be identified within their tenant participation strategy. The Executivesupports activities to empower tenants to develop their homes and communities,which includes the provision of a tenant participation team, based withinCommunities Scotland. Also, from April 2004 the Scottish Executive willintroduce a national tenants grants scheme providing £400,000 over two yearsfor registered tenant organisations to develop innovative and replicableapproaches in tenant participation. The Social InclusionPartnership Programme also provides £60 million in 2003-04 to tackle socialexclusion and promote regeneration in disadvantaged communities across Scotland.Decisions on how the social inclusion partnership fund is allocated are takenlocally and in Inverclyde, as in other areas, voluntary organisations may beable to access these funds. In addition,the Better Neighbourhoods Services Fund is providing £40 million in 2003-04 and£31.2 million in 2004-05 to improve services to disadvantaged communities in 12Pathfinder areas across Scotland, including Inverclyde. Decisions on how funds areallocated are taken locally in line with the local outcome agreement approvedby the Executive. If tenants andresidents associations are working in partnership with a housing association tohelp them develop a wider role in regeneration they may also be able to accessresources from Communities Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178146,"EventID":"S2W-05381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households in (a) West Renfrewshire and (b) Scotland have benefited from the central heating installation programme and what the average waiting time is for suc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households in (a) West Renfrewshire and (b) Scotland have benefited from the central heating installation programme and what the average waiting time is for such work to be completed.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Herresponse is as follows:Information is not kept inthe form requested. For the private sector the information is held by postcodearea and in the PA postcode area 1,367 systems have been installed to date. Thetotal Scotland figure for all sectors is 28,672 to date. Theaverage waiting time in the private sector is five months, but average waitingtimes in the public sector are not available. However, all council housingwithout a central heating systems are due to have one installed by April 2004if the tenant wants it and RSLs are due to complete their programme by December2004. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178147,"EventID":"S2W-05382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses it received to its consultation on the report of the Nicholson Committee and what the plans and timetable are for the implementation of recommendations","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses it received to its consultation on the report of the Nicholson Committee and what the plans and timetable are for the implementation of recommendations contained in the report.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has received a total of 166 responses to the report of the NicholsonCommittee. Those responses are currently being independently analysed and areport will be submitted to ministers. Ministers will therefore publish theirresponse to the consultation.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178148,"EventID":"S2W-05383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a table or tables listing the identifiable public expenditure per capita, for each year in which figures are available, broken down into (a) housi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a table or tables listing the identifiable public expenditure per capita, for each year in which figures are available, broken down into (a) housing, (b) health, (c) education, (d) tourism, (e) transport, (f) roads, (g) local government, (h) fire and emergency services, (i) police and (j) prisons, and what comparative information it has on identifiable public expenditure per capita under these headings for (i) England, (ii) Wales, (iii) Northern Ireland and (iv) the United Kingdom and on Scotland's per capita identifiable public expenditure under each heading as a proportion of such expenditure in (1) England, (2) Wales, (3) Northern Ireland and (4) the United Kingdom.","AnswerText":"The information requested isgiven in Tables 8.2-8.6 of Public Expenditure, Statistical Analyses 2003 publishedby The Stationery Office in December 2003, a copy of which is in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 30566). The publication details thewhole of public spending in Scotland and is, therefore, not directly comparable with the Scottish Executive accounts.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178149,"EventID":"S2W-05384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make any representations to Her Majesty's Government in support of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ballast plc being placed in adminis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make any representations to Her Majesty's Government in support of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ballast plc being placed in administration, in light of the impact of this matter on the East Lothian public private partnership schools project.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not intend to make any representations to Her Majesty’s Governmentin support of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ballast plcbeing placed in administration.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178150,"EventID":"S2W-05385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish, or direct the local authority to publish, the contract documents in relation to the East Lothian public private partnership schools project contr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish, or direct the local authority to publish, the contract documents in relation to the East Lothian public private partnership schools project contract with Ballast plc.","AnswerText":"Publication of contracts isa matter for each client authority. The Scottish Executive encourages public authoritiesto comply with best practice on openness, for example, public authorities areexpected to publish final business cases. Information should only be withheldwhere disclosure would cause real harm to the legitimate commercial or legalinterests of suppliers, contractors, the public sector client or any otherrelevant party.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178151,"EventID":"S2W-05386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in relation to the East Lothian public private partnership schools project contract with Ballast plc, there was any provision of a performance bond, parent compa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in relation to the East Lothian public private partnership schools project contract with Ballast plc, there was any provision of a performance bond, parent company guarantee or other measure designed to protect against the insolvency or non-performance of the contractor.","AnswerText":"It is normal in many publicprivate partnership situations to have measures of the kind you mention. Theseare generally required by the consortium lenders. These protect the lenders,and ultimately the public sector by assisting the consortium to providecontinuity of service in the event of contractor default. As regards the East Lothiansituation, details of the consortium and its funding arrangements are mattersfor the council to consider in the first instance.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178152,"EventID":"S2W-05387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the impact on the East Lothian public private partnership schools project of Ballast plc being placed in administration, what steps it will take to ensure th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the impact on the East Lothian public private partnership schools project of Ballast plc being placed in administration, what steps it will take to ensure that sub-contractors receive the money that they are due and whether it has any plans to introduce provisions to allow public sector clients to make payments direct to any sub-contractor adversely affected by external factors, such as companies being placed in administration.","AnswerText":"Wherea main contractor has been placed in administration, payments due to the maincontractor will usually form a part of that contractor’s assets and it is forthe administrator to determine whether any further sums are due from theconsortium.The Executive does notconsider that any new provisions are required. In a public private partnership situation it is important to preserve the transfer ofrisk to the consortium which lies at the heart of the public private partnership contract and is the basis of value for money for thetaxpayer. Direct payments to sub-contractors would not be consistent with thesefundamentals. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178153,"EventID":"S2W-05388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made in respect of the level of fees levied by Deloitte and Touche in relation to Ballast plc being in administration, in light of the impact ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made in respect of the level of fees levied by Deloitte and Touche in relation to Ballast plc being in administration, in light of the impact of the matter on the East Lothian public private partnership schools project.","AnswerText":"Matters concerning companiesbeing placed in administration are reserved. The Executive has no locus tointervene.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178154,"EventID":"S2W-05389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to conduct a review of its public sector procurement policy and practice in light of the impact of Ballast plc being placed in administration on ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to conduct a review of its public sector procurement policy and practice in light of the impact of Ballast plc being placed in administration on the East Lothian public private partnership schools project.","AnswerText":"There are no immediate plansto review the Executive’s public sector procurement policy.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178155,"EventID":"S2W-05390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-08T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds will be made available to NHS boards for 2004-05.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds will be made available to NHS boards for 2004-05.","AnswerText":"NHS boards have been given aunified budget of £5322.948 million, an average increase over the equivalent2003-04 unified budget of 7.25%. Details of each NHS board’s allocation is asfollows: | | Total Unified Budget | Percentage Increase in Unified Budget | | Health Board | £ million | % | | Argyll and Clyde | 458.784 | 6.98 | | Ayrshire and Arran | 409.651 | 7.93 | | Borders | 116.434 | 8.34 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 169.733 | 8.03 | | Fife | 352.536 | 8.05 | | Forth Valley | 280.005 | 7.96 | | Grampian | 481.741 | 6.75 | | Greater Glasgow | 1011.865 | 6.75 | | Highland | 239.241 | 8.66 | | Lanarkshire | 564.515 | 7.40 | | Lothian | 724.658 | 6.75 | | Orkney | 22.386 | 6.75 | | Shetland | 26.745 | 6.75 | | Tayside | 422.486 | 6.93 | | Western Isles | 42.168 | 6.75 | | Total | 5322.948 | 7.25 | In addition £642.882 millionhas been allocated to special health boards as follows: | | Allocation | Percentage Increase | | | £ million | % | | NHS Education for Scotland | 215.670 | 6.5 | | Common Services Agency | 174.999 | 6.5 | | Scottish Ambulance Service | 128.095 | 6.5 | | NHS 24 | 46.544 | 6.5 | | National Waiting Times Centre | 29.824 | 6.5 | | State Hospital | 25.710 | 6.5 | | NHS Health Scotland | 11.143 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178156,"EventID":"S2W-05391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which section 36 applications under the Electricity Act 1989, which were not objected to by the relevant local authority, have subsequently been approved by Scottish Min","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which section 36 applications under the Electricity Act 1989, which were not objected to by the relevant local authority, have subsequently been approved by Scottish Ministers or have been referred by ministers to public inquiry since 1989.","AnswerText":"The following projects, allof which were not objected to by the relevant local authority, were consentedby ministers without a public local inquiry:Flue gas desulphurisation atLongannet; Peterhead power station - repowering project; extension to Lerwickpower station; Peterhead power station - gas reception facility; additionalboiler at BP Grangemouth; Cuileig hydro; Cairn Uish wind farm; Paul’s Hill windfarm; Garogie hydro; Braevallich hydro; Kingairloch hydro; Robin Rigg windfarm; Westfield gas fired power station; and Hadyard Hill wind farm. There was no objection fromthe relevant planning authority within the time limits set by regulation in anyof these cases. Objectionswere submitted to ministers concerning the Robin Rigg wind farm by Dumfries and Dumfries andGalloway Council but it was not the relevant planning authority as defined insection 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. An objection to the Westfieldapplication was made to ministers. No applications for consentwere referred to a public inquiry, in cases where there was no objection fromthe relevant planning authority within the time set by regulation. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178157,"EventID":"S2W-05392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2665,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which areas of Scotland human sewage is being disposed on land.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in which areas of Scotland human sewage is being disposed on land.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally. Regulation of disposal of all organic wastes to land is anoperational matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178158,"EventID":"S2W-05393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2665,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which companies are involved in the disposal on land of human sewage.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which companies are involved in the disposal on land of human sewage.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to myanswer to question S2W-5392. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Ross Finnie","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178159,"EventID":"S2W-05394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many visitors there were in the public gallery during First Minister's Question Time in the last two years.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many visitors there were in the public gallery during First Minister's Question Time in the last two years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given below. As access and egress of visitors is a continuous process, it is not possible to identify total numbers in the public galleries at any one time. Information given in relation to First Minister’s Question Time covers those visitors who accessed the public galleries between 14.00 and 16.30 prior to 11 September 2003 and from 09.00 to 12.30 thereafter. | 1 January 2002 – 31 December 2002 | 1 January 2003 – 31 December 2003 | | | 14.00-16.30 | | 09.00-12.30 | 14.00-16.30 | | 1/1 – 4/1 -Recess | 1/1 – 3/1 - Recess | | 10/01/02 | 252 | 09/01/03 | | 200 | | 17/01/02 | 274 | 16/01/03 | | 319 | | 24/01/02 | 281 | 23/01/03 | | 315 | | 31/01/02 | 322 | 30/01/03 | | 268 | | 07/02/02 | 275 | 06/02/03 | | 266 | | 14/02/02 | 355 | 13/02/03 | | 402 | | 28/02/02 | 434 | 20/02/03 | | 347 | | 18/2 – 22/2 -Recess | 27/02/03 | | 312 | | 07/03/02 | 378 | 06/03/03 | | 349 | | 14/03/02 | 463 | 13/03/03 | | 471 | | 21/03/02 | 389 | 20/03/03 | | 385 | | 28/03/02 | 322 | 27/03/03 | | 400 | | 1/4 – 12/4 - Recess | 31/3 – 30/6 – Dissolution/Election | | 18/04/02 | 388 | 05/06/03 | | 307 | | 25/04/02 | 356 | 12/06/03 | | 323 | | 02/05/02 | 289 | 19/06/03 | | 460 | | 09/05/02 | 333 | 26/06/","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andrew Welsh","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178160,"EventID":"S2W-05395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many visitors there were in the public gallery during First Minister's Question Time on each occasion since it was timetabled to commence at noon, compared with the eq","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many visitors there were in the public gallery during First Minister's Question Time on each occasion since it was timetabled to commence at noon, compared with the equivalent day (a) one year and (b) two years previously.","AnswerText":" The information requested is given below. As access and egress of visitors is a continuous process, it is not possible to identify the total numbers in the public galleries at any one time. The information at Table A therefore covers the number of visitors who accessed the public galleries between 09.00 and 12.30 following the move of First Minister’s Question Time to 12.00 on 11 September 2003. Table B shows the number of visitors who accessed the public galleriesfrom 14.00 to 16.30 (which covered First Minister’s Question Time) for the samecalendar period for each of the two previous years. Table A | Date | 09.00 12.30 | | 11/09/03 | 252 | | 18/09/03 | 446 | | 25/09/03 | 260 | | 02/10/03 | 222 | | 09/10/03 | 324 | | 13/10 – 24/10 Recess | | 30/10/03 | 457 | | 06/11/03 | 319 | | 13/11/03 | 296 | | 20/11/03 | 366 | | 27/11/03 | 246 | | 04/12/03 | 227 | | 11/12/03 | 385 | | 18/12/03 | 249 | | 22/12 – 2/1/04 Recess | | 08/01/04 | 109 | | Total | 4,158 | | Average | 297 | Table B | Date | 14.00 16.30 | Date | 14.00 16.30 | | 12/09/02 | 374 | 13/09/01 | 454 | | 19/09/02 | 217 | 20/09/01 | 478 | | 26/09/02 | 253 | 27/09/01 | 390 | | 03/10/02 | 260 | 04/10/01 | 437 | | 10/10/02 | 274 | 8/10 – 19/10 Recess | | 14/10 – 25/10 Recess | 25/10/01 | 415 | | 31/10/02 | 358 | 01/11/01 | 448 | | 07/11/02 | 300 | 08/11/01 | 386 | | 14/11/02 | 435 | 15/11/01 | 270 | | 21/11/02 | 423 | 22/11/01 | 328 | | ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andrew Welsh","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178161,"EventID":"S2W-05396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many visitors there were in the public gallery during Question Time in the last two years.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many visitors there were in the public gallery during Question Time in the last two years.","AnswerText":" The information requested is given below. As access and egress of visitors is a continuous process, it is not possible to identify total numbers in the public galleries at any one time. Information given in relation to Question Time covers those visitors who accessed the public galleries between 14.00 and 16.30. | 1 January 2002 – 31 December 2002 | 1 January 2003 – 31 December 2003 | | | 14.00-16.30 | | 14.00-16.30 | | 1/1 – 4/1 -Recess | 1/1 – 3/1 - Recess | | 10/01/02 | 252 | 09/01/03 | 200 | | 17/01/02 | 274 | 16/01/03 | 319 | | 24/01/02 | 281 | 23/01/03 | 315 | | 31/01/02 | 322 | 30/01/03 | 268 | | 07/02/02 | 275 | 06/02/03 | 266 | | 14/02/02 | 355 | 13/02/03 | 402 | | 28/02/02 | 434 | 20/02/03 | 347 | | 18/2 – 22/2 -Recess | 27/02/03 | 312 | | 07/03/02 | 378 | 06/03/03 | 349 | | 14/03/02 | 463 | 13/03/03 | 471 | | 21/03/02 | 389 | 20/03/03 | 385 | | 28/03/02 | 322 | 27/03/03 | 400 | | 1/4 – 12/4 - Recess | 31/3 – 30/6 – Dissolution/Election | | 18/04/02 | 388 | 05/06/03 | 307 | | 25/04/02 | 356 | 12/06/03 | 323 | | 02/05/02 | 289 | 19/06/03 | 460 | | 09/05/02 | 333 | 26/06/03 | 366 | | 16/05/02 | 402 | 30/6 – 29/8 - Recess | | 13/06/02 | 325 | 04/09/03 | 219 | | 20/06/02 | 410 | 11/09/03 | 338 | | 27/06/02 | 419 | 18/09/03 | 194 | | Table A | Date | 14.00 16.30 | | 11/09/03 | 338 | | 18/09/03 | 194 | | 25/09/03 | 279 | | 02/10/03 | 204 | | 09/10/03 | 203 | | 13/10 – 24/10 Recess | | 30/10/03 | 208 | | 06/11/03 | 213 | | 13/11/03 | 283 | | 20/11/03 | 248 | | 27/11/03 | 220 | | 04/12/03 | 159 | | 11/12/03 | 140 | | 18/12/03 | 42 | | 22/12 – 2/1/04 Recess | | 08/01/04 | 88 | | Total | 2,819 | | Average | 201 | Table B | Date | 14.00 16.30 | Date | 14.00 16.30 | | 12/09/02 | 374 | 13/09/01 | 454 | | 19/09/02 | 217 | 20/09/01 | 478 | | 26/09/02 | 253 | 27/09/01 | 390 | | 03/10/02 | 260 | 04/10/01 | 437 | | 10/10/02 | 274 | 8/10 – 19/10 Recess | | 14/10 – 25/10 Recess | 25/10/01 | 415 | | 31/10/02 | 358 | 01/11/01 | 448 | | 07/11/02 | 300 | 08/11/01 | 386 | | 14/11/02 | 435 | 15/11/01 | 270 | | 21/11/02 | 423 | 22/11/01 | 328 | | 28/11/02 | <","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andrew Welsh","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178163,"EventID":"S2W-05398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide additional funding for Stirling Council to make improvements to its roads infrastructure, in light of the decision to locate the new acute hospita","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide additional funding for Stirling Council to make improvements to its roads infrastructure, in light of the decision to locate the new acute hospital for Forth Valley at Larbert.","AnswerText":"No. Funding for local roadsand bridges forms part of the general local government finance settlement. Aspart of this, Stirling Council receives above inflation increases in revenuesupport of 9.1% this year, and of 6.3% and 4.4% over the next two years. It isentirely a matter for the council to decide its own spending priorities.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178164,"EventID":"S2W-05399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1831,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many places have been created under the Out of School Hours Learning Programme since its inception in (a) Dundee and (b) Angus.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many places have been created under the Out of School Hours Learning Programme since its inception in (a) Dundee and (b) Angus.","AnswerText":"Information is not held centrally on the number of learning opportunities provided by educationauthorities and schools under the Scottish Executive’s Study Support Programme or throughthe New Opportunities Fund.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178165,"EventID":"S2W-05400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1831,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on levels of obesity amongst 12-year-olds, broken down by NHS board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on levels of obesity amongst 12-year-olds, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"Information for all NHS boards in Scotland is not currently available. For those areas where data is available, the following table shows the levels of obesity amongst children who have received a primary 7 school review (aged between 11 and 12 years approximately).High BMI Distribution: Children Receiving a Primary 7 Review: School Year 2001-02 | | Total Number | Obese (>95th centile) No. | % | | Total | 12,194 | 2,208 | 18.1 | | Borders | 1,279 | 217 | 17.0 | | Fife | 4,020 | 742 | 18.5 | | Lanarkshire | 6,895 | 1,249 | 18.1 | Source: CHSP-S ISD Scotland. Estimated age at review11-12 years. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178166,"EventID":"S2W-05401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with its policy on the location and relocation of public sector jobs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with its policy on the location and relocation of public sector jobs.","AnswerText":"We have made good progresswith the relocation policy. Lifelong learning staff were relocated to Glasgow;the Food Standards Agency has been set up in Aberdeen; the Public Guardian'sOffice in Falkirk; the National Office of the Scottish Commission for theRegulation of Care and the Offices of the Scottish Social Services Council inDundee; Scottish Public Pensions Agency in Galashiels; Scottish Water inDunfermline; the headquarters of Scottish Natural Heritage will be set up inInverness, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator will be set up inDundee, the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters' Unit will move to Falkirk, the headquartersof Forestry Enterprise Scotland will be located in Inverness, the headquartersof Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education will be located in Livingston, theRisk Management Authority will be located in Paisley, the Accountant inBankruptcy in Ayrshire, and there will be a significant movement of jobs in theCommon Services Agency of the National Health Service in Scotland fromEdinburgh initially to Aberdeen and to Glasgow, and some VisitScotland headquartersposts will be identified for dispersal from Edinburgh in due course.The Executive is committedto ensuring that government in Scotland is efficient and decentralised as part of the widervision of more accessible, open and responsive government. Relocation policy ispart of this vision. It can also help us to address particular problems incertain parts of the country. Relocation can provide morecost effective solutions for service delivery by allowing organisations tooperate away from some of the pressures of the Edinburgh market. It can assistareas with particular social and economic needs. The impact of a relocationsuch as the Accountant in Bankruptcy on communities in Ayrshire can besignificant. Our small units policy also addresses this issue though with thefocus on smaller and more remote communities. The final main objective ofrelocation policy relates to our vision of a decentralised Scotland. Wedo not wish to see devolution mean a concentration of all things in Edinburgh orindeed in the central belt. We will continue to look atrelocation opportunities on a case-by-case basis, considering both theparticular circumstances of the body concerned and its fit with our relocationobjectives. In examining the value of relocating organisations to particularparts of the country we will take into account indicators of social andeconomic need and the wider issues of promoting a decentralised Scotland. Importantconsiderations will continue to include the operational effectiveness of theorganisation, the level of investment required and the position of staffconcerned. Headquarters functions of the Scottish Executive departments are currently based in Edinburgh andGlasgow because of the frequent meetings with ministers and the Scottish Parliament. There are, however, a wide range of other organisations covered bythe policy where relocation reviews will be carried out. Decisions are expectedduring 2004 on reviews of NHS Health Scotland, NHS Education Scotland, the Mental Health TribunalService , the Scottish Building Standards Agency, the Scottish Arts Council, sportscotland,NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and Registers of Scotland, and the MentalWelfare Commission in 2005. Rolling this relocationprogramme forward, I can announce today that we will examine a relocationoption for the following bodies: Scottish Further and HigherEducation Funding Councils, decision, during 2004 Royal Fine Arts Commissionfor Scotland (Architecture and Design Scotland), decision,end 2004. Consideration is being givento setting up the following bodies: Proposed SingleAgency for the Administration of Custodial and non-Custodial Sentences Proposed National TransportAgency. If the Executive decides toproceed in setting up both the above bodies, and subject as appropriate to parliamentaryapproval, t","AnswerDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178167,"EventID":"S2W-05402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1877,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":70,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been an increase in the number of teachers in publicly-funded schools in Renfrewshire since (a) 1997 and (b) 1999 and, if so, by how much.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been an increase in the number of teachers in publicly-funded schools in Renfrewshire since (a) 1997 and (b) 1999 and, if so, by how much.","AnswerText":"The information whichanswers this question is available from a range of Scottish Executive Education Department statistical publications. For ease of reference, thenumber of full-time equivalent (FTE) pre-school, primary, secondary and specialschool teachers is given in the following table. FTE Teachers in PubliclyFunded Schools in Renfrewshire | | 1997 | 1999 | 2002 | | Primary | 715 | 740 | 731 | | Secondary | 837 | 880 | 868 | | Pre school | 27 | 29 | 30 | | Special | 73 | 77 | 91 | | Total | 1,652 | 1,726 | 1,720 | Since 1997 there has been aslight increase in the overall number of teachers employed in Renfrewshire. Overthe same period the overall number of pupils has declined slightly. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178168,"EventID":"S2W-05403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1877,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":70,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the increase has been in police numbers within (a) Strathclyde Police and (b) “K” division of Strathclyde Police since (i) 1997 and (ii) 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the increase has been in police numbers within (a) Strathclyde Police and (b) “K” division of Strathclyde Police since (i) 1997 and (ii) 1999.","AnswerText":"Police numbers inStrathclyde have increased by 365 since 1997, and by 186 since 1999. Similarinformation for “K” division of Strathclyde Police is not held centrally and isa matter for Strathclyde Police.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178169,"EventID":"S2W-05404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1877,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":70,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the number of qualified nurses and midwives in the Argyll and Clyde NHS Board area has increased since (a) 1997 and (b) 1999 and, if so, by how much.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the number of qualified nurses and midwives in the Argyll and Clyde NHS Board area has increased since (a) 1997 and (b) 1999 and, if so, by how much.","AnswerText":"The following tables showthe number of qualified nurses and midwives in the Argyll and Clyde NHS boardthe difference between the most recent figures (31 March 2003) and the figuresfrom 1997 and 1999 (as at 30 September).Table 1a: Headcount and WTEof Qualified Nurses in the Argyll and Clyde NHS Board Area as at 30 Sept 1997 and 1999 and 31 March 2003. | | 1997 at 30 Sept | 1999 at 30 Sept | 2003 at 31 March | Difference Between 2003 and 1997 | Difference between 2003 and 1999 | | WTE | 2,343.6 | 2,376.9 | 2,607.9 | 264.3 | 231 | | Headcount | 2,766 | 2,807 | 3,024 | 258 | 217 | Source: National ManpowerStatistics from payroll ISD Scotland 1. Whole-time Equivalent(WTE) adjusts the headcount to take account of part-time staff. 2. WTE is calculated bydividing the contracted hours by the conditioned (normal) hours for the groupstaff. 3. Prior to 2003 informationwas published annually at 30 Sept. From 2003, figures are published biannually- latest available are 31 March 2003. Table 1b: Headcount and WTEof Qualified Midwives in the Argyll and Clyde NHS Board Area as at 30 Sept 1997 and 1999 and 31 March 2003 | | 1997 at 30 Sept | 1999 at 30 Sept | 2003 at 31 March | Difference Between 2003 and 1997 | Difference between 2003 and 1999 | | WTE | 265.3 | 260.6 | 246.8 | -18.5 | -13.8 | | Headcount | 344 | 335 | 304 | -40 | -31 | Source: National ManpowerStatistics from payroll. ISD Scotland 1. Whole-time equivalent(WTE) adjusts the headcount to take account of part-time staff. 2. WTE is calculated bydividing the contracted hours by the conditioned (normal) hours for the groupstaff. 3. Prior to 2003 informationwas published annually at 30 Sept. From 2003, figures are published biannually- latest available are 31 March 2003. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178170,"EventID":"S2W-05405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1877,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":70,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the number of doctors in the NHS has increased since (a) 1997 and (b) 1999 and, if so, by how much.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the number of doctors in the NHS has increased since (a) 1997 and (b) 1999 and, if so, by how much.","AnswerText":"The table below shows thenumber of consultants in NHSScotland and the difference between 2002, thelatest available information, and the figures for 1997 and 1999.Table 1: Whole TimeEquivalent and Headcount of Consultants in NHSScotland as at 30 September | | 1997 | 1999 | 2002 | Difference between 2002 and 1997 | Difference between 2002 and 1999 | | WTE | 2,755.6 | 2,920.5 | 3,180.8 | 425.2 | 260.3 | | Headcount | 2,940 | 3,123 | 3,397 | 457 | 274 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178171,"EventID":"S2W-05406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the recent publicity concerning the reported level of pollutants found in farmed salmon following studies by North American scientists; what its p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the recent publicity concerning the reported level of pollutants found in farmed salmon following studies by North American scientists; what its position is in respect of the quality of Scottish farmed salmon; how it will publicise the Food Standards Agency's relevant advice on the matter, and what steps it will take to ensure that any concern amongst consumers that may exist over the quality of Scottish farmed salmon is addressed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive continues to have full confidence in the quality of Scottish farmedsalmon products. This confidence is underpinned by advice from the FoodStandards Agency (FSA), a body independent from government.The FSA has published itsadvice through a number of media notices. This advice is that Scottish farmedsalmon meets the relevant food safety and health standards used in the UK, EU, WorldHealth Organisation and indeed the US for the substances covered in the USscientific report. Further, the FSA activelypromotes advice to consumers that it is beneficial for them to consume at leasttwo portions of fish per week, one of which should be oily (such as salmon). ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178172,"EventID":"S2W-05407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a table showing the types of (a) learning and (b) physical disability of those pupils who currently have a record of needs but will not be eligibl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a table showing the types of (a) learning and (b) physical disability of those pupils who currently have a record of needs but will not be eligible for a co-ordinated support plan under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"Eligibility for a co-ordinatedsupport plan will depend on the circumstances and needs of the individual childor young person, not just on the type of learning or physical disability he/shemay have. Guidance on eligibility will be given in the code of practice whichwill be published.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178173,"EventID":"S2W-05408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the new tobacco control action plan building on achievements to date which it committed itself to in Improving Health in Scotland: THE CHALLENGE.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the new tobacco control action plan building on achievements to date which it committed itself to in Improving Health in Scotland: THE CHALLENGE.","AnswerText":"Our Tobacco Control ActionPlan A Breath of Fresh Air for Scotland is published today. This is thefirst ever action on tobacco control designed specifically for Scotland. Itbuilds upon and responds to an excellent report by NHS Health Scotland andASH Scotland Reducing Smoking and Tobacco Related Harm: A Keyto Transforming Scotland’s Health which is also published today. The planoffers a programme of action covering prevention and education, protection andcontrol and the expansion of smoking cessation services and another £4 millionwill be made available with effect from 2005-06.The plan also addresses theimportant issue of passive smoking and offers everyone the opportunity toengage in a national debate about steps which might be taken to reduce suchrisks. This takes forward the commitment made within A Partnership for aBetter Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178174,"EventID":"S2W-05409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many research projects into causes of autism have been funded by the Chief Scientist Office and how many funding applications for such projects have been rejected by ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many research projects into causes of autism have been funded by the Chief Scientist Office and how many funding applications for such projects have been rejected by the office in the last year.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Executive Health Department has not funded any researchproposals into the causes of autism in the recent past. No such applicationshave been rejected in the last year and one is currently under consideration.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178175,"EventID":"S2W-05410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding will be allocated to (a) medical research and investigation into causes of autism and (b) treatment of autism in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding will be allocated to (a) medical research and investigation into causes of autism and (b) treatment of autism in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office, (CSO), within the Scottish Executive Health Department, has responsibility for funding and supporting research into health and health care needs in Scotland. The CSO has allocated the following funding for research into autism in each of the last three years. This research relates to treatment and not to causes of autism. | 2001-02 | £35,324 | | 2002-03 | £100,994 | | 2003-04 | £43,650 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178176,"EventID":"S2W-05411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to any public concern over maternity service reviews.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to any public concern over maternity service reviews.","AnswerText":"The review and planning ofmaternity services is primarily a responsibility for NHS boards.BothA Framework for Maternity Services (2001) and the report of the ExpertGroup on Acute Maternity Services (EGAMS 2002) state that NHS boardsshould make sure that local consultation and public involvement takes place whenplanning maternity services. I have made it clear to NHS boardsthat when considering proposals for reconfiguration I will have to be satisfiedthat they are consistent with the recommendations of these national policydocuments. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178177,"EventID":"S2W-05412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the maximum acceptable transfer time is for a woman in labour moving from a midwife-led unit to a consultant-led unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the maximum acceptable transfer time is for a woman in labour moving from a midwife-led unit to a consultant-led unit.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2O-987 on 18 December 2003. All answers to parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178178,"EventID":"S2W-05413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take, and what resources it will make available, to ensure that women in labour do not experience unreasonably long transfer times from midwife-led to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take, and what resources it will make available, to ensure that women in labour do not experience unreasonably long transfer times from midwife-led to consultant-led units. ","AnswerText":"The Executive, in line withthe recommendations of the Expert Group on Acute Maternity Services (EGAMS),recognises that it is important to plan in advance where a woman shoulddeliver. This will take into account previous and current pregnancy, medicalhistory, locally available services, likely outcomes and transportarrangements, including travel time to a specialist unit.EGAMS recommends that boardsshould develop and implement protocols and guidance related to risk assessment.These protocols should minimise incidence of transfer between communitymaternity units and consultant led units. To ensure that transportissues continue to be considered fully in policy and planning, the ScottishAmbulance Service contribute to the Scottish Executive’s National MaternityServices Workforce Planning Group. This group will look at resource implicationwithin maternity services as part of its remit. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178179,"EventID":"S2W-05414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the proposed wind farm at Corlic Hill, Gryffe Valley.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the proposed wind farm at Corlic Hill, Gryffe Valley.","AnswerText":"We consulted widely in compliance with statutory requirements. Representations were received from the following: | Argyll and Bute Council | | British Airport Authority | | British Telecom Radio Solutions Unit | | Civil Aviation Authority Directorate of Airspace Policy | | Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park | | Crown Estate | | Defence Estates (MoD) | | Department of Trade and Industry | | Dunrod Angling Club | | Health and Safety Executive | | Historic Scotland | | Inverclyde Council | | Keep Corlic Wild | | Kilmacolm Civic Trust | | Port Glasgow Angling Club | | Ramblers’ Association | | Royal Air Force | | Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland | | Scottish Environment Protection Agency | | Scottish Natural Heritage | | Scottish Executive Freshwater Fisheries | | Scottish Executive Road Network Management and Maintenance Division | | Scottish Executive SEPA Sponsorship and Waste: Waste Regulation Team | | Scottish Executive Water Environment Unit | In addition, the public consultation period ended on 24 June 2003 and we received 146 representations: 139 objections to the proposal and seven in support. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178180,"EventID":"S2W-05415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make a decision with regard to the proposed wind farm at Corlic Hill, Gryffe Valley.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make a decision with regard to the proposed wind farm at Corlic Hill, Gryffe Valley.","AnswerText":"We expect to be able to makea decision in March 2004. In reaching a determination on applications forconsent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, ministers can grantconsent, with or without conditions; withhold consent or refer the matter to a publiclocal inquiry. In cases where the relevant planning authority has objected tothe proposal, and that objection is not withdrawn or cannot be met by conditionor changes to the development, ministers are required to call a public local inquiry.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178181,"EventID":"S2W-05416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health centres there are in the West of Scotland region, broken down by constituency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health centres there are in the West of Scotland region, broken down by constituency.","AnswerText":"This is a matter forrelevant NHS boards and primary care trusts. The information required is notheld centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178182,"EventID":"S2W-05417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to build any new, or relocate any, health centres in the West of Scotland region over the next three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to build any new, or relocate any, health centres in the West of Scotland region over the next three years.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for relevantNHS boards and primary care trusts. The information requested is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178183,"EventID":"S2W-05418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health centres in the West of Scotland region have had to close their lists in the last five years, broken down by constituency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many health centres in the West of Scotland region have had to close their lists in the last five years, broken down by constituency.","AnswerText":"The information requested isnot available.The terms of service for generalpractitioners are set out in regulations. These require that a general practitionerdoes not have a patient list which exceeds 3,500. If that number is reached thegeneral practitioner should accept no more applications from patients to jointhe list and the NHS board should not place with the general practitioner any of the patients which it is obliged to assign to a doctor. On occasion general practitionersinform the board that for various reasons, such as when a partner is on longterm study leave, they do not wish additional patients for the time being andare not granting applications from patients. If it is necessary for the boardto choose such a general practitioner when making a patient assignment,however, the general practitioner would be obliged to accept the patient if thelist size had not reached the maximum. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178184,"EventID":"S2W-05419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average age is of health centres in the West of Scotland region, broken down by constituency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average age is of health centres in the West of Scotland region, broken down by constituency.","AnswerText":"This is a matter forrelevant NHS boards and primary care trusts. The information requested is notheld centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178185,"EventID":"S2W-05420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new health centres have been built in the West of Scotland region in the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new health centres have been built in the West of Scotland region in the last five years.","AnswerText":"This is a matter forrelevant NHS boards and primary care trusts. The information requested is notheld centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178186,"EventID":"S2W-05421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any steps have been taken to design the proposed online route for the M80 extension from Stepps to Haggs to protect the Roman fortlet at Mollins and, if not, whet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any steps have been taken to design the proposed online route for the M80 extension from Stepps to Haggs to protect the Roman fortlet at Mollins and, if not, whether it has any plans to fund a full excavation and recording of the site.","AnswerText":"The current scheme designwill minimise and restrict the impact on the Fort to a small area. Any requiredexcavation and recording will therefore be restricted to this area with themajority of the site remaining undisturbed.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178187,"EventID":"S2W-05422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the operational impact of the introduction of sky marshals will be on policing at airports.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the operational impact of the introduction of sky marshals will be on policing at airports.","AnswerText":"Aviation Security isreserved to the UK Government. It has made it clear that its policy, for securityreasons, is not to comment on when or where specific, additional securitymeasures are being deployed.The deployment of skymarshals, and the operational impact this would have on policing at airports,would be for relevant Chief Constables to consider, linked to the enhancedsecurity levels currently in place at airports due to the internationalsecurity situation. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178188,"EventID":"S2W-05423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3004,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is being consulted over any plans to rename Prestwick International Airport as Robert Burns International Airport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is being consulted over any plans to rename Prestwick International Airport as Robert Burns International Airport.","AnswerText":"Any plan to rename Glasgow Prestwick International Airport as Robert Burns International Airport is a commercial decision for the airport operatorand there is no formal requirement to consult the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178189,"EventID":"S2W-05424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3004,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how schools will commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns on 25 January 2004.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how schools will commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns on 25 January 2004.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for schoolsthemselves to decide.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178190,"EventID":"S2W-05425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3004,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is providing to enable the tourism industry to capitalise on interest in Robert Burns at this time of year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is providing to enable the tourism industry to capitalise on interest in Robert Burns at this time of year.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s tourism industry benefits greatly from thiscountry’s cultural history and Burns is one of Scotland’s great culturalicons. His work is well known around the world, and in particular Burns Nightpresents an excellent opportunity for the promotion of Scotland asa tourist destination.How this is done isprimarily a matter for VisitScotland and other agencies. However, I understandthat VisitScotland have recently set up a feature on Burns, accessible from thehome page of visitscotland.com and featuring items on biographies of the man,Burns suppers, how to stage them, recipes, poems etc, while VisitScotland’sLondon Office is presently running a Burns promotion. VisitScotland and EventScotland will also be supporting the Burns an a’ that Festivalthis spring in Ayrshire. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178191,"EventID":"S2W-05426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3004,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it has had in the making of any motion pictures currently being made on the life of Robert Burns.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it has had in the making of any motion pictures currently being made on the life of Robert Burns.","AnswerText":"Scottish Screen is the agencycharged by the Executive with responsibility for support of the screenindustries. There are no current motion pictures on Robert Burns being made inwhich Scottish Screen is involved. The agency has been involved in scriptdevelopment on a Burns project that is expected to be the subject of a lotteryapplication in 2004.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178192,"EventID":"S2W-05427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what levels of (a) dioxins, (b) polychlorinated biphenols, (c) toxaphene and (d) dieldrin were found in (i) farmed salmon, (ii) wild salmon and (iii) fish farming feedstu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what levels of (a) dioxins, (b) polychlorinated biphenols, (c) toxaphene and (d) dieldrin were found in (i) farmed salmon, (ii) wild salmon and (iii) fish farming feedstuffs sampled by government agencies between 1990 and 2003.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for theFood Standards Agency and industry trade associations. The informationrequested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178193,"EventID":"S2W-05428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost to introduce an 80% relief from business rates for all registered community amateur clubs, other than sports clubs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost to introduce an 80% relief from business rates for all registered community amateur clubs, other than sports clubs.","AnswerText":"The information required toanswer this question is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178194,"EventID":"S2W-05429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on what organisations will be involved in Scotland Week in Estonia in July 2004; what funding will be made available for the proposed event, and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on what organisations will be involved in Scotland Week in Estonia in July 2004; what funding will be made available for the proposed event, and what information it has on events planned for the week.","AnswerText":"Scotland Week in Estonia is being organised by the Honorary Consul for Estonia in Scotland, MrIain Lawson. We understand that the focus of the week will be on raising theprofile of Scottish business in Estonia. The programme is at an early stage of developmentand no decisions have yet been taken about Scottish Executive involvement.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178195,"EventID":"S2W-05430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what steps the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is taking to enter into formal relationships with the parliaments of EU accession states.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what steps the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is taking to enter into formal relationships with the parliaments of EU accession states.","AnswerText":"The SPCB has taken no stepsto enter into formal relations with other parliaments. However the Parliamenthas established productive informal relationships with many legislatures,including the parliaments of the EU accession states. Of the countries accedingto the EU in 2004, links are developing, in particular, with the parliaments ofEstonia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. To this end, the Parliament works in complimentaritywith a range of bodies, such as, the British Council Scotland, Scottishuniversities, and the Department for International Development.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andrew Welsh","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178196,"EventID":"S2W-05431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in relation to the announcement of a #69 million programme to fund outdoor pursuits for children, how the total of #69 million was calculated, who will be responsible fo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in relation to the announcement of a #69 million programme to fund outdoor pursuits for children, how the total of #69 million was calculated, who will be responsible for implementing this programme, whether there will be a policy to avoid duplication of facilities, such as avoiding building new facilities where public, voluntary or private facilities exist, what attempts have been made to ensure that existing centres of excellence in this field are used, what consultation there has been, or will be, at community level about the programme and to what extent the operation of the scheme will involve teachers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has been committed to providing support for out of school hourslearning activities since 1999. The £69 million referred to in a recent mediaarticle is the amount of funding being made available to local authorities upto 2005-06 by the Scottish Executive (£34 million under the National Priorities ActionFund) and the New Opportunities Fund (£35 million from the Activities Programmeof the PE and Sport in Schools Initiative), as part of that on-goingcommitment. It is for the local authorities to determine how best to use thatfinancial support in the light of local needs and circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178197,"EventID":"S2W-05432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #69 million to fund outdoor pursuits for children has been allocated for capital expenditure and how this element will be spent.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #69 million to fund outdoor pursuits for children has been allocated for capital expenditure and how this element will be spent.","AnswerText":"None of the funding madeavailable under the Scottish Executive’s National Priorities Action Fund or the NewOpportunities Fund’s Activities Programme is specifically allocated for capitalexpenditure.Funding to support thebuilding or refurbishment of sports or outdoor adventure facilities isavailable to local authorities from the New Opportunities Fund’s separate £52 millionFacilities Programme under the PE & Sport in Schools Initiative. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178198,"EventID":"S2W-05433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with Renfrewshire Council regarding the funding and implementation of effective flood prevention schemes in Renfrewshire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with Renfrewshire Council regarding the funding and implementation of effective flood prevention schemes in Renfrewshire.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive regularly discusses with Renfrewshire Council the implementation of itsplans to reduce flood risk in Renfrewshire and associated funding needs. Thisclose co-operation has allowed the council to construct three flood preventionschemes since 1999, more than any other council.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178199,"EventID":"S2W-05434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what role the Parliament will have in Scotland Week in Estonia in July 2004.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what role the Parliament will have in Scotland Week in Estonia in July 2004.","AnswerText":"The Presiding Officer willconsider what role may be appropriate for the Parliament in Scotland Week in Estonia whenmore details of the event become available.The Scottish Parliament hasalready established very productive relations with the Estonian Parliament andMSPs and parliamentary staff have participated in meetings, informationexchanges, and visits. It is anticipated thatengagement across the Nordic/Baltic region will develop in the future. the Parliament works with a range of bodies, both in the UK and inthe Nordic/Baltic zone to further these links. The Presiding Officer hasaccepted an invitation to visit the Estonian Parliament later this year. Register of Members Interest:Shares in a flat and pub in Estonia. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andrew Welsh","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178200,"EventID":"S2W-05435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets are set by (a) Greater Glasgow NHS Board and (b) Forth Valley NHS Board for the waiting time for a patient to secure an orthopaedic appointment.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets are set by (a) Greater Glasgow NHS Board and (b) Forth Valley NHS Board for the waiting time for a patient to secure an orthopaedic appointment.","AnswerText":"Partnership for Care: Scotland’s Health White Paperincludes the commitment that no patient will wait more than 26 weeks for afirst outpatient at a consultant-led clinic, following referral, by the end of2005.As part of the local health planprocess, the national waiting times unit is currently meeting with NHS boardsto agree local targets for 2004-05, which demonstrate good progress towardsattainment of the 26 weeks target. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178201,"EventID":"S2W-05436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time was for an orthopaedic appointment in (a) Greater Glasgow NHS Board and (b) Forth Valley NHS Board at the end of December 2003.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time was for an orthopaedic appointment in (a) Greater Glasgow NHS Board and (b) Forth Valley NHS Board at the end of December 2003.","AnswerText":"Provisional information forthe year ended 30 September 2003 shows that the median waiting times for a firstoutpatient appointment with a consultant in the specialty of Orthopaedics,following referral by a general medical practitioner, in Greater Glasgow NHSBoard and Forth Valley NHS Board areas of residence, were 129 days and 230 daysrespectively.Waiting times figures for 31 December 2003will be published by ISD Scotland on 26 February 2004. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178202,"EventID":"S2W-05437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its programme to fund outdoor pursuits for children will be provided all year round.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its programme to fund outdoor pursuits for children will be provided all year round.","AnswerText":"It is for local authoritiesto determine, in the light of local needs and circumstances, how and whenactivities supported by the available funding should be provided.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178203,"EventID":"S2W-05438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent by district courts in each of the last six years to cover loss of earnings by Justices of the Peace.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent by district courts in each of the last six years to cover loss of earnings by Justices of the Peace.","AnswerText":"Under section 17 of theDistrict Courts (Scotland) Act 1975, Justices of the Peace are entitled toreceive, where appropriate, financial loss allowance for loss of earnings andtravel and subsistence costs where expenditure is necessarily incurred by them inthe performance of their duties. Payment of these allowances is made by localauthorities and the information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178204,"EventID":"S2W-05439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to ensure that conditions are improved and enforced on pig farms in Scotland following the report in December 2003 by Advocates for Animals","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to ensure that conditions are improved and enforced on pig farms in Scotland following the report in December 2003 by Advocates for Animals of unacceptable conditions in which pigs were being kept on Scotpigs' farms.","AnswerText":"The Welfare of FarmedAnimals (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2003 introduced a range ofnew conditions to improve the welfare of pigs. In addition, the StateVeterinary Service will continue to monitor conditions on pig farms andappropriate enforcement action will be initiated if contraventions are found.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178205,"EventID":"S2W-05440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take following Advocates for Animals recent investigation into Scottish pet shops referring to a range of unacceptable practices, including a lack","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take following Advocates for Animals recent investigation into Scottish pet shops referring to a range of unacceptable practices, including a lack of guidance by local authorities, breaches of pet shop licence conditions and aspects of the pet trade being unregulated.","AnswerText":"The Pet Animals Act 1951,which is the legislation that governs the licensing and operation of pet shops,is currently under review as part of a wider review of animal welfarelegislation. The information provided by Advocates for Animals will beconsidered as part of that review. Licensing and enforcement is theresponsibility of local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178206,"EventID":"S2W-05441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual cost is of administering the council tax system.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual cost is of administering the council tax system.","AnswerText":"In 2001-02 local authoritynet revenue expenditure on council tax collection, council tax administrationand council tax valuation was £29.5 million, £10.2 million and £7.0 millionrespectively. In total, this represents 2.8% of income from council tax.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178207,"EventID":"S2W-05442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend its current water and sewerage transitional scheme in scale, scope and time beyond March 2004.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend its current water and sewerage transitional scheme in scale, scope and time beyond March 2004.","AnswerText":"The Executive is assessingthe impact that ending the current Water and Sewerage Charges Reduction Scheme will havein light of the harmonisation of charges. A decision on whether any furtheraction is required will be made in light of this assessment.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178208,"EventID":"S2W-05443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on transferring responsibility for the collection of water and sewerage charges to Scottish Water.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on transferring responsibility for the collection of water and sewerage charges to Scottish Water.","AnswerText":"The responsibility for thecollection of water and sewerage charges falls to local authorities asspecified under the terms of The Water Services Charges (Billing andCollection) (Scotland) Order 2002. This order is due to expire on 31 March 2005. Apublic consultation on proposals for a new order will be issued in spring 2004.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178209,"EventID":"S2W-05444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual level of price rises for water and sewerage charges to household customers has been in each year since 1996, showing a comparison with the rate of inflat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual level of price rises for water and sewerage charges to household customers has been in each year since 1996, showing a comparison with the rate of inflation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5059 on 13 January 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178210,"EventID":"S2W-05445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact on Band B households should the Transitional Water and Waste Water Charges scheme end in March 2004.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact on Band B households should the Transitional Water and Waste Water Charges scheme end in March 2004.","AnswerText":"The Executive is currently assessingthe impact that ending the current Water and Sewerage Charges Reduction Scheme will havein light of harmonisation of charges. This includes looking at the impact onBand B households. A decision on whether any further action is required will bemade in light of this assessment.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178211,"EventID":"S2W-05446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set up an independent inquiry into the safety of eating farmed salmon.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set up an independent inquiry into the safety of eating farmed salmon.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the FoodStandards Agency that the recent publication of an American study in thejournal Science, does not give rise to any new food safety concerns, and thelevels of dioxins found in the farmed salmon and the resultant intakes arebelow the safety levels set by the World Health Organisation, the EuropeanUnion and the United States Food and Drug Administration.The Food Standards Agencycontinues to advise consumers, on the basis of expert scientific opinion, toeat at least two portions of fish per week, once of which should be an oilyfish such as salmon. Independent experts agree that the known health benefitsfrom eating a portion of oily fish per week outweigh any possible risks. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178212,"EventID":"S2W-05447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish all scientific evidence available to it and its agencies, so that independent scientists may assess the claims and counter-claims in relation to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish all scientific evidence available to it and its agencies, so that independent scientists may assess the claims and counter-claims in relation to any potential health risk associated with farmed salmon.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the FoodStandards Agency that it publishes all results from surveys and research thatit commissions. Results from previous dioxins surveys are in the public domain,and more results are due to be published shortly. The agency also aims topublish, by the end of 2004, results from a larger survey of dioxins in fish,including wild and farmed salmon. In 2001, the agency published detailed advicefrom the independent advisory committee, the committee on toxicity of chemicalsin food, consumer products and the environment, explaining howtolerable daily intakes of dioxins are calculated. All of this information ispublicly available on the agency’s web-site.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178213,"EventID":"S2W-05448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps could be taken to reduce the level of toxic contaminants in farmed salmon.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps could be taken to reduce the level of toxic contaminants in farmed salmon.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency,and industry, regularly monitor the levels of toxic contaminants found infarmed salmon. Both report that trace elements continue to fall and that theyremain well below tolerances set by relevant international health agencies,such as the European Commission and WHO. The Scottish Executive, through theStrategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture, will explore with relevant bodieshow trace contaminant levels can be reduced still further.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178214,"EventID":"S2W-05449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage producers to take steps to reduce the level of toxic contaminants in farmed salmon.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage producers to take steps to reduce the level of toxic contaminants in farmed salmon.","AnswerText":"The trace levels of contaminantfound in farmed salmon are within international food safety standards set byEuropean Commission and the WHO. But we are never complacent over such issuesand the Scottish Executive, with relevant stakeholder bodies, will explore optionsfor further reducing trace levels of contaminants through ongoing engagementwithin the Strategic Framework.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178215,"EventID":"S2W-05450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the membership and remit of the Cabinet Delivery Group on Closing the Opportunity Gap will be and whether it will take external advice.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the membership and remit of the Cabinet Delivery Group on Closing the Opportunity Gap will be and whether it will take external advice.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Delivery Groupon Closing the Opportunity Gap is composed of the following ministers and deputyministers:Minister for Communities (Chair) Minister for Environment and Rural Development(Deputy Chair) Minister for Health and Community Care Deputy Minister for Communities Deputy Minister for Education and Young People Deputy Minister for Enterprise and LifelongLearning Deputy Minister for Justice First Minister (ex officio) Deputy First Minister (ex officio) The Delivery Group has a remit: Toscope a work programme to ensure that the Executive’s commitments on closingthe opportunity gap, particularly as set out in the partnership agreement, aremet; to set objectives and targets for the work programme; to commission anofficial to take the work programme forward, drawing on a team from across theExecutive; and to report annually to cabinet. The delivery group hasappointed external members Gill Scott, Director of the Scottish PovertyInformation Unit at Glasgow Caledonian University, and David Nicoll, Chief Executive of the WiseGroup, an innovative organisation based in Glasgow, and operatingthroughout Scotland and the North of England, that assists unemployedpeople back into work. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178216,"EventID":"S2W-05451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Food Standards Agency that the agency should make available its scientific evidence on the health implications of toxic conta","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Food Standards Agency that the agency should make available its scientific evidence on the health implications of toxic contaminants in farmed salmon.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5447 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178217,"EventID":"S2W-05452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Food Standards Agency that the agency should make available evidence regarding the different level of toxic contaminants betw","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Food Standards Agency that the agency should make available evidence regarding the different level of toxic contaminants between farmed and wild salmon.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5447 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178218,"EventID":"S2W-05453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1877,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":70,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will offer for kerbside collections of recyclable material from domestic residences in Renfrewshire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will offer for kerbside collections of recyclable material from domestic residences in Renfrewshire.","AnswerText":"Renfrewshire Council hassubmitted an application for funding from the Strategic Waste Fund. It proposeskerbside collection schemes involving fortnightly collections of dry recyclablesand green waste. In addition mini-recycling centres will be provided forflatted properties.The application for fundingis currently being assessed. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178219,"EventID":"S2W-05454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what scientific evidence there is showing that children can be fed a portion of salmon every week with no associated health risks.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what scientific evidence there is showing that children can be fed a portion of salmon every week with no associated health risks.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the FoodStandards Agency that risks associated with dioxins were assessed by theCommittee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and theEnvironment in 2001. The committee’s opinion provides the basis of the agency’sadvice that the benefits of a balanced diet outweigh the risk of dioxin intakefor both adults and children. The biggest diet-related risk to UK health isheart disease and oily fish, including salmon, contain fatty acids that helpprevent this. Most people in the UK do not eat enough oily fish, average consumptionbeing only a quarter of a portion per week.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178220,"EventID":"S2W-05455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it will publish concerning the number of portions of farmed salmon that may be eaten each year without increased risk of cancer or other negative health effe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it will publish concerning the number of portions of farmed salmon that may be eaten each year without increased risk of cancer or other negative health effects.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the FoodStandards Agency that based on expert scientific opinion, it recommends thatconsumers should aim to eat at least two portions of fish per week, one ofwhich should be oily such as salmon, either farmed or wild. The known healthbenefits of eating oily fish at this level outweigh any possible risks. In2003, the Food Standards Agency asked a group of experts to advise on thebalance of risks and benefits of regularly eating more than this over manyyears. This group will report later this year. Most people in the UK do noteat enough oily fish, average consumption being only a quarter of a portion perweek.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178221,"EventID":"S2W-05456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance to public institutions providing meals, including schools and hospitals, on how many portions of farmed salmon may be eaten without increa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance to public institutions providing meals, including schools and hospitals, on how many portions of farmed salmon may be eaten without increasing the risk of developing cancer or other negative health effects.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the FoodStandards Agency that currentGovernment advice, based on expert scientific opinion, is that consumers shouldaim to eat at least two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily. Thebiggest diet-related risk to UK health is heart disease and oily fish, includingsalmon, contain fatty acids that help prevent this.Guidance on fish consumptionin schools is already set out within the document Hungry for Success: AWhole School Approach to School Meals in Scotland which was produced by theExpert Panel on School Meals in November 2002. Hospitals are expected tomeet the NHS Quality Improvement Scotland Standards for the provision of food,fluid and nutritional care. A national nutritional and catering specificationfor hospitals is being developed but there are no plans for specific guidanceon salmon. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178222,"EventID":"S2W-05457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2127,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide advice for groups of people, such as pregnant women, children and others at risk of cardiovascular disease, on how many portions of farmed salmon","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide advice for groups of people, such as pregnant women, children and others at risk of cardiovascular disease, on how many portions of farmed salmon may be eaten each year without increasing the risk of cancer or other negative health effects.","AnswerText":"I am advised by the FoodStandards Agency that currentGovernment advice, based on expert scientific opinion, is that consumers shouldaim to eat at least two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily. Thebiggest diet-related risk to UK health is heart disease and oily fish, includingsalmon, contain fatty acids that help prevent this.In 2003, the Food Standards Agency asked the Scientific AdvisoryCommittee on Nutrition and the Committee on Toxicity of Chemical in FoodConsumer Products and the Environment to jointly review the latest evidence onthe balance of risks and benefits of increased consumption of fish. Advice onthis is expected later this year. In the meantime the Food Standards Agency and the Scottish Executive will continue tomake information and advice available to consumers through the Agency’sweb-site and the “Healthy Living” line. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178223,"EventID":"S2W-05458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1968,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":6,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a report on the implementation of the National Strategy for Sport in Scotland, Sport 21 2003-2007, detailing the progress made in each of the 11 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a report on the implementation of the National Strategy for Sport in Scotland, Sport 21 2003-2007, detailing the progress made in each of the 11 target areas identified in the strategy; whether the targets will be met by 2007, and whether sufficient resources will be made available to ensure that the targets are met.","AnswerText":"The implementation process is being co-ordinated by sportscotland.Six implementation Groups comprising partners with a key role and interest inthe achievement of the Sport 21 targets have been set up to prepare a series ofaction plans. A report on the development of the action plans will be put tothe Sport 21 Implementation Forum at its next meeting scheduled for 1 March.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178224,"EventID":"S2W-05459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with COSLA, the Scottish Trade Union Congress and employers' organisations about the implementation of EU directive 2000/78/EC.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with COSLA, the Scottish Trade Union Congress and employers' organisations about the implementation of EU directive 2000/78/EC.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for equalopportunities legislation, including the matters dealt with by EU Directive2000/78/EC, is reserved. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and theDepartment for Work and Pensions provide information and guidance for employersin England, Scotland and Wales on the regulations and proposed regulations whichimplement the terms of this directive.Withinthe partnership framework between the Scottish Executive and COSLA, the Scottish Executive undertakes to facilitate consultation with local government on allproposals which affect or might affect the structure, role, functions andfinancing of local government, including the impact of cross-cutting issuessuch as equal opportunities. Discussionsare on-going between Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the STUC on the promotionof fair employment practice and partnership at work. Scottish Enterprise hasprovided information on the new regulations relating to religion and belief andsexual orientation to all of its business advisers and business clients. The Highlands andIslands Equality Forum has been tasked by Highlands and Islands Enterprise with engaging the private,voluntary and public sectors on all aspects of equality legislation and goodpractice issues. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178225,"EventID":"S2W-05460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it will issue to voluntary organisations and the public sector in respect of the implementation of EU directive 2000/78/EC.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it will issue to voluntary organisations and the public sector in respect of the implementation of EU directive 2000/78/EC.","AnswerText":"The purpose of EU Directive2000/78/EC is to lay down a general framework for combating discrimination onthe grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation asregards employment and occupation, with a view to putting into effect in themember states of the European Union the principle of equal treatment.Responsibility for equalopportunities, including the matters dealt with by this Directive, is reserved.Information and guidance is available from the Department of Trade and Industry(DTI) to allow all employers in England, Scotland and Wales to familiarisethemselves with the regulations so far brought into force to implement theDirective, the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 andthe Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003. The Departmentof Work and Pensions provides information about the Regulations to come intoforce in October 2004 to implement the disability provisions of the Directive. TheDTI also provides information about its proposals for Regulations to come intoforce in October 2006 to implement the age provisions of the Directive. Scottish Enterprise has providedinformation on the new Regulations relating to religion and belief and sexualorientation to all of its business advisers and business clients, who mayinclude voluntary sector businesses. The Highlands and Islands Equality Forum has been tasked by Highlands andIslands Enterprise with engaging the private, voluntary and public sectors onall aspects of equality legislation and good practice issues. The Scottish Executive is inregular contact with Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and the widervoluntary sector in Scotland on a wide range of issues, including equalopportunities. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178226,"EventID":"S2W-05461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with Her Majesty's Government anent changes to Scots law brought about by the implementation of EU directive 2000/78/EC.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with Her Majesty's Government anent changes to Scots law brought about by the implementation of EU directive 2000/78/EC.","AnswerText":"The purpose of EU Directive2000/78/EC is to lay down a general framework for combating discrimination onthe grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation asregards employment and occupation, with a view to putting into effect in themember states of the European Union the principle of equal treatment.Responsibility for equalopportunities, including the matters dealt with by this Directive, is reserved.The Scottish Executive works closely and is in regular contact with the UKGovernment on a wide range of issues, including equal opportunities. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178227,"EventID":"S2W-05463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency anent ordering replacement vessels for the agency's fleet.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency anent ordering replacement vessels for the agency's fleet.","AnswerText":"The Scottish FisheriesProtection Agency is keeping Scottish ministers informed of progress in theappointment of a shipyard to construct a replacement for FPV SULISKER.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178228,"EventID":"S2W-05464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with Caledonian MacBrayne anent ordering replacement vessels for its passenger ferry fleet.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with Caledonian MacBrayne anent ordering replacement vessels for its passenger ferry fleet.","AnswerText":"Caledonian MacBrayne’s needfor additional or replacement vessels is kept under review and there areregular discussions with the company on such matters. We recently announcedplans to make funding available to the company for a new £8.75 million shelteredwater vessel for the Wemyss Bay-Rothesay route. We are also in discussion withthe company about its longer term investment proposals.The process of orderingvessels must be conducted in accordance with EU public procurement procedures.Caledonian MacBrayne has considerable experience in following these procedures. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178229,"EventID":"S2W-05465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) males and (b) females (i) are currently serving apprenticeships in shipyards and (ii) were serving apprenticeships in shipyards in 1994.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) males and (b) females (i) are currently serving apprenticeships in shipyards and (ii) were serving apprenticeships in shipyards in 1994.","AnswerText":"This question is a matterfor Scottish Enterprise. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178230,"EventID":"S2W-05466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with COSLA and other interested parties concerning the implementation of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 and wha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with COSLA and other interested parties concerning the implementation of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 and what the main issues of concern were in such discussions.","AnswerText":"Parts 2 and 3 of the DebtArrangement and Attachment Scotland Act 2002 came into force on 31 December 2002.Part 1 of the Act sets out the framework for a national statutory DebtArrangement Scheme which will be implemented by way of secondary legislation.Before drafting theseregulations, officials met with interested parties in the field of debt adviceand those representing creditors’ interests in order that account could betaken of their views and concerns. During the secondary consultation on thedetail of the regulations in the Summer, evidence was taken by the CommunitiesCommittee (including from Executive officials) and its report can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/communities/reports/coc03-03-01.htm.Following the close of the consultation period, further discussions have takenplace with those organisations which wished to expand on their responses. The main issues of concerndiffered according to the various sectors the organisations represented as canbe seen from the report of the meeting of 24 September of the CommunitiesCommittee. The response of the Executive to the comments of the Committee hasrecently been submitted for its further consideration. The letter can be seenwith the Committee’s papers once available. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178231,"EventID":"S2W-05467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1854,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":72,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in relation to Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002, how many money advisers have been recruited, selected and trained and by whom they have been employed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in relation to Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002, how many money advisers have been recruited, selected and trained and by whom they have been employed.","AnswerText":"In anticipation of theimpact of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002, the Scottish Executive has provided an additional £3 million per annum to boost the number of moneyadvisers in Scotland. This funding was allocated via local authoritiesresulting in an extra 119 full-time equivalent trained money advisers, 66 of whomare based in local authorities and 53 in the voluntary sector.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178232,"EventID":"S2W-05468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the target to ensure that rail passengers do not have to stand for more than ten minutes during their journey, announced on 17 December 2002, will be met.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the target to ensure that rail passengers do not have to stand for more than ten minutes during their journey, announced on 17 December 2002, will be met.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to ensuring that there is a consistent standard to addressovercrowding across Scotrail’s services.Under the current franchise,the operator is required to meet obligations relating to managing overcrowding.These obligations have been set by StrathclydePassenger Transport Executive (SPTE) inits area and by the Strategic RailAuthority (SRA) in the rest of thecountry. In the SPTE area, theoperator is required to plan its services to ensure that no-one should have tostand for more than 10 minutes. The SRA monitors overcrowding on the busiestservices in the rest of the country. On these services, the operator isrequired to plan to ensure that no-one should have to stand for more than 20minutes. An obligation to plan tomeet a maximum 10-minute standing target will be introduced through the nextfranchise for all Scotrail services. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178233,"EventID":"S2W-05469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the 12 locations outlined by Nirex in 1988-89 on its shortlist of possible sites for intermediate-level radioactive waste repositories are in Scotland and,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the 12 locations outlined by Nirex in 1988-89 on its shortlist of possible sites for intermediate-level radioactive waste repositories are in Scotland and, if so, where.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Nirex.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178234,"EventID":"S2W-05470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues to local authorities in respect of notification to neighbours of amendments to approved planning applications.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues to local authorities in respect of notification to neighbours of amendments to approved planning applications.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not issued guidance on this particular aspect of neighbournotification. However, where a planning authority deems that an alteration tothe approved proposals represents a material change, then they should requestthe submission of a new planning application. This will require the applicantto carry out the necessary neighbour notification procedures for the newapplication.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178235,"EventID":"S2W-05471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues to local authorities in respect of notification to neighbours of amendments to planning applications that have still to be approved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues to local authorities in respect of notification to neighbours of amendments to planning applications that have still to be approved.","AnswerText":"Planning Advice Note 40:Development Control provides guidance to local authorities where the substanceof an application is to be changed. Where such changes are proposed, a newapplication should be submitted to the planning authority and neighbour notificationundertaken.This document can be viewedat www.scotland.gov.uk/planning. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178236,"EventID":"S2W-05472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when each National Planning Policy Guideline was last reviewed and when each will be next reviewed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when each National Planning Policy Guideline was last reviewed and when each will be next reviewed.","AnswerText":"The Executive keeps NationalPlanning Policy Guidelines (NPPGs) under review and revises them asappropriate. The response to the Review of Strategic Planning (published inJune 2002), indicated our intention to rename National Planning PolicyGuidelines as Scottish Planning Policies and to make them more concise and thepolicy content more explicit. The response also included an indicativeprogramme for the review and updating of NPPGs and publication as ScottishPlanning Policies (SPPs). This indicative programme is reproduced below.Publication dates indicate when each NPPG or SPP was last reviewed. Informationis also given on current progress on the review and updating of particularNPPGs.Indicative Programme ForReview Of Nppg Series 2002: The Planning System – SPP 1 (published November 2000) Economic Development –SPP 2 (published November 2002) Planning for Housing – SPP 3 (published November 2003) West Edinburgh Planning Framework (published March 2003 – to be updated in the light of therecommendations in The Future of Air Transport published in December2003) 2003: Flooding – SPP 7 (to be published shortly) Opencast Coal - SPP 16 (published March 1999 - to be updated inthe light of recent research to be published in February 2004) 2004: Mineral Working – SPP 4 (published April 1994 - review commenced) Town Centres andRetailing – SPP 8 (published inOctober 1998 - to be reviewed in the light of recent research published inJanuary 2004) Transport – SPP 17incorporating The Provision of Roadside Facilities on Motorways andOther Trunk Roads (published in March 1996 and April 1999 - Draft SPPpublished January 2004 ) Rural Development – SPP 15 (draft SPP to be published shortly) 2005: Built Heritage – SPP 5 replacing Archaeology (NPPG 5) and HistoricEnvironment (NPPG 18) – published in January 1994 and April 1999 Sport, Open Space andRecreation – SPP 11 – published in June1996 Green Belts – (Circular 24/1985 published in 1985) 2006: Renewable EnergyDevelopments –SPP 6 (published in November2000) Planning and WasteTreatment – SPP 10 (published in March1996) Radio Telecommunications – SPP 19 (published in July 2001) Natural Heritage – SPP 14 (published in January 1999) Coastal Planning –SPP 13 (published in August 1997) ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178237,"EventID":"S2W-05473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to regulate the storage of gas cylinders on, and close to, domestic premises.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to regulate the storage of gas cylinders on, and close to, domestic premises.","AnswerText":"Regulations are set out in PartF (Combustion appliance installations and Storage of liquid and gaseous fuels) ofthe Technical Standards for compliance with the Building Standards (Scotland)Regulations 1990. These apply mandatory requirements for the construction ofliquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage where:they are connected to aninstallation used for the purpose of providing space or water heating orcooking facilities in a building, and stored in a vessel with astorage capacity in excess of 150 litre (75kg) The general storage of LPG cylinderswhich are not connected to an installation is covered by Health and Safetylegislation. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178238,"EventID":"S2W-05474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #285 million council tax rebate grant paid by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) was paid to each local authority in 2001-02.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #285 million council tax rebate grant paid by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) was paid to each local authority in 2001-02.","AnswerText":"The information requested isgiven in the following table. This is as reported to the Scottish Executive by local authorities. | Council Tax Benefit - DWP Contribution | | 2001-02 | £000 | | Scotland | 285,131 | | Aberdeen City | 8,262 | | Aberdeenshire | 5,491 | | Angus | 3,864 | | Argyll and Bute | 4,730 | | Clackmannanshire | 2,941 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 6,022 | | Dundee City | 11,456 | | East Ayrshire | 7,376 | | East Dunbartonshire | 3,455 | | East Lothian | 3,922 | | East Renfrewshire | 2,656 | | Edinburgh City | 21,436 | | Eilean Siar | 1,252 | | Falkirk | 6,088 | | Fife | 15,232 | | Glasgow City | 70,147 | | Highland | 8,443 | | Inverclyde | 5,856 | | Mid Lothian | 3,701 | | Moray | 2,592 | | North Ayrshire | 7,787 | | North Lanarkshire | 20,370 | | Orkney Islands | 517 | | Perth and Kinross | 4,390 | | Renfrewshire | 10,427 | | Scottish Borders | 3,405 | | Shetland Islands | 446 | | South Ayrshire | 5,466 | | South Lanarkshire | 18,249 | | Stirling | 3,414 | | West Dunbartonshire | 8,450 | | West Lothian | 7,288 | Source: As reported bycouncils on LFR 12 returns to the Executive. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178239,"EventID":"S2W-05475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3103,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 or any other legislation, tenants of residential homes attached by an internal corridor to residential care uni","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 or any other legislation, tenants of residential homes attached by an internal corridor to residential care units are prevented from entering or frequenting such units and, if so, what the reasons are for these provisions.","AnswerText":"The Regulation of Care(Scotland) Act 2001 and subordinate legislation made under that act enablesregulation of the standard and fitness of premises used to provide careservices for the purpose of ensuring the safety and well-being of the careservice users.The application andinterpretation of the act (and associated subordinate legislation) is anoperational matter for the Care Commission. If the member has a specific casein mind I would invite him to write directly to Jacquie Roberts, Chief Executive of the Care Commission. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178240,"EventID":"S2W-05476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2480 by Cathy Jamieson on 22 September 2003, when the statistics on offences of careless driving involving a road accident fatality","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2480 by Cathy Jamieson on 22 September 2003, when the statistics on offences of careless driving involving a road accident fatality will be available.","AnswerText":"Final data on court proceedings concluded in 2002 are now expected to be available at the end ofFebruary.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178241,"EventID":"S2W-05477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what health checks it has made of ingredients in approved food pellets for farmed salmon.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what health checks it has made of ingredients in approved food pellets for farmed salmon.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency (Scotland) isnow responsible for the regulation of animal feeding stuffs in Scotland.Trading standards officers within each local authority enforce theseregulations which includes sampling of animal feeding stuffs for dioxins andPCBs.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178242,"EventID":"S2W-05478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what sources and quantities of organic food pellets are available for the farmed salmon industry, shown also as a proportion of total feed used in Scottish salmon farms, ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what sources and quantities of organic food pellets are available for the farmed salmon industry, shown also as a proportion of total feed used in Scottish salmon farms, in each year since 2000.","AnswerText":"This is a matter forindustry bodies, such as the UK Agriculture Supply Trades Association. Theinformation requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178243,"EventID":"S2W-05479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of the construction of wind farms on Forestry Commission land.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of the construction of wind farms on Forestry Commission land.","AnswerText":"Our planning policy guidanceis given in National Planning Policy Guideline 6: Renewable EnergyDevelopments. Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Executive’s forestrydepartment. The corporate plan for the Forestry Commission in Scotlandrecognises that “Every effort is being made to increase the value and income from leasesof many kinds, and from developments such as windfarms, mineral sites andtelecommunication masts, for which the national forests can often provide asuitable location.” In this way the national forest lands make a considerablecontribution to the Executive’s targets for increasing the proportion of powergenerated from renewable sources.All proposals are developedwith full public consultation, and detailed plans for careful forestrestructuring. The usual planning consents and environmental impact assessmentsare required and environmental, economic and social issues are taken fully intoaccount. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178244,"EventID":"S2W-05480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what compensation will be payable to property owners whose properties are adversely affected by the construction of wind farms in their vicinity.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what compensation will be payable to property owners whose properties are adversely affected by the construction of wind farms in their vicinity.","AnswerText":"It would be for individualproperty owners to consider whether a situation has arisen that gives scope forpursuing a compensation claim.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178245,"EventID":"S2W-05481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what recent discussions have been held with the Nordic Council on behalf of the Parliament; what plans it has to meet the council in 2004, and whether it has any plans to ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what recent discussions have been held with the Nordic Council on behalf of the Parliament; what plans it has to meet the council in 2004, and whether it has any plans to enter into discussions with the council regarding full or associated membership of the council.","AnswerText":"The Parliament has recentlybeen involved in discussions with the Nordic Council through its membership of the British-Irish Inter-parliamentary Body (BIIPB). The BIIPB will produce areport shortly on its links with the Nordic Council. MSPs and officials fromthe Scottish Parliament have participated in, and contributed to, theproduction of the forthcoming report. Most recently, in December 2003, this hasinvolved members visiting Norway to take forward issues in the draft report.At present, there are nofirm plans to meet with the Nordic Council in 2004. However, it is expectedthat there will be productive exchanges with countries, regions andinstitutions from the Nordic/Baltic zone over the course of the year, e.g. SPCBstaff are currently working with Nordic parliament secretariats and Scottish universitiesto exchange views on committee practice. It is probable that there will befurther contact with the Nordic Council this year, but there are no plans atpresent to enter into discussions with the Nordic Council on gaining full orassociated membership, nor has the Nordic Council proposed that we do so. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andrew Welsh","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178246,"EventID":"S2W-05482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its action plan for the social economy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its action plan for the social economy.","AnswerText":"We are developing the actionplan and hope to make an announcement shortly.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178247,"EventID":"S2W-05483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government regarding the upgrade of the A74 from Gretna to Carlisle.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government regarding the upgrade of the A74 from Gretna to Carlisle.","AnswerText":"The Executive is in regularcontact with Her Majesty's Government on a range of transport issues in England withimplications for Scotland, including construction of the M6 from Carlisle toGuards Mill at Gretna.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2005-02-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178248,"EventID":"S2W-05484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is responsible for any part of the ancillary works in relation to the upgrade of the A74 from Gretna to Carlisle.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is responsible for any part of the ancillary works in relation to the upgrade of the A74 from Gretna to Carlisle.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178249,"EventID":"S2W-05485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many endangered species are held in (a) 'oos, (b) wildlife parks and (c) private collections.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many endangered species are held in (a) 'oos, (b) wildlife parks and (c) private collections.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178250,"EventID":"S2W-05486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many indigenous species are considered to be endangered.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many indigenous species are considered to be endangered.","AnswerText":"Under the internationallyaccepted categories and criteria developed by the International Union forConservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) in 2001, there are 101indigenous species in Scotland which are regarded as “endangered” or “criticallyendangered”. This includes 32 mosses and liverworts, 20 lichens, 22 fungi, 3stoneworts, 11 plants, 10 insects, 2 molluscs and 1 crustacean.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178251,"EventID":"S2W-05487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for considering whether any lessons can be learned from the experience of community courts in the United States of America.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for considering whether any lessons can be learned from the experience of community courts in the United States of America.","AnswerText":"The Executive is alwaysinterested to learn from the experience of other jurisdictions. This is why I amvisiting the United States of America next month to see at first hand if there are lessonswe can learn for the Scottish criminal justice system, including from theoperation of community courts.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178252,"EventID":"S2W-05488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to examine options in respect of the financial viability of the salmon farming industry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to examine options in respect of the financial viability of the salmon farming industry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has maintained close contact, and is actively engaged in dialogue, withall sectors of the salmon farming industry. The Executive is exploring a numberof initiatives and options, in partnership with industry, which seek to securethe industry's economic, social and environmental long-term viability. Most ofthese are set out in the strategic framework.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178253,"EventID":"S2W-05489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure the continuation of sustainable salmon farming.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure the continuation of sustainable salmon farming.","AnswerText":"I refer to the answer toS2W-5488 on 27 January 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178254,"EventID":"S2W-05490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for accessing and downloading child pornography on the internet in each of the last six years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for accessing and downloading child pornography on the internet in each of the last six years.","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the following table. The figures are for offences under sections 52 and 52A of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, which cover the possession, distribution and making of indecent material relating to children. Not all such offences will necessarily relate to images obtained from the internet.Persons Proceeded Against Under Sections 52 and 52A of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982(1), 1996-2001 | | Year of Sentence | | | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | | Persons proceeded against | 10 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 17 | 22 | | Persons with a charge proved | 7 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 16 | Note: 1. Where main offence. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178255,"EventID":"S2W-05491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for lewd communication with a child through an internet chatroom in each of the last six years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for lewd communication with a child through an internet chatroom in each of the last six years.","AnswerText":"There is no specific offencefor lewd communication in an internet chatroom. These cases may be covered byother offences such as common law lewd, indecent and libidinous practices, butthey cannot be separately identified within the statistics available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178256,"EventID":"S2W-05492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for fraud by adults who pretend to be a child for the purpose of securing a meeting with a child or committi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for fraud by adults who pretend to be a child for the purpose of securing a meeting with a child or committing, or attempting to commit, a sexual offence in each of the last six years.","AnswerText":"This type of case, which maybe covered by offences such as common law fraud or an offence under section7(1) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation)(Scotland) Act 1995, cannot beseparately identified within the statistics available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178257,"EventID":"S2W-05493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were prescribed (a) donepe'il, (b) rivastigmine, (c) galantamine and (d) memantine in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were prescribed (a) donepe'il, (b) rivastigmine, (c) galantamine and (d) memantine in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The data available centrallyare not patient-specific. Data collated centrally relate to the numbers andcost of prescribed items dispensed by community pharmacists and dispensingdoctors. These data are given in the following table for the calendar years 1998to 2002 inclusive. The data are presented on a national basis in order not todisclose information that may relate to an individual patient.Donepezil (Aricept®) became available from April 1997, Rivastigmine(Exelon®) from July 1998, Galantamine (Reminyl®) from September 2000 and Memantine (Ebixa®) from October 2002. Number of Prescribed Items:All NHS Boards | | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | | Donepezil | 2,932 | 4,719 | 7,023 | 11,769 | 19,261 | | Rivastigmine | 128 | 1,418 | 3,694 | 5,044 | 6,098 | | Galantamine | 0 | 0 | 68 | 2,009 | 4,192 | | Memantine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 | The information in the tablehas been provided by ISD Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178258,"EventID":"S2W-05494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has responded to the report by the Office of Fair Trading The regulation of licensed taxi and services in the UK and, if not, when it will respond.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has responded to the report by the Office of Fair Trading The regulation of licensed taxi and services in the UK and, if not, when it will respond.","AnswerText":"Scottish ministers have notyet responded to the Office of Fair Trading’s Report “The Regulation ofLicensed Taxi and Private Hire Car Services in the UK” and,although not statutorily required to do so, have agreed to submit theirresponse by 10 March 2004.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178259,"EventID":"S2W-05495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received in relation to its invitation for comments on the report by the Office of Fair Trading The regulation of licensed taxi and private se","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received in relation to its invitation for comments on the report by the Office of Fair Trading The regulation of licensed taxi and private services in the UK.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has received comments from a number of interested parties includinglocal authorities, taxi trade representative bodies and individual taxi ownersand drivers, disability groups, the Scottish Consumer Council, the TrafficCommissioner for Scotland and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland. Anumber of representations have also been received from MSPs.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178260,"EventID":"S2W-05496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will adopt the Swedish scheme of giving every child membership of a local library and a children's book at birth and how much such a scheme would cost.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will adopt the Swedish scheme of giving every child membership of a local library and a children's book at birth and how much such a scheme would cost.","AnswerText":"A similar scheme alreadyoperates in the UK. Bookstart, which was established in 1992, providesthe parents of each new-born child with a pack containing an invitation tolibrary membership, advice on reading and two books. In Scotland,this is an inter-agency project, involving close co-operation between ScottishBook Trust, library services and health authorities. Health workers present thepack at six-month assessment, but it is generally library staff in each local authoritywho run the service.28 of the 32 localauthorities currently operate the scheme. The remaining four have beenencouraged to join, but local partnerships take time to develop. The Scottish Executive, through the Children and Young People’s Interim grant Scheme, isproviding funding of £190,000 for 2004-05 so that the service can continue, whileBookstart apply for future funding from the New Opportunities Fund. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178261,"EventID":"S2W-05497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support the teaching of English as a foreign language (TEFL); how TEFL has been supported in each of the last four years; what information it has in respect ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support the teaching of English as a foreign language (TEFL); how TEFL has been supported in each of the last four years; what information it has in respect of the organisations that support TEFL; what plans it has to promote TEFL abroad and which organisations will be involved in this process; what financial benefits TEFL has brought in each year since 1997; how many visitors have come to Scotland to learn English as a foreign language since 1997, and what funding will be made available to organisations to promote TEFL in each of the next three years, broken down by organisation.","AnswerText":"The promotion of TEFL tointernational students visiting Scotland is part of the work of Education UK Scotland, whichis core-funded by the British Council and supported by the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Higher and Further Education Funding Councils. Scottish Executive funding for 2002-03 for Education UK Scotland is £50,000, with anadditional activities grant for 2002-03 of £30,000. Additional funding for the TEFLprogramme comes from the Scottish Independent Schools Council and the ScottishEnglish Language Teaching Consortium.EducationUK Scotland promotes TEFL through the production of promotional materials(including the Education UK Scotland website, which contains a searchabledatabase of all English language courses available in Scotland),attendance at education fairs overseas and hosting visits to Scotland foreducation agents. Education UK Scotland is also working with the ScottishEnglish Language Teaching Consortium (SELTIC) to add value to their efforts inmarketing English language courses in Scotland. BritishCouncil Scotland estimates that in year 2002-03, there were around 21,000(non-EU) international students in Scotland, generating an estimated £130 million for the Scottish economy and supporting around 7,000 full time jobs. The British Council'snetwork of offices in 110 countries also continues to promote TEFL in the UK andoverseas, and encourages students from overseas to come to all parts of the UK,including Scotland, to learn English. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178262,"EventID":"S2W-05498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it allocated specifically to support and promote breastfeeding in each year since May 1999, expressed also as a percentage of the total health budget in each","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it allocated specifically to support and promote breastfeeding in each year since May 1999, expressed also as a percentage of the total health budget in each year.","AnswerText":"The following table contains information regarding funding the Scottish Executive has allocated specifically to support and promote breastfeeding in each year since May 1999, expressed also as a percentage of the total health budget in each year.This table only contains information about funding specifically and solely for breastfeeding support and promotion. The Scottish Executive also fund initiatives where breastfeeding support and promotion forms part of a larger project, including the Starting Well Demonstration Project and the Scottish Healthy Choice Awards. It is also important to note that no specific funding has been allocated to NHS boards to support breastfeeding. NHS boards are given an annual unified budget to meet the health care needs of their resident populations. It is for boards to determine, within the funds available, how to manage and deliver local health care services to meet these needs taking account of national and local priorities. | Year End | CSO 1 (£) | SBG 2 (£) | NBA 3 (£) | Other 4 (£) | Total (£) | Total Health Budget (£ billiion) | Percentage of Total Health Budget | | 2000 | | 5000 | 32,000 | | 37,000 | 4.941 | 0.0007 | | 2001 | 20,836 | 5000 | 32,000 | | 57,836 | 5.380 | 0.0011 | | 2002 | 19,394 | 5000 | 32,000 | | 56,394 | 6.197 | 0.0009 | | 2003 | 19,225 | 5000 | 32,000 | | 56,225 | 6.880 | 0.0008 | | 2004 | 302,880p | 5000 | 32,000 | 60,000 | 339,880 | 7.241 | 0.0046 | pprovisional Notes: 1. This represents research funding allocated by the Chief Scientists Office (CSO) of the Scottish Executive. 2. This represents research funding allocated by the Scottish Executive for the work of the Scottish Breastfeeding Group. 3. This represents research funding allocated by the Scottish Executive for the work of the National Breastfeeding Advisor. 4. This represents funding given to NHS Ayrshire and Arran for the development of peer support projects in areas of multiple disadvantage, though this was not funded by the Health Department and as such is not included in the total spend or percentage of total health budget. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178263,"EventID":"S2W-05499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it allocated specifically to support breastfeeding in each NHS board area in each year since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it allocated specifically to support breastfeeding in each NHS board area in each year since May 1999.","AnswerText":"No specific funding has beenallocated to NHS boards to support breastfeeding. NHS boards are given an annualunified budget to meet the health care needs of their resident populations. Itis for boards to determine, within the funds available, how to manage anddeliver local health care services to meet these needs taking account ofnational and local priorities.I also refer the member tothe answer given to question S2W-5498 on 26 January 2004for further information about breastfeeding funding. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178264,"EventID":"S2W-05500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated to NHS Health Scotland, and its predecessor organisations, for the promotion of breastfeeding in each year since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated to NHS Health Scotland, and its predecessor organisations, for the promotion of breastfeeding in each year since May 1999.","AnswerText":"No funding has beenallocated to NHS Health Scotland and its predecessor organisations specifically to promotebreastfeeding. It is for NHS Health Scotland to determine how it uses its funding, whilst takinginto account national priorities.The following table shows the funds that NHS Health Scotland and its predecessor organisations have used for the promotion of breastfeeding in each year since year end 2000. | Year End | Organisation | Amount (£000) | | 2000 | Health Education Board for Scotland | 35 | | 2001 | Health Education Board for Scotland | 195 | | 2002 | Health Education Board for Scotland | 426 | | 2003 | Health Education Board for Scotland | 70 | | 2004 | NHS Health Scotland | 230 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178265,"EventID":"S2W-05501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated to fund the work of the National Breastfeeding Adviser in each year since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated to fund the work of the National Breastfeeding Adviser in each year since May 1999.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has allocated £32,000 each year since May 1999 to fund the work of theNational Breastfeeding Advisor.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178266,"EventID":"S2W-05502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated to fund the work and operation of the Scottish Breastfeeding Group in each year since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated to fund the work and operation of the Scottish Breastfeeding Group in each year since May 1999.","AnswerText":"The Scottish BreastfeedingGroup has been allocated £5,000 each year since 1999 to fund its work andoperation.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178268,"EventID":"S2W-05504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-14T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each NHS board has spent on the support and promotion of breastfeeding in each year since May 1999, expressed also as a percentage of the total expenditure of ea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each NHS board has spent on the support and promotion of breastfeeding in each year since May 1999, expressed also as a percentage of the total expenditure of each board.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178269,"EventID":"S2W-05505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many test centres currently issue MOT certificates for taxis, broken down by local authority area, and whether it provides any advice to local authorities in respect ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many test centres currently issue MOT certificates for taxis, broken down by local authority area, and whether it provides any advice to local authorities in respect of the number of centres in each area and their operation.","AnswerText":"Under the provisions of theCivic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, it is for individual licensingauthorities to determine the requirements for taxi testing and inspection forvehicles operating in their area, including where the necessary testcertificate can be obtained from. Information is not available centrally on thenumber of MOT testing centres authorised by individual authorities to providesuch services.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178270,"EventID":"S2W-05506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1968,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":6,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has made on behalf of the Executive to the European Commission to highlight the issues facing ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has made on behalf of the Executive to the European Commission to highlight the issues facing the Scottish retail sector in implementing the Animal By-Product Regulation, EC 1774/2002.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has worked closely with DEFRA in the development of this regulationwith the EU Commission. Following discussions between DEFRA and the DevolvedAdministrations, a letter was sent to the Commission on 6 January drawing theCommission’s attention to the practical difficulties faced by the UK retailsector concerning the disposal of raw meat and raw fish.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178271,"EventID":"S2W-05507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1968,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":6,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has taken legal advice on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' interpretation of the Animal By-Product Regulation, EC 1774/2002, that raw me","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has taken legal advice on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' interpretation of the Animal By-Product Regulation, EC 1774/2002, that raw meat and fish products are excluded from the transitional arrangements for the scheme, and if so, whether that advice will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive agrees with DEFRA and is satisfied that the provisions contained in theAnimal By-Products (Scotland) Regulations 2003 are an accurate interpretation ofEC 1774/2002 and the relevant transitional arrangements. It is on this basisthat these difficulties have now been raised formally with the Commission, andis consistent with the approach taken throughout the UK.Extensive advisory material has been issued to key stakeholders in Scotland andis also available on the Executive’s website which can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/ERADRA/LAH/00015760/EUABPControls.aspx ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178272,"EventID":"S2W-05508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government in respect of addressing any shortage of qualified HGV drivers in Scotland, in light of the impact of an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government in respect of addressing any shortage of qualified HGV drivers in Scotland, in light of the impact of any such shortage on the economy.","AnswerText":"I am aware of the concernsof the Scottish haulage industry regarding the recruitment and retention of HGVdrivers. Communication with Westminster is maintained on this issue through ScottishExecutive attendance at the UK road haulage forum.My officials have also beenworking closely with Scottish representatives from the Road HaulageAssociation, the Freight Transport Association and Skills for Logistics inseeking ways to address these concerns. As a result, in the past year we havelaunched two training initiatives funded through the Scottish Road HaulageModernisation Fund. These are: The Young Driver Training Scheme and the Scottish Driver Training Scheme (aimed at over 21s). My officials continue tomeet industry representatives on a regular basis and are currently consideringfurther initiatives to address recruitment and retention of staff within theindustry in Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178273,"EventID":"S2W-05509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements each local authority currently places on registered taxis as a result of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and what percentage of taxis must be wh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements each local authority currently places on registered taxis as a result of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and what percentage of taxis must be wheelchair-compliant and by what date.","AnswerText":"The DisabilityDiscrimination Act 1995 provides for the introduction of taxi accessibility regulationscontaining the minimum specification requirements for such vehicles. Suchmatters are reserved to the Westminster Parliament, although their applicationin Scotland is executively devolved to the Scottish Parliament.Until such time as the regulations are introduced, and their application inScotland determined, licensing authorities, under the provisions of the CivicGovernment (Scotland) Act 1982, have discretion as to the type, size and designof taxi that may operate in their area, including whether they must bewheelchair accessible. While at present there is no statutory duty on licensingauthorities to require taxis to be wheelchair accessible, the Scottish Executive have encouraged licensing authorities to use their discretionary powersto improve the availability of taxis to people with disabilities.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178274,"EventID":"S2W-05510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been provided for “dial-a-ride” taxi or bus services in Fife in each year since 1996-97, broken down by organisation receiving the funding","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been provided for “dial-a-ride” taxi or bus services in Fife in each year since 1996-97, broken down by organisation receiving the funding and the purpose of the funding.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has,to date, provided no funding to any dial-a-ride taxi or bus service in Fife.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178275,"EventID":"S2W-05511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what direction and advice was given to Fife Council regarding the introduction of the Yellow Taxibus service operating principally between Dunfermline and Edinburgh.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what direction and advice was given to Fife Council regarding the introduction of the Yellow Taxibus service operating principally between Dunfermline and Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"No direction or advice wasgiven to Fife Council regarding the introduction of the Yellow Taxibus service.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178276,"EventID":"S2W-05512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1968,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":6,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure greater standards of safety in school transport by drawing up a phased timetable, with appropriate targets, to ensure that all buses contracted by ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure greater standards of safety in school transport by drawing up a phased timetable, with appropriate targets, to ensure that all buses contracted by local education authorities to carry children between school and home and on school trips are fitted with seatbelts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive issued updated guidance to education authorities on school transport inAugust 2003. Circular 7/2003, copies of which are available in the Parliament’sReference Centre (Bib. number. 29135), sets out, inter alia, the legalrequirements with regard to the fitting of seat belts in vehicles used for schooltransport. It also encourages local authorities to consider how best to ensurethat children use seat belts, where these are provided.It is for educationauthorities themselves to negotiate the terms of contracts for schooltransport, taking account of local circumstances. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178277,"EventID":"S2W-05513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent by the Scottish Arts Council on literature in each year since 1997, expressed also as a percentage of total Arts Council expenditure in each year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent by the Scottish Arts Council on literature in each year since 1997, expressed also as a percentage of total Arts Council expenditure in each year.","AnswerText":"Scottish Arts Council hasprovided figures as set out in the following table. The figures do not includeNational Lottery funding. | Financial Year | Literature Grant Expenditure (£'000) | Total Grant Expenditure (£'000) | Literature Exp as a % of Total Grant Expenditure | | 1996-97 | 1,097 | 24,048 | 4.6 | | 1997-98 | 1,078 | 25,706 | 4.2 | | 1998-99 | 1,064 | 25,319 | 4.2 | | 1999-2000 | 1,085 | 28,948 | 3.7 | | 2000-01 | 1,267 | 29,975 | 4.2 | | 2001-02 | 1,417 | 33,706 | 4.2 | | 2002-03 | 1,479 | 34,384 | 4.3 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178278,"EventID":"S2W-05514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistics it has on the number of disabled people in (a) rural Scotland and (b) Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistics it has on the number of disabled people in (a) rural Scotland and (b) Scotland.","AnswerText":"The 2001 Census in Scotland collected statistics on the number of people with a long-term illness, health problem or disability that limits their daily activities or the work that they can do. Table 1 presents the results for all people living in households broken down by urban rural classification.Table 1: People with Long-term Illness, Health Problem or Disability by Urban Rural Classification, Percentages, 2001 Data, All People in Households | Area | All People in Households with Disability/Long-Term Illness | All People in Households with Disability/Long-Term Illness | Base | | Number | Percentage | | Large Urban Areas | 408,151 | 21 | 1,936,320 | | Other Urban Areas | 288,614 | 20 | 1,465,159 | | Accessible Small Towns | 98,114 | 19 | 521,988 | | Remote Small Towns | 25,759 | 20 | 131,119 | | Accessible Rural | 108,015 | 17 | 644,303 | | Remote Rural | 49,723 | 18 | 277,116 | | Urban | 820,638 | 20 | 4,054,586 | | Rural | 157,738 | 17 | 921,419 | | Scotland | 978,376 | 20 | 4,976,005 | Source: 2001 Census. In Scotland, there are 978,376 people living in households with a long-term illness, health problem or disability. This accounts for 20% of Scotland’s population. Of those people living in rural areas, 17% (157,738) have a long-term illness, health problem or disability. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178279,"EventID":"S2W-05515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on literature by the Scottish Enterprise Creative Industries cluster team in each year since its inception and how much will be spent on literatur","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on literature by the Scottish Enterprise Creative Industries cluster team in each year since its inception and how much will be spent on literature by the team in each year to 2006.","AnswerText":"I have asked RobertCrawford, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, to respond. His response isas follows:A summary of CreativeIndustries Cluster Investment in Publishing to date is as follows. 2001-02,£67,800; 2002-03, £183,250; 2003-04, £62,000. The total to date is £313,050.Future budgets are yet to be determined but support for this activity willremain a key part of our cluster strategy. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178280,"EventID":"S2W-05516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many direct payment applications have been submitted in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many direct payment applications have been submitted in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information has beencollected since 2001 on the number of direct payments made each year in Scotland(see the answer given to question S2W-5517 on 27 January 2004). However, noinformation is currently available on unsuccessful applications.All answers to written parliamentaryquestions available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for whichcan be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178281,"EventID":"S2W-05517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many direct payment applications, submitted in each year since 1997, have been successful, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many direct payment applications, submitted in each year since 1997, have been successful, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) local authority area.","AnswerText":"The following tables provideinformation on the number of direct payment clients, by local authority, and byage, for the years ending 31 March 2001, 2002 and 2003.Number of Direct Payments,by Local Authority | Local Authority | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | | Aberdeen City | 4 | 4 | 11 | | Aberdeenshire | 8 | 6 | 11 | | Angus | 4 | 23 | 30 | | Argyll and Bute | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Clackmannanshire | 1 | 4 | 18 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 7 | 25 | 27 | | Dundee City | 0 | 0 | 0 | | East Ayrshire | 0 | 0 | 17 | | East Dunbartonshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | | East Lothian | 5 | 7 | 7 | | East Renfrewshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Edinburgh, City of | 67 | 49 | 89 | | Eilean Siar | 0 | 3 | 5 | | Falkirk | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Fife | 30 | 64 | 120 | | Glasgow City | 17 | 16 | 15 | | Highland | 14 | 23 | 43 | | Inverclyde | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Midlothian | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Moray | 0 | 5 | 7 | | North Ayrshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | | North Lanarkshire | 3 | 10 | 11 | | Orkney Islands | 0 | 0 | 1 | | Perth and Kinross All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178283,"EventID":"S2W-05519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many direct payment applications for people with mental illness have been successful in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) local authori","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many direct payment applications for people with mental illness have been successful in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) local authority area.","AnswerText":"The table providesinformation on the total number of people with mental health problems receivingdirect payments, by age, for the years ending 31 March 2002 and 2003.Numbers are too small to provide a local authority breakdown, as this wouldbreach current guidelines on confidentiality.People with Mental HealthProblems receiving Direct Payments, by Age | | 16-17 years | 18-64 years | 65+ years | Total | | 2001-02 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | | 2002-03 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 10 | Source: SEHD: F1 Return. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178284,"EventID":"S2W-05520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total value of direct payments has been in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total value of direct payments has been in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The table below providesinformation on the value of direct payments, by local authority, for the yearsending 31 March 2001, 2002 and 2003.Value of Direct Payments(£000) | Local Authority | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | | Aberdeen City | 17 | 23 | 42 | | Aberdeenshire | 21 | 28 | 44 | | Angus | 37 | 275 | 426 | | Argyll and Bute | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Clackmannanshire | 8 | 31 | 69 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 47 | 85 | 234 | | Dundee City | 0 | 0 | 0 | | East Ayrshire | 0 | 0 | 118 | | East Dunbartonshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | | East Lothian | 83 | 103 | 117 | | East Renfrewshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Edinburgh, City of | 1,083 | 1,177 | 1,864 | | Eilean Siar | 0 | 7 | 13 | | Falkirk | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Fife | 254 | 554 | 822 | | Glasgow City | 100 | 151 | 147 | | Highland | 67 | 174 | 447 | | Inverclyde | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Midlothian | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Moray | 0 | 36 | 76 | | North Ayrshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | | North Lanarkshire | 13 | 156 | 177 | | Orkney Islands | 0 | 0 | 1 | | Perth and Kinross Residential Care Homes forPeople with Mental Health Problems | | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | | Health Board | Closed | Opened | Closed | Opened | Closed | Opened | | Argyll and Bute | | 3 | 1 | | | | | Ayrshire and Arran | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | | | Borders | | | | | | | | Dumfries and Galloway | | | | 3 | | | | Fife | | | | 1 | | | | Forth Valley | | 1 | 1 | 2 | | | | Grampian | 5 | | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | | Greater Glasgow | 1 | | 4 | 5 | 1 | | | Highland | | 1 | | | 1 | | | Lanarkshire | 2 | | | | | | | Lothian | 10 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 5 | 1 | | Orkney | | | | | | | | Shetland | | | | Average Weekly Charge per Resident in Homes for People with Mental Health Problems, 2002 | Sector | Average Weekly Charge 2002 (£) | | Local Authority | 412 | | Private | 293 | | Voluntary | 387 | | Total | 375 | Source: SEHD Community CareStatistics – R1 Return. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178287,"EventID":"S2W-05523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alternatives are offered to people with mental illness where the local authority does not provide day centres specifically for such people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what alternatives are offered to people with mental illness where the local authority does not provide day centres specifically for such people.","AnswerText":"With the development ofcommunity care, people with mental health problems have considerably greateropportunities than in the past, provided by local authorities, health boards andvoluntary sector providers in a range of settings. This includes leisure, social,recreational, educational and employment activities.The interim report and 15locality reports of Dr Sandra Grant’s recent national assessment of thereadiness of mental health services to respond to the requirements of the MentalHealth (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 indicated considerable progresswith these developments, although of course more needs to be done in some partsof the country. I expect to receive Dr Grant’s full national report in February. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178288,"EventID":"S2W-05524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to further regulate the private hire trade; what its position is in respect of any alleged links between individuals involved in private hire companies ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to further regulate the private hire trade; what its position is in respect of any alleged links between individuals involved in private hire companies and organised crime, and whether it will take any action, including seeking any necessary additional powers, to address this issue.","AnswerText":"The existing legislativeprovisions relating to the licensing of private hire cars contained in theCivic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 are currently under review. Independent ofthis, the Executive is aware of the alleged links between the operation of someprivate hire and taxi companies and organised crime and proposes to consult onwhat action, if any, should be taken to address these concerns.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178289,"EventID":"S2W-05525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-1058 and S2W-2070 by Tavish Scott and Mr Andy Kerr on 28 July and 5 September 2003 respectively, what recent dealings it has had ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-1058 and S2W-2070 by Tavish Scott and Mr Andy Kerr on 28 July and 5 September 2003 respectively, what recent dealings it has had with the Nordic Council of Ministers; what involvement it will have with the council in 2004, and whether it will seek full or associate membership of the council in 2004.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has had recent contacts with the Nordic Council of Ministers on anumber of policies of common interest, including regional development, throughthe Nordic-Scottish Action Plan; culture, through the Network North initiative;and the marine environment, at the North Atlantic Conference in Lerwick on 1-2 October2003. We will continue to pursue these contacts in the year ahead and willconsider other opportunities for co-operation where they are likely to deliverbenefits for Scotland.On the question ofmembership of the council, I refer the member to the answer given to S2W-2070on 5 September 2003. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178290,"EventID":"S2W-05526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any information in respect of any loss of (a) urban green space and (b) playing fields, broken down by relevant local authority area, in each year since 19","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any information in respect of any loss of (a) urban green space and (b) playing fields, broken down by relevant local authority area, in each year since 1999 and, if not, whether it has any plans to collect such information.","AnswerText":"Information on loss of urbangreen space is not held centrally. We have no plans to collect suchinformation.Information on loss ofplaying fields is supplied to the Scottish Executive through sportscotland.It has not been possible to collate the information requested in the timeavailable. I will ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport to write to the Member once the information is available. Acopy of the letter will be placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178291,"EventID":"S2W-05527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) public libraries and (b) community centres currently have broadband, broken down by local authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) public libraries and (b) community centres currently have broadband, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"All 554 public libraries in Scotland areconnected to the People’s Network, providing free access to the Internet. Ofthese, more than 84% (465 libraries) offer broadband internet access at 2Mbs orfaster. Connectivity at the remaining libraries is provided over connectionsranging from 64Kbs to 512 Kbs, with the majority (around 75%) connected at 128Kbs. The table shows a breakdown by local authority. The question of broadband provision in communitycentres is a matter for the local authorities concerned. The informationrequested is not held centrally. | Local Authority | Number of libraries with a 2Mbs or faster connection | Total number of libraries | | Clackmannan | 1 | 8 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 20 | 24 | | Dundee | 14 | 14 | | East Ayrshire | 23 | 23 | | East Dunbartonshire | 8 | 8 | | East Lothian | 12 | 12 | | East Renfrewshire | 5 | 8 | | Edinburgh | 26 | 26 | | Falkirk | 7 | 7 | | Fife | 59 | 59 | | Glasgow | 32 | 32 | | Highland | 12 | 43 | | Inverclyde | 9 | 9 | | Midlothian | 10 | 10 | | Moray | 16 | 16 | | North Ayrshire | 17 | 17 | | North Lanarkshire | 24 | 24 | | Orkney | 2 | 2 | | Perth and Kinross | 8 | 13 | | Renfrewshire | 17 | 17 | | Scottish Borders | 5 | 13 | | Shetland | 1 | 1 | | South Ayrshire | 15 | 15 | | South Lanarkshire | 14 | 25 | | Stirling | 10 | 15 | | West Dunbartonshire | 10 | 11 | | West Lothian | 13 | 15 | | Western Isles | The introduction of directair links to Sweden over the past year has raised the priority given to Sweden by VisitScotlandas a target market. Promotional activity in Sweden is being increasedaccordingly; for example, VisitScotland will run a spring campaign in Sweden forthe first time this year. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178293,"EventID":"S2W-05529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2686,"Party":"Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on local authorities commencing collection of next year's council tax in April 2004 rather than May 2004.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on local authorities commencing collection of next year's council tax in April 2004 rather than May 2004.","AnswerText":"This is not new. Councilshave had the power to start the 10-part instalment scheme in April rather thanMay since the year 2001-02. I understand that 25 councils made the change in2001-02, a further 4 in 2002-03, with one more council planning to make thechange in 2004-05.Regulations were made as aresult of a recommendation in the joint COSLA/Scottish Executive Report “ItPays to Pay” in order to help improve in-year council tax collection levels.In-year collection levels have improved as a result of these measures. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178294,"EventID":"S2W-05530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what direction it has given to Scottish Water regarding its policy for providing grant assistance to (a) individuals and (b) developers towards the cost of water pumps in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what direction it has given to Scottish Water regarding its policy for providing grant assistance to (a) individuals and (b) developers towards the cost of water pumps in rural areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not issued any directions to Scottish Water on these matters.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178295,"EventID":"S2W-05531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what direction it has given to Scottish Water regarding the adoption by Scottish Water of water pumps and associated mains serving water consumers in rural areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what direction it has given to Scottish Water regarding the adoption by Scottish Water of water pumps and associated mains serving water consumers in rural areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not issued any directions to Scottish Water on these matters.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178296,"EventID":"S2W-05532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider reducing the speed limit on the A99 as it passes through Thrumster.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider reducing the speed limit on the A99 as it passes through Thrumster.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to reduce the speed limit on the A99 through Thrumster.However, Village Gateway signing is programmed to be installed before the endof March 2004.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178297,"EventID":"S2W-05533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a response to the Equal Opportunities Committee's (EOC) Inquiry into Gypsy Travellers and Public Sector Policies, published on 21 June 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a response to the Equal Opportunities Committee's (EOC) Inquiry into Gypsy Travellers and Public Sector Policies, published on 21 June 2001.","AnswerText":"The Executive’s initial responseto the EOC Inquiry recommendations was published in October 2001 and isavailable to view on the Executive website. An updated response is in the finalstages of drafting and should be with the committee later this year.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178298,"EventID":"S2W-05534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for a Nurse Executive not being appointed as a representative of the nursing profession to the board of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, given the c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for a Nurse Executive not being appointed as a representative of the nursing profession to the board of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, given the commitment by the Minister for Health and Community Care at the RCN Scotland Conference that nurses should be represented at the highest level of all NHS bodies.","AnswerText":"I have been given assurancesthat the appointment of a Nurse Director to NHS Quality Improvement is apriority for them, however delays in the implementation of their new structure,of which this post is a part, has delayed this appointment. The Nurse Directorof NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, who they assure me be in place by March 2004at the latest, will serve as a full member of the senior management team, willbe an Executive Director of the Board, and will report directly to the Chief Executive.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178299,"EventID":"S2W-05535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it defines broadband, in the context of provision to schools; how many, and what percentage of, (a) primary and (b) secondary schools currently have broadband; what t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it defines broadband, in the context of provision to schools; how many, and what percentage of, (a) primary and (b) secondary schools currently have broadband; what targets it has set in respect of the provision of broadband in schools, and when it will meet such targets.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive defines broadband, in the context of schools, as a high-capacity,two-way digital link capable of supporting full-motion, interactive videoapplications. The actual bandwidth required to achieve this benchmark variesaccording to the number of concurrent users in a school. For schools, 2Mbps is generallyregarded as the minimum transmission rate for a broadband connection.According to the most recentlyavailable Schools’ ICT Survey (September 2002), 13% of primary schools and 49%of secondary schools have a minimum connection of 2Mbps. The Scottish Executive’s public sector broadband policy is currently beingtaken forward in two Pathfinder areas (Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland). Decisions about further implementationof schools broadband will be taken on the basis of lessons learned from thePathfinder Projects. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178300,"EventID":"S2W-05536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2686,"Party":"Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its directive for a national minimum standard for its national concessionary travel scheme for blind people includes concessions for companions travelling with th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its directive for a national minimum standard for its national concessionary travel scheme for blind people includes concessions for companions travelling with the person who is blind and, if not, whether it intends to include such a concession.","AnswerText":"The national free concessionary travel scheme for blind people was introduced in December 1999 and offers card holders free travel at any time on trains, buses, ferries and the Glasgow Underground. The scheme provides considerable benefits to cardholders. The scheme is a voluntary partnership agreement between the Scottish Executive, local authorities and rail, bus and ferry companies. It does notextend to companions of blind card holders; however local authorities have discretion to offer this additional benefit if they choose.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178301,"EventID":"S2W-05537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4782 by Euan Robson on 13 January 2004, whether the income threshold for qualification for free school meals of #13,230 is a combin","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4782 by Euan Robson on 13 January 2004, whether the income threshold for qualification for free school meals of #13,230 is a combined parental income threshold and therefore a household income limit.","AnswerText":"My answer to questionS2W-4782 details the income threshold of £13,230 as representing the currentincome threshold for child tax credit (CTC), as prescribed by the Tax CreditsAct 2002. This threshold relates to income assessed for the purpose of awardingtax credits. This is family income - so for two parent families the incomethreshold is a combined parental income threshold and therefore a householdincome limit.All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178302,"EventID":"S2W-05538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4782 by Euan Robson on 13 January 2004, whether it considers that a household income of #13,230 represents a poverty or low income ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4782 by Euan Robson on 13 January 2004, whether it considers that a household income of #13,230 represents a poverty or low income threshold.","AnswerText":"My answer to questionS2W-4782 on 13 January 2004 made clear the eligibility criteria for free schoolmeals and that the income threshold of £13,230 represents the current incomethreshold for Child Tax Credit, as prescribed by the Tax Credits Act 2002.All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178303,"EventID":"S2W-05539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive what the average waiting time was for an appointment with a dermatologist and to obtain a biopsy in each NHS board area in each of the last 10 years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive what the average waiting time was for an appointment with a dermatologist and to obtain a biopsy in each NHS board area in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The median waiting times fora first outpatient appointment with a consultant in the specialty of dermatology,following referral by a general medical practitioner, by NHS board ofresidence, in each of the last 10 years are given in the table.Information on waiting timesfor diagnostic tests, such as biopsies, is not collected centrally. The Centre for Change and Innovation will be launching a national redesign of dermatologyservices in February 2004 as part of our commitment to reducing outpatient waitingtimes and ensuring that no patient waits more than 26 weeks for a firstoutpatient appointment, following GP referral, by 31 December 2005. The twinaims of the redesign will be to reduce outpatient waiting times and to improvethe quality of services for patients. NHSScotland:Median Waiting Times For A First Out-patient Appointment With A Consultant InDermatology, Following A General Medical Practitioner Referral, By NHS Board OfResidence: Years Ended 30September 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003P. | | Median Wait (days) | | NHS Board | 30 Sep 1994 | 30 Sep 1995 | 30 Sep 1996 | 30 Sep 1997 | 30 Sep 1998 | | Argyll and Clyde | 47 | 55 | 71 | 68 | 53 | | Ayrshire and Arran | 54 | 40 | 43 | 43 | 43 | | Borders | 48 | 49 | 46 | 54 | 50 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 41 | 48 | 42 | 37 | 45 | | Fife | 75 | 69 | 73 | 67 | 65 | | Forth Valley | 51 | 62 | 74 | 60 | 82 | | Grampian | 72 | 77 | 84 | 55 | 70 | | Greater Glasgow | 51 | 53 | 56 | 61 | 52 | | Highland | 49 | 56 | 51 | 59 | 70 | | Lanarkshire | 39 | 42 | 76 | 77 | 56 | | Lothian | 47 | 39 | 43 | 56 | 47 ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178304,"EventID":"S2W-05540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-15T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a full response to the Public Health Institute of Scotland's Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Needs Assessment Report.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a full response to the Public Health Institute of Scotland's Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Needs Assessment Report.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive set up a Reference Group in June 2002, to advise ministers asimplementation of the Public Health Institute of Scotland's Autistic SpectrumDisorders Needs Assessment Report progresses. At the most recent meeting on 3 November 2003,members agreed to publication of a work plan by 1 March 2004, when the groupnext meets.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178305,"EventID":"S2W-05541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many farmers have benefited from the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone Grants Scheme, broken down by such 'one.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many farmers have benefited from the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone Grants Scheme, broken down by such 'one.","AnswerText":"Thirty-nine farmers hadtheir applications for grant accepted under the first tranche.The breakdown by NitrateVulnerable Zone is as follows: | Moray/Aberdeenshire/Banff and Buchan | 16 | | Strathmore and Fife | 8 | | Lothian and Borders | 4 | | Lower Nithsdale | 11 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178306,"EventID":"S2W-05542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of farmers in each nitrate vulnerable 'one have (a) applied for and (b) received grants from the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone Grants Scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of farmers in each nitrate vulnerable 'one have (a) applied for and (b) received grants from the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone Grants Scheme.","AnswerText":"100% of farmers whosubmitted a valid application under the first tranche of the Nitrate VulnerableZone Grants Scheme have been offered entry into the Scheme.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178307,"EventID":"S2W-05543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of land in each Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) has benefited from a NVZ grant towards the cost of slurry storage.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of land in each Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) has benefited from a NVZ grant towards the cost of slurry storage.","AnswerText":"It is not possible todetermine the percentage of land that may benefit as unlike schemes that aredesigned to pay grant on a per hectare basis, the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone GrantScheme is for capital improvements. Its aim is to assist farmers in complyingwith the NVZ action programme regulations. By banning slurry spreading duringclosed periods, improvements should occur in nitrate levels in surface andgroundwater.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178308,"EventID":"S2W-05544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-1074 by Mr Tom McCabe on 15 January 2004, which three trusts do not comply with its guidance on mixed sex hospital wards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-1074 by Mr Tom McCabe on 15 January 2004, which three trusts do not comply with its guidance on mixed sex hospital wards.","AnswerText":"The three remaining areas of NHS Scotland which do not fully comply with the guidance are the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Lothian Primary Care Trust, and small areas in both Stobhill Hospital, inthe North Glasgow University NHS Trust, and Grampian University Hospitals NHSTrust. However, all trusts have been required to agree with their local health councillocal policies to ensure the dignity and privacy of patients is respected atall times in non-compliant wards.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178309,"EventID":"S2W-05545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive where the proposed new transport agency will be located.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive where the proposed new transport agency will be located.","AnswerText":"Ministers will, in thenormal manner, review the location of the proposed national transport agency indue course.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178310,"EventID":"S2W-05546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office(CSO), within the Scottish Executive Health Department, has responsibility for fundingand supporting research into health and healthcare needs in Scotland. CSOis currently funding one research project on complementary interventions forchildren with attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD).The National ResearchRegister (NRR), a UK wide research database, records that there are afurther 10 on-going research projects in the UK on ADHD and 71 completedresearch projects. Details of these projects are available from the NRR, a copyof which is in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 17404). ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178311,"EventID":"S2W-05547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any research proposals regarding the effects of medicating children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder in the last five years ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any research proposals regarding the effects of medicating children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder in the last five years and, if so, which proposals were (a) accepted and (b) rejected, and what the reasons were for the decision in each case.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office(CSO), within the Scottish Executive Health Department, has responsibility for fundingand supporting research into health and healthcare needs in Scotland.Within the last five years,CSO has received two outline proposals on this subject, one of which proceededto a full grant application. This was considered by CSO’s Biomedical andTherapeutic Research Committee but it was rejected as it was not considered tobe of a sufficiently high enough standard to merit funding. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178312,"EventID":"S2W-05548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any research proposals regarding the effects of dietary intervention on children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder in the las","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any research proposals regarding the effects of dietary intervention on children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder in the last five years and, if so, which proposals were (a) accepted and (b) rejected and what the reasons were for the decision in each case.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office(CSO), within the Scottish Executive Health Department, has responsibility forencouraging and supporting research into health and health care needs in Scotland. Inthe last five years, CSO has not received any research proposals on the effectsof dietary intervention on children diagnosed with attention deficithyperkinetic disorder. CSO would be pleased to consider proposals for researchin this area which would be subject to the usual peer and committee review.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178313,"EventID":"S2W-05549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting short-term volunteering, with particular regard to the time taken for police checks on such volunteers before they can commence their voluntary servi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting short-term volunteering, with particular regard to the time taken for police checks on such volunteers before they can commence their voluntary service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is currently finalising its volunteering strategy, the overall aim ofwhich is to embed a robust culture of volunteering in Scotland.The strategy will encompass all types of organised volunteering, including short-termvolunteering.The Scottish Executive covers the cost of standard and enhanced police checks for voluntarysector volunteers working with children, young people and vulnerable adults. Wealso core fund the Central Registered Body in Scotland to process applicationsfor free checks for the voluntary sector and to forward them to DisclosureScotland which issues the disclosure certificates. Furthermore we haveauthorised the recruitment of additional staff at Disclosure Scotland to reducethe turnaround times for applications and the position is improving. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178314,"EventID":"S2W-05550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the debt burden is of each local authority in respect of the Public Works Loan Board and how much each authority pays annually to service such debt.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the debt burden is of each local authority in respect of the Public Works Loan Board and how much each authority pays annually to service such debt.","AnswerText":"The total debt outstanding with the Public Works Loan Board on 31 March 2003,and an estimate of the total interest payments charged annually is shown in thefollowing table. These figures have been supplied by the Public Works Loan Board. | Debt Outstanding with Public Works Loan Board | | Local Authority | Debt Outstanding | Estimated | | 31 March 2003 | Interest Payments (2003-04) | | £ | £ | | Aberdeen City | 309,142,292 | 24,063,636 | | Aberdeenshire | 313,471,166 | 20,845,833 | | Angus | 103,939,727 | 6,417,239 | | Argyll and Bute | 195,537,882 | 13,648,544 | | Clackmannanshire | 77,119,886 | 4,717,423 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 225,041,525 | 13,833,303 | | Dundee City | 249,774,342 | 16,295,278 | | East Ayrshire | 154,653,446 | 10,239,605 | | East Dunbartonshire | 100,618,267 | 6,852,104 | | East Lothian | 137,670,169 | 7,882,994 | | East Renfrewshire | 78,769,166 | 5,542,199 | | Edinburgh, City of | 829,602,294 | 61,929,811 | | Eilean Siar | 182,213,051 | 12,869,708 | | Falkirk | 155,326,666 | 9,843,051 | | Fife | 457,571,786 | 23,807,460 | | Glasgow City | 968,344,138 | 66,670,494 | | Highland | 504,177,204 | 30,855,645 | | Inverclyde | 167,531,187 | 11,310,030 | | Midlothian | 63,207,893 | 3,695,765 | | Moray | 125,678,556 | 8,522,263 | | North Ayrshire | 159,410,540 | 9,642,744 | | North Lanarkshire | 408,276,256 | 29,444,884 | | Orkney Islands | 0 | 0 | | Perth and Kinross | 134,889,882 | 8,499,411 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178316,"EventID":"S2W-05552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has in respect of underwriting any loan applications made by local authorities to the Public Works Loan Board and how mouch it estimatesthe total annual re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has in respect of underwriting any loan applications made by local authorities to the Public Works Loan Board and how mouch it estimatesthe total annual repayments would be if local authorities were authorised to borrow, in total, an extra (a) £500 million, (b) £1 billion and (c) £1.5 billion.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no powers to underwrite any loan applications made by local authorities.Total annual repayments are a matter for the Public Works Loan Board. Theinformation requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178317,"EventID":"S2W-05553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been made available to NHS boards to meet the costs of backdated payments to April 2003 as a result of the new consultants' contract.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been made available to NHS boards to meet the costs of backdated payments to April 2003 as a result of the new consultants' contract.","AnswerText":"The cost of the consultants’contract will be met through NHS boards’ general allocations. Boards havereceived record funding in this spending round and the allocations to boardsfor 2003-04 reflect an average 7.8% increase – in total £370 million more thanthe previous year. Each board’s initial allocation for 2003-04 was announcedin S1W-33866. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available onthe Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.I also recently issued anadditional £30 million to NHSScotland to help free up resources for directpatient care. ","AnswerDate":"2004-04-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178318,"EventID":"S2W-05554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional funding will be made available to NHS boards to meet the costs of the backdated payments to April 2003 as a result of the new consultants' contract.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional funding will be made available to NHS boards to meet the costs of the backdated payments to April 2003 as a result of the new consultants' contract.","AnswerText":"Funding has already beenmade available in NHS boards’ allocations for the cost of paying arrears toconsultants from April 2003.I also recently issued an additional£30 million to NHSScotland to help free up resources for direct patient care. ","AnswerDate":"2004-04-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178319,"EventID":"S2W-05555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding will be required by each NHS board area to meet the costs of the backdated payments to April 2003 as a result of the new consultants' contract.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding will be required by each NHS board area to meet the costs of the backdated payments to April 2003 as a result of the new consultants' contract.","AnswerText":"The level of funding required by each NHS board area will be determined by the job plans agreed between individual consultants and their managers over the next few months.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178320,"EventID":"S2W-05556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be made regarding South Lanarkshire Council's proposals for the reorganisation of its secondary school provision.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be made regarding South Lanarkshire Council's proposals for the reorganisation of its secondary school provision.","AnswerText":"I hope to be in a positionto announce decisions shortly on those South Lanarkshire school reorganisationproposals for which the council have applied for the consent of the Scottish ministers.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178321,"EventID":"S2W-05557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will continue to support environmental and plant research by the Scottish Agricultural College.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will continue to support environmental and plant research by the Scottish Agricultural College.","AnswerText":"Our present plans are to continue to commission environmental and plant research, and veterinary services from the Scottish Agricultural College. The Scottish Executive is currently reviewing its Strategy for Agricultural, Biological and Related Research. Future support will be guided by the outcome of this review which will be published in the spring.As part of our review we have noted significant support for veterinary servicesat the Scottish Agricultural College.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178322,"EventID":"S2W-05558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what future plans it has to support veterinary services at the Scottish Agricultural College.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what future plans it has to support veterinary services at the Scottish Agricultural College.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5557. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178323,"EventID":"S2W-05559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there have been under the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 with regard to the incorrect shoeing of horses in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there have been under the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 with regard to the incorrect shoeing of horses in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Section 1 of the Protectionof Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 specifies numerous offences of crueltytowards animals. None of these offences relate specifically to the incorrectshoeing of horses. While such a procedure may, in certain circumstances, fallwithin the terms of a section 1 offence, the information system used by theCrown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service does not record the specific detailsof any such offence. This system is designed primarily as a case trackingsystem, and it has not been designed to facilitate the extraction of suchdetailed information about the facts of individual cases.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elish Angiolini","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178324,"EventID":"S2W-05560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1873,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":46,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will include a specific question with regard to shoeing horses in its forthcoming consultation on animal welfare.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will include a specific question with regard to shoeing horses in its forthcoming consultation on animal welfare.","AnswerText":"The forthcoming consultationon animal welfare has still to be finalised but it is our intentionspecifically to seek views on the shoeing of horses.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178325,"EventID":"S2W-05561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many investigations into alleged cases of cruelty to, and neglect of, animals have been carried out in each year since 1999 by (a) the Scottish Society for the Preven","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many investigations into alleged cases of cruelty to, and neglect of, animals have been carried out in each year since 1999 by (a) the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (b) the police, (c) its Environment and Rural Affairs Department and (d) local authorities.","AnswerText":"Information pertaining toinvestigations carried out by the Scottish Society for the Prevention ofCruelty to Animals, the police and local authorities is not held centrally. TheState Veterinary Service, on behalf of the Environment and Rural AffairsDepartment, undertook the following visits to farms following complaints aboutfarm animal welfare: | Year | Number of Visits | | 1999 | 333 | | 2000 | 319 | | 2001 | 167 | | 2002 | 194 | | 2003 | 238 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178326,"EventID":"S2W-05562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to eradicate fuel poverty among tenants in the social rented sector (a) Glasgow and (b) all local authority areas other than Glasgow who have been","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to eradicate fuel poverty among tenants in the social rented sector (a) Glasgow and (b) all local authority areas other than Glasgow who have been unable to benefit from the Warm Deal Initiative as a result of housing stock transfer.","AnswerText":"The investment programmes of the registered social landlords which have acquired stock in the three wholetransfers to date include a commitment to both central heating and other energyefficiency measures.The Warm Deal managed byEaga delivers insulation measures across all sectors of the housing stock.Local authority stock that has been transferred and the stock of registeredsocial landlords will benefit from that part of the Warm Deal programme. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178327,"EventID":"S2W-05563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Home Office in respect of how many work permits for residence will be made available for employment in Scotland; whether, under t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Home Office in respect of how many work permits for residence will be made available for employment in Scotland; whether, under the Fresh Talent initiative, it will be able to target prospective migrants, such as foreign graduates, and, if so, how it will do this; whether it will offer accommodation and jobs to such migrants and, if so, how such offers will be made, and whether applications for such work permits will still require to be approved by Her Majesty's Government.","AnswerText":"The responsibility for theissue of work permits lies with the Home Office. Work permit arrangements allowemployers based in the UK to employ people who are not nationals of a Europeaneconomic area country and who are not otherwise entitled to work in the UK. In mostcases employers are required to apply for work permits on behalf of a specificperson for a specific post.Discussions are ongoingbetween the Home Office and Scottish ministers to establish the best possibleway of achieving fresh talent objectives within the UK work permitsystem. I plan to make a statement to Parliament on this soon. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178328,"EventID":"S2W-05564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Expert Group on Acute Maternity Services (EGAMS) technical reference report, that notes that maternity services should have on-site adult intensive care, wil","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Expert Group on Acute Maternity Services (EGAMS) technical reference report, that notes that maternity services should have on-site adult intensive care, will take precedence in maternity policy over EGAMS guidelines that state that specialist maternity units should have access to adult intensive care.","AnswerText":"It is for NHS boards toassess the relative risks and ensure the provision of a safe, effective andhigh quality maternity service balancing risk and taking cognisance of existinginfrastructures, demographics and support mechanisms on a local and regionalbasis. The EGAMS report is a consensus view to advise health boards.The definition of level IIcand level III maternity units is consistent across both reports including theissue of access to adult intensive care. The risk section of the technicalreport also makes reference to the recommendation in the Confidential Enquiryinto Maternal Deaths (CEMD 2001) regarding on-site adult intensive care inthese units. The expert group agreed that “accessto” adult intensive care was sufficient to provide clinical safety withthe provision of the right risk management, transport and supportinfrastructures. However the optimum arrangement would be co-location of adultintensive care facilities. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178329,"EventID":"S2W-05565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds it has allocated to North Lanarkshire Council for the upgrade of Motherwell town centre and what guidelines it has issued to the council in respect of how the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds it has allocated to North Lanarkshire Council for the upgrade of Motherwell town centre and what guidelines it has issued to the council in respect of how the money may be spent.","AnswerText":"North Lanarkshire Council receives general allocations of capitalspending consent and Quality of Life Funding. However it is for the council todecide how it allocates its funding, taking account of local needs andpriorities.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178330,"EventID":"S2W-05566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients over 65 are currently being treated for dementia and how much treatment per patient costs in each NHS board and what the reasons are for any differences","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients over 65 are currently being treated for dementia and how much treatment per patient costs in each NHS board and what the reasons are for any differences.","AnswerText":"Data on expenditure andnumbers treated by disease type in each NHS board are not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178331,"EventID":"S2W-05567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a mobility clause in the contracts of employees of Scottish Natural Heritage and, if so, whether it will place a copy in the Scottish Parliament Informat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a mobility clause in the contracts of employees of Scottish Natural Heritage and, if so, whether it will place a copy in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"Employee contracts are anoperational matter for Scottish Natural Heritage.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178332,"EventID":"S2W-05568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether public sector staff who have a mobility clause in their contract are entitled to a redundancy payment if they decline to relocate along with their organisation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether public sector staff who have a mobility clause in their contract are entitled to a redundancy payment if they decline to relocate along with their organisation.","AnswerText":"This is dependent upon thecircumstances of each relocation. The entitlement of any individual employee toa redundancy payment will depend on the terms and conditions of service thatapply contractually to that individual. In some circumstances, the custom andpractice in the particular organisation may also be relevant.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178333,"EventID":"S2W-05569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in its waste awareness campaign.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in its waste awareness campaign.","AnswerText":"The National Waste Plan 2003sets out measures for the implementation of waste awareness campaignsthroughout Scotland. Each of the eleven area waste plans also includesproposals for improving awareness and attitudes to waste on a local level.Progress is being made in anumber of ways. The Executive launched the waste element of its “Do a Little,Change a Lot” campaign in September 2002. To date this hasinvolved both television and press advertising and further initiatives are plannedthis year. The Executive also providessupport to the Scottish Waste Awareness Group for the development of the “WasteAware Scotland” campaign. This is a national campaign with cross-sectoralsupport which is deliverable at a local level. Campaigns are either planned orbeing delivered in all 32 local authority areas. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178334,"EventID":"S2W-05570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the budget is for its waste awareness campaign.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the budget is for its waste awareness campaign.","AnswerText":"Expenditure to date on thewaste element of the Executive’s “Do a Little, Change a Lot” campaignhas been approximately £500,000.In addition the Executivehas provided £50,000 in each of 2002-03 and 2003-04 to the Scottish WasteAwareness Group (SWAG) for the development of “Waste Aware Scotland” campaignmaterials which are freely available for use at a local level. A further £900,000over three years will be made available to SWAG for core activities such asdevelopment of web-based information on recycling facilities across Scotland,newsletters and further development of national education and awareness materials. Local roll-out of ‘WasteAware’ campaigns is being funded through grants to local authorities from theStrategic Waste Fund. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178335,"EventID":"S2W-05571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who its advisors were in respect of its waste awareness campaign.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who its advisors were in respect of its waste awareness campaign.","AnswerText":"The Executive’s “Do aLittle, Change a Lot” waste campaign was developed by Barkers Scotland Ltd withinput from an advisory group including representatives from the Scottish Executive, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Convention of Scottish LocalAuthorities, Scottish Waste Awareness Group, Recycling Advisory Group Scotlandand Friends of the Earth Scotland. A number of focus groups with members of thepublic across Scotland were also consulted.The “Waste Aware Scotland”campaign, which is run by the Scottish Waste Awareness Group, also has asteering group on which the Scottish Executive is represented. This campaign was developed inresponse to an extensive public attitudes survey in which over 9000 members of the public were interviewed. Further details are available at www.wascot.org.uk. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178336,"EventID":"S2W-05572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role the Scottish Waste Awareness Group played in developing the Executive's policy on waste awareness and in drawing up the specifications for any tender documents ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what role the Scottish Waste Awareness Group played in developing the Executive's policy on waste awareness and in drawing up the specifications for any tender documents for associated promotional work.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Waste AwarenessGroup (SWAG) was closely involved in the development of the eleven area waste planswhich establish a framework for moving towards sustainable waste management in Scotland.The role of SWAG’s “Waste Aware Scotland” campaign is also outlined in theNational Waste Plan 2003.SWAG has not been involvedin drawing up specifications for any Scottish Executive tender documents. Localauthority tender processes are a matter for the local authorities themselves. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178337,"EventID":"S2W-05573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is appropriate for any organisation involved in drawing up tenders for Executive or local authority work also to be eligible for bidding for such work.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is appropriate for any organisation involved in drawing up tenders for Executive or local authority work also to be eligible for bidding for such work.","AnswerText":"Procurementdecisions by local authorities are a matter for the individual authority concerned.Where an organisation is employed to assist with the preparation of a tender,it would not be normal practice for that organisation to be invited to submit abid, as there might be a real, or perceived, risk that such involvement could underminethe impartiality of the procurement process or distort competition. It isnormal procurement practice to avoid situations where conflicts of interest mayarise.However, there may beexceptional or unusual circumstances which result in a contracting authorityseeking specialised input to a Specification from an organisation which issubsequently invited to tender. In such circumstances, there is an increasedonus on the contracting authority to ensure that any advice does not have suchan affect on the Specification as to favour any particular bidder or group ofbidders. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178338,"EventID":"S2W-05574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Waste Awareness Group has bid successfully, or otherwise, for any contracts associated with the Executive's waste awareness campaign at a national or","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Waste Awareness Group has bid successfully, or otherwise, for any contracts associated with the Executive's waste awareness campaign at a national or local level.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive’s “Do a Little, Change a Lot” waste campaign is delivered by Barkers Scotland Ltd,one of our roster advertising agencies.The Executive is aware thatthe Scottish Waste Awareness Group bid successfully to Aberdeenshire Council todeliver “Waste Aware” campaigns in the Grampian area. This contract is a matterfor the local authorities concerned. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178339,"EventID":"S2W-05575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it receives value for money for Scottish Enterprise's investment in the Institute for System Level Integration given the number of students enrolling in 2002-03 w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it receives value for money for Scottish Enterprise's investment in the Institute for System Level Integration given the number of students enrolling in 2002-03 who were from the United Kingdom.","AnswerText":"As part of project Alba, theInstitute for System Level Integration has been supported in line with thecommitment in Smart Successful Scotland to move to a technologicallyinnovative, knowledge based economy.Funding issues in relationto the Institute itself are an operational matter for the main funding partners– Scottish Enterprise, University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde,Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh University. Non-UK students areself-funding. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178340,"EventID":"S2W-05576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5407 by Peter Peacock on 19 January 2004, whether it has not yet established how many of those who currently have a record of needs","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5407 by Peter Peacock on 19 January 2004, whether it has not yet established how many of those who currently have a record of needs will not qualify for a co-ordinated support plan under the proposed Educational (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill; whether it intends to proceed with the Bill before the number of people so affected is known, and whether implementation of the Bill will be delayed until the number has been established.","AnswerText":"Until the implementation of the new system, when each and every child with a record of needs will beconsidered for a co-ordinated support plan, the exact number of those currentlywith a record of needs, but who will not receive a co-ordinated support plan,cannot be determined precisely. Each child will have their needs andcircumstances individually assessed and, of course, there will be a right ofappeal to the tribunal. However, the financial memorandum, which accompaniesthe Additional Support for Learning Bill, estimates that 50% of children andyoung people who currently have records of needs will be eligible for co-ordinatedsupport plans. I have set out to Parliament that if this estimate is exceeded Ihave funds to accommodate any variance.Education authorities willhave a duty to identify and provide for all children with additional supportneeds whether or not they have a co-ordinated support plan. Generally, forthose children and young people with a record of needs who are not eligible fora co-ordinated support plan, individualised educational programmes will be usedto plan the additional support they require to meet their learning needs. It is intended to proceedwith the bill and Parliament has now approved its general principles. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178341,"EventID":"S2W-05577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding sources are available to help reconstruct, or refurbish, places of worship.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding sources are available to help reconstruct, or refurbish, places of worship.","AnswerText":"It is for individual congregations,or their denominational bodies, to insure against damage or loss. Places of worshipin need of urgent repair may apply under a new Places of Worship Grants Schemeintroduced in 2002. The scheme is run in partnership by Historic Scotland and theHeritage Lottery Fund. The scheme has a total annual budget of £5 million andapplications are invited twice a year in March and September. A Directory ofGrants for Places of Worship in Scotland, compiled by Historic Scotland and the ScottishCivic Trust, is available and I am arranging for you to receive a copy.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178342,"EventID":"S2W-05578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding sources are available to help reconstruct, or refurbish, community centres.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding sources are available to help reconstruct, or refurbish, community centres.","AnswerText":"Primary responsibility forinvestment in community centres rests with local authorities who receive blockallocations of revenue support grant and capital allocation from the Executive,to deploy according to their local priorities. In addition, however, the Scottish Executive offers grants of up to £100,000 through the local capital grants scheme,to assist local voluntary and community organisations, particularly in ruralareas, to provide new or upgrade existing community premises for educational,social or recreational activities.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178343,"EventID":"S2W-05579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether teachers currently in employment and contributing to pension schemes in the expectation of retirement at 60 will remain able to retire at that age should the Depa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether teachers currently in employment and contributing to pension schemes in the expectation of retirement at 60 will remain able to retire at that age should the Department for Work and Pensions seek to raise the retirement age.","AnswerText":"We would confirm that,whatever future changes are made to the pension age, teachers currently in servicebefore 2006 will retain the right to draw their pension at age 60. Currentteachers will be able to continue to earn benefits under the presentarrangements in respect of service up to a date yet to be agreed but likely tobe around 2013. All benefits accrued prior to this date will be safeguarded. Itwill be possible for benefits earned after the changes are implemented to be paidat age 60 but with an actuarial reduction applied to reflect that the postchange element is being paid early.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178344,"EventID":"S2W-05580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address any shortage of skilled tradesmen that may affect schemes such as the central heating installation programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address any shortage of skilled tradesmen that may affect schemes such as the central heating installation programme.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Herresponse is as follows:We have no evidence thatskills shortages are interfering with taking forward the central heating programme. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178345,"EventID":"S2W-05581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will amend the Safety at Sports Grounds Act 1975 so that the requirement for safety certificates will cover stadia with a capacity of 6,000 or above.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will amend the Safety at Sports Grounds Act 1975 so that the requirement for safety certificates will cover stadia with a capacity of 6,000 or above.","AnswerText":"We are currently updatingand collating information gathered on sports ground capacities and related localauthority safety certification across Scotland. This will help us review current policy on safetyat sports grounds and decide whether or not it and current practice is relevantto current circumstances. We plan to issue a consultation paper in the spring andthe current 10,000 threshold will be one of the issues on which views will besought.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178347,"EventID":"S2W-05583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with Her Majesty's Government in respect of revenue raised from road traffic fines in Scotland remaining in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with Her Majesty's Government in respect of revenue raised from road traffic fines in Scotland remaining in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The income from Fixed Penalty Notices generated by speed and red light cameras operated within the Scottish Safety Camera Programme may be applied within Scotland forapproved programme purposes, by agreement with HM Treasury. The Executive isalso in discussion with HM Treasury with a view to applying the same arrangements in respect of offences detected by other camera equipmentincluding failure to display a licence disk, driving without insurance anddriving without a valid MOT.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178348,"EventID":"S2W-05584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much enterprise network funding was allocated through Scottish Enterprise to each of its constituent bodies in each of the last three years, expressed also on a per c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much enterprise network funding was allocated through Scottish Enterprise to each of its constituent bodies in each of the last three years, expressed also on a per capita basis.","AnswerText":"This is an operationalmatter for Scottish Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178349,"EventID":"S2W-05585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was allocated to each NHS board in each of the last three years, expressed also on a per capita basis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was allocated to each NHS board in each of the last three years, expressed also on a per capita basis.","AnswerText":"Details are as follows: | Health Board | 2001-02 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2003-04 | | | Allocation | Per Capita | Allocation | Per Capita | Allocation | Per Capita | | | £ m | £ | £ m | £ | £ m | £ | | Argyll and Clyde | 454.343 | 1,080 | 476.764 | 1,139 | 502.990 | 1,201 | | Ayrshire and Arran | 386.696 | 1,050 | 412.956 | 1,125 | 441.177 | 1,202 | | Borders | 111.389 | 1,042 | 117.690 | 1,096 | 125.652 | 1,170 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 162.489 | 1,100 | 173.251 | 1,176 | 183.578 | 1,246 | | Fife | 334.372 | 956 | 353.873 | 1,009 | 379.704 | 1,083 | | Forth Valley | 276.361 | 990 | 294.722 | 1,055 | 304.457 | 1,090 | | Grampian | 502.968 | 956 | 539.080 | 1,030 | 560.984 | 1,072 | | Greater Glasgow | 1,034.981 | 1,192 | 1,115.237 | 1,291 | 1,164.130 | 1,344 | | Highland | 231.063 | 1,106 | 246.927 | 1,186 | 262.769 | 1,262 | | Lanarkshire | 554.346 | 1,002 | 574.003 | 1,038 | 610.031 | 1,103 | <","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178350,"EventID":"S2W-05586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was allocated to each police force in each of the last three years, expressed also on a per capita basis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was allocated to each police force in each of the last three years, expressed also on a per capita basis.","AnswerText":"The information requested isshown in the following table.Police Funding Allocations | Force Area | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | | | Funding Allocation £m | Per Capita £ | Funding Allocation £m | Per Capita £ | Funding Allocation £m | Per Capita £ | | Central | 36.0 | 129 | 37.4 | 134 | 40.7 | 146 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 23.0 | 155 | 23.5 | 160 | 24.9 | 169 | | Fife | 44.6 | 127 | 45.0 | 129 | 49.9 | 142 | | Grampian | 69.3 | 132 | 73.3 | 140 | 79.2 | 151 | | Lothian and Borders | 142.8 | 161 | 151.1 | 170 | 161.3 | 182 | | Northern | 43.1 | 156 | 44.1 | 160 | 47.1 | 171 | | Strathclyde | 375.8 | 170 | 394.3 | 179 | 424.9 | 193 | | Tayside | 62.2 | 160 | 64.3 | 166 | 70.0 | 178 | Notes: 1. The figures includepolice Grant Aided Expenditure and, in those years where it was paidseparately, additional funding for additional recruitment, DNA testing and theNational Intelligence Model. Other additional funding provided to forcesfor specific purposes (for example in 2001-02 and 2002-03 foradditional pressures post 11 September) has not been included. The figures donot include capital expenditure by forces. 2. Estimated population at 30 June 2001 has been used to calculate the figures for 2001-02. Estimated population at June 2002 has been used for the remaining two years. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178351,"EventID":"S2W-05587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much lottery funding was allocated in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) parliamentary constituency and expressed also on a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much lottery funding was allocated in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) parliamentary constituency and expressed also on a per capita basis.","AnswerText":"The distribution of NationalLottery funds is a matter for the Lottery Distribution Bodies: Scottish ArtsCouncil, Scottish Screen, sportscotland, New Opportunities Fund,Community Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and Millennium Commission. Theinformation requested is not held centrally by the Executive.The Department for Culture,Media and Sport (DCMS) maintains an electronic database of National Lotteryawards. Details of the total awarded to each constituency area and each localauthority area for each Lottery good cause can be obtained through the DCMSwebsite at http://www.lottery.culture.gov.uk/search.asp. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2005-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178352,"EventID":"S2W-05588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated to each local authority in each of the last three years, expressed also on a per capita basis and showing year-on-year percentage chan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated to each local authority in each of the last three years, expressed also on a per capita basis and showing year-on-year percentage changes.","AnswerText":"Funding allocated to eachlocal authority in each of the last three years, expressed on a per capitalbasis and showing year‑on‑year percentage changes is shown in the followingtable. | | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | | | AEF (£m) | per capita (£) | % | AEF (£m) | per capita (£) | % | AEF (£m) | per capita (£) | % | | Aberdeen City | 213.869 | 1,012 | 6.8 | 240.846 | 1,140 | 12.6 | 261.420 | 1,234 | 8.5 | | Aberdeenshire | 234.900 | 1,034 | 8.3 | 265.484 | 1,169 | 13.0 | 290.109 | 1,278 | 9.3 | | Angus | 118.103 | 1,082 | 6.9 | 135.169 | 1,238 | 14.5 | 147.438 | 1,361 | 9.1 | | Argyll and Bute | 121.880 | 1,373 | 7.4 | 136.675 | 1,539 | 12.1 | 149.062 | 1,633 | 9.1 | | Clackmannanshire | 53.767 | 1,110 | 8.8 | 59.813 | 1,234 | 11.2 | 65.453 | 1,362 | 9.4 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 176.682 | 1,212 | 7.8 | 197.415 | 1,354 | 11.7 | 215.781 | 1,460 | 9.3 | | Dundee City | 191.437 | 1,342 | 7.1 | 211.987 | 1,486 | 10.7 | 228.603 | 1,572 | 7.8 | | East Ayrshire | 139.253 | | Local Authority | Population | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | | Total Funding
(£ m) | Cost per Capita
(£) | Total Funding
(£ m) | Cost per Capita
(£) | Total Funding
(£ m) | Cost per Capita
(£) | | Aberdeen City | 211,910 | 5.299 | 25.01 | 5.887 | 27.78 | 7.789 | 36.76 | | Aberdeenshire | 226,940 | 3.837 | 16.91 | 4.679 | 20.62 | 5.633 | 24.82 | | Angus | 108,370 | 1.596 | 14.73 | 2.150 | 19.84 | 3.514 | 32.43 | | Argyll and Bute | 91,300 | 4.985 | 54.60 | 4.260 | 46.66 | 5.851 | 64.09 | | Clackmannanshire | 48,070 | 0.605 | 12.60 | 3.601 | 74.91 | 4.936 | 102.69 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 147,780 | 2.609 | 17.66 | 5.136 | 34.75 | 6.741 | 45.62 | | Dundee City | 145,460 | 3.202 | 22.02 | 4.558 | 31.34 | 7.235 | 49.74 | | East Ayrshire | 120,310 | 2.465 | 20.49 | 2.883 | 23.96 | 4.682 | 38.91 | | East Dunbartonshire | 108,250 | 1.701 | 15.71 | 2.375 | 21.94 | 3.289 | 30.38 | | East Lothian | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178354,"EventID":"S2W-05590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was allocated for addressing drug misuse in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS board, expressed also on a per capita basis and showing year","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was allocated for addressing drug misuse in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS board, expressed also on a per capita basis and showing year-on-year percentage changes.","AnswerText":"The following tables detailthe resources allocated to NHS boards for drug treatment services since 2000-01,also expressed on a per capita basis and showing year-on-year percentagechanges. NHS boards are also free toutilise resources for drug-specific initiatives from their hospital andcommunity care allocations. NHS resources cannot be looked at in isolation.Significant resources have also been made available for drug related workthrough other funding streams, including local authorities’ Grant Aidedexpenditure, the Changing Children’s Services Fund, SIPs and criminal justiceinterventions. | NHS Board | Allocation 2000-01 | Per Capita1 | Allocation 2001‑025 | Per Capita2 | %age Increase | | | £000 | | £000 | | | | | 984 | 2.32 | 1,111 | 2.63 | 12.9 | | Ayrshire and Arran | 609 | 1.63 | 737 | 1.98 | 21.0 | | Borders | 118 | 1.10 | 160 | 1.49 | 35.5 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 124 | 0.85 | 298 | 2.06 | 140.3 | | Fife | 514 | 1.47 | 698 | 1.99 | 35.7 | | Forth Valley | 226 | 0.81 | 462 | 1.66 | 104.4 | | Grampian | 1,085 | 2.07 | 1,283 | 2.46 | 18.2 | | Greater Glasgow4 | 3,670 | 4.06 | 4,387 | 4.86 | 19.5 | | Highland | 181 | 0.87 | 300 | 1.44 | 65.7 | | Lanarkshire | 607 | 1.08 | 862 | 1.53 | 42.0 | | Lothian | 2,922 | 3.73 | 3,214 | 4.08 | 9.9 | | Orkney | 20 | 1.03 | 24 | A similar process willcommence on the allocation of resources to Fire Authorities in consultationwith COSLA, Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association (CACFOA) earlyin 2004. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178356,"EventID":"S2W-05592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has provided all relevant documents that relate to the designer competition to the Holyrood Inquiry and who within the Executive is responsible for ensuring th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has provided all relevant documents that relate to the designer competition to the Holyrood Inquiry and who within the Executive is responsible for ensuring that all such documents are provided.","AnswerText":"The Executive hasco-operated fully with Lord Fraser’s Investigation in the provision of relevantdocuments to the Inquiry and has also provided documents to witnesses who havethen submitted them in support of their evidence to the inquiry.A small team has been set upwithin the Executive to co-ordinate thesubmission of documents to the Inquiry and to liaise with witnesses and the inquiryteam. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Patricia Ferguson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178357,"EventID":"S2W-05593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dwellings there are in each council tax band, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dwellings there are in each council tax band, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The number of dwellings foreach local authority and council tax band is shown in the table.Number ofdwellings(1) on the Valuation List on 1 September 2003 | | Band A | Band B | Band C | Band D | Band E | Band F | Band G | Band H | Total | | Scotland | 581,665 | 582,367 | 368,453 | 285,679 | 287,804 | 145,657 | 95,886 | 10,904 | 2,358,415 | | Aberdeen City | 21,844 | 27,887 | 17,374 | 11,735 | 12,771 | 7,387 | 6,560 | 722 | 106,280 | | Aberdeenshire | 20,825 | 15,516 | 13,072 | 15,176 | 17,211 | 10,668 | 6,761 | 425 | 99,654 | | Angus | 15,494 | 12,220 | 6,484 | 7,269 | 6,201 | 2,153 | 1,084 | 146 | 51,051 | | Argyll and Bute | 8,127 | 9,511 | 9,361 | 5,508 | 6,660 | 3,444 | 2,296 | 216 | 45,123 | | Clackmannanshire | 6,471 | 7,060 | 1,744 | 2,167 | 2,515 | 1,077 | 608 | 40 | 21,682 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 11,477 | 22,504 | 10,635 | 8,864 | 9,079 | 3,900 | 1,887 | 151 | 68,497 | | Dundee City | 32,622 | 16,497 | 7,424 | 7,640 | 5,493 | 1,790 | 785 | 46 | 72,297 | | East Ayrshire | 27,075 | 9,394 | 4,136 | 5,148 | 5,030 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178359,"EventID":"S2W-05595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce legislation on domestic violence in line with that in England and Wales if the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill is passed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce legislation on domestic violence in line with that in England and Wales if the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill is passed.","AnswerText":"A number of the measuresincorporated in the bill are already in place in Scotland. We have no plans atpresent to introduce further legislation but we will monitor the situationclosely.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2005-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178360,"EventID":"S2W-05596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer from where the Kemnay Granite used in the construction of the new Parliament building has come.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer from where the Kemnay Granite used in the construction of the new Parliament building has come.","AnswerText":"The Kemnay Granite used inthe construction of the new building came from Kemnay Quarry, Kemnay,Aberdeenshire.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178361,"EventID":"S2W-05597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what checks the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has undertaken on the financial viability of RMJM (Scotland) Ltd with regard to any costs that might arise from any l","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what checks the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has undertaken on the financial viability of RMJM (Scotland) Ltd with regard to any costs that might arise from any litigation over the building of the new Parliament.","AnswerText":"The Parliament has acontract with RMJM (Scotland) Ltd, inherited by the SPCB from the Scottish Executive in June 1999, for the provision of mechanical and electrical servicesto the new building. The SPCB has since had no reason to carry out specificchecks on the financial viability of the company. The client has protection interms of company's professional indemnity insurance in the event of litigation.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178362,"EventID":"S2W-05598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it now expects its Environment and Rural Affairs Department to publish its research organisation assessment exercise for 2003 and what action it will take in light o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it now expects its Environment and Rural Affairs Department to publish its research organisation assessment exercise for 2003 and what action it will take in light of the exercise's recommendations.","AnswerText":"The reports of theindividual research organisations are confidential, as are equivalent reportsfor other research organisations, although a summary of the outcomes andconclusions will be contained within the SEERAD Agricultural and Biological ResearchStrategy 1999-2003 Fourth Annual Report to be published shortly. Recommendations arising fromthe research organisation assessment exercise (ROAE) will be taken forwardwithin the review of the research strategy for agricultural biological and relatedresearch, and in discussion with relevant stakeholders. The department hopes to bein a position to publish its new research strategy in the spring along with afuller report on the process and outcomes from the ROAE. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178363,"EventID":"S2W-05599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most recent unemployment figures are for the west of Scotland, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most recent unemployment figures are for the west of Scotland, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The residence based claimantcount unemployment level and rate for local authorities which are situated inthe west of Scotland are shown in the following table for December 2003. | Local Authority | Unemployment level | Rate | | Argyll and Bute | 1,551 | 3.2% | | Dumfries and Galloway | 2,238 | 2.7% | | East Ayrshire | 3,303 | 5.0% | | East Dunbartonshire | 1,172 | 1.9% | | East Renfrewshire | 964 | 2.3% | | Eilean Siar | 663 | 3.8% | | Glasgow City | 16,530 | 5.6% | | Inverclyde | 2,429 | 5.1% | | North Ayrshire | 4,049 | 5.8% | | Renfrewshire | 3,525 | 3.7% | | South Ayrshire | 2,442 | 4.2% | | West Dunbartonshire | 2,502 | 5.0% | | South Lanarkshire | 5,092 | 3.3% | | North Lanarkshire | 6,698 | 4.0% | The residence based claimantcount unemployment level and rate for the electoral region of the West ofScotland is shown in the following table for December 2003. | Electoral Region | Unemployment level | Rate | | West of Scotland | 12,790 | 3.7% | ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178364,"EventID":"S2W-05600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most recent unemployment figures for Scotland are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most recent unemployment figures for Scotland are.","AnswerText":"For the quarter September toNovember 2003, 147,000 people were unemployed in Scotland, this is a rate of 5.8percent. These are the most recent figures available and are based on theInternational Labour Organisation definition of unemployment.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178365,"EventID":"S2W-05601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement on its European strategy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement on its European strategy.","AnswerText":"Following the May 2003 Election, the First Minister established a ministerial group on European strategy with the remit to map out a clear framework for the Scottish Executive’s work on EU issues over the next four years. One of the outcomes of this work has been the production of the Scottish Executive’s European Strategy, which has been published today. The strategy has been developed in close consultation with the UK Government.The strategy states the strategic goals for our engagement in Europe, outlines our key priorities, and identifies how we plan to set about achieving our goals. The strategy is ambitious and demanding and applies to the whole Executive, as well as its agencies and non-departmental public bodies. A copy of the strategy has been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 30570). I shall be sending a copy to all Scotland’s MEPs, to other members of the European Elected Members’ Information Liaison and Exchange group, and to members of the Consular Corps. Copies are also being sent to key stakeholders and delivery partners. The document will also be available on the Scottish Executive internet site. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178366,"EventID":"S2W-05602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1831,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many adults were killed or seriously injured in road accidents in (a) Dundee and (b) Angus in (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996, (iv) 1997 and (v) 1998.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many adults were killed or seriously injured in road accidents in (a) Dundee and (b) Angus in (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996, (iv) 1997 and (v) 1998.","AnswerText":"The information requestedcan be obtained from the figures on page 140 of Road Accidents Scotland 2002,published by the Scottish Executive in 2003, copies of which are available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 30447).","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178367,"EventID":"S2W-05603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1831,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children were killed or seriously injured in road accidents in (a) Dundee and (b) Angus in (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996, (iv) 1997 and (v) 1998.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children were killed or seriously injured in road accidents in (a) Dundee and (b) Angus in (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996, (iv) 1997 and (v) 1998.","AnswerText":"The information requested isgiven on page 140 of Road Accidents Scotland 2002, published by the Scottish Executive in 2003, copies of which are available in the Parliament’s ReferenceCentre (Bib. number 30447).","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178368,"EventID":"S2W-05604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1831,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many adults have been killed or seriously injured in road accidents in (a) Dundee and (b) Angus in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many adults have been killed or seriously injured in road accidents in (a) Dundee and (b) Angus in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requestedcan be obtained from the figures on page 140 of Road Accidents Scotland 2002,published by the Scottish Executive in 2003, copies of which are available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 30447). Information for 2003 is notyet available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178369,"EventID":"S2W-05605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1831,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children have been killed or seriously injured in road accidents in (a) Dundee and (b) Angus in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children have been killed or seriously injured in road accidents in (a) Dundee and (b) Angus in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested isgiven on page 140 of Road Accidents Scotland 2002, published by the Scottish Executive in 2003, copies of which are available in the Parliament’s ReferenceCentre (Bib number 30447). Information for 2003 is not yet available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178370,"EventID":"S2W-05606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any recognised qualifications for the post of personal fitness trainer; whether it will produce guidelines for any such qualifications, and whether it w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any recognised qualifications for the post of personal fitness trainer; whether it will produce guidelines for any such qualifications, and whether it will ensure that proper regulation and accreditation of personal fitness trainers will take place as soon as practicable.","AnswerText":"The Executive has acommitment to encourage more people to act as coaches and physical activitytrainers. This is essential if we are to meet our targets of increasingactivity levels in the population.An SVQ level 3 in personaltraining is available from any accredited centre. There are also a number ofindependent companies in Scotland who deliver training to become a personal fitnesstrainer, but who validate their qualifications internally. These qualificationsare recognised by employers in the health and fitness industry. At present, the Executivehas no plans to produce guidelines for qualifications offered by independentcompanies. This is a matter for the industry to consider to ensure that onlyappropriately trained and competent instructors are allowed to offer theirservices to the general public. Fitness Scotland, the recognised governing body in Scotland, maintaina register of qualified instructors and the public should be reassured thatinstructors on the Fitness Scotland Register are appropriately qualified. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178371,"EventID":"S2W-05607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it has made available to support its Plan for Action on Alcohol Problems and how much has been distributed to date and to what projects.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it has made available to support its Plan for Action on Alcohol Problems and how much has been distributed to date and to what projects.","AnswerText":"The Executive has made £2.77million available through central budgets in 2003-04 to support local andnational action to tackle alcohol problems. This includes support for local alcoholaction teams, funding for national communications campaign, support for a nationalalcohol information resource and core funding for Alcohol Focus Scotland.Funding for servicesaddressing alcohol problems is provided within resources allocated to NHS boardsand local authorities, but is not specifically identified by the Executive. Thepartnership agreement includes a commitment to increase resources for alcoholservices and we expect to make a formal announcement on the level of newresources in the next few weeks. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178372,"EventID":"S2W-05608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will now require the construction managers for the Holyrood project to provide a parent company guarantee.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will now require the construction managers for the Holyrood project to provide a parent company guarantee.","AnswerText":"I am informed by the convenerof the Holyrood progress group that a letter has now been issued to Bovis LendLease requesting that they provide a parent company guarantee in accordancewith Clause 20.1 of the construction management agreement.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178373,"EventID":"S2W-05609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what information the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) has in respect of who took the original decision not to require a parent company guarantee from the cons","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what information the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) has in respect of who took the original decision not to require a parent company guarantee from the construction managers for the Holyrood project; what information the SPCB has in respect of whether advice was given in relation to this and, if so, whether any such advice will be published; what information it has in respect of whether, and when, the Chief Architect offered any such advice; what information it has in respect of when the decision was taken and who was consulted about it; what information it has in respect of whether any Scottish Office minister was consulted on, or advised of, the decision and, if so when; whether all documentation relating to the decision will be published, and whether the decision not to seek the parent company guarantee was reported to the SPCB.","AnswerText":"The SPCB has no informationon any of these issues. The file record is unclear as to why the parent companyguarantee was not taken up before now.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178374,"EventID":"S2W-05610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what information the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) has in respect of whether the parent company guarantee from the construction managers for the Holyrood p","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what information the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) has in respect of whether the parent company guarantee from the construction managers for the Holyrood project was to be obtained without charge; whether it can now be obtained without charge, and whether the SPCB can require it to be provided without charge.","AnswerText":"I am informed by the convenerof the Holyrood progress group that a parent company guarantee is beingprovided without charge.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178375,"EventID":"S2W-05611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will complete its research organisation assessment exercise on agricultural research funding; whether it will publish all options considered as part of, and paper","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will complete its research organisation assessment exercise on agricultural research funding; whether it will publish all options considered as part of, and papers relevant to, the exercise, and what information it has on the extent to which there has been consultation with staff, the public and other relevant parties.","AnswerText":"The research organisation assessmentexercise was an assessment of performance of research carried out at the researchorganisations and has now been completed.The individual reports of the Institutes of the assessment exercise are confidential although a summaryof the outcomes and general conclusions overall will be contained in the FourthAnnual Report of the Agricultural and Biological Research Strategy 1999-2003 dueto be published shortly. Relevant members of staff of the research organisations have been fully involved in the research organisationassessment exercise. Part of the assessmentexercise included an assessment of end use relevance for each of the instituteswhich involved a large consultation on the relevance of end-users. Responses tothis consultation exercise were provided in confidence. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178376,"EventID":"S2W-05612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4968 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, what services will be funded by the National Services Division from 1 April 2004.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4968 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, what services will be funded by the National Services Division from 1 April 2004.","AnswerText":"All of the services listedin the answer given to question S2W-4968 will continue to be funded by NationalServices Division from 1 April 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178377,"EventID":"S2W-05613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1744 by Hugh Henry on 19 August 2003, what the responsibilities of the registered care or nursing home manager are in determining t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1744 by Hugh Henry on 19 August 2003, what the responsibilities of the registered care or nursing home manager are in determining the pipe si'e and water hydrant pressure requirements in care and nursing homes.","AnswerText":"Care services registeredwith the Care Commission under the Regulation of Care (Scotland)Act 2001 (the Act) are required by statute to use only premises which are fitto be used for the provision of such a service. This would include taking intoaccount any fire safety requirements. Responsibilities under the act rest withthe care service provider, who may or may not also be the manager.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178378,"EventID":"S2W-05614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the \"right si'ing\" programme being implemented by Scottish Water is providing appropriate technical and pricing solutions to the normal and emergency water needs ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the \"right si'ing\" programme being implemented by Scottish Water is providing appropriate technical and pricing solutions to the normal and emergency water needs of owners and managers of care and nursing homes.","AnswerText":"This is an operationalmatter for Scottish Water. I will ask the Chief Executive to write to you onthis matter.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178379,"EventID":"S2W-05615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in updating the calculations in the original national review group recommendations on the costs of care in care and nursing homes, it has been able to calculate ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in updating the calculations in the original national review group recommendations on the costs of care in care and nursing homes, it has been able to calculate the additional cost per resident of water supply to such homes and, if so, whether it will publish these calculations.","AnswerText":"A working group has been establishedto consider a mutually acceptable framework for assessing the cost of providingnursing and residential care for older people from 2005-06. The working groupconsists of representatives from COSLA and the independent care sector. Thegroup is looking at a wide range of costs, including utility charges. It is dueto report by the end of February.Local authorities and thecare sector will discuss shortly the level of fees that are to be applied in2004-05 in accordance with the recommendations of the national review groupreport. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178380,"EventID":"S2W-05616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA) have been recorded in Scotland in each of the last five years and what action it takes when CLA is identified within a s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA) have been recorded in Scotland in each of the last five years and what action it takes when CLA is identified within a sheep flock.","AnswerText":"This is not a notifiable disease requiring incidents to be reported; consequently no records are heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178381,"EventID":"S2W-05617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been dismissed from each local authority's employment in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been dismissed from each local authority's employment in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178382,"EventID":"S2W-05618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking, or plans to take, to improve the time within which housing associations pay their bills to suppliers; whether each such association publishes a ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking, or plans to take, to improve the time within which housing associations pay their bills to suppliers; whether each such association publishes a record of the percentage of bills paid within 30 days and, if not, whether the Executive will require them to do so.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive, Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is asfollows:Registered Social Landlords(RSLs) are regulated and inspected by Communities Scotland. Communities Scotlanddoes not, however, get involved in the different payment arrangements thatexist between individual RSLs and their suppliers. RSLs are independentbusinesses and it is up to the RSL to agree the terms of any contract enteredinto with a supplier; payment terms will differ from supplier to supplier. The Confederation of BritishIndustry Prompt Payers Code encourages payment within the suppliers terms andthe Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 encourages creditorsto pay within the terms of their contract and allows a right to claim interestfrom all businesses for late payment of bills. As the regulator, we expectRSLs to pay contractors promptly, within the terms of the contract. During ourperiodic inspections, we will examine how well an RSL is performing in thisarea. If we find that an RSL is making late payments without due cause then wewould investigate this and expect the RSL to take corrective action. There are no plans to requireRSLs to publish a record of how promptly they pay their suppliers. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178383,"EventID":"S2W-05619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking, or plans to take, to improve the rate of collection of council tax.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking, or plans to take, to improve the rate of collection of council tax.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for billing andcollecting council tax rests with local authorities. Council tax in-yearcollection rates have improved year on year since 1998-99. In recent years, the Scottish Executive has introduced legislation to allow the advancementof the instalment scheme to April rather than May and have allowed councils tocombine reminder and final notices to allow recovery procedures to beginearlier. These were recommendations which came out of the joint COSLA/Scottish Executive working group report “It Pays to Pay” published in December 1999.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178384,"EventID":"S2W-05620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of each component of the cost of relocating the headquarters of Scottish Natural Heritage to Inverness, detailing the assumptions upon","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of each component of the cost of relocating the headquarters of Scottish Natural Heritage to Inverness, detailing the assumptions upon which each is based, with particular reference to its estimate regarding (a) obtaining new premises in Inverness, (b) human resource costs, detailing separately any (i) redundancy, (ii) relocation and (iii) transport costs, (c) when the new premises will be occupied and (d) the estimated gross and net sale proceeds for existing premises that will no longer be required.","AnswerText":"The Chief Executive ofScottish Natural Heritage (SNH) wrote to the Parliament’s Finance Committee on 10 November 2003 withdetails of the cost estimates for various aspects of the relocation included inSNH’s project plan. As Tavish Scott made clear to the Finance Committee on 13January, the SNH project plan is currently under discussion between SNH and theExecutive. That remains the position. It is therefore premature to comment onspecific costs or timings at this stage.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178385,"EventID":"S2W-05621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether 16 and 17-year-olds are guaranteed training if they have been unemployed for six months.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether 16 and 17-year-olds are guaranteed training if they have been unemployed for six months.","AnswerText":"16 and 17 year olds acrossthe UK who are not in full-time education or employment are guaranteed asuitable offer of training. The guarantee is delivered in Scotland byScottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise as a key element of theSkillseekers programme, funded by the Scottish Executive. To access this guarantee,young people must be registered with Careers Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178386,"EventID":"S2W-05622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will now publish its review of area tourist boards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will now publish its review of area tourist boards.","AnswerText":"Since the Summer, the ad hocgroup of ministers on tourism has been examining the state of Scottish tourism,and the public expenditure devoted to it. We are considering the outcome of thearea tourist board review in context of these wider issues. We need a supportstructure for the sector that is not only right for today’s market but willstand us in good stead for the future, because this is an industry with a longterm future. We hope the group’s conclusions can be announced soon.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178387,"EventID":"S2W-05623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many private sector housing initiatives have been launched in each of the last 10 years and what local authority funds have been committed to private sector housing i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many private sector housing initiatives have been launched in each of the last 10 years and what local authority funds have been committed to private sector housing initiatives (a) in each of the last 10 years and (b) since April 2000.","AnswerText":"The following four initiatives involving financial assistance tohouseholds in the private sector have been launched in the period since 1994:the Empty Homes Initiative (launched in 1997 and since wound up); the Warm Deal (launched in 1999, to replace the Home Energy EfficiencyScheme launched in 1990); the Central Heating Programme (launched in 2001); the Mortgage to Rent scheme (launched in 2003). Local authority capital expenditure on private sector housing isdescribed as non-housing revenue account (HRA) housing expenditure. It was,until and including 2002-03, funded from borrowing, revenue, grants andreceipts in varying proportions according to each local authority’s financialarrangements. The total non-HRA housing expenditure over the last ten financialyears has been: | Year | Expenditure (£,000) | | 1993-94 | 118,645 | | 1994-95 | 134,317 | | 1995-96 | 122,331 | | 1996-97 | 92,580 | | 1997-98 | 62,996 | | 1998-99 | 61,830 | | 1999-2000 | 62,511 | | 2000-01 | 61,088 | | 2001-02 | 58,851 | | 2002-03 | 51,504 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178388,"EventID":"S2W-05624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that its departments buy recycled paper.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that its departments buy recycled paper.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committedto the use of recycled paper. In 2002-03 92% of general office paper was producedfrom recycled materials. We aim to increase the use of recycled paper forgeneral use to 95% by March 2005.The Executive’s supplycontract assumes that recycled paper will be purchased and exceptions requireauthorisation. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178389,"EventID":"S2W-05625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it spent per head of population on promoting and facilitating sport and physical activity in (a) 1999, (b) 2000, (c) 2001, (d) 2002 and (e) 2003.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it spent per head of population on promoting and facilitating sport and physical activity in (a) 1999, (b) 2000, (c) 2001, (d) 2002 and (e) 2003.","AnswerText":"There are a number of departmentswithin the Executive whose work and/or funding contributes towards promotingand facilitating sport and physical activity in Scotland (health, education, transport,local authority finance and communities). However, it is not possible todisaggregate their total spend down to this level and therefore is not possibleto provide an accurate calculation of spend per head.The only elements of Executive spending in this area that can be disaggregated are set out in the following table: | | 1999-2000 (£m) | 2000-01 (£m) | 2001-02 (£m) | 2002-03 (£m) | 2003-04 (£m) | | Grant-in-aid to sportscotland (including any additional end year funding) | 10.109 | 10.309 | 12.859 | 14.679 | 14.702 | | Contribution to redevelopment of Hampden | 2.750 | - | - | - | | | Commonwealth Games (Scotland) Fund | - | - | - | 2.500 | - | | Physical Activity Task Force budget | - | - | - | 0.500 | - | | Working with Paths To Health; Scottish Out of School Network; Scottish Youth Dance; and SUSTRANS | | | | | 0.437 | | Core Funding of Cycling Scotland | - | - | - | - | 0.200 | | Cycling, Walking & Safer Streets allocation to local authorities | - | 5.200 | 3 | 4.600 | 8 | | Contribution to funding of Bike Week | - | - | - | 0.005 | 0.008 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178390,"EventID":"S2W-05626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-20T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered introducing a system, similar to that in Northern Ireland and some regions of England, whereby telecommunication companies have been invited to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered introducing a system, similar to that in Northern Ireland and some regions of England, whereby telecommunication companies have been invited to tender for a contract to provide 100% broadband coverage for an area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has a stated policy aim for pervasive access to broadband and we havealready reached our short-term target on this, of 70% affordable coverage in Scotland. Weare now considering a range of potential initiatives to extend coveragefurther, one of which is to invite companies to tender for a contract to providebroadband to areas beyond the reach of commercial supply.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178391,"EventID":"S2W-05627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many adults had an income of (a) less than #5,000, (b) #5,001 - #7,500, (c) #7,501 - #10,000, (d) #10,001 - #15,000, (e) #15,001 - #20,000, (f) #20,001 - #30,000, (g","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many adults had an income of (a) less than #5,000, (b) #5,001 - #7,500, (c) #7,501 - #10,000, (d) #10,001 - #15,000, (e) #15,001 - #20,000, (f) #20,001 - #30,000, (g) #30,001 - #35,000, (h) #35,001 - #40,000, (i) #40,001 - #50,000, (j) #50,001 - #75,000 and (k) #75,001 - #100,000 in each of the last six years for which information is available.","AnswerText":"The following table presents estimates of the numbers of adults with gross income falling in the various income bands, for each of the years 1996-97 to 2001-02. The estimates are derived from the Family Resources Survey’s (FRS) Individual Incomes Analysis. Due to the small sample size of the FRS in Scotland, the higher income bands have been grouped together; the sample sizes are too small to givereliable estimates for the separate groups (g)-(k) in the question.The income is gross income and includes all elements of income that are accrued to the individual in their own right. This includes income fromearnings, self-employment, occupational pensions, investments, social securitybenefits, and, in 2001-02, tax credits. Elements of income that are generallyaccrued by a household rather than an individual are excluded, e.g. housingbenefit and council tax benefit, and income from letting/sub-letting. For the purposes of the table, individuals’ incomes in each year have not been up-rated for inflation, but represent their actual incomes during the year of the survey. | Number of Adults in Scotland by Income Band | | | | Income 1
(£ per year) | Estimated Number of Adults | | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | | 0–5,000 | 1,390,000 | 1,220,000 | 1,220,000 | 1,190,000 | 1,140,000 | 880,000 | | 5,000.01–7,500 | 570,000 | 580,000 | 560,000 | 580,000 | 560,000 | 580,000 | | 7500.01-10000 | 440,000 | 480,000 | 460,000 | 430,000 | 440,000 | 470,000 | | 10,000.01–15,000 | 660,000 | 670,000 | 660,000 | 650,000 | 640,000 | 730,000 | | 15,000.01–20,000 | 330,000 | 410,000 | 380,000 | 400,000 | 400,000 | 450,000 | | 20,000.01-30,000 | 360,000 | 370,000 | 410,000 | 420,000 | 480,000 | 510,000 | | 30,000.01–40,000 | 90,000 | 100,000 | 120,000 | 140,000 | Since the beginning of theNew Deal for Disabled People extension July 2001 – September 2003 Job Brokerswithin Scotland have achieved:- (a) 4,979 registrations (b) 1,594 job entries (c) 517 sustained jobs. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178393,"EventID":"S2W-05630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) treatments and (b) drugs are available for people with severe Al'heimer's disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) treatments and (b) drugs are available for people with severe Al'heimer's disease.","AnswerText":"Individual care programmes,including psychological interventions, are a matter for clinicians inconsultation with the relevant professional staff/multi-disciplinary andmulti-agency team. Care and support in each case should always be based onindividually assessed needs.Only Ebixa is currentlyindicated for treating moderate to severe dementia in Alzheimer’s disease.However, the Scottish Medicines Consortium recently advised that Ebixa was notrecommended for use in NHSScotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178394,"EventID":"S2W-05631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many self-employed people have declared themselves bankrupt in each quarter since the first quarter of 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many self-employed people have declared themselves bankrupt in each quarter since the first quarter of 2002.","AnswerText":"The Accountant in Bankruptcydoes not maintain statistics on the numbers of individuals who have been madebankrupt by employment status and we are therefore unable to provide theinformation requested.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178395,"EventID":"S2W-05632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the number of individuals declared bankrupt in (a) each year since 1997 and (b) each quarter of 2003, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the number of individuals declared bankrupt in (a) each year since 1997 and (b) each quarter of 2003, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Accountant in Bankruptcy maintains the Register of Insolvencies in Scotland. Details of bankruptcies are held by Sheriffdoms rather than local authority areas and are compiled by financial year. The following tables give the number of bankruptcies for the financial years 1996-97 to 2002-03 and by quarters for the whole of 2003. Further information on bankruptcies is available in the Accountant in Bankruptcy’s Annual Report which is available at www.aib.gov.uk. | Sheriffdom | Sheriff Court | Financial Year (1st April to 31st March) | | 96-97 | 97-98 | 98-99 | 99-00 | 00-01 | 01-02 | 02-03 | | Glasgow and Strathkelvin | Glasgow | 305 | 309 | 281 | 275 | 324 | 306 | 340 | | Lothian and Borders | Edinburgh | 228 | 251 | 268 | 252 | 234 | 197 | 234 | | Duns | 12 | 6 | 15 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 6 | | Haddington | 42 | 49 | 48 | 65 | 33 | 64 | 86 | | Jedburgh | 14 | 21 | 28 | 28 | 31 | 18 | 28 | | Linlithgow | 77 | 100 | 74 | 123 | 98 | 118 | 87 | | Peebles | 3 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 8 | | Selkirk | 14 | 23 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 14 | | | 390 | 461 | 452 | 501 | 426 | 431 | 463 | | Grampian, Highlands and Islands ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178396,"EventID":"S2W-05633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses in Scotland were trading online in each year since 1997 and in each quarter of 2003, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses in Scotland were trading online in each year since 1997 and in each quarter of 2003, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The following table showsthe number of businesses in Scotland that trade online from 2001-03 calculated from theresults of annual e-business surveys carried out by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands andIslands Enterprise since 2001. | | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | | Business with websites that allow customers to order products and services online. | 23,191 | 31,688 | 20,938 | | Businesses that order products and services online from suppliers | 35,138 | 48,647 | 48,657 | These figures werecalculated by multiplying the proportion of businesses that trade onlinereported in the survey by the number of registered enterprises in Scotland.The figures are subject to normal statistical and sampling variation. The full survey results areavailable at Scottish Enterprise’s website at http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/sedotcom_home/sig/ebusiness-suppliers/software_publications_research/sebs2003.htm. Figures for earlier yearsare not available on a comparable basis. Quarterly data is not available as thesurveys are conducted annually. Information is not available at the localauthority level. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178397,"EventID":"S2W-05634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) start-up and (b) failure rate was for small businesses in (i) Glasgow, (ii) Edinburgh, (iii) Dundee, (iv) Aberdeen, (v) Stirling and (vi) Inverness in each y","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) start-up and (b) failure rate was for small businesses in (i) Glasgow, (ii) Edinburgh, (iii) Dundee, (iv) Aberdeen, (v) Stirling and (vi) Inverness in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"The tables below give VAT registrations and de-registrations expressed per 10,000 of the adult population between 1995 and 2002 (the latest year for which information is available). The information is only available at local authority area level. Consequently there is no data available for the city of Inverness, or for the city of Stirling. Instead information is given for the local authority areas of the Highlands and Stirling district. VAT registrations and de-registrations are published by the DTI Small Business Service.Table: VAT registration rates, 1995-2002 (Per 10,000 of the population 16 years and over) | Local Authority | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | | City of Glasgow | 32 | 33 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 33 | 33 | 30 | | City of Edinburgh | 35 | 35 | 42 | 42 | 38 | 40 | 37 | 33 | | City of Aberdeen | 38 | 39 | 44 | 40 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 35 | | City of Dundee | 18 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 19 | | Highland | 36 | 35 | 37 | 39 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 33 | | Stirling | 36 | 35 | 37 | 39 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 33 | Sources: Department of Trade and Industry, Small Business Service VAT statistics. General Register Office for Scotland mid-year population estimates. Table: VAT de-registration rates, 1995-2002 (Per 10,000 of the population 16 years and over) | Local Authority | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | | City of Glasgow | 30 | 29 | 31 ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178398,"EventID":"S2W-05635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) part-time and (b) full-time fire officers were serving in the Scottish Fire Service in each year since 1997 in each region.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) part-time and (b) full-time fire officers were serving in the Scottish Fire Service in each year since 1997 in each region.","AnswerText":"The actual numbers of staffin post in each of the eight Scottish brigades is shown in the following tables.It should be noted that the figures are summaries of the more detailedinformation compiled by Her Majesty’s Fire Services Inspectorate for Scotland andset out in their annual reports.Central Scotland Fire Brigade | Year | Full-Time | Part-Time Retained | Part-Time Volunteer | | 1996-97 | 243 | 154 | 9 | | 1997-98 | 241 | 153 | 10 | | 1998-99 | 240 | 162 | 10 | | 1999-2000 | 243 | 173 | 7 | | 2000-01 | 242 | 144 | 7 | | 2001-02 | 236 | 150 | 7 | | 2002-03 | 242 | 158 | 11 | Dumfries and Galloway Fire Brigade | Year | Full-Time | Part-Time Retained | Part-Time Volunteer | | 1996-97 | 92 | 183 | 16 | | 1997-98 | 99 | 192 | 16 | | 1998-99 | 98 | 194 | 9 | | 1999-2000 | 101 | 194 | 9 | | 2000-01 | 98 | 197 | 9 | | 2001-02 | 104 | 193 | 9 | | 2002-03 | 108 | 201 | 7 | Fife Fire and Rescue Fire Brigade | Year | Full-Time | Part-Time Retained | Part-Time Volunteer | | 1996-97 | 380 | 96 | 0 | | 1997-98 | 384 | 95 | 0 | | 1998-99 | 379 | 102 | 0 | | 1999-2000 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178399,"EventID":"S2W-05636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many attacks on fire fighters there have been in each fire authority region in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many attacks on fire fighters there have been in each fire authority region in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Her Majesty’s Fire Services Inspectorate began compiling figures for attacks on fire service personnel in 2002-03 based on returns from brigades. There are no centrally coordinated statistics for the earlier years. The figures for 2002-03 are as follows: Total Number Of Incidents | | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | | Operational Personnel | 13 | 3 | 26 | 7 | 0 | 36 | 88 | 14 | 187 | | Non-Operational Personnel | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | | Total | 13 | 3 | 26 | 7 | 0 | 36 | 90 | 14 | 189 | Notes: 1 – Central Scotland Fire Brigade 2 – Dumfries and Galloway Fire Brigade 3 – Fife Fire and Rescue Service 4 – Grampian Fire Brigade 5 – Highland and Islands Fire Brigade 6 – Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade 7 – Strathclyde Fire Brigade 8 – Tayside Fire Brigade 9 – Scottish Total As the request for brigades to record these incidents was made part way through the reporting year, it should be noted that the information shown represents only a partial picture of the problem of attacks on fire service personnel in 2002-03 Further details can be found in the 2002-03 report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178400,"EventID":"S2W-05637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated percentage collection rate of council tax is for (a) 2003-04 and (b) 2004-05.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated percentage collection rate of council tax is for (a) 2003-04 and (b) 2004-05.","AnswerText":"In setting council taxlevels, local authorities make assumptions about the total council tax incomewhich they will receive, including arrears, in the coming year. This, expressedas a percentage of council tax billed, is published in column 5 on page 9 of the CIPFA Rating Review for 2003-04, a copy of which can be found in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 29256). Similar figures are not yetavailable centrally for 2004-05.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178401,"EventID":"S2W-05638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what academic and vocational education and training is available to young people serving custodial sentences.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what academic and vocational education and training is available to young people serving custodial sentences.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron,Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is asfollows:HM Young Offenders Institute Polmontdeliver approximately 40,000 learning hours of education, over 50 weeks a year,contracted through Motherwell College. The curriculum covers the fivecore and basic skills, life skills, cookery, hospitality, arts and crafts. Vocational Training isprovided and covers bricklaying, joinery, hairdressing, painting and decoratingand industrial cleaning. This equates to 1,400 hours per week. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178402,"EventID":"S2W-05639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total transportation costs have been for judges in each of the last five years, broken down by mode of transport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total transportation costs have been for judges in each of the last five years, broken down by mode of transport.","AnswerText":"The cost of the car hireservice to convey judges on circuit has been as follows: | Year | Cost | | 1998-99 | £ 75,792 | | 1999-2000 | £118,574 | | 2000-01 | £132,741 | | 2001-02 | £187,422 | | 2002-03 | £199,000 | In addition, judges may use private car or train to undertake journeys for which expenses are reimbursed. No details of these costs is readily available. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178403,"EventID":"S2W-05640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost has been in each of the last five years for out-of-hours transportation services for judges, broken down by mode of transport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost has been in each of the last five years for out-of-hours transportation services for judges, broken down by mode of transport.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178404,"EventID":"S2W-05641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5135 by Malcolm Chisholm on 20 January 2004, whether the collection of data in respect of psychological intervention or other non-d","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5135 by Malcolm Chisholm on 20 January 2004, whether the collection of data in respect of psychological intervention or other non-drug therapies will become standard and, if so, when the introduction of collection of such data will be implemented across NHS boards.","AnswerText":"It is our intention thatroutine clinical information collection, to support improved clinical care, willin future include data on delivery of psychological and other non-drugtherapies and work is in hand. However, this is a complex area and it is notpossible at this stage, therefore, to say when data collection can bestandardised.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178405,"EventID":"S2W-05642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy is to develop and expand (a) cruise liner visits and (b) the cruise liner sector in Scotland; what funding is available to support the cruise liner sect","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy is to develop and expand (a) cruise liner visits and (b) the cruise liner sector in Scotland; what funding is available to support the cruise liner sector; what organisations are responsible, and in what role, for the promotion of the sector, and how much funding each organisation will be expected to provide.","AnswerText":"This is an operationalmatter for VisitScotland, which is responsible for maximising the economicbenefits of tourism to Scotland.VisitScotland does recognisethe importance of the cruise market. It provided start up funding forCruiseScotland to attract more business from this sector, and is nowrepresented on its board. The future structure of CruiseScotland is beingdiscussed with VisitScotland, which has agreed to assist with research anddevelopment. There has of course beenconsiderable private sector investment in the cruise market, for example at OceanTerminal at Leith. The public sector has also been active whereappropriate; for example Highland Council markets its cruise ports in the northto the international cruise market. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178406,"EventID":"S2W-05643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of total (a) energy production, (b) primary energy consumption and (c) final energy consumption in the (i) industrial, (ii) service, (iii) domes","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of total (a) energy production, (b) primary energy consumption and (c) final energy consumption in the (i) industrial, (ii) service, (iii) domestic and (iv) transport sector in each quarter of 2003.","AnswerText":"The data requested is notavailable for Scotland alone. However, the Scottish Executive is currentlyin the process of commissioning a study into energy supply and use in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178407,"EventID":"S2W-05644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) dentistry graduates, (b) applicants to dental schools and (c) places available for dental students there have been in each of the last two years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) dentistry graduates, (b) applicants to dental schools and (c) places available for dental students there have been in each of the last two years.","AnswerText":"The latest informationavailable on the numbers you have requested is as follows:Dentistry graduates (firstdegree) Dentistry applications In answer to your final question, the number of dental students in Scotland was traditionally based on a set number starting the course (maximum number starting the first year). However, in order to better plan the number of postgraduate places for dentists in Scotland, in 2000 the Scottish Executiveset an annual output target for dental graduates of 120. SHEFC with theUniversities are tasked with ensuring that graduate output is as consistent aspossible and adjust the intake yearly based on course failure rates. On thisbasis, information on the number of places available for dental students is notheld centrally, but retrospective data may be obtained directly from the dentalschools. The new output of graduatesfor 2006 is presently estimated well above the 120 target with over 130graduates expected. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178408,"EventID":"S2W-05645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies there are for specialist audiologists, broken down by NHS board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies there are for specialist audiologists, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on numbers ofvacancies for audiologists is not centrally available.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178409,"EventID":"S2W-05646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is after an assessment by a specialist audiologist to receive the required hearing aid, broken down by NHS board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is after an assessment by a specialist audiologist to receive the required hearing aid, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The information requested isnot available centrally. Information on outpatient waiting times is collectedcentrally only for an initial appointment at a consultant-led clinic, followingreferral by a general medical or dental practitioner, and at specialty levelonly.The Executive is committedto improving audiology services across NHSScotland. A co-ordinated audiologymodernisation programme is currently underway, and we are investing almost £20million over five years from 2002 to 2007 to ensure NHS boards are equippedwith the necessary facilities, equipment, staff and aids. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178410,"EventID":"S2W-05647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for assessment by an ear, nose and throat department, broken down by NHS board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for assessment by an ear, nose and throat department, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"The median waiting times fora first outpatient appointment with a consultant in the specialty of ear, noseand throat (ENT), following referral by a general medical practitioner, in eachNHS board area, for the year ended 30 September 2003, is given in the table.The Centre for Change and Innovation, as part of its Outpatients Programme, hasidentified ENT as a candidate for national service redesign to help achieve theoutpatient waiting time target that no patient should wait longer than 26 weeksfor a first outpatient appointment with a consultant by 31 December 2005, and itis currently developing proposals for implementation later in 2004. NHSScotland: Median WaitingTimes For A First Outpatient Appointment With A Consultant In The Specialty OfEar, Nose And Throat, Following Referral By A General Medical practitioner, ByNHS Board Area Of Residence. Year Ended 30 September 2003P. | NHS Board | Median Wait (days) | | Argyll and Clyde | 64 | | Ayrshire and Arran | 47 | | Borders | 34 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 46 | | Fife | 82 | | Forth Valley | 63 | | Grampian | 85 | | Greater Glasgow | 84 | | Highland | 43 | | Lanarkshire | 98 | | Lothian | 55 | | Orkney | -1 | | Shetland | 45 | | Tayside | 55 | | Western Isles | 69 | | Scotland | 66 | Source: ISD Scotland, SMR00. Notes: 1Informationnot shown due to small numbers. PProvisional. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178411,"EventID":"S2W-05648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it has made to monitor the performance of services for children and young people on supervision and probation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it has made to monitor the performance of services for children and young people on supervision and probation.","AnswerText":"National objectives and standardsfor social work services in the criminal justice system, which cover thesupervision aspects of probation orders, were established in 1991. The nationalstandards set out detailed guidance on management and practice and seek toprovide courts with the assurance that high quality services will be providedand standards rigorously applied and effectively administered by suitablyqualified staff.The Accounts Commission hasa statutory responsibility to specify information local authorities must publishabout their performance, in the form of statutory performance indicators.Criminal justice social work services, which are responsible for thesupervision of probation orders, are one of the areas on which the Commissionreport annually. In addition the social work services Inspectorate commenced in2003 a programme of inspection of the work of criminal justice social workservices and have identified probation as one of the key areas for inspection. I would also refer themember to the answer given to question S2W-5650. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178412,"EventID":"S2W-05649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it has made to review whether current monitoring provides sufficient information about the quantity and quality of services for young people on supervis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it has made to review whether current monitoring provides sufficient information about the quantity and quality of services for young people on supervision.","AnswerText":"Performance monitoringreports of services for children on supervision are published regularly byAudit Scotland, Social Work Services Inspectorate’s Annual Reports,Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration’s Annual Report and the Scottish Executive on http://www.childrens-hearings.co.uk/youthjustice.asp.We look to local authoritiesand other agencies to improve and deliver on current performance. We meetregularly with these agencies, for example with the Children’s HearingsRepresentative Group and the Time Intervals Refocus Group to review theirprogress and to identify both priorities for further improvements and where the Executive can provide support, in addition to the extra resources we have putinto the children’s hearings system. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178413,"EventID":"S2W-05650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring the extent to which councils are meeting statutory requirements and providing services prescribed by children's hearings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring the extent to which councils are meeting statutory requirements and providing services prescribed by children's hearings.","AnswerText":"Localauthorities and managers of serviceshave responsibilities to monitor and improve their performance. Overall, the Scottish Executive undertakes monitoring through the social work services inspectorate annualreport and periodic thematic and specific reports by the Inspectorate. TheChildren and Young People Delivery Group is taking forward work to strengthenlocal quality assurance systems and external inspection of children’s services.Revised guidance for local authorities onplanning co-ordinated children’s services will issue later this year. The Scottish Executive has collated and published performance by local authorities and other service providers under the TimeIntervals Monitoring Group. Audit Scotland reports to the Scottish Parliament provideindependent assessment of performance.At individual case level,children’s hearings will monitor progress at review hearings. The AntisocialBehaviour etc. (Scotland) Bill proposes a new power for reporters andhearings to refer local authorities tothe courts if there are concerns that statutory obligations are not being met. The review of thehearings system which is due to be launched in a few weeks time will need toconsider how the system as a whole ensures effective outcomes for children. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178414,"EventID":"S2W-05651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances a Scottish student at a Scottish higher education institute would have to pay upfront tuition fees.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances a Scottish student at a Scottish higher education institute would have to pay upfront tuition fees.","AnswerText":"Tuitionfees have been abolished for Scottish domiciled and EU undergraduate studentsstudying full-time higher education courses in Scotland. This support is available to all eligible full-timestudents to undertake study up to degree level or equivalent, provided theyhave not previously undertaken such a course with assistance from public funds.A student who undertakes a second course at the same level or who repeats partof a course for which they have previously received fee support will, therefore,have to pay a contribution towards the cost of tuition.Most students undertakinghigher education courses on a part-time or distance learning basis will have topay tuition fees although a fee waiver scheme is in place to meet this cost forstudents who are in receipt of benefits or on a low income. Most postgraduate students willpay tuition fees, although full-time students on postgraduate certificate of education,postgraduate diploma in community education courses and those who are eligible foran award under the postgraduate students allowances scheme will have their feespaid. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178415,"EventID":"S2W-05652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-21T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish students at Scottish higher education institutions currently have to pay upfront tuition fees.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish students at Scottish higher education institutions currently have to pay upfront tuition fees.","AnswerText":"The following table gives details of the number of Scots domiciled students at Scottish higher education institutions who receive no financial support with tuition fees from any external source.Scots Domiciled Students at Scottish Higher Education Institutions Who Receive No Tuition Fee Support 2001-02 | | Total | Full-time | Part-time | | All students | 31,525 | 8,366 | 23,159 | | Postgraduate students | 8,141 | 2,193 | 5,948 | | First degree students | 11,115 | 5,559 | 5,556 | | Sub degree students | 12,188 | 610 | 11,578 | | FE students | 81 | 4 | 77 | Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178416,"EventID":"S2W-05653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how planning guidelines for wind farms could be altered to take greater account of local concerns and natural heritage issues.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how planning guidelines for wind farms could be altered to take greater account of local concerns and natural heritage issues.","AnswerText":"Planningguidance already takes full account of these important issues. NPPG 6: Renewable Energy Developments confirms that “developmentsshould not be permitted where they would have a significant long termdetrimental impact on the amenity of people living nearby, and where the impactcannot be mitigated satisfactorily.” All proposals must also be assessed against the policies set out in National Planning PolicyGuideline (NPPG) 14: Natural Heritage.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178417,"EventID":"S2W-05654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2864 by Malcolm Chisholm on 6 October 2003, how many calls there have been to the healthyliving line in each month since September ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2864 by Malcolm Chisholm on 6 October 2003, how many calls there have been to the healthyliving line in each month since September 2003.","AnswerText":"The number of calls to the healthy living advice line between 1 September 2003 and 25 January 2004 are as follows: | Month | Number of Calls | | September | 1,321 | | October | 930 | | November | 660 | | December | 319 | | January | 279 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178418,"EventID":"S2W-05655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4938 by Mr Jim Wallace on 20 January 2004, whether any evaluation has been carried out on the impact of inward investment during th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4938 by Mr Jim Wallace on 20 January 2004, whether any evaluation has been carried out on the impact of inward investment during the years referred to, by either Scottish Enterprise or the Executive and, if so, whether it will place a copy of any such evaluation in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"A study on the impact of asample of inward investors commissioned by Scottish Enterprise and carried outby the University of Strathclyde was completed in 2000 covering the years 1998 to2000. The study contains detailed case studies of 30 inward investors and assuch is of a commercially sensitive nature. Therefore it is not appropriate toplace a copy in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178419,"EventID":"S2W-05656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in respect of each executive non-departmental public body (NDPB), advisory NDPB, tribunal, public corporation, nationalised industry and NHS body for which ministers are","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in respect of each executive non-departmental public body (NDPB), advisory NDPB, tribunal, public corporation, nationalised industry and NHS body for which ministers are accountable, what external legal advice each organisation receives and from whom, what the jurisdiction is of each such legal advice provider, and what statutes govern the operation of each NDPB or other organisation and any contracts that they may enter into with third parties.","AnswerText":"The information requested isnot held centrally.Arrangements for theprovision of legal advice to non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are mattersfor individual organisations to consider. Details of the legislative basis ofpublic bodies where appropriate, can be found in the Directory of ScottishPublic Bodies on the Public Bodies Website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/government/publicbodies/direct.asp. NDPBs are required to complywith Scottish Executive guidelines on procurement and delegated limits whencontracting for goods and services. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178420,"EventID":"S2W-05657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in respect of each executive non-departmental public body (NDPB), advisory NDPB, tribunal, public corporation, nationalised industry and NHS body for which ministers are","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in respect of each executive non-departmental public body (NDPB), advisory NDPB, tribunal, public corporation, nationalised industry and NHS body for which ministers are accountable, how much each organisation has spent on external legal advice in each year since 1980, (a) in total and (b) adjusted for inflation with 1980 as the base year, broken down by legal jurisdiction of the invoicing provider.","AnswerText":"The information requested isnot held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178421,"EventID":"S2W-05658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to update The Way Forward: Framework for Economic Development in Scotland and, if so, who will undertake this work and when it will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to update The Way Forward: Framework for Economic Development in Scotland and, if so, who will undertake this work and when it will be published.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5814 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178422,"EventID":"S2W-05659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to update A Smart, Successful Scotland: Ambitions for the Enterprise Networks and, if so, who will undertake this work and when it will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to update A Smart, Successful Scotland: Ambitions for the Enterprise Networks and, if so, who will undertake this work and when it will be published.","AnswerText":"Ministers have made clearour commitment to A Smart Successful Scotland. We have also indicated ourwish to consider how this strategic direction should be refreshed. The Scottish Executive is currently undertaking work to refresh our Framework for EconomicDevelopment and this provides the broader economic context for A Smart,Successful Scotland as well as policy statements in other key areas. Linkedto this, we will soon commence a similar exercise to refresh A SmartSuccessful Scotland. This work will be led by the Department of Enterprise,Transport and Lifelong Learning and steps will be taken to involve stakeholdersand invite comments. I would expect to publish a revised document later thisyear.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178423,"EventID":"S2W-05660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in arrangements for holding an annual business forum; what the format will be; what discussions it has had with representatives of the Parliam","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in arrangements for holding an annual business forum; what the format will be; what discussions it has had with representatives of the Parliament in respect of the forum, and when invitations will be issued to the forum and who will issue them.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive and Parliament are working in partnership to host a business conferenceon 22 and 23 April 2004. Thereafter, the Scottish Executive will convenean annual business forum for on-going engagement with the business communityand to update on the key actions identified at the conference. The overall aimis for the Executive and the Parliament to engage jointly with business in focusingon key themes of Smart Successful Scotland and on growing Scotland'seconomy.Executive officials andrepresentatives of the Parliament are now planning for the Conference. Weexpect to announce details soon and we will issue invitations to the Conferencenext month. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178424,"EventID":"S2W-05661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to the judgement of the Court of Appeal in the case of Angela Cannings and what implications it will have for similar cases in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to the judgement of the Court of Appeal in the case of Angela Cannings and what implications it will have for similar cases in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Crown Counsel haveconsidered the decision of the Court of Appeal in England and Wales in R vAngela Cannings in the context of criminal proceedings in Scotland.Steps are being taken by the Crown Office to identify and examine all pendingcases involving the murder and culpable homicide of a child under two years ofage and all cases over the past 10 years where a person was convicted of themurder or culpable homicide of a child under the two years of age in order toascertain whether the issues raised by the Court of Appeal arise in anyparticular cases in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178425,"EventID":"S2W-05662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1869,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dairy farmers there were in (a) 1990 and (b) the most recent year for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dairy farmers there were in (a) 1990 and (b) the most recent year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The number of occupiers ofholdings classified as dairy farms in 1990 and 2003 was 2,100 and 1,500respectively. These figures are taken from the Agricultural Census conducted inJune of each year.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178426,"EventID":"S2W-05663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1869,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average si'e of dairy herds was in (a) 1990 and (b) the most recent year for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average si'e of dairy herds was in (a) 1990 and (b) the most recent year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"The average number of dairycattle on holdings classified as dairy farms in 1990 and 2003 was 120 and 160respectively. These figures are taken from the Agricultural Census conducted inJune each year.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178427,"EventID":"S2W-05664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1869,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, dairy farm businesses have gone out of business in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, dairy farm businesses have gone out of business in each of the last five years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"Information is not availableat the level of detail requested.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178428,"EventID":"S2W-05665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1869,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of dairy processing businesses is (a) farmer-owned co-operatives and (b) private companies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of dairy processing businesses is (a) farmer-owned co-operatives and (b) private companies.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178429,"EventID":"S2W-05666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has reduced its grant to the Open University in Scotland for this year and, if so, by how much.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has reduced its grant to the Open University in Scotland for this year and, if so, by how much.","AnswerText":"The Scottish HigherEducation Funding Council (SHEFC) has increased its grant to the OpenUniversity in Scotland in the current year.In 2003-04, the OpenUniversity in Scotland received £14,687,000 from SHEFC, compared to a grantof £14,235,000 in 2002-03. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178430,"EventID":"S2W-05667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government and other stakeholders in respect of developing the use of marine energy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government and other stakeholders in respect of developing the use of marine energy.","AnswerText":"The Forum for RenewableEnergy Development in Scotland (FREDS), which comprises senior stakeholdersfrom Government, academia, the industry and enterprise networks, hasestablished a sub-group tasked with developing an action plan for the developmentof marine energy in Scotland. The report of this sub-group will be presented toFREDS later this year. A representative of Renewables UK attendsFREDS as an observer on behalf of the Department for Trade and Industry.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178431,"EventID":"S2W-05668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting research into the development of marine energy technology.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting research into the development of marine energy technology.","AnswerText":"We have contributed over £2million towards the capital cost of the European Marine Energy Centre offOrkney, due to begin operating by April this year. The Centre will play a vitalrole in the testing and accreditation of wave energy devices. We are alsoproviding, through Scottish Enterprise, £150 million over 10 years to the newenergy Intermediary Technology Institute which will significantly improve theopportunities to bring new renewables technologies, including of course marinetechnologies, to market.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178432,"EventID":"S2W-05669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the creation of an Energy Intermediary Technology Institute in Aberdeen will have on the development of marine energy technology.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the creation of an Energy Intermediary Technology Institute in Aberdeen will have on the development of marine energy technology.","AnswerText":"I expect the EnergyIntermediary Technology Institute (EITI) to focus strongly on areas such asmarine energy where Scotland, with indigenous developers leading the field, has apotential competitive advantage. The EITI will support the development ofmarine and other energy technologies by fostering increased contact between theacademic and business sectors in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178433,"EventID":"S2W-05670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases for shared residency and contact orders have been dealt with by Edinburgh Sheriff Court in the last year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases for shared residency and contact orders have been dealt with by Edinburgh Sheriff Court in the last year.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178434,"EventID":"S2W-05671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many shared residency and contact orders were granted by Edinburgh Sheriff Court in the last year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many shared residency and contact orders were granted by Edinburgh Sheriff Court in the last year.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178435,"EventID":"S2W-05672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":7,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals, granted shared residency and contact orders by Edinburgh Sheriff Court in the last year, had to return to court to have the orders enforced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals, granted shared residency and contact orders by Edinburgh Sheriff Court in the last year, had to return to court to have the orders enforced.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178436,"EventID":"S2W-05673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the final report of the task group reviewing the licensing provisions contained in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the final report of the task group reviewing the licensing provisions contained in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 will be published.","AnswerText":"I understand that theindependent task group now expects to report in May or June. The intention isto publish the report and make it available on the Scottish Executive website. Ministers will thereafter consider the report’s recommendationand respond in due course.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178437,"EventID":"S2W-05674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1751,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":3,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further support it will provide to the money advice sector in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further support it will provide to the money advice sector in Scotland.","AnswerText":"As part of our Partnershipfor a Better Scotland, commitment to extend support for the money advice sectorin Scotland, I am announcing new additional funding of £4 millionover the next two years (£1 million in 2004-05 and £3 million in 2005-06). Thiswill be used to ensure money advice is available and accessible to some of themost vulnerable groups of people, as well as making certain there are enoughapproved money advisers to carry out functions required by the Debt Arrangementand Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178438,"EventID":"S2W-05675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made to establish the ex-gratia payment scheme for people with Hepatitis C through blood and blood products.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made to establish the ex-gratia payment scheme for people with Hepatitis C through blood and blood products.","AnswerText":"We have announced today thatthe ex-gratia payments will be administered through a UK-wide schemewhich will operate on the same basis as the Scottish scheme previouslyannounced. A copy of the full press release has been posted to each MSP andalso placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.The independent body thatwill administer the scheme will be set up as soon as possible. Once thenecessary mechanisms for accepting claims and making payments are in place, wewill announce the final details of the scheme and will work closely with thehealth service, clinicians and voluntary groups to ensure claimants know whatto do in order to make an application. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178439,"EventID":"S2W-05676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) its and (b) its agencies policies are in respect of recruiting employees over 60 and whether such policies are consistent with other policies in regard to age di","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) its and (b) its agencies policies are in respect of recruiting employees over 60 and whether such policies are consistent with other policies in regard to age discrimination.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive and its agencies are bound by the rulesof the Civil Service Commissioners Code on Recruitment against which we areaudited. The Code exists to ensure that recruitment to the Civil Service isfair and open, and is conducted in a non-discriminatory manner.Theretirement practice age for all Scottish Executive staff is 60 years and, in line with this, applications foremployment are not normally considered from candidates over 60. This policy is currentlyunder review. In line with the Executive’sequal opportunities policy, we do not discriminate on grounds of age. It is alsoour aim to become an organisation that broadly reflects the people of Scotland inall aspects of diversity, including age, and, to this end, we are currentlyreviewing our Diversity Strategy to ensure that continues to support this aim. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178440,"EventID":"S2W-05677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve services for victims of rape and sexual abuse.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve services for victims of rape and sexual abuse.","AnswerText":"I will provide £1.76 millionfor rape crisis groups over the two years 2004-05 and 2005-06. This fundingwill enable services to develop and ensure that victims of rape and sexualabuse receive the support they need.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178441,"EventID":"S2W-05678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to promote genealogy as a reason for visiting Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to promote genealogy as a reason for visiting Scotland.","AnswerText":"Research shows that manyvisitors to Scotland give “family roots and ancestry” as the maininfluence on their decision to holiday in Scotland. Scotland is fortunate in having some of the best genealogicalresources in the world. In particular, the development of the £1.6 millionScottish Family History Centre announced by the Scottish Executive in December2002 provides a valuable opportunity to attract more visitors and maximise useof this tremendous resource.The new Centre will link theadjacent General Register House and New Register House at the East end of Edinburgh’s Princes Streetto create a fully-integrated Register House campus. It will be fully operationalin 2006 and will create a one stop-shop for genealogy research, bringingtogether services provided separately by the General Register Office for Scotland,National Archives of Scotland and Court of the Lord Lyon. In addition, in response togrowing demand for genealogy tourism to Scotland VisitScotland launched the AncestralScotlandwebsite in 2002. The primary aim behind the project is to use people’s interestin their ancestral roots as a hook to encourage tourism. AncestralScotlandoffers the user information on how to research ancestry and provides a databaseof names (based on the 1881 census) for users to search through. Thegenealogical information is linked directly to tourism information on therelevant regional tourist board site, thereby encouraging users not simply toresearch their ancestors but to travel to their homeland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178442,"EventID":"S2W-05679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response will be to the proposal of the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy to set up deep geological disposals as ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response will be to the proposal of the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy to set up deep geological disposals as an effective solution for high-level and long-lived radioactive waste.","AnswerText":"The Executive, along withthe UK government and the other devolved administrations, has begun awell-publicised process to review the long term management of radioactivewaste. The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) has been set up toassess the options for radioactive waste management. It is to deliver itsrecommendations to ministers on a preferred option, or combination of options,by the end of 2005. The use of deep geological disposal is only one of the manyoptions to be assessed. Central to the process will be a round of public debatein 2006, with implementation set to begin in 2007.It would not be appropriatefor the Executive to make any response directly to the European Parliamentabout its consideration of the Commission’s proposed directives on spent nuclearfuel and on radioactive waste management, including the option of deepgeological disposal, but the Executive recognises the need not to undermine thecurrent CoRWM process which is essential to the future long term management ofradioactive waste within the UK. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178443,"EventID":"S2W-05680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy in respect of the committee's proposed two s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy in respect of the committee's proposed two step approach towards the development of deep geological disposal sites for high-level and long-lived radioactive waste and whether it will seek a full explanation of what such an approach entails.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5679 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178444,"EventID":"S2W-05681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has been made towards building a grade separated junction on the A9 at North Kessock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has been made towards building a grade separated junction on the A9 at North Kessock.","AnswerText":"There are plans to constructa grade separated junction as part of a proposed developer-led housing developmentat North Kessock. Although this is a developer-led project, the Scottish Executive and Highland Council are contributing towards the cost of the scheme as there are benefits for trunk and local road users.The Executive is indiscussions with the developer and Highland Council to promote this scheme. Atthis time, there is still no agreed construction programme. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178445,"EventID":"S2W-05682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Summary Justice Review Committee will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Summary Justice Review Committee will be published.","AnswerText":"The Summary Justice ReviewCommittee held its final meeting on 22 January. I have now received a copy of the text of the Committee’s final report. Arrangements for publication arecurrently being considered.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178446,"EventID":"S2W-05683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the “limitations in terms of our resources and negotiating flexibility”, referred to in its European strategy, are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the “limitations in terms of our resources and negotiating flexibility”, referred to in its European strategy, are.","AnswerText":"As with all administrations,the Executive’s resources are not limitless. We will therefore focus ourattention on the key EU issues for Scotland, rather than try and deal with every EU initiative thatcould have an impact on Scotland.In a European Union of 15 –soon to be 25 – member states, compromises are essential in order to reach conclusionsor take decisions. This necessarily implies limitations in our negotiatingflexibility. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178447,"EventID":"S2W-05684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make an announcement regarding the implementation of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and what the timetable is for implementation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make an announcement regarding the implementation of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and what the timetable is for implementation.","AnswerText":"An announcement is likely tobe made in February on the implementation of CAP reform in Scotland.The decision will take into account the outcomes of the consultation processand the strategic objectives in the Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture.Further decisions on the detail will be taken once the European Commission’sImplementing Regulations have been agreed.The date for implementationof the new support arrangements is 1 January 2005. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178448,"EventID":"S2W-05685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses it received to the consultation on the proposed Gaelic Language Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses it received to the consultation on the proposed Gaelic Language Bill.","AnswerText":"We have received over 3,000responses to the draft Gaelic Language Bill consultation, broken down asfollows:627 letters and e-mails 56 responses to the WestHighland Free Press cut-out campaign 1,706 responses to the Cli-Gaidhligpostcard campaign 2 petitions with 19 and 127signatures respectively 503 template letterresponses. Responses not marked asconfidential will be placed on the Scottish Executive web-site at www.scotland.gov.uk/gaelicbill. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178449,"EventID":"S2W-05686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish the Gaelic Language Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish the Gaelic Language Bill.","AnswerText":"I expect to introduce a GaelicLanguage Bill to Parliament later this year.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178450,"EventID":"S2W-05687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it places on the provision of Gaelic translations on signage in public offices.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it places on the provision of Gaelic translations on signage in public offices.","AnswerText":"The Executive considersthere is merit in the provision of bilingual signage in public places.Bilingual signage provides a minority language with an enhanced degree ofrecognition, and it informs and interests visitors to those areas.Gaelic signage in Scotland isalso in keeping with a range of other initiatives which the Executive has inplace to raise the profile of Gaelic in Scotland. It helps to increase the confidence of Gaelicspeakers and learners and it acknowledges that Gaelic is a language of Scotland. I expect those public bodieswhich produce a gaelic language plan in terms of the draft Gaelic Language billto give serious consideration, in consultation with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, to the introduction of bilingual signage wherever appropriate. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178451,"EventID":"S2W-05688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost will be of the nationwide roll-out of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost will be of the nationwide roll-out of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme.","AnswerText":"It is estimated that by fullnational rollout in 2007-08 the EMA programme will cost £43 million per year.Approximately 40,000 young people will benefit from EMAs to encourage them toremain in non-advanced post compulsory education in schools and further educationcolleges.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178452,"EventID":"S2W-05689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost will be for the North Ayrshire Council area of funding the Educational Maintenance Allowance scheme in 2004-05.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost will be for the North Ayrshire Council area of funding the Educational Maintenance Allowance scheme in 2004-05.","AnswerText":"It is estimated that in thefirst year of national rollout (2004-05) the EMA programme will cost £16.5million. On full national rollout (2007-08) the programme will costapproximately £43 million. Estimates are not available centrally for individuallocal authorities.All local authorities willreceive annual administration costs of £25,000 plus £15.00 per EMA student. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178453,"EventID":"S2W-05690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-22T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to encourage as many people as possible to make a submission to the consultation on smoking in public places, as announced in A Breath of Fresh A","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to encourage as many people as possible to make a submission to the consultation on smoking in public places, as announced in A Breath of Fresh Air for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive will take a two phased approach.Phase 1 will involve acombination of evidence-gathering through commissioned research (e.g. intointernational experience of the health benefits/economic impact of statutorycontrols) and an awareness raising campaign to inform the general public andthe business sector of the risks associated with second-hand smoke (e.g. thenew passive smoking advertisements by NHS Health Scotland). Phase 2 will take place thissummer, with the launch of a set piece consultation using innovative means togather views; regional events and a Scottish conference with invitedinternational speakers with experience of different approaches to reducing theharm associated with passive smoking. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178454,"EventID":"S2W-05691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) the Law Society, (b) the Institute of Chartered Accountants, (c) the Confederation of British Industry, (d) the Federation of Small B","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) the Law Society, (b) the Institute of Chartered Accountants, (c) the Confederation of British Industry, (d) the Federation of Small Businesses and (e) any other business organisation regarding the use of the Scottish professional service sector by UK firms operating in Scotland but domiciled outwith Scotland.","AnswerText":"Scottish Development International,which is the lead body for inward investment in Scotland, will provideinformation on Scottish companies providing professional services asappropriate to UK firms operating in Scotland as part of a normaloptions appraisal. However, the choice of service provider is ultimately acommercial decision for a company itself to make.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178455,"EventID":"S2W-05692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers are available to it to encourage the use of Scottish professional firms by UK private companies, stating in each case what use it has made of that power.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers are available to it to encourage the use of Scottish professional firms by UK private companies, stating in each case what use it has made of that power.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no powers to intervene in the commercial decisions UK privatecompanies take in respect of their use of professional services. However, ScottishDevelopment International does hold information on Scottish professional firmsas part of its work with UK companies operating in Scotland,and will encourage companies to consider their use whenever appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178456,"EventID":"S2W-05693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the use of English law to govern contracts (a) wholly or (b) partially pertaining to Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the use of English law to govern contracts (a) wholly or (b) partially pertaining to Scotland.","AnswerText":"It is a fundamentalprinciple of commercial contracts that parties are free to choose theapplicable law. This principle forms part of the Rome Convention, to which the UK is asignatory, as translated into domestic UK law. The Convention determines the law that appliesto a contract where more than one legal system is involved. It supportsconsumers by ensuring they retain the benefit of certain types of rule designedto protect them under the law of their habitual residence, even where thecontract designates another law as the applicable law.Scottish interests weretaken into account in the formulation of the Convention rules, which bind allof our current EU partners. Consumer protection is a reserved issue. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178457,"EventID":"S2W-05694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government to promote and protect Scots law and legal institutions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government to promote and protect Scots law and legal institutions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is inregular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including thepromotion and protection of Scots law and legal institutions.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178458,"EventID":"S2W-05695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider funding the provision of free central heating to disabled owner-occupiers under 60.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider funding the provision of free central heating to disabled owner-occupiers under 60.","AnswerText":"We will make decisions onthe future development of the central heating programme later this year when wehave had the opportunity to consider the Scottish House Condition Survey 2002topic report on fuel poverty.","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178459,"EventID":"S2W-05696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2133,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Fosamax (70mg) and Calcichew D3 will no longer be prescribed to patients under 65 with osteoporosis, and, if so, what the reasons are for the withdrawal of these ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Fosamax (70mg) and Calcichew D3 will no longer be prescribed to patients under 65 with osteoporosis, and, if so, what the reasons are for the withdrawal of these drugs.","AnswerText":"The regulation and safety of medicines is reserved and is the responsibility of the Medicines and Health care products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).The MHRA has advised thatthere are no plans on safety grounds to restrict the use of Fosamax (70mg) andCalcichew in patients under 65 with osteoporosis. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178460,"EventID":"S2W-05697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many returns were reviewed by the Common Services Agency in respect of prescription of (a) naltrexone hydrochloride and (b) naloxone hydrochloride in each of the last","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many returns were reviewed by the Common Services Agency in respect of prescription of (a) naltrexone hydrochloride and (b) naloxone hydrochloride in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"Naltrexone hydrochloride is used in the treatment of formerly opioid-dependent patients. Naloxone hydrochloride is used in overdosage with opioids.The table shows the number of items prescribed for naltrexone hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride for the years ending 31 March 1994 to 2003 inclusive. Data in the table refers to prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors, but do not take into account medicines dispensed by hospitals or hospital based clinics. | Year ended 31 March | Naltrexone Hydrochloride | Naloxone Hydrochloride | | 1994 | 0 | 739 | | 1995 | 3 | 1,185 | | 1996 | 68 | 814 | | 1997 | 234 | 962 | | 1998 | 438 | 1,161 | | 1999 | 924 | 1,045 | | 2000 | 1,070 | 1,360 | | 2001 | 1,556 | 1,220 | | 2002 | 2,217 | 1,329 | | 2003 | 2,847 | 1,423 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178461,"EventID":"S2W-05698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government regarding the impact on the Scottish budget of any increase in the salary of the former Permanent Secretary for ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government regarding the impact on the Scottish budget of any increase in the salary of the former Permanent Secretary for the year prior to his retirement.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178462,"EventID":"S2W-05699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the architects for the Holyrood project did not comply with the instructions in the Scottish Parliament Building User Brief that the shape of the debating chamber ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the architects for the Holyrood project did not comply with the instructions in the Scottish Parliament Building User Brief that the shape of the debating chamber should be of a “horseshoe or semi-circular arrangement” when they brought forward designs that based the shape on a leaf or ellipsis; on what date such drawing or drawings were first provided to the client, and what action was taken to secure compliance with the user brief.","AnswerText":"The Scottish ParliamentBuilding User Brief suggests that “a horseshoe or semi-circular arrangementwould appear to be the most appropriate” This wording allows the architect somelicence to explore variations to that layout. I understand from the convener of the Holyrood Progress Group that the intention of the steer in the brief was toproduce a move away from the more confrontational arrangement at Westminster,and allow better access for wheelchairs. Drawings of the original Miralleslayout which was within the spirit of the brief, and allowed 100% wheelchairaccess were first presented formally to the client as part of RIBA Stage C(Outline Proposals) in September 1998.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178463,"EventID":"S2W-05700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether unpriced copies of the two letters of intent entered into between the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body and Flour City (UK) Ltd will be placed in the Scottish ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether unpriced copies of the two letters of intent entered into between the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body and Flour City (UK) Ltd will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"The SPCB has received advicefrom its construction law legal advisers that documents relating to the FlourCity Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd contract should not be disclosed, as theymay form part of the productions in any litigation which may follow.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178464,"EventID":"S2W-05701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether any errors, as referred to in 8.5 of the pro forma trade contractors agreement in the Construction Management Agreement for the Holyrood project, have been detecte","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether any errors, as referred to in 8.5 of the pro forma trade contractors agreement in the Construction Management Agreement for the Holyrood project, have been detected in the drawings and designs provided by Flour City (UK) Ltd.","AnswerText":"The convener of the HolyroodProgress Group has confirmedthat Flour City'sdrawings were checked and subsequently developed to a conclusion, between thedesign team and the various replacement trade contractors, including amendments to suit differing construction methodologiesand the implications of blast tests. No significant errors were detected in Flour City's design.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178465,"EventID":"S2W-05702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether there is not, within the full trade contract entered into between the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) and Flour City (UK) Ltd, any legal duty of confiden","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether there is not, within the full trade contract entered into between the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) and Flour City (UK) Ltd, any legal duty of confidentiality owed to the trade contractors whether by the SPCB, the construction managers or anyone else and, if there this, what such duty is and where it is set out.","AnswerText":"Within the full tradecontract entered into by the SPCB and Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd,there is no general obligation of confidentiality owed by the SPCB. Theconstruction manager, in that capacity, does not contract with tradecontractors, and consequently there should not be any contract to which anobligation of confidence would apply. The reference to “anyone else” is tooimprecise to be meaningfully answered.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178466,"EventID":"S2W-05703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions the Minister for Health and Community Care has been approached by Dr Kenneth Aitken and Dr Gordon Bell, members of the MMR expert group, for a meeti","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions the Minister for Health and Community Care has been approached by Dr Kenneth Aitken and Dr Gordon Bell, members of the MMR expert group, for a meeting since the report of the group was published and how many times the minister has met them.","AnswerText":"Dr Kenneth Aitken and DrGordon Bell have sought two meetings with me since the MMR expert group’sreport was published in April 2002 to discuss research proposals. I have notmet with them but Dr Aitken and Dr Bell have been encouraged to meet withofficials of the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) to discuss their proposals. TheCSO, within the Scottish Executive Health Department, has responsibility for fundingand supporting research into health and healthcare needs in Scotland. DrAitken and Dr Bell have never met with CSO officials but it remains open forthem to do so.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178467,"EventID":"S2W-05704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) will place increased emphasis on access to sports facilities for school pupils as part of the inspection process.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) will place increased emphasis on access to sports facilities for school pupils as part of the inspection process.","AnswerText":"HMIE already take goodaccount of access to sports facilities in the context of their evaluation ofaccommodation facilities. This occurs in every school inspection and in asample of schools, inspectors also take a closer look at provision for physicaleducation. HMIE have also been looking more closely at health promotionactivities, including the use of sports facilities where appropriate, as partof their review of integrated community schools. There are no plans to alterthis approach.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178468,"EventID":"S2W-05705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children were referred by Children's Panels to services outwith Scotland in each of the last five years, broken down by service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children were referred by Children's Panels to services outwith Scotland in each of the last five years, broken down by service.","AnswerText":"No central record is kept ofchildren placed outwith Scotland in order to fulfil supervision requirements. Theprincipal services accessed in England and Wales are likely to be secure accommodation andmental health places. Some children from England also use places in Scotland. In respect of thesecure estate, in particular data collection, service provision and managementissues are regularly discussed with secure providers, registration andinspection bodies at the Secure Accommodation Forum.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178469,"EventID":"S2W-05706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost to charities is of the withdrawal of relief on water and wastewater charges for 2002-03 and 2003-04.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost to charities is of the withdrawal of relief on water and wastewater charges for 2002-03 and 2003-04.","AnswerText":"The impact on charities of the withdrawal of relief needs to be considered in conjunction with theexemption scheme for charities which meet certain eligibility criteria. Thedetail of this is an operational matter for Scottish Water.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178470,"EventID":"S2W-05707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost to Scottish Water is for 2002-03 and 2003-04 of non-standard tariff agreements that do not appear on the Scheme of Charges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost to Scottish Water is for 2002-03 and 2003-04 of non-standard tariff agreements that do not appear on the Scheme of Charges.","AnswerText":"This is an operationalmatter for Scottish Water.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178471,"EventID":"S2W-05708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5333 by Ross Finnie on 19 January 2004, when its assessment of the impact of ending the current Water and Sewage Charges Reduction ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5333 by Ross Finnie on 19 January 2004, when its assessment of the impact of ending the current Water and Sewage Charges Reduction Scheme will be completed; what this assessment entails, and what consultation is taking place in respect of the assessment.","AnswerText":"The assessment of the impactof ending the scheme has now been completed.The assessment entailed astatistical analysis of the impact that ending the scheme would have on thoseaffected by it. In light of the assessment,the Executive has announced the continuation of the scheme beyond 31 March 2004. The Executive consultedScottish Water, the Water Industry Commissioner and local authorities beforedeciding to extend the scheme. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178472,"EventID":"S2W-05709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has made of the costs to domestic users of ending the current Water and Sewerage Charges Reduction Scheme in March 2004 and what those estimates are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has made of the costs to domestic users of ending the current Water and Sewerage Charges Reduction Scheme in March 2004 and what those estimates are.","AnswerText":"The Executive has announcedthat the current scheme will continue beyond 31 March 2004.The effects of ending it on 31 March would have depended on the circumstancesof the individual households affected by the scheme.The Executive estimates thathouseholds in council tax Bands B and C in receipt of council tax benefit,which comprise the majority of households affected by the scheme, would havefaced increases in their water charges of between 23% and 40% in 2004-05. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178473,"EventID":"S2W-05710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve access to the current Water and Sewerage Charges Reduction Scheme for Band A and B households.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve access to the current Water and Sewerage Charges Reduction Scheme for Band A and B households.","AnswerText":"The Executive has announcedthat the current scheme will continue beyond 31 March 2004.The scheme will assist those households that are in receipt of council taxbenefit and would otherwise have to pay for water services at a ratesubstantially in excess of that paid by households occupying properties in counciltax band A. Band B households in receipt of council tax benefit will be amongthose that benefit from the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178474,"EventID":"S2W-05711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, how many NHS dentists there are now in each (a) NHS board and (b) local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, how many NHS dentists there are now in each (a) NHS board and (b) local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information requestedabove is available in the answer given to question S2W-5720 on 6 February 2004. Allanswers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament'swebsite, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178475,"EventID":"S2W-05712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit and membership will be of the independent assessment and analysis group that will review the proposed selection of the site of the secure care centre for t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit and membership will be of the independent assessment and analysis group that will review the proposed selection of the site of the secure care centre for the west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"These are matters for the West of Scotland Forensic Steering Group which has devolved responsibility from the fourrelevant NHS boards.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178476,"EventID":"S2W-05713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the independent assessment and analysis group's report on the proposed selection of the site of the secure care centre for the west of Scotland will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the independent assessment and analysis group's report on the proposed selection of the site of the secure care centre for the west of Scotland will be published.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for theWest of Scotland Forensic Steering Group which has devolved responsibility fromthe four relevant NHS boards.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178477,"EventID":"S2W-05714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are in place for relocating Scottish public sector jobs to Tiree and what information it has regarding the relocation of UK public sector jobs to the island.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are in place for relocating Scottish public sector jobs to Tiree and what information it has regarding the relocation of UK public sector jobs to the island.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committedto the dispersal of public sector jobs and to improving the social and economicconditions of all areas across Scotland, including areas of most need. The Executiverecognises that particularly in remote areas, even a small number of additionaljobs can make a significant difference to social and economic conditions. Underthis small units initiative, Tiree will be considered as a potential locationfor the relocation of public sectors jobs.The Scottish Executive isworking closely with the Secretary of State for Scotland’s office to ensurethat Scotland is well positioned to benefit from the outcome of the UK public sector relocation review which is due to report in 2004. ScottishDevelopment International is in regular contact with the review team and ismeeting all relevant Whitehall departments and public bodies to understand, informand support their relocation requirements. As specific reviews come up, it willbe possible to assess on a case by case basis what locations within Scotland maybe suitable as relocation options. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178478,"EventID":"S2W-05715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make sufficient funding available to develop the specific opportunities identified in the Tiree development plan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make sufficient funding available to develop the specific opportunities identified in the Tiree development plan.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive understands that the development plan is still being compiled and willnot be finalised until Autumn 2004. Ministers will be happy to offer a view onthe plan and its implementation once available.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178479,"EventID":"S2W-05716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been diagnosed with a depressive illness in the last five years, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) NHS board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been diagnosed with a depressive illness in the last five years, broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) NHS board area.","AnswerText":"Data for the Continuous Morbidity Recording (CMR) is obtained from a sample of Scottish general practices, on a basis which is broadly representative of the Scottish population in terms of age, sex, deprivation category and rural/urban mix. From this, national estimates of the number of patients seen by GPs in Scotland can be calculated.The number of patients with depression seen by GPs in the last five years in Scotland is estimated as follows: Estimated Number of Patients with Depression Seen by GPs in Scotland, Years Ending 31 December: 1998 - 2002 | Sex | Age Group | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | | Male | Under 15 | 397 | 371 | 430 | 319 | 347 | | | 15 - 24 | 6,113 | 6,570 | 7,459 | 7,762 | 9,226 | | | 25 - 44 | 26,292 | 27,034 | 28,007 | 28,286 | 30,725 | | | 45 - 64 | 21,799 | 21,549 | 21,791 | 24,396 | 25,213 | | | 65 - 74 | 5,108 | 4,826 | 4,638 | 4,860 | 5,146 | | | 75 - 84 | 2,509 | 2,983 | 2,642 | 2,849 | 3,324 | | | 85 + | 682 | 588 | 707 | 660 | 698 | | Total | All ages | 63,4131 | 64,7071 | 66,8471 | 70,4971 | 75,9361 | | Female | Under 15 | 676 | 629 | 611 | 712 | 741 | | | 15 – 24 | 18,271 | 17,624 | 19,167 | 22,032 | 23,178 | | | 25 – 44 | 75,107 | 72,366 | 75,822 | 79,713 | 84,669 | | | 45 – 64 | 48,839 | 49,129 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178480,"EventID":"S2W-05717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the implications of the Court of Appeal ruling in R v Cannings for any child placement decisions where unexplained infant death in the family was a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the implications of the Court of Appeal ruling in R v Cannings for any child placement decisions where unexplained infant death in the family was a material consideration.","AnswerText":"We have asked the ScottishChildren Reporters Administration to identify any such cases. Should any casescome to light we will announce any furtheraction after this investigation is complete.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178481,"EventID":"S2W-05718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3004,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it will provide to the Scottish Tug of War Association for hosting the World Indoor Tug of War Championship in Glasgow from 19 to 22 February 2004.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it will provide to the Scottish Tug of War Association for hosting the World Indoor Tug of War Championship in Glasgow from 19 to 22 February 2004.","AnswerText":"None. The Scottish Tug ofWar Association applied for lottery funding from sportscotland towardsthe costs of hosting the World Indoor Tug of War Championship in Glasgow from19 to 22 February 2004 but this was rejected in March 2003.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178482,"EventID":"S2W-05719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentists there are per head of population in each (a) NHS board and (b) local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentists there are per head of population in each (a) NHS board and (b) local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of non-NHS dentists is not available centrally.Numbers and rates of NHSdentists are shown in the tables included in the answer to questions S2W-5711and S2W-5720 on 6 February 2004. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178483,"EventID":"S2W-05720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS dentists there are per head of population in each (a) NHS board and (b) local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS dentists there are per head of population in each (a) NHS board and (b) local authority area.","AnswerText":"Table 1 shows the number and rate per 100,000 population of NHS dentists working in the General Dentist Service (GDS) and in the Hospital and Community Health Service (HCHS) by NHS board area. Table 2 presents the same GDS figures, but by local authority area. HCHS dentist figures are not available centrally at local authority area level. Table 1: The Number of NHS Dentists per 100,000 Population by NHS Board Area | NHS board | Number of GDS dentists 1,2,3,5 | Number of GDS dentists per 100,000 population 4 | Number of HCHS dentists6,7 | Number of HCHS dentists per 100,000 population 4 | | Scotland | 1,968 | 40.5 | 666 | 13.2 | | Argyll and Clyde | 176 | 42.0 | 34 | 8.1 | | Ayrshire and Arran | 137 | 37.3 | 31 | 8.4 | | Borders | 37 | 34.5 | 9 | 8.4 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 40 | 27.2 | 19 | 12.9 | | Fife | 131 | 37.4 | 37 | 10.6 | | Forth Valley | 95 | 34.0 | 21 | 7.5 | | Grampian | 167 | 31.9 | 49 | 9.4 | | Greater Glasgow | 430 | 49.6 | 162 | 18.7 | | Highland | 78 | 37.5 | 40 | 19.2 | | Lanarkshire | 212 | 38.3 | 46 | 8.3 | | Lothian | 357 | 45.8 | 111 | 14.2 | | Orkney | 9 | 46.9 | 4 | 20.8 | | Shetland | 12 | 54.7 | 6 | 27.3 | | Tayside | 161 | 41.6 | 92 | 23.7 | | Western Isles | 7 | 26.7 | 6 | 22.9 | | Spe","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178484,"EventID":"S2W-05721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-1115 by Malcolm Chisholm on 22 January 2004, whether the proposal to reduce nursing staff was discussed at the meeting with Fife NH","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-1115 by Malcolm Chisholm on 22 January 2004, whether the proposal to reduce nursing staff was discussed at the meeting with Fife NHS Board","AnswerText":"This meeting was held to discussmedical workforce issues. But the Health Department meets regularly with NHSFife to discuss a wide range of matters, including those affecting nursingservices. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178485,"EventID":"S2W-05722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS hydrotherapy pools there are and where they are located.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS hydrotherapy pools there are and where they are located.","AnswerText":"Information about local NHS provision of this kind is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2005-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178486,"EventID":"S2W-05723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3103,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it can provide to any companies whose ability to compete with overseas businesses has been adversely affected by increases in water rates.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it can provide to any companies whose ability to compete with overseas businesses has been adversely affected by increases in water rates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to creating the conditions to maximise sustainableeconomic growth in the medium and long term. Smart, Successful Scotland,our strategy for the Enterprise Networks, is crucial in delivering this. Themost recent surveys from the Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds TSB, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and CBI Scotland all confirm encouragingincreases in business activity.Water charges have had torise to pay for much needed investment. Scottish Water has been tasked to makesubstantial efficiencies to ensure these increases are kept to the minimum.Already in their first year, Scottish Water’s operations became 10% moreefficient. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178487,"EventID":"S2W-05724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1968,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":6,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the membership is of the interview panel for the appointment of the Commissioner for Children and Young People and when the appointment is expected to be finalised.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the membership is of the interview panel for the appointment of the Commissioner for Children and Young People and when the appointment is expected to be finalised.","AnswerText":"The selection panel convenedto undertake the recruitment of a Commissioner for Children and Young People inScotland comprised of the Presiding Officer, Scott Barrie MSP, Rhona BrankinMSP, Robert Brown MSP, Rosemary Byrne MSP, James Douglas Hamilton MSP andMargaret Ewing MSP.The selection panel have identifieda candidate and pre-appointment checks are currently being undertaken. A motionnominating the successful candidate to the Parliament for appointment by HerMajesty will be lodged prior to the February recess. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Robert Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178488,"EventID":"S2W-05725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many summary convictions have been recorded for offences under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many summary convictions have been recorded for offences under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information requested isnot yet available from the statistics held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178489,"EventID":"S2W-05726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1968,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":6,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost would be of introducing exemptions from water and sewerage charges for community amateur sports clubs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost would be of introducing exemptions from water and sewerage charges for community amateur sports clubs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not hold the information that would be needed to provide areasonable estimate of these costs.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178490,"EventID":"S2W-05727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1968,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":6,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish a bill introducing mandatory rates relief of at least 80% for community amateur sports clubs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish a bill introducing mandatory rates relief of at least 80% for community amateur sports clubs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive will introduce amendments to the Local Government (Financial Provisionsetc.) (Scotland) Act 1962 to provide 80% mandatory rate relief forcommunity amateur sports clubs as soon as a suitable legislative vehicle becomesavailable.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178491,"EventID":"S2W-05728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have died from hepatitis C infection since the announcement of the ex gratia payment scheme for those who contracted the disease through blood products in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have died from hepatitis C infection since the announcement of the ex gratia payment scheme for those who contracted the disease through blood products in the NHS and who, although qualifying, did not receive any benefit from the scheme.","AnswerText":"We do not know how manypeople, who have been infected with hepatitis C in this way, have died sincethe announcement on 29 August 2003. In the case of eligible people who die between 29 August 2003 andthe time when the scheme is in a position to make payments, payments will bemade to their dependants.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178492,"EventID":"S2W-05729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-29 by Nicol Stephen on 2 June 2003, what road safety improvements are planned for the A90 around Laurencekirk and when such improve","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-29 by Nicol Stephen on 2 June 2003, what road safety improvements are planned for the A90 around Laurencekirk and when such improvements will be carried out.","AnswerText":"Following the implementationof the package of measures at the A90/A937 south junction, which I referred toin my answer to S2W-29, the junction was monitored to ascertain theireffectiveness. It has been concluded that some alterations to the signing andlining would be beneficial in increasing driver awareness. These changes willbe implemented during February 2004. The junction will continue to be monitoredand a CCTV camera will be installed to assist in this process once a suitableelectricity supply has been provided.Analysis of the accidentfigures for the A90/937 north junction confirms that no further investigationof the junction is necessary at this time. However, accident figures for thejunction will continue to be monitored. Road safety at the A90/B9120junction is currently being investigated by BEAR Scotland Ltd and a report isdue to be submitted to the Scottish Executive by the end of January 2004. Itis expected that any remedial measures identified will be progressed during2004-05. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178493,"EventID":"S2W-05730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will commission road safety inspections on the A90 at Stonehaven, Muchalls, Newtonhill, Portlethen and Marywell.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will commission road safety inspections on the A90 at Stonehaven, Muchalls, Newtonhill, Portlethen and Marywell.","AnswerText":"A review of the accidentpatterns on the A90 between Dundee and Aberdeen was carried out in 2003. While no specific issueswere identified at any of the junctions referred to there were recommendationsto improve some signs, road markings and high friction surfacing at the Bridge of Muchalls andCharlestown Interchanges. These improvements are programmed for completionduring 2004-05.In addition, the ScottishExecutive carries out an annual review of the trunk road network to identifyaccident cluster sites or areas with high accident rates. The current review isbeing finalised and any sites that can be treated by low cost engineeringmethods will be prioritised and added to the 2004-05 remedial programme. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178494,"EventID":"S2W-05731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when work will commence on the construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and when it will open for use.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when work will commence on the construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and when it will open for use.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-26 on 6 June 2003. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178495,"EventID":"S2W-05732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate recent fatal road accidents in Aberdeenshire and publish the results.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate recent fatal road accidents in Aberdeenshire and publish the results.","AnswerText":"Each year the ScottishExecutive analyses accidents across the trunk road network in order to identifyand bring forward an annual programme of targeted road safety improvements. Inaddition, whenever a fatal accident occurs on the network the trunk roadoperating company carries out a site investigation with the local police in aneffort to identify any additional measures which might be implemented. Siteinvestigations often contain sensitive and confidential information, which wedo not publish. Trunk road accidents in Aberdeenshire are included in thisprocess.The investigation of fatalroad accidents on local roads in Aberdeenshire is a matter for AberdeenshireCouncil. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178496,"EventID":"S2W-05733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many neurologists with expertise in Parkinson's disease there are, broken down by NHS board area","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many neurologists with expertise in Parkinson's disease there are, broken down by NHS board area","AnswerText":"The information requested is not centrally available. However, the table identifies the number of neurologists by NHS board.Table 1 – Neurology Consultants in Post (Headcount) by NHS Board (as at 30 September 2002) | Health Board | Headcount (At 30 September 2002) | | Scotland 1 | 47 | | Argyll and Clyde | - | | Ayrshire and Arran | 1 | | Borders | - | | Dumfries and Galloway | 1 | | Fife | 3 | | Forth Valley | 4 | | Grampian | 6 | | Greater Glasgow | 21 | | Highland | - | | Lanarkshire | 1 | | Lothian | 13 | | Orkney | - | | Shetland | - | | Tayside | 5 | | Western Isles | - | | Common Services Agency | - | | Golden Jubilee National Hospital | - | | State Hospital | - | | Special Health Boards | - | Note: 1. The totals may not equal the sum of their sub groups, as the effect of double counting has been eliminated. For example, if a consultant works in two specialties/health boards, they will be counted once in each specialty/health board, but just once in the overall total. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178497,"EventID":"S2W-05734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the provision of nurses specialising in Parkinson's disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the provision of nurses specialising in Parkinson's disease.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are responsiblefor planning services in their area and for securing the staff needed todeliver them.The Scottish Executiveremains committed to building the capacity of the NHSScotland workforce. Underthe Facing the Future banner £10million has been provided for a number ofnursing initiatives over the last 2 financial years including funding forcontinuous professional development. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178498,"EventID":"S2W-05735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will roll out the Grampian NHS Board model for carer support and support for self medication for those with chronic conditions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will roll out the Grampian NHS Board model for carer support and support for self medication for those with chronic conditions.","AnswerText":"I understand that the carersupport model in question is linked to a wider patient/public informationstrategy that Grampian NHS Board is now consulting on and that, amongst otherthings, the model focuses on identifying carers and signposting them to sourcesof advice and support. The Executive is currently working with NHS, localauthority and carer representatives to draw up national guidance to health boardson the introduction of NHS Carer Information Strategies, as provided for in theCommunity Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002. The strategies will focus on careridentification and the provision of appropriate information to carers. Ourguidance will prescribe minimum standards but will also leave room for localflexibility in recognition that some boards, like Grampian, are already takingthis important agenda forward.The latter part of thequestion presumably refers to the medicines management pilot study which is currentlyunderway in Grampian. The study is aimed at helping paid care workers toassist in administering medicines safely and to record such administration. Thenumbers involved in the initial study were small and I understand that GrampianNHS Board plans to extend the scheme. The benefits of the pilot would need tobe assessed and the Executive will continue to keep in touch with theinitiative and its outcomes. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178499,"EventID":"S2W-05736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to acute trusts with regard to the use of patients' own medication for chronic conditions when patients go into hospital.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to acute trusts with regard to the use of patients' own medication for chronic conditions when patients go into hospital.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive hasnot issued any guidance to acute trusts with regard to the use of patients’ ownmedication for chronic conditions when patients go into hospital.The Right Medicine: AStrategy for Pharmaceutical Care in Scotland commits the Executiveto explore systems which will allow, wherever possible, the dispensing ofpatient packs in all situations across primary, secondary and tertiary care. Thisshould include the implementation of suitable medication self-administrationschemes in hospital. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178500,"EventID":"S2W-05737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding from the European Regional Development Fund remains unallocated, broken down by region.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding from the European Regional Development Fund remains unallocated, broken down by region.","AnswerText":"In the current 2000-06European Structural Funds Scottish Programmes, the totalEuropean RegionalDevelopment Fund (ERDF) grant remaining unallocated is detailed below. | Scotland 2000-2006 Programme | Unallocated ERDF Funding (grant) As at January 2004 | | Highlands and Islands Special Transition Programme | £55,950,675 | | South of Scotland Objective 2 | £19,806,907 | | East of Scotland Objective 2 | £56,998,361 | | Western Scotland Objective 2 | £144,700,000 | | Urban II | £4,000,000 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178501,"EventID":"S2W-05738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether retrospective applications can be made to the European Regional Development Fund and, if so, which projects have successfully so applied.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether retrospective applications can be made to the European Regional Development Fund and, if so, which projects have successfully so applied.","AnswerText":"Retrospective applicationsare normally not permitted for European Structural Funds. However in 2003, withthe Commission’s approval, some projects in the current 2000-2006 Objective 2East of Scotland and Western Scotland programmes were allowed toclaim funding retrospectively, in consideration of the delay to the start of the programmes.A full list of approvedretrospective project information is given in List of Projects that Appliedfor ERDF funding Retrospectively in 2003, a copy of which has been placedin the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 30799). ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178502,"EventID":"S2W-05739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each region has received from the European Regional Development Fund, broken down by individual project.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much each region has received from the European Regional Development Fund, broken down by individual project.","AnswerText":"In the current 2000-06European Structural Funds Scottish programmes, European Regional DevelopmentFunding (ERDF) is available in the Highlands and Islands Special TransitionalProgramme and in the east of Scotland, south of Scotland and western Scotland objective2 programmes. Individual projects receiving ERDF grants under these programmes aredetailed in European Regional Development Fund Awarded by Individual Projectas at January 2004, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish ParliamentInformation Centre (Bib. number 30800).","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178503,"EventID":"S2W-05740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-158 by Mr Jim Wallace on 3 June 2003, how much has been received by each further education college for social inclusion in each of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-158 by Mr Jim Wallace on 3 June 2003, how much has been received by each further education college for social inclusion in each of the years referred to (a) excluding any funding attributable to the location of the college being in a rural area and (b) expressed also as a percentage of each college's budget.","AnswerText":"The information requested is as follows: | College | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | | | Total specific social inclusion element | % specific social inclusion to core allocation | Total specific social inclusion element | % specific social inclusion to core allocation | Total specific social inclusion element | % specific social inclusion to core allocation | | Aberdeen College | £115,257 | 0.75% | £279,914 | 1.73% | £313,326 | 1.87% | | Angus College | £27,786 | 0.65% | £49,375 | 1.05% | £50,976 | 1.05% | | Anniesland College | £256,365 | 4.95% | £504,858 | 8.90% | £530,400 | 9.10% | | Ayr College | £82,338 | 1.46% | £194,423 | 3.08% | £228,091 | 3.52% | | Banff and Buchan College of Further Education | £819 | 0.02% | £1,818 | 0.04% | £2,341 | 0.05% | | The Barony College | £8,871 | 0.70% | £10,018 | 0.71% | £11,167 | 0.78% | | Borders College | £957 | 0.02% | £3,737 | 0.09% | £2,849 | 0.07% | | Cardonald College | £256,339 | 3.38% | £507,839 | 6.09% | £549,134 | 6.29% | | Central College of Commerce | £134,295 | 2.92% | £312,708 | 6.70% | £383,692 | 7.82% | | Clackmannan College of Further Education | £39,253 | 1.54% | £71,797 | 2.58% | £71,157 | 2.51% | | Clydebank College | £210,907 | 3.32% | Fixed engines | | | River in which salmon were tagged | | Year | North Esk | Tweed | Tay | Dee | Don | Spey | | 2000 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | | 2001 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | | 2002 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | | 2003 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Net and Coble – inside North Esk | | | River in which salmon were tagged | | Year | North Esk | Tweed | Tay | Dee | Don | Spey | | 2000 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | | 2001 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | | 2002 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | | 2003 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178505,"EventID":"S2W-05742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1988,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact has been on the salmon population of offshore netting in the North and South Esk rivers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact has been on the salmon population of offshore netting in the North and South Esk rivers.","AnswerText":"There is no offshore nettingfor salmon in Scotland in the commonly accepted meaning of that form offishery. The evidence available from catch figures for the North and South Esks,the two local rivers, indicate that angling catches in the North Eskhave increased steadily since the mid 1970s, and no trend is discernible in South Eskangling catches. Data from both catch returns and the logie fish counter(collected since 1981) in the North Esk indicate a significant increase in thenumber of spawning salmon ascending the North Esk during that period. There isno evidence to suggest that these fisheries have had a deleterious effect onsalmon populations in other Scottish rivers.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178506,"EventID":"S2W-05743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1988,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the total catch taken in nets in the Montrose area in 2003 was (a) salmon and (b) other fish.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the total catch taken in nets in the Montrose area in 2003 was (a) salmon and (b) other fish.","AnswerText":"The annual exercise ofcollecting, collating and publishing salmon and sea trout catch data for the2003 fishing season is not yet complete.The net and coble fishery inthe Montrose area catches almost exclusively salmon and sea trout. The fixedengine fishery occasionally catches flounders, plaice, mullet, and lumpsuckers,but none are taken in commercial quantities. Over the time series ofsalmon and sea trout catches recorded between 1952 and 2002, the percentage of the net fishery catch in the Montrose area comprising salmon has varied between55% and 83%, while the percentage comprising sea trout has varied between 17%and 45%. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178507,"EventID":"S2W-05744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what encouragement it received, either directly or through Her Majesty's Government, from the European Commission to review its Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what encouragement it received, either directly or through Her Majesty's Government, from the European Commission to review its Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance programme to increase its share of the #2.6 billion European funding to offset the impact of reduced fishing and to draw on other EU structural funds, as reported in the Commission's press release of 15 January 2004.","AnswerText":"The European Commission haspublicly reminded all member states of the provision for socio-economicmeasures under its financial instrument for fisheries guidance (FIFG) andencouraged their use to offset the impacts of reduced fishing opportunities. Thescope to make significant adjustments to around £60 million which is availableto the 2000-08 Scottish FIFG programmes without adversely impacting on thesupport available to other groups is limited but priorities are being keptunder constant review. In 2003 the Scottish Executive therefore made available anadditional £50 million of national, non-FIFG, resources to the fisheries sectorto support a £40 million decommissioning scheme and a £10 million transitionalaid scheme.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178508,"EventID":"S2W-05745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the relationship is between it and OFCOM; what rights it has to give direction and guidance to OFCOM; what its role is in the appointment of any Scottish representat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the relationship is between it and OFCOM; what rights it has to give direction and guidance to OFCOM; what its role is in the appointment of any Scottish representative, and whether it has submitted any nominations, or commented on the suitability of a nominee, for such a representative and, if so, what advice it has given.","AnswerText":"The Executive and OFCOM havea non-statutory relationship and are developing linkages to ensure appropriatedialogue. As OFCOM is a UK-wide regulator, only the UK Government has the statutorybasis for providing it with direction and guidance, including on appointments.The Executive has beenupdated on progress with Scottish representative appointments to OFCOM by thenew regulator and also by Scotland Office. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178509,"EventID":"S2W-05746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy is with regard to supporting and promoting traditional music and how much it has (a) spent on and/or (b) budgeted for traditional music in each year fro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy is with regard to supporting and promoting traditional music and how much it has (a) spent on and/or (b) budgeted for traditional music in each year from 1999 to 2005, stating which organisations have received funding.","AnswerText":"Support for all of thetraditional arts is a key part of the Executive’s cultural strategy. the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) gives traditional music priority across its variousfunding strands: education through organisations such as Feisan nan Gaidhealand Feis Rois and also through cultural co-ordinators and the Youth MusicInitiative; a national tutor training network; professional development andperforming opportunities; composition classes; traditional music officer postsin local authority areas; festivals such as Celtic Connections and HebrideanCeltic Festival; promotion through events such as Showcase Scotland. Inaddition, SAC Lottery awards to this sector include awards to the NationalYouth Pipe Band, the Gordon Gaitherin, the Feis movement and CelticConnections.Detailed information on thesums spent on and budgeted for traditional music is given in the document ScottishArts Council - Scottish Executive Awards toTraditional Music 1999 to 2004 a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 30870). It is estimated that in eachof the last two years over £1 million has been allocated to traditional musicacross the country from both voted and Lottery funds. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2005-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178510,"EventID":"S2W-05747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made representations to obtain a dedicated digital channel or additional Scottish output for Scotland and the Gaelic language and, if it has, what stage an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made representations to obtain a dedicated digital channel or additional Scottish output for Scotland and the Gaelic language and, if it has, what stage any negotiations have reached.","AnswerText":"In May 2002, a short-life working group was established to advise UK ministers onthe gaelic broadcasting provisions to be inserted into the draft communicationsbill. The Scottish Executive, Scotland Office and the Department of Culture Mediaand Sport participated along with other key stakeholders.The working group helpedshape the Gaelic provisions of the Communications Act 2003. This actestablished a new gaelic media service (SnMG) to replace the present gaelic broadcastingcommittee (CCG). The new legislation alsoenabled the gaelic media service to apply to OfCOM for a broadcast licence.This would allow a dedicated Gaelic TV channel to be delivered on a digitalplatform. This is now a matter for the board of the gaelic media service toconsider after consultation with relevant interests and stakeholders. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2005-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178511,"EventID":"S2W-05748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the protocols are in respect of its dealings with OFCOM.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the protocols are in respect of its dealings with OFCOM.","AnswerText":"The Executive expects tohave close working relationships with OFCOM and its Scottish representatives.We are currently discussing the means by which we will establish ournon-statutory relationship with the new regulator. In the meantime, OFCOM iskeeping the Executive informed of its own plans and progress.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2005-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178512,"EventID":"S2W-05749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has studied the results of sportscotland's Active Primary Schools pilot programme and, if so, whether it will publish its findings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has studied the results of sportscotland's Active Primary Schools pilot programme and, if so, whether it will publish its findings.","AnswerText":"Sportscotland are currently considering a draft report of the evaluation of the active primary schools programme prepared by The ScottishCouncil for Research in Education. Sportscotland hope to be in aposition to publish the report shortly. The report will be available from sportscotlandand I will arrange for copies of the report to be deposited in the Scottish Parliament’sInformation Centre.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2005-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178513,"EventID":"S2W-05750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fully fund the provision of school sports co-ordinators.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fully fund the provision of school sports co-ordinators.","AnswerText":"The Executive has committed£24 million to the active schools programme which is a merger, extension anddevelopment of the school sports co-ordinator and the active primary schoolsprogrammes. The active schools programme will be a partnership between sportscotlandand each of the 32 local authorities who will be expected to make a significantfinancial contribution.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178514,"EventID":"S2W-05751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has decided not to provide additional funding to enable local authorities to roll out the extension of the Sport Interactive programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why it has decided not to provide additional funding to enable local authorities to roll out the extension of the Sport Interactive programme.","AnswerText":"It is for individual localauthorities and headteachers to decide whether they wish to introduce the sportinteractive programme within their schools. The Executive has committed £24million to the active schools programme over the three years to 2005-06 to takeforward its commitment to increasing levels of physical activity includingsports participation in our school children.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178515,"EventID":"S2W-05752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the success of the Sport Interactive programme in Scotland and its proposed introduction in Ireland, what additional support it will now give to the programm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the success of the Sport Interactive programme in Scotland and its proposed introduction in Ireland, what additional support it will now give to the programme.","AnswerText":"The development of the SportInteractive programme is a commercial venture by a private sector company andas such it would not be appropriate for the Executive to provide supportwithout going through a normal procurement exercise.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178516,"EventID":"S2W-05753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has conducted with regard to the possible effects on the Scottish climate of the extraction of energy from the atmosphere by wind farms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has conducted with regard to the possible effects on the Scottish climate of the extraction of energy from the atmosphere by wind farms.","AnswerText":"We have not conducted anystudies of this kind.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178517,"EventID":"S2W-05754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to supervise prisoners after release from long-term sentences and whether there are any implications arising from such persons choosing to chan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to supervise prisoners after release from long-term sentences and whether there are any implications arising from such persons choosing to change their names.","AnswerText":"Prisoners serving sentencesof four years or more are released on licence and are subject to statutorysupervision on release. The service for this group is currently being enhancedin response to the recommendations contained in the report from the TripartiteGroup “Throughcare – Developing the Service.” This reflects the priority givento public protection.The Scottish Prison Servicepolicy on requests by prisoners to change their name differentiates betweenthose prisoners who have officially changed their name(s) i.e. had their newname recorded by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages and prisonerswho wish to be known by a new name but have not had that new name officiallyrecorded. In each case, the prisoner’s records are marked appropriately inorder to highlight any change of name to the local authority responsible forsupervision on release. Additionally underthe Sex Offenders Act 1997, relevant sex offenders currently are required tonotify the police of their name, and, where he also uses one or more othernames, each of those names. Under section 84 of the Sexual OffencesAct 2003 (to be commenced on 1 May 2004) offenders will be required to notify achange to the notified details (such as name or by assuming an alias) within threedays of the change taking place, thus shortening the current period under theSex Offenders Act 1997 which is 14 days. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178518,"EventID":"S2W-05755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5091 by Mr Andy Kerr on 21 January 2004, whether it will provide a breakdown of the #6.7 million capital expenditure on the Holyroo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5091 by Mr Andy Kerr on 21 January 2004, whether it will provide a breakdown of the #6.7 million capital expenditure on the Holyrood project in 1998-99 into payments (a) to architects (b) to the construction manager (c) to construction engineers (d) to quantity surveyors (e) to other consultants and (f) on the building itself.","AnswerText":" | | Breakdown | Cost | | (a) | Architects | £1.2 million | | (b) | Construction Management | Nil | | (c) | Construction Engineers | £0.9 million | | (d) | Quantity Surveyors | £0.3 million | | (e) | Other Consultants | £0.4 million | | (f) | On Building (Site acquisition and preparation) | £3.9 million | | Total | | £6.7 million | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178519,"EventID":"S2W-05756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":33,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that, as long as the current First Minister is in office, there will be no increase in the level of the graduate endowment, other than in line wit","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that, as long as the current First Minister is in office, there will be no increase in the level of the graduate endowment, other than in line with inflation as specified in the Education (Graduate Endowment and Student Support) (Scotland) Act 2001.","AnswerText":"The level of the graduateendowment is governed by regulation 7 of the Graduate Endowment (Scotland)Regulations 2001 which specifies that the amount will be increased only by therate of inflation for graduates in future years. We have no plans to amendthis legislation.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178520,"EventID":"S2W-05757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":33,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that, as long as the current First Minister is in office, it will not bring forward any proposals to require Scottish domiciled students attending","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that, as long as the current First Minister is in office, it will not bring forward any proposals to require Scottish domiciled students attending university in Scotland, to pay any contribution, additional to the present graduate endowment, towards the cost of their higher education, either to the university or to the Executive irrespective of how such a liability to pay may be characterised.","AnswerText":"We have no current plans tointroduce any new charges for Scottish students for university tuition.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178521,"EventID":"S2W-05758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations the First Minister has made to Historic Scotland in the last four months.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations the First Minister has made to Historic Scotland in the last four months.","AnswerText":"None. Historic Scotland isan agency within the Scottish Executive Education Department which is directly responsible toScottish ministers.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178522,"EventID":"S2W-05759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision there is for spinal cord stimulation treatment for people with refractory angina.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what provision there is for spinal cord stimulation treatment for people with refractory angina.","AnswerText":"Each of the four neurosurgicalcentres in Scotland provides this service.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178523,"EventID":"S2W-05760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that it is involved in Her Majesty's Government's review of the railways.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that it is involved in Her Majesty's Government's review of the railways.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with UK Government on a wide range of issues,including the review of the railways. The Executive willplay a full role in the review.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178524,"EventID":"S2W-05761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact Her Majesty's Government's review of the railways will have on the Executive's plans to set up a transport agency.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what impact Her Majesty's Government's review of the railways will have on the Executive's plans to set up a transport agency.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with UK Government on a wide range of issues,including the review of the railways. We remain committed to delivering our partnershipagreement commitment to bring forward proposals for a new Scottish transportagency and our proposals will seek to capitalise upon benefits arising from thereview.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178525,"EventID":"S2W-05762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it is making to Her Majesty's Government with regard to the possible devolution of further decisions on public transport to the Executive.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it is making to Her Majesty's Government with regard to the possible devolution of further decisions on public transport to the Executive.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with UK Government on a wide range of issues,including the review which was announced by the Secretary of State forTransport in his statement to the House of Commons on 19 January 2004.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178526,"EventID":"S2W-05763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the pay modernisation team looking at the impact of the general medical services and consultant contracts is expected to report and whether the report will include c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the pay modernisation team looking at the impact of the general medical services and consultant contracts is expected to report and whether the report will include consideration of any retrospective implications for NHS boards.","AnswerText":"The pay modernisation teamis co-ordinating a wide range of work at local and national level to aid theimplementation of the general medical services and consultants’ contract and tohelp oversee delivery of the contracts and their impact. This is an on-goingprocess taken forward through a number of strands and involving regular updatesand advice on implementation and its consequences. This work does involveconsideration of retrospective implications.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178527,"EventID":"S2W-05764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":40,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to resolve any anomalies in the implementation of the Data Protection Act 1998 that prevent professionals, volunteers and members of the public ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to resolve any anomalies in the implementation of the Data Protection Act 1998 that prevent professionals, volunteers and members of the public from performing their normal roles, with particular reference to prevention of lay members of the church from undertaking their pastoral duty of visiting patients in hospital.","AnswerText":"Implementation of the Data ProtectionAct 1998 is the responsibility of each individual NHSScotland organisation. Allstaff, students, volunteers, and contractors must endeavour to meet the standardsoutlined in the NHSScotland Code of Practice on Protecting Patient Confidentiality,which can be found at www.show.scot.nhs.uk/confidentiality,as well as their terms of employment or other engagement agreements.The Scottish Executive seeksto help NHSScotland bodies discharge their responsibilities under the act in a consistentmanner through the Code of Practice and by supporting the work of the Data Protectionand Caldicott Guardian Forums. Wherevolunteers have access to patient identifiableinformation to perform agreed activities, a written agreement should be put in placebetween the hospital and the voluntary body and volunteers should be asked to signan appropriate “confidentiality statement”. Visits by lay members of a churchto patients in hospital should require no special arrangements if the patient isknown to them and is willing to receive the visit. If the visit by a lay memberis as part of the hospital’s spiritual care services then any information providedto lay members about the patient should be provided in accordance with the codeof practice on protecting patient confidentiality, and with the patient’s informedconsent. ","AnswerDate":"2004-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178528,"EventID":"S2W-05765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in respect of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, whether all outstanding claims from farms and/or businesses have been settled and, if not, whether it will provide a b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in respect of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, whether all outstanding claims from farms and/or businesses have been settled and, if not, whether it will provide a breakdown of payments due by (a) it, (b) local authorities, (c) enterprise companies and (d) other public bodies.","AnswerText":"The Executive has processedall claims in respect of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Four claims are still outstanding pending the claimants’ responsesto offers made to them. Information on outstanding claims with localauthorities, enterprise companies and other public bodies is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178529,"EventID":"S2W-05766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the tariff rebate subsidy scheme has been suspended and, if so, (a) on what date the decision to suspend the scheme was taken and by whom, (b) what consultation ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the tariff rebate subsidy scheme has been suspended and, if so, (a) on what date the decision to suspend the scheme was taken and by whom, (b) what consultation was undertaken prior to any such decision, (c) when it will decide whether to re-instate the scheme and (d) what economic impact assessment was made prior to the decision being taken and whether it will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has carried out investigations into the administration of the Tariff Rebate Subsidy (TRS) scheme for bulk freight, following concerns that one or more of the operators in receipt of support under the scheme may not have been complying with its terms and conditions. This investigation started in December 2003 and the processing of claims was suspended pending completion of the investigation, since it would clearly have been inappropriate to continue to make payments in such circumstances. The investigation concluded that the scheme was in some cases not being operated as intended. There was however no evidence to suggest that any claims were being made fraudulently. Following the investigation we have reviewed the scheme and have concluded that it has not been demonstrably achieving its central objective of maintaining and improving sea transport services serving the Highlands and Islands. We have noted that the great majority of bulk freight transported by sea in the Highlands and Islands does not benefit from bulk freight TRS. Currently only three companies are eligible to claim TRS. Independent consultants commissionedby the Executive some time ago to evaluate the scheme reported that: the overall contribution of TRS to economic development in the relevant areas has been very limited; it has made only a limited contribution to sustaining bulk shipping capacity in the Highlands and Islands; the absolute level of TRS is insignificant compared with the companies’ costs and turnover, and any reduction in consumer prices (for bulk freight products) will have been slight and it is not clear that TRS support has fed through to reduced prices for the end consumers. For all these reasons, we have decided that the bulk freight TRS scheme should remain in suspension. We have paid all outstanding claims to 31 March 2004 but have no plans, at present, to make further funding available under the scheme. The three companies that have been entitled to claim have been advised accordingly. We remain very keen to encourage greater use of shipping for freight. In this regard we will be introducing later this year the new Waterborne Freight Grant Scheme to grant aid the operating costs of new shipping routes which remove lorries from roads. Details of the scheme are still being finalised. ","AnswerDate":"2004-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178530,"EventID":"S2W-05767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Transport has any plans to visit the west Highlands in response to any concerns expressed by motorists in relation to the A82, with particular re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Transport has any plans to visit the west Highlands in response to any concerns expressed by motorists in relation to the A82, with particular reference to the upgrade of the road between Tarbert and Inverarnan, and whether the upgrade will be included in the next round of trunk road improvements.","AnswerText":"I have no current plans tovisit the west Highlands in relation to driving conditions on the A82. A routeaction plan has been commissioned which will identify measures to improve roadsafety and reduce journey times between Tarbet and Fort William. Anyproposals to emerge from the study would be candidates to be consideredalongside emerging and new improvement proposals across the trunk road networkwhen looking at priorities for future expenditure programmes.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178531,"EventID":"S2W-05768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive at what point in the negotiations at the December EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council the UK delegation ceased to make the requirement that the 10% reduction in the wes","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive at what point in the negotiations at the December EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council the UK delegation ceased to make the requirement that the 10% reduction in the west of Scotland nephrops quota, introduced at the December 2000 Council, be reinstated and why this was not pursued as a key requirement.","AnswerText":"We believe that there is a crediblescientific argument for restoring the 10% cut in the West of Scotland nephrops totalallowable catch (TAC). However, our arguments were hampered because thescientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of theSeas (ICES) does not currently support such an increase and associated catchstatistics suggest that the industry does not catch its existing quota in full.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178532,"EventID":"S2W-05769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the entitlement to the west of Scotland nephrops quota is held by non-active interests.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the entitlement to the west of Scotland nephrops quota is held by non-active interests.","AnswerText":"On 1 January 2004, five percentof the West of Scotland Nephrops quota was held on inactive vessel licences.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2005-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178533,"EventID":"S2W-05770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1944,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent under the Public Transport Fund in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area; how much of the fund is unspent in each such area, b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent under the Public Transport Fund in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area; how much of the fund is unspent in each such area, broken down by project, and whether there are any deadlines or requirements for allocations under the fund to be spent.","AnswerText":"The following table showsthe awards given under the Public Transport Fund to each local authority ineach of the last four years. These took the form of additional capitalallocations under section 94 of the Local Government (Scotland)Act 1973. As stated in answer to S1W-31313, details of actual spend onindividual projects could only be provided at disproportionate cost.All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. | Local Authority | 1999-2000 £m | 2000-2001 £m | 2001-2002 £m | 2002-2003 £m | | Aberdeen City | 1.00 | 2.80 | 2.50 | 1.88 | | Aberdeenshire | 0.30 | 0.96 | 0.85 | 0.00 | | Angus | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.37 | | Argyll & Bute | 0.00 | 3.00 | 1.75 | 3.00 | | Clackmannan | 0.30 | 0.00 | 2.78 | 3.72 | | Dumfries & Galloway | 0.40 | 0.32 | 2.01 | 2.10 | | Dundee City | 0.48 | 0.25 | 0.84 | 2.17 | | East Ayrshire | 0.00 | 0.59 | 0.42 | 1.16 | | East Dunbartonshire | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.15 | 0.10 | | East Lothian | 0.08 | 0.37 | 0.44 | 0.39 | | East Renfrewshire | 0.00 | 0.47 | 0.45 | 0.26 | | Edinburgh City | 0.50 | 3.80 | 7.98 | 3.88 | | Eilean Siar | 0.90 | 2.00 | 1.20 | 2.17 | | Falkirk | 0.23 | 0.37 | 1.70 | 1.00 | | Fife | 0.00 | 1.37 | 2.53 | Only values up to the 99th percentile are given. The one percent of values that are longer than the 99th percentile cannot individually be relied upon as these will include a mixture of actual times and times that are a result of recording errors. Of those patients who have actually waited longer for inpatient or day case treatment than the value of the 99th percentile there will be some whose waiting times is affected by a period of unavailability by the patient for medical or social reasons. For in-patients and daycase, the data reported on includes all patients who are routinely admitted from the waiting list from home and therefore includes the total wait experienced by patients who are excepted from the national maximum waiting times guarantees because for example they have been unavailable for treatment for medical or social reasons. | | Waiting Time (days) | | Percentile | First Out-patient Appointments | In-patients/Day Cases | | 1st | 0 | 1 | | 2nd | 0 | 1 | | 3rd | 0 | 1 | | 4th | 0 | 1 | | 5th | 1 | 2 | | 6th | 3 | 2 | | 7th | 4 | 3 | | 8th | 6 | 3 | | 9th | 7 | 4 | | 10th | 7 | 4 | | 11th | 8 | 5 | | 12th | 9 | 5 | | 13th | 10 | 6 | | 14th | 12 | 6 | | 15th | 13 | 7 | | 16th | 13 | 7 | | 17th | 14 | 7 | | 18th | 15 | 8 | | 19th | 16 | 8 | | 20th | 17 | 9 | | 21st | 18 | 10 | | 22nd | 20 | 11 | | 23rd | 20 | 12 | | 24th | 21 | 13 | | 25th | 22 | 14 | | 26th | 23 | 14 | | 27th | 25 | 15 | | 28th | 26 | 16 ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178536,"EventID":"S2W-05773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4809 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, what the values are of the outliers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4809 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, what the values are of the outliers.","AnswerText":"The 1% of values that arelonger than the 99th percentile shown in the answer to S2W-4809 on 19 January 2004cannot individually be relied upon as these will include a mixture of actualtimes and times that are a result of recording errors. Of those patients whohave actually waited longer for in-patient or day case treatment than the valueof the 99th percentile there will be some whose waiting time isaffected because their doctor has agreed that the guarantee is not appropriatebecause: it would either not be in their best medical interests; theircondition is of low clinical priority; their treatment is highly specialised;or because they are failed to attend earlier appointments; or because thepatients themselves have cancelled or refused appointments.Among the actions taken byISD Scotland in response to the Audit Scotland Report Review of theManagement of Waiting Lists in Scotland is the planning of a qualityassurance review of waiting lists, to start in March 2004. The review willinclude a selection of patients already treated whose record indicates thatthey waited longer than the 99th percentile. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178537,"EventID":"S2W-05774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4809 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, what the (a) range of values and (b) greatest value is for each NHS board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4809 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, what the (a) range of values and (b) greatest value is for each NHS board area.","AnswerText":"The following table showsfor each NHS board the equivalent information to that given in the answer toS2W-4809.All answers to written questions are available on the Parliament’s website thesearch facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. For in-patients and daycase, the data reported on includes all patients who areroutinely admitted from the waiting list from home and therefore includes thetotal wait experienced by patients who are excepted from the national maximumwaiting times guarantees because for example they have been unavailable fortreatment for medical or social reasons. | | First Outpatient Appointments | Inpatients/Day Cases | | | Minimum Value (days) | 99th Percentile Value (days) | Minimum Value (days) | 99th Percentile Value (days) | | NHSScotland | 0 | 489 | 0 | 446 | | Argyll and Clyde | 0 | 469 | 0 | 432 | | Ayrshire and Arran | 0 | 407 | 0 | 456 | | Borders | 0 | 504 | 0 | 542 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 0 | 418 | 0 | 447 | | Fife | 0 | 451 | 0 | 523 | | Forth Valley | 0 | 619 | 0 | 490 | | Grampian | 0 | 413 | 0 | 375 | | Greater Glasgow | 0 | 529 | 0 | 445 | | Highland | 0 | 406 | 0 | 392 | | Lanarkshire | 0 | 500 | 0 | 409 | | Lothian | 0 | 469 | 0 | 506 | | Orkney Islands | 0 | 208 | 1 | 316 | | Shetland Islands | 0 | 315 | 0 | 280 | | Tays","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178538,"EventID":"S2W-05775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4807 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, whether it will publish the mean along with the median figures in each future release ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4807 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, whether it will publish the mean along with the median figures in each future release of waiting list statistics.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answergiven to the question S2W-4812 on 19 January 2004 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa ISD Scotland have no plansto include an arithmetic mean of waiting times on their website, ScottishHealth Statistics. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178539,"EventID":"S2W-05776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis has been carried out of the impact on homelessness of legislation relating to housing passed during the Parliament's first session.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis has been carried out of the impact on homelessness of legislation relating to housing passed during the Parliament's first session.","AnswerText":"The homelessness monitoring grouphas a role in monitoring homelessness generally, including the housingdimension, and reports progress against the Homelessness Task Forcerecommendations to ministers on a regular basis.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178540,"EventID":"S2W-05777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4958 by Ms Margaret Curran on 13 January 2004, whether the procedure for the assessment of housing need will be kept under review a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4958 by Ms Margaret Curran on 13 January 2004, whether the procedure for the assessment of housing need will be kept under review and whether the views of housing associations will be taken into account when undertaking any review.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to reply. Her response is asfollows.There are no proposals atpresent to review the procedure for the assessment of housing need. It is ourintention to review the local housing strategies process later this year, onceall strategies have been submitted and assessed. If, following this review, itis decided that changes are necessary, then, as with the original local housingstrategies guidance, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and COSLAwill be consulted. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178541,"EventID":"S2W-05778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4805 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, whether it will publish the data for each NHS board and whether it will publish the me","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4805 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, whether it will publish the data for each NHS board and whether it will publish the mean values for each board in each future release of waiting list statistics.","AnswerText":"The following table showsfor each NHS board the equivalent figures given in answer to S2W-4805. ISDScotland have no plans to publish arithmetic mean values for each board for thereason given earlier in the answer to S2W-4812.All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. For in-patients and daycase, the data reported on includes all patients who are routinely admitted from the waiting list from home and therefore includes the total wait experienced by patients who are excepted from the national maximum waiting times guarantees because for example they have been unavailable for treatment for medical or social reasons. | | First Outpatient Appointments | Inpatients/Day Cases | | | Median Wait (days) | Mean Wait (days) | Difference | Median Wait (days) | Mean Wait (days) | Difference | | NHSScotland | 54 | 86.9 | -32.9 | 41 | 80.4 | -39.4 | | Argyll and Clyde | 52 | 79.4 | -27.4 | 32 | 70.9 | -38.9 | | Ayrshire and Arran | 50 | 76.3 | -26.3 | 48 | 82.9 | -34.9 | | Borders | 47 | 74.5 | -27.5 | 35 | 70.1 | -35.1 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 54 | 74.3 | -20.3 | 49 | 85.4 | -36.4 | | Fife | 66 | 89.3 | -23.3 | 45 | 91.7 | -46.7 | | Forth Valley | 64 | 110.5 | -46.5 | 49 | 90.8 | -41.8 | | Grampian | 55 | 86.6 | -31.6 | 35 | 68.5 | -33.5 | | Greater Glasgow | 55 | 90.5 | -35.5 | 34 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178543,"EventID":"S2W-05780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1584 by Mr Andy Kerr on 13 August 2003, what the outcome was of the General Assembly of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regio","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1584 by Mr Andy Kerr on 13 August 2003, what the outcome was of the General Assembly of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions in September 2003.","AnswerText":"The 31st Annual GeneralAssembly of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR),held in Saint-Malo, France on 11 and 12 September 2003, adopted a finaldeclaration calling for the organisation to help find positive solutions “ensuringthe success of a Union which is both continent-wide and deeper”, and “making asuccess of the global governance issue for a sustainable development of theplanet”. The General Assembly alsoadopted four resolutions dealing with reform of the Common Agricultural Policy,fisheries, local management of inshore fisheries and fisheries in the Mediterranean. The text of the finaldeclaration and the resolutions can be found on the CPMR’s website at www.cpmr.org. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178544,"EventID":"S2W-05781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the benefits to Scotland are of its delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the benefits to Scotland are of its delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe.","AnswerText":"The Congress of Local andRegional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) is a consultative body of the Council ofEurope which, among other things, provides a forum where local and regionalelected representatives can discuss common problems, pool their experience andexpress their views to governments of member states.The Scottish Executive believes that its membership of the UK delegation to CLRAE providesclear, long-term potential for building alliances with European regional andlocal authorities, in particular through CLRAE’s Working Group on Regions withLegislative Powers, where the Scottish delegate represents the UK. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178545,"EventID":"S2W-05782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1571 by Mr Jim Wallace on 13 August 2003, when it will publish the results of the survey of the income and expenditure of Scottish ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1571 by Mr Jim Wallace on 13 August 2003, when it will publish the results of the survey of the income and expenditure of Scottish students..","AnswerText":"The results of the surveyare expected to be published during January 2005.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178546,"EventID":"S2W-05783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who its representative, and substitute, is to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who its representative, and substitute, is to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive representative on the UK delegation to the Congress of Local and RegionalAuthorities of Europe (CLRAE) is Peter Peacock MSP, Minister for Education andYoung People. The Parliamentary Bureau agreed at its meeting on 18 November 2003that Mr Peacock’s substitute on CLRAE should be Phil Gallie MSP.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178547,"EventID":"S2W-05784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the results of its research into right to buy sales and resales.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the results of its research into right to buy sales and resales.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive hasnot yet commissioned further research into right to buy sales and re-sales. Thisis being considered in line with the requirement to assess the impact of theright to buy, as required by section 52 of the Housing (Scotland)Act 2001.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178548,"EventID":"S2W-05785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent assessment it has made of the impact on its responsibilities of the General Agreement on Trade in Services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what recent assessment it has made of the impact on its responsibilities of the General Agreement on Trade in Services.","AnswerText":"The regulation of international trade is a reserved matter. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with DTI and other government departments on a range of trade issues, including discussions of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).The Scottish Executive is continuing to monitor the progress of the GATS negotiations, andmaintains an ongoing assessment of any potential impact of GATS on itsresponsibilities. This will continue to inform discussions with DTI on (GATS) inorder to ensure that Scottish interests are fully considered. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178549,"EventID":"S2W-05786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the administration costs have been in each social inclusion partnership in each year of the operation of the partnership.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the administration costs have been in each social inclusion partnership in each year of the operation of the partnership.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:The amounts claimed in each year are show in the following tables. | Social Inclusion Partnership | Administration Costs 1999-2000 £ | Administration Costs 2000-01 £ | | Great Northern | 0 | 20,000 | | Arbroath 1 | 0 | N/A | | Argyll and Bute | 0 | 0 | | Edinburgh North | 53,888 | 51,575 | | Edinburgh South | 0 | 17,889 | | Edinburgh Strategic Programme | 26,172 | 12,450 | | Edinburgh Youth SIP | 3,959 | 13,512 | | Edinburgh Craigmillar | 40,717 | 40,185 | | Alloa South and East | 2,022 | 7,616 | | Dundee Young Carers | 1,122 | 2,500 | | Dundee SIP1 | 57,000 | 50,100 | | Dundee SIP2 | 19,317 | 10,950 | | Dundee Xplore | 5,488 | 10,250 | | East Ayrshire Coalfields | 0 | 0 | | Tranent | 0 | 0 | | Levern Valley | 0 | 0 | | Falkirk | 0 | 1,171 | | Fife | 18,775 | 819 | | Frae Fife | 2,344 | 4,119 | | Glasgow Smaller Areas | 27,500 | 17,972 | | Glasgow Anti-Racist | 12,583 | 19,513 | | Glasgow Big Step | 7,088 | 12,825 | | Glasgow Drumchapel | 18,750 | 47,747 | | Glasgow East End | 54,437 | 54,650 | | Glasgow Gorbals | 5,297 | 14,425 | | Glasgow Greater Easterhouse | 70,000 | 78,525 | | Glasgow Greater Govan | 3,781 | 9,011 | | Glasgow Greater Pollok ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178550,"EventID":"S2W-05787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which social inclusion partnerships (a) underspent and (b) overspent their budget in 2002-03 and by how much in each case.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which social inclusion partnerships (a) underspent and (b) overspent their budget in 2002-03 and by how much in each case.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is asfollows:2002-03 figures are beingfinalised at present. The table gives the expenditure claimed to date. | Social Inclusion Partnership | Total 1 Allocation | Expenditure | Underspend | | Aberdeen Great Northern | 1,026,631 | 1,026,631 | 0 | | Argyll and Bute | 493,841 | 485,914 | 7,927 | | Edinburgh Youth SIP | 663,059 | 646,787 | 16,272 | | Edinburgh North | 2,621,294 | 2,550,717 | 70,577 | | Edinburgh Craigmillar | 1,970,891 | 1,969,955 | 936 | | Edinburgh South | 1,672,832 | 1,652,643 | 20,189 | | Edinburgh Strategic Programme | 530,607 | 502,257 | 28,350 | | Alloa South and East | 1,196,115 | 1,132,734 | 63,381 | | Dundee SIP1 | 2,446,889 | 2,383,387 | 63,502 | | Dundee SIP2 | 462,428 | 420,955 | 41,473 | | Dundee Xplore | 575,212 | 514,835 | 60,377 | | Dundee Young Carers | 199,265 | 176,532 | 22,733 | | East Ayrshire Coalfields | 1,951,396 | 1,951,118 | 278 | | Tranent | 223,898 | 223,898 | 0 | | Levern Valley | 526,273 | 476,947 | 49,326 | | Falkirk | 533,356 | 533,356 | 0 | | Fife | 638,093 | 604,674 | 33,419 | | Frae Fife | 199,540 | 195,247 | 4,293 | | Glasgow Smaller Areas | 2,213,486 | 1,824,880 | 388,606 | | Glasgow Big Step | 550,642 | 548,775 | 1,867 | | Glasgow East End | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178552,"EventID":"S2W-05789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the precautionary principle would be applied in Scotland if authorised GM crops were to be grown commercially in England.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the precautionary principle would be applied in Scotland if authorised GM crops were to be grown commercially in England.","AnswerText":"The precautionary principleis integral to EU Directive 2001/18 which governs the deliberate release ofGMOs. No GMO will receive consent under Directive 2001/18 if there issubstantiated evidence that it would be harmful to human health, animal healthor the environment. The Executive recognises, thatthe growing of GM crops could affect the economic interests of conventional andorganic farming, and that measures will be required to ensure the sustainableco-existence of different forms of crop production in the event of a GM cropachieving all the relevant consents for cultivation. We are currentlyconsidering a report by the Agriculture and Environment BiotechnologyCommission on these issues. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178553,"EventID":"S2W-05790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to instigate a statutory coexistence and liability regime if authorised GM crops were to be grown commercially in England but not in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to instigate a statutory coexistence and liability regime if authorised GM crops were to be grown commercially in England but not in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5789 on 10 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178554,"EventID":"S2W-05791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any discussions with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about the implications of growing GM mai'e in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any discussions with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about the implications of growing GM mai'e in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has regular contact with Defra on a range of issues, including GMcrops.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178555,"EventID":"S2W-05792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland and Royal Mail to promote future issues of postage stamps that celebrate Scottish themes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland and Royal Mail to promote future issues of postage stamps that celebrate Scottish themes.","AnswerText":"The UK Government has giventhe responsibility for selecting topics for special stamps to Royal Mail. Thedecision is regarded as a matter for Royal Mail to make on a commercial basissubject to advice from the Stamp Advisory Committee. Royal Mail has informedthe Scottish Executive that they would consider any proposals for specialstamps.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178556,"EventID":"S2W-05793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Royal Mail to produce a set of postage stamps to celebrate the Year of Highland Culture 2007.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Royal Mail to produce a set of postage stamps to celebrate the Year of Highland Culture 2007.","AnswerText":"The Highland Year of Culture2007 project team is looking at a range of programming and other options tocelebrate the occasion. The member’s suggestion will be forwarded to the teamfor consideration.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178557,"EventID":"S2W-05794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information is being made available to the United States Government and its agencies on individual criminal records in respect of applications for visa from people i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information is being made available to the United States Government and its agencies on individual criminal records in respect of applications for visa from people in Scotland wishing to travel to the United States of America.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Criminal RecordOffice holds the records of persons convicted by Scottish courts. It has notmade any information directly available to US authorities in connection with visaapplications.Individuals are, however,able to obtain criminal record information about themselves under the DataProtection Act 1998. An individual may also apply for a criminal convictioncertificate under the Police Act 1997. In neither case does the individual haveto state the purpose for which the information is required. Information fromthese sources may be being made available to US authorities by individual visaapplicants. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178558,"EventID":"S2W-05795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5311 by Mr Andy Kerr on 21 January 2004, what the cost of the commissioned research on overseas views of different marketing approa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5311 by Mr Andy Kerr on 21 January 2004, what the cost of the commissioned research on overseas views of different marketing approaches will be.","AnswerText":"The research activitypresently underway is designed to build upon our knowledge of how Scotland isperceived in a range of countries and domestically; and how we can use creativematerial to change or build upon those perceptions. It will inform a number ofelements of the Executive's work to help achieve partnership agreementobjectives by promoting Scotland overseas in a more coherent and effective way. Thepresent phase of the research is likely to cost in the region of £185,000.Further research may be commissioned at later stages.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178559,"EventID":"S2W-05796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1877,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":70,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the number of doctors in NHS Argyll and Clyde has increased since (a) 1997 and (b) 1999 and, if so, by how much.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the number of doctors in NHS Argyll and Clyde has increased since (a) 1997 and (b) 1999 and, if so, by how much.","AnswerText":"The following table showsthe number of consultants in NHS Argyll and Clyde and the difference between2002, the latest available information, and the figures for 1997 and 1999.Number of Consultants in NHS Argyll & Clyde as at 30th September | | 1997 | 1999 | 2002 | Difference between 2002 and 1997 | Difference between 2002 and 1999 | | WTE | 174.3 | 177.5 | 200.0 | 25.7 | 22.5 | | Headcount | 185 | 191 | 211 | 26 | 20 | Notes 1. Whole Time Equivalent(WTE) adjusts the headcount to take account of part time staff. 2. WTE is calculated bydividing the contracted hours by the conditioned (normal) hours for the groupof staff. Source: Medical and DentalCensus ISD Scotland ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178560,"EventID":"S2W-05797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the final evaluation of the New Futures Fund will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the final evaluation of the New Futures Fund will be published.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterpriseand Highlands & Islands Enterprise will both be publishing their finalevaluations of phase 2 of the New Futures Fund in February 2005.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178561,"EventID":"S2W-05798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether interim funding can be provided to projects such as “In Touch” in Galashiels whose funding will end prior to the conclusion of the New Futures Fund.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether interim funding can be provided to projects such as “In Touch” in Galashiels whose funding will end prior to the conclusion of the New Futures Fund.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise andHighlands & Islands Enterprise are currently funding a range of projects inphase 2 of NFF. The contracts for a small number of projects, including “InTouch”, are due to end in March 2004. We are considering, with the EnterpriseNetworks, the scope for additional, or alternative sources of funding in order tobring these in line with the rest of the programme.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178562,"EventID":"S2W-05799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support projects such as “In Touch” in Galashiels after their New Futures funding ends.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support projects such as “In Touch” in Galashiels after their New Futures funding ends.","AnswerText":"The objective is tomainstream NFF after phase 2 in order that the type of activity and approachdeveloped by projects, including “In Touch”, are more widely available. Mainstreamingis a top priority for the Enterprise Networks. Scottish Enterprise has identifiedtwo ways in which mainstreaming might be achieved: - When existing services provided by New Futures projects continue to be provided directly by mainstream statutory agencies (either through being brought in house or through the statutory agency contracting with voluntary sector agencies to provide the services: and/ or
When mainstream statutory,voluntary or private sector agencies adapt their existing service provision to respondmore adequately to and meet the identified needs of New Futures clients. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178564,"EventID":"S2W-05801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether equal access to NHS dentistry is a fundamental principal of the NHS.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether equal access to NHS dentistry is a fundamental principal of the NHS.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is committed to the provision of NHS dental services for all those whowish to use them.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178565,"EventID":"S2W-05802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider providing state subsidised access to private dental practices in areas where there are no NHS dentists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider providing state subsidised access to private dental practices in areas where there are no NHS dentists.","AnswerText":"There are currently no plansfor the Executive to contribute to private dental costs.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178566,"EventID":"S2W-05803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the conclusion of the review of NHS dentistry in 2004, it will give a commitment to guarantee access to an NHS dentist in every part of Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the conclusion of the review of NHS dentistry in 2004, it will give a commitment to guarantee access to an NHS dentist in every part of Scotland.","AnswerText":"The future of NHS dentalservices in Scotland will be shaped by the outcome of the consultation onModernising NHS Dental Services in Scotland. I have extended the closingdate for responses to the consultation to 2 April 2004.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178567,"EventID":"S2W-05804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for the publication of the conclusions of Towards Better Oral Health in Children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for the publication of the conclusions of Towards Better Oral Health in Children.","AnswerText":"Our response to thisconsultation will be announced as soon as possible. An independent analysis of the views expressed during the consultative process will be published at thesame time.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178568,"EventID":"S2W-05805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to issue economic growth forecasts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to issue economic growth forecasts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive monitors the projections of three independent economic forecasters:Cambridge Econometrics, Fraser of Allander Institute and Experian BusinessStrategies. We work closely with each of these organisations in sharinginformation and assessments of Scottish, UK and global economic activity. Wefeel that the most appropriate role of the Scottish Executive is toconcentrate our resources on producing the most robust and timely estimates ofScottish economic activity and these, in turn, feed into the independentforecasters models and projections.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178569,"EventID":"S2W-05806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statutory powers it has to influence the economy and what plans it has to use such powers in each case.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statutory powers it has to influence the economy and what plans it has to use such powers in each case.","AnswerText":"The powers of the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament are defined in the Scotland Act. TheExecutive’s overarching approach to economic development is set out in the Frameworkfor Economic Development in Scotland, published in June 2000. My reply toS2W-5814 on 9 February 2004 sets out current developments in this area, but oneof the key underpinning principals to the framework is to recognise the impactpolicies in all areas of the Executive’s competence have on economicdevelopment.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178570,"EventID":"S2W-05807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) the Department for Trade and Industry, (b) HM Treasury, (c) the Scotland Office, (d) the Bank of England, (e) the Inland Revenue Comm","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) the Department for Trade and Industry, (b) HM Treasury, (c) the Scotland Office, (d) the Bank of England, (e) the Inland Revenue Commissioners and (f) HM Customs and Excise regarding the growth of the Scottish economy, stating what meetings have taken place since June 1999 and the outcomes of such meetings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues,including exchanges on fostering growth in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178571,"EventID":"S2W-05808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the creation of new businesses and companies and whether these arrangements are sufficient to inform policy on economic growth.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the creation of new businesses and companies and whether these arrangements are sufficient to inform policy on economic growth.","AnswerText":"The Executive monitors thecreation and cessation of businesses using:VAT registrations andde-registrations provided by the Department of Trade and Industry; The InterdepartmentalBusiness Register maintained by the Office for National Statistics and Companies Houseregistrations and de-registrations. These sources are backed upby: Data on insolvencies fromthe Department of Trade and Industry; The number of new businessaccounts opened at branches of the four major Scottish Clearing Banks; Data from the Labour ForceSurvey (ONS) and Management Information fromthe Enterprise Networks on supported new starts. The development of policiesis additionally informed by detailed analysis of the Interdepartmental BusinessRegister, evaluation studies and a range of research surveys. The Executive keeps the dataand information sources that it uses to monitor the creation and cessation ofbusinesses under regular review. Currently the arrangements are sufficient formonitoring policy on this aspect of economic growth, and there are no immediateplans for additional monitoring. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178572,"EventID":"S2W-05809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistical information collected by Her Majesty's Government and organisations regarding the creation of new businesses or companies in Scotland it uses to inform p","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistical information collected by Her Majesty's Government and organisations regarding the creation of new businesses or companies in Scotland it uses to inform policies on economic growth.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5808 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178573,"EventID":"S2W-05810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce new measures to monitor the creation of new businesses and companies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce new measures to monitor the creation of new businesses and companies.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5808 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178574,"EventID":"S2W-05811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the cessation of trading of businesses and companies and whether these arrangements are sufficient to inform policy on economic growth.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the cessation of trading of businesses and companies and whether these arrangements are sufficient to inform policy on economic growth.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5808 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178575,"EventID":"S2W-05812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistical information collected by Her Majesty's Government and organisations regarding the cessation of trading by businesses or companies in Scotland it uses to ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statistical information collected by Her Majesty's Government and organisations regarding the cessation of trading by businesses or companies in Scotland it uses to inform its policies on economic growth.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5808 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178576,"EventID":"S2W-05813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce new measures to monitor the cessation of trading of businesses and companies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce new measures to monitor the cessation of trading of businesses and companies.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5808 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178577,"EventID":"S2W-05814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to liaise with business organisations, the Scottish Trades Union Congress and the public and voluntary sectors to produce a joint plan for economic grow","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to liaise with business organisations, the Scottish Trades Union Congress and the public and voluntary sectors to produce a joint plan for economic growth.","AnswerText":"The Framework for EconomicDevelopment in Scotland, published in June 2000, (FEDS) sets out theExecutive’s overarching vision for economic development in the medium and longterm. I believe that the direction set out in FEDS remains fundamentally sound,but I recognise that the economic and policy contexts have evolved since theoriginal publication. My officials are therefore revisiting FEDS with a view topublishing a revised framework in the coming months. Views have beeninvited from all interested parties.In addition, we continuallyseek to work in partnership with business organisations, Scottish Trades UnionCongress (STUC) and public and voluntary sectors and other key stakeholders incontributing to Scotland’s economic growth. Engagement is through a varietyof channels, including: bi-annual ministerial meetings with the STUC GeneralCouncil and regular liaison at official level; an on-going programme of ministerialevents with business and trade organisations, and regular contact with thevoluntary sector. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178578,"EventID":"S2W-05815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Scottish gross domestic product (GDP) and gross national product (GNP) have been in each year since 1900 compared with the UK figures, expressing Scottish GDP an","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the Scottish gross domestic product (GDP) and gross national product (GNP) have been in each year since 1900 compared with the UK figures, expressing Scottish GDP and GNP as a percentage of the UK equivalent and outlining the methodology used to compile these figures.","AnswerText":"Gross Value Added estimates (thereplacement for GDP) for 1995 to 2001, for both Scotland and the UK werepublished by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 14 August 2003, andare available through the following link;http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/Regional_GVA.pdf Thearticle also provides an analysis of Scotland as a percentage of the UK, and adescription of the methodology used. ScottishGDP for the period 1971 to 1988 is publicly available on request from ONSenquiries. To obtain the data prior to this period would incur disproportionatecosts. Gross National Income (thereplacement for GNP) is not currently available for Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178579,"EventID":"S2W-05816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government in respect of the implications of London's bid to host the Olympic Games in 2012 for Scotland's sporting infrast","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government in respect of the implications of London's bid to host the Olympic Games in 2012 for Scotland's sporting infrastructure and whether there are any plans to (a) construct a stadium in Edinburgh or (b) provide full si'e indoor stadia elsewhere in Scotland as part of the bid.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is liaising with Her Majesty's Government with a view to maximising thebenefit for Scotland which a successful London 2012 bid would generateand to minimising any adverse impact of Lottery funding for good causes in Scotland.There are no plans forsports facility developments in Scotland as part of the London bid. Hampden Park has been nominated as one of the venues for theOlympic football tournament. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178580,"EventID":"S2W-05817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was allocated for addressing drug misuse through (a) grant aided expenditure, (b) the Changing Children's Services Fund, (c) social inclusion partnership","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was allocated for addressing drug misuse through (a) grant aided expenditure, (b) the Changing Children's Services Fund, (c) social inclusion partnerships and (d) criminal justice interventions, in each of the last three years, broken down by (i) NHS board and, where appropriate, (ii) local authority area, expressed also on a per capita basis and showing year-on-year percentage changes.","AnswerText":"Resources allocated to local authorities as part of their Grant Aided Expenditure for 2001-02 to 2003-04 are shown in Table 1. The total was £6.8 million per annum and did not vary over the period. The mean per capita allocation was £1.33 (the variation was between £1.32 and £1.34).Funding from the Changing Children’s Services Fund to support drug related work with young people and families was allocated to local authorities in accordance with a formula which took into account deprivation, rurality and numbers of looked after children. Allocations were made on a three year basis but have been split by year in table 2. Per capita allocations would not be meaningful given that this funding is designed for services for a specific target group. Details of the allocation of tackling drug misuse funding for social inclusion partnerships for the last three years, broken down by local authority and NHS board are shown in table 3. As there can be a number of SIPs within a local authority area, details of per capita allocations are not meaningful. Table 4 shows funding allocated to groupings of local authorities for the purposes of criminal justice social work. The funding includes allocations for drug courts, Drug Treatment and Testing Orders and addiction services including alcohol provision. Per capita allocations and percentage increases on a local authority basis are therefore not held centrally. Table 1 – Resources for Drug Rehabilitation 2001-02 – 2003-04 | | Drug Rehabilitation (annual allocation) | | | £000 | | Aberdeen City | 282 | | Aberdeenshire | 302 | | Angus | 146 | | Argyll and Bute | 119 | | Clackmannanshire | 65 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 195 | | Dundee City | 192 | | East Ayrshire | 161 | | East Dunbartonshire | 147 | | East Lothian | 120 | | East Renfrewshire | 119 | | Edinburgh, City of | 600 | | Eilean Siar | 37 | | Falkirk | 192 | | Fife | 464 | | Glasgow City | 812 | | Highland | 277 | | Inverclyde | 113 | | Midlothian | 108 | | Moray | 113 | | North Ayrshire | 185 | | North Lanarkshire | 436 | | Orkney | 26 | | Perth and Kinross | 178 | | Renfrewshire | 235 | | Scottish Borders | 141 | | Shetland | 30 ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178581,"EventID":"S2W-05818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a full evaluation of the Higher Still reforms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a full evaluation of the Higher Still reforms.","AnswerText":"An Evaluation of theHigher Still Reforms – a study ofstakeholder perceptions of the impact of the Higher Still reform programme –was published in the Scottish Executive’s Insight series of research documents on 10 December 2003.The full supporting researchreport is available electronically from the Scottish Executive’s Researchand Economic Unit. Copies of the publication are also available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number. 30219). ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178582,"EventID":"S2W-05819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider increasing state subsidies to dental practices in areas where there is no NHS dental service provision.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider increasing state subsidies to dental practices in areas where there is no NHS dental service provision.","AnswerText":"Scottish Dental AccessInitiative grants are available to those dentists willing to set up or expandNHS dental practices in areas of unmet demand or high oral health need. Grantsunder the Scottish Dental Access Initiative will double with effect from 1 April 2004 to£100,000 for establishing a new practice and £50,000 for extending an existingpractice. Several other Scottish allowances will also double with effect from 1 April 2004.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178583,"EventID":"S2W-05820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-4961 and S2W-4962 by Malcolm Chisholm on 26 January 2004, what statutory impediment prevents it forming, or participating in form","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-4961 and S2W-4962 by Malcolm Chisholm on 26 January 2004, what statutory impediment prevents it forming, or participating in forming, companies for the provision of health services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish ministers haveno statutory power to form or participate in the forming of companies inconnection with the discharge of their functions under the National HealthService (Scotland) Act 1978. It follows from this that they cannot, inthe absence of such a power, confer such a power on a health board set up undersection 2 of the 1978 Act.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178584,"EventID":"S2W-05821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of officers at each rank within (a) each police force and (b) the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA) is female.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of officers at each rank within (a) each police force and (b) the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA) is female.","AnswerText":"The information requested isshown in the following table:Percentage of female officersas at 31 March 2003 | | Chief Officer | Superintendent | Inspector | Sergeant | Constable | | Central | 33% | 0 | 7% | 7% | 20% | | Dumfries and Galloway | 0 | 0 | 6% | 6% | 24% | | Fife | 0 | 0 | 7% | 4% | 22% | | Grampian | 0 | 5% | 5% | 14% | 22% | | Lothian and Borders | 0 | 3% | 6% | 9% | 21% | | Northern | 0 | 0 | 2% | 8% | 22% | | Strathclyde | 12% | 6% | 7% | 10% | 22% | | Tayside | 0 | 14% | 6% | 7% | 24% | | SDEA (see note 2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10% | 14% | Notes: 1. The sourcefor figures for police forces is the annual statistical returns from forces for2002-03. The figures for the SDEA were provided directly by that organisation. 2. Figuresfor forces include officers seconded to central service, including for examplethe Scottish Police College and the SDEA. As a result, officersin the SDEA appear twice in the table but the information provided in the annualstatistical returns does not identify these separately by force. 3. Chiefofficer includes chief constable, deputy chief constable and assistant chiefconstable; superintendent includes chief superintendent; and inspector includeschief inspector. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178585,"EventID":"S2W-05822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many female officers have been recruited into each rank within (a) each police force and (b) the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA) in the last year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many female officers have been recruited into each rank within (a) each police force and (b) the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA) in the last year.","AnswerText":"The information requested isshown in the following table. All new recruits are appointed to the rank ofpolice constable. The two officers newly seconded to the SDEA were also policeconstables.Total Number of female officers recruited in 2002-03. | Force | Total Number of Female Recruits | | Central | 14 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 3 | | Fife | 20 | | Grampian | 16 | | Lothian and Borders | 33 | | Northern | 12 | | Strathclyde | 147 | | Tayside | 12 | | SDEA | 2 | | Total | 257 | Notes: 1. The source for figures for police forces is the annual statistical returns from forces for 2002-03. The figures for the SDEA were provided directly by that organisation. 2. Figures for forces include officers seconded to central service, including for example the Scottish Police College and the SDEA. As a result, officersin the SDEA appear twice in the table but the information provided in the annualstatistical returns does not identify these separately by force. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178586,"EventID":"S2W-05823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of officers at each rank within (a) each police force and (b) the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA) is from ethnic minority groups.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of officers at each rank within (a) each police force and (b) the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA) is from ethnic minority groups.","AnswerText":"Information as at end March 2003 is shown in the following table: | | Inspector | Sergeant | Constable | | Central | 0 | 0.8% | 0.2% | | Dumfries & Galloway | 0 | 0 | 0.3% | | Fife | 0 | 0 | 0.7% | | Grampian | 0 | 0 | 0.4% | | Lothian and Borders | 1.1% | 0.5% | 0.9% | | Northern | 0 | 0 | 0.4% | | Strathclyde | 0 | 0.3% | 0.9% | | Tayside | 0 | 0 | 0.5% | | SDEA | 0 | 0 | 0.8% | Notes: 1. The source for figures for police forces is the Annual Statistical Returns from forces for 2002-03. The figures for the SDEA were provided directly by thatorganisation. 2. Figures for forces include officers seconded to central service, including for example the Scottish Police College and the SDEA. As a result, officersin the SDEA appear twice in the table but the information provided in the annualstatistical returns does not identify these separately by force. 3. Figures for inspector include chief inspector. 4. There were no officers from ethnic minority groups above the rank of chief inspector. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178587,"EventID":"S2W-05824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what records are kept of visitors to prisons; how the keeping of such records varies between prisons, and whether any of these records are forwarded to any other organisa","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what records are kept of visitors to prisons; how the keeping of such records varies between prisons, and whether any of these records are forwarded to any other organisation.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron,Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is asfollows:Records of visitors held aresubject to the terms of the Data Protection Act (1998). For operational andsecurity reasons, the data maintained on visitors is: Name Address Relationship to Prisoner Records have historicallybeen kept in manual format but the use of electronic storage is increasing. Asthe information held is subject to extant Data Protection legislation, its useis strictly controlled. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178588,"EventID":"S2W-05825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific action it has taken to address under-representation of female officers above the rank of constable in the police force and what the total cost was of such a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what specific action it has taken to address under-representation of female officers above the rank of constable in the police force and what the total cost was of such action in each of the last three years for which information is available.","AnswerText":"The appointment of officersin Scottish police forces is the sole responsibility of chief constables or, atthe most senior levels, the police authority. Further advancement is determinedon merit under internal procedures which take account of qualifications andexperience. As an equal opportunities employer, the Scottish Police Service iscommitted to the principles of equality and diversity in relation to employment.Under the Scottish police service people strategy each force will be takingforward the gender equality action plan which is intended to ensure that allpolice employment policies are fairly designed and implemented. Specificmeasures taken by forces include:adopting part-time working policies and flexibleworking arrangements; encouraging female officers to pursue specialistposts; organising leadership developmentprogrammes for women officers at the Scottish Police College; and establishing networking and monitoring facilities. A national conference for senior women in policing will beheld in Edinburgh later this year. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178589,"EventID":"S2W-05826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for increasing the representation of female officers above the rank of constable in police forces and how such targets are monitored.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for increasing the representation of female officers above the rank of constable in police forces and how such targets are monitored.","AnswerText":"The appointment of officers in Scottish Police Forces is the responsibility of chief constables or, at themost senior levels, the police authority. Further advancement is determined onmerit under internal procedures which take account of qualifications andexperience. However, as an equal opportunities employer, the Scottish PoliceService is committed to the principles of equality and diversity in relation toemployment. Under the Scottish Police Service People Strategy, each force willbe taking forward the Gender Equality Action Plan prepared by the Women’s Development Forum, which was formed last year by the Scottish police forces andcommon services to raise the profile of women in the police service.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178590,"EventID":"S2W-05827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued in respect of action to address under-representation of female officers above the rank of constable in police forces.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued in respect of action to address under-representation of female officers above the rank of constable in police forces.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5825 on 11 February 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178591,"EventID":"S2W-05828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is still its target to have a classroom computer for every teacher and, if so, what percentage of teachers is now so equipped.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is still its target to have a classroom computer for every teacher and, if so, what percentage of teachers is now so equipped.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has never set a target of a classroom computer for every teacher.Information on the number of teachers with a classroom computer is notcollected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178592,"EventID":"S2W-05829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its neighbourhood warden scheme, due to commence in April 2004, remains on track.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether its neighbourhood warden scheme, due to commence in April 2004, remains on track.","AnswerText":"Our commitment to extend neighbourhoodwarden schemes across Scotland remains on track. I will be making an announcement onthis very soon.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178593,"EventID":"S2W-05830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many senior civil service heads of division have changed post in each year since May 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many senior civil service heads of division have changed post in each year since May 1999.","AnswerText":"The number of senior civil serviceheads of division who have changed post each year since May 1999 is: | Year | Count | | May 1999 – March 2000 | 6 | | April 2000 – March 2001 | 17 | | April 2001 – March 2002 | 10 | | April 2002 – March 2003 | 12 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178594,"EventID":"S2W-05831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-29857 by Mr Andy Kerr on 8 October 2002, how many senior civil servants were required between January 2002 and June 2003.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-29857 by Mr Andy Kerr on 8 October 2002, how many senior civil servants were required between January 2002 and June 2003.","AnswerText":"Between January 2002 andJune 2003, 25 senior civil servants were required to cover supply and demandarising from retirals, leavers, promotions and the creation of new senior civilservice posts.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178595,"EventID":"S2W-05832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many senior civil servants it recruited in 2002-03.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many senior civil servants it recruited in 2002-03.","AnswerText":"The number of Senior CivilServants recruited through open competition to the Scottish Executive from 1 April 2002 – 31 March 2003 was 8.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178596,"EventID":"S2W-05833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of candidates for senior civil service posts have been (a) women, (b) from ethnic minorities and (c) disabled, since information began to be held centrall","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of candidates for senior civil service posts have been (a) women, (b) from ethnic minorities and (c) disabled, since information began to be held centrally in April 2002.","AnswerText":"Since 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003, thepercentage of candidates for Senior Civil Service posts have been: | (a) | women | 29% | | (b) | ethnic minorities | 4% | | (c) | disabled | 1% | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178597,"EventID":"S2W-05834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new public sector school developments have been completed since May 1999 and how many such developments have been funded through public private partnerships or ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new public sector school developments have been completed since May 1999 and how many such developments have been funded through public private partnerships or the private finance initiative","AnswerText":"Information is collectedcentrally about numbers of new public sector schools completed each financialyear. For the period April 1999 to March 2003, 62 such new schools werecompleted, of which 30 have been funded by public/private partnership orprivate finance initiative.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178598,"EventID":"S2W-05835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether each school class having exclusive access to four modern computers is still one of its targets and, if so, what percentage of classes now have such exclusive acce","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether each school class having exclusive access to four modern computers is still one of its targets and, if so, what percentage of classes now have such exclusive access.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has never set a target of each school class having exclusive access tofour modern computers. Information is collected in the School Census each yearthat allows the calculation of pupil:modern computer ratios in schools. The latestinformation, from the 2002 School Census (available online at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00272-00.asp)shows pupil:modern computer ratios of 3:1 in special schools, 5:1 in secondaryschools and 9:1 in primary schools. Decisions about the actual deployment of the computers are taken locally in the light of teaching practice andaccommodation requirements.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178599,"EventID":"S2W-05836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will implement the signage strategy that has been agreed by East Lothian Council and the local tourist board for the new A1 expressway between Haddington and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will implement the signage strategy that has been agreed by East Lothian Council and the local tourist board for the new A1 expressway between Haddington and Dunbar. ","AnswerText":"The signage strategy for theexpressway was agreed with East Lothian Council and other interested parties priorto the start of works. It was included in the works contract and will beimplemented. As subsequent changes to the signs have been requested by the council,the Executive are to meet with council officials on Tuesday 17 February todiscuss the strategy.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178600,"EventID":"S2W-05837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support urban community transport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support urban community transport.","AnswerText":"The Executive has made £500,000per year available between 2003-06 to pilot, and encourage the development of,urban community transport. The funds will be spent in some of the more sociallydisadvantaged City Council areas. Bids have been received from the four city councilsand awards will be announced shortly.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178601,"EventID":"S2W-05838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will co-ordinate action on urban community transport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will co-ordinate action on urban community transport.","AnswerText":"The Executive plans to awardurban community transport grants to the four City Councils during February2004. We shall monitor the performance of the pilot projects in partnershipwith the Councils and the Community Transport Association.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178602,"EventID":"S2W-05839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a fund to support urban community groups in purchasing transport for community use.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a fund to support urban community groups in purchasing transport for community use.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5837 on 11 February 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178603,"EventID":"S2W-05840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that the Victim Information and Advice service is aware of the particular needs of women survivors of domestic abuse, rape and sexual","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that the Victim Information and Advice service is aware of the particular needs of women survivors of domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault.","AnswerText":"Victim Information andAdvice (VIA) work in partnership with the police and other criminal justiceagencies. VIA also work closely with support organisations such as the witness service, Victim Support Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid, who provide services tosurvivors of domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault at a local levelthroughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elish Angiolini","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178604,"EventID":"S2W-05841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the establishment of domestic abuse courts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the establishment of domestic abuse courts.","AnswerText":"The Sheriff Principal in Glasgow isworking with the Scottish Executive, COPFS, Courts Service, police and other agencies todevelop a pilot domestic abuse court in Glasgow. It is intended that this court will commenceoperation in June.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178605,"EventID":"S2W-05842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the report Improving the Position of Women in Scotland: An Agenda for Action.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the report Improving the Position of Women in Scotland: An Agenda for Action.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive gave an initial response to the report of the Strategic Group on Women,Improving the Position of Women in Scotland: An Agenda for Action, whenit was published on 28 November 2003 which is available at:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/pages/news/2003/11/SEc349.aspx. The Scottish Executive intends to publish a more detailed response to the report in spring2004. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178606,"EventID":"S2W-05843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the report Improving the Position of Women in Scotland: An Agenda for Action was publicised; to whom it was circulated, and how consultation with women's groups and o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the report Improving the Position of Women in Scotland: An Agenda for Action was publicised; to whom it was circulated, and how consultation with women's groups and organisations on its recommendations will be conducted.","AnswerText":"The report of the StrategicGroup on Women, Improving the Position of Women in Scotland: An Agenda for Action was published on 28 November 2003 in both hard copy and on the Scottish Executive website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/social/ipwsaa-00.asp. Three supporting papers were also published on thewebsite.Over 500 hard copies havebeen sent to or handed out at various meetings and events to a wide variety of individualsand organisations in Scotland with an interest in the position of women,including over 200 organisations registered on the database of Scottish women’sorganisations maintained by Glasgow Women’s Library and Engender with financialsupport from the Scottish Executive and the members of the steering group of the newScottish Women’s Convention. Consultation with women’sorganisations on the report’s recommendations will be conducted as part of theExecutive’s on-going consultation with women’s organisations on a range ofissues and through a series of specific meetings during the first quarter of 2004. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178607,"EventID":"S2W-05844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":17,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the work of the expert group on prostitution is being progressed and how it will ensure that the full range of views on this issue will be considered.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how the work of the expert group on prostitution is being progressed and how it will ensure that the full range of views on this issue will be considered.","AnswerText":"The Expert Group onProstitution, under the chairmanship of Sandra Hood OBE, has had five meetings so farand its work is still in the early stages. The Group has visited Dundee and Edinburgh togather information about prostitution in those cities. Speakers were invitedfrom local authorities, police, and local groups to give evidence. Similarvisits are planned to Glasgow and Aberdeen. The group has also visited HM Prison Cornton Vale.The group has also considered a large amount of written information about theissues raised by prostitution in Scotland and in other jurisdictions.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178608,"EventID":"S2W-05845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating systems have been installed under its central heating programme and what its estimate is of the number of systems still to be installed under the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating systems have been installed under its central heating programme and what its estimate is of the number of systems still to be installed under the current eligibility criteria.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Herresponse is as follows:As at December 2003, 28,672central heating systems had been installed. Under the current eligibilitycriteria, it is estimated that approximately 41,300 homes will be eligible to havefree central heating systems installed by the completion of the Programme. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178609,"EventID":"S2W-05846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many successful candidates for posts in the Executive have been appointed from (a) within the former Scottish Office, (b) within the Executive, (c) elsewhere within t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many successful candidates for posts in the Executive have been appointed from (a) within the former Scottish Office, (b) within the Executive, (c) elsewhere within the civil service, (d) public sector employment other than the civil service, (e) the private sector and (f) being unemployed.","AnswerText":"Since 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003, thenumber of successful candidates for posts in the Senior Civil Service in the Executivewere appointed from: | (a) within the former Scottish Office | 0 | | (b) within the Executive | 2 | | (c) elsewhere within the civil service | 0 | | (d) public sector employment other than the civil service | 3 | | (e) private sector | 2 | | (f) unemployed | 1 | Below SCS level this information is not held centrally. The Scottish Executive does however fully comply with the requirements of the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Code which is founded on the principle of fair and open competition for externally advertised posts. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178610,"EventID":"S2W-05847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5535 by Peter Peacock on 27 January 2004, which primary and secondary schools (a) are and (b) are not broadband-enabled, broken dow","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5535 by Peter Peacock on 27 January 2004, which primary and secondary schools (a) are and (b) are not broadband-enabled, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The ICT Survey of schools,from which the figures in the answer to S2W-5535 on 27 january 2004 were derived,was undertaken on the basis of a statistical sample only and did not providedetailed figures on a school-by-school or authority-by-authority basis.All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178611,"EventID":"S2W-05848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the regulations are in respect of passenger capacity on trains and, if there are no such regulations, whether it intends to introduce them.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the regulations are in respect of passenger capacity on trains and, if there are no such regulations, whether it intends to introduce them.","AnswerText":"Under the current franchise,the operator is required to meet obligations relating to managing overcrowding.These obligations have been set by StrathclydePassenger Transport Executive (SPTE) inits area and by the Strategic RailAuthority (SRA) in the rest of thecountry.In the SPTE area, theoperator is required to plan its services to ensure that no-one should have tostand for more than 10 minutes. The SRA monitors overcrowding on the busiestservices in the rest of the country. On these services, the operator isrequired to plan to ensure that no-one should have to stand for more than 20minutes. The Scottish Executive is committed to ensuring that there is a consistent standard to addressovercrowding across Scotrail’s services. An obligation to plan to meet amaximum 10-minute standing target will therefore be introduced through the nextfranchise for all Scotrail services. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178612,"EventID":"S2W-05849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that Fosamax, Didronel and Actonel will continue to be available under the NHS for all patients diagnosed with osteoporosis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that Fosamax, Didronel and Actonel will continue to be available under the NHS for all patients diagnosed with osteoporosis.","AnswerText":"Fosmax, Didronel and Actonelare available on NHS prescription. Their use depends on the clinical judgementof the doctor concerned.The National Institute forClinical Excellence (NICE) has recently undertaken a consultation on the firstdraft of a technology appraisal on the use of medicines for the prevention andtreatment of osteoporosis and prevention of osteoporotic fractures inpostmenopausal women. The draft document does not constitute NICE’s formalguidance on this technology: the recommendations are preliminary and may changeafter consultation. NHS Quality ImprovementScotland is involved throughout the NICE appraisal process as a consultee and advisesNHSScotland on the suitability of NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance in Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178613,"EventID":"S2W-05850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2148,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with regard to the extension of planning controls to marine fish farming, operators of existing fish farming businesses will be eligible to apply for, and obtain","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with regard to the extension of planning controls to marine fish farming, operators of existing fish farming businesses will be eligible to apply for, and obtain, certificates of lawful use in relation to uses that they can demonstrate have been in existence for 10 years.","AnswerText":"Transitional arrangementsfor existing marine fish farms will be addressed in our forthcomingconsultation paper on extension of planning controls. There are a number ofcomplex issues to be dealt with before we can introduce the necessary changesto the planning system. My officials have had very constructive discussions inthis regard with key stakeholders, including industry representatives.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178614,"EventID":"S2W-05851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average caseload is of midwives, broken down by NHS board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average caseload is of midwives, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178615,"EventID":"S2W-05852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to allow midwives to decide their own caseloads.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to allow midwives to decide their own caseloads.","AnswerText":"There are currently no plansto allow midwives to decide their own caseloads. The models used by health boardsin determining midwives caseloads will be examined as part of the programme of the newly formed National Maternity Services Workforce Planning Group.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178616,"EventID":"S2W-05853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients were diagnosed as having an eating disorder in each NHS board area in each of the last four years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients were diagnosed as having an eating disorder in each NHS board area in each of the last four years.","AnswerText":"The prevalence of eatingdisorders cannot be estimated at NHS board level from central statisticalreturns.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178617,"EventID":"S2W-05854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS consultants there are specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS consultants there are specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders.","AnswerText":"The centrally availableinformation on consultants identifies the specialty of the consultant and not anyspecific area of expertise.However, the majority ofpatients with eating disorders receive their treatment in the specialties ofgeneral medicine, general psychiatry and paediatric medicine. Information onthe number of consultants within these specialties as can be found in tables B8to B13 at www.isdscotland.org/workforce. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178618,"EventID":"S2W-05855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take following the challenge, due to his religion, on Lord Hardie's ability to preside over a recent case in the High Court sitting in Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take following the challenge, due to his religion, on Lord Hardie's ability to preside over a recent case in the High Court sitting in Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"It is for the judge in eachcase to decide the response to a request that jurisdiction should be declined.Ministers cannot intervene in matters which are for the courts to determine.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178619,"EventID":"S2W-05856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of relocating the Accountant in Bankruptcy's office to Ayrshire in 2005, including any estimated redundancy costs.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of relocating the Accountant in Bankruptcy's office to Ayrshire in 2005, including any estimated redundancy costs.","AnswerText":"The cost of relocating the agency to Ayrshire will depend on the exact site chosen and whether it is to be a new or adapted building. The agency has commissioned work to identify options. Since the agency’s staff are employed by the Scottish Executive and are able to apply for posts elsewhere in the Executive, the agency does not anticipate any redundancies.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178620,"EventID":"S2W-05857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) can provide an unqualified assurance in writing to members of the Scottish Parliament that, if the SPCB does not ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) can provide an unqualified assurance in writing to members of the Scottish Parliament that, if the SPCB does not take up the offer of the parent company guarantee, free of charge, from the construction managers of the Holyrood Project there will be no possibility of any risk to the taxpayer.","AnswerText":"The convener of the HolyroodProgress Group has informed me that a parent company guarantee is being soughtand will be provided by Bovis Lend Lease without charge.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178621,"EventID":"S2W-05858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the farm income figures for 2003.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the farm income figures for 2003.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is today publishing estimated Scottish farm income figures and Iwelcome the forecast rises in income that these show. These estimates show thatTotal Income From Farming (TIFF) rose by 29% in 2003 to £471 million. Theforecast rise in the Scottish figure reflects the increase in cereals inparticular the good yields and prices for barley. Finished cattle and sheepmarkets also continue to improve, as shown by the 3% and 10% increase in cattleand sheep respectively.Average net farm income(NFI) for all farm types is forecast to have risen by 134% between 2002-03 and 2003-04, from £7,000 to£17,000. This figure relates to farms not directly affected by foot-and-mouth disease culling. There isforecast to have been a considerable rise for all farm types, with cerealand general cropping farms showing significant increases. However, income for otherfarm types has also benefited from better cereal prices. Detailed estimates of the outputs, inputs and income for 2003-04 at both the aggregate level and byfarm type will be published this morning and will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178622,"EventID":"S2W-05859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-28T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to encourage the growth of indigenous businesses in the small and medium-si'ed enterprise sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to encourage the growth of indigenous businesses in the small and medium-si'ed enterprise sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive, and its economic development agencies – Scottish Enterprise andHighlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) - have a range of support in place toassist the growth of indigenous businesses these include measures to helpbusinesses to innovate, invest in capital equipment, export, access equitycapital, improve energy efficiency and utilise broadband technology.Full details on all theforms of support available to businesses can be accessed through BusinessGateway, in the Scottish Enterprise area, and by contacting directly the LocalEnterprise Companies in the HIE area, who act as a single access point forbusiness support. Details of ScottishEnterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise performance and finances areavailable from their operating plans and annual accounts which can be obtainedfrom their respective website. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178623,"EventID":"S2W-05860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why fewer NHS beds were available to deal with winter pressures in Greater Glasgow in 2003 than in the previous year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why fewer NHS beds were available to deal with winter pressures in Greater Glasgow in 2003 than in the previous year.","AnswerText":"NHS Greater Glasgow, alongwith all other NHS boards, makes additional beds available each winter to dealwith anticipated seasonal pressures. I understand there are no fewer bedsavailable in NHS Greater Glasgow than were available this time last year. Inaddition, there are more clinical staff working within Glasgow’shospitals now than there were a year ago, as a result of investment fromvarious national initiatives, such as cancer, stroke and coronary heartdisease.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178624,"EventID":"S2W-05861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place for staff of the Chief Scientist Office and members of the (a) Chief Scientist Committee, (b) Biomedical and Therapeutic Research Committee","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place for staff of the Chief Scientist Office and members of the (a) Chief Scientist Committee, (b) Biomedical and Therapeutic Research Committee and (c) Health Services Research Committee to provide details in a public register of their interests in line with practice for MSPs, their assistants and others.","AnswerText":"The staff of the ChiefScientist Office (CSO) are bound by the Civil Service Management Code. This requirescivil servants to declare to their department or agency any business interestsor holdings of shares or other securities which they or members of theirimmediate family hold (to the extent to which they are aware of them), with whichthey may have to deal as a result of their official position. There are noplans to place this information in a public register.CSO’s committees areadvisory in nature. Members of the Committees are given guidance on conflictsof interest when they are appointed. This is particularly detailed for membersof the Biomedical and Therapeutic Committee and the Health Services ResearchCommittee. Where a member has any potential conflict of interest in a researchapplication to be considered by a Committee, the member concerned is excluded forthat particular agenda item. There is no requirement for Committee members toprovide details of their interests in a public register.<","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178626,"EventID":"S2W-05863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the projected budget, inclusive of staff costs, is for the opening ceremony for the new Scottish Parliament building.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what the projected budget, inclusive of staff costs, is for the opening ceremony for the new Scottish Parliament building.","AnswerText":"No decision has been made yet on the nature of the opening ceremony and therefore no specific budget has been allocated for this purpose. The Clerk/Chief Executive stated in evidence he gave to the Finance Committee on Tuesday 25 November that any funding required would be met from the contingency budget for 2004-05. Costs will be afactor in deciding what is appropriate for the opening ceremony and the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body would always seek to avoid any unnecessary expense. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178627,"EventID":"S2W-05864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when regulations will be introduced stating the permissible maximum dosage levels for food supplements listed in the Food Supplements (Scotland) Regulations 2003 and what","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when regulations will be introduced stating the permissible maximum dosage levels for food supplements listed in the Food Supplements (Scotland) Regulations 2003 and what scientific sources have been used to arrive at these levels.","AnswerText":"I have been advised by theFood Standards Agency that Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive lays outa framework for the future setting of maximum permitted levels of vitamins andminerals in food supplements. The European Commission will, in due course, makea proposal for EU maximum permitted levels based on its interpretation ofArticle 5 of the Directive and scientific advice from the European Food SafetyAuthority (EFSA). The agency do not expect theCommission's proposal for another 2-3 years. Once the proposal has been agreedall Member States will be obliged to implement its provisions into national lawwithin the time laid down in the legislation. EFSA is continuing the task begunby the former Scientific Committee on Food to set tolerable upper intake levelsfor vitamins and minerals based on scientific risk assessment using relevantscientific data.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178628,"EventID":"S2W-05865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider postponing any final decisions on the forthcoming regulations on permissible maximum dosage levels for food supplements listed in the Food Supple","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider postponing any final decisions on the forthcoming regulations on permissible maximum dosage levels for food supplements listed in the Food Supplements (Scotland) Regulations 2003 until the completion of the National Association of Health Stores' judicial review into the science underpinning the EU Food Supplements Directive 2002/46/EC.","AnswerText":"I have been advised by theFood Standards Agency that the implementation in Scotland of Europeanlegislation on maximum permitted levels of vitamins and minerals in foodsupplements will take place within the time laid down in the legislation onceit is agreed. The agency do not expect theCommission's proposal on maximum levels for another two to three years.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178629,"EventID":"S2W-05866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S2W-5332 by Nicol Stephen on 26 January 2004, what criteria will be used to decide how the #0.5 million per annum to pilot urban community trans","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S2W-5332 by Nicol Stephen on 26 January 2004, what criteria will be used to decide how the #0.5 million per annum to pilot urban community transport/demand responsive transport between 2004 and 2006 will be distributed.","AnswerText":"We wish to spend the budgetin some of the more socially disadvantaged urban areas between February 2004and March 2006. City Councils were invited to bid for funds to support pilotprojects which would help to regenerate areas by providing improved access toemployment, training opportunities, shopping and health services and which fellinto 1 of the following 4 categories:(1) a new scheme; (2) an existing scheme whichis able to expand its services to a broader locality or more client groups; (3) a new or existing schemewhich will work with a commercial operator for the first time; and/or (4) a new or existing schemein a Social Inclusion Partnership area. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178630,"EventID":"S2W-05867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5621 by Lewis Macdonald on 28 January 2004, how many 16 and 17-year-olds have registered with Careers Scotland and, of these, how m","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5621 by Lewis Macdonald on 28 January 2004, how many 16 and 17-year-olds have registered with Careers Scotland and, of these, how many have not had guarantee of a suitable offer of training met, expressed also as a percentage of 16 and 17-year-olds who have registered, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This is a matter forScottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The information requested isnot held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178631,"EventID":"S2W-05868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1931,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":29,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on its commitment to setting up an improvement service for local government.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on its commitment to setting up an improvement service for local government.","AnswerText":"The Executive, COSLA andSOLACE have entered into a partnership to deliver this new improvement servicefor local government. A shadow board representing the partners is now in placeand met twice, once in November and again in January 2004. We have agreed abusiness framework with a vision for the improvement service to support,promote and assist in the delivery of excellent public services throughlearning, sharing and delivering improvement solutions. The improvement serviceis now recruiting for a chief executive to lead this new dynamic organisation.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178632,"EventID":"S2W-05869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4539 by Malcolm Chisholm on 10 December 2003, why the gross ingredient cost of methylphenidate hydrochloride has increased by #305,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4539 by Malcolm Chisholm on 10 December 2003, why the gross ingredient cost of methylphenidate hydrochloride has increased by #305,986 between 2002 and 2003.","AnswerText":"Methylphenidatehydrochloride is available in a number of proprietary forms: Ritalin®; Equasym®; Tranquilyn®; Concerta XL®.Concerta XL® is a modifiedrelease preparation which offers the advantage of once-daily dosing. Thispreparation, which became available in 2002, is significantly more expensivethan the standard preparations. The Scottish Medicines Consortium hasrecommended Concerta XL® for restricted use within NHSScotland. The British NationalFormulary (www.BNF.org) gives basic netprices of drugs which will provide an indication of the relative cost of thedifferent products. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178633,"EventID":"S2W-05870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5323 on 27 January 2004 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, what the population of each deprivation quintile, based on the Cars","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5323 on 27 January 2004 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, what the population of each deprivation quintile, based on the Carstairs index of deprivation, was in each NHS board area, expressed as a percentage of total board area population, in the 1991 Census.","AnswerText":"Populations for each deprivation quintile based on the Carstairs Index of Deprivation relating to 1991 are provided in the following table.Census populations by Carstairs Deprivation Quintile and Health Board Carstairs Deprivation Quintiles : Population | Health Board | 1-Least Deprived | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5-Most Deprived | Total | | Ayrshire and Arran | 55,132 | 51,019 | 99,351 | 97,764 | 68,697 | 371,963 | | Borders | 26,369 | 50,082 | 20,090 | 6,756 | 0 | 103,297 | | Argyll and Clyde | 72,280 | 66,985 | 62,064 | 117,470 | 110,628 | 429,427 | | Fife | 51,829 | 65,058 | 139,303 | 69,710 | 12,235 | 338,135 | | Greater Glasgow | 148,621 | 76,120 | 86,822 | 117,566 | 467,925 | 897,054 | | Highland | 25,587 | 81,951 | 74,770 | 19,328 | 1,533 | 203,169 | | Lanarkshire | 19,957 | 117,027 | 96,185 | 147,794 | 171,348 | 552,311 | | Grampian | 230,862 | 101,940 | 99,392 | 59,350 | 11,549 | 503,093 | | Orkney | 0 | 19,608 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19,608 | | Lothian | 176,852 | 140,152 | 141,919 | 217,117 | 50,531 | 726,571 | | Tayside | 102,374 | 92,376 | 62,909 | 49,789 | 75,575 | 383,023 | | Forth Valley | 61,537 | 50,545 | 92,361 | 53,714 | 12,715 | http://www.scottish‑enterprise.com/sedotcom_home/sig/academics/proofofconceptfund.htm. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178635,"EventID":"S2W-05872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statutory obligations local authorities have in respect of licensing window cleaners and what discretion they have in exercising such obligations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what statutory obligations local authorities have in respect of licensing window cleaners and what discretion they have in exercising such obligations.","AnswerText":"Under section 43 of theCivic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 local authorities have an optional powerto require anyone carrying on the trade of, or being employed as, a windowcleaner in their area to obtain a licence. If opting to license windowcleaners, the 1982 Act empowers local authorities to attach such reasonableconditions as they fit to any such licences.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178636,"EventID":"S2W-05873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5546 by Malcolm Chisholm on 27 January 2004, when the results of the research project funded by the Chief Scientist Office on compl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5546 by Malcolm Chisholm on 27 January 2004, when the results of the research project funded by the Chief Scientist Office on complementary interventions for children with attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder will be made available.","AnswerText":"The report on complementaryinterventions for children with attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder hasbeen received by the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) and was considered by CSO’sHealth Services Research Committee at its meeting on 28 January 2004. An executivesummary of the report will be made available on CSO’s website at www.show.scot.nhs.uk/cso/ in thenear future.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178637,"EventID":"S2W-05874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many deferral applications the Student Loans Company has received in each year of its operation, stating what percentage this represents of all students due to being ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many deferral applications the Student Loans Company has received in each year of its operation, stating what percentage this represents of all students due to being repayment that year.","AnswerText":"The following table is a snapshot as at the commencement of the financial year indicated showing the percentage of borrowers in repayment against projections for that year. | Start of Financial Year | Volume in Deferment (to nearest 1000) | Approximate % deferred against projected numbers in repayment | | 1993 | 23,000 | 42.6% | | 1994 | 61,000 | 42.0% | | 1995 | 122,000 | 44.4% | | 1996 | 207,000 | 47.3% | | 1997 | 313,000 | 49.2% | | 1998 | 361,000 | 42.3% | | 1999 | 452,000 | 45.2% | | 2000 | 552,000 | 46.4% | | 2001 | 577,000 | 45.7% | | 2002 | 596,000 | 48.0% | | 2003 | 565,000 | 43.7% | Source: Student Loans Company. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178638,"EventID":"S2W-05875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1571 by Mr Jim Wallace on 13 August 2003, whether the survey of income and expenditure of Scottish students will investigate gradua","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1571 by Mr Jim Wallace on 13 August 2003, whether the survey of income and expenditure of Scottish students will investigate graduate debt.","AnswerText":"The survey will focusprimarily on the income and expenditure which students have while studying. Itwill also collate the anticipated average debt on graduation and the extent towhich that debt relates to student loans or borrowings from commercial sources.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178639,"EventID":"S2W-05876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many default notices the Student Loans Company has issued in each year of its operation, stating what percentage this represents of all students due to make repayment","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many default notices the Student Loans Company has issued in each year of its operation, stating what percentage this represents of all students due to make repayments that year.","AnswerText":"Information on individualstudent loan accounts is held by the Student Loans Company. The analysisrequested could only be obtained by examining the loan accounts of eachindividual borrower who had been in default. The company advises that such anexercise could only be undertaken at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178640,"EventID":"S2W-05877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to investigate the effects of its graduate endowment scheme on graduate debt.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to investigate the effects of its graduate endowment scheme on graduate debt.","AnswerText":"Only graduates who beganfull-time degree courses from 2001-02 onwards, and who studied for at leastthree years, are liable to pay the graduate endowment. Mature students, thoseeligible for lone parents grant or disabled students allowance and those whoundertook nursing, midwifery and allied health profession courses are exemptfrom liability. Payment of the graduate endowment is not due until 1 Aprilfollowing graduation and therefore the first cohort of graduates will not payuntil April 2005.We will be undertaking asurvey of income and expenditure of students this year. The survey will focusprimarily on the income and expenditure which students have while studying. Itwill also collate the anticipated average debt on graduation and the extent towhich that debt relates to student loans or borrowings from commercial sources. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178641,"EventID":"S2W-05878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to investigate the effects of its graduate endowment scheme on the Scottish economy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to investigate the effects of its graduate endowment scheme on the Scottish economy.","AnswerText":"Only graduates who beganfull-time degree courses from 2001-02 onwards, and who studied for at leastthree years, are liable to pay the graduate endowment. Mature students, thoseeligible for lone parents grant or disabled students allowance and those whoundertook nursing, midwifery and allied health profession courses are exemptfrom liability. Payment of the graduate endowment is not due until 1 Aprilfollowing graduation and therefore the first cohort of graduates will not payuntil April 2005.We will be evaluating the effectsof the graduate endowment. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178642,"EventID":"S2W-05879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2877,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":43,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a decision has been reached on the appointment of a new chair of Scottish Enterprise.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a decision has been reached on the appointment of a new chair of Scottish Enterprise.","AnswerText":"The First Ministerhas appointed Sir John Ward as the new chair of Scottish Enterprise. Sir John,who is currently chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), willtake up post on 14 February for a period of three years. Sir John has extensiveand high level experience in industry and in skills development.The Scottish Executive will now start the process to appoint a successor to Sir John Ward atthe SQA. ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178643,"EventID":"S2W-05880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether private membership golf clubs will be eligible for the mandatory rate relief for community amateur sports clubs announced by the Minister for Finance and Public S","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether private membership golf clubs will be eligible for the mandatory rate relief for community amateur sports clubs announced by the Minister for Finance and Public Services.","AnswerText":"Amateur sports clubs whichare registered as Community Amateur Sports Clubs with the Inland Revenue will -on introduction of the necessary enabling legislation - be eligible for 80%mandatory rate relief. The granting or otherwise of community amateur sportsclub status is entirely a matter for the Inland Revenue Sports Club Unit.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178644,"EventID":"S2W-05881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-29T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-4961 and S2W-4962 by Malcolm Chisholm on 26 January 2004, whether it can form companies for other purposes and, if not, what stat","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-4961 and S2W-4962 by Malcolm Chisholm on 26 January 2004, whether it can form companies for other purposes and, if not, what statutory impediment prevents it from doing so.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive may form companies where appropriate powers exist. All decisions oractions, including the formation of companies, by a public sector body must bewithin the powers (intra vires) of that body. Depending on the type ofpublic body, the powers will be set out in one or more of the following:statute, statutory instruments, trading fund orders, company memorandum andarticles of association, trust deeds etc; and powers may also exist in commonlaw. If a public sector body acts outside the scope of its powers (ultravires) then that decision or action is invalid and is unauthorised by law.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178645,"EventID":"S2W-05882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much, and what percentage, of money collected from tolls on the Erskine Bridge was diverted to matters not directly concerned with the management of the bridge in eac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much, and what percentage, of money collected from tolls on the Erskine Bridge was diverted to matters not directly concerned with the management of the bridge in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Receipts from tollscollected at Erskine Bridge, along with expenditure related to the bridges, areincluded in the Executive’s main transport programme. Latest expenditure isdetailed in the Erskine Bridge accounts 2002-03 a copy of which is available inthe Parliament’s Reference Centre, Bib. number 30370.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178646,"EventID":"S2W-05883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the operating costs of the Erskine Bridge were in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the operating costs of the Erskine Bridge were in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The information requested isdetailed in the Erskine Bridge Accounts 2000-2001, 2001-02 and 2002-03, copiesof which are available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre, Bib. numbers24147, 25778 and 30370 respectively.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178647,"EventID":"S2W-05884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of collecting the Erskine Bridge tolls was in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of collecting the Erskine Bridge tolls was in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5883 on 12 February 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178648,"EventID":"S2W-05885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what costs are payable annually to APCOA Parking (UK) Ltd for the collection of tolls at the Erskine Bridge and what percentage of tolls collected is received by the comp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what costs are payable annually to APCOA Parking (UK) Ltd for the collection of tolls at the Erskine Bridge and what percentage of tolls collected is received by the company as a fee.","AnswerText":"Costs vary year on yearunder the terms of the toll collection contract. Costs in the current year willbe £555,594 excluding VAT. These costs represent an agreed management fee undercontract and are not calculated as a percentage of tolls collected.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178649,"EventID":"S2W-05886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #13,712,663 accumulated surplus identified in the Erskine Bridge accounts for 2000-01 is consistent with section 4(2) of the Erskine Bridge Tolls Act 1968.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #13,712,663 accumulated surplus identified in the Erskine Bridge accounts for 2000-01 is consistent with section 4(2) of the Erskine Bridge Tolls Act 1968.","AnswerText":"Yes. Audit Scotland havecertified that the 2000-2001 accounts were properly prepared in accordance withErskine Bridge Tolls Act 1968.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178650,"EventID":"S2W-05887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual costs are to its Development Department of monitoring the implementation of the Erskine Bridge Tolls Act 1968 and the Erskine Bridge Tolls Act 2001.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual costs are to its Development Department of monitoring the implementation of the Erskine Bridge Tolls Act 1968 and the Erskine Bridge Tolls Act 2001.","AnswerText":"Costs vary year on year. Theestimated cost in 2002-03 was £34,719.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178651,"EventID":"S2W-05888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what costs were paid to Amey Highways Ltd for the management and operation of the Erskine Bridge last year and what costs were paid to local authorities for maintenance a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what costs were paid to Amey Highways Ltd for the management and operation of the Erskine Bridge last year and what costs were paid to local authorities for maintenance and upkeep of those access roads to the bridge for which they are responsible.","AnswerText":"The total paid to AmeyHighways for the management and maintenance of the Erskine Bridge in2002-03 was £461,650. Funding for local roads and bridges forms part of thegeneral Local Government Finance Settlement.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178652,"EventID":"S2W-05889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which companies received payments for the provision of services in relation to the Erskine Bridge in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which companies received payments for the provision of services in relation to the Erskine Bridge in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The information requested isas follows:Alliance & Leicester Building Society Amey Highways APCOA Parking (UK) Ltd Astron Audit Scotland C Spencer Ltd Data Controls David Smith (Fabricators)Ltd Fibaform Fortoak Parkburn Engineering Post Office The Stationery Office In addition, payments weremade in 2000-01 to Clyde Local Authority Consortium. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178653,"EventID":"S2W-05890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what long-term expenditure is projected for maintenance of the Erskine Bridge.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what long-term expenditure is projected for maintenance of the Erskine Bridge.","AnswerText":"A £4 million strengtheningand upgrading programme commenced in 2002 and is expected to be completed in2005. In addition to routine maintenance works, long term expenditure plans areset in the light of regular inspections of the bridge. Such work is likely toinclude repainting, resurfacing and structural works but it is not currentlypossible to estimate the timing or costs of such works.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178654,"EventID":"S2W-05891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it estimates that total expenditure on maintenance of the Erskine Bridge will total more that #1.1 billion over the next 90 years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it estimates that total expenditure on maintenance of the Erskine Bridge will total more that #1.1 billion over the next 90 years.","AnswerText":"The need for maintenance isidentified from inspections. This enables maintenance to be planned on arational basis. Most major maintenance does not follow a fixed cycle and it is thereforenot possible to predict accurately the maintenance costs over a 90 year period.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178655,"EventID":"S2W-05892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in respect of any review of Erskine Bridge tolls.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in respect of any review of Erskine Bridge tolls.","AnswerText":"The Executive is committed toreviewing existing bridge tolls in Scotland. That review will include consideration of Erskine Bridgetolls.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178656,"EventID":"S2W-05893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1970,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":65,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been undertaken to examine the impact of the elimination of Erskine Bridge tolls on congestion on other Clyde crossings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been undertaken to examine the impact of the elimination of Erskine Bridge tolls on congestion on other Clyde crossings.","AnswerText":"The Executive has notconducted any studies into the potential impact of removing tolls at Erskine.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178657,"EventID":"S2W-05894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3403 by Mr Andy Kerr on 8 December 2003, how many of the working groups that took place in each of the years referred to had devolv","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3403 by Mr Andy Kerr on 8 December 2003, how many of the working groups that took place in each of the years referred to had devolved matters on their agenda.","AnswerText":"The information requestedcould only be obtained at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178658,"EventID":"S2W-05895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to monitor the use of biosolids in the restoration of former opencast sites.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to monitor the use of biosolids in the restoration of former opencast sites.","AnswerText":"Monitoring the use ofbiosolids in the restoration of former opencast sites is an operational matterfor the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).In the case of Dalquhandy,it appears that the sludge is to be spread under a paragraph 9 exemption fromthe Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994, which requires ecologicalimprovement to be demonstrated to the satisfaction of SEPA. It is quitepossible, however, that sludge might be used for restoration under differentregulatory regimes. Establishing the regime applicable, and then applying it,are both matters for SEPA. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178659,"EventID":"S2W-05896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding for general medical services for (a) cash-limited and (b) non-cash-limited expenditure was allocated to each NHS board in (i) the current year and (ii) e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding for general medical services for (a) cash-limited and (b) non-cash-limited expenditure was allocated to each NHS board in (i) the current year and (ii) each of the last three years, expressed also per capita, giving any projected or actual overspends and underspends in each case.","AnswerText":"The information is provided in the following tables:General Medical Services: Cash Limited: 2000-01 | 2000-01 | | NHS Health Board | 2000-01 GMS CL Allocation | 2000-01 GMS CL Expenditure | 2000-01 Allocation per Capita | 2000-01 Expenditure per Capita | | Argyll and Clyde | 6,946 | 6,973 | 16.59 | 16.65 | | Ayrshire and Arran | 6,428 | 6,645 | 17.51 | 18.10 | | Borders | 1,682 | 1,490 | 15.66 | 13.87 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 2,895 | 2,796 | 19.65 | 18.98 | | Fife | 6,026 | 5,879 | 17.19 | 16.77 | | Forth Valley | 4,845 | 4,813 | 17.34 | 17.23 | | Grampian | 9,878 | 9,881 | 18.88 | 18.88 | | Greater Glasgow | 17,627 | 18,374 | 20.35 | 21.22 | | Highland | 4,584 | 4,660 | 22.02 | 22.39 | | Lanarkshire | 7,601 | 8,626 | 13.75 | 15.60 | | Lothian | 14,864 | 14,371 | 19.08 | 18.45 | | Orkney | 347 | 379 | 18.06 | 19.73 | | Shetland | 437 | 613 | 19.92 | 27.94 | | Tayside | 8,838 | 8,969 | 22.81 | 23.15 | | Western Isles | 1,093 | 1,022 | 41.72 | 39.01 | | Scotland | 94,091 | 95,491 | 18.61 | 18.89 | General Medical Services: Cash Limited 2001-02 | 2001-02 | | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178661,"EventID":"S2W-05898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the study into the impact of EU enlargement on Scotland, referred to by the Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services at the meeting of the European Committee ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the study into the impact of EU enlargement on Scotland, referred to by the Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services at the meeting of the European Committee on 4 March 2003, was completed; what the key findings of the study were, and to whom it was made available.","AnswerText":"The study referred to was commissionedby Scottish Enterprise from Bradley Dunbar Associates and entitled Opportunitiesand Challenges of EU Enlargement. This study was published on the ScottishEnterprise website at www.scottish-enterprise.com/euenlargementin August 2003 and is available to any interested party. The key findings of thestudy were that Scottish companies need to position themselves to benefit fromtwo specific drivers of opportunities in the acceding countries: the structuralfunds that will flow to the new member states; and the need for action in thosecountries to ensure compliance with EU legislation following a transitionalperiod. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178662,"EventID":"S2W-05899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5641 by Malcolm Chisholm on 28 January 2004, which NHS boards currently collect data on psychological and non-drug therapies and wh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5641 by Malcolm Chisholm on 28 January 2004, which NHS boards currently collect data on psychological and non-drug therapies and what measures are being put in place to ensure the collection of such data by NHS boards.","AnswerText":"Information on what NHS boardsgather locally on their own initiative is not held centrally.As I said in my answer toS2W-5135 work has started as part of the Improving Mental Health InformationProgramme on what will be a complex and lengthy process to collect enhancedinformation on psychological interventions. This will include: identifying clinical codes already available;facilitating discussion among psychological therapists on definitions ofinterventions and groupings; and building capacity in clinical systems toprovide a means to capture the data. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178663,"EventID":"S2W-05900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many retirements from local authorities were due to ill-health and how many retirements there were in total from local authorities in each year since 1996.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many retirements from local authorities were due to ill-health and how many retirements there were in total from local authorities in each year since 1996.","AnswerText":"Data on the total number of retirements to local authority pension schemes has been collected by the Scottish Executive since 1998-99. Data on the number of retirements due to ill-health is only available at the Scotland level from 2000-01. The table below presents figures from these years to 2002-03, the latest year for which data are available.Retirements to Local Authority Pension Schemes, 1998-99 to 2002-03 | Year | Number of Retirements | Number of Retirements due to Ill-Health | Total Contributing Members | | 1998-99 | 4,462 | n/a | 146,630 | | 1999-2000 | 4,010 | n/a | 159,529 | | 2000-01 | 4,080 | 1,285 | 165,274 | | 2001-02 | 4,027 | 1,149 | 177,187 | | 2002-03 | 4,126 | 1,165 | 182,700 | Note: These figures exclude teachers,police service and fire service staff as they have separate pension schemes. It should be noted that someemployees of Scottish local authorities may not be members of a local authoritypension scheme. Data on all retirements from local authorities are not heldcentrally. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178664,"EventID":"S2W-05901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many retirements from the civil service were due to ill-health and how many retirements there were in total from the civil service in each year since 1996.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many retirements from the civil service were due to ill-health and how many retirements there were in total from the civil service in each year since 1996.","AnswerText":"The information requestedcan be found in the following table:Scottish Executive Core Departments - Retirements by reason 1996-2003 | | Year | | | | | | | | | Retirement Reason | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | | Age Retirement | 48 | 56 | 41 | 44 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 42 | | Early Retirement - Ill Health | 32 | 25 | 30 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 11 | | Early Retirement - Other | 176 | 26 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 56 | 11 | 7 | | Total | 256 | 107 | 83 | 73 | 55 | 92 | 45 | 60 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178665,"EventID":"S2W-05902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average number of sick days taken per annum is for civil servants.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average number of sick days taken per annum is for civil servants.","AnswerText":"The member is referred tothe Cabinet Office report “Analysis ofSickness Absence in the Civil Service 2002”, published 1 December 2003.Thisreport is available at URL: www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/civilservice/publications/sickness/sickabs02.pdf ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178666,"EventID":"S2W-05903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure the availability of good quality affordable housing for public sector workers, broken down by local authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure the availability of good quality affordable housing for public sector workers, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:Ministers have given a commitment to provide 18,000 new and improved homes for social rent and low cost home ownership in the three years up to 2006. This new housing will be available to meet the most pressing housing need, including that of public sector workers. The principal mechanism for funding this new affordable housing is the Communities Scotland Development Programme. The table below shows the planned number of housing approvals in each local authority area in the current year. | Unit Approvals (2003-04) | | Unitary Authority | Unit Approvals | | Aberdeenshire | 91 | | Angus | 116 | | Argyll and Bute | 119 | | City of Aberdeen | 202 | | City of Dundee | 221 | | City of Edinburgh | 340 | | City of Glasgow | 1702 | | Clackmannanshire | 33 | | Dumfries & Galloway | 146 | | East Ayrshire | 43 | | East Dunbartonshire | 10 | | East Lothian | 25 | | East Renfrewshire | 76 | | Falkirk | 56 | | Fife | 247 | | Highland | 260 | | Inverclyde | 179 | | Midlothian | 14 | | Moray | 104 | | North Ayrshire | 77 | | North Lanarkshire | 310 | | Orkney | 61 | | Perth and Kinross | 181 | | Renfrewshire | 346 | | Shetland | 49 | | South Ayrshire | 81 | | South Lanarkshire | 356 | | Stirling | 111 | | The Scottish Borders | 59 | | West Dunbartonshire | 218 | | West Lothian | 100 | | Western Isles | 67 | | Total | 6000 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178667,"EventID":"S2W-05904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conclusions have been reached by its fly-tipping forum.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what conclusions have been reached by its fly-tipping forum.","AnswerText":"Although the Scottish Executive provides funding to the Scottish Fly-tipping Forum to support its work,it is independent of the Scottish Executive. It is for the Forum, whichis chaired by Keep Scotland Beautiful, to decide when and in what form to makeits conclusions public.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178668,"EventID":"S2W-05905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities should accept responsibility for dealing with material disposed of illegally on private land and, if so, whether it will make provision for this","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities should accept responsibility for dealing with material disposed of illegally on private land and, if so, whether it will make provision for this in future legislation.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to amendthe existing legislation regarding responsibility for dealing with materialillegally disposed of on private land. Section 59 of the EnvironmentalProtection Act 1990 provides waste authorities with the power to remove wastefrom private land in order to prevent pollution or harm to human health.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178669,"EventID":"S2W-05906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek to amend the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Bill to address the issue of fly-tipping.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek to amend the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Bill to address the issue of fly-tipping.","AnswerText":"The AntisocialBehaviour etc. (Scotland) Bill does address fly-tipping. Section49 of the Bill proposes powers for local authorities, the Scottish EnvironmentProtection Agency and police officers to issue fixed penalty notices forfly-tipping offences. Section 52 and Schedule 2 propose doubling the maximumfine available in summary proceedings for fly-tipping offences to £40,000.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178670,"EventID":"S2W-05907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2364,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":11,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report by the working group on off-sales in the community will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report by the working group on off-sales in the community will be published.","AnswerText":"The report by the working group on off-sales in the communityis being published today. I am very grateful to Peter Daniels and his group forproducing their report within a short timescale and for their business-like andconsensual approach.We welcome the report andits recommendations, which build on the proposed foundations for a newlicensing system set out by the Nicholson Committee but give furtherconsideration to the very real concerns raised with ministers by communitiesthroughout Scotland during consultation on the Antisocial BehaviourBill. In particular, we endorsethe working group’s recommendation on a new approach to objections andrepresentations which will ensure the community’s voice is heard beforedecisions are made about licensed premises. This approach will be reflected inour white paper in due course. The Executive will alsoendorse and promote a No Proof No Sale initiative for Scotland asrecommended in the report as an important means of tackling underage drinking.We will work closely with the Scottish Retail Consortium and the ScottishGrocers Federation to take this forward. In addition, to underlinethe importance of this initiative, we propose that premises licences under anew licensing system should include a standard premises licence condition foroff-licences that they should operate a no proof, no sale policy. The Executive can also seethe benefit in principle in test purchasing for alcohol as a useful means oftargeting underage sales, but we appreciate that there are important issuesrelating to the welfare of children. The Lord Advocate will be exploring withstakeholders whether there is scope for extending test purchasing to alcohol inlight of the tobacco test purchasing pilots. To enhance the report’sapproach to an inclusive licensing system, and to reflect the concerns of ourcommunities about off licences in particular, we also propose to do more to tackleover provision and the anti-social behaviour that can be associated with it.This is designed to build on the framework proposed by the Nicholson Committee. The proposed statutory guidanceto be issued by Scottish ministers would include a specific requirement foroff-licences ensuring that the local Licensing Board must make a proactiveassessment of local provision, in consultation with the police and localcommunities, before the new regime takes effect. The proposed NationalLicensing Forum would be asked to provide early advice on what constitutes overprovision and how it should be tackled. In addition, in recognitionof concerns raised in the consultation responses to the Nicholson Report, ourpreference is to reverse the Nicholson presumption regarding unrestrictedaccess of children to licensed premises and to require premises to opt inrather than opt out. Opting in would be done through operating plans andsubject to a set of national statutory conditions. It would apply to alllicensed premises. We want to create a newlicensing system for Scotland which is flexible but robust in dealing with localcircumstances and local problems. The system has to be inclusive as well as efficient.It will also be important to create a system in which both the public,licensing boards and the licensed trade can have full confidence. This reportwill help us to do that. Our announcement todayrepresents a further concrete step forward in tackling anti-social behaviour inour communities. The recommendations in this report will be given more detailedconsideration alongside the responses to the consultation on the NicholsonReport. Those responses are being independently analysed and that analysis willbe available in early March. Thereafter ministers will publish their views andcontinue the process of debate and engagement with communities. We expect thisto lead to a new Licensing Act for Scotland. The report can be viewed onthe Scottish Executive website and copies are available from the Scottish Parl","AnswerDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178671,"EventID":"S2W-05908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why its published documents often do not contain a date of publication and whether steps are being taken to ensure that all publications include either a date of publica","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why its published documents often do not contain a date of publication and whether steps are being taken to ensure that all publications include either a date of publication or dated ministerial forward.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive adheres to the standard publication conventions used by all publishers.This means that the publisher’s name and address, copyright statement and yearof publication are all shown on the copyright page which is included at thefront of all documents. Additionally, the month and year of each document isprinted on the back of documents, together with the contractor’s referencenumber. Many of our publicationsalready include the month and year of publication and we are currently in theprocess of rolling out this procedure to all of our documents. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178672,"EventID":"S2W-05909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Fire Service has purchased private cars from public funds for the use of senior management and, if so, (a) how many it has purchased, broken down by ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Fire Service has purchased private cars from public funds for the use of senior management and, if so, (a) how many it has purchased, broken down by brigade area and (b) whether this expenditure is justified and what action it will take in respect of the matter.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally. Detailed budgeting issues including vehicle and equipmentrequirements are matters for individual fire authorities to determine.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178673,"EventID":"S2W-05910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3103,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will carry out an investigation into the reasons for the number of headstones at graves in cemeteries around Ayrshire that have been deemed unsafe by local aut","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will carry out an investigation into the reasons for the number of headstones at graves in cemeteries around Ayrshire that have been deemed unsafe by local authorities in the last few months, resulting in relatives of deceased people having to pay charges of around #100 to local authorities to have the headstones made safe.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no plans to do so. Responsibility for the general management,regulation and control of burial grounds rests with local authorities undersection 17 of the Burial Grounds (Scotland) Act 1855. Local authorities, as burial authorities,also have a responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 totake reasonable precautions where there is a foreseeable risk to either personsat work or members of the public.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178674,"EventID":"S2W-05911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dedicated diagnostic sleep beds there are and where they are located.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dedicated diagnostic sleep beds there are and where they are located.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178675,"EventID":"S2W-05912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with reference to the report from the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland, Evidence & Equity, published in April 1999, it will review the e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with reference to the report from the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland, Evidence & Equity, published in April 1999, it will review the eligibility criteria for assisted contraception.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Programme forClinical Effectiveness in Reproductive Health (SPCERH), commissioned by theChief Medical Officer, recently held aconsensus conference to reconsider the eligibility criteria for access to NHSfunded infertility treatment. The Executive are currently reviewing the feedbackfrom the conference and are also reviewing the current level of serviceprovision across the NHS boards. If after the completion of these reviews therewas a recommendation to change the criteria then this would be subject to afull public consultation.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178676,"EventID":"S2W-05913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with reference to page 4, paragraph 8, of the report from the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland, Evidence & Equity, published in April 19","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with reference to page 4, paragraph 8, of the report from the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland, Evidence & Equity, published in April 1999, infertility due to cancer treatment would be an appropriate diagnosed cause.","AnswerText":"Evidence and Equity, the report of the Expert Advisory Group onInfertility Services in Scotland (EAGISS), states that NHS funded assistedconception should be available to couples who meet all of the relevanteligibility criteria, including: “Couples with infertilityof a diagnosed cause (of any duration) for which assisted conception representseffective treatment” (p17). Infertility as a result ofcancer treatment would generally be considered as an appropriate diagnosedcause. However it would be for the lead consultant in each individual case todecide whether treatment would be appropriate. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178677,"EventID":"S2W-05914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4132 by Cathy Jamieson on 26 November 2003, what its position is in respect of the statement in the report by HM Inspectorate of Pr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4132 by Cathy Jamieson on 26 November 2003, what its position is in respect of the statement in the report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons on HM Prison Inverness that “two members of staff had recently been required to attend a central belt Court to give evidence that a prisoner had grown a beard” and what action it is taking to address such situations. ","AnswerText":"The prosecution or defencedecides whom to call as witnesses in a criminal trial. The Scottish Prison Service’s(SPS) job is to respond promptly to these criminal justice requirements; thoughthis may occasionally disrupt the work of the prison we seek to keep this to aminimum. This will be assisted by the move to the new prisoner escort contractwhich SPS has put in place.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178678,"EventID":"S2W-05915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to explore with companies such as Calor Gas Ltd the possibilities of operating a scheme such as the Staywarm scheme run by Powergen so that rural househ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to explore with companies such as Calor Gas Ltd the possibilities of operating a scheme such as the Staywarm scheme run by Powergen so that rural householders who are unable to access natural gas can benefit from similar easy payment schemes.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to work with energy companies to provide tariffs.The introduction of any such tariff or scheme would be a matter for private companies.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178679,"EventID":"S2W-05916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government with regard to ensuring that adequate measures are in place to prevent the H5N1 bird flu virus entering Scotland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government with regard to ensuring that adequate measures are in place to prevent the H5N1 bird flu virus entering Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive is in closetouch with the UK Government and other key interests to ensure that contingencyplans are in place to respond to any possible spread of H5N1 virus to Scotland orother parts of the UK.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178680,"EventID":"S2W-05917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether textphone facilities will be made available in all members' offices in the new Scottish Parliament building.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer whether textphone facilities will be made available in all members' offices in the new Scottish Parliament building.","AnswerText":"Whilst we are not planningto install textphones in every member’s office at Holyrood as a standard pieceof equipment, textphone facilities can be installed in any member’s offices onrequest.To make textphone facilitieseven more accessible to members, we are also considering purchasing a smallnumber of textphones which we would be able to lend to members on a short-termbasis, as required. Members are also remindedthat the RNID Typetalk operator service enables anyone using a standardtelephone to make calls to, and receive calls from, a textphone user. Aguidance document explaining how to use this service is published on the Parliament’s intranet or available from the Parliament’s equalities manager. The Parliament already hasits own central textphone number which enables our publication informationservice to accept textphone calls. This provision will also continue atHolyrood. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Duncan McNeil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178681,"EventID":"S2W-05918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many audiologists are employed by each NHS board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many audiologists are employed by each NHS board.","AnswerText":"The following tables show the headcount and whole-time equivalents of Audiological Scientists and Audiological Technicians (MTOs) as at 30 September 2002, by NHS Board. | Audiological Scientists | | Headcount and WTE at 30 September 2002 | | NHS Board | Headcount | WTE | | Argyll and Clyde | - | - | | Ayshire and Arran | 1 | 1 | | Border | - | - | | Dumfries and Galloway | - | - | | Fife | - | - | | Forth Valley | - | - | | Grampian | 1 | 1 | | Greater Glasgow | - | - | | Highland | - | - | | Lanarkshire | - | - | | Lothian | 1 | 1 | | Orkney | - | - | | Shetland | - | - | | Tayside | - | - | | Other | - | - | Source: National Manpower Statistics from Payroll. | Audiological Technicians (MTOs) | | Headcount and WTE at 30 September 2002 | | NHS Board | Headcount | WTE | | Argyll and Clyde | 17 | 14.54 | | Ayrshire and Arran | 15 | 12.87 | | Borders | 2 | 1.44 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 6 | 5.85 | | Fife | 6 | 4.63 | | Forth Valley | 6 | 4.54 | | Grampian | 10 | 9.62 | | Greater Glasgow | 33 | 25.67 | | Highland | 3 | 2.24 | | Lanarkshire | 3 | 3 | | Lothian | 10 | 8.16 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178683,"EventID":"S2W-05920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2252,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":34,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce legislative proposals to address the alleged non-compliance with the EU Birds Directive, referred to in the European Commission's press release ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce legislative proposals to address the alleged non-compliance with the EU Birds Directive, referred to in the European Commission's press release of 29 January 2004.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive isalready actively improving legislation through the Nature Conservation (Scotland)Bill and its proposals to improve further the protection afforded to birds. Theseinclude measures which will address concerns expressed by the EuropeanCommission.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178684,"EventID":"S2W-05921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2252,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":34,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the matters on which the UK is alleged not to comply with the EU Birds Directive, referred to in the European Commission's press release of 29 January 2004","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the matters on which the UK is alleged not to comply with the EU Birds Directive, referred to in the European Commission's press release of 29 January 2004, relate to Scotland and, if so, whether it will list them.","AnswerText":"The European Commission has alleged non-compliance in relation to the UK Government’s failure to consult the Commission in relation to the continuance of trade of certain species of game birds. There are also allegations of non-compliance in relation to the sale and possession in the UK of species which are native to other member states.All of these issues apply equally throughout the UK. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178685,"EventID":"S2W-05922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2252,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":34,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to conduct a review of the legislation relating to game birds in order to address alleged non-compliance with the EU Birds Directive, referred to in th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to conduct a review of the legislation relating to game birds in order to address alleged non-compliance with the EU Birds Directive, referred to in the European Commission's press release of 29 January 2004; if so, what its timetable for such a review will be and whether as a result of any such review it will consider bringing forward legislative proposals to address any inadequacies in current legislation.","AnswerText":"No decision has been taken on whether a review should be conducted of Scottish legislation relating to game birds.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178686,"EventID":"S2W-05923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2252,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":34,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) Acts of the Scottish Parliament and (b) Scottish Statutory Instruments were enacted and made respectively in 2003 and, of these, how many were enacted or mad","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) Acts of the Scottish Parliament and (b) Scottish Statutory Instruments were enacted and made respectively in 2003 and, of these, how many were enacted or made in order to implement EU legislation.","AnswerText":"19 Acts of the Scottish Parliament were enacted and 623 Scottish Statutory Instruments (SSIs) were madein 2003. Of these, 1 Act and 57 SSIs were brought forward wholly or in part toimplement EU legislation.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Patricia Ferguson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178687,"EventID":"S2W-05924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure the availability of good quality affordable housing in each local authority area for those on low incomes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure the availability of good quality affordable housing in each local authority area for those on low incomes.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is asfollows:I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5903 on 17 February 2004 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/sch/search. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178688,"EventID":"S2W-05925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23350 by Malcolm Chisholm on 21 March 2002, how many patients are currently on the waiting list for a first appointment at the Slee","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23350 by Malcolm Chisholm on 21 March 2002, how many patients are currently on the waiting list for a first appointment at the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh; how, in relation to the answer, it defines “clinical priority”, and what the average waiting time is for a first appointment for those defined as being (a) a “clinical priority” and (b) “routine”.","AnswerText":"There are 655 patientsawaiting a first appointment, and 25 patients (whose initial referral recommendsit) awaiting a first appointment and sleep study. “Clinical priority” refersto patients such as those who may be at risk of falling asleep whilst undertakingactivities such as driving, or operating machinery, and to patients with otherrelevant medical conditions, such as cardiac disease. There is no waiting list for“clinical priority” patients as they are given appointments immediately. Suchpatients may wait two to six weeks to be seen at appointment. “Routine” refersto all patients without priority. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178689,"EventID":"S2W-05926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23351 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 March 2002, what funding was provided by NHS Lothian for sleep disorder services in (a) 2000-01, (b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23351 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 March 2002, what funding was provided by NHS Lothian for sleep disorder services in (a) 2000-01, (b) 2001-02, (c) 2002-03 and (d) 2003-04 and what additional funding was provided to other NHS boards for referrals to the Sleep Centre in each year since 2001-02, broken down by board.","AnswerText":"The table shows the fundingprovided by NHS boards in Scotland to the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh: | NHS Boards | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | | Argyll and Clyde | 3,348 | 3,515 | 3,620 | 3,761 | | Ayrshire and Arran | 3,104 | 3,255 | 3,353 | 3,483 | | Borders | 24,870 | 40,561 | 41,778 | 43,400 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 800 | 1,111 | 1,144 | 1,189 | | Fife | 57,000 | 59,850 | 61,646 | 64,040 | | Forth Valley | 47,293 | 50,407 | 51,919 | 53,935 | | Grampian | 58,164 | 88,000 | 90,640 | 0* | | Glasgow | 8,000 | 10,160 | 10,465 | 10,871 | | Highland | 5,872 | 6,166 | 6,351 | 6,598 | | Lanarkshire | 10,126 | 10,632 | 10,951 | 11,376 | | Lothian | 172,420 | 266,744 | 274,746 | 285,416 | | Orkney | 344 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Shetland | 225 | 237 | 244 | 254 | | Tayside | 62,000 | 65,100 | 67,053 | 69, 657 | | Western Isles | 459 | 482 | 496 | 516 | | Total | 454,025 | 606,220 | 624,406 | 554,496 | Note: * Local provision since 2003-04. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178690,"EventID":"S2W-05927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23349 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 March 2002, how many patients currently receive continuous positive airway pressure therapy for sle","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23349 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 March 2002, how many patients currently receive continuous positive airway pressure therapy for sleep apnoea.","AnswerText":"As at 31 December 2003,there were 2,585 patients receiving Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP)therapy.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178691,"EventID":"S2W-05928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps will be taken to introduce guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of all sleep disorders, in light of the finding of the report endorsed by the British Slee","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps will be taken to introduce guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of all sleep disorders, in light of the finding of the report endorsed by the British Sleep Society, Dead Tired, that there are 84 sleep disorders.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to takeany action directly related to this report. However, the ScottishIntercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), which is funded by the Executivethrough NHS Quality Improvement Scotland to produce good practice clinicalguidelines, published a guideline on the management of Obstructive SleepApnoea/Hypopnoea Syndrome (OSAHS) in September 2003. OSAHS is the most commonsleep disorder with a treatable medical cause, and the one which is believed tobe a factor in a significant number of traffic accidents. Copies of SIGNguidelines are available through the Parliament’s Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178692,"EventID":"S2W-05929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been undertaken into the (a) scale (b) effects and (c) cost of sleep disorders, in light of the recommendations of the report endorsed by the British Sl","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been undertaken into the (a) scale (b) effects and (c) cost of sleep disorders, in light of the recommendations of the report endorsed by the British Sleep Society, Dead Tired.","AnswerText":"No research has been commissionedby the Executive as a direct result of this report. The Chief Scientist Officeof the Scottish Executive Health Department is currently funding one Edinburgh Universityresearch project, “Screening for Sleep Apnoea/Hypoponoea Syndrome and drivingimpairment in professional drivers”.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178693,"EventID":"S2W-05930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the finding of the report endorsed by the British Sleep Society, Dead Tired, whether it considers that a total 20 minutes teaching per student on sleep","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the finding of the report endorsed by the British Sleep Society, Dead Tired, whether it considers that a total 20 minutes teaching per student on sleep disorders is satisfactory and, if not, what steps it will take to ensure that a greater amount of teaching time is given to such disorders.","AnswerText":"The responsibility fordetermining the educational requirements for all medical undergraduates restswith the General Medical Council (GMC).The GMC is the regulatorybody which determines the content of the courses and decides the standard ofexpertise to maintained. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178694,"EventID":"S2W-05931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many private sleep units there are and how many patients are registered with them.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many private sleep units there are and how many patients are registered with them.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178695,"EventID":"S2W-05932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households contain two adults with combined earnings between #43,000 and #45,000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households contain two adults with combined earnings between #43,000 and #45,000.","AnswerText":"No reliable estimate of thenumber of two adult households with combined earnings between £43,000 and£45,000 is available.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2003-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178696,"EventID":"S2W-05933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-01-30T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households with two adults with combined earnings of between #43,000 and #45,000 live in council tax band (a) A, (b) B, (c) C, (d) D, (e) E, (f) F and (g) G and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many households with two adults with combined earnings of between #43,000 and #45,000 live in council tax band (a) A, (b) B, (c) C, (d) D, (e) E, (f) F and (g) G and H homes, expressed also as a percentage of the total number of such households.","AnswerText":"No reliable estimate of thenumber of two-adult households with combined earnings between £43,000 and£45,000 is available.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178697,"EventID":"S2W-05934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-25157 by Dr Richard Simpson on 1 May 2002, whether it will provide information on the source of referral recorded by new individual","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-25157 by Dr Richard Simpson on 1 May 2002, whether it will provide information on the source of referral recorded by new individual patients attending specialist drug services and reported to the Scottish Drug Misuse Database in (a) the current year and (b) each year since 2001-02.","AnswerText":"Source of referral to specialist drug services recorded by the Scottish Drug Misuse Database for 2001-02 and 2002-03 (the latest year for which figures are available) is outlined in the table.Source of Referral to Specialist Drug Services; Years Ending 31 March | New Individual Patients/Clients Only 1 | | | | | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | | Referred to Specialist Drug Agencies 3 | 9,511 | 9,654 | | Self referral | 3,253 | 3,235 | | GP/primary care team | 3,576 | 3,308 | | Criminal justice - social work | 374 | 480 | | Criminal justice - other | 255 | 346 | | Social work - other | 415 | 471 | | Other specialist drug service | 719 | 851 | | Family/friend | 89 | 88 | | Psychiatrist | 25 | 18 | | Other 4 | 667 | 677 | | No referral source stated | 138 | 180 | Source: Scottish Drug MisuseDatabase. Notes: 1. Reports to the Scottish Drug Misuse Database relating to new patients. ‘New’ is defined as (a) the person is attending the particular service for the first time ever or (b) the person has attended before but not within the previous 6 months. 2. All figures in this table exclude penal establishment inmates and information received from needle exchanges. 3. Specialist drug service includes statutory, non-statutory and private services. 4. Other includes education provider, employer, arrest referral and job centre. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178698,"EventID":"S2W-05935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Qualifications Authority will review fees paid to markers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Qualifications Authority will review fees paid to markers.","AnswerText":"Markers’ fees are reviewedannually by the SQA in October for the following year’s examinations round. Thepayment of markers’ fees is an operational issue and as such is a matter for theSQA.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178699,"EventID":"S2W-05936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1889,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":28,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a decision has been made on the level of water charges for 2004-05.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a decision has been made on the level of water charges for 2004-05.","AnswerText":"Yes. I would like toannounce three decisions that we have made on water charges.Firstly, following thefailure of Scottish Water and the Water Industry Commissioner to come to anagreement on the scheme of charges for 2004-05, under the procedures laid downin the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 it has fallen to ministers to decidethe levels of individual charges. We have decided that household charges willbe harmonised across Scotland, that non-domestic customers should have belowinflation increases and that a low user tariff should be introduced that willbenefit those non-domestic customers with a 20mm pipe that use less than 25m3of water in a year. Secondly, we have decided tocontinue the reduction scheme for households which receive council tax benefit.Like the existing scheme, this will help vulnerable households adjust toincreases in charges over time, rather than being faced with sudden largeincreases. The “threshold” for thefinancial year 2004-05 will be £240. This is the amount which households willhave to pay before becoming eligible for a reduction in water and seweragecharges in line with the amount of council tax benefit they receive. Thirdly, we have decided tohold a consultation on the principles of charging, as recommended in the recentreport by the Water Customer Consultation Panels. We will publish aconsultation document and facilitate a widespread discussion over the summer.We anticipate this will cover the full range of concerns raised, including thetotal size of bills, the appropriate mix of fixed and volumetric charges forall types of customer, whether alternatives to the use of rateable values canbe used in the calculation of charges, the extent to which metering should beencouraged, what kinds of discount and cross-subsidy are appropriate, whatsustainable use of water should mean in practice and how all of these compare withEngland and Wales. If the evidence is there to support it, the consultationcould lead to more fundamental changes than the proposals which Scottish Waterand the Commissioner were discussing. The outcome of thisconsultation process will be an important element of an overall strategic reviewof charging, which will set limits on how much money Scottish Water can raisein charge income over the period 2006-10 and establish how customers can becharged within these limits. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178700,"EventID":"S2W-05937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) authorised and (b) actual police officers there were in Lothian and Borders Police in each month since April 2000, broken down by rank.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) authorised and (b) actual police officers there were in Lothian and Borders Police in each month since April 2000, broken down by rank.","AnswerText":"The (then) Scottish Office ceased authorising police numbers in forces in 1996. Since then, the responsibility for decisions on the recruitment and deployment of police officers, and the number of officers within each force has been an operational matter for individual chief constables.Police officer numbers by rank are collected annually at 31 March by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary. The available information for Lothian and Borders Police is shown in the following table: Lothian and Borders PoliceStrength by Rank | Rank | 31-03-00 | 31-03-01 | 31-03-02 | 31-03-03 | | Chief Constable | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Assistant Chief Constable (including Deputy Chief Constable) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | | Superintendent (including Chief Superintendent) | 35 | 30 | 32 | 33 | | Chief Inspector | 36 | 46 | 44 | 45 | | Inspector | 130 | 134 | 142 | 145 | | Sergeant | 352 | 369 | 369 | 372 | | Constable | 2,027 | 2,087 | 2,109 | 2,115 | | Total | 2,584 | 2,670 | 2,700 | 2,714 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178701,"EventID":"S2W-05938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S2W-5132 by Lewis Macdonald on 20 January 2003, how it judges future renewable energy requirements, given that it is unaware of the future outpu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S2W-5132 by Lewis Macdonald on 20 January 2003, how it judges future renewable energy requirements, given that it is unaware of the future output operation or lifespan of current base-load stations.","AnswerText":"All existing base-loadstations are privately owned and operated, and their future lifespan is amatter for the generation asset owners. The UK Energy white paper, published inFebruary 2003, envisages that the energy system in 2020 will be much morediverse than it is today, with a greater mix of technologies and includingimports, particularly of gas. We are determined that renewable technologieswill play their full part in the future energy mix in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178702,"EventID":"S2W-05939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure sensitive siting of wind farms in order to protect the scenic and environmental heritage.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure sensitive siting of wind farms in order to protect the scenic and environmental heritage.","AnswerText":"The Executive revised itsplanning guidance and advice in 2002 to help ensure that wind farms are sitedin the right locations. These documents set a planning framework which balancesthe Executive’s obligations to tackle climate change with the need to ensurethat sites designated for their natural heritage importance are protected frominappropriate development.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178703,"EventID":"S2W-05940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what agreement has been reached with (a) the Ministry of Defence and (b) the Cairngorms National Park regarding the need for pylons 65 feet higher than at present to carr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what agreement has been reached with (a) the Ministry of Defence and (b) the Cairngorms National Park regarding the need for pylons 65 feet higher than at present to carry wind farm energy south from the Highlands.","AnswerText":"No agreement has been soughtor reached.Discussions between thedeveloper, Scottish and Southern Energy, the stakeholders, such as the planningauthorities, and the wider community on issues that will inform the ultimatechoice of routes for the proposed transmission line are under way. We expect anapplication for consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 to be madein the summer when formal consultation on the proposals will be undertaken.Ministers will then reach a determination on whether the proposal should beconsented as submitted, whether it requires amendment or whether it should berefused. That determination will be made in light of all the relevantconsiderations. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178704,"EventID":"S2W-05941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure that Scotland gains the economic benefits from its production of equipment for wind farm development.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure that Scotland gains the economic benefits from its production of equipment for wind farm development.","AnswerText":"We have created the Forumfor Renewable Energy Development in Scotland to bring together stakeholders to work with the Executive to ensure that Scotland can take full advantage of these opportunities. Withsupport from the enterprise networks, Scotland has already succeeded in creating new jobs in theproduction of renewable energy devices, most notably at Vestas Celtic inCampbeltown. The recently published gap analysis study commissioned jointly bythe Executive, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and theDTI showed that there are currently around 2,000 jobs in the renewablesindustry in Scotland with the potential to increase this number significantlyin the period to 2020, both in the existing technologies of wind and hydropower and in the new renewables technologies such as wave, tidal and biomass.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178705,"EventID":"S2W-05942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether areas in the Highlands will be declared wind farm free 'ones due to the number of low-flying 'ones managed by the Ministry of Defence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether areas in the Highlands will be declared wind farm free 'ones due to the number of low-flying 'ones managed by the Ministry of Defence.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to do so.The Executive expects operators to work closely with the Ministry of Defence so that sites are chosen which donot compromise the safety of low flying aircraft.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178706,"EventID":"S2W-05943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has in respect of the regulations relating to the construction of roads and bridges and the upgrading of roads to dual carriageway status; what the criter","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has in respect of the regulations relating to the construction of roads and bridges and the upgrading of roads to dual carriageway status; what the criteria are which govern the decision as to whether an existing trunk road, comprising two carriageways, one carrying traffic in each direction, or part of such a road, should be upgraded to dual carriageway, and whether such a decision would be made by it or Her Majesty's Government.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has full powers under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 in relation to the construction of trunkroads and bridges, including the upgrading of single carriageway trunk roads todual carriageway.Any proposal to upgrade aroad has to be appraised using the Executive’s Scottish Transport AppraisalGuidance (STAG). This involves an assessment of the proposal against theExecutive’s five appraisal objectives of environment, safety, economy,integration and accessibility. The STAG appraisal enables the Executiveto gauge the proposal against the potential value of competing proposals toimprove transport. For example, STAG involves an examination of corridortransport growth projections; planned land use changes; economic growth;availability of public transport; and accident history. It also takes accountof social aspects, such as accessibility; economic return; the environment; andthe scope for interim improvement such as carriageway widening and othermeasures. These all have a part to play in making the case for prioritisingimprovement of any particular route. If a positive case can bedemonstrated following a STAG appraisal, this does not automatically lead to animprovement scheme being placed on the Executive’s investment programme. Itmust then compete for funding against other worthwhile schemes and demonstratethat it represents good value for money and good use of available public funds. The decision on whether ornot to proceed with any upgrade of a trunk road would be made by the Scottish Executive. Non-trunk roads and bridges are a matter for the relevant local roadsauthority. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178707,"EventID":"S2W-05944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer which west of Scotland companies the Presiding Officer was referring to in his speech to the Parliament on 5 April 2000 when he assured the Parliament that such companies ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer which west of Scotland companies the Presiding Officer was referring to in his speech to the Parliament on 5 April 2000 when he assured the Parliament that such companies were to “manufacture off site everything from the concrete MSP office modules to the specialist windows”; why this assurance was given to the Parliament; who advised the Presiding Officer that this was the case; where the information referred to was obtained; what contact has been made with the firms in question, and whether any apology is due to them and, if so, by whom.","AnswerText":"In his evidence to theHolyrood Inquiry on 4 February, Sir David Steel gave a full explanation about thecomments he made on 5 April 2000 concerning “firms in the west of Scotland”. Atranscript of Sir David’s statement is available on the Holyrood Inquirywebsite.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178708,"EventID":"S2W-05945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives towards attracting international cruise ships to call at Scottish ports.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives towards attracting international cruise ships to call at Scottish ports.","AnswerText":"This is an operationalmatter for VisitScotland, which is responsible for maximising the economicbenefits of tourism to Scotland.VisitScotland does recognisethe importance of the cruise market. It provided start up funding forCruiseScotland to attract more business from this sector, and is now representedon its board. The future structure of CruiseScotland is being discussed withVisitScotland, which has agreed to assist with research and development. There has of course beenconsiderable private sector investment in the cruise market, for example at OceanTerminal at Leith. The public sector has also been active whereappropriate; for example Highland Council markets its cruise ports in the Northto the international cruise market. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178709,"EventID":"S2W-05946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the charging structure is in respect of each airport for which Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd is responsible and how much is charged for out-of-hours landings at","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the charging structure is in respect of each airport for which Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd is responsible and how much is charged for out-of-hours landings at each such airport.","AnswerText":"The information requested isgiven in Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd’s charges schedules for2003-04 and proposed for 2004-05. Copies of the schedules are available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 31239 and 31240).","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178710,"EventID":"S2W-05947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the significance is of the figure of 2950 for the design and construction of dual carriageway roads in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges and whether that figu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the significance is of the figure of 2950 for the design and construction of dual carriageway roads in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges and whether that figure is a maximum number of vehicles which a dual carriageway is expected to bear or a minimum level of traffic flow which a trunk road comprising two lanes, one in each direction, must attain before it is eligible for consideration for upgrading to a dual carriageway.","AnswerText":"The figure of 2,950 vehiclesper hour in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges is the maximum one-wayhourly flow capacity of a 6.75 metre wide urban dual carriageway road.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178711,"EventID":"S2W-05948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what annual costs were charged by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd for out-of-hours landings by air ambulances in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what annual costs were charged by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd for out-of-hours landings by air ambulances in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The annual amounts for out-of-hours landings by air ambulances at the airports operated by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd are as follows: | | Actual 2000-01 | Actual 2001-02 | Actual 2002-03 | | Totals | £130,884 | £132,527 | £154,354 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178712,"EventID":"S2W-05949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of supporting air ambulances in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board and expressed also on a per capita basis.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of supporting air ambulances in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board and expressed also on a per capita basis.","AnswerText":"The figures requested are contained in the following tables: | NHS Board | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | | Total Cost (£) | Cost per Capita (£) | Total Cost (£) | Cost per Capita (£) | | Argyll and Clyde | 960,266 | 2.28 | 1,042,668 | 2.48 | | Ayrshire and Arran | 176,883 | 0.48 | 135,791 | 0.37 | | Borders | 21,747 | 0.20 | 38,308 | 0.36 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 123,451 | 0.84 | 148,817 | 1.01 | | Fife | 19,202 | 0.05 | 15,919 | 0.05 | | Forth Valley | 46,509 | 0.17 | 15,546 | 0.06 | | Grampian | 207,010 | 0.39 | 242,253 | 0.46 | | Greater Glasgow | 56,715 | 0.07 | 111,844 | 0.13 | | Highland | 846,616 | 4.05 | 1,381,859 | 6.61 | | Lanarkshire | 49,412 | 0.09 | 43,486 | 0.08 | | Lothian | 54,623 | 0.07 | 61,220 | 0.08 | | Orkney | 430,761 | 22.38 | 412,943 | 21.46 | | Shetland | 693,199 | 31.53 | 768,252 | 34.94 | | Tayside | 40,182 | 0.10 | 30,195 | 0.08 | | Western Isles | 807,559 | 30.47 | 841,009 | 31.73 | | Totals | 4,534,135 | 0.90 | 5,290,110 | 1.05 | | NHS Board | 2001-02 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178714,"EventID":"S2W-05951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many special protection areas (SPAs), under Article 4 of the EU Birds Directive, have been declared in which golden eagles are named as a qualifying species; how many","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many special protection areas (SPAs), under Article 4 of the EU Birds Directive, have been declared in which golden eagles are named as a qualifying species; how many pairs are fully protected, by the inclusion of their home range within the site boundary, by those SPAs where golden eagles are named as a qualifying species; what percentage of the population of golden eagles in Scotland this represents, and what plans it has for further designations.","AnswerText":"Eight special protection areas(SPAs) have been classified by the Scottish Executive for the protection ofgolden eagle in Scotland. These cover an area of almost 344,000 ha or 4.4% ofScotland’s land mass. No figures are available onthe number of home ranges which are fully within the site network for this verywide-ranging species, although most recent data indicate that there are 79pairs which have at least part of their range within the eight classified sites. Based on the numbers ofpairs which have at least part of their range within designated sites, anestimated 19% of the total Scottish population is protected by SPA for whichgolden eagles are named as a qualifying species. 58% of the overall populationhave at least part of their range within the wider network of Natura siteswhere habitats are protected. All golden eagles in Scotland arealso fully protected under the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act1981. A new national survey of golden eagle was undertaken in 2003and once the results are analysed and published (expected in 2005) the ScottishExecutive will seek advice from Scottish Natural Heritage on whether furthersites can be identified which should be considered for future classification. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178715,"EventID":"S2W-05952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be made on who will (a) own and (b) operate the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway and what organisations have been approached regarding ownership and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be made on who will (a) own and (b) operate the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway and what organisations have been approached regarding ownership and operation of the railway.","AnswerText":"These are matters for the promoter,ClackmannanshireCouncil.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178716,"EventID":"S2W-05953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2364,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":11,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve the standard of infant nutrition.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve the standard of infant nutrition.","AnswerText":"The Executive supports manyinitiatives that promote the improvement of infant nutrition. These include theStarting Well health demonstration project, the Scottish Community Diet Projectand the Scottish Healthy Choice Awards Scheme.In 2003, NHS Health Scotlandproduced Adventures in Foodland,a nutrition information pack for child carers that has been widely distributedaround Scotland. NHS Health Scotland are also planning to develop new materials onweaning during 2004-05. Improving breastfeedingrates is also recognised as one of the keys to improving infant nutrition in Scotland. Assuch I refer the member to the answers given to questions S2W-5498 and S2W-5500on 26 January 2004 for further information about breastfeeding supportand funding by the Executive. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178717,"EventID":"S2W-05954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2364,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":11,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-02T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated for the improvement of infant nutrition over the next three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated for the improvement of infant nutrition over the next three years.","AnswerText":"As detailed in my responseto S2W-5953 on 25 February 2004, the Executive supports many initiatives that promotethe improvement of infant nutrition. Most of these initiatives take a holisticapproach to child health and include the improvement of infant nutrition as onepart of their overall aim. It is therefore not possible to separate outspecific funding relating solely to the improvement of infant nutrition withinthese initiatives.NHS Health Scotlandestimate that they will spend in the region of £500,000 on the improvement ofinfant nutrition in 2004-05. This will include breastfeeding research andpromotion, and the production of weaning information. NHS Health Scotland areunable to supply estimates beyond 2004-05. The Executive will continueto fund the work of the Scottish Breastfeeding Group and the NationalBreastfeeding Advisor at a combined cost of £37,000 a year. TheWelfare Food Scheme has an annual budget of £14 million in Scotland. This UK reserved scheme provides milk,infant formula and vitamins for those in receipt of certain social securitybenefits. It iscurrently being reformed so that it can offer a wider range of foods andsupport breastfeeding mothers on an equitable basis. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178718,"EventID":"S2W-05955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has regarding the granting of rebates in respect of modes of transport other then buses, including aviation fuel for piston engines.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has regarding the granting of rebates in respect of modes of transport other then buses, including aviation fuel for piston engines.","AnswerText":"Taxation, including thelevel of duty applicable to transport, is a matter reserved to the UKGovernment. However, the Scottish Executive has general provision whichenables it to provide grants towards transport. Such grants are subject tospecific criteria as is the case with the Bus Service Operators Grant.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178719,"EventID":"S2W-05956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-1061 by Cathy Jamieson on 15 January 2004 and its news release SEFD 348/2004, whether the #400,000 announced to \"help establish a c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-1061 by Cathy Jamieson on 15 January 2004 and its news release SEFD 348/2004, whether the #400,000 announced to \"help establish a co-located justice centre in Rosetta Road, Peebles\" represents additional capital funding or borrowing consent and whether discussions between Lothian and Borders Police and the Executive's Police Division have now reached a conclusion and, if so, what that conclusion is.","AnswerText":"The announcement of £400,000,which follows discussions between the Scottish Executive, Lothian and Borders Policeand the Scottish Borders Council, represents additional capital consent. The Rosetta Roadproject will now go forward. The next stage is for Lothian and Borders Police,in consultation with the Scottish Borders Council.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178720,"EventID":"S2W-05957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated for the funding of local alcohol action plans, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated for the funding of local alcohol action plans, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"We expect to announcespecific funding for the implementation of local alcohol action plans in thefirst week in March. The release of funding isconditional on alcohol action teams having agreed outcome expectations and systemsin place to measure key indicators. We will be monitoring the use of the newresources through alcohol and drug action team annual reporting arrangements.Funding for servicesaddressing alcohol problems is provided within resources allocated to NHS boardsand local authorities, but is not specifically identified by the Executive. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178721,"EventID":"S2W-05958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs were of publishing, printing, distributing and launching Helping Homeless People: Delivering the Action Plan for Prevention and Effective Response.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs were of publishing, printing, distributing and launching Helping Homeless People: Delivering the Action Plan for Prevention and Effective Response.","AnswerText":"The cost of publishing andprinting the Helping Homeless People: Delivering the Action Plan forPrevention and Effective Response was £3,274.28, which includes costs forweb conversion. Distributing costs to date are £416.13, further copies maybedistributed on request. There were no additional costs associated with thelaunch of the document.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178722,"EventID":"S2W-05959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what medical conditions entitle a patient to free personal care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what medical conditions entitle a patient to free personal care.","AnswerText":"In legal terms, the CareDevelopment Group’s definition of personal care covers both personal care andpersonal support (as defined in the Regulation of Care (Scotland)Act 2001). The Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 therefore requires that neither personalcare nor personal support be charged for. It also specifies that no chargeshould be made for the specific types of care listed in Schedule 1 to the Act(even if they would not be classified as personal care or support under theterms of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001).","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178723,"EventID":"S2W-05960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a review of the eligibility criteria for free personal care will be carried out.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a review of the eligibility criteria for free personal care will be carried out.","AnswerText":"Sections 1 and 2 and Schedule 1 of the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 and the regulationsmade under the act require that personal care be provided free by localauthorities to those aged 65 and over who need it, as recommended by the CareDevelopment Group.The group also made clear inits report that all eligibility for free personal and nursing care should besubject to an assessment of care needs arranged by the local authority. It is proposed to review the guidance on Free Personal and Nursing Care In Scotland (Circular CCD5/2003). ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178724,"EventID":"S2W-05961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has allocated for free personal care in the (a) current year and (b) next two years, broken down by (i) local authority and (ii) NHS board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has allocated for free personal care in the (a) current year and (b) next two years, broken down by (i) local authority and (ii) NHS board area.","AnswerText":"The following funding has been allocated to local authorities for free personal and nursing care from 2003-04 to 2005-06. It is expected that local authorities will use their allocation flexibly in delivering the policy. A breakdown by NHS board area is not available. | Local Authority | Total Indicative Allocation Starting 1st April 2003 | | £000's | | Aberdeen City | 5,669 | | Aberdeenshire | 6,684 | | Angus | 4,667 | | Argyll and Bute | 3,547 | | Clackmannanshire | 871 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 5,037 | | Dundee City | 3,997 | | East Ayrshire | 3,548 | | East Dunbartonshire | 3,060 | | East Lothian | 2,500 | | East Renfrewshire | 2,990 | | Edinburgh City | 16,310 | | Eilean Siar | 589 | | Falkirk | 2,921 | | Fife | 10,067 | | Glasgow City | 14,019 | | Highland | 55,13 | | Inverclyde | 2,577 | | Midlothian | 1,785 | | Moray | 2,516 | | North Ayrshire | 4,327 | | North Lanarkshire | 5,617 | | Orkney | 340 | | Perth and Kinross | 6,098 | | Renfrewshire | 4,126 | | Scottish Borders | 3,552 | | Shetland | 325 | | South Ayrshire | 4,329 | | South Lanarkshire | 7,936 | | Stirling | 2,926 | | West Dunbartonshire | 2,101 | | West Lothian | 2,455 | | Total | 143,000 | | Local Authority | Starting 1st April 2004 | Starting 1st April 2005 | Total Indicative Allocation | Total Indicative Allocation | | | £000's | £000's | | Aberdeen City | 5,791 | 6,027 ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178725,"EventID":"S2W-05962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-986 by Malcolm Chisholm on 15 July 2003, of the 17,600 people with dementia presented to their GP in 2002, how many were under 65.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-986 by Malcolm Chisholm on 15 July 2003, of the 17,600 people with dementia presented to their GP in 2002, how many were under 65.","AnswerText":"Of the estimated 17,600people with dementia presented to their GP in 2002, 780 were under 65 years ofage.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178726,"EventID":"S2W-05963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated annual cost is of providing free personal care for people under 65 diagnosed with dementia.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated annual cost is of providing free personal care for people under 65 diagnosed with dementia.","AnswerText":"This information is notavailable centrally. However, the Executive is committed to further considerationof the position of other care groups, such as younger people with disabilities.We propose to commission research on the needs of younger people with physicaldisabilities and dementia, and the services they can receive. Our intention isto discuss the possible aims and focus of this research with stakeholders anddraw up a specification. The stakeholder group set up for this purpose hasalready met, and has scheduled further meetings.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178727,"EventID":"S2W-05964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what procedures were followed with regard to the appointment of a legal firm of advisers to the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner; how many companies were invi","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what procedures were followed with regard to the appointment of a legal firm of advisers to the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner; how many companies were invited to tender for the appointment and of those how many were based (a) in and (b) outside of Edinburgh; what criteria was used for the selection of the successful company; whether any guidelines or rules have been agreed in respect of the avoidance of any conflicts of interest between the firm and the Commissioner; what the value of the contract awarded is, and what performance indicators will be applied to the contract.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002 provides that the Commissioner may appoint advisers to assistin the carrying out of his functions, subject to the approval of the SPCB. TheSPCB approved the appointment of Anderson Strathern WS, as legal advisers.The appointment followed acompetitive tendering exercise. Six firms with offices in Edinburghdeemed large enough to offer a range of services were invited to tender. Threefirms were then invited to make presentations with their bid being judgedagainst the following criteria: advice on interpretation of The Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002, Code of Conduct, use of statutory powers;advice when the Commissioner is involved in a legal process, on compliance withother statutes; advice on investigating breaches which could involve criminaloffences and possible future advice on employment issues should theCommissioner employ staff. Anderson Strathern WS andthe Commissioner have agreed that any conflict of interest will be dealt underthe Law Society of Scotland’s Practice Rules on conflict and potential conflictof interest; the Solicitors Scotland (Conflict of Interest) Practice Rules 1986and the Code of Conduct for Scottish Solicitors as amended. Work is undertaken at anhourly rate and must be met from the Commissioner's budget. As the volume ofwork is uncertain no value has been placed on the contract. Performance indicatorsapplied to the contract were set out in the tender document and provide minimumstandards of service which include responding to requests for advice within 14days or within the timescale requested and if that is not possible, within atimescale agreed with the Commissioner; telephone messages being returned thesame day and correspondence and emails being answered within three workingdays. Performance is reviewed at quarterly meetings with the Commissioner andthe lead person in Anderson Strathern with responsibility for the contract. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Robert Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178728,"EventID":"S2W-05965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the fatal accident inquiry will commence into the circumstances surrounding the death of Stewart Williams while serving as a prisoner at Bowhouse Prison in Kilmarnoc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the fatal accident inquiry will commence into the circumstances surrounding the death of Stewart Williams while serving as a prisoner at Bowhouse Prison in Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"The death of StewartWilliams on 30 January 2004 is being investigated by the Procurator Fiscal at Kilmarnock.In terms of section 1(1)(a)(ii) of the Fatal Accidents and Sudden DeathsInquiry Act 1976 a fatal accident inquiry is mandatory. Investigation of thecause of death is still at an early stage and it is therefore not possible toset a date for the inquiry. Intimation will be sent to all interested partiesat the relevant time in the usual way.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elish Angiolini","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178729,"EventID":"S2W-05966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the future of Bowhouse Prison in Kilmarnock.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the future of Bowhouse Prison in Kilmarnock.","AnswerText":"HMP Kilmarnock will continueto be an important part of the prison estate during the remainder of the 25year contract period.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178730,"EventID":"S2W-05967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training is given to medical professionals in respect of the diagnosis of dementia.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what training is given to medical professionals in respect of the diagnosis of dementia.","AnswerText":"At present, generalpractitioners are expected to identify their own personal learning needs tobetter provide for the health needs of their patients and to seek trainingaccordingly. Guidance and assistance is available to GPs from NHS Education forScotland (NES) via the postgraduate directors of general practice education.Training for hospitaldoctors in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia, is currently deliveredthrough continuous professional development programmes, which are organised andapproved by the medical Royal Colleges. Guidance and assistance is available tohospital doctors from NES via the postgraduate deans and tutors. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178731,"EventID":"S2W-05968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-03T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is given to GPs with regard to distinguishing different types of dementia on death certificates.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is given to GPs with regard to distinguishing different types of dementia on death certificates.","AnswerText":"No guidance is givenspecific to dementia. However, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death usedin Scotland follows that recommended by the World HealthOrganisation and general training material on how to complete this was providedin 1999 to directors of post graduate GP education, post graduate deans, post graduatetutors and NHS Education.Every pack of certificates whichissues to GPs also includes guidance on completion, including how to record thedisease or condition that led directly to death, the underlying cause and anysignificant contributing condition, disease or accident, which was not part of the sequence leading directly to death. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178732,"EventID":"S2W-05969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what responsibility it had for the distribution of the Care Commission's user guide to their complaints procedure; how many copies of the guide were issued in the current","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what responsibility it had for the distribution of the Care Commission's user guide to their complaints procedure; how many copies of the guide were issued in the current year; where the guide can be accessed; how it is monitoring take-up of the guide, and what plans it has to publicise the complaints procedure and the help line.","AnswerText":"Operation of the CareCommission’s complaints procedure is a matter for the Commission. The currentcomplaints procedure has the consent of Scottish Ministers as required by theRegulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178733,"EventID":"S2W-05970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further procedures are available to a complainer if a complainant is not upheld by the Care Commission in whole or in part.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what further procedures are available to a complainer if a complainant is not upheld by the Care Commission in whole or in part.","AnswerText":"The Care Commission’s complaintsprocedure allows complainants to confirm whether they accept the CareCommission’s provisional conclusions and if not, to express any concerns to theCommission. The Commission will address these concerns before issuing a finaldecision. If they remain dissatisfied complainants can then seek a review ofthat decision. The Care Commission’s head of policy and development or the directorof operations will either review the decision or ask the Care Commission ReviewCommittee to do so.If the complaint isultimately not upheld either wholly or partly by the Care Commission thecomplainant has recourse to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, who caninvestigate any action taken by or on behalf of the Commission in the exerciseof its administrative functions. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178734,"EventID":"S2W-05971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Pathfinder Inspection Report on East Lothian Council by Communities Scotland, what concerns it has regarding the limit placed by the council on vac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Pathfinder Inspection Report on East Lothian Council by Communities Scotland, what concerns it has regarding the limit placed by the council on vacant properties on offer to homeless households in priority need and whether this breaches the council's statutory duties.","AnswerText":"I have asked Ms Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is asfollows:The Executive’s concernsregarding this matter are set out in paragraph 7.3 of the Pathfinder InspectionReport on East Lothian Council. This states that “The Council places a limit onthe number of vacant properties that can be offered to homeless households inpriority need, either in its own housing or through nominations to RSLs. Thisis resulting in many homeless households spending relatively long periods oftime in temporary accommodation while awaiting permanent housing.” In terms of section 20 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (as amended), a local authority has anobligation to give reasonable preference to homeless persons as well as othergroups in the allocation of its housing. There is no legislative provision thatprevents the local authority from limiting the allocation of vacant houses inits ownership in respect of certain categories of applicant. The local authority has astatutory duty under section 31 of the 1987 Act to secure permanentaccommodation for homeless people in priority need. The concern raised in thePathfinder Inspection Report does not directly relate to the local authority’sfulfilment of the duty under section 31 but to the length of time many homelesspeople are waiting before the duty is fulfilled. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178735,"EventID":"S2W-05972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Pathfinder Inspection Report on East Lothian Council by Communities Scotland, what steps it can take when a council breaches its statutory duty.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Pathfinder Inspection Report on East Lothian Council by Communities Scotland, what steps it can take when a council breaches its statutory duty.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is asfollows:Communities Scotland,acting on behalf of Scottish Ministers, in terms of Part 3 of the Housing (Scotland)Act 2001, has powers to require a local authority to submit a plan setting outhow it will deal with the matters of concern raised in an Inspection Report.Once this plan has been agreed, the local authority is required to implementit. If Communities Scotland considers that the plan is not being satisfactorilyimplemented, it also has the power to appoint a special manager to ensure thatthe necessary action is taken to deal with the issues raised in the InspectionReport. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178736,"EventID":"S2W-05973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in the light of the findings and recommendations of the Pathfinder Inspection Report on East Lothian Council by Communities Scotland that “T","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in the light of the findings and recommendations of the Pathfinder Inspection Report on East Lothian Council by Communities Scotland that “The Council delivers a poor homelessness service with major areas where improvement is needed” and “the prospects for improvement in the homelessness function are uncertain.”","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is asfollows:Scottish ministers, actingthrough Communities Scotland, have requested that East Lothian Council producean improvement plan, setting out how it will respond to the findings of the pathfinderinspection report. The plan is due to be submitted on 17 March 2004, eight weeksafter the publication of the inspection report. Communities Scotlandwill then agree arrangements with the local authority for monitoring theimplementation of the plan to ensure that the necessary improvements in theservices for homeless people and those threatened with homelessness areachieved. Performance in this area will be reassessed within two years and afull re-inspection of the local authority will be carried out within fiveyears. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178737,"EventID":"S2W-05974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Pathfinder Inspection Report on East Lothian Council by Communities Scotland, what concerns it has in respect of the council achieving its own quot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Pathfinder Inspection Report on East Lothian Council by Communities Scotland, what concerns it has in respect of the council achieving its own quota for homelessness allocations.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is asfollows:As set out in section 7 of the Pathfinder Inspection Report, the Executive’s concern in relation to thisissue is primarily about the weaknesses in management information availablefrom the local authority. This meant that the local authority was not able toprovide reliable information to Communities Scotland Inspectors showing whatoutcomes were being achieved for homeless people applying to the council forhousing. These weaknesses also meant the local authority could not clearly demonstratewhether it was achieving its own quota for allocations to homeless people. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178738,"EventID":"S2W-05975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Pathfinder Inspection Report on East Lothian Council by Communities Scotland, what role it has in ensuring “a fundamental shift in the council","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Pathfinder Inspection Report on East Lothian Council by Communities Scotland, what role it has in ensuring “a fundamental shift in the council's position” to meet current and future needs for permanent accommodation for homeless people.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is asfollows:Scottish ministers actingthrough Communities Scotland have requested that East Lothian Council producean improvement plan, setting out how it will respond to the findings of the pathfinderinspection report. The plan is due to be submitted on 17 March 2004, eight weeksafter the publication of the inspection report. Communities Scotlandwill then agree arrangements with the local authority for monitoring theimplementation of the plan to ensure that the necessary improvements in theservices for homeless people and those threatened with homelessness areachieved. Performance in this area will be reassessed within two years and a fullre-inspection of the local authority will be carried out within five years. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178739,"EventID":"S2W-05976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support Edinburgh's application to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organi'ation as a world city of literature.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support Edinburgh's application to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organi'ation as a world city of literature.","AnswerText":"The Executive supports theproposal in principle and has provided £50,000 to support the development workassociated with the aspiration to establish Edinburgh as a World City ofLiterature.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178740,"EventID":"S2W-05977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the book buying policy of Historic Scotland is and what emphasis Historic Scotland gives to books published in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the book buying policy of Historic Scotland is and what emphasis Historic Scotland gives to books published in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro,Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to reply. His response is as follows:-Historic Scotland carriesa wide range of general interest and Scottish related publications, chosen fortheir appeal to its diverse visitor profile. Relevance to particular sites andto Scottish history and culture more generally is an important criterion and thereis thus a significant emphasis on books about Scotland, many of which arepublished in Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178741,"EventID":"S2W-05978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, following the debate on 29 January 2003, what communication it has had with Her Majesty's Government on its plans for a Supreme Court in the United Kingdom.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, following the debate on 29 January 2003, what communication it has had with Her Majesty's Government on its plans for a Supreme Court in the United Kingdom.","AnswerText":"The Executive has beenadvised that today Lord Falconer, Secretary of State for ConstitutionalAffairs, will make an oral statement to the House of Lords and that ChrisLeslie MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State will make a similar oral statementin the House of Commons setting out the Government’s proposals in regard to theSupreme Court for the United Kingdom. The Scottish Executive welcomes this opportunity toagain endorse support in principle for the proposed reforms which were debatedin this house on 29 January 2004.Copies of the statement areavailable in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 30973). ","AnswerDate":"2004-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178742,"EventID":"S2W-05979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1831,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-04T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time and part-time police officers there are in the Scottish Police Service and whether it has any plans to publish police officer numbers on a whole time e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time and part-time police officers there are in the Scottish Police Service and whether it has any plans to publish police officer numbers on a whole time equivalent basis.","AnswerText":"Figures showing full-time, parttime and whole time equivalent police officer numbers over the last three yearsare given in the following table. The Executive intends in future normally togive police officer numbers on a whole time equivalent basis. | | Full-time officers | Part-time officers | Total strength (head count) | Total strength (whole time equivalent) | | 2000: September | 14,653 | 217 | 14,870 | 14,782 | | December | 14,716 | 232 | 14,948 | 14,863 | | 2001: March | 14,903 | 246 | 15,149 | 15,059 | | June | 14,851 | 261 | 15,112 | 15,018 | | September | 14,859 | 278 | 15,137 | 15,037 | | December | 14,808 | 285 | 15,093 | 14,987 | | 2002: March | 14,941 | 310 | 15,251 | 15,139 | | June | 14,895 | 330 | 15,225 | 15,111 | | September | 14,988 | 336 | 15,324 | 15,206 | | December | 14,946 | 341 | 15,287 | 15,166 | | 2003: March | 15,128 | 359 | 15,487 | 15,361 | | June | 15,191 | 369 | 15,560 | 15,432 | | September | 15,138 | 374 | 15,512 | 15,385 | | December | 15,226 | 391 | 15,617 | 15,483 | Source:Returns submitted by Scottish Police Forces. Figures exclude special constables. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178743,"EventID":"S2W-05981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many chief constables, assistant chief constables and deputy chief constables who have been appointed since 1999 have had no previous experience of serving in the pol","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many chief constables, assistant chief constables and deputy chief constables who have been appointed since 1999 have had no previous experience of serving in the police force in Scotland.","AnswerText":"There have been 24 officersappointed to the ranks of chief constable, deputy chief constable and assistantchief constable in the Scottish Police Service since 1999. A number of these wereof officers who progressed from assistant chief constable to deputy chiefconstable or chief constable. Six appointments were of officers who had noprevious experience of serving in a Scottish Police Force.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178744,"EventID":"S2W-05982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2207,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":41,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Distinction Awards were made by NHS Scotland in each year since 1999, showing whether the recipients were employed in (a) the Common Services Agency, (b) primary","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Distinction Awards were made by NHS Scotland in each year since 1999, showing whether the recipients were employed in (a) the Common Services Agency, (b) primary care, (c) teaching hospitals or (d) non-teaching hospitals.","AnswerText":"The table details how many Distinction Awards were made from 1999–2003 inclusive. The breakdown includes the number of awards made to those employed by the Common Services Agency and those employed in primary care trusts. A breakdown of the number of awards made to those in teaching and non teaching hospitals is not available. | Awards | Awards Granted | | Awards Granted to | Employed | | Year | A+ | A | B | Total | Consultants in PCTs | by CSA | | 1999 | 8 | 19 | 33 | 60 | 6 | 2 | | 2000 | 5 | 19 | 47 | 71 | 7 | 1 | | 2001 | 12 | 34 | 67 | 113 | 13 | 1 | | 2002 | 5 | 22 | 41 | 68 | 9 | 0 | | 2003 | 6 | 17 | 37 | 60 | 3 | 2 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178745,"EventID":"S2W-05983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the number of nurses with specialist qualifications in palliative care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the number of nurses with specialist qualifications in palliative care.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are responsiblefor planning services in their areas and for securing the staff needed todeliver them.The Executive remainscommitted to building the workforce capacity of NHSScotland and in order toassist NHS employers meet local health needs, we have invested record sums inhealth. We are aware of the capacityissues for some specialist staff, and the department is working closely withNHSScotland to identify and increase the numbers of specialist nurses inpalliative care. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178746,"EventID":"S2W-05984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to meet the desire of people with a life-limiting disease to die at home.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to meet the desire of people with a life-limiting disease to die at home.","AnswerText":"Enabling patients to remainat home during the terminal stages of their illness, if possible and if that istheir wish, requires integration of the specialist palliative care and primaryhealthcare teams. Managed clinical networks for palliative care promote thatintegration, which is why we support and encourage their development.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178747,"EventID":"S2W-05985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the number of cancer deaths at home is rising or falling.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the number of cancer deaths at home is rising or falling.","AnswerText":"The following table shows deaths from cancer by place of death from 1993 to 2002. It is reasonable to assume that deaths “not in an institution” are “at home”. | | All Deaths | Hospital, Nursing Home, etc. | Not in an Institution | | 1993 | 15,458 | 11,413 | 4,045 | | 1994 | 15,164 | 11,268 | 3,896 | | 1995 | 15,224 | 11,247 | 3,977 | | 1996 | 15,171 | 11,282 | 3,889 | | 1997 | 14,889 | 11,098 | 3,791 | | 1998 | 14,752 | 10,922 | 3,830 | | 1999 | 14,789 | 11,142 | 3,647 | | 2000 | 14,958 | 11,266 | 3,692 | | 2001 | 15,196 | 11,435 | 3,761 | | 2002 | 15,051 | 11,275 | 3,776 | Source: GRO Scotland, February 2004. 2002 is the last year for which cancer mortality figures are available. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178748,"EventID":"S2W-05986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":68,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what services are being put in place to support palliative care at home, including assisting with the control of pain and other symptoms, providing extra help for carers,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what services are being put in place to support palliative care at home, including assisting with the control of pain and other symptoms, providing extra help for carers, meeting the need for nursing care in the home at night and providing advice and information through a telephone support service.","AnswerText":"We would expect NHS boards’palliative care needs assessments to take account of these issues, and a numberof initiatives are taking place across the country. The local and nationalreports from NHS Quality Improvement Scotland will help to achieve uniformityand equity of approach across the country as a whole in respect of theseservices and for those suffering from any progressive incurable illness.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178749,"EventID":"S2W-05987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5725 by Cathy Jamieson on 3 February 2004, if statistics regarding convictions under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 are not he","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5725 by Cathy Jamieson on 3 February 2004, if statistics regarding convictions under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 are not held centrally, how it intends to monitor the efficacy of the legislation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive intend to undertake a survey towards the end of 2004 to establish howeffective the provisions of the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003, whichcommenced on 22 October last year, have been. This will incorporate a sectionon the number of fixed penalties issued and any cases which have been referredto the procurator fiscal for consideration.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178750,"EventID":"S2W-05988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the consultation on the draft bill on charity law reform.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the consultation on the draft bill on charity law reform.","AnswerText":"On 5 December 2003, inresponse to a question from Jackie Baillie MSP, I published my strategy forconsultation during the drafting of the charity bill. The strategy set outthree core elements, including: the establishment of a bill reference group; arange of specialist consultation meetings looking at particular aspects of thebill; and wider information-sharing activities.The bill reference group hasnow met five times. It is continuing to examine and debate the key issues ofpolicy for the proposed bill. Additionally, the bill team has now held 29 separatemeetings with a range of identified stakeholders to discuss and refinetechnical aspects of the bill. Officials are continuing to meet with charitysector networks and professional bodies to ensure the draft bill fully meetsthe aim of creating an effective, proportionate regulatory framework forcharities. Monthly updates on progress,and background information including details of the consultation meetings, areavailable to all on the charity law pages of the Scottish Executive website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/UNASS/UNASS/00015300/page1193351391.aspx The draft bill will bepublished for formal consultation in the spring. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178751,"EventID":"S2W-05989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2665,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5666 by Mr Jim Wallace on 28 January 2004, what the reasons are for the Open University increasing its fees to students when the Sc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5666 by Mr Jim Wallace on 28 January 2004, what the reasons are for the Open University increasing its fees to students when the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has increased its grant to the University this year.","AnswerText":"The Open University is anautonomous institution and, as such, sets its course fee levels independently.However, I understand that the Open University has increased its course fees inline with inflation in the current year. Funding from the Scottish HigherEducation Funding Council represents only one of the streams of fundingavailable to the Open University.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178752,"EventID":"S2W-05990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be, or has been, allocated to advocacy services in respect of supporting the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill, broken dow","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be, or has been, allocated to advocacy services in respect of supporting the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill, broken down by (a) organisation and (b) location of organisation.","AnswerText":"Through the Children, YoungPeople and Families Unified Voluntary Sector Fund, £198,117 has been allocatedto two organisations, ENABLE (£114,219) and Partners in Advocacy (£83,898), to developadvocacy services for children and young people with learning disabilities. Thenational office of ENABLE is located in Glasgow and the main office of Partners in Advocacy is in Edinburgh.We intend to invite furtherbids for grant funding for advocacy services to children with additionalsupport needs and their families. An announcement of the bidding arrangementsand funding will be made soon. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178753,"EventID":"S2W-05991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what process will be used when bidding for advocacy services in respect of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what process will be used when bidding for advocacy services in respect of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5990 on 2 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178754,"EventID":"S2W-05992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what process is used when selecting service user and carer consultees and in selecting such representation on mental health working groups.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what process is used when selecting service user and carer consultees and in selecting such representation on mental health working groups.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive adopts a range of processes whenselecting service user consultees and in selecting such representation onworking groups.Regardingconsultation processes, the aim is always to ensure that we hear from as broada range of people as possible, including those in “hard to reach” groups. Ourefforts to do this include formal written consultation exercises; organisationand participation in events and road shows; and making use of existing networks,for example through NHS boards and voluntary organisations. Regarding selectionfor representation on working groups, we normally invite known organisations tonominate service users and carers who have appropriate experience and links tocommunity networks. Consideration is always given to the support needs ofindividual service user and carer representatives, for example by ensuringreimbursement of appropriate expenses, and provision for a supporter to assistthem where needed. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178755,"EventID":"S2W-05993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which service user and carer organisations and individuals have participated in mental health working groups since 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which service user and carer organisations and individuals have participated in mental health working groups since 1999.","AnswerText":"An extensive range oforganisations have provided invaluable and insightful contributions to mentalhealth working groups over recent years. There have also been contributionsfrom individuals where those concerned have not been attached to anorganisation or group.A review of all involvementsince 1999 would incur disproportionate cost. However, the spread ofcontribution has been considerable and, as well as individuals, would includeorganisations such as: Advocacy Safeguards Agency Alzheimer Scotland –Action on Dementia Carers Scotland Consultation and AdvocacyPromotion Service Disability RightsAssociation ENABLE Highland User’s Group Highland Community Care Forum National SchizophreniaFellowship Scotland Scottish Association forMental Health Scottish IndependentAdvocacy Alliance. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178756,"EventID":"S2W-05994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":33,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many babies have (a) developed life threatening Group B streptococcal infections, (b) died due to Group B streptococcal infections and (c) survived but have been left","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many babies have (a) developed life threatening Group B streptococcal infections, (b) died due to Group B streptococcal infections and (c) survived but have been left with serious long-term mental or physical problems due to Group B streptococcal infections, in each of the last 10 years for which records are available.","AnswerText":"The available information on neonatal discharges recording Group B streptococcal infections is shown in the table for years 1996 to 2003.Discharges from Neonatal Units with Diagnoses of Group B Streptococcal (ICD10 P360) between April 1996 and March 2003: | | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03* | | No of Discharges | 149 | 236 | 266 | 224 | 207 | 256 | 153 | Source: SMR11 Note: *Incomplete data collection The number of deaths of children aged under 2, with a mention of Group B Streptococcus infection on the death certificate, between 1996 and 2003 is as follows: | | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 2 | | Mention of Group B Streptococcus Infection | 3 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | | - of which | | | | | | | | | | underlying cause of death involved Group B Streptococcus infection1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | Source: General Register Office for Scotland Notes: 1. Causes associated with Group B Streptococcus included meningitis, pneumonia, and septicaemia. 2. Data for 2003 are provisional. Information on babies surviving but left with serious long term mental or physical problems due to Group B streptococcal infections is not readily available. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178757,"EventID":"S2W-05995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":33,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the NHS has considered introducing the enrichment culture method test, found to be effective in screening for group B streptococcal infections in Europe and the U","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the NHS has considered introducing the enrichment culture method test, found to be effective in screening for group B streptococcal infections in Europe and the United States of America, for all pregnant women.","AnswerText":"At present the UK NationalScreening Committee (NSC) has advised that there is no evidence to support theintroduction of pregnancy screening for group B streptococcal infection. TheNSC will review evidence when further health technology assessment researchfindings become available.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178758,"EventID":"S2W-05996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade the cross runway at Wick Airport.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade the cross runway at Wick Airport.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no current plans to upgrade the cross runway at Wick Airport.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178759,"EventID":"S2W-05997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect negotiations at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council in December 2003 will have on prawn fishing in the west of Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect negotiations at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council in December 2003 will have on prawn fishing in the west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Council agreed a total allowablecatch (TAC) for nephrops (prawns) West of Scotland of 11,300 tonnes. Thisessentially represents the same fishing opportunities as were available in 2003.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178760,"EventID":"S2W-05998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to expand the provision of undergraduate education for health professionals to meet the needs of its legislative programme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to expand the provision of undergraduate education for health professionals to meet the needs of its legislative programme.","AnswerText":"The Executive undertakes a numberof actions to ensure that the output from our further and higher educationinstitutions is appropriate to the workforce needs of NHSScotland. For example:the annual student nurse intake planning exercise undertakes thisresponsibility in respect of nurses and midwives and has resulted in year onyear increases to the number of student nurses and midwives in training; wehave provided funding for additional student places in areas such as radiographyand speech and language therapy, and are working in partnership with higher educationinstitutions, NHSScotland and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to support moretherapists in training; steps have been taken to increase dental undergraduateplaces to secure an increased annual output of 130 dental graduates; and areview of basic medical education in Scotland has been commissioned and is expectedto make recommendations shortly on numbers of medical students.In general terms, the processfor assessing the undergraduate intakes and outputs required to supplyNHSScotland with the many different types of healthcare professionals it needsis complex. It is closely linked to issues of workforce planning anddevelopment, including retention and recruitment strategies and the developmentof multi-professional teams, and also to the alternative routes to trainingthat may be available. I therefore also refer Mr Davidson to the answer givento question S2W-6002 on 5 March 2004. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178761,"EventID":"S2W-05999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the number of consultant dermatologists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the number of consultant dermatologists.","AnswerText":"Since 1997, the number of consultantdermatologists has increased by 16%. At 1.9%, the consultant dermatologist vacancyrate is below the national average consultant vacancy rate in Scotland of5.6%.The number of specialist registrartraining posts within this specialty has been increased from 14 in 2001 to 17in 2003. Seven individuals are anticipated to achieve their Certificate ofCompletion of Specialist Training in 2004, with four in 2005 and five in 2006.This is the route which enables medical staff to apply for consultant posts. The findings of “The TempleReview” will inform work on medical workforce planning including in thearea of dermatology. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178762,"EventID":"S2W-06000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of an outreach centre for dental training.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of an outreach centre for dental training.","AnswerText":"Outreach centres for dental studenttraining should allow an alternative training experience. This would preferablybe an experience which is different from the base dental hospital. Students usingsuch centres could learn and develop in either a clinical or non-clinicalenvironment.Our vision of the Aberdeencentre is in development with Grampian Health Board but should includesignificant clinical facilities where students could offer patients the fullrange of clinical treatment. We are encouraging Grampianto view this as primary care oriented outreach facilities to complement theskills developed in dental hospitals. Dundee and Glasgow Dental Schools are advising on how their students could obtain mostbenefit from such facilities. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178763,"EventID":"S2W-06001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many postgraduate dental training posts it has approved for the Grampian NHS Board area and how many new posts it will approve and support for the area in each of the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many postgraduate dental training posts it has approved for the Grampian NHS Board area and how many new posts it will approve and support for the area in each of the next three years.","AnswerText":"Currently, there is one specialistregistrar training post within Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, based atAberdeen Royal Infirmary. A trainee in restorative dentistry visits Aberdeen fortraining purposes on a weekly basis.There are also nine vocationaldental trainees within NHS Grampian. The allocation of trainingplaces in each NHS board is reviewed on an on-going basis to reflect serviceneed. As the number of posts is dependentupon both local ability to offer training places and applicants to fill thoseplaces, it is not possible to provide long-termprojections. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178764,"EventID":"S2W-06002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates the manpower requirements will be for the professions of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and optometry for each of the next 10 years, broken down by NHS ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates the manpower requirements will be for the professions of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and optometry for each of the next 10 years, broken down by NHS board area, to meet the needs of its plans for the future delivery of healthcare services.","AnswerText":"The developing regionalworkforce networks and their constituent NHS boards will advise on future staffingrequirements in their areas in response to the demand for services they areresponsible for providing at regional and local level. Based on this advice, theNational Workforce Committee will make recommendations on the future size andshape of the NHS workforce in Scotland.The Executive aims todevelop its first national workforce plan by the end of March, to coincide withthe establishment of the new boards throughout Scotland. The plan will providea comprehensive position statement and scenarios for the future. The newboards, the regional service and workforce planning networks will be able todraw on the national plan to inform their planning processes in the longer termand, in turn, they will inform further development of the national plan. Inaddition, the Executive will be better able to ensure that the supply of staffmatches the service's demand for them. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178765,"EventID":"S2W-06003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has issued to local authority planning departments since 1999 in respect of dealing with wind farm applications with regard to the effects of wind farms on","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has issued to local authority planning departments since 1999 in respect of dealing with wind farm applications with regard to the effects of wind farms on human amenity, safety and health.","AnswerText":"National Planning PolicyGuideline 6: Renewable Energy Developments and Planning Advice Note 45: Renewable Energy Technologies wererevised in 2000 and 2002 respectively to give guidance and advice on allthe major issues that are likely to arise in relation to wind farm proposals.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178766,"EventID":"S2W-06004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost has been of each investigation carried out by the NHS Fraud Investigation Unit since its inception and what the annual cost is of maintaining the unit and i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost has been of each investigation carried out by the NHS Fraud Investigation Unit since its inception and what the annual cost is of maintaining the unit and its helpline.","AnswerText":"The current running costs ofNHSScotland Counter Fraud Services (CFS) are £550,000 per annum. The costs of the Fraud Hotline for the period April 2003 to date are £80. For that period,there were approximately 230 calls. This volume of calls can be dealt with byCFS staff as part of their normal duties.The CFS team is split intoapproximately 50% contractor investigations and 50% patient claims checking. Todate, the CFS have carried out 56,000 patient exemption claims checks and 79 contractorinvestigations. Eleven have been referred to Procurators Fiscal, seven of whichare still current. An investigation into contractor fraud may take between threeand nine months depending on the complexity of the case (including the nature andscale of the fraud perpetrated, its location and the method/means used to carryit out) and on whether it is likely to be taken to court criminally or civillyor be subject to disciplinary procedures of the NHS or the professionalregulatory bodies. The primary role of the CFS is deterrence and therefore, withthe agreement of the NHS body, it may be decided that the most suitable actionis not criminal prosecution but recovery of funds and/or discipline. A full exercise to cost allinvestigations carried out since the establishment of the CFS has not been undertaken.Resources would need to be diverted from investigative/prevention work in orderto do so. Records are kept, however, of investigator time spent on every case. Onecase has been fully costed for investigators’ time and expenses resulting in acost of £24,400. In this case, the practitioner pleaded guilty to a reducedcharge of £6,000 fraud and has offered to make a further substantial repayment.Additionally, subsequent to the execution of the search warrant on the practitioner’spremises, his payment claims to the NHS fell by £5,000 per month or a saving tothe NHS of £60,000 per year. Some cases do not result insubstantial recoveries but impact on NHS clinical governance. If the CFS wereto be judged solely on financial returns then cases involving clinical practicewould not be taken on by them. This would be unacceptable. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178767,"EventID":"S2W-06005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the proposed regulation of smoking Bill by Stewart Maxwell MSP or whether it will introduce its own legislation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the proposed regulation of smoking Bill by Stewart Maxwell MSP or whether it will introduce its own legislation.","AnswerText":"The Executive has not had anopportunity to consider the practicalities of Stewart Maxwell’s Bill in detail.However, it is premature to reach a decision on legislation ahead of researchwhich we have commissioned on the evidence base for introducing smokingrestrictions and hearing the views of the Scottish people. We will consultwidely during the summer and will reach a decision once we have considered allthe necessary evidence and opinions.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178768,"EventID":"S2W-06006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its plans with regard to the diversification of the Banff and Buchan economy following its fishing decommissioning scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its plans with regard to the diversification of the Banff and Buchan economy following its fishing decommissioning scheme.","AnswerText":"A partnership of ScottishEnterprise Grampian, Aberdeenshire Council and Communities Scotland has alreadyput in place the “Building Buchan New Beginnings” action plan. This local actionplan aims to focus their collective resources on building sustainablecommunities throughout the Buchan area.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178769,"EventID":"S2W-06007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will propose that the roles and responsibilities of local authorities be debated in the Scottish Parliament.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will propose that the roles and responsibilities of local authorities be debated in the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerText":"We currently have no plansto propose that the roles and responsibilities of local authorities be debatedin the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178770,"EventID":"S2W-06008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it estimates out-of-hours primary medical services will cost after 1 April 2004, broken down by NHS board area, and whether it will allocate resources to ensure ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it estimates out-of-hours primary medical services will cost after 1 April 2004, broken down by NHS board area, and whether it will allocate resources to ensure that service levels in other areas of healthcare are not compromised after this date.","AnswerText":"Under the new GMS contractGPs have the option to transfer responsibility for delivering out-of-hoursprimary medical services to their NHS boards. NHS boards have until 31 December 2004 toplan for reprovision of out-of-hours service, by which time they should havealternative arrangements in place for these services.Boards’ plans are not yetsufficiently developed to provide precise cost estimates at this stage,although a national out-of-hours working group is working with boards to takethis work forward. NHS boards are alreadyreceiving record increases in their allocations (an extra 7.7% in 2004-05 inreal terms) to ensure that the highest standards of service provision can bemaintained and improved upon in all areas. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178771,"EventID":"S2W-06009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the current controls on bovine TB.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the current controls on bovine TB.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce theissue today of a consultation document on proposals for a new Great Britainstrategy on bovine TB. This seeks views on both long term measures aimed atachieving a sustainable control policy in Great Britain and on short term measureswhich would limit the spread of the disease from high to low incidence areas.Responses to this consultation will help inform the drafting of a strategywhich will then itself be subject to consultation. Copies have been placed inthe Scottish Parliaments Information Centre (Bib. number 03059).","AnswerDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178772,"EventID":"S2W-06010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the cost of delivery of healthcare by patient episode has risen in line with the increased allocation of resources in real terms.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the cost of delivery of healthcare by patient episode has risen in line with the increased allocation of resources in real terms.","AnswerText":"NHS Board allocations haveincreased in real terms by 15.8% since 1999-2000. This compares with the realterms increase in measurable unit costs, mainly in the acute sector, of 23%over the same period.The unit cost figure shouldbe treated with caution as they do not fully reflect changes in patterns ofactivity or improvements in quality and quantity of care as a result ofchanging clinical practice. New data collection processes are being developedto improve the way in which activity and costs are recorded in the future, andsome of this is brought out in the new acute data due to be published on 26February 2004. This includes statistics on nurse-led clinics, out-patientoperations/procedure etc. More information can be found on this link: http://www.isdscotland.org. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178773,"EventID":"S2W-06011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the results of its consultation with each NHS board on the effects and costs of the reduction of hours of junior doctors.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the results of its consultation with each NHS board on the effects and costs of the reduction of hours of junior doctors.","AnswerText":"Reducing the hours worked byjunior doctors to ensure safe patient care is a key priority for NHS employersand presents significant challenges. The effects are far reaching and thenecessary changes form part of a wider programme of service modernisation and redesign.We have not consulted NHS boards on the specific costs of the reduction of juniordoctors’ hours. We are however in on-going discussion with NHS boards andregional workforce planners about the effects of modernising the medicalworkforce.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178774,"EventID":"S2W-06012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide dedicated residential facilities for people with eating disorders in each NHS board area and whether it will encourage the provision of independent s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide dedicated residential facilities for people with eating disorders in each NHS board area and whether it will encourage the provision of independent sector facilities for people with eating disorders to add capacity to the NHS where boards are unable to provide such a service.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are responsiblefor assessing local service needs and for providing services to meet them,within the framework of national priorities and resources. I therefore look to boards,working together where appropriate, to determine the pattern of eating disorderservices (including in-patient facilities) necessary to meet the needs of theareas they serve. This responsibility includes deciding how to make best use ofservices in the independent sector.The Framework for MentalHealth Services in Scotland, published in 1997, sets out general guidanceon eating disorder services and encourages boards to consider a range ofapproaches, including regional models, for providing access to in-patient care.The Framework does not impose a specific structure or level of service onboards. It is for the boards themselves to determine what is most appropriatein accordance with their assessment of local and regional needs and priorities. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178775,"EventID":"S2W-06013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the target dates are for the implementation of free dental and eye checks and what the results of its negotiations were with relevant professional bodies with regard","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the target dates are for the implementation of free dental and eye checks and what the results of its negotiations were with relevant professional bodies with regard to the provision of such services.","AnswerText":"We have undertaken tosystematically introduce free dental and eye checks for all before 2007. Discussionswith the relevant professions on the method of introduction are on-going.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178776,"EventID":"S2W-06014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average number is of NHS patients on dental practice lists, expressed also as a percentage of the average total number of patients on such lists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average number is of NHS patients on dental practice lists, expressed also as a percentage of the average total number of patients on such lists.","AnswerText":"The average number of NHSpatients on general dental practice lists in Scotland at 31 December 2003was 2,730.It is not possible toexpress this number as a percentage of the average total number of patients onsuch lists, as information on non-NHS patients is not centrally available. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178777,"EventID":"S2W-06015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for a review of dental materials approved for use under the NHS dental services contract for primary care.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for a review of dental materials approved for use under the NHS dental services contract for primary care.","AnswerText":"We have no current plans fora review of dental materials approved for use under NHS general dental services,however, we are currently conducting an extensive consultation on the future ofNHS dental services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178778,"EventID":"S2W-06016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish, prior to the Stage 1 debate on the National Health Service Reform (Scotland) Bill, its evidence to support its view that the bill is cost neutral","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish, prior to the Stage 1 debate on the National Health Service Reform (Scotland) Bill, its evidence to support its view that the bill is cost neutral in respect of the abolition of NHS trusts.","AnswerText":"The evidence supporting theview that the bill is cost neutral in respect of the abolition of NHS trustswas set out in a letter to the Finance Committee dated 21 October 2003 andin a letter to the Health and Community Care Committee dated 24 February 2004.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178779,"EventID":"S2W-06017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what patient consultation it has completed with regard to its proposal to abolish local health care councils and what consultation has been conducted with regard to the i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what patient consultation it has completed with regard to its proposal to abolish local health care councils and what consultation has been conducted with regard to the independence of the new Scottish Health Council.","AnswerText":"Proposals for a New Public Involvement Structure for NHS Scotland issued for national consultation in March 2003. The proposals weredeveloped following an extensive pre-consultation exercise with the keystakeholders; local health councils, the Scottish Association of HealthCouncils and the NHS. The consultation document, the comments received, and anindependent analysis of the comments received can be viewed on Scottish Healthon the Web at www.show.scot.nhs.uk/scottishhealthcouncils.This consultation coveredissues relating to the status and independence of the Scottish Health Council. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178780,"EventID":"S2W-06018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints have been made to the Standards Commission for Scotland in each year since its inception on issues arising from the Code of Conduct for Councillors, b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints have been made to the Standards Commission for Scotland in each year since its inception on issues arising from the Code of Conduct for Councillors, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"That is a matter for theStandards Commission for Scotland. This information is not held centrally. Informationon completed investigations made by the Chief Investigating Officer and hearingsheld by the Standards Commission on issues arising from the Code of Conduct forCouncillors is available on the Commission’s website broken down by localauthority.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178781,"EventID":"S2W-06019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints have been made to the Standards Commission for Scotland in each year since its inception on issues arising from the Model Code of Conduct for Members ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints have been made to the Standards Commission for Scotland in each year since its inception on issues arising from the Model Code of Conduct for Members of Public Bodies, broken down by public body.","AnswerText":"That is a matter for theStandards Commission for Scotland. This information is not held centrally. Informationon completed investigations made by the Chief Investigating Officer andhearings held by the Standards Commission on issues arising from the Model Codeof Conduct for Members of Public Bodies is available on the commission’swebsite broken down by public body.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178782,"EventID":"S2W-06020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Chief Investigating Officer (CIO) is part of the Standards Commission for Scotland and, if not, whether the CIO shares administrative support with the commiss","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Chief Investigating Officer (CIO) is part of the Standards Commission for Scotland and, if not, whether the CIO shares administrative support with the commission.","AnswerText":"As set out in the EthicalStandards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000, the Chief Investigating Officer and theStandards Commission for Scotland work together within the ethical standardsframework, but have separate statutory functions. To fulfil these functionsindependently, the CIO and Commission have distinct and separate administrativesupport.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178783,"EventID":"S2W-06021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any person who is a member of the Standards Commission for Scotland was invited to give any views in respect of those being considered for appointment as Chief In","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any person who is a member of the Standards Commission for Scotland was invited to give any views in respect of those being considered for appointment as Chief Investigating Officer.","AnswerText":"No member of the StandardsCommission for Scotland was invited to give any views in respect of thosebeing considered for appointment as Chief Investigating Officer.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178784,"EventID":"S2W-06022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the full text of the advertisement for the post of Chief Investigating Officer of the Standards Commission for Scotland; where the post was advert","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the full text of the advertisement for the post of Chief Investigating Officer of the Standards Commission for Scotland; where the post was advertised, and how many applications were received.","AnswerText":"The advertisement for thepost of Chief Investigating Officer was published in The Scotsman, TheHerald, The Press and Journal, The Courier and DailyRecord. Seventy-one applications were received. A copy of the text isprovided below for reference.“Chief Investigating Officer(CIO) The Chief InvestigatingOfficer will be responsible for investigating and reporting to the StandardsCommission on alleged breaches of the Codes of Conduct relating to Councillorsand members of devolved public bodies. The investigatory functions of the CIOwill be independent of the adjudicatory functions of the Commission.Accordingly, the CIO will have discretion about the conduct of his or herduties. The CIO will be able to investigate alleged breaches by both servingand former councillors and members of relevant public bodies. Candidates must haveleadership skills and a preparedness to demonstrate high standards of probityand integrity expected by the public; experience of conducting investigations(gathering information, interviewing, analysis etc); an understanding of theimportance attached, by politicians, the public and the press, to ethicalstandards; management and communication skills and the ability to writethorough and soundly argued reports; the ability to reach sound, independentand reliable judgements; tact, discretion and an understanding ofconfidentiality, transparency and accountability. The Chief InvestigatingOfficer is expected to devote 2.5 days per week and attracts a salary of£30,000. The post is pensionable. This salary is currently under review.Applications will be considered on a loan or secondment basis if suitablearrangements can be made with your present employer. Members of the Commissionand the Chief Investigating Officer will be appointed by Scottish ministers.Appointments will be made on the basis of equal opportunities and on terms andconditions as ministers determine. Applications are welcomed from all suitablyqualified people regardless of race, gender, marital status, disability orsexual orientation. Applications from under-represented groups are activelyencouraged. The Executive is committed to the principles of public appointmentsbased on merit with independent assessment, openness and transparency ofprocess. Political activity will not be a criterion for appointment butcandidates must subscribe to the objectives of the Commission. Appointments will initiallybe for three years, renewable at the discretion of Scottish ministers. Timecommitments specified above will be reviewed in light of experience and may beamended. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178785,"EventID":"S2W-06023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2100,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":61,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what regulations there are to control the marketing of potentially lethal swords and knives and whether it has any plans to introduce any further restrictions on the disp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what regulations there are to control the marketing of potentially lethal swords and knives and whether it has any plans to introduce any further restrictions on the display and sale of such weapons in retail premises.","AnswerText":"The Knives Act 1997 makes ita criminal offence both to market a knife and to publish material in connectionwith the marketing of a knife in a way which indicates that the knife is suitablefor combat or in a way which is likely to encourage violent behaviour involvingthe use of the knife as a weapon.Section 141 of the CriminalJustice Act 1988 makes it a criminal offence to import, manufacture, sell orhire an offensive weapon, or expose or possess such a weapon for the purpose ofsale or hire. The list of weapons which have been specified as offensiveweapons includes various types of knife. Additionally, the Executiveis committed under the partnership agreement to review the law and enforcementof knife crimes. In this regard we are currently considering whether there isany need for further legislation in this area, or whether there may beadditional non-legislative measures which might be introduced. The outcome of the review will be announced in due course. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178786,"EventID":"S2W-06024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5644 by Mr Tom McCabe on 4 February 2004, how many (a) dentistry graduates and (b) applicants to dental schools there were in each ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5644 by Mr Tom McCabe on 4 February 2004, how many (a) dentistry graduates and (b) applicants to dental schools there were in each year from 1990 to 2000.","AnswerText":"In response to how many (a) dentistry graduates, this information is not available prior to 1995 and is as follows:Dentistry Graduates | Year | Number | | 1995 | 110 | | 1996 | 117 | | 1997 | 123 | | 1998 | 111 | | 1999 | 128 | | 2000 | 128 | | 2001 | 112 | | 2002 | 124 | (b) This information is notcentrally held. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178787,"EventID":"S2W-06025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans for area tourist boards to become city region based.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans for area tourist boards to become city region based.","AnswerText":"The ministerial group on tourismhas been examining the state of Scottish tourism, and the public expendituredevoted to it. We are considering the area tourist board review in the contextof these wider issues. It is important that any reshaping of the area tourist boardstructure is right for today’s market and will stand us in good stead for thefuture. We hope to announce the goup’s conclusions in due course.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178788,"EventID":"S2W-06026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which of its health-related helplines will be transferred to NHS 24; what resources will be transferred, and whether any staff posts will be reduced as a result.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which of its health-related helplines will be transferred to NHS 24; what resources will be transferred, and whether any staff posts will be reduced as a result.","AnswerText":"The operation of the HealthyLiving and Breathing Space helplines has transferred to NHS 24. We expect to allocatesome £700,000 to NHS 24 to cover the operation of these lines in 2004-05. Thiswill allow the Breathing Space service to be rolled-out nationally. No reductionin staff posts has resulted from these transfers.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178789,"EventID":"S2W-06027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding has been made available to NHS Counter Fraud Services (CFS) to tackle fraud in the NHS; how such additional funding has been utilised, and how man","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding has been made available to NHS Counter Fraud Services (CFS) to tackle fraud in the NHS; how such additional funding has been utilised, and how many investigations into CFS has carried out since it received additional funding.","AnswerText":"Funding of £1.1 million tosupport the expanded remit of NHSScotland (CFS) will be made available in thenext financial year. In November, I approved the recommended option of a ShortLife Working Group set up to prepare an options paper in respect of theextension of the CFS’s counter fraud role from family health services to thewhole of the NHS in Scotland. That option was the provision of a full counterfraud service to NHSScotland, to include more extensive pro-active deterrenceactivities, through a centrally based, professionally qualified team of counterfraud specialists dedicated only to counter fraud work. The CFS is currentlyconsidering the practical aspects of expanding its remit, including officeaccommodation needs and recruitment, induction and training of additionalstaff, working with NHS boards to agree co-operative arrangements. For thispurpose, it has set up an extended role project team composed of existingstaff. Once arrangements are completed, the CFS will focus on its extendedrole. I should emphasise that there will be a concentration on deterrence andprevention activities to reduce fraud in the NHS to an absolute minimumalongside investigative activity. In the interim period, the CFS will continuewith its work of countering fraud in the family health services.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178790,"EventID":"S2W-06028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking as a result of the action being taken by the European Commission against the UK over failures to ensure sufficient protection of wild birds, in so","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking as a result of the action being taken by the European Commission against the UK over failures to ensure sufficient protection of wild birds, in so far as these affect Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5920. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178791,"EventID":"S2W-06029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to classify black grouse, ptarmigan, red grouse and partridge as protected species of wild birds as defined by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to classify black grouse, ptarmigan, red grouse and partridge as protected species of wild birds as defined by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.","AnswerText":"Other than the measurescontained in the Nature Conservation Bill, there are currently no plans to givethese species additional protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act1981.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178792,"EventID":"S2W-06030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has in respect of the decline in numbers of black grouse and ptarmigan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has in respect of the decline in numbers of black grouse and ptarmigan.","AnswerText":"The last UK survey onblack grouse was in 1995-96 when it was estimated that there were 4,960 lekkingmale black grouse in Scotland. The next UK survey willbe conducted in 2005-06.Further information on the black grouse and the associatedconservation efforts can be found on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan for blackgrouse website: www.blackgrouse.info In 1990 the ptarmigan populationwas estimated to be 10,000 breeding pairs. The 1988-91 British Trust for Ornithology New Atlas ofBreeding Birds found that thedistribution of ptarmigan in Scotland had not changed substantially since theprevious Atlas Survey in 1968-1971. The Atlas Survey for 2008-2011 will be thenext official survey of this species. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178793,"EventID":"S2W-06031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4301 by Mr Tom McCabe on 5 December 2003 indicating that the first review of the Care Commission will take place in 2007, whether i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4301 by Mr Tom McCabe on 5 December 2003 indicating that the first review of the Care Commission will take place in 2007, whether it will now review the commission on an annual basis.","AnswerText":"No. It would not be possibleto deliver good regulation aimed at improving the quality of care forvulnerable people if the organisation responsible for that regulation wassubject to a root-and-branch review every year.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178794,"EventID":"S2W-06032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-05T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S2W-3857.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S2W-3857.","AnswerText":"Question S2W-3857 wasanswered on 17 February 2004.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178795,"EventID":"S2W-06033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2665,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive under what authority housing associations, such as the Ayrshire North Community Housing Organisation, charge owner-occupiers an annual estate management fee where no such","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive under what authority housing associations, such as the Ayrshire North Community Housing Organisation, charge owner-occupiers an annual estate management fee where no such charge has been levied before.","AnswerText":"When Scottish Homes’ stocktransferred to housing associations, such as Ayrshire North Community HousingOrganisation, the feu superiority and the title to all the relevant commonareas also passed to the new landlord. The new landlord, as the feu superior,has the legal right to use Clause Ninth in the owners’ Deed of Conditions,which refers to feuing conditions, to ask the owner-occupiers for a share of the cost incurred by the superiors in carrying out work relating to themaintenance of these common areas. It is for the landlord as feu superior todetermine the frequency of charges made for such work.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178796,"EventID":"S2W-06034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to primary care services providing carers with free influen'a vaccination at a local GP surgery.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to primary care services providing carers with free influen'a vaccination at a local GP surgery.","AnswerText":"The Joint Committee onVaccination and Immunisation advises UK Health Departments on issues relatingto vaccination and immunisation, based on currently available scientificevidence.The committee is currentlyconsidering whether carers should be brought within the groups recommended forimmunisation against influenza. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178797,"EventID":"S2W-06035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the training of carers in lifting and handling techniques.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the training of carers in lifting and handling techniques.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive issued guidance (CCD 2/2003) in March 2003 to local authorities, NHSScotlandand the voluntary sector advising on new legislative measures to support unpaidcarers contained in the Community Care and Health (Scotland)Act 2002. A fundamental principle underpinning the act and its associatedguidance is that carers are key partners in the provision of care and as suchneed resources to help them in their caring role. Resources can includepractical support or training. It is up to local authorities and health boards,working in partnership with local carers, to agree the provision of supportservices for carers. I understand that some Princess Royal Trust Carer Centres,which receive funding from local authorities and health boards, are already conductinglocal training of carers in moving and handling techniques.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178798,"EventID":"S2W-06036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of police officers who have retired in the last five years on ill health grounds were (a) diagnosed with stress or a mental illness, (b) injured while on ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of police officers who have retired in the last five years on ill health grounds were (a) diagnosed with stress or a mental illness, (b) injured while on duty and (c) injured while off duty.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally and is a matter for individual Chief Constables.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178799,"EventID":"S2W-06037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance exists in respect of serving police officers who are experiencing stress, depression or other mental health illness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance exists in respect of serving police officers who are experiencing stress, depression or other mental health illness.","AnswerText":"The Association of Chief PoliceOfficers in Scotland published a Scottish Police Service People Strategydocument in August last year and intends to introduce a strategy for a healthypolice service as part of an associated action plan. The strategy documentmakes clear that the service recognises that its most valuable asset is itsstaff; that officers may be subject to stress and some may suffer from mentalhealth problems; and that it is important that forces are able to provideappropriate occupational health and welfare services.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178800,"EventID":"S2W-06038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance exists in respect of serving police officers who have experienced stress, depression or other mental health illness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance exists in respect of serving police officers who have experienced stress, depression or other mental health illness.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-6037 on 26 February 2004. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178801,"EventID":"S2W-06039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance exists in respect of the recruitment of police officers who have experienced stress, depression or other mental health illness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance exists in respect of the recruitment of police officers who have experienced stress, depression or other mental health illness.","AnswerText":"The appointment of officersin Scottish police forces is solely the responsibility of chief constables. To assist chief constables in making appointments,the Scottish Executive provides guidance on the requirements, includingmedical standards, which those seeking appointment to the police service areexpected to meet. This is provided to assist the force medical officer inassessing a candidate’s suitability and includes criteria relating to bothphysical and mental health.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178802,"EventID":"S2W-06040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1754,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":5,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered funding free mountain weather forecasts, as currently being trialled in Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered funding free mountain weather forecasts, as currently being trialled in Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons.","AnswerText":"We are aware of the pilot weatherforecasting service recently introduced into Wales and have asked theMountaineering Council of Scotland to monitor and evaluate its operation duringits trial period. We will then consider whether a similar service might beintroduced in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178803,"EventID":"S2W-06041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the reclassification of Al'heimer's disease as a terminal illness.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the reclassification of Al'heimer's disease as a terminal illness.","AnswerText":"None. The UK health services use the International Classification of Diseases bythe World Health Organisation for all medical conditions, including mentalillnesses.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178804,"EventID":"S2W-06042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when work on the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link is expected to commence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when work on the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link is expected to commence.","AnswerText":"The contractor is currentlyundertaking preparatory work and I expect substantial work to start on sitebefore the end of February.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178805,"EventID":"S2W-06043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1877,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":70,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many expert advisers are currently working as temporary civil servants; how many such advisers are full-time; what grade they are; how they are distributed across dep","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many expert advisers are currently working as temporary civil servants; how many such advisers are full-time; what grade they are; how they are distributed across departments, and how these numbers have changed on an annual basis since the establishment of the Parliament.","AnswerText":"The information requested is set out in the following table: | Number of expert advisers currently working as temporary civil servants | 5 | | Number full-time | 1 | | Grade | SCS | | Departmental split | 2 - Enterprise, Transport & Lifelong Learning Department 1 - Education Department 1 - Office of the Permanent Secretary 1 - Justice Department | | Number of expert advisers appointed since establishment of the Parliament | 1 - February 2001 - October 2002 1 - February 2001 - March 2003 1 - June 2002 1 - May 2003 1 - August 2003 1 - January 2004 1 - February 2004 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178806,"EventID":"S2W-06044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5522 by Mr Tom McCabe on 3 February 2004, why the average weekly cost per resident with a mental illness in residential care units ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5522 by Mr Tom McCabe on 3 February 2004, why the average weekly cost per resident with a mental illness in residential care units operated by local authorities is higher than the equivalent average weekly cost per resident in (a) private and (b) voluntary sector residential care units.","AnswerText":"Section 22 of the NationalAssistance Act 1948 requires local authorities to set the fees for localauthority care home places at an amount equivalent to the full cost to theauthority of providing them. The costs of independent sector care home placesare simply the negotiated contract rates agreed between the local authority andthe provider.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178807,"EventID":"S2W-06045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1961,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":33,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3405 by Mr Andy Kerr on 7 November 2003, where each joint ministerial committee meeting took place; which ministers attended, and w","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3405 by Mr Andy Kerr on 7 November 2003, where each joint ministerial committee meeting took place; which ministers attended, and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"The following table provides a complete list of Scottish Executive Ministerial attendance at all JMC meetings that have taken place since 7 October 1999:Paragraph A1.11 of the Memorandum of Understanding and Supplementary Agreements between the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations describes the remit and structure of the Joint Ministerial Committee. It provides that “the proceedings of each meeting of the JMC will be regarded as confidential by the participants, in order to permit free and candid discussion”, and thereforethe issues discussed at each meeting are not disclosed. JOINT MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE - MEETINGS SINCE 1999 | Subject | Date | Venue | Scottish Minister | | Plenary | 1 September 2000 | Edinburgh | First Minister and Deputy First Minister | | Plenary | 30 October 2001 | Cardiff | First Minister and Deputy First Minister | | Plenary | 22 October 2002 | London | First Minister and Deputy First Minister | | Europe | 1 March 2001 | London | Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs and Deputy Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs | | Europe | 8 November 2001 | London | No Scottish Minister was able to participate | | Europe | 7 March 2002 | London | Deputy First Minister | | Europe | 11 June 2002 | London | Deputy First Minister | | Europe | 27 September 2002 | London | First Minister | | Europe | 22 October 2002 | London | First Minister & Deputy First Minister | | Europe | 30 January 2003 | London | Deputy Minister for Education and Young People | | Europe | 6 October 2003 | London | Minister for Finance and Public Services | | Europe | 1 December 2003 | London | First Minister | | Europe | 15 January 2004 | London | Minister for Health and Community Care | | Europe | 3 February 2004 | London | Minister for Health and Community Care | | Europe | 24 February 2004 | London | No Scottish Executive Minister was able to participate. Anne McGuire, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State fo","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178808,"EventID":"S2W-06046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from dog walkers in respect of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and whether it intends to make any changes to the code as a result.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from dog walkers in respect of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and whether it intends to make any changes to the code as a result.","AnswerText":"We have received norepresentations concerning issues relating to dog walkers in respect of theproposed Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland)Act 2003 requires Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to draw up the ScottishOutdoor Access Code. SNH consulted on a draft Code and received and considered commentsfrom a wide variety of groups and individuals, which included dog walkers,before submitting the code to ministers on 21 January. We are currently consideringthe proposed code and hope to submit it to Parliament for its approval in thenear future. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178809,"EventID":"S2W-06047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued guidance to NHS boards to discontinue the prescription of nicotine patches to people who wish to stop smoking and, if so, what the reasons are for s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued guidance to NHS boards to discontinue the prescription of nicotine patches to people who wish to stop smoking and, if so, what the reasons are for such guidance.","AnswerText":"No such guidance has beenissued by the Executive.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178810,"EventID":"S2W-06048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2866 by Malcolm Chisholm on 6 October 2003, how much the healthyliving line cost to run in each month since September 2003.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2866 by Malcolm Chisholm on 6 October 2003, how much the healthyliving line cost to run in each month since September 2003.","AnswerText":"The operational costs forthe healthy living line from 1 September 2003 to 31 January 2004 are presentedin the table.Operational Costs for the HealthyLiving Line (September 2003 – January 2004) | Month | Cost (ex VAT) | | September | £41,131.70 | | October | £53,657.59 | | November | £53,067.10 | | December | £58,995.01 | | January | £78,525.40 | All costs are excluding VAT. The January figure includes £69,470 of transfer costs as the line was transferred from Essentia to NHS24 on 6 January 2004. We expect the costs to drop significantly now. We expected call traffic to fall off when the main advertising ceased in October. The TV adverts have hit home – recording 80% awareness levels in the general population at the start of the campaign and 76% before advertising ceased in October (NHS Health Scotland Communications Tracking Survey (BMRB International)). If we are to bring about cultural change in our diets we must empower the people of Scotland to make healthier choices. The healthyliving advice line and website are a way of sharing information and building skills and confidence. The success of the healthyliving initiative will not be measured simply by the number of calls to the line or hits on the web. Many people will have made changes to their diet and lifestyle without having used the helpline or web site. Success will be measured over time by whether we improve our health by eating the right foods and adopting a more active lifestyle. We implore all sections of Scottish society to take a broad view of the wide range of actions that are required to achieve success. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178811,"EventID":"S2W-06049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many undergraduates have declared themselves bankrupt in each year for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many undergraduates have declared themselves bankrupt in each year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"Information on the number ofdebtors subject to sequestrationproceedings who are undergraduates isnot held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178812,"EventID":"S2W-06050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many undergraduates have been declared bankrupt in each year for which figures are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many undergraduates have been declared bankrupt in each year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6049 on 2 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178813,"EventID":"S2W-06051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many student loan borrowers have declared themselves bankrupt in each year since student loans were introduced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many student loan borrowers have declared themselves bankrupt in each year since student loans were introduced.","AnswerText":"Information on whether thebankruptcy proceedings in each case were the result of a petition by the debtoror one of his/her creditors is not held centrally.I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6052 on 2 March 2004for the numbers of Scottish student loan borrowers who have been declaredbankrupt. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178814,"EventID":"S2W-06052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many student loan borrowers have been declared bankrupt in each year since student loans were introduced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many student loan borrowers have been declared bankrupt in each year since student loans were introduced.","AnswerText":"The number of Scottishstudent loan borrowers who have been declared bankrupt in each calendar yearare detailed in the table. | Year | Number of Borrowers | | 1990 | 0 | | 1991 | 0 | | 1992 | 2 | | 1993 | 3 | | 1994 | 3 | | 1995 | 6 | | 1996 | 13 | | 1997 | 31 | | 1998 | 75 | | 1999 | 142 | | 2000 | 150 | | 2001 | 194 | | 2002 | 329 | | 2003 | 429 | | Total | 1,377 | Source: Student Loans Company ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178815,"EventID":"S2W-06053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total outstanding debt is to the student loans company.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total outstanding debt is to the student loans company.","AnswerText":"The information requested isgiven on table number 6, page number 58 of the Student Loans Company AnnualReport 2001-02, published by the Student Loans Company in 2003, a copy of whichis available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 30921). TheStudent Loans Company annual report 2002-03 will soon be published and copieswill be placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178816,"EventID":"S2W-06054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total outstanding debt is to the student loans company from people still domiciled in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total outstanding debt is to the student loans company from people still domiciled in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The information requested isgiven on table number 6, page number 58 of the Student Loans Company annual report2001-02, published by the Student Loans Company in 2003, a copy of which isavailable in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 30921). The StudentLoans Company annual report 2002-03 will soon be published and copies will beplaced in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178817,"EventID":"S2W-06055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many student loans have been taken out in each year since they were introduced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many student loans have been taken out in each year since they were introduced.","AnswerText":"The information requested isgiven on table number 2, page number 57 of the Student Loans Company annual report2001-02, published by the Student Loans Company in 2003, a copy of which isavailable in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 30921). The StudentLoans Company annual report 2002-03 will soon be published and copies will beplaced in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178818,"EventID":"S2W-06056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the average cost to a person of undertaking further education, taking into account any (a) contribution towards fees, (b) graduate endowment ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the average cost to a person of undertaking further education, taking into account any (a) contribution towards fees, (b) graduate endowment obligation, (c) foregone earnings whilst studying and (d) other costs.","AnswerText":"The cost to each studentwill vary depending upon the personal circumstances of the individual, wherethey are studying within the UK, and the level and length of their course. The Scottish Executive is, therefore, unable to provide an estimate of the average cost to aperson undertaking a course in further education. The graduate endowment doesnot apply to further education students.The Executive is about tocommission a Scottish-based student income and expenditure survey. This surveywill provide comprehensive data on theincomes, expenditure and anticipated debt on graduation of a nationallyrepresentative sample of full-time and part-time undergraduate studentsstudying in Scotland and attending publicly funded higher education and furthereducation institutions during the academic year 2004-05. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178819,"EventID":"S2W-06057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the average cost to a person of undertaking higher education, taking into account any (a) contribution towards fees, (b) graduate endowment o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the average cost to a person of undertaking higher education, taking into account any (a) contribution towards fees, (b) graduate endowment obligation, (c) foregone earnings whilst studying and (d) other costs.","AnswerText":"The cost to each studentwill vary depending upon the personal circumstances of the individual, wherethey are studying within the UK and the level and length of their course. The Scottish Executive is, therefore, unable to provide an estimate of the average cost to aperson undertaking a course in higher education. The level of the graduateendowment is fixed at the beginning of the course and we estimate that up to50% of graduates will be exempt.The Executive is about tocommission a Scottish-based student income and expenditure survey. This surveywill provide comprehensive data on theincomes, expenditure and anticipated debt on graduation of a nationallyrepresentative sample of full time and part time undergraduate studentsstudying in Scotland and attending publicly funded higher education and furthereducation Institutions during the academic year 2004-05. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178820,"EventID":"S2W-06058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current real term value is of the maximum student grant available in (a) 1979, (b) 1988 and (c) 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current real term value is of the maximum student grant available in (a) 1979, (b) 1988 and (c) 1997.","AnswerText":"The figures requested are shown in the table:Maximum Student Grant Available | Year | Amount of Grant | Value in 2003 Prices* | | 1979 | £1,245 | £3,981 | | 1988 | £1,990 | £3,375 | | 1997 | £1,685 | £1,940 | Note: *Using the retail price index as a deflator. The maximum level of grant was frozen in 1990 with the introduction of mortgage style student loans. The level of grant was reduced and the maximum level of loan increased between 1994-95 and 1997-98 until the maximum support available was made up equally of grant and loan. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178821,"EventID":"S2W-06059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many specialist primary school modern language teachers there are and what plans it has to train such specialists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many specialist primary school modern language teachers there are and what plans it has to train such specialists.","AnswerText":"Information on how many specialistprimary modern language teachers there are is not available centrally. A modernforeign language is an option for specialist study within the Bachelor ofPrimary Education course and a training course to teach modern languages isavailable to qualified primary teachers.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178822,"EventID":"S2W-06060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current non-completion rates are for higher and further education courses and what steps it is taking to reduce these figures.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current non-completion rates are for higher and further education courses and what steps it is taking to reduce these figures.","AnswerText":"The Higher Education FundingCouncil for England (HEFCE) publish performance indicators for all UK highereducation institutions (HEIs) annually. The latest figures show that 10% of full-timefirst degree entrants to Scottish HEIs in 2000-01 failed to continue aftertheir year of entry.Themechanisms in place to support students to the successful completion of ahigher education qualification are the responsibility of HEIs themselves; theseare supported through Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) grantsfor teaching and learning. The nature of these support mechanisms is notdetermined by SHEFC, as they are based on the local circumstances andpriorities of the institution in question. However, SHEFC introduced itsWidening Access Premium in 2001-02 in order to support institutions inimproving the retention and progression of students from under representedareas. The total allocated to the sector through this grant in 2003-04 is£4,236,000. In August 2003, the ScottishFurther Education Funding Council (SFEFC) published performance indicatorscharting the achievements of Scotland’s 46 further education colleges, in relation to theacademic year 2001-02. The performance indicators show that 85% of studentsstaying at college beyond the first quarter of their course completed theirprogrammes. The performance indicatorsenable individual colleges to benchmark their own achievement against that ofother colleges and thus lead to quality improvement. SFEFC recently consulted on proposals for its futureapproach to quality improvement and assurance. SFEFC has agreed to proceed with changes to achievea differentiated review model, with greater emphasis on the effectiveness ofstudent learning. A working group has been set up to manage the detaileddevelopment of the review methodology. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178823,"EventID":"S2W-06061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average level of debt has been for new graduates in each year since 1990.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average level of debt has been for new graduates in each year since 1990.","AnswerText":"The table shows the average graduate debt since 1999. | Cohort | Average Debt | | 1999 | £2,863 | | 2000 | £3,174 | | 2001 | £3,876 | | 2002 | £4,294 | | 2003 | £4,924 | Source: Student Loans Company (SLC). Statistics on debt were not maintained by SLC until the introduction of income contingent repayment loans in 1998. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178824,"EventID":"S2W-06062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average student loan debt has been for graduates from (a) honours degree, (b) ordinary degree and (c) sub-degree level study when entering repayment status in ea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average student loan debt has been for graduates from (a) honours degree, (b) ordinary degree and (c) sub-degree level study when entering repayment status in each year for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178825,"EventID":"S2W-06063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any student loan debts have been sold to the private sector.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any student loan debts have been sold to the private sector.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18120 on 27 September 2001. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178826,"EventID":"S2W-06064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the graduate endowment is predicted to have on the repayment of student loans.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the graduate endowment is predicted to have on the repayment of student loans.","AnswerText":"The amount of student loan thata graduate repays each month and the period of time over which repayments aremade are linked to the level of the borrower’s income and the amount borrowed. Under the support arrangements introduced in2001-02, many students who will be liable to pay the endowment when theygraduate will have been eligible to receive the Young Students Bursary in placeof part of their loan entitlement. Most liable graduates will have borrowedless under these arrangements than they would have had under the previoussystem. No student should have borrowed more.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178827,"EventID":"S2W-06065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average length of time is for a graduate to repay their student loan.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average length of time is for a graduate to repay their student loan.","AnswerText":"The average length of timefor a graduate to repay their student loan is 13 years.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178828,"EventID":"S2W-06066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional costs will be incurred by the Student Loans Company if tuition fees in England and Wales are deregulated and what effect this will have on Scottish studen","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional costs will be incurred by the Student Loans Company if tuition fees in England and Wales are deregulated and what effect this will have on Scottish students.","AnswerText":"Any costs incurred by theStudent Loans Company (SLC) are met on a proportional basis by Her Majesty’sGovernment and the devolved administrations, based on the numbers of borrowerswho were domiciled in each country when they received their loan and value of thoseloans. Any additional development costs incurred by SLC as a result of policychanges by one administration are generally met by that administration.While costs incurred by SLChave financial implications for student support budgets they do not have anydirect effect on students. Student loan borrowers only begin to repay theirloans when they have left full-time education and earn more than the specifiedincome threshold. The amount to be repaid is uprated by inflation to ensurethat it is the same, in real terms, as the amount borrowed. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178829,"EventID":"S2W-06067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has carried out into the effects of tuition fees and the graduate endowment scheme on attitudes towards study in further and higher education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has carried out into the effects of tuition fees and the graduate endowment scheme on attitudes towards study in further and higher education.","AnswerText":"In July, 1999, the Scottish Executive commissioned an independent committee of inquiry, headed by Mr Andrew Cubie,to conduct a comprehensive review of student finance, which in turncommissioned research to inform its report. Since then the Scottish Executive has not conducted research specifically on the effects of tuition feesand the graduate endowment scheme on attitudes towards study in further andhigher education. However, the Executive continues to make use of work conductedby academics and other researchers in the field of further and higher educationregarding student finance and possible barriers to participation. We alsomaintain close links with officials in DfES.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178830,"EventID":"S2W-06068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers social work departments have to assist children and families from whom welfare benefits are withdrawn under clause 7 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers social work departments have to assist children and families from whom welfare benefits are withdrawn under clause 7 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Bill.","AnswerText":"If as a result of asylumsupport being withdrawn, a local authority considered that any child concernedwas one in need or one for whom accommodation should be provided under section25 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, then it could exercise its powers inthe usual way.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178831,"EventID":"S2W-06069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the findings of the report by the Scottish Public Service Ombudsman of an investigation into a complaint against Grampian University Hospital NHS Trust, publ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the findings of the report by the Scottish Public Service Ombudsman of an investigation into a complaint against Grampian University Hospital NHS Trust, published on 3 February 2004, whether it will directly support orthodontal services in Grampian and, if not, whether it will amend the Arbuthnott allocation formula to ensure that NHS Grampian is allocated sufficient funding to ensure that similar complaints are avoided in future.","AnswerText":"The Arbuthnott formuladetermines the increase in boards’ financial allocations on the basis of anoverall assessment of relative needs, taking into account the influences ofdemography, deprivation and remoteness. The planning and provision of servicesare matters for NHS boards within those resources, national guidelines andoverall priorities. The Ombudsman rejected the complaint and indicated thatthis was a resource allocation issue for the trust.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178832,"EventID":"S2W-06070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1889,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":28,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in talks with the Norwegian Government on fish farming.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in talks with the Norwegian Government on fish farming.","AnswerText":"Directly following talksbetween Scottish and Norwegian officials and industry, I met with his Norwegiancounterpart Mr Ludvigsen in Oslo on Monday, 2 February.Dialogue was bothwide-ranging and positive, exploring possible areas of future co-operation andco-ordination. We discussed the current UK safeguards application and have agreed that there isa need to share information. It is expected that the respective administrationswill hold further talks in May. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178833,"EventID":"S2W-06071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to arrange for clinical trials of the anti-dementia drug memantine (Ebixa).","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to arrange for clinical trials of the anti-dementia drug memantine (Ebixa).","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plansto arrange for clinical trials of memantine (Ebixa).","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178834,"EventID":"S2W-06072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities preparing contracts for school building and refurbishment projects are allowed to specify that a form of renewable energy, such as wood chip, mu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities preparing contracts for school building and refurbishment projects are allowed to specify that a form of renewable energy, such as wood chip, must be used in the central heating systems for the buildings concerned.","AnswerText":"It is a matter for localauthorities to decide on the detail of their contracts. The EC publicprocurement directives provide scope for reflecting environmentalconsiderations in procurement, where it is relevant to the subject matter of the contract or based upon environmental objectives of the public bodyconcerned. Given that the current main investment in school buildings isthrough the public private partnerships procurement route and will involve asubstantial amount of new build, the opportunity exists to deliver publicservices in a more environmentally friendly way.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178835,"EventID":"S2W-06073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Social Economy Action Plan will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Social Economy Action Plan will be published.","AnswerText":"We are developing the actionplan and hope to make an announcement shortly.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178836,"EventID":"S2W-06074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider transferring the responsibility for fire safety inspection in care homes to the fire service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider transferring the responsibility for fire safety inspection in care homes to the fire service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive will await the outcome of the inquiry into the Rosepark tragedy beforeconsidering what, if any, changes need to be made to the current arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178837,"EventID":"S2W-06075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many private water supplies there are, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many private water supplies there are, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The figures are publishedannually in the report “Drinking Water Quality in Scotland”. Acopy of the latest report is available from the Parliament’s Reference Centre(Bib. number 31063).","AnswerDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178838,"EventID":"S2W-06076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it has made available to upgrade private water supplies to enable compliance with new EU regulations or connection to public water supplies; who is respo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it has made available to upgrade private water supplies to enable compliance with new EU regulations or connection to public water supplies; who is responsible for the disbursal of such funds, and how owners of private water supplies can apply for funds.","AnswerText":"Currently, funding toupgrade private water supplies is available from a number of sources. HousingImprovement Grants can be awarded to households for a range of purposesincluding the upgrade of the water supply. Citizens wishing to apply for ahousing improvement grant should contact their local authority.In Scottish Water’s currentinvestment programme, some £41 million has been made available for investmentto address development constraints and provide first time connection in ruralareas. Ministers will give final approval to the allocation of this money laterthis year. Information on households requiring connection to the public watersupply has been provided to Scottish Water by local authority environmental healthofficers. Finally, the Scottish Executive aims to bring into force a dedicated private water supplies improvementgrant scheme to assist citizens and business to comply with new private watersupply regulations. Proposals on this matter will be subject to fullpublic consultation, planned for later this year.<","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178840,"EventID":"S2W-06078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1877,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":70,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are currently employed in its performance and innovation unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are currently employed in its performance and innovation unit.","AnswerText":"Two members of Scottish Executive staff currently work in the performance and innovation unit, althoughit is able to draw on inputs from a wider range of staff. One is Mr Nick Parker,who took up post as head of the unit on 2 February. One of his first tasks isto plan the programme of work for the unit in the months ahead, within areas ofactivity determined by ministers. Staff resources will be built up on the basisof this assessment. It is envisaged that a substantial proportion of the staffengaged on individual projects will be seconded by organisations outwith the Executive rather than employed by the Executive. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178841,"EventID":"S2W-06079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive who has the authority to grant 'ero rating for council tax and water charges and what the criteria are for granting such rating.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive who has the authority to grant 'ero rating for council tax and water charges and what the criteria are for granting such rating.","AnswerText":"Properties exempt fromcouncil tax and water charges, and categories of individual disregarded for thepurpose of calculating council tax and water charges, are set out in statute.Properties that are whollyoccupied by qualifying students and those wholly occupied by the severelymentally impaired are exempt from council tax and water charges. Individuals disregarded forthe purpose of council tax and water charges are listed below: Personsin detention other than for the non-payment of a fine or on remand. Personswith severe mental impairment. Apprenticesearning no more than £163 per week. Students. Studentnurses. Youthtraining trainees aged under 25. Patientsin homes. Careworkers who are employed, work for at least 24 hours per week and receive nomore than £36. Careworkers who provide care or support for an average of 35 hours per week to aperson who is in receipt of a qualifying benefit and who is not their spouse orchild under the age of 18. Membersof international headquarters and defence organisations designated under theInternational Headquarters and Defence Organisations Act 1964. Diplomatswith full and partial diplomatic status. Membersof religious communities who have no personal income. Schoolleavers aged under 20 for whom child benefit is payable. Membersof visiting forces who are neither British citizens nor ordinarily resident inthe United Kingdom. Spouse and dependents ofnon-British students who are prevented from taking paid employment or fromclaiming benefits by virtue of the rules of their entry into the UK. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178842,"EventID":"S2W-06080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance exists for local authorities with regard to the provision of a gritting service on school bus routes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance exists for local authorities with regard to the provision of a gritting service on school bus routes.","AnswerText":"Guidance with regard to theprovision of a gritting service on school bus routes is contained in “DeliveringBest Value in Highway Maintenance – Code of Practice for Maintenance Management”.This Code of Practice has been prepared by the Institution of Highways andTransportation and is supported, endorsed and recommended by, amongst others,the Scottish Executive, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities andthe Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178843,"EventID":"S2W-06081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for trade union recognition for representation and negotiation in the NHS and whether such criteria will be reviewed following the Agenda for Change","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for trade union recognition for representation and negotiation in the NHS and whether such criteria will be reviewed following the Agenda for Change process.","AnswerText":"The criteria for trade unionrecognition are set out in the Employment Relations Act 1999 in Sections1,5,6,25 and Schedule 1 of the provisions of the Act.For the purposes of nationalcollective bargaining in the NHS, the General Whitley Council (GWC) determinesthe trade unions and staff organisations that are recognised for representationand negotiation in the NHS. The staff side organisationswith national recognition are set down by the GWC and are listed in Appendix Bto the GWC Handbook. As part of the proposedagreement on Agenda for Change, an NHS staff council will be established toreplace the relevant functions of the GWC and the separate functional WhitleyCouncils. This council will have overall responsibility for the new pay system. The staff side organisationswith current national recognition for the purposes of the staff council arelisted in Section 12.13 of the Agenda for Change agreement. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178844,"EventID":"S2W-06082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":48,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for trade union participation in health partnership fora at local and national level.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for trade union participation in health partnership fora at local and national level.","AnswerText":"At a national level, we haveestablished the Scottish Partnership Forum and the Human Resources Forum. Thisis a tripartite arrangement between the Scottish Executive Health Department, NHSScotlandemployers and trade unions/professional organisations. They are formallyconstituted with an equal number of places offered to the Scottish ExecutiveHealth Department/NHSScotland employers and the STUC affiliated trade unionsand professional organisations. The mechanism and process for selection oftrade union/professional organisation representatives on these national fora isdetermined and undertaken by the trade unions/professional organisations.Each NHS system has developedand agreed locally a partnership agreement which sets out the membership of theArea Partnership Forum. Membership is drawn from recognised trade unions andprofessional organisations and management representatives. The number of seatsis a matter for local determination. It is for staff side organisations todetermine the chair and this individual is automatically nominated as the employeedirector for the system subject to ministerial approval of their appointment tothe NHS board. The only real criteriarequired of all members of local and national fora is an agreement that allparties will work together towards improving the service provided by the NHS,to both patients and staff, and that all decisions on its future will be madethrough genuine partnership working. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178845,"EventID":"S2W-06083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many physiotherapy course places were available at universities and how many applicants for such places there were in each year since 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many physiotherapy course places were available at universities and how many applicants for such places there were in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"Applications and acceptances to physiotherapy courses in Scottish Higher Education Institutions, 1998 to 2003, are included in the following table. | Year | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | | Applications | 2,136 | 1,902 | 1,902 | 1,695 | 1,665 | 1,767 | | Applicants Accepted | 165 | 168 | 169 | 162 | 194 | 173 | | % Accepted | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 10 | Source: UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Data is not available on the number of physiotherapy places offered. The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council funds student places through 13 funding subject groups including the other health and welfare category, from whichphysiotherapy places are funded. The council does not allocate places or funding to specific courses within funding subject groups, which is at the discretion of higher education institutions (HEIs). Correspondingly, there is no fixed level of course places for physiotherapy, as HEIs have the flexibility within the broader subject group to increase the level of provision for specific courses, reflecting demand in any particular year. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178846,"EventID":"S2W-06084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many physiotherapy course places are available at universities for 2004-05 and how many students have applied for such places.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many physiotherapy course places are available at universities for 2004-05 and how many students have applied for such places.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-6063 on 26 February 2004. All answers to writtenquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.There is no informationavailable about the number of planned course places for physiotherapy in Scotland for2004-05. Final application figures willbe available from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service after June2004, and thereafter candidates may apply through the clearing system. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178847,"EventID":"S2W-06085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2252,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":34,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the interim report of the Barker Review of Housing Supply, Securing Our Future Housing Needs, and whether it will institute a similar review focus","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the interim report of the Barker Review of Housing Supply, Securing Our Future Housing Needs, and whether it will institute a similar review focussing specifically, and in more detail, on the future needs for housing in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Executive has been inclose touch with the work of the Barker Review Team and has noted the contentof its interim report. It will consider any implications for Scotland of the final report when it is published in the spring. There are no plans for a separatereview in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178848,"EventID":"S2W-06086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will meet additional unplanned cost pressures in the NHS arising from the new consultants' contract and GP contract.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will meet additional unplanned cost pressures in the NHS arising from the new consultants' contract and GP contract.","AnswerText":"The cost of the consultants’contract will be met through NHS boards’ general allocations. Boards have receivedrecord funding in this spending round and the cost of the new contract will besubsumed within the very significant overall real-terms uplift received by boards.An additional £30 million was allocated to NHS boards in March 2004 in order tohelp meet the pressures relating to pay and service modernisation.Implementation of the new GeneralMedical Services contract in Scotland is supported by a 33% increased investment inprimary care over three years to cover the costs of delivering the contract. ","AnswerDate":"2004-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178849,"EventID":"S2W-06087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with NHS boards regarding additional unplanned cost pressures arising from the new consultants' contract and GP contract.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with NHS boards regarding additional unplanned cost pressures arising from the new consultants' contract and GP contract.","AnswerText":"An NHS employers’ reference groupfor the consultants’ contract has been meeting on a regular basis since it wasestablished in November 2003. This group, which includes managementrepresentatives from a number of NHSScotland boards and Scottish Executive staff, is overseeing a co-ordinated and consistent approach to planningfor the introduction of the consultants’ contract and has issued regular adviceto all NHSScotland employers to help take forward this work. The group hasexamined in detail the financial aspects of the contract and has been carryingout an assessment of costs across all NHS boards.Planning for introduction of the new GMS Contract on 1 April 2004 has been on-going since the positive outcome of theUK-wide GP ballot in June 2003. A national reference group, comprised of stafffrom across the NHS boards in Scotland and Scottish Executive representatives, has beenoperating since last year to oversee the implementation process. A finance workinggroup, with its membership drawn from finance directors across NHS boards andthe Scottish Executive, has been meeting on a regular basis to examine thefinancial envelope for GMS in Scotland and identify any likely pressuresresulting from implementation of the new contract. These discussions arecurrent and on-going. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178850,"EventID":"S2W-06088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the increase in salaries arising from the new consultants' contract, what the advantages are of such a contract.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the increase in salaries arising from the new consultants' contract, what the advantages are of such a contract.","AnswerText":"The new consultants’ contractprovides a number of specific advantages, not least a considerable increase inthe contracted time devoted to direct patient care, up from 21 hours per weekto at least 30 hours per week for each full-time consultant. The overarchingbenefit to be derived from the contract is to provide NHSScotland with thetools to more effectively manage consultants’ time and workload. The jobplanning process allows managers, for the first time, to critically examine andtransparently timetable all of a consultant’s activities, and to agree how consultants’working commitments and practices can best contribute to NHS objectives. Inthis way managers will be able to explicitly and more effectively manageconsultant activity in order to secure the capacity they require to improveservices to patients and, where appropriate, take forward the re-design ofservices.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178851,"EventID":"S2W-06089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the ad hoc ministerial group on tourism will next meet.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the ad hoc ministerial group on tourism will next meet.","AnswerText":"There are no plans for the adhoc ministerial group on tourism to meet again.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178852,"EventID":"S2W-06090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-06T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the ad hoc ministerial group on tourism has delivered its report to the Cabinet, and if not, when the group expects to do so.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the ad hoc ministerial group on tourism has delivered its report to the Cabinet, and if not, when the group expects to do so.","AnswerText":"The ad hoc ministerial groupon tourism is currently in the process of presenting its report to Cabinet.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178853,"EventID":"S2W-06091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on whether, under the recently agreed quota arrangements, Scottish fishermen should be allowed to utilise the unused days at sea of other Scottish ve","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on whether, under the recently agreed quota arrangements, Scottish fishermen should be allowed to utilise the unused days at sea of other Scottish vessels that for any reason cannot use their allocation.","AnswerText":"Arrangements are in placeunder EU rules to provide, within certain limits, for the transfer of unuseddays between vessels.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178854,"EventID":"S2W-06092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote \"Spring Day in Europe 2004\" in Scottish schools and how many schools have registered for the initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote \"Spring Day in Europe 2004\" in Scottish schools and how many schools have registered for the initiative.","AnswerText":"Involvement in the EU’sannual “Spring Day in Europe” celebration is at the discretion of schools andlocal authorities. The Scottish Executive has already sent detailedinformation on this year’s event to international co-ordinators in all localauthorities. This will be forwarded to schools to promote participation.At present, five Scottish schools are registered for “Spring Day”. Regularly updated information on registrations is available from the European Schoolnet at: http://futurum2004.eun.org/ww/en/pub/futurum2004/index.cfm. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178855,"EventID":"S2W-06093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations will receive funding from the unified voluntary sector funds and what the nature is of the projects involved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations will receive funding from the unified voluntary sector funds and what the nature is of the projects involved.","AnswerText":"The Children, Young Peopleand Families Unified Voluntary Sector Fund is available to assist nationalvoluntary organisations and innovative local projects working with children,young people and families. A copy of the grant guide, including priorities forthe fund, and a list of organisations approved funding for 2004-05 has beenplaced in the Parliament’s Information Centre (Bib. number 31262).","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178856,"EventID":"S2W-06094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the minor ailments service for community pharmacists will be introduced across Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the minor ailments service for community pharmacists will be introduced across Scotland.","AnswerText":"The extension of the minorailment service throughout Scotland will be informed by both experience gained in thepilots (currently underway in NHS Ayrshire and Arran and NHS Tayside) and theon-going discussions with the Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council on thenew community pharmacy contract.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178857,"EventID":"S2W-06095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the eligibility rules for access to the minor ailments service for community pharmacists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the eligibility rules for access to the minor ailments service for community pharmacists.","AnswerText":"Currently the service isbeing piloted in NHS Ayrshire and Arran and NHS Tayside, where the eligibility rules areavailable.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178858,"EventID":"S2W-06096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which general sale list or pharmacy-only items will be excluded from the minor ailments service for community pharmacists and what the reasons are for its position on the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which general sale list or pharmacy-only items will be excluded from the minor ailments service for community pharmacists and what the reasons are for its position on the matter.","AnswerText":"Items excluded from theminor ailments service are those which cannot be prescribed on the NHS and arelisted in Schedule 10 to the NHS (General Medical Services) (Scotland)Regulations 1995 No. 416 (S.29).","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178859,"EventID":"S2W-06097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and, if so, whether such a review will consider whether additional bod","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and, if so, whether such a review will consider whether additional bodies such as registered social landlords should be brought under the remit of the act.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to reviewgenerally the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland)Act 2002 which will be implemented on 1 January 2005.Later this year however a review of the range of public bodies covered by the actwill be carried out. This review will consider the inclusion of bodies such asregistered social landlords.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178860,"EventID":"S2W-06098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #175 million regeneration fund for local authorities that make a commitment to housing stock transfer will be made available to Glasgow Housing Association Lt","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the #175 million regeneration fund for local authorities that make a commitment to housing stock transfer will be made available to Glasgow Housing Association Ltd.","AnswerText":"No. The Glasgow HousingAssociation’s business plan will enable it to deliver its regenerationcommitments in Glasgow. The Scottish Executive has already providedsubstantial resources to ensure that the plan is fully fundable.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178861,"EventID":"S2W-06099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of economic growth being its top priority, which measurement it considers to be the most important in measuring economic performance and for what reasons.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of economic growth being its top priority, which measurement it considers to be the most important in measuring economic performance and for what reasons.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-2774 on 30 September 2003, which noted that economic performance is assessed by a number ofindicators. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178862,"EventID":"S2W-06100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of economic growth being its top priority, which measurement it considers to be the most important in measuring the impact of economic performance on the people","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of economic growth being its top priority, which measurement it considers to be the most important in measuring the impact of economic performance on the people of Scotland and for what reasons.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6099 on 8 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178863,"EventID":"S2W-06101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of economic growth being its top priority, what targets it will be asking the new senior management of Scottish Enterprise to achieve and for what reasons.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of economic growth being its top priority, what targets it will be asking the new senior management of Scottish Enterprise to achieve and for what reasons.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has provided strategic direction to Scottish Enterprise in A Smart,Successful Scotland. Measures for tracking performance againstpriorities, and progress against these measures, are set out in the reports MeasuringProgress towards a Smart, Successful, Scotland. The measures deal with performance of the economyand add to the strategic guidance given to the enterprise networks but they arenot direct measures of enterprise network activity.Targets for Scottish Enterpriseactivity are for the board of that body to set, taking into account strategicdirection and performance measures, discussion with the Executive and availableresources. Such in year output targets are set out in operating plans. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178864,"EventID":"S2W-06102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of Lyme disease have been recorded in each of the last 10 years, broken down by NHS board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of Lyme disease have been recorded in each of the last 10 years, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"The numbers of cases of Lyme disease notified between 1994 and 2003, by NHS board, were | | Years Ended 31 December: | | NHS Board (Residence) | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003P | | Scotland | 9 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 27 | 17 | 40 | 43 | | Argyll and Clyde | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | | Ayrshire and Arran | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | | Borders | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | | Dumfries & Galloway | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Fife | 1 | - | - | 4 | 6 | 2 | - | - | 3 | 1 | | Forth Valley | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | | Grampian | - | 1 | - | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | - | | Greater Glasgow | 1 ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178866,"EventID":"S2W-06104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that doctors are made aware of the symptoms of lyme disease so that early diagnosis can take place.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that doctors are made aware of the symptoms of lyme disease so that early diagnosis can take place.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive isnot planning to take any specific action to raise awareness of lyme disease amongdoctors. There is already guidance available from the Scottish Centre forInfection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) on lyme disease which covers issuessuch as health risks and the principles of good practice (guidance note 18). Thisis available on the SCIEH website, to which all practitioners have access andis widely distributed to environmental health officers and public health consultants.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178867,"EventID":"S2W-06105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any research has been undertaken into the population of animal ticks capable of spreading lyme disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any research has been undertaken into the population of animal ticks capable of spreading lyme disease.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is not aware of any research relating to the population of animal tickscapable of spreading Lyme disease.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178868,"EventID":"S2W-06107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been, or will be, any discussions with Her Majesty's Government in respect of the honours system and, if so, whether there are any plans to enable Scot","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been, or will be, any discussions with Her Majesty's Government in respect of the honours system and, if so, whether there are any plans to enable Scotland to develop its own honours system.","AnswerText":"Honours are reserved to theUK Government, and are awarded by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of thePrime Minister. The Scottish Executive is invited by the Prime Minister to submit recommendationswhich are considered alongside other UK recommendations. Discussions on the operation of thesystem occur when required.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jack McConnell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178869,"EventID":"S2W-06108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average increase has been in land values in each region since 1993.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average increase has been in land values in each region since 1993.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not hold information on land sales at the level of detailrequested. However, a historic series of sales of equipped farms is publishedin the Economic Report on Scottish Agriculture (ERSA) and can be viewedat the following location:ERSA 2003 Table C12 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/agri/ersa03-52.asp The table shows salessubtotalled for Less Favoured Areas and Non-Less Favoured Areas as well as atthe Scotland level. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178870,"EventID":"S2W-06109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average rental values of agricultural land have been in each region in each year since 1993.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average rental values of agricultural land have been in each region in each year since 1993.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not hold information on rental values of agricultural land at thelevel of detail requested. The annual SEERAD Tenanted Land Survey producesaverage rental values by farm type and these can be viewed in the EconomicReport on Scottish Agriculture (ERSA) at the following location:ERSA 2003 Table A17 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/agri/ersa03-18.asp#3 The survey sample is notstratified by region, and as such it is not possible to produce a reliable timeseries of farm rents on a regional basis. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178871,"EventID":"S2W-06110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3004,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what obstacles there are to the direct election of members of police boards.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what obstacles there are to the direct election of members of police boards.","AnswerText":"Members of police boards in Scotland aredrawn from amongst directly elected members of local authorities who areappointed by their constituent authorities to the police board for their area. Any change to these arrangements would require changes to legislation.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178872,"EventID":"S2W-06111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3004,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered calls for the establishment of a Scottish Poet Laureate as set out in motion S2M-789 in my name.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered calls for the establishment of a Scottish Poet Laureate as set out in motion S2M-789 in my name.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has decided to create a position of national poet for Scotland. Scottish ministers believe that it is vitally important that we recognise the significant contribution of poetry to Scotland’s culture. This position will symbolise the success of Scottish poets in the past and the potential of Scottish poetry for the future.Scottish ministers have decided to recognise Professor Edwin Morgan as Scotland’s leading contemporary poet. Professor Morgan will therefore be the first person to be awarded the designation of “The Scots Makar” (The Scots Poet). Professor Morgan will be the only recipient of the title to be appointed by ministers. Ministers are committed to an independent appointment process for the future and will consult with the Scottish Arts Council and members of the poetry community to agree that procedure. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178873,"EventID":"S2W-06112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3004,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it has had in the review of the City of Edinburgh Council's Social Work Department following the Caleb Ness inquiry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it has had in the review of the City of Edinburgh Council's Social Work Department following the Caleb Ness inquiry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has been kept informed about the review of the City of Edinburgh Council's Social Work Department following the O’Brien Report into the death ofCaleb Ness but has had no involvement in its conduct.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178874,"EventID":"S2W-06113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3004,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what extra financial support it has offered to the City of Edinburgh Council in respect of the review of its Social Work Department following the Caleb Ness inquiry.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what extra financial support it has offered to the City of Edinburgh Council in respect of the review of its Social Work Department following the Caleb Ness inquiry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not offered any extra financial support to the City of Edinburgh Council in respect of the review of its Social Work Department following theCaleb Ness inquiry.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178875,"EventID":"S2W-06114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in response to the report by the Royal College of Physicians that 18 million people in the United Kingdom have allergies and that these are becom","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in response to the report by the Royal College of Physicians that 18 million people in the United Kingdom have allergies and that these are becoming more severe and complex.","AnswerText":"The Executive has taken noaction directly related to this report. In September 2000, the Scottish Medicaland Scientific Advisory Committee produced a detailed and comprehensive reporton immunology and allergy services in Scotland. This identified deficiencies in service provisionand made a number of recommendations for their improvement. The report waswidely distributed to NHS boards, NHS trusts and individual clinicians with aninterest in allergy and immunology, with a view to informing future decisionson services in these fields. Since the report was published, three moreconsultant immunologists have taken up posts.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178876,"EventID":"S2W-06115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any estimate has been made of the cost of connecting 95% of the population to broadband and, if so, what that cost is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any estimate has been made of the cost of connecting 95% of the population to broadband and, if so, what that cost is.","AnswerText":"The Executive is consideringhow to expand affordable broadband coverage well beyond the 70% target we have alreadyreached. Our independent advisers have made cost projections of the likelystages. However, it could prejudice the value for money of any futureprocurement exercise if these estimates were made public at present.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178877,"EventID":"S2W-06116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a schedule and timetable for construction works on the A77 Bellfield Interchange to Monkton Roundabout.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a schedule and timetable for construction works on the A77 Bellfield Interchange to Monkton Roundabout.","AnswerText":"A public exhibition will beheld later this year once the assessments of options have been completed. It istoo early in the design process to specify when a timetable for theconstruction works could be published.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178878,"EventID":"S2W-06117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures will be undertaken to improve and upgrade the A75 in each of the next five years and what funding has been allocated to each of these projects.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures will be undertaken to improve and upgrade the A75 in each of the next five years and what funding has been allocated to each of these projects.","AnswerText":"The following improvementsto the A75 are currently being prepared and their cost has been included in the Scottish budget settlement for 2003-06. The settlement will ensure that subjectto the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures the schemesrequiring funding during this period will be able to proceed to construction. | Scheme | Start date | Cost | | Barfil to Bettyknowes | Construction start programmed for 2004-05 | £3.1 million | | | Construction start programmed for 2005-06 | £5.0 million | | | | | | Planting End to Drumflower | Construction start programmed for 2005-06 | £3.5 million | | Dunragit Realignment | Construction start programmed for 2006-07 | £12.1million | | Hardgrove to Kinmount | | | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178879,"EventID":"S2W-06118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many emergency dental admissions there have been in each financial year since 1999-2000, broken down by NHS board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many emergency dental admissions there have been in each financial year since 1999-2000, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"The information requested isbeing compiled by the Information and Statistics Division of the CommonServices Agency, but it will take some time to complete.I will write to the memberas soon as the information is available and will arrange for a copy of myletter to be placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178880,"EventID":"S2W-06119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available to organisations such as Disablement Income Group Scotland who provide advice to individuals making benefit applications.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available to organisations such as Disablement Income Group Scotland who provide advice to individuals making benefit applications.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive provides grant funding to voluntary sector organisations through anumber of schemes. These are detailed in the Scottish Executive’s Guide forthe Voluntary Sector to Scottish Executive Grants 2003-04, which isavailable from Scottish Parliaments Reference centre. Funding is generallyavailable for activities that promote Scottish Executive objectives and for nationalinfrastructure organisations and associated local networks to promote thegrowth and effectiveness of voluntary and community organisations.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178881,"EventID":"S2W-06120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage more people to borrow materials from libraries.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage more people to borrow materials from libraries.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s libraries have worked together to offer a range ofreading promotions to the public. These have included five Now Read Onpromotions, through the 1990s, the Scottish Writers promotion of 2000,whose CD ROM was short-listed for a BAFTA Innovation award, and the Mind’sEye non-fiction promotion.With help from the ScottishArts Council lottery fund, the Scottish Library and Information Council andCILIP in Scotland have been helping the Scottish libraries establish areader development network. Reader development uses a reader-centred approachand is focussed on widening individual reading tastes for contemporary fiction,developing and sustaining the publishing industry. The reader developmentnetwork has seen an explosion in library-based reading groups, including groupsfor the visually impaired, island-based book chains and local readingactivities and promotions. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178882,"EventID":"S2W-06121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it issues guidelines to local authorities on levels of investment in lending stock for libraries.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it issues guidelines to local authorities on levels of investment in lending stock for libraries.","AnswerText":"The COSLA report, Standardsfor the Public Library Service in Scotland 1995, provides guidance on thenumber of titles which should be added to stock for local authorities toprovide an adequate selection of material for users, without defining spendinglevels, which is a matter for individual authorities. It is clear from Audit Scotland’s recentpublication, Cultural and Community Services Performance Indicators 2002-03,that many authorities have not been able to achieve these levels.The Scottish Executive has asked the Scottish Library and Information Council to explore withlocal authorities ways of improving the delivery of public library services,including book stock and reader development activity. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178883,"EventID":"S2W-06122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the rising level of consumer debt as detailed in Citi'en Advice Scotland's report On the Cards: The debt crisis facing Scottish CAB c","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the rising level of consumer debt as detailed in Citi'en Advice Scotland's report On the Cards: The debt crisis facing Scottish CAB clients.","AnswerText":"We are tackling problem debtthrough our Partnership for a Better Scotland commitment to support the moneyadvice sector in Scotland. To this end an extra £4 million of new funding for2004-05 and 2005-06 was announced on 26 January 2004which will go towards developing new front-line money advice services for anumber of vulnerable groups, such as minority ethnic communities and lone parents.The funding will also be used to boost the £3 million annually already providedto local authorities by the Executive, which has resulted in 120 additional moneyadvisers.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178884,"EventID":"S2W-06123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-504 by Mr Tom McCabe on 10 June 2003, how many dentists there have been whose patient registration status shows withdrawn in each f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-504 by Mr Tom McCabe on 10 June 2003, how many dentists there have been whose patient registration status shows withdrawn in each financial year from 1999-2000 to 2001-02 and this financial year to date, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is provided in the following table. The presence of a dentist indicates that the status of at least one of his patients is “withdrawn”. The data do not necessarily indicate all NHS general dentists who have notified patients of their withdrawal of NHS services. In some cases, dentists may not formally request that a patient’s registration be withdrawn; instead, the registration may simply be allowed to lapse.Number of NHS General Dentists with at Least One Patient whose Registration Status shows “withdrawn”1,2 as at 12 February 2004. | NHS Board Area | April 1999 to March 2000 | April 2000 to March 2001 | April 2001 to March 2002 | April 2003 to December 2003 | | Ayrshire and Arran | 72 | 73 | 75 | 27 | | Borders | 23 | 23 | 28 | 12 | | Argyll and Clyde | 81 | 80 | 59 | 26 | | Fife | 82 | 82 | 82 | 44 | | Greater Glasgow | 209 | 203 | 190 | 64 | | Highland | 32 | 41 | 37 | 16 | | Lanarkshire | 116 | 122 | 96 | 31 | | Grampian | 104 | 95 | 94 | 56 | | Orkney | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | | Lothian | 150 | 143 | 129 | 48 | | Tayside | 86 | 97 | 82 | 42 | | Forth Valley | 63 | 62 | 54 | 25 | | Western Isles | 7 | 8 | 7 | 4 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 24 | 23 | 20 | 16 | | Shetland | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | | Scotland | 1,055 | 1,056 | 9","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178885,"EventID":"S2W-06124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations will be utilised to provide advocacy services to children and families in relation to the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill,","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations will be utilised to provide advocacy services to children and families in relation to the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill, stating where such organisations are based.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5990 on 2 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178886,"EventID":"S2W-06125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is providing to public bodies and other groups to mark EU enlargement on 1 May 2004.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is providing to public bodies and other groups to mark EU enlargement on 1 May 2004.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive considers requests to support events to mark EU enlargement on anindividual basis. Scottish ministers have contributed to a number of conferences,debates and awareness-raising events on EU enlargement over recent months andwill continue to do so. For example, I have accepted an invitation to speak atthe New Europe conference taking place in the member’s constituency at the endof April.In terms of financialsupport, the Executive endorsed the Edinburgh Consortium application forEuropean Commission funding to mark EU Enlargement, and has already committedmatch-funding for its exhibition on “Scots in Europe”. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178887,"EventID":"S2W-06126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":69,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is giving any direct material support to any organisation seeking to explore the consequences of EU enlargement for Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is giving any direct material support to any organisation seeking to explore the consequences of EU enlargement for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive economist group published a report into the consequences of EUEnlargement in 2002. This is available on the Scottish Executive website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/government/enlargement.pdf.Although we are notcurrently supporting any further work into this area, we will continue to reviewrequests for support on a case by case basis. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178888,"EventID":"S2W-06127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3779 by Malcolm Chisholm on 21 November 2003, whether it will ensure that the report from NHS Argyll and Clyde and NHS Greater Glas","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3779 by Malcolm Chisholm on 21 November 2003, whether it will ensure that the report from NHS Argyll and Clyde and NHS Greater Glasgow on the pattern of patient choice for consultant-led maternity units involves substantive discussion with clinicians from the Queen Mother's Hospital.","AnswerText":"While this is primarily amatter for NHS Argyll and Clyde and NHS Greater Glasgow, I would expect appropriateclinical advice to form part of the development of the report.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178889,"EventID":"S2W-06128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms it will put in place to ensure that the policy of regional planning in the NHS is effectively implemented.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms it will put in place to ensure that the policy of regional planning in the NHS is effectively implemented.","AnswerText":"The NHS Reform (Scotland)Bill will make provision for a new duty on NHS boards to co-operate to advancethe health of the people of Scotland. That duty will underpin the work currently underwayin boards to draw together a framework for regional planning. The frameworkwill make it clear that boards must participate in regional planning, thatdecisions reached in regional planning groups are binding and it will set outarrangements for dispute resolution. We will ensure that an assessment ofregional planning activity forms part of the annual accountability review foreach NHS board.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178890,"EventID":"S2W-06129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-09T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that clinicians are involved in the process of regional planning at NHS board level.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that clinicians are involved in the process of regional planning at NHS board level.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive’s guidanceto NHS boards on regional planning makes it clear that it is vital to engagesenior clinical staff in the process. I fully expect that the need to involveclinicians will be part of the framework for regional planning currently beingdrawn together by NHS board Chief Executives.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178891,"EventID":"S2W-06130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in establishing a fully researched mediation service for the NHS; when the working group planning the implementation of this service will repo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in establishing a fully researched mediation service for the NHS; when the working group planning the implementation of this service will report, and when it expects the service to be fully operational.","AnswerText":"The report published in 2003by the expert group on financial and other support, chaired by Lord Ross, endorsed the recommendation made by the RoyalSociety of Edinburgh in their report Encouraging Resolution - Mediatingpatient/health service disputes in Scotland, that the Scottish Executive should, in conjunction withNHSScotland’s Central Legal Office, undertake a fully researched mediationproject mirroring that being undertaken by the National Health ServiceLitigation Authority in England.Aworking group with representatives from the Executive’s Health and Justice departments,Central Legal Office, a NHS medical director, an academic from the Universityof Edinburgh and the Medical and Dental Defence Union in Scotland has been setup to take this recommendation forward. Thegroup is currently working on the specification of a research project expectedto run for three years and therefore anticipates reporting on the outcome ofthat project sometime in 2007. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178892,"EventID":"S2W-06131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentists finished their vocational training last year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentists finished their vocational training last year.","AnswerText":"The number ofdentists who finished their vocational training in July 2003 was 92.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178893,"EventID":"S2W-06132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentists who finished their vocational training last year applied for an NHS list number in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentists who finished their vocational training last year applied for an NHS list number in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Fifty-seven of the dentists who finished their vocational training in July 2003 had receivedan NHS list number in Scotland by 31 January 2004.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178894,"EventID":"S2W-06133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many approved salaried dentist posts there are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many approved salaried dentist posts there are.","AnswerText":"Approval has been grantedfor 113 salaried dentist posts. Not all of these posts are full-time. Theyrange from 0.1 whole time equivalent to 1 whole time equivalent.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178895,"EventID":"S2W-06134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentist posts are vacant.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentist posts are vacant.","AnswerText":"In terms of the hospital andcommunity dental services, as at 30 September 2003, there were fiveconsultant vacancies out of an establishment of 115. Three of the five postshad been vacant for six months or more.The number of dentist postsvacant in the general dental service (high street dentistry) is not held centrally. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178896,"EventID":"S2W-06135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many eviction orders were awarded in respect of (a) Scottish Borders Housing Association, (b) Glasgow Housing Association and (c) Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partn","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many eviction orders were awarded in respect of (a) Scottish Borders Housing Association, (b) Glasgow Housing Association and (c) Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership during the second quarter of 2003 and, in each case, how many such orders resulted in an abandoned dwelling.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive, Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is asfollows:We are unable to supply theinformation requested. Communities Scotland collects on an annual basis (as at 31 March eachyear) information on the number of evictions carried out together with detailson the number of cases where tenancies are abandoned before the eviction date.We will be able to supply annual information about evictions carried out andabandonments from these organisations after they submit their returns in Junethis year. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178897,"EventID":"S2W-06136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures there are to track those dentists who qualify in Scotland but do not apply for an NHS list number.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures there are to track those dentists who qualify in Scotland but do not apply for an NHS list number.","AnswerText":"Since 1994-95,data has been collected by the Education, Transport and Lifelong LearningDepartment on the number of dentistry graduates in Scotland in each year. This is brokendown to identify the domicile of the graduates and the first destination of dentistrygraduates from Scottish higher education institutes (categorised into Scotland,rest of the UK, rest of the world, and unknown first destination).Themost recent information within this “first destination study” is correct as at 2001-02when 80% of these graduates had a first destination in Scotland. Further tracking is donethrough employment in the NHS. Through this system, first year vocational traineescan be tracked to subsequent jobs in NHSScotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178898,"EventID":"S2W-06138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1944,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commission a study into the additional costs of funding separate infrastructures for Catholic and non-denominational schools and whether it will make a mi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commission a study into the additional costs of funding separate infrastructures for Catholic and non-denominational schools and whether it will make a ministerial statement on the matter.","AnswerText":"We have no plans tocommission such a study. We have made clear our support for denominationalschools for as long as parents wish that choice.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178899,"EventID":"S2W-06139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available for dentists wishing to purchase an existing practice.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available for dentists wishing to purchase an existing practice.","AnswerText":"There is currently noassistance available for dentists wishing to purchase an existing practice.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178900,"EventID":"S2W-06140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the eligibility criteria for the access grant for dentists establishing new dental practices to include those purchasing existing practices.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the eligibility criteria for the access grant for dentists establishing new dental practices to include those purchasing existing practices.","AnswerText":"We are currently looking atthe eligibility criteria for grant under the Scottish dental access initiativewith a view to making these more flexible.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178901,"EventID":"S2W-06141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the bonus scheme for directors and senior management at Scottish Water.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the bonus scheme for directors and senior management at Scottish Water.","AnswerText":"The Executive reviews withScottish Water annually the performance targets and arrangements for thescheme.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178902,"EventID":"S2W-06142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it cost to replace traffic lights at the bridge at the Crawfordjohn Junction on the A76 between Kirkconnel and Sanquhar.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much it cost to replace traffic lights at the bridge at the Crawfordjohn Junction on the A76 between Kirkconnel and Sanquhar.","AnswerText":"The cost of the recent replacement of the traffic lights at the bridge at the Crawfordjohn Junction onthe A76 between Kirkconnel and Sanquhar was £27,800.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178903,"EventID":"S2W-06143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any assessment of the cost of replacing the bridge at the Crawfordjohn junction on the A76 between Kirkconnel and Sanquhar to allow a two-way flow of ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any assessment of the cost of replacing the bridge at the Crawfordjohn junction on the A76 between Kirkconnel and Sanquhar to allow a two-way flow of traffic and, if so, what the cost would be.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not made an assessment of the cost of replacing the bridge at theCrawfordjohn Junction on the A76 between Kirkconnel and Sanquhar.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178904,"EventID":"S2W-06144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3103,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is sufficient dental cover on the Isle of Arran to ensure that residents, including children, do not have to travel off the island to receive dental treatme","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is sufficient dental cover on the Isle of Arran to ensure that residents, including children, do not have to travel off the island to receive dental treatment and, if not, why such a situation has developed and what action is being taken to address it.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for theoverall provision of NHS dental services on the Isle of Arran rests with Ayrshireand Arran Primary Care NHS Trust. However, I announced on 20 November a numberof further measures to support NHS dentistry in Scotland, some of which will beavailable to dentists going to practice in non-designated areas such asAyrshire and Arran.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178905,"EventID":"S2W-06145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why its announcement concerning the introduction of digital hearing aids uses terminology such as “clinical need” and “clinically effective option” wh","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why its announcement concerning the introduction of digital hearing aids uses terminology such as “clinical need” and “clinically effective option” when such terminology has not been used in similar announcements on digital hearing aids in the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"This announcement implementsa commitment in the partnership agreement A Partnership for a BetterScotland.The overall aim of audiologyservice modernisation in Scotland is to ensure that the right infrastructure,equipment and skills are in place and that individuals receive the hearing aidwhich is most suitable for them. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178906,"EventID":"S2W-06146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been allocated (a) under the Carers' Strategy and (b) for home care services for older people in each of the last three years, broken down by lo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been allocated (a) under the Carers' Strategy and (b) for home care services for older people in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-4264 on 5 December 2003, which addresses the levels of funding allocated to local authorities under the Carers’ Strategy. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.The following table sets out the resources available to each local authority for services for home-based elderly. It is up to each authority to decide how best to allocate these resources. Services for Home based Elderly GAE by Council 2002-02 to 2003-04 | Council | 2001-02 (£000) | 2002-03 (£000) | 2003-04 (£000) | | Aberdeen City | 11,424 | 12,252 | 16,101 | | Aberdeenshire | 9,950 | 10,792 | 14,401 | | Angus | 6,681 | 7,171 | 9,479 | | Argyll and Bute | 6,012 | 6,391 | 8,327 | | Clackmannanshire | 2,793 | 2,990 | 3,918 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 9,079 | 9,282 | 13,062 | | Dundee City | 10,132 | 10,828 | 14,134 | | East Ayrshire | 7,356 | 7,906 | 10,453 | | East Dunbartonshire | 4,546 | 4,991 | 6,750 | | East Lothian | 5,241 | 5,653 | 7,470 | | East Renfrewshire | 4,091 | 4,455 | 5,967 | | Edinburgh, City of | 24,842 | 26,439 | 34,543 | | Eilean Siar | 2,273 | 2,404 | 3,113 | | Falkirk | 8,068 | 8,723 | 11,526 | | Fife | 19,735 | 21,304 | 28,214 | | Glasgow City | 43,215 | 45,151 | 57,969 | | Highland | 11,084 | 12,004 | 15,947 | | Inverclyde | 5,624 | 5,916 | 7,692 | | ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178908,"EventID":"S2W-06148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many fixed penalty notices have been issued by each local authority under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many fixed penalty notices have been issued by each local authority under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003.","AnswerText":"As the provisions containedin the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 only came into effect on 22 October lastyear this information is not yet available. However, as indicated in myresponse to S2W-5987 on 26 February 2004, we intend to undertake a survey towards the end of2004 to establish how effective the provisions have been and this will includeseeking details from local authorities as to the number of fixed penalties theyhave issued.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178909,"EventID":"S2W-06149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made regarding establishing a charitable trust through which ex- gratia compensation payments may be made to NHS patients inadvertently infected wi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made regarding establishing a charitable trust through which ex- gratia compensation payments may be made to NHS patients inadvertently infected with hepatitis C.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6150 on 8 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178910,"EventID":"S2W-06150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates that compensation payments for NHS patients inadvertently infected with hepatitis C will commence.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates that compensation payments for NHS patients inadvertently infected with hepatitis C will commence.","AnswerText":"Administrative arrangementsfor the establishment of the Skipton Fund, the independent body that willadminister the ex-gratia payment scheme, are being finalised. We hopethat the fund will be in a position to accept and process applications forpayment under the scheme in April.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178911,"EventID":"S2W-06151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how carers are made aware of their entitlement to an assessment of their support needs under section 12AB of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended by the Commun","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how carers are made aware of their entitlement to an assessment of their support needs under section 12AB of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended by the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerText":"The Community Care andHealth (Scotland) Act 2002 places a duty on local authorities to notify carerswho appear to them to be eligible to have an assessment of their support needsas a carer, that they may be entitled to have such an assessment. The act alsoprovides powers to require health boards to draw up NHS Carer InformationStrategies that will set out how NHS staff will similarly inform carers oftheir right to an assessment. Executive guidance to the NHS on the format andcontent of NHS Carer Information Strategies will be available later this year.Authorities and boards must be able to demonstrate compliance with any legislativeduties placed on them. The Executive is committed to monitoring the impact ofits Carers Strategy, including the new legislative measures to support carers. From2004-05 the Executive will be collecting data from local authorities on thenumbers of carers’ assessments being carried out. Other performance indicatorsand outcome measures will be developed in due course. These are expected tolook at the time intervals between an assessment being requested, theassessment being carried out and the provision of services.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178912,"EventID":"S2W-06152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3103,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public money was awarded to Border Biofuels Limited in respect of its proposal for an experimental biomass plant near Whiting Bay, Isle of Arran, broken down by ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much public money was awarded to Border Biofuels Limited in respect of its proposal for an experimental biomass plant near Whiting Bay, Isle of Arran, broken down by the awarding public body, and what the outcome was of the planning application for the plant.","AnswerText":"No public funding has beenawarded to the development. The project was granted outline planning permissionby North Ayrshire Council on 8 October 2001, subject to a list of 25conditions.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178913,"EventID":"S2W-06153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to protect the red squirrel.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to protect the red squirrel.","AnswerText":"In partnership with other organisations, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Forestry Commission launchedthe “Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation” on 18 February 2004. This identifies specific actions to address threats such as the effect of grey squirrels, changes to woodland habitats, the spread of disease, and predationby other species, upon the red squirrel population in Scotland. This work will assist theimplementation of the UK Red Squirrel Species Action Plan in Scotland. The red squirrel is fullyprotected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1918. The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill, currently being considered by Parliament,contains additional significant measures to improve protection for Scotland’s wildlife. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178914,"EventID":"S2W-06154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to limit the activities of the American grey squirrel.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to limit the activities of the American grey squirrel.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is looking to the “Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation”, publishedon 18 February 2004 and jointly chaired by Scottish Natural Heritage andthe Forestry Commission, to address the impact of grey squirrels on the redsquirrel population in Scotland. This work will include the monitoring of the spreadof diseases in both red and grey squirrels, and changes in forestry practicesto assist the red squirrel population.The grey squirrel is listedon Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and is prohibited fromfurther release into the wild. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178915,"EventID":"S2W-06155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the relevant authorities in England and Wales in respect of the preservation of the red squirrel.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the relevant authorities in England and Wales in respect of the preservation of the red squirrel.","AnswerText":"My officials are in regularcontact with staff in defra andthe Welsh Assembly Government on a number of species related matters, includingred squirrels. Defra officials arefully aware of last month’s launch of the “Scottish Strategy for Red SquirrelConservation”.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178916,"EventID":"S2W-06156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of reports that the greatest threat to the native red squirrel is the American grey squirrel.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of reports that the greatest threat to the native red squirrel is the American grey squirrel.","AnswerText":"Research has shown thatcompetition from grey squirrels is considered to be the primary threat to Scotland’s redsquirrel population. Other factors such as changes in woodland habitats, thespread of disease and predation by other species also contribute to the declineof red squirrels in Scotland. Action to address theseissues is being taken forward in a partnership led by Scottish Natural Heritageand the Forestry Commission, through the “Scottish Strategy for Red SquirrelConservation”, launched on 18 February 2004. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178917,"EventID":"S2W-06157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5655 by Mr Jim Wallace on 5 February 2004, whether it will publish the key findings from the study of inward investors that fall ou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5655 by Mr Jim Wallace on 5 February 2004, whether it will publish the key findings from the study of inward investors that fall outwith the category of “commercially sensitive” information.","AnswerText":"A summary of the keyfindings from the report Inward investment benefits for the Scottish economyis being prepared. I have asked my officials to write to you when it has beenplaced in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178918,"EventID":"S2W-06158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce the Disabled Student Allowance for all disabled postgraduate students other than students funded by research councils.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce the Disabled Student Allowance for all disabled postgraduate students other than students funded by research councils.","AnswerText":"The Disabled Students'Allowance is currently available to all full-time postgraduate students inreceipt of an award from the Students’ Award Agency for Scotlandunder the Postgraduate Student Allowance Scheme.We have considered theadditional needs of students with disabilities as part of the funding for learnersreview and continue to liaise closely with key stakeholders on this issue. Anyextension of support would have to be considered as part of the current spendingreview process. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178919,"EventID":"S2W-06159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many (a) MSPs and (b) staff have been issued with vouchers under the Parliament's childcare voucher scheme in each calendar year since the inception of the scheme and ","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer how many (a) MSPs and (b) staff have been issued with vouchers under the Parliament's childcare voucher scheme in each calendar year since the inception of the scheme and what the total cost was for each year.","AnswerText":"The number of MSPs and staff that have been issued with vouchers under the Parliament’s childcare voucher scheme in each calendar year since the inception of the scheme and the total cost for each year is as follows: | | Jan 02 to Dec 02 | Jan 03 to Dec 03 | Jan 04 to Feb 04 | | MSPs | 5 | 7 | 5 | | MSPs Staff | 24 | 29 | 22 | | SPCB Staff | 46 | 48 | 35 | | Total Cost (including. service charge of 6.85%) | £62,177.48 | £76,075.98 | £13,094.45 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Duncan McNeil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178920,"EventID":"S2W-06160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many institutions offer teacher training in classics.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many institutions offer teacher training in classics.","AnswerText":"Strathclyde University is the only institution that offers teacher trainingin classics.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178921,"EventID":"S2W-06161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many classics teacher training places will be available in 2004-05.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many classics teacher training places will be available in 2004-05.","AnswerText":"There will be no classicsteacher training places available in 2004-05. Strathclyde Universityhave suspended the course because there is very low demand for classicsteachers. It is the University’s intention to offer the course again in2005-06.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178922,"EventID":"S2W-06162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a requirement for a minimum number of classics teacher training places to be offered each year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a requirement for a minimum number of classics teacher training places to be offered each year.","AnswerText":"No. It is expected thatHigher Education Institutions run teacher training courses that reflect thedemand for specific subject specialists from education authorities.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178923,"EventID":"S2W-06163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out by the Food Standards Agency into any links between trans fats or hydrogenated vegetable oils and coronary heart disease.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out by the Food Standards Agency into any links between trans fats or hydrogenated vegetable oils and coronary heart disease.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agencyhas not carried out, and is not currently funding, any research investigatingthe links between trans fats or hydrogenated vegetable oils and coronary heartdisease.Hydrogenation is a processof turning liquid oil into solid fat. During this process, a type of trans fatmay be formed that raises cholesterol levels in the blood. This increases therisk of coronary heart disease. The Food Standards Agency does therefore advisethat as part of a healthy diet, we should try to reduce the amount of saturatedfats and trans fats we eat and replace them with unsaturated fats. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178924,"EventID":"S2W-06164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the scientific information highlighted by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States of America with regard to links between trans fats","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the scientific information highlighted by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States of America with regard to links between trans fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils and coronary heart disease.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive’s position is in line with the Food Standards Agency advice that, aspart of a healthy diet, individuals should try to reduce total fat intake andin particular reduce the amount of saturated fats and trans fats eaten andreplace them with unsaturated fats.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178925,"EventID":"S2W-06165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on whether food labels should include trans fat content.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on whether food labels should include trans fat content.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agencyhas informed me that declaration of the trans fatty acid content is mandatoryonly for foods bearing a nutrition claim about it, such as “low in trans fattyacids”. The European Commission is reviewing the nutrition labelling rules andpreliminary papers suggest that the issue of labelling of trans fatty acidcontent may be discussed.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178926,"EventID":"S2W-06166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-10T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the labelling of food to include trans fat content in light of scientific information highlighted by the Food and Drug Administration in the United","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the labelling of food to include trans fat content in light of scientific information highlighted by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States of America.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agencyhas informed me that the European Commission is reviewing the nutritionlabelling rules and preliminary papers suggest that the issue of labelling oftrans fatty acid content may be discussed.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178927,"EventID":"S2W-06167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a report on the review of the structure and functions of Historic Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a report on the review of the structure and functions of Historic Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has today issued the report of the review of the structure and functions of Historic Scotland. The review report includes 20 recommendations in total. Notably, the review has concluded that all of the functions currentlydelivered by Historic Scotland are required and recommends that they should bedelivered by a single central organisation. The review has recommended thatHistoric Scotland should remain as an Executive Agency within the Scottish Executive Education Department. The review has identified a clear need forcultural change within the organisation. As part of this process independentexternal members should be appointed to Historic Scotland’s management board.The review has also recommended changes to the process for dealing with public localinquiries in relation to listed buildings and scheduled monument consent applications;making the secretariat for the Historic Environment Advisory Council forScotland (HEACS) independent of Historic Scotland and identified areas forfurther engagement with stakeholders, including through the development of anoverarching policy statement.I have accepted all of thereview recommendations and work is in hand to implement many of the necessarychanges. Specifically, I have directed the Chief Executive of Historic Scotlandto begin work on an organisational change programme to deliver the culturalchanges identified through the review process. To facilitate the development ofan overarching policy statement I am today publishing a paper outlining the keyprinciples which will underpin such policy statement to form the basis ofdiscussions with stakeholders (Bib. number 30997). Copies of the report will beavailable on the Scottish Executive website and copies have been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 30679). Copies of the Analysis of Responses to “Review of Historic Scotland” consultation process are also available (Bib. number 30680). ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178928,"EventID":"S2W-06168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1791,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":18,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase prescription and other health service charges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase prescription and other health service charges.","AnswerText":"We shall lay before the Parliament regulations to increase prescription and other National HealthService charges in Scotland from 1 April 2004. There will be a cash increase inthe prescription charge of 10p (1.59%) from £6.30 to £6.40 for each quantity ofa drug or appliance dispensed.The cost of a prescriptionpre-payment certificate will rise to £33.40 for a four month certificate and£91.80 for an annual certificate. These offer savings for people needing morethan five items in four months or 14 items in one year. Prescription charges areexpected to raise some £47.4 million for NHSScotland in 2003-04. Charges for elasticstockings and tights, wigs and most fabric supports supplied through theHospital Service will be increased similarly. The maximum patient chargefor a single course of dental treatment begun on or after 1 April 2004 willincrease from £372 to £378. We have restricted theprescription charge increase to the same cash amount as the previous five yearsand the other increases are in line with this percentage increase. The majority of opticalvoucher values will increase by 2.5%. Voucher values for people with highprescriptions, for whom the cost is greater, will increase by 10%. Theseincreases will help children, people on low income and certain people withcomplex sight problems with the cost of spectacles or contact lenses. NHS charges and opticalvoucher values in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for those administrations. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178929,"EventID":"S2W-06169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive in how many, and what percentage of, cases before the High Court in each of the last five years (a) up to 25, (b) 26 to 50, (c) 51 to 75, (d) 76 to 100 and (e) more than ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive in how many, and what percentage of, cases before the High Court in each of the last five years (a) up to 25, (b) 26 to 50, (c) 51 to 75, (d) 76 to 100 and (e) more than 101 witnesses have been called in total for both the preliminary and final witness lists.","AnswerText":"The information requestedcould only be obtained at disproportionate cost.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elish Angiolini","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178930,"EventID":"S2W-06170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1871,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":31,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what arrangements there will be in the new Parliament building to support MSPs and their staff who are breast-feeding.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what arrangements there will be in the new Parliament building to support MSPs and their staff who are breast-feeding.","AnswerText":"The new accommodation inHolyrood provides space for two baby changing/nursing mother rooms. The room designatedfor use by MSPs and all Parliament staff is located adjacent to the MSP/staffrestaurant at garden level, and the room for the public is located within the crèche.Each room will have an en-suite WC/wash-hand basin compartment and a mobilechanging trolley.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178931,"EventID":"S2W-06171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1871,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":31,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what provision there will be in the new Parliament building for Parliament staff who are breast-feeding.","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what provision there will be in the new Parliament building for Parliament staff who are breast-feeding.","AnswerText":"The new accommodation inHolyrood provides space for two baby changing/nursing mother rooms. The room designatedfor use by MSPs and all Parliament staff is located adjacent to the MSP/staffrestaurant at garden level, and the room for the public is located within the crèche.Each room will have an en-suite WC/wash-hand basin compartment and a mobilechanging trolley.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178932,"EventID":"S2W-06172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1871,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":31,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer what arrangements there will be in the new Parliament building to ensure compliance with appropriate health and safety guidelines for workplace provision for new and expec","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer what arrangements there will be in the new Parliament building to ensure compliance with appropriate health and safety guidelines for workplace provision for new and expectant mothers.","AnswerText":"Under the Workplace (Health,Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 employers are required to provide suitablefacilities for employees who are pregnant or breastfeeding to rest. I aminformed by the convener of the Holyrood Progress Group that three first aid roomswill be available at Holyrood which can be used for rest purposes. All threerooms will be fitted with running water and chiller units to provide a suitableenvironment for nursing mothers to breastfeed and to express and store milk ifrequired.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178933,"EventID":"S2W-06173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Public Health Institute of Scotland's Needs Assessment Report on Child and Adolescent Mental Health in May 2003, whether the survey res","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Public Health Institute of Scotland's Needs Assessment Report on Child and Adolescent Mental Health in May 2003, whether the survey results from educational psychologists, voluntary and independent sector agencies, Children's Panel members and the police have been published.","AnswerText":"I understand that the surveyresults from educational psychologists, voluntary and independent sector agencies,Children’s Panel members and the police are currently being analysed by theSNAP Research Team, who have yet to decide a timescale for publication.Although this work has been funded through the National Programme for ImprovingMental Health and Wellbeing, the Scottish Executive is not responsible for itspublication.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178934,"EventID":"S2W-06174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1862,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":37,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what indicators of deprivation are currently in use.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what indicators of deprivation are currently in use.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has available for use:theinterim Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2003; the Scottish Index of Deprivation 1998; the Scottish Index of Deprivation 1995 and theCarstairs and Morris Scottish Deprivation Score (1991). In addition use has beenmade of benefit data such as Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance and free schoolmeal entitlement. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178935,"EventID":"S2W-06175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1862,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":37,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which wards in Edinburgh and the Lothians fall within its definition of a deprived area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which wards in Edinburgh and the Lothians fall within its definition of a deprived area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not have a single definition of what makes an area deprived asdeprivation is a multi faceted concept of which specific elements are morerelevant to certain policy areas than others. However, the Interim ScottishIndex of Multiple Deprivation 2003 provides a ward based measure of relativearea deprivation. This is available on the Scottish Executive web site at, http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/social/siod-00.asp.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178936,"EventID":"S2W-06176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1862,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":37,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which wards in Edinburgh and the Lothians currently qualify for a social inclusion partnership (SIP).","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which wards in Edinburgh and the Lothians currently qualify for a social inclusion partnership (SIP).","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:-There are seven SIPs in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Craigmillar, north and south Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Strategic Programme - includes Oxgangs, Broomhouse, Prestonfield, Southside, Lochend and Leith, Edinburgh Youth together with West Lothian and Tranent. The following table shows the wards associated with each of the SIPs, although SIP boundaries may only include parts of a ward. | Social Inclusion Partnership | Ward | | Craigmillar | Craigmillar and Duddingston. | | North Edinburgh | Pilton, Granton, Muirhouse/Drylaw. | | South Edinburgh | Moredun, Alnwickhill, Kaimes and Gilmerton. | | Strategic Programme | Prestonfield, Sighthill, Parkhead, Stenhouse, Southside, Holyrood, Tolcross, Calton, Harbour, Lorne, Newhaven, Restalrig and Firrhill. | | Edinburgh Youth (thematic) | City-wide | | West Lothian (thematic) | Council wide | | Tranent (thematic) | Tranent/Macmerry, Tranent/Elphinstone, Tranent West and Ormiston/Pencaitland. | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178937,"EventID":"S2W-06177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary schools there are under each local authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary schools there are under each local authority.","AnswerText":"The information requested isgiven in table 40 of the statistical bulletin published by the EducationDepartment in August 2003. A copy of the bulletin is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 29040).","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178938,"EventID":"S2W-06178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary schools offer classics at (a) standard and (b) higher grade, broken down by local authority.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary schools offer classics at (a) standard and (b) higher grade, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The term “classics” is used by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to refer to classical studies, Latin and classical Greek. All publicly funded secondary schools in Scotland are approved by the SQA to offer national qualifications courses in these subjects.The number of publicly funded secondary schools, by education authority, who presented at least one pupil for these courses in the 2003 exam diet is as follows: | | Standard Grade | Intermediate 1 | Intermediate 2 | Higher | Advanced Higher | | Aberdeen City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | | Angus | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | | Argyll and Bute | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Dundee City | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | | East Lothian | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | | Edinburgh City | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | | Eilean Siar | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | | Falkirk | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | | Fife | 4 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | | Glasgow City | 4 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0 | | Highland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | | Inverclyde | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | | North Ayrshire | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | | North Lanarkshire | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | | Orkney Islands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178940,"EventID":"S2W-06180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to relocate appropriate items held in museums to the areas where they were originally made or discovered.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to relocate appropriate items held in museums to the areas where they were originally made or discovered.","AnswerText":"Museum collections legallybelong to the individual institutions that have either purchased or been giventhem. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for the Scottish Executive to make any plans to relocate items from one museum to another. Museumswill usually respond favourably to requests to lend items from theircollections to other museums for temporary exhibitions, if measures can be putin place to satisfactorily safeguard them. Through its support for the registrationscheme, the Scottish Executive expects museums to comply with the MuseumsAssociation's Code of Ethics. This makes it clear that a museum has a duty toacquire collections honestly and responsibly and to recognise the interests ofpeople who made, used, owned, collected or gave items. If a community were toseek restitution of an item for any reason, a museum would have a duty to dealsensitively and promptly with that request, but its principaln duty wouldcontinue to be to safeguard the item and hold it in trust for society. However, the principle thatownership need not limit the physical accessibility of the item to theinstitution that owns it is now widely accepted and has guided the provision of the National Museums of Scotland’s services for many decades. There are many ways inwhich the National Museums of Scotland makes accessible to local communities the objectsthat were found there. For example, the National Museums of Scotland hasan extensive loans programme, enabling objects in the national collections tobe seen by the people whose local heritage these items represent. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178941,"EventID":"S2W-06181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2098,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":39,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is regarding the review of cardiothoracic transplants and when it intends to publish any response to the recommendations of the review.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is regarding the review of cardiothoracic transplants and when it intends to publish any response to the recommendations of the review.","AnswerText":"The work of the group set upto review the Scottish Heart Transplant Unit will be considered by the NationalServices Advisory Group when it meets in the spring, and will then be referredto me. The over-riding consideration is to provide the service which best meetsthe clinical needs of all the unit’s patients.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178942,"EventID":"S2W-06182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it now expects to reintroduce individual learning accounts and what eligibility criteria will be applied.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it now expects to reintroduce individual learning accounts and what eligibility criteria will be applied.","AnswerText":"I set out my plans for thenew Individual Learning Account scheme, to be known as ILA Scotland, to the Enterpriseand Culture Committee on 27 January.It is intended that the new scheme will be available from summer 2004subject to all required improvements being in place, and testing having beensatisfactorily completed. It will initially be offeredto people on incomes of up to £15,000 per year. A universal scheme, focusedinitially on basic Information, Communication Technologies skills andqualifications, will be rolled out from April 2005. It is intended that the general eligibility criteriafor the universal scheme are that learners should be ordinarily resident in Scotland andaged 18 years or over. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178943,"EventID":"S2W-06183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to report on the evaluation of the pilot projects for business learning accounts; how many such projects have been undertaken, and where they have been ba","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to report on the evaluation of the pilot projects for business learning accounts; how many such projects have been undertaken, and where they have been based.","AnswerText":"The business learning account (BLA) pilots will run for two years until 2005, with evaluation on-going throughout. An interim evaluation is due in Autumn this year, with the final evaluation report due to be received in September 2005.Three hundred BLAs are being delivered within four pilots testing a sectoral and geographical approach. Three are within the Scottish Enterprise area and one in the Highlands and Islands using two different funding caps to establish the most effective level of support. The following table summarises the scope of the BLA pilots: | | | £7,500 cap | £3,500 cap | | Sectoral | Manufacturing | SEn Lanarkshire leading | | | | Tourism | | SEn Fife leading | | Geographical | LEC 1 | Ross and Cromarty | | | | LEC 2 | | Clyde (Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Renfrewshire) | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178944,"EventID":"S2W-06184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in implementing each of the recommendations that it wholly or partially agreed with in the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee's 9th Rep","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in implementing each of the recommendations that it wholly or partially agreed with in the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee's 9th Report 2002, Final Report on Lifelong Learning.","AnswerText":"The majority of the committee’srecommendations which were wholly or partially accepted have been incorporatedwithin the 48 commitments of our Lifelong Learning Strategy for Scotland(Bib. number 26050). Progress on the strategy document was reported to theLifelong Learning Forum at their inaugural meeting on 16 December 2003. Acopy of the progress paper provided to Forum members is available from the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 31292).","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178945,"EventID":"S2W-06185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1871,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":31,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of passengers using Newcraighall and Brunstane stations arrive at the stations (a) by public transport, (b) by private car, (c) on foot and (d) by bicycle","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of passengers using Newcraighall and Brunstane stations arrive at the stations (a) by public transport, (b) by private car, (c) on foot and (d) by bicycle.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178946,"EventID":"S2W-06186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1871,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":31,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the answer to question S1W-28863 by Sir David Steel on 17 September 2002, what progress has been made in developing public transport options to ensure that the","ItemText":"To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the answer to question S1W-28863 by Sir David Steel on 17 September 2002, what progress has been made in developing public transport options to ensure that there are easily accessible and affordable transport links to the new Parliament building.","AnswerText":"The Parliament isresponsible for providing the infrastructure to allow transport links to thesite of the new building as part of the landscaping scheme and the convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has informed me that good progress has been madetowards that. Provision has been made in the scheme for the inclusion ofappropriately located bus stops, a disabled parking area on Horse Wynd, and acycle rack close to the building. There will also be an extended taxi rank onthe Canongate. Apart from particular routes, the City of Edinburgh Council has ultimate responsibility for public transport to all areas of theCity. It would be a matter for the council and local bus companies to determineroutes and timetables, as well as a pricing structure.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178947,"EventID":"S2W-06187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":62,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5872 by Tavish Scott on 10 February 2004, how many local authorities exercise their right under section 43 of the Civic Government ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5872 by Tavish Scott on 10 February 2004, how many local authorities exercise their right under section 43 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to require anyone carrying on the trade of, or being employed as, a window cleaner in their area to obtain a licence and how much each such local authority charges for the licence.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178948,"EventID":"S2W-06188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to section 12AA of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended by the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002, what monitoring is in place in res","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to section 12AA of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended by the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002, what monitoring is in place in respect of the notification by local authorities to carers regarding their possible entitlement to an assessment for accessing services.","AnswerText":"From 2004-05 we will becollecting data from local authorities on the numbers of carers’ assessmentsbeing carried out. We propose to build on this by collecting additional data onthe numbers of carers requesting assessments. These indicators should provide apicture over time of local authority performance in ensuring that carers aremade aware of their right to an assessment. Other performance indicators andoutcome measures for carers will be developed in due course and we are alreadyworking closely on this with key stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178949,"EventID":"S2W-06189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to section 12AA of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended by the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002, how many requests there have been ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to section 12AA of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended by the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002, how many requests there have been by carers to local authorities for an assessment for accessing services in (a) 2002-03 and (b) 2003-04 to date.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6151 on 17 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliamentwebsite, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178950,"EventID":"S2W-06190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to section 12AA of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended by the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002, how many assessments of carers for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to section 12AA of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended by the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002, how many assessments of carers for accessing services were conducted by local authorities in (a) 2002-03 and (b) 2003-04 to date.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6151 on 17 March 2004 All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the parliament website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178951,"EventID":"S2W-06191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to section 12AA of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended by the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002, whether there is a target in respe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to section 12AA of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended by the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002, whether there is a target in respect of the time it takes a local authority to conduct an assessment of a carer's support needs.","AnswerText":"The Executive has not set atarget in respect of the time it should take to conduct an assessment of acarers’ support needs. I refer the member to the answer given to questionS2W-6151 on 17 March 2004 which sets out the Executive’s position on monitoringcarers’ assessments.All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178952,"EventID":"S2W-06192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average time has been for a local authority to assess an application made by a carer under section 12AA of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended by th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average time has been for a local authority to assess an application made by a carer under section 12AA of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended by the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 in (a) 2002-03 and (b) 2003-04 to date.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6151 on 17 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliamentwebsite, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178953,"EventID":"S2W-06193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to roll out the joint campus schools initiative across Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to roll out the joint campus schools initiative across Scotland.","AnswerText":"Local authorities areresponsible for the provision of schools. It is for them to consider whetherjoint campus facilities are appropriate, in consultation with localcommunities, parents, schools and church representatives. We will support suchproposals where they are in the best interests of pupils, and take account oflocal circumstances and views.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178954,"EventID":"S2W-06194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage action to address the issue of women being paid, on average, 16% less than men.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage action to address the issue of women being paid, on average, 16% less than men.","AnswerText":"The gender paygap for full-time hourly earnings in Scotland was16% in 2003, down from 19% in 2002.The Executive continues tobe committed to working with the Equal Opportunities Commission, the ScottishTrade Union Congress and other partners in the Close the Gap campaign to raiseawareness about the pay gap between women and men in Scotland andencourage activity to reduce it. This includes encouraging employers to carryout equal pay audits or reviews. As an employer, the Scottish Executive is leading by example. It completed a gender equal pay review in April2003 and will have an ongoing programme of monitoring and evaluating theExecutive’s pay and reward system to ensure that it is free from any form of discrimination. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178955,"EventID":"S2W-06195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates the average annual cost is of policing potentially sectarian events such as marches and football matches.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates the average annual cost is of policing potentially sectarian events such as marches and football matches.","AnswerText":"Information on the cost ofpolicing events such as marches and football matches is not held centrally andis a matter for individual chief constables.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178956,"EventID":"S2W-06196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it has provided to address alcohol misuse in each year since 1999 and what percentage of such funding was spent on advertising.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it has provided to address alcohol misuse in each year since 1999 and what percentage of such funding was spent on advertising.","AnswerText":"The information requested isgiven in the following table. Budgets for 2004-05 have still to be agreed.Specific central Executivebudgets to address alcohol problems from 1999 to 2004, showing proportionatespend on national advertising. | Year | Budget | Of which spend on national advertising | % advertising spend | | 1999-00 | £1,361,000 | £25,000 | 1.8% | | 2000-01 | £1,675,299 | £496,970 | 29.7% | | 2001-02 | £1,605,840 | £315,086 | 19.6% | | 2002-03 | £2,918,622 | £1,073,516 | 36.8% | | 2003-04 | £2,785,458 | £785,000 | 28.2% | Funding for services addressing alcohol problems is provided within resources allocated to NHS boards and local authorities, but is not specifically identified by the Executive. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178957,"EventID":"S2W-06197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take at a national level, other than advertising, to address (a) alcohol and (b) drug misuse.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take at a national level, other than advertising, to address (a) alcohol and (b) drug misuse.","AnswerText":"The Plan for Action onalcohol problems (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/health/alcoholproblems/docs/paap-00.asp)sets out a range of actions under the headings of culture change, preventionand education, provision of services, protection and controls and delivery.The drugs strategy (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library/documents-w7/tdis-00.htm)and subsequent reports identify a range of actions under the four pillars of young people, communities, treatment andavailability. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178958,"EventID":"S2W-06198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to collect information centrally on the level of funding allocated by NHS boards to address (a) alcohol and (b) drug misuse.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to collect information centrally on the level of funding allocated by NHS boards to address (a) alcohol and (b) drug misuse.","AnswerText":"Some information on thelevel of spend by NHS boards on addressing drug misuse is currently collectedthrough drug action team corporate action plans, available at http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/dat/cap/dat.htm,and alcohol action team local action plans, available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/health/alcoholproblems/plans.asp.Information on direct spendon both drugs and alcohol will be collected within combined drug and alcohol actionteam plans for 2004-05. However, many services, particularly for alcohol, areprovided within a generic setting and funded from general allocations, andtherefore expenditure cannot be separately identified by the Executive. Someinformation which will be collected will also cover combined addictionsservices, where drugs and alcohol spend cannot be separately identified. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178959,"EventID":"S2W-06199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of its drug misuse budget was spent on (a) health-related and (b) justice-related services, in each year since 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of its drug misuse budget was spent on (a) health-related and (b) justice-related services, in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"We do not hold all of thisinformation centrally, as some drug misuse expenditure is deployed within coreor mainstream budgets. A review by our policy unit estimated that, in 1999, 38%of such resources was spent on treatment and rehabilitation, and 46% onenforcement.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178960,"EventID":"S2W-06200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been spent by social inclusion partnerships on addressing (a) alcohol and (b) drug misuse in each year since their inception.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been spent by social inclusion partnerships on addressing (a) alcohol and (b) drug misuse in each year since their inception.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is asfollows:Separate social inclusion partnership(SIP) funding has been allocated since 2000 to tackle controlled drugs asdefined under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 but is not allocated specifically toaddress alcohol. Although projects dealing with controlled drugs can includesupport to address alcohol misuse details of these are not held centrally. The total grant expenditureacross the SIP network under the SIP Tackling Drugs Misuse grant amounted to£0.844 million in 2000-01, £1.088 million in 2001-02 and £1.693 million in2002-03. Expenditure details are not yet available for 2003-04. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178961,"EventID":"S2W-06201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources have been allocated to the NHS for alcohol treatment in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources have been allocated to the NHS for alcohol treatment in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Funding for servicesaddressing alcohol problems is provided within resources allocated to NHS boardsand local authorities, but is not specifically identified by the Executive. The release of funding isconditional on alcohol action teams having agreed outcome expectations and systemsin place to measure key indicators. We will be monitoring the use of the newresources through alcohol and drug action team annual reporting arrangements.We will be announcingspecific funding for the implementation of local alcohol action plans,including treatment and support priorities, in the near future. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178962,"EventID":"S2W-06202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of resources it provides for drug treatment and rehabilitation services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of resources it provides for drug treatment and rehabilitation services.","AnswerText":"According to the Executive’sPolicy Unit Review of Drugs Expenditure http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/publications/abstracts/PUDrugExpenRev.htm,38%of the total expenditure of £141.5 million on tackling drug misuse in 1999 wasallocated for drug treatment and rehabilitation services.As indicated in my answer toS2W-6199 on 9 March 2004, the Executive has made additional resources of£33.7 million specifically available for drug treatment and rehabilitationservices during the three years from 2001-02 to 2003-04. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the searchfacility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178963,"EventID":"S2W-06203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5794 by Cathy Jamieson on 9 February 2004, under what circumstances the Scottish Criminal Record Office would make information avai","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5794 by Cathy Jamieson on 9 February 2004, under what circumstances the Scottish Criminal Record Office would make information available to the United States Government in respect of visa applications and whether any requests for such information have been made in the last five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Criminal RecordOffice (SCRO) could be required to make information available to implementinternational obligations entered into by the UK Government. There is, however,no such agreement between the UK and US Governments which deals with the exchange ofcriminal history information in respect of visa applications. The US Governmenthas not made any requests of SCRO for such information.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178964,"EventID":"S2W-06204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1857,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":15,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the National Services Division will respond to the review of maternity services by NHS Greater Glasgow.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the National Services Division will respond to the review of maternity services by NHS Greater Glasgow.","AnswerText":"I understand NationalServices Division has responded to the consultation proposals set out in TheFuture of Maternity Services in Glasgow.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178965,"EventID":"S2W-06205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many convictions there have been under the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 in each financial year since 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many convictions there have been under the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 in each financial year since 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"The available information, which relates to calendar years, is given in the following table:Number of persons convicted for offences under the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912, 1999-2002 | Year | Number | | 1999 | 39 | | 2000 | 40 | | 2001 | 34 | | 2002 | 30 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178966,"EventID":"S2W-06206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been fined under the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 in each financial year since 1999-2000, stating in each case the value of the fine.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been fined under the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 in each financial year since 1999-2000, stating in each case the value of the fine.","AnswerText":"The available information, which relates to calendar years, is given in the following table:Number of persons fined for offences under the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912, 1999-2002 | Year | Number fined | Average fine imposed (£) | | 1999 | 28 | 386 | | 2000 | 23 | 357 | | 2001(1) | 20 | 859 | | 2002 | 21 | 371 | Note: 1.The relatively high figure for average fine imposedin 2001 reflects the disproportionate effect of a small number of cases withvery high fines imposed. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178967,"EventID":"S2W-06207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been imprisoned under the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 in each financial year since 1999-2000.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been imprisoned under the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 in each financial year since 1999-2000.","AnswerText":"The available information, which relates to calendar years, is given in the following table:Number of persons given a custodial sentence for offences under the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912, 1999-2002 is shown in the following table. | Year | Number | | 1999 | 2 | | 2000 | 4 | | 2001 | 3 | | 2002 | 0 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178968,"EventID":"S2W-06208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":30,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many child cyclist deaths there were in each year from 1992 to 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many child cyclist deaths there were in each year from 1992 to 2002.","AnswerText":"The information requestedcan be obtained from the table on page 17 of “Road Accidents Scotland 2002”,published by the Scottish Executive in 2003, copies of which are available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 30447).","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178969,"EventID":"S2W-06209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":30,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many child cyclist deaths were due to head injuries in each year from 1992 to 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many child cyclist deaths were due to head injuries in each year from 1992 to 2002.","AnswerText":"The number of child cyclist deaths where head injuries were recorded as contributing to the cause of death in each year from 1992 to 2002 are given in the table.Transport Accident Deaths, Where Cyclists Under the Age of 16 Have Sustained Head Injuries1, Scotland 1992-2002 | Year | Number | | 1992 | 4 | | 1993 | 3 | | 1994 | 0 | | 1995 | 2 | | 1996 | 2 | | 1997 | 0 | | 1998 | 2 | | 1999 | 1 | | 2000 | 2 | | 2001 | 3 | | 2002 | 0 | Source: General Register Office for Scotland Note: 1 Other injuries contributing to the cause of death may have been sustained in the accident. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178970,"EventID":"S2W-06210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":30,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many child pedestrian deaths there were in each year from 1992 to 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many child pedestrian deaths there were in each year from 1992 to 2002.","AnswerText":"The information requestedcan be obtained from the table on page 17 of Road Accidents Scotland 2002,published by the Scottish Executive in 2003, copies of which are available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 30447).","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178971,"EventID":"S2W-06211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":30,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many child pedestrian deaths were due to head injuries in each year from 1992 to 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many child pedestrian deaths were due to head injuries in each year from 1992 to 2002.","AnswerText":"The number of child pedestrian deaths where head injuries were recorded as contributing to the cause of death in each year from 1992 to 2002 are given in the table.Transport Accident Deaths, Where Pedestrians Under The Age of 16 Have Sustained Head Injuries1, Scotland, 1992-2002. | Year | Number | | 1992 | 11 | | 1993 | 4 | | 1994 | 8 | | 1995 | 4 | | 1996 | 4 | | 1997 | 7 | | 1998 | 1 | | 1999 | 8 | | 2000 | 7 | | 2001 | 9 | | 2002 | 7 | Source: General Register Office for Scotland Note: 1 Other injuries contributing to the cause of death may have been sustained in the accident. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178972,"EventID":"S2W-06212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1869,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is on target to meet its aim that no more than 3.5 million tonnes of municipal waste be produced in 2010, as stated in The National Waste Plan 2003.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is on target to meet its aim that no more than 3.5 million tonnes of municipal waste be produced in 2010, as stated in The National Waste Plan 2003.","AnswerText":"The Executive remainscommitted to the aim in the National Waste Plan to stop growth in the amount ofmunicipal waste produced by 2010. We are taking a number of steps to achievethis aim. These include support for home composting, through the StrategicWaste Fund, and support for a waste minimisation programme by the Waste andResources Action Programme. This programme includes home composting, thepromotion of real nappies and work with retailers. In addition, the Executiveis currently working with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and othersto develop a national framework for household waste prevention.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178973,"EventID":"S2W-06213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1869,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it has spent on (a) recycling, (b) composting and (c) waste prevention in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it has spent on (a) recycling, (b) composting and (c) waste prevention in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"A detailed breakdown into (a), (b) and (c) is not available.In addition to the Revenue Support Grant provided to local authorities for waste management services, over £51 million has been spent on recycling, composting and waste prevention initiatives in the past five years. A breakdown of funding awarded for these aims from Strategic Waste Fund, Sustainable Action Fund, Quality of Life Fund and Landfill Tax Credit Scheme Interim Fund over the past five years is outlined in the table. Scottish Executive Grants For Recycling, Composting and Waste Prevention Initiatives 1999 - 2004 | Year | Strategic Waste Fund (local authority grants) | Strategic Waste Fund (other waste initiatives) | Sustainable Action Fund (recycling, composting etc) | Quality of life grants (recycling banks) | Landfill Tax Credit Scheme Interim Fund | | 1999-2000 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | | 2000-01 | £3 million | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | | 2001-02 | £3 million | £1 million | £93,600 | n/a | n/a | | 2002-03 | £10 million | £1 million | £26,905 | £2.235 million | n/a | | *2003-04 | £22 million | £6.5 million | £10,000 | n/a | £2.5 million | | Total | £38 million | £8.5 million | £130,505 | £2.235 million | £2.5 million | Note: *Figures for 03-04 areexpected outturns. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178974,"EventID":"S2W-06214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-11T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3235 by Mr Andy Kerr on 31 October 2003, how much has been spent on advertising the healthyliving advice line in each month since N","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3235 by Mr Andy Kerr on 31 October 2003, how much has been spent on advertising the healthyliving advice line in each month since November 2003.","AnswerText":"To reiterate my previous answers to similar questions the Healthy Living call centre information line is an integral, but only one, facet of a campaign designed to raise awareness, stimulate attitudinal and behavioural change as well as provide advice and information.The advertising campaign ceased in October 2003 and since then advertising expenditure to promote the advice line has been confined to sponsoring the Daily Record Vital Supplement column on healthy living. The advertising expenditure figures requested are detailed below | Nov 2003 | Dec 2003 | Jan 2004 | Feb 2004 | Mar 2004 | | 0 | £6,219 | £3,554 | £988 | 0 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178975,"EventID":"S2W-06215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1871,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":31,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reason is for delay in amending the requirement that trains terminating at Newcraighall must enter the reversing siding rather than turning round at the platform","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reason is for delay in amending the requirement that trains terminating at Newcraighall must enter the reversing siding rather than turning round at the platform, given the implications for passengers' convenience, and when the issue will be resolved.","AnswerText":"This is a reserved matter.We understand that Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate have givenrecommendations on the best way forward. These have been accepted by NetworkRail and ScotRail, who now plan to turn around an additional six trains a day (andany delayed services) at Newcraighall.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178976,"EventID":"S2W-06216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2056,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made since the Stage 1 debate on the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill on which organisations it will fund to provide advoc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made since the Stage 1 debate on the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill on which organisations it will fund to provide advocacy services for children and parents under the Bill.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5990 on 2 March 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178977,"EventID":"S2W-06217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2686,"Party":"Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many care home residents have a deferred payment agreement in place with the appropriate local authority, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many care home residents have a deferred payment agreement in place with the appropriate local authority, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The following table provides the information requested:Deferred Payment Agreements as at 30 September 2003 | | Number of Agreements | | Aberdeen City | 6 | | Aberdeenshire | 0 | | Angus | 0 | | Argyll and Bute | 0 | | Clackmannanshire | 0 | | Dumfries and Galloway 1 | 22 | | Dundee City | 0 | | East Ayrshire | 0 | | East Dunbartonshire | 0 | | East Lothian | 0 | | East Renfrewshire | 0 | | Edinburgh, City of | 0 | | Eilean Siar | 0 | | Falkirk | 1 | | Fife | 0 | | Glasgow City | 0 | | Highland | 0 | | Inverclyde | 0 | | Midlothian | 0 | | Moray | 0 | | North Ayrshire | 0 | | North Lanarkshire | 3 | | Orkney Islands | 7 | | Perth and Kinross | 9 | | Renfrewshire | 7 | | Scottish Borders | 0 | | Shetland Islands | 2 | | South Ayrshire | 12 | | South Lanarkshire | 0 | | Stirling | 0 | | West Dunbartonshire | 0 | | West Lothian | 0 | | Scotland | 69 | Source: Local authority monitoring returns. Note: 1. The Dumfries and Galloway figure is from December 2002. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178978,"EventID":"S2W-06218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to include heating systems powered by bioenergy as eligible to benefit from renewable obligation certificates.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to include heating systems powered by bioenergy as eligible to benefit from renewable obligation certificates.","AnswerText":"We have no such plans. Thereare no legislative powers available which would allow heating systems poweredby bioenergy to benefit from renewable obligation certificates. Our ScottishCommunity and Householder Renewables Initiative has supported a number of smallheating scheme using biomass, solar or geothermal heating.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178979,"EventID":"S2W-06219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider a variation to the rules governing PFI/PPP contracts for the construction of public buildings to encourage the use of bioenergy heating systems.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider a variation to the rules governing PFI/PPP contracts for the construction of public buildings to encourage the use of bioenergy heating systems.","AnswerText":"EC public procurementdirectives apply to most purchasing contracts let by the public sector wherethe value exceeds certain thresholds. The EC public procurement directivesprovide scope for reflecting environmental considerations in procurement, whereit is relevant to the subject matter of the contract or based uponenvironmental objectives of the public body concerned. Given that PublicPrivate Partnerships procurements can involve a substantial amount of newbuild, the opportunity exists to deliver public services in a moreenvironmentally friendly way.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178980,"EventID":"S2W-06220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the generation of energy from biomass is renewable and what the reasons are for its position on the matter.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the generation of energy from biomass is renewable and what the reasons are for its position on the matter.","AnswerText":"We do consider the generation of energy from biomass to be renewable. Electricity generated from biomass sources qualifies for support under the Renewables Obligation Scotland. This is wholly consistent with Article 2 of European Directive 2001/77/EC on the promotion of renewable energy.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178981,"EventID":"S2W-06221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce diagnostic and treatment centres similar to those being introduced in England.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce diagnostic and treatment centres similar to those being introduced in England.","AnswerText":"Partnership for Care madeclear that the way NHS services are provided must continually adapt to reducewaiting times and improve the quality of patient care. It is for NHS boards todetermine how these improvements are best brought about. But, NHS boardsalready have or plan to introduce a number of walk-in treatment centres. Thisincludes Stracathro, Tayside (operational); Stobhill and Victoria in Glasgow(planned); Grampian DTC network (planned) and 411 one-stop clinics(operational).","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178982,"EventID":"S2W-06222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many tonnes of unwanted medicines were returned to community pharmacies in each year since 1995, broken down by NHS board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many tonnes of unwanted medicines were returned to community pharmacies in each year since 1995, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"Since 1997 the disposal ofpatients’ unwanted medicines has been carried out by community pharmacies underthe terms of local contracts negotiated by NHS boards and trusts and thecommunity pharmacy contractors in their area. The information requested is notheld by the Executive but may be available from individual Health boards and primarycare trusts.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178983,"EventID":"S2W-06223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to permit pharmacists to claim a fee for not dispensing prescriptions after exercising professional judgement, as is the case in the Republic of Ireland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to permit pharmacists to claim a fee for not dispensing prescriptions after exercising professional judgement, as is the case in the Republic of Ireland.","AnswerText":"Remuneration arrangements forcommunity pharmacists, including the question of “non-dispensing” fees, arebeing considered as part of the on-going discussions with the ScottishPharmaceutical General Council on the new community pharmacy contract. To dateno decisions have been made.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178984,"EventID":"S2W-06224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total volume was of drugs dispensed in each of the last 10 years, broken down by NHS board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the total volume was of drugs dispensed in each of the last 10 years, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the following tables. | NHS Board | Number of dispensed items – Year ending 31 March | | | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | | Ayrshire and Arran | 3,986,781 | 4,113,638 | 4,198,550 | 4,292,836 | 4,447,222 | | Argyll and Clyde | 4,598,118 | 4,741,083 | 4,853,372 | 5,002,070 | 5,222,131 | | Borders | 1,032,568 | 1,066,076 | 1,089,189 | 1,124,774 | 1,155,422 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 1,482,513 | 1,565,225 | 1,627,926 | 1,710,925 | 1,801,779 | | Fife | 3,132,726 | 3,254,003 | 3,365,676 | 3,507,607 | 3,684,741 | | Forth Valley | 2,717,224 | 2,805,061 | 2,879,930 | 3,022,273 | 3,131,603 | | Grampian | 4,209,231 | 4,337,124 | 4,421,109 | 4,606,572 | 4,797,859 | | Greater Glasgow | 9,962,664 | 10,189,145 | 10,421,136 | 10,685,905 | 11,064,542 | | Highland | 1,728,581 | 1,816,406 | 1,888,466 | 1,963,034 | 2,048,590 | | Lanarkshire | 6,015,455 | 6,167,405 | 6,392,421 | 6,605,033 | 6,927,913 | | Lothian | 6,135,648 | 6,315,371 | 6,460,409 | 6,589,865 | 6,856,256 | | Orkney | 163,834 | 165,964 | 170,298 | 171,939 | 177,136 | | Shetland | 193,908 | 194,221 | 201,565 | 208,418 | 220,637 | | Tayside | 3,710,683 | 3,827,725 ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178985,"EventID":"S2W-06225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that there is no disruption to the pricing of prescriptions when new desktop scanners are introduced in order to avoid any delays in ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that there is no disruption to the pricing of prescriptions when new desktop scanners are introduced in order to avoid any delays in payment as experienced by pharmacists when the scanner system was introduced in 2000.","AnswerText":"To ensure that the payment scheduleis not compromised, existing scanners will not be moved from their location inTrinity Park House, but will remain fully operational and maintained untiltheir replacements have been installed and tested at the new Scanner Centre in Livingston. Inaddition, the Common Services Agency have confirmed that they have contingencyand disaster recovery arrangements in place and are keeping the ScottishPharmaceutical General Council apprised of all matters.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178986,"EventID":"S2W-06226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1956,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what national strategic plans it has in respect of the care of patients with chronic comorbidity.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what national strategic plans it has in respect of the care of patients with chronic comorbidity.","AnswerText":"Care of patients withcomorbidities forms an important part of chronic disease management.We have national strategiesfor coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes, implementation ofwhich takes account of the inter-relationship between these conditions and withothers. We have also encouraged strategic planning across NHSScotland to takeaccount of the growing number of older people in the population, as they willbe the group most likely to be affected by co-morbidities. Community health partnershipswill have a particular focus on delivering improvements in the management ofchronic conditions. They will be particularly well placed to meet theincreasing challenge of tackling chronic disease, and provide an integratedapproach to care when patients present with more than one condition. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178987,"EventID":"S2W-06227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be taken on the section 36 application under the Electricity Act 1989 for the Shieldaig/Slattadale hydro scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be taken on the section 36 application under the Electricity Act 1989 for the Shieldaig/Slattadale hydro scheme.","AnswerText":"The consultation period forthis application has ended. Ministers are considering the application and adecision is expected in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178988,"EventID":"S2W-06228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it decides when it is appropriate for it to reject section 36 applications under the Electricity Act 1989 when the relevant planning authority has made no objection.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it decides when it is appropriate for it to reject section 36 applications under the Electricity Act 1989 when the relevant planning authority has made no objection.","AnswerText":"In determining a section 36application, ministers must consider the characteristics, location andpotential impact of the proposal. Whilst the views of the relevant planningauthority carry considerable weight, ministers must have regard to the all theother representations received. An application can be refused consent for anyone of a number of reasons. These include unacceptable adverse impacts thatcannot be mitigated on the natural or cultural heritage, or on for instancecertain aviation and radar services; unacceptable loss of amenity to thoseliving in the locality; and incompatibility with government energy policy.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178989,"EventID":"S2W-06229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it decides when it is appropriate for it to call a public inquiry into a section 36 application under the Electricity Act 1989 when the relevant planning authority ha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it decides when it is appropriate for it to call a public inquiry into a section 36 application under the Electricity Act 1989 when the relevant planning authority has made no objection.","AnswerText":"Schedule 8 of theElectricity Act 1989 directs ministers to consider objections received fromparties other than the planning authority along with all other materialconsiderations in determining whether a public inquiry should be held.In dispensing with a publicinquiry, Scottish ministers must be satisfied that they can properly weigh anytwo or more conflicting issues and, secondly, that those with the right to makerepresentations have had their representations properly taken into account. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178990,"EventID":"S2W-06230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1803,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":58,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make an announcement on the proposal to build a 142.6 megawatt wind-powered generating station at Blacklaw, near Forth in South Lanarkshire.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make an announcement on the proposal to build a 142.6 megawatt wind-powered generating station at Blacklaw, near Forth in South Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"I can announce that the Scottishministers have granted consent on this proposal in terms of section 36 of theElectricity Act 1989. Additionally this consent carries deemed planningpermission in terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland)Act 1997.This announcement follows alengthy consultation process which involved environmental groups, governmentbodies and members of the public. Following consultation with South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire and West Lothian Councils, conditions were attachedto this consent to safeguard local and environmental interests. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178991,"EventID":"S2W-06231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding to local authorities and voluntary organisations has been allocated through competitive bidding by (a) it and (b) the Scottish Office and what information i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding to local authorities and voluntary organisations has been allocated through competitive bidding by (a) it and (b) the Scottish Office and what information it has on such funding schemes run by (i) NHS boards and trusts, (ii) local authorities, (iii) the lottery, (iv) enterprise bodies and (v) non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1999, stating in each case the (1) value of the scheme, (2) number of successful bids and (3) number of unsuccessful bids.","AnswerText":"Information on all these funding schemes is not held centrally. This is an operational matter for each of the bodies concerned.The following schemes have been identified from within the Scottish Executive as resulting from competitive bidding: Public Transport Fund Allocations | Year | Value of Scheme | Successful Bids | Unsuccessful Bids | | 1999-2000 | £29.52 million | 13 | 5 | | 2000-01 | £29.73 million | 21 | 5 | | 2001-02 | £44.45 million | 23 | 3 | | 2002-03 | £57.49 million | 26 | 19 | | 2003-04 | £58.98 million | 23 | 17 | Air Quality Allocations | Year | Value of Scheme | Successful Bids | Unsuccessful Bids | | 1999-2000 | £0.5 million | 11 | 2 | | 2000-01 | £0.3 million | 9 | 0 | | 2001-02 | £0.3 million | 6 | 0 | | 2002-03 | £0.3 million | 12 | 0 | | 2003-04 | £0.3 million | 14 | 0 | Inaddition, a vehicle emissions testing grant scheme has recently started, with2003-04 as the first year of operation. The funding is £0.5 million, and therehave been three successful and zero unsuccessful bids. Derelict And Contaminated Land Remediation | Year | Value of Funding | Successful Bids | Unsuccessful Bids | | 2002-03 | £3.9 million | 15 | 3 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178992,"EventID":"S2W-06232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much expenditure has been set aside for New Housing Partnership challenge funding and (a) what level of and (b) to whom such funding was distributed in each year for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much expenditure has been set aside for New Housing Partnership challenge funding and (a) what level of and (b) to whom such funding was distributed in each year for which it has been available.","AnswerText":"The information on resources currently earmarked for each council and the spend for each complete year to date is set out in the table. It updates the information provided in the answer given to question S1W-32778 and takes into account changes in NHP allocations and reconciliations on outturn expenditure since then. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/sch/search. | Local Authority | Total NHP Resources currently allocated/ earmarked | Outturn 1998-1999 | Outturn 1999-2000 | Outturn 2000-2001 | Outturn 2001-2002 | Outturn 2002-2003 | | Aberdeen City | 1,181,228 | 143,000 | 202,000 | 390,020 | 446,208 | 0 | | Aberdeenshire | 6,934,680 | 65,000 | 1,028,490 | 2,105,021 | 3,412,410 | 0 | | Argyll and Bute | 2,380,400 | 0 | 95,000 | 0 | 0 | 107,673 | | Clackmannanshire | 880,000 | 780,000 | 79,025 | 7,224 | 13,750 | 0 | | Comharlie nan Eilean Siar | 2,038,138 | 21,000 | 52,405 | 122,250 | 134,600 | 375,187 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 4,983,816 | 100,000 | 349,994 | 1,125,425 | 2,491,000 | 799,300 | | Dundee City | 26,348,784 | 712,000 | 1,808,315 | 7,916,532 | 12,368,349 | 2,525,242 | | East Ayrshire | 1,260,967 | 1,260,967 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | East Dunbartonshire | 9,054,000 | 318,000 | 172,249 | 379,587 | 427,100 | 696,170 | | East Lothian | 10,698,712 | 1,919,759 | 1,261,178 | 1,783,850 | 2,720,000 | 1,800,0","AnswerDate":"2004-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178993,"EventID":"S2W-06233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been allocated under the New Housing Partnership programme in each year since its inception; whether any changes have been made to these allocations and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been allocated under the New Housing Partnership programme in each year since its inception; whether any changes have been made to these allocations and, if so, whether it will detail the changes made, and what underspend there has been in each year, all broken down by local authority. ","AnswerText":"Details of the allocations of resources to councils under the New Housing Partnership programme and underspends against those allocations in each year since its inception are set out in the tables. The figures in the following tables are not cumulative. Allocations are determined on an annual basis taking into account the outturn in previous years. Table 1: Allocation of NHP Resources | Council | NHP Final allocations in 1998-1999 | NHP Final allocations in 1999-2000 | NHP Final allocations in 2000-2001 | NHP Final allocations in 2001-2002 | NHP Final allocations in 2002-2003 | NHP Final allocations in 2003-2004 | | Aberdeen City | 330,000 | 302,000 | 390,020 | 446,208 | 0 | 0 | | Aberdeenshire | 65,000 | 1,028,490 | 2,105,021 | 3,412,410 | 0 | 0 | | Argyll and Bute | 0 | 95,000 | 71,250 | 100,000 | 150,000 | 582,500 | | Clackmannanshire | 780,000 | 100,000 | 21,000 | 13,750 | 0 | 0 | | Comhairle nan Eilean Siar | 56,000 | 116,000 | 167,000 | 134,600 | 566,750 | 717,461 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 100,000 | 350,000 | 1,125,425 | 2,576,048 | 799,300 | 118,097 | | Dundee City | 3,275,000 | 7,081,000 | 8,288,250 | 12,448,349 | 2,615,242 | 1,093,680 | | East Ayrshire | 1,260,967 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | East Dunbartonshire | 319,000 | 534,000 | 828,000 | 427,100 | 792,152 | 469,382 | | East Lothian | 2,945,000 | 2,149,000 | 2,702,850 | 2,720,000 | 1,800,000 | 1,213,925 | | East Renfrewshire | 25,000 | 100,000 | | | No of prescribed items | Gross ingredient cost £ | | | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | | Concerta XL® | 46 | 7,507 | 2,723 | 359,358 | | All other forms of methylphenidate hydrochloride | 24,840 | 22,769 | 477,819 | 427,170 | | Total | 24,886 | 30,276 | 480,542 | 786,528 | The cost given is thatbefore addition of any pharmacy fees and deduction of any discount and patientcharges. Data in the table refer to prescriptions dispensed by communitypharmacists and dispensing doctors, but do not take into account medicinesdispensed by hospitals or hospital based clinics. The information in the tablehas been provided by ISD. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178995,"EventID":"S2W-06235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5869 by Malcolm Chisholm on 10 February 2004, (a) what the total cost was and (b) how many prescriptions were issued for (i) Ritali","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5869 by Malcolm Chisholm on 10 February 2004, (a) what the total cost was and (b) how many prescriptions were issued for (i) Ritalin, (ii) Equasym and (iii) Tranquilyn, in (1) 2002 and (2) 2003.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of items and gross ingredient cost by dispensed name for Ritalin®, Equasym® and Tranquilyn® as well as the generic formof methylphenidate hydrochloride (if a prescription is written generically it is recorded as such) in the financial years ending 31 March 2002 and 2003.The cost given is that before addition of any pharmacy fees and deduction of any discount and patient charges. Data in the table refer to prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors, but do not take into account medicines dispensed by hospitals or hospital based clinics. | Dispensed Name | No of Prescribed Items | Gross Ingredient Cost £ | | | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | | Ritalin® | 20,753 | 16,624 | 424,598 | 346,198 | | Equasym® | 1,840 | 5,205 | 29,349 | 71,032 | | Tranquilyn® | 0 | 99 | 0 | 1,414 | | Methylphenidate hydrochloride | 2,247 | 841 | 23,872 | 8,526 | | Total | 24,840 | 22,769 | 477,819 | 427,170 | The information in the tablehas been provided by ISD. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178996,"EventID":"S2W-06236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that all NHS boards implement the recommendations in the report BID79 of the Remote and Rural Affairs Resource Initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that all NHS boards implement the recommendations in the report BID79 of the Remote and Rural Affairs Resource Initiative.","AnswerText":"The Bid 79 report (Bibnumber 31082) covers a range of issues from Human Rights Act compliance totraining and staff governance issues. There are key recommendations forimprovement to the services provided to remote and rural areas and the Executivehas already drawn these recommendations to the attention of the statutory agencies.Some £1 million has beenprovided to NHS boards and their partners to support planning for delivery of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. They will be providing Joint LocalImplementation Plans by 31 March and I would expect these to deal appropriatelywith the recommendations in the Bid 79 report. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178997,"EventID":"S2W-06237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce delays in transferring psychiatric patients in crisis to hospital.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce delays in transferring psychiatric patients in crisis to hospital.","AnswerText":"Dr Grant’s published interimreport of the National Mental Health Services Assessment (Bib number: 30239) highlightsproblems that can occur in patient transfers. That report calls for flexibleand responsive 24-hour support services to be developed which are sensitive tolocal geography. This fits broadly with the findings of the Remote and RuralAreas Resource Initiative (RARARI) Bid 79 report (Bib number 31082).I have invited the partneragencies to prepare Joint Local Implementation Plans to deliver on the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland)Act 2003 and in doing so have drawnattention to relevant recommendations of the RARARI report. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178998,"EventID":"S2W-06238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to provide a “place of safety” for acutely disturbed psychiatric patients in remote and rural areas.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to provide a “place of safety” for acutely disturbed psychiatric patients in remote and rural areas.","AnswerText":"Publication of the interimand locality reports from the National Mental Health Services Assessment (Bib numbers30239, 30221-30234, 30236) co-incided with the publication by the Remote andRural Areas Resource Initiative (RARARI) of Recommendations for the SafeManagement of Acutely Disturbed Psychiatric Patients (Bib number 31082).These reports draw attentionto the importance of places of safety and alternatives to police stations whenpeople are in crisis. The Mental Health(Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 doesrecognise that there will be circumstances where there is no immediatealternative other than to use a police station. However, the emphasis is onalternatives. I have invited the partner agencies to prepare Joint LocalImplementation Plans to deliver on the new provisions and in doing so havedrawn attention to relevant recommendations from the RARARI report. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":178999,"EventID":"S2W-06239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many psychiatric patients were held in police cells while awaiting support from health services in the last year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many psychiatric patients were held in police cells while awaiting support from health services in the last year.","AnswerText":"The information requested isnot held centrally.Dr Grant, in her publishedinterim and locality reports of the National Mental Health Services Assessment (Bib.numbers 30239, 30221-30234, 30236), has drawn attention to the importance ofplaces of safety and has referred to alternatives to police stations whenpeople are in crisis. The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland)Act 2003 does recognise that there will be circumstances where there is noimmediate alternative other than to use a police station. However, the emphasisis on alternatives. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179000,"EventID":"S2W-06240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address any shortage of mental health officers.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address any shortage of mental health officers.","AnswerText":"Estimates on the impact of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 on the mental health officer (MHO)workforce were reached in consultation with the Association of Directors ofSocial Work and COSLA. £2.5 million per annum additional funding has been madeavailable for 2004-05 and 2005-06. This should allow for the employment of anadditional 50-60 (whole-time-equivalent) MHOs across Scotland.The Scottish Executive commissioned research from the Scottish Development Centre for MentalHealth on the capacity of MHO services to meet existing and future statutory demand.This research, launched at a conference in October 2003, examined service modelsand supports in place throughout Scotland. The findings will assist local authorities inexamining and redesigning existing MHO services to maximise the availability ofMHOs. The Scottish Executive is facilitating the development of national standards for Mental HealthOfficer services, as intimated in the policy document: Renewing MentalHealth Law. Agreed standards will assist in the provision of a moreefficient and responsive MHO service. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179001,"EventID":"S2W-06241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will roll out the proactive care programme approach of the community mental health team in Nairn and Ardersier Local Health Care Co-operative, which successful","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will roll out the proactive care programme approach of the community mental health team in Nairn and Ardersier Local Health Care Co-operative, which successfully reduced mental health occupied bed days in its locality by 50% between 1996 and 2000.","AnswerText":"The benefits of planned careand early pre-discharge planning are well known. The care programme approach(CPA) which has a long history is designed to provide structured continuingcare for those with more complex needs. Properly approached and applied the CPAis likely to show the benefits evidenced in Nairn and Ardersier.The CPA has been promotedand encouraged at every opportunity in recent years, given its joint working,joint delivery of services components. We continue to encourage its applicationat every opportunity most recently in our work with the agencies on thepreparation of Local Joint Implementation Plans to deliver on the Mental Health(Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179002,"EventID":"S2W-06242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in relation to the proposed rural healthcare faculty, recommended in the report Solutions for the provision of health care in the remote and r","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in relation to the proposed rural healthcare faculty, recommended in the report Solutions for the provision of health care in the remote and rural areas of Scotland in the 21st century in January 2002.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for educationalbodies, NHS boards and other organisations in rural areas to consider. The Scottish Executive has encouraged the development of education, training and research inrural areas through bodies such as the University of the Highlands andIslands and the Highlands and Islands Research Institute. It has also ensuredthat the additional costs of providing health care in rural areas are reflectedin NHS boards’ funding allocations.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179003,"EventID":"S2W-06244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a penalty imposed on a farmer or crofter during the reference period for the Single Farm Payment scheme is carried forward.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a penalty imposed on a farmer or crofter during the reference period for the Single Farm Payment scheme is carried forward.","AnswerText":"The reference amount isbased on the average number of determined livestock and hectares held duringthe three year reference period, multiplied by the amounts in Annex VII of theCouncil Regulation 1782/2003. We therefore understand the reference amount isnot based on the actual amount of subsidy received in the reference periodwhich would impose the penalty already levied and suffered by the farmer forthe purposes of all future subsidy payments. We do not however have the final communityimplementing legislation which may affect the position. In addition, thereference amount will of course depend on the livestock or hectares determinedby inspection to be on the farm or croft at that time.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179004,"EventID":"S2W-06245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-12T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 - Regulation of Care Services by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care. Proposals for Maximum F","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 - Regulation of Care Services by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care. Proposals for Maximum Fees to be set by Scottish Ministers for 2004-05: Consultation paper, what information it has on the number and location of \"smaller providers\" of care homes, in particular care homes for elderly people, that may have to close as a consequence of the fee levy to fund the Care Commission; what information it has on the number and location of elderly people who may require to be relocated as a consequence of such closures, and where such people will be relocated.","AnswerText":"No information is held onthis. There is no evidence to suggest that care homes may have to close as aresult of fee increases and it would be wrong to speculate.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179005,"EventID":"S2W-06246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general dental practitioners have stopped accepting new NHS registrations in each of the last three years, expressed also as a percentage of all practitioners.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general dental practitioners have stopped accepting new NHS registrations in each of the last three years, expressed also as a percentage of all practitioners.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179006,"EventID":"S2W-06247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dental practices have ceased providing NHS dental services in each year since 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dental practices have ceased providing NHS dental services in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The information is provided inthe following tables. Dental practices that ceased providing NHS general dentalservices for a temporary period only may be included in these figures. For comparisonthe number of practices in Scotland that have commenced providing NHS general dentalservices in the same period are also provided.Number of Dental Practices inScotland that have Ceased Providing NHS General Dental Services1,2 | Year | No. of Practices | | 1999 | 13 | | 2000 | 13 | | 2001 | 17 | | 2002 | 19 | | 2003p | 20 | Number of Dental Practices inScotland that have Commenced Providing NHS General Dental Services1,2 | Year | No. of Practices | | 1999 | 23 | | 2000 | 13 | | 2001 | 20 | | 2002 | 21 | | 2003P | 23 | PProvisional. Notes: 1.Source - MIDAS (Management Information & Dental Accounting System). 2. Some NHS general dental practicesmay cease providing NHS services permanently, while some may do so only temporarily. ","AnswerDate":"2004-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179007,"EventID":"S2W-06248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, students graduating from dental schools left Scotland for their first post in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, students graduating from dental schools left Scotland for their first post in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The most up-to-date data on the first destination of dentistry graduates from Scottish Higher Education institutes (categorised into Scotland, Rest of the UK, Rest of the World, and Unknown First Destination) is correct to 2001-02. This is collected by the Enterprise, Transport And Lifelong Learning Department.The following table provides the data for the three most recent years for which data is available. First Destination of Dentistry Graduates from Scottish HEIs from 1999-2000 to 2001-02 | | 2001-02 | 2000-01 | 1999-2000 | | All Graduates | Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage | | Total | 137 | 100% | 124 | 100% | 142 | 100% | | Scotland | 94 | 69% | 90 | 73% | 87 | 61% | | Rest of the UK1 | 18 | 12% | 9 | 6% | 26 | 17% | | Rest of the World | * | 1% | * | 1% | * | 1% | | Unknown First Destination | 25 | 18% | 25 | 20% | 29 | 20% | Note: 1. The number of graduates with first destination rest of the UK and rest of the world have been combined to protect confidentiality. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179008,"EventID":"S2W-06249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general dental practitioners will reach retirement age in each of the next three years, expressed also as a percentage of all practitioners.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many general dental practitioners will reach retirement age in each of the next three years, expressed also as a percentage of all practitioners.","AnswerText":"The information requested is provided in the following table.Number and percentage of principal NHS general dental practitioners (GDPs) currently working in the general dental service who will be aged 701 during the year to 16 February | Year | Number | Percentage of all principal GDPs2 | | 2005 | 0 | - | | 2006 | 2 | 0.1 | | 2007 | 0 | - | Notes: 1 Current retirement age for principal dentists working in the NHS general dental service. 2 Based on the number of active principal GDPs at 16 February 2004. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179009,"EventID":"S2W-06250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients registered with a local dentist in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS board area, expressed also as a percentage of the population in eac","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients registered with a local dentist in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS board area, expressed also as a percentage of the population in each area and showing year-on-year percentage changes.","AnswerText":"The information requested for those patients registered with a dentist under NHS general dental services is provided in the tables below. No information is collected on the number of patients registered with a dentist under private arrangements.Patients Registered with an NHS General Dental Practitioner; at 31 March2001 | Health board area | Number of patients registered | Percentage of population registered1 | Percentage change from March 2000 | | Ayrshire & Arran | 209,790 | 57.0 | 1.0 | | Borders | 63,837 | 60.1 | -0.6 | | Argyll & Clyde | 223,838 | 53.1 | 0.0 | | Fife | 187,961 | 54.0 | -0.6 | | Greater Glasgow | 492,653 | 57.1 | 2.1 | | Highland | 94,453 | 45.2 | -4.7 | | Lanarkshire | 271,200 | 49.1 | 0.6 | | Grampian | 270,347 | 51.3 | -3.3 | | Orkney | 8,289 | 43.0 | -3.1 | | Lothian | 418,870 | 54.0 | 0.7 | | Tayside | 232,600 | 59.5 | -0.3 | | Forth Valley | 146,433 | 52.4 | 0.1 | | Western Isles | 12,024 | 45.0 | -0.5 | | Dumfries & Galloway | 72,712 | 49.2 | -1.6 | | Shetland | 7,470 | 33.7 | 0.2 | | Scotland | 2,712,477 | 53.6 | -0.1 | 2002 | Health board area | Number of patients registered | Percentage of population registered2 | Percentage change from March 2001 | | Ayrshire & Arran | 209,566 | 56.9 | -0.1 | | Borders | 63,942 | 59.8 | -0.3 | | Argyll & Clyde | 222,842 ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179011,"EventID":"S2W-06252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1988,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been prosecuted in each local authority area for selling lighter fluid to under age children in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been prosecuted in each local authority area for selling lighter fluid to under age children in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Information at the level of detail requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179012,"EventID":"S2W-06253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1988,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in each local authority area have been convicted of selling lighter fluid to under age children in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in each local authority area have been convicted of selling lighter fluid to under age children in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Information at the level of detail requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179013,"EventID":"S2W-06254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1988,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to stop the illegal sale of lighter fluid to under age children.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to stop the illegal sale of lighter fluid to under age children.","AnswerText":"The Executive, in partnershipwith Fife Council, recently piloted a “Know the Score” initiative remindingretailers in the Fife area that it is an offence to sell butane gas lighterrefills to under 18s. Following a positive evaluation of the campaign, the Executive is currently considering the scope for rolling out the initiative ona Scotland-wide basis.The Executive has alsopublished, and widely distributed, a “Know the Score” booklet on volatile substanceabuse, which includes a section on the law governing the sale of gas lighterrefills and other volatile substances. We are part-funding Re-Solv’s Scottish solventabuse field worker, who is raising awareness of the issue at a community level.In addition, 99% of schools in Scotland now provide drug education, which includes informationon solvents. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179014,"EventID":"S2W-06255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a national analysis of the need for, and construction of, affordable housing is being carried out.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a national analysis of the need for, and construction of, affordable housing is being carried out.","AnswerText":"As part of current work on affordable housing, the Executive is undertaking analyses at national level of future requirements for affordable housing.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179015,"EventID":"S2W-06256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote the provision of employment in social firms for people who are disabled and disadvantaged in the labour market.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote the provision of employment in social firms for people who are disabled and disadvantaged in the labour market.","AnswerText":"The Executive, throughCommunities Scotland, is providing financial support of £160,000 over 4 years toSocial Firms Scotland to help them set up new social firms across Scotland. Wehave also provided direct funding of £122,000 over 2 years to Social FirmsScotland for a project to assist the expansion of the social firm model formental health sufferers.As you are aware, we are alsoin the process of reviewing our policiesto support and develop the wider social economy in Scotland,which includes social firms. Early last year we published A Review of the Scottish Executive’s Policies to Promote the Social Economy. We are developing an action plan to implement thereport’s recommendations and hope to make an announcement shortly. In addition, we support individualprojects that contribute to the promotion of employment for disabled people. On26 February the Minister for Communities announced support of £200,000 over 3 years for theDARE Foundation’s project on Transition into Supported Employment and Education.This innovative project focuses on building partnerships with young disabledpeople, education providers, school staff and employers. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179016,"EventID":"S2W-06257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients in psychiatric hospitals and units have committed suicide in each of the last five years, broken down by hospital or unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients in psychiatric hospitals and units have committed suicide in each of the last five years, broken down by hospital or unit.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in Table 1 below. Information for the years ending 31 March 2002 and 2003 is not shown, as the data on hospital discharges from mental illness hospitals and psychiatric units is incomplete at present.Table 1: Number of Patients In Mental Illness Hospitals or Psychiatric Units In Scotland Who Have Committed Suicide (Dead) Whilst In-patients, By Hospital/Unit Of Treatment And Financial Year Of Discharge. | | Year ending 31 March | | | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | | All locations | 14 | 28 | 26 | | Ailsa Hospital | 1 | - | - | | Argyll and Bute Hospital | 1 | - | 1 | | Craig Dunain Hospital | 1 | - | 1 | | Crichton Royal Hospital | - | 1 | - | | Dingleton Hospital | 2 | - | - | | Dr Gray's Hospital | - | - | - | | Dudhope House | - | 1 | - | | Dykebar Hospital | - | 1 | 2 | | Gartnavel Royal Hospital | - | - | 3 | | Hairmyres Hospital | 1 | - | 1 | | Hartwoodhill Hospital | - | - | 1 | | Herdmanflat Hospital | - | - | - | | Huntlyburn House | - | 1 | - | | Inverclyde Royal Hospital | - | 1 | - | | Leverndale Hospital | - | 2 | 2 | | Mental Health & Long Stay Geriatric Services, Falkirk Royal Infirmary | 1 | 1 | - | | Murray Royal Hospital | - | - | - | | Parkhead Hospital | - | 1 | 1 | | Pluscarden Clinic | - | 2 | - | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179017,"EventID":"S2W-06258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it can take if a local authority does not deliver high quality and efficient local services","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it can take if a local authority does not deliver high quality and efficient local services","AnswerText":"Local authorities are nowunder a statutory obligation to make arrangements to improve the outcome oftheir performance of their functions under the provisions of the Local Governmentin Scotland Act 2003. From this year the Accounts Commission will be auditingthese arrangements and reporting publicly their assessment of the results.Scottish Ministers havepowers under the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 to issue directions tolocal authorities to take such action or accept such conditions that theMinisters specify if the Ministers are satisfied that the local authority is notcomplying with its duty to secure Best Value, which is continuous improvementin the exercise of its functions. Such directions may be givenin the following circumstances: - In order to protect the public interest from substantial harm
- On the recommendation of the Accounts Commission
A direction cannot be givenwithout serving a preliminary notice on the authority which offers theopportunity to put its case to Ministers. There are also specificintervention powers relating to failures in specific statutory duties such asthe provision of education services. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179018,"EventID":"S2W-06259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has in respect of the prevention of suicide of NHS patients.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has in respect of the prevention of suicide of NHS patients.","AnswerText":"Recommendations on suicideprevention, detailed in Safety First: Five Year Report of theNational Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with MentalIllness, were issued to Health Boards in July 2001. NHS boards are expectedto continue to work within the framework of these recommendations, whilst alsotaking account of the framework provided in Choose Life, the NationalStrategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland (published December2002).","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179019,"EventID":"S2W-06260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what performance targets have been set in respect of the provision of assessments by occupational therapists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what performance targets have been set in respect of the provision of assessments by occupational therapists.","AnswerText":"No national performancetargets have been set for assessments by occupational therapists. However, from2004-05, we will be collecting information on the numbers of assessments bylead assessor and the time between referral and first service delivery.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179020,"EventID":"S2W-06261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of attempted suicide there have been in psychiatric hospitals and units in each of the last five years, broken down by hospital or unit.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of attempted suicide there have been in psychiatric hospitals and units in each of the last five years, broken down by hospital or unit.","AnswerText":"This information is not available.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179021,"EventID":"S2W-06262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what protection is provided for patients in psychiatric hospitals who have known or expressed suicidal tendencies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what protection is provided for patients in psychiatric hospitals who have known or expressed suicidal tendencies.","AnswerText":"The recommendations in SafetyFirst (published by the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide andHomicide by People with Mental Illness) include in “12 Points to a SaferService” a checklist on how best to support vulnerable patients in psychiatrichospitals, including those at risk of suicide. Safety First was issuedto health boards in July 2001.Engaging People –Observation of People With Acute Mental Health Problems. Published in June 2002 built on NursingObservation of Acutely ill Psychiatric Patients in Hospital. recommendationsin this were disseminated to trust chief executives, service users, nursing andother staff in 2002. NHS boards are expected tocontinue to work within the framework provided by both of these publications,whilst also taking account of the provisions of Choose Life, the NationalStrategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland. In addition, risk management guidance published in October 2000 offeredadvice to NHSScotland and carers on the management and reduction of risk inmental health care and other settings. The guidance also provides advice onestablishing procedures to review critical incidents where they occur. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179022,"EventID":"S2W-06263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the eligibility criteria are for the regeneration fund for local authorities under the new funding rules.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the eligibility criteria are for the regeneration fund for local authorities under the new funding rules.","AnswerText":"Priority for the use of thisfunding will be for regeneration activity that is directly linked to housing transferproposals which have secured a place on the Community Ownership Programme. Accessto the fund will be widened to include retention councils who have robustdelivery plans to achieve the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) for theirown stock, but who have significant areas of deprivation that have widerregeneration needs. Bids from these councils will be considered in 2005 when wesee their SHQS delivery plans. Detailed criteria will be issued in due course.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179023,"EventID":"S2W-06264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":2,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to deferment options for Scottish-domiciled students attending English universities under the proposed top-up fees scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to deferment options for Scottish-domiciled students attending English universities under the proposed top-up fees scheme.","AnswerText":"We are aware that those whoare considering studying in England from 2006 need to know what support towards tuitionfees will be available to them in order that they can make an informed choicein good time.We are currently consideringa range of options and will make an announcement soon. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179024,"EventID":"S2W-06265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to produce a Scottish measure of economic activity that more accurately reflects the economic activity of the people of Scotland than gross domestic pr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to produce a Scottish measure of economic activity that more accurately reflects the economic activity of the people of Scotland than gross domestic product.","AnswerText":"There is not one singlemeasure of economic activity of the people of Scotland, and the Executivealready considers a range of indicators alongside gross domestic product,including for example, labour market statistics, earnings, benefit claimantsand export activity.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179025,"EventID":"S2W-06266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the advantages are of using the “chain-linked” method to calculate gross domestic product in comparison with former methods used.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the advantages are of using the “chain-linked” method to calculate gross domestic product in comparison with former methods used.","AnswerText":"Benefits of the newmethodology include:1. Annual weights are moreup-to-date and therefore more relevant, reflecting changes in the structure of the economy when they happen. 2. Rebasing revisions willoccur to a much lesser extent than under the previous fixed base methodologywhich led to large revisions every five years. 3. Annual chain-linkingreduces the inaccuracies caused by the assumption of a stable relationshipbetween gross value added and turnover. 4. Under the previousfixed-base methodology where weights were updated every five years, the choiceof year to link indices together was a subjective process and the optimum linkyear varied across indices. With chain-linking, every year is automatically alink year, so no subjective choice is required. A more detailed report onthe new chain-linking methodology and its effects is included on the Scottish Executive GDP website at www.scotland.gov.uk/gdp. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179026,"EventID":"S2W-06267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when, and by whom, it was decided to adopt the “chain-linked” methodology for calculating gross domestic product.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when, and by whom, it was decided to adopt the “chain-linked” methodology for calculating gross domestic product.","AnswerText":"The introduction of annualchain-linking was recommended by the European System of National Accounts 1993(SNA93). All member states of the EU were required to adopt this methodology by2005.The Scottish EconomicStatistics Programme published in Scottish Economic Statistics 2001 notedthe intention to adopt the methodology for Scottish GDP. This proposal was openfor consultation, and the Scottish Economics Statistics Consultants Group ofexternal experts fully supported the decision to adopt the EU standardapproach. A number of articles on the subject have been published in subsequentpublications. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179027,"EventID":"S2W-06268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish gross domestic product data are produced on the same basis as English and Welsh gross domestic product data.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish gross domestic product data are produced on the same basis as English and Welsh gross domestic product data.","AnswerText":"England and Wales do not currently produce quarterly indices of GDP.The only GDP data availablefor England and Wales are from the annual regional accounts produced bythe Office for National Statistics. Regional accounts include estimates of GVAfor the 12 regions of the UK, including Scotland, all on the same basis. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179028,"EventID":"S2W-06269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will produce data under the new reporting method that will reflect and display the relative economic performance of Scotland and other UK regions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will produce data under the new reporting method that will reflect and display the relative economic performance of Scotland and other UK regions.","AnswerText":"No other region of the UK currentlyproduces a quarterly GDP index, so the change in methodology does not directlyaffect them. The Office for National Statistics produces regional analysis forall regions of the UK through the annual regional accounts exercise.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179029,"EventID":"S2W-06270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to produce gross national product and other data that will provide informative measurements of wealth created and retained in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to produce gross national product and other data that will provide informative measurements of wealth created and retained in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The potential for productionof a measure of gross national income (the ESA95 equivalent of GNP) wasconsidered by the Scottish Economic Statistics Consultants Group in June 2002. Afterconsidering evidence from an initial study, the group decided that it was notfeasible to pursue it because of the difficulty of measurement, inparticular of investment flows between Scotland and the rest of the UK. A papersummarising the reasoning behind the decision is available on the Scottish Executive website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/scotstats/committees/economy/meetings/sescg912003.pdf. Work is on-going to improvethe available information on household wealth in Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179030,"EventID":"S2W-06271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the £3 million per annum made available for the provision of money advice from 2002 is being used by local authorities to provide assistance to creditors in resp","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the £3 million per annum made available for the provision of money advice from 2002 is being used by local authorities to provide assistance to creditors in respect of attachments and exceptional attachment orders.","AnswerText":"The Executive’s funding formoney advice will cover negotiation by advisers with creditors to reach anagreement which provides the best possible outcome for the creditor and debtoralike. In some circumstances debtors seeking such advice will have experiencedthe diligence of attachment. In a few cases exceptional attachment orders mayhave been granted.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179031,"EventID":"S2W-06272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authority money advisers provide representation and assistance in respect of the completion of legal forms when debts relate to council tax arrears.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authority money advisers provide representation and assistance in respect of the completion of legal forms when debts relate to council tax arrears.","AnswerText":"Money advisers’ practicevaries across the sector, however some provide support with the completion oflegal forms and court representation, including in cases of debt relating tocouncil tax arrears. Legal aid may also beavailable for a solicitor to advise or represent someone with debts relating tocouncil tax arrears, as long as they meet the legal aid statutory tests.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179032,"EventID":"S2W-06273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sportscotland has advanced funding to the Highland Football Academy; what the reasons are for sportscotland's position on this matter, and what steps it will now","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether sportscotland has advanced funding to the Highland Football Academy; what the reasons are for sportscotland's position on this matter, and what steps it will now take to ensure that the Highland Football Academy can continue.","AnswerText":"Sportscotland has made payments to the Highland FootballAcademy Trust in line with the terms and conditions of the Lottery award andaward of Reduction in Pool Betting Duty monies. Sportscotland is not ina position to advance payments on behalf of the Scottish Football Partnershipwhich is a separate, legally constituted company. It is for the partnersinvolved in the Highland Football Academy to ensure the viability of the project.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179033,"EventID":"S2W-06274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will intervene to ensure that the Highland Football Academy receives the funding committed by sportscotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will intervene to ensure that the Highland Football Academy receives the funding committed by sportscotland.","AnswerText":"No intervention is required.Funding awarded by sportscotland is being paid out under the terms andconditions of the award.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179034,"EventID":"S2W-06275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2686,"Party":"Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what a local authority's statutory powers and duties are in respect of funding residential care for elderly people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what a local authority's statutory powers and duties are in respect of funding residential care for elderly people.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have aduty under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to make such arrangements as they considerappropriate for the provision of suitable residential accommodation for personsassessed as needing such care.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179035,"EventID":"S2W-06276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive , further to the answer to question S2W-5141 by Peter Peacock on February 2004 and the point of order by Euan Robson on 13 November 2003 (Official Report, c 3234), whethe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive , further to the answer to question S2W-5141 by Peter Peacock on February 2004 and the point of order by Euan Robson on 13 November 2003 (Official Report, c 3234), whether the full report, with its recommendations, was not sent to Scottish Borders Council a week after 13 November 2003 as stated by Euan Robson and what the reasons are for its position on the matter.","AnswerText":"The full report, includinganalysis and conclusions, was sent to Scottish Borders Council the weekfollowing 13 November 2003. The council provided the Social Work ServicesInspectorate with written comments on 24 December 2003. These comments are being taken into account in the finalisation of thereport. No date has been set for publication.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179036,"EventID":"S2W-06277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report by the Mental Welfare Commission on the Miss X case will be published.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the report by the Mental Welfare Commission on the Miss X case will be published.","AnswerText":"The MentalWelfare Commission does not propose to publish a report on the Miss X case. Avery brief anonymised summary of the case, with the Commission’s findings andits recommendations, will be available on its website next month.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179037,"EventID":"S2W-06278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1962,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional funding has been allocated to Transport Initiatives Edinburgh to fund a study trip to Lyon and, if so, how much has been allocated and from which budg","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional funding has been allocated to Transport Initiatives Edinburgh to fund a study trip to Lyon and, if so, how much has been allocated and from which budget.","AnswerText":"There has been no additionalfunding allocated to Transport Initiatives Edinburgh to fund a study trip to Lyon.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179038,"EventID":"S2W-06279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the proposed wind farm at Whiteless Forest near Eaglesham.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the proposed wind farm at Whiteless Forest near Eaglesham.","AnswerText":"We consulted widely incompliance with statutory requirements. Representations were received from thefollowing: | BAA plc | | British Telecom Diversionary Works Planning | | Civil Aviation Authority Directorate of Airspace Policy | | Crown Estate | | Department of Trade and Industry | | East Renfrewshire Council | | Eaglesham Community Council | | East Ayrshire Council | | Glasgow Archaeological Society | | Health and Safety Executive | | Historic Scotland | | Met Office | | Ministry of Defence | | National Air Traffic Services | | NTL | | Royal Air Force | | Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland | | Scottish Civic Trust | | Scottish Cyclists’ Union | | Scottish Environmental Protection Agency | | Scottish Natural Heritage | | Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society | | South Lanarkshire Council | | Stewartfield Community Council | | Strathclyde Gliding Club | | Wind And Turbines Can’t Happen (WATCH) | | West of Scotland Archaeology Service | A further consultation wasundertaken in November 2003 after Scottish Power made changes to their originalenvironmental statement. Further representations were received from: | British Telecommunications Radio Solutions Unit | | Glasgow Prestwick International Airport | | Scottish Water | In addition, the public consultation period for the original application ended on 29 February 2002 and 50 objections and six letters of support were received. A further six objections were received in respect of the additional information consultation. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179039,"EventID":"S2W-06280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in extending the remit of the Security Industry Authority to include Scotland and how it will consult the Scottish security industry on the ne","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in extending the remit of the Security Industry Authority to include Scotland and how it will consult the Scottish security industry on the new arrangements, particularly in relation to training.","AnswerText":"The Home Secretary is awarethat we are keen to make early progress in extending the remit of the SecurityIndustry Authority (SIA) to include Scotland and Whitehall officials are pursuing a number of potentialvehicles for making the necessary legislative changes. The Queen’s Speech inNovember will set out the legislative programme for 2004-05 and it is only thenthat we will be able to confirm if the proposals have been included in the nextsession.My officials and the Scottish Qualifications Authority are working with the SIA on the detail of howtraining will be organised in Scotland.Consideration is also being given to the strategy for consulting and workingwith the Scottish industry, once the SIA has a formal role in Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179040,"EventID":"S2W-06281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to address any shortage of physiotherapists.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to address any shortage of physiotherapists.","AnswerText":"The Executive recognises theimportant contribution that allied health professionals (AHPs), includingphysiotherapists, make to the wellbeing of patients throughout Scotland.In partnership withNHSScotland, the Executive is supporting enhanced access to physiotherapy througha number of initiatives tackling recruitment and retention issues set out inthe AHP strategy Future Directions. New figures published on 25 Februaryby ISD show an increase in allied health professionals including physiotherapists,where numbers increased by 13.8% between September 2002 and September 2003.These demonstrate good progress in meeting the Partnership Agreement commitmentto ensure a total of 1,500 extra AHPs. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179041,"EventID":"S2W-06282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Health and Community Care will reply to the letter from my constituent Mr John Winton of 30 November 2003 regarding his treatment, and specifically ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Health and Community Care will reply to the letter from my constituent Mr John Winton of 30 November 2003 regarding his treatment, and specifically any lack of beds, at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.","AnswerText":"Mr Winton’s letter of 30November was addressed to the Chief Executive of Lothian University HospitalsTrust, and copied to me for information. I understand that the Division has nowwritten to Mr Winton, addressing his concerns.Mr Winton has since written directto me on related matters. A reply will be issued shortly. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179042,"EventID":"S2W-06283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make a decision with regard to the proposed wind farm at Whitelee Forest near Eaglesham.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make a decision with regard to the proposed wind farm at Whitelee Forest near Eaglesham.","AnswerText":"The issues raised in thecourse of the consultation are still under consideration. A number offundamental planning issues remain to be resolved and no decision will be madeuntil they are resolved or alternatively it becomes clear that they cannot beresolved in a way that complies with national planning policy guidelines.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179043,"EventID":"S2W-06284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been made aware of any possible danger of noise as a result of the rotation of the blades at the proposed wind farm at Whitelee Forest near Eaglesham.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been made aware of any possible danger of noise as a result of the rotation of the blades at the proposed wind farm at Whitelee Forest near Eaglesham.","AnswerText":"The Energy TechnologySupport Unit produced the Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms reportin September 1996 on behalf of the DTI. The guidance in this report has beenwidely adopted by the wind farm industry when assessing noise impact.Scottish Power has conductedits own noise assessment at the Whitelee site in accordance with theseguidelines. The environmental statement produced in support of this applicationcommits to ongoing noise monitoring and, where necessary, mitigation measures.Should Scottish ministers be minded to grant consent to this proposal, thiscommitment will be secured by condition. The potential for noiseimpact will be a material consideration in determining the Whitelee applicationas it is for all wind farm sites. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179044,"EventID":"S2W-06285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-13T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have taken place in respect of the possible displacement of individuals and properties as a result of the construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Rou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have taken place in respect of the possible displacement of individuals and properties as a result of the construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and what procedures are in place in respect of offering compensation and relocation for any such displacements.","AnswerText":"The impact on individualsand properties will be considered during the ongoing development of a preferredline. Compensation procedures will be in line with statutory provisions. Anadvisory pamphlet has been published.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179045,"EventID":"S2W-06286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what tests have been carried out, and how often, for the accumulation of toxic chemicals in (a) freshwater fish, (b) saltwater fish and (c) shellfish, in each of the last","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what tests have been carried out, and how often, for the accumulation of toxic chemicals in (a) freshwater fish, (b) saltwater fish and (c) shellfish, in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Food Standards Agency. The informationis not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179046,"EventID":"S2W-06287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many postgraduate students have declared themselves bankrupt in each year since 1995.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many postgraduate students have declared themselves bankrupt in each year since 1995.","AnswerText":"Information on the number ofdebtors subject to sequestrationproceedings who are postgraduates is notheld centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179047,"EventID":"S2W-06288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) personal and (b) company bankruptcies there were in each of the last three years for which records are available.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) personal and (b) company bankruptcies there were in each of the last three years for which records are available.","AnswerText":"The Accountant in Bankruptcypublishes the information in the agency’s annual report which can be accessedat www.aib.gov.uk.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179048,"EventID":"S2W-06289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1944,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many railway stations have (a) opened and (b) reopened in each year since 1970.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many railway stations have (a) opened and (b) reopened in each year since 1970.","AnswerText":"Sixty nine stations have been opened or reopened since 1970.","AnswerDate":"2004-04-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179049,"EventID":"S2W-06290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1944,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-16T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-16T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new train carriages have been (a) ordered and (b) introduced in each year since 1960.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new train carriages have been (a) ordered and (b) introduced in each year since 1960.","AnswerText":"Information prior to May 1997 is not held centrally. After that date, the ScotRail franchise has benefited from the delivery of 222 new train carriages. The table shows how many new train carriages have been (a) ordered and (b) introduced. | Year | Number of New Carriages Ordered | Number of New Carriages Introduced | | 1998 | 159 | 0 | | 1999 | 33 | 45 | | 2000 | 6 | 27 | | 2001 | 0 | 66 | | 2002 | 0 | 54 | | 2003 | 87* | 15 | | 2004 | 0 | 15 | Note: *The remaining 63 new carriages which have been ordered will be delivered in 2004-05. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179050,"EventID":"S2W-06291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Helping Homeless People: Delivering the Action Plan for Prevention and Effective Response - Homeless Monitoring Group First Report - January 2004, whet","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Helping Homeless People: Delivering the Action Plan for Prevention and Effective Response - Homeless Monitoring Group First Report - January 2004, whether East Lothian Council's homelessness strategy has been fully assessed against the recommendations of the Homelessness Task Force and, if so, what conclusions have been reached in respect of the adequacy of the strategy.","AnswerText":"A cross sector panel isassessing all homelessness strategies against a common framework drawn up byCommunities Scotland in consultation with the homelessness monitoring group.East Lothian’s homelessness strategy has been assessed by thepanel and feedback has been given to the council. Scottish Executive officials will liaise with the Council regarding its response to thisfeedback and its review of the strategy in light of the recommendationscontained within the homelessness section of the pathfinder inspection reportpublished by Communities Scotland in January. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179051,"EventID":"S2W-06292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5706 by Allan Wilson on 12 February 2004, why the cost to charities of the withdrawal of relief on water and wastewater charges for","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5706 by Allan Wilson on 12 February 2004, why the cost to charities of the withdrawal of relief on water and wastewater charges for 2002-03 and 2003-04 is an operational matter for Scottish Water, given that such information was provided in the answer to question S1W-10849.","AnswerText":"For the record and avoidanceof doubt, question S1W-10849 was answered on 8 February 2001in respect of Scottish Water’s three predecessor authorities. These authoritiesremained in existence until 1 April 2002 on which date their functions transferred toScottish Water under the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002.All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. The arrangements foranswering questions from MSPs reflect the respective roles of ministers and of theboard and chief executive of Scottish Water. Ministers provide substantive answersto questions on matters of policy. It is for the chief executives of publicbodies such as Scottish Water to respond to enquiries relating to operational matters.Scottish Water has established procedures for handling such enquiries. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179052,"EventID":"S2W-06293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how often the Standards Commission for Scotland has met COSLA and what issues have been discussed at each meeting.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how often the Standards Commission for Scotland has met COSLA and what issues have been discussed at each meeting.","AnswerText":"That is a matter for theStandards Commission for Scotland. This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179053,"EventID":"S2W-06294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Ayrshire North Community Housing Association Ltd has an obligation to consult its owner-occupiers before imposing an estate management fee.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Ayrshire North Community Housing Association Ltd has an obligation to consult its owner-occupiers before imposing an estate management fee.","AnswerText":"No, there is simply anobligation on the feu superior to ensure that the charges are reasonable.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179054,"EventID":"S2W-06295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that Asian people with dementia have access to appropriate care and support packages that reflect their beliefs and culture.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that Asian people with dementia have access to appropriate care and support packages that reflect their beliefs and culture.","AnswerText":"Under the Executive's CarersStrategy, which was launched in November 1999, resources to local authoritiesto support carers have risen from £5 million a year in 1999-2000 to £21 milliona year in 2003-04. The Carers Strategy specifically states that localauthorities should consult local carers and key stakeholders on spendingdecisions for these resources. The strategy also goes on to state that inproviding services authorities must take into account the needs and prioritiesof carers from black and minority ethnic groups, in accordance with theirstatutory obligations under the Race Relations Act 1976.The Executive has alsofunded the Minority Ethnic Carers of Older People Project, based in Edinburgh,to develop a culturally sensitive assessment instrument for users and carers.This instrument is now available and the Executive is currently funding the instrument’spromotion at a national level. Training of key staff in statutory agencies isalready underway. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179055,"EventID":"S2W-06296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has commissioned into dementia care for members of Asian communities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has commissioned into dementia care for members of Asian communities.","AnswerText":"Alison Bowes andHeather Wilkinson (Stirling University)received a grant from the Chief Scientist Office in 2002 to carry out afeasibility study to establish effective ways of ascertaining the views ofolder South Asian people with dementia, their families and carers, and toexplore central issues of service support.The studyconcluded that South Asian communities lack knowledge and experience ofdementia and access to appropriate services, especially at home and highlightedthe need to develop responsive services, to address issues of diagnosis and to learn from existing expertise. The researcherssuggested that future research could usefully cover dementia experiences andawareness in minority communities, and the identification and evaluation ofgood practice experience on a wider front. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179056,"EventID":"S2W-06297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether specific guidelines in respect of cultural norms are in place for carers who assist Asian people with dementia.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether specific guidelines in respect of cultural norms are in place for carers who assist Asian people with dementia.","AnswerText":"No specified guidelines arein place. However I expect all staff and all agencies to consider the wholeperson needs in designing care and support that, wherever possible, respectsand responds to cultural and religious beliefs.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179057,"EventID":"S2W-06298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1782,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":59,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether specific guidelines in respect of cultural norms are in place for carers who assist people from ethnic minority groups with dementia.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether specific guidelines in respect of cultural norms are in place for carers who assist people from ethnic minority groups with dementia.","AnswerText":"No specified guidelines arein place. However I expect all staff and all agencies to consider the wholeperson needs in designing care and support that, wherever possible, respectsand responds to cultural and religious beliefs.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179058,"EventID":"S2W-06299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2180,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how often it has had recourse to section 57(1) of the Scotland Act 1998 since May 1999, broken down by department and title of legislation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how often it has had recourse to section 57(1) of the Scotland Act 1998 since May 1999, broken down by department and title of legislation.","AnswerText":"From the information held centrally, Section 57(1) of the Scotland Act 1998 has been used to implement European Community obligations 17 times since May 1999. This is broken down by department,year of transposition and title of legislation below:Environment and RuralAffairs Department: 1999: The Feeding Stuffs(Enforcement) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/2325) which implemented CouncilDirective 95/53/EC, Commission Directive 98/68/EC and, in part, CouncilDirective 1999/20/EC 2000: The Sea Fishing (North-EastAtlantic Control Measures) Order 2000 (SI 2000/1843) which implemented CouncilRegulation 2791/1999 2001: The Export Restrictions(Foot-and-Mouth Disease) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/498) which implemented theEuropean Union ban on exports immediately following the outbreak offood-and-mouth disease (initially Commission Decision 2001/145/EC). The Export Restrictions(Food-and-Mouth Disease) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/627) which extendedby one day the above regulations without further amendment. The Foot-and-Mouth Disease(Export of Vehicles) (Disinfection of Tyres) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/887)which implemented another part of the European Union export ban. The Biocidal ProductsRegulations 2001 (SI 2001/880) which implemented Directive 1998/8/EC of theEuropean Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of BiocidalProducts on the market. The Environmental Protection(Controls of Injurious Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3141)which implemented, in part, Commission Directive 1999/51/EC adapting totechnical progress for the fifth time Annex 1 to Council Directive 76/769/EECon the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certaindangerous substances and preparations (tin, PCP and cadmium). 2002: The Ozone DepletingSubstances Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/528) which implemented Regulation2037/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council on substances that depletethe ozone layer. The Hemp (Third CountryImports) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/787) which implemented Regulation 245/2001. The Forest ReproductiveMaterial (Great Britain) Regulation 2002 (SI 2002/3026) which implementedCouncil Directive 1999/105/EC on the marketing of forest reproductive material. The Chemicals (HazardInformation & Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/1689) whichimplemented Council Directive 1999/45/EC concerning the dangerous preparationsdirective; Commission Directive 2001/58/EC on the 2nd amendment tothe safety data sheets directive; Commission Directive 2001/59/EC on the 28thadaptation to technical progress of the substances directive and; CommissionDirective 2001/60/EC on the 1st adaptation to technical progress of thepreparations directive. The National EmissionCeilings Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/3118) which implemented Council Directive2001/81/EC on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants. 2003: The End-of-Life VehiclesRegulations 2003 (SI 2003/2635) which partially implemented Directive2001/53/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the end-of-lifevehicles. The Environmental Protection(Controls on Hexachloroethane) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/602) which implementedCouncil Directive 2001/91/EC on the approximation of the laws, regulations andadministrative provisions of the member states relating to restriction on themarketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations(hexachloroethane). The Controls of Certain AzoDyes & “Blue Colourants” Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/3310) which implementedDirective 2003/3/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council which placedrestrictions on the marketing and use of “blue colourants”. The Greenhouse Gas EmissionsTrading Scheme Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/3311) which implemented Directi","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179059,"EventID":"S2W-06300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many votes were cast and how many spoilt ballots papers there were in each local authority election since unitary local authorities were created in 1996.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many votes were cast and how many spoilt ballots papers there were in each local authority election since unitary local authorities were created in 1996.","AnswerText":"Information is not collectedon the number of spoilt ballot papers at local government elections. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tavish Scott","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179060,"EventID":"S2W-06301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1831,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information is available from census returns on the number and percentage of people in Scotland working from home and, of these, how many are working in information ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information is available from census returns on the number and percentage of people in Scotland working from home and, of these, how many are working in information technology-related jobs.","AnswerText":"Results from the 2001 Censusshow that 2,163,035 persons were in employment the week before the Census whowere not full-time students. Some 123,454 (5.7%) recorded that they wereworking mainly at or from home.Of these, 2,150 (1.7%) wereworking in information technology-related jobs. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179061,"EventID":"S2W-06302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2941 by Tavish Scott on 9 October 2003 and to section 4, page 46 of A Partnership for a Better Scotland regarding an independent re","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2941 by Tavish Scott on 9 October 2003 and to section 4, page 46 of A Partnership for a Better Scotland regarding an independent review of local government finance, whether the discussions with COSLA have been concluded; if so, what the timing, remit and format of the review will be and when the conclusions will be published, and, if not, when such discussions will be concluded.","AnswerText":"We are working with COSLA onthis and giving further consideration to the detailed scope and remit of thereview, including when the review should report its conclusions. I expect toannounce more details in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179062,"EventID":"S2W-06303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what legal basis it makes the statement that “the European Union passes laws”, as contained in the Scottish Executive's European Strategy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on what legal basis it makes the statement that “the European Union passes laws”, as contained in the Scottish Executive's European Strategy.","AnswerText":"The European Union makeslaws under Articles 249 to 256 of the Treaty establishing the EuropeanCommunity.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179063,"EventID":"S2W-06304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, what methodology it used to arrive at the conclusion that \"over three-quarters of the work of the Scottish Executive and Scottish Parliament is, to a greater or lesser e","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, what methodology it used to arrive at the conclusion that \"over three-quarters of the work of the Scottish Executive and Scottish Parliament is, to a greater or lesser extent, influenced by decisions taken in Brussels\", as stated in Scottish Executive's European Strategy.","AnswerText":"This figure is a broadestimate of the extent to which different policy groups in the Scottish Executive are influenced or affected by EU decisions. It was calculated byexamining the various devolved responsibilities of the Executive and Parliamentand determining which were influenced, to a greater or lesser extent, bydecisions taken in Brussels.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179064,"EventID":"S2W-06305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methodology it used to arrive at the conclusion that \"Scotland is now firmly established as a leading legislative region in Europe\", as stated in Scottish Executive'","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what methodology it used to arrive at the conclusion that \"Scotland is now firmly established as a leading legislative region in Europe\", as stated in Scottish Executive's European Strategy.","AnswerText":"Scotland is a founding member of European Group of Regionswith Legislative Powers, the group of EU regions with legislative powers. TheFirst Minister is currently President of this group of powerful regions, whichview Scotland as a valued and influential partner.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179065,"EventID":"S2W-06306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list each success referred to in paragraph 2 of the introduction to the Scottish Executive's European Strategy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list each success referred to in paragraph 2 of the introduction to the Scottish Executive's European Strategy.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to the question S2W-4000 on 24 November 2003. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179066,"EventID":"S2W-06307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the membership of the Ministerial Group on European Strategy is; how many times the group has met; what issues were discussed, and whether it has any plans to publis","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the membership of the Ministerial Group on European Strategy is; how many times the group has met; what issues were discussed, and whether it has any plans to publish the minutes of such meetings.","AnswerText":"The ad hoc Group of Ministers on European Strategy has now concluded its work and reported its recommendations to the Cabinet. The members were:First Minister (chair); Deputy First Minister and Minister for Enterprise; Minister for Finance and Public Services; Minister for Parliamentary Business; Minister for Environment and Rural Development; Minister for Justice; Minister for Transport; Lord Advocate; and Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Services and Parliamentary Business. The group met four times - on 25 June, 13 and 27 August, and 24 September 2003. The group discussed a range of issues within its remit including: the Future of Europe Convention and the Intergovernmental Conference; UK Relations; strategic EU Issues; engaging with the Scottish Parliament; and the Executive’s EU links strategy. As indicated in the Guide to Collective Decision Making, a copy of which is available on the Scottish Executive website, the Executive operates on the basis of collective responsibility and does not disclose details of the internal processes through which decisions have been made. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179067,"EventID":"S2W-06308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, what methodology it used to arrive at the conclusion that its European strategy is \"ambitious and demanding\".","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, what methodology it used to arrive at the conclusion that its European strategy is \"ambitious and demanding\".","AnswerText":"The statement isself-explanatory.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179068,"EventID":"S2W-06309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies have taken to implement the objectives of its European strategy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies have taken to implement the objectives of its European strategy.","AnswerText":"Implementing the EuropeanStrategy is an on-going process on which I have already undertaken to report tothe European and External Relations Committee twice a year.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179069,"EventID":"S2W-06310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for promoting Scotland \"as one of the leading regions in the EU\", as stated in the Scottish Executive's European Strategy, rather than as a nation st","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for promoting Scotland \"as one of the leading regions in the EU\", as stated in the Scottish Executive's European Strategy, rather than as a nation state.","AnswerText":"Under the Treatyestablishing the European Community, the United Kingdom is a member state of theEuropean Union. Scotland is not a member state. The Treaty does not refer tonation states; it does refer to regions.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179070,"EventID":"S2W-06311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1821,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":24,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considered promoting Scotland as the leading region in the European Union, as part of its European strategy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considered promoting Scotland as the leading region in the European Union, as part of its European strategy.","AnswerText":"No. Scotlandworks closely with a number of leading regions across Europe.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179071,"EventID":"S2W-06312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1968,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":6,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-17T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to reach a conclusion in respect of its review of local government finance.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to reach a conclusion in respect of its review of local government finance.","AnswerText":"We are working with COSLA onthis and giving further consideration to the detailed scope and remit of thereview, including when the review should report its conclusions. I expect toannounce more details in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179072,"EventID":"S2W-06313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what percentage of pregnant women currently receive their first trimester scan within the recommended deadline o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what percentage of pregnant women currently receive their first trimester scan within the recommended deadline of 13 weeks, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179073,"EventID":"S2W-06314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, which NHS boards automatically offer a second trimester anomaly scan within the recommended 18 to 22 weeks gesta","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, which NHS boards automatically offer a second trimester anomaly scan within the recommended 18 to 22 weeks gestation period and, if this is not universally offered, what steps will be taken to ensure that it will be offered automatically in all board areas and whether it will facilitate the development of action plans to help boards to achieve automatic access to first and second trimester scans.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is aware that a second trimester anomaly scan is not universal across Scotland,however, we do not hold the requested information centrally. This is a matterfor NHS boards.The contents of the HealthTechnology Assessment Advice 5 report is currently being fully reviewed by the Scottish Executive taking into consideration the advice from the UK National ScreeningCommittee. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179074,"EventID":"S2W-06315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what steps will be taken to follow up the recommendation to establish a national working group to determine the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what steps will be taken to follow up the recommendation to establish a national working group to determine the specification for ultrasound equipment, to ensure fitness for the requirements of both first and second trimester scanning and to address the issues of safety, quality assurance, repair and maintenance of ultrasound equipment.","AnswerText":"The contents of the HealthTechnology Assessment Advice 5 report is currently being fully reviewed bythe Scottish Executive taking into consideration the advice from the UKNational Screening Committee.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179075,"EventID":"S2W-06316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what steps will be taken to introduce local audits of ultrasound scanning against national standards and foetal ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what steps will be taken to introduce local audits of ultrasound scanning against national standards and foetal loss rates following invasive diagnostic procedures. ","AnswerText":"The content of the HealthTechnology Assessment Advice 5 report is currently being fully reviewed by the Scottish Executive taking into consideration the advice from the UK National ScreeningCommittee.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179076,"EventID":"S2W-06317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what steps will be taken to record data regarding prenatal identification of conditions and subsequent outcomes ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what steps will be taken to record data regarding prenatal identification of conditions and subsequent outcomes in order to evaluate the effectiveness of screening and scanning programmes and develop electronic storage of maternity, birth and child surveillance records.","AnswerText":"The content of the HealthTechnology Assessment Advice 5 report is currently being fully reviewed by the Scottish Executive taking into consideration the advice from the UK National ScreeningCommittee.The Scottish Executive Health Department has recently established a Child Health Information StrategyGroup to address the issues of prenatal and childhood health information anddevelopment of electronic maternity and child health records. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179077,"EventID":"S2W-06318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what steps will be taken to ensure that the safety of ultrasound use is continuously monitored by units and that","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what steps will be taken to ensure that the safety of ultrasound use is continuously monitored by units and that British Medical Ultrasound Society guidelines for the safe use of diagnostic ultrasound equipment are adhered to at all times.","AnswerText":"The contents of the HealthTechnology Assessment Advice 5 report is currently being fully reviewed by the Scottish Executive taking into consideration the advice from the UK National ScreeningCommittee.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179078,"EventID":"S2W-06319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what steps will be taken to ensure that the National Services Division's national pregnancy screening programme ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what steps will be taken to ensure that the National Services Division's national pregnancy screening programme specifications are extended to cover all aspects of ultrasound scanning, including gestational age assessment and second trimester anomaly scanning. ","AnswerText":"A review of the HealthTechnology Assessment Advice 5 report is currently underway by the Scottish Executive which will take into consideration the advice from the UK NationalScreening Committee. The National Services Division’s national pregnancyscreening programme specifications will be considered during this review.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179079,"EventID":"S2W-06320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what steps will be taken to commission ethically approved research (a) into the effectiveness of nuchal transluc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what steps will be taken to commission ethically approved research (a) into the effectiveness of nuchal translucency measurement for detecting structural abnormalities in foetuses, (b) to evaluate whether soft markers and other markers which may be associated with aneuploidy can be used in combination with results of other screening tests to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities and (c) to determine the most appropriate content and format of information on risks and benefits of scans and the most effective process for giving this information to pregnant women.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is provided with advice from the National Screening Committee (NSC) onthe introduction of new population screening programmes, the modification orwithdrawal of existing programmes and the quality and management of suchprogrammes.The Antenatal screening sub groupof the NSC has been fully informed about this Report and will be consideringthe findings to help inform discussions around the advice the committee mayoffer to the 4 UK health departments. As part of their considerationsthe NSC will look at the research aspects mentioned. If they consider furtherresearch is required NSC will take forward the commissioning of research. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179080,"EventID":"S2W-06321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what increases in the NHS budget will be made to allow for the estimated increase in costs to the antenatal scan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Health Technology Assessment Advice 5, what increases in the NHS budget will be made to allow for the estimated increase in costs to the antenatal scanning service following the implementation of the Health Technology Assessment recommendations. ","AnswerText":"NHS boards are given anannual general allocation to meet the health care needs of their residentpopulations. It is for boards to determine, within the funds available, how tomanage and deliver local health care services to meet these needs, bearing inmind national and local priorities.Every NHS board received aminimum increase in their funding of 7.4% in 2003-04 and 6.75% in 2004-05. The contents of the HealthTechnology Assessment Advice 5 report is currently being fully reviewed by the Scottish Executive taking into consideration the advice from the UK National ScreeningCommittee. Resources will be considered as part of this process. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179081,"EventID":"S2W-06322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to exempt founders of university spin-out and start-up companies from the need to pay tax and nati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to exempt founders of university spin-out and start-up companies from the need to pay tax and national insurance up front on share options in such companies.","AnswerText":"Officials have been keepingclosely in touch with Universities Scotland on this issue, and we shallconsider making representations, should the sector advise us to do so.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179082,"EventID":"S2W-06323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how many disabled people have accessed the internet in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how many disabled people have accessed the internet in Scotland.","AnswerText":"From the 2002 Scottish HouseholdSurvey, it is estimated that 17% of adults with a long-standing limitingillness, health problem or disability, access the internet for their personaluse (as opposed to their work-related use).Of those adults with along-standing limiting illness, health problem or disability who access theinternet for their personal use, 88% do so from their own home. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179083,"EventID":"S2W-06324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to increase the use of the internet amongst disabled people.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to increase the use of the internet amongst disabled people.","AnswerText":"Disability is just onefactor which puts people at risk of exclusion. We are taking a number ofmeasures to ensure that all those potentially at risk have access to thenecessary communication technology skills and opportunities.For example, as part of a £1million funding programme for projects that benefit disabled people, we areproviding £200,000 to the DARE (Disability and Rehabilitation Education)Foundation to fund projects for transition into supported education andemployment, and £206,000 to LEAD (Linking Education and Disability) Scotland forthe provision of specialist ICT equipment and support to assist disabled peopleaccess distance learning courses to improve their skills and theiremployability. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179084,"EventID":"S2W-06325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2085,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":27,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that disabled people in (a) Scotland and (b) the highlands and islands have the necessary information and communication technology sk","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that disabled people in (a) Scotland and (b) the highlands and islands have the necessary information and communication technology skills for the modern workplace.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6324 on 16 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179085,"EventID":"S2W-06326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects the Highlands and Islands to be eligible for the proposed Objective 1b European regional development fund or whether they will be only eligible for Obj","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects the Highlands and Islands to be eligible for the proposed Objective 1b European regional development fund or whether they will be only eligible for Objective 2 and 3 funding.","AnswerText":"The European Commission’sThird Report on Economic and Social Cohesion, published on 18 February,outlines their proposals for the Structural and Cohesion Funds in the nextprogramming period from 2007-13.The Commission proposes thatregions which would have qualified for Objective 1 had it not been for thestatistical effect of enlargement would be eligible for compensation funding.Eligible regions would have an average GDP for 2001-03 of less than 75% of theEU15 average. The most recent data available (for 2001) shows the Highlands andIslands GDP as 72.4% of the EU15 average. The debate is at an earlystage. The Commission is expected to publish formal regulation proposals inJuly for negotiation among member states. It is hoped that agreement on theproposals can be reached in the Council of Ministers by the end of 2005. As anyfuture regime must be agreed by all member states, it is not yet possible topredict what structural funds support the Highlands and Islands or other Scottish regions may receive post 2006. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179086,"EventID":"S2W-06327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3760 by Mr Tom McCabe on 12 November 2003, whether there are now any proposals to change the current regime in respect of the presc","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3760 by Mr Tom McCabe on 12 November 2003, whether there are now any proposals to change the current regime in respect of the prescription of stoma appliances.","AnswerText":"The consultation on appliancecontractors included a number of options for the future supply of appliances,including stoma appliances, which we are continuing to evaluate.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2008-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179087,"EventID":"S2W-06328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1871,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":31,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-136 by Ms Margaret Curran on 6 June 2003, when it intends to publish the consultation paper on a third party right of appeal agains","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-136 by Ms Margaret Curran on 6 June 2003, when it intends to publish the consultation paper on a third party right of appeal against planning decisions.","AnswerText":"I announced the publication ofour consultation paper Rights of Appeal in Planning on 1 April.","AnswerDate":"2004-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179088,"EventID":"S2W-06329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to make charging for council services more equitable for home owners.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to make charging for council services more equitable for home owners.","AnswerText":"We are committed to an independentreview of local government finance. We are working with COSLA on the timing, detailedscope and remit of the review.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179089,"EventID":"S2W-06330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-18T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it shares the concerns of the Alliance of UK Health Regulators on Europe that doctors from Europe's 10 accession countries will no longer have to pass an English ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it shares the concerns of the Alliance of UK Health Regulators on Europe that doctors from Europe's 10 accession countries will no longer have to pass an English test in order to be registered to work in the UK from 1 May 2004, whereas doctors from America, New Zealand and Australia will still be tested and, if so, what measures it will take to ensure all registered doctors are language competent.","AnswerText":"Doctors who are European economicarea nationals do not have to undertake an English language competency test inorder to be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). The law does notcurrently permit this. However, the NHS must ensure that all doctors theyemploy have the necessary knowledge of English to carry out their duties safelyand may require a doctor to undertake a language assessment as part of therecruitment process, regardless of which country they come from.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179090,"EventID":"S2W-06331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultants were employed in the NHS in each year since 1997, broken down by NHS board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultants were employed in the NHS in each year since 1997, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"Information on staff in postin NHSScotland is published on the Scottish Health Statistics website underWorkforce Statistics, at www.isdscotland.org/workforce.Sections A and B givedetails of consultants employed in NHSScotland in each year since 1993, brokendown by NHS board area. Figures are presented as headcount or whole timeequivalent. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179091,"EventID":"S2W-06332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultant hours were worked in the NHS in each year since 1997, broken down by NHS board area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultant hours were worked in the NHS in each year since 1997, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"Information on the actualhours worked by consultants employed in NHSScotland is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179092,"EventID":"S2W-06333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money has been distributed in grant aid by the Scottish Football Partnership and to which organisations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much money has been distributed in grant aid by the Scottish Football Partnership and to which organisations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Football Partnership is not in a position to begin supporting the development of Scottish football until the legal complications affecting the transfer of funds from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund have been resolved.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179093,"EventID":"S2W-06334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #6 million fund operated by the Scottish Football Partnership has been distributed.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #6 million fund operated by the Scottish Football Partnership has been distributed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6333 on 15 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179094,"EventID":"S2W-06335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken by the Scottish Football Partnership to assist in the development of football.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken by the Scottish Football Partnership to assist in the development of football.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6333 on 15 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179095,"EventID":"S2W-06336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is factoring into its lifelong learning budget the funds necessary to make a pay award to higher education staff.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is factoring into its lifelong learning budget the funds necessary to make a pay award to higher education staff.","AnswerText":"The Executive plays no partin setting the levels of pay or conditions of service in higher educationinstitutions. We are however aware through the Higher Education Phase 3 Reporton “The Competitiveness of Higher Education in Scotland” that there isevidence that academic salaries have not kept pace with comparable professions.We will use the results of the review to inform our decision making processabout funding levels for the higher education sector in the forthcomingspending review. In recognition of the pressures facing the sector, the First Ministerand I have already given an assurance to make additional funding available aspart of that process.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179096,"EventID":"S2W-06337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2665,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has to prosecute polluters of land, air and water courses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has to prosecute polluters of land, air and water courses.","AnswerText":"The Scottish EnvironmentProtection Agency (SEPA) does not itself have powers of prosecution. SEPA’srole is to enforce various environmental protection legislation for which it isthe regulator, for example by issuing notices requiring certain works to beundertaken, to investigate cases where it suspects breaches of licence ornotice conditions and to recommend prosecution to the Procurator Fiscal whereappropriate.Decisions on whether toprosecute those who breach environmental legislation are entirely matters forthe Crown Office and the Procurators Fiscal Service. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179097,"EventID":"S2W-06338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2665,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive what prosecutions there have been in respect of sewage pollution in the last five years and which companies were involved.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive what prosecutions there have been in respect of sewage pollution in the last five years and which companies were involved.","AnswerText":"In the last five years 26 reports by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) under section 30 F of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, relating to pollution of controlled waters by sewage, have resulted in the conviction of the following companies: Company | Convictions | | North of Scotland Water Authority | | | East of Scotland Water Authority | 1 | | West of Scotland Water Authority | 7 | | Scottish Water | 9 | | Stirling Water Seafield Ltd | 2 | | DC Watson & Sons (Fenton Barns) Ltd | 1 | | SLC Turnberry Ltd | 1 | Details of prosecutions under other regulatory regimes or in cases reported by specialist reporting agencies other than SEPA could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The Executive has supplied the following corrected answer: Colin Boyd QC: In the last five years 26 reportsby the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) under section 30F of theControl of Pollution Act 1974, relating to pollution of controlled waters by sewage,have resulted in the conviction of the following companies: | Company | No. of Convictions | | North of Scotland Water Authority | 5 | | East of Scotland Water Authority | 1 | | West of Scotland Water Authority | 1 | | Scottish Water | 15 | | Stirling Water Seafield Ltd | 2 | | DC Watson andns (Fenton Barns) Ltd | 1 | | SLC Turnberry Ltd | 1 | Details of prosecutions underother regulatory regimes or in cases reported by Specialist Reporting Agencies otherthan SEPA could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179098,"EventID":"S2W-06339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2665,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive how much funding is currently allocated to the Procurators Fiscal Service for prosecuting environmental pollution offences.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive how much funding is currently allocated to the Procurators Fiscal Service for prosecuting environmental pollution offences.","AnswerText":"The Procurator FiscalService budget to carry out all of its functions, including the prosecution ofcrime, is £88.793 million for 2003-04 and £89.151 million for 2004-05. Budgetsare not ring-fenced in relation to the prosecution of particular types ofoffences.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Colin Boyd","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179099,"EventID":"S2W-06340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2665,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what levels of funding Scottish Coal has received for projects using biosolids.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what levels of funding Scottish Coal has received for projects using biosolids.","AnswerText":"Scottish Coal have receivedno public funds to date in respect of their proposals to produce biosolids. Iunderstand that the company has made an application to the biomass capitalgrant scheme under the new and renewable energy programme managed by theDepartment of Trade and Industry.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179100,"EventID":"S2W-06341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2665,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for receiving funding for projects using biosolids.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for receiving funding for projects using biosolids.","AnswerText":"Assistance to grow shortrotation coppice as an energy crop is currently available under the woodland grantscheme and the new Scottish forestry grants scheme. Both schemes are managed bythe forestry commission Scotland. Assistance is also available from the biomasscapital grant scheme under the new and renewable energy programme, managed bythe Department of Trade and Industry.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179101,"EventID":"S2W-06342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2665,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the disposal of biosolids will be subject to regulation under the proposed Strategic Environmental Assessment bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the disposal of biosolids will be subject to regulation under the proposed Strategic Environmental Assessment bill.","AnswerText":"The proposed StrategicEnvironmental Assessment (SEA) bill remains open to further public consultationand Parliamentary process. The intension of the SEA bill is to ensure that thepositive and negative environmental consequences of strategic level plans are fullyconsidered. Therefore the strategic plans for waste disposal, includingbiosolids, would likely be subject to the provisions of the bill.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179102,"EventID":"S2W-06343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many telephone calls there are, on average, to the visitscotland.com national booking hotline, broken down by hour of day.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many telephone calls there are, on average, to the visitscotland.com national booking hotline, broken down by hour of day.","AnswerText":"This information by hour ofday is not available. However, in 2003, visitscotland.com averagedapproximately 1,200 calls per day.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179103,"EventID":"S2W-06344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff work for (a) visitscotland.com and (b) the visitscotland.com national booking hotline.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff work for (a) visitscotland.com and (b) the visitscotland.com national booking hotline.","AnswerText":"This is an operationalmatter for visitscotland.com.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179104,"EventID":"S2W-06345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what data about visitors to Scotland visitscotland.com has been made available to (a) it, (b) visitscotland and (c) subscribing tourist businesses, in light of the statem","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what data about visitors to Scotland visitscotland.com has been made available to (a) it, (b) visitscotland and (c) subscribing tourist businesses, in light of the statement made by visitscotland.com that the main benefit of directing traffic to the booking centre is the capture of data about visitors to Scotland.","AnswerText":"Visitscotland.com does notprovide data to the Scottish Executive, nor to tourism businesses directly; rather data isprovided to VisitScotland and the 13 area tourist boards that are partners in thecompany. Data provided includes an analysis of VisitScotland marketingcampaigns by market, customer group and product group. In addition, dataextractions according to specified requirements can be provided that includes establishingtrend data on how tourists plan their holidays. Data provided is intended toassist VisitScotland to focus its marketing activity and assist strategicdecision making. As such, it would be of limited relevance to businessesthemselves. Nonetheless, once sufficient data has been collated, it will bepublished on scotexchange.net.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179105,"EventID":"S2W-06346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether visitscotland.com will publish data it has collected about visitors to Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether visitscotland.com will publish data it has collected about visitors to Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6345 on 15 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179106,"EventID":"S2W-06347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of visitscotland.com's bookings are made (a) to its call centre and (b) via email, giving also (i) number and (ii) value of bookings.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of visitscotland.com's bookings are made (a) to its call centre and (b) via email, giving also (i) number and (ii) value of bookings.","AnswerText":"This is an operationalmatter for visitscotland.com.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179107,"EventID":"S2W-06348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the origins are of all (a) enquiries and (b) bookings made to visitscotland.com, broken down by country of origin.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the origins are of all (a) enquiries and (b) bookings made to visitscotland.com, broken down by country of origin.","AnswerText":"This is an operationalmatter for visitscotland.com.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179108,"EventID":"S2W-06349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when visitscotland.com first became aware of any problems AOL users had in accessing the website and what action it took to remedy the situation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when visitscotland.com first became aware of any problems AOL users had in accessing the website and what action it took to remedy the situation.","AnswerText":"Visitscotland.com becameaware of the problems experienced by AOL users approximately four months ago.Visitscotland.com worked closely with AOL to identify the source of theproblem. It was established that the problem was one of compatibility betweenthe configuration used by visitscotland.com and that used by AOL (although bothwere industry approved). A solution has now been found, involving areconfiguration of the visitscotland.com technical infrastructure.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179109,"EventID":"S2W-06350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1850,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":54,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the visitscotland.com website will be accessible to all AOL users.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the visitscotland.com website will be accessible to all AOL users.","AnswerText":"As I said in the Parliamenton 11 February, the visitscotland.com website is now accessible to AOL users.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179110,"EventID":"S2W-06351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure adequate and continued funding for Alcohol Focus Scotland's Local Councils on Alcohol to enable them to extend their counselling services, especial","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure adequate and continued funding for Alcohol Focus Scotland's Local Councils on Alcohol to enable them to extend their counselling services, especially in rural areas.","AnswerText":"The Executive recognises thevaluable contribution made by voluntary sector organisations, including local councilson alcohol, in providing services and in other action in the Plan for Action onalcohol problems. The Executive provided core funding of £228,000 in 2003-04and will be providing £243,000 in 2004-05 for Alcohol Focus Scotland,the national umbrella body for local councils.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179111,"EventID":"S2W-06352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what long-term plans it has to address any impact of the withdrawal of the Transitional Water and Wastewater Charges Scheme on domestic consumers and when any such plans ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what long-term plans it has to address any impact of the withdrawal of the Transitional Water and Wastewater Charges Scheme on domestic consumers and when any such plans will be made public.","AnswerText":"The Executive announced on 3February that the Transitional Reduction Scheme will continue for a furtherthree years. Households on council tax benefit will receive a reduction in theirwater and sewerage bills in the financial year 2004-05 where their bills exceeda threshold of £240.The Executive intends to putin place arrangements to ensure that the scheme is phased out in a measured andgradual fashion over the financial years 2005-07 so as to minimise the impactof withdrawal. It will consult the local authorities about these arrangements. In the long term, the bestway to minimise the impact of water charges on all customers is to ensure thatScottish Water delivers its services at an efficient cost. To that end the Executive has put in place regulatory arrangements that require Scottish Waterto make substantial savings in its costs. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179112,"EventID":"S2W-06353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3977 by Nicol Stephen on 21 November 2003, whether it now anticipates that there will not be any significant increase in traffic vo","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3977 by Nicol Stephen on 21 November 2003, whether it now anticipates that there will not be any significant increase in traffic volumes on ancillary roads as a result of the proposed online upgrade of the A80, in light of the traffic incident at Haggs Interchange on 18 February 2004 and the resultant congestion on ancillary roads surrounding Cumbernauld, and what the reasons are for the position on the matter.","AnswerText":"The recent incident requiredan unplanned temporary carriageway closure of the A80 for safety reasons duringpeak traffic hours. The proposed upgrade works will maintain two way, two lanetraffic flows at peak times. This means that there will not be any significantincrease in traffic volume on ancillary roads as a result of the planned works.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179113,"EventID":"S2W-06354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3978 by Nicol Stephen on 19 December 2003, what monitoring systems are in place in relation to the usage of the feeder bus service ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3978 by Nicol Stephen on 19 December 2003, what monitoring systems are in place in relation to the usage of the feeder bus service from Cumbernauld and how many passengers have used the service since its inception, broken down by month and time of day.","AnswerText":"The operation of the feederbus service is the responsibility of Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT). SPThave various procedures in place for monitoring all of its contracted busservices.TheCroy Interlink services commenced operating on 29 September 2002; from theinformation supplied to SPT by the contractor the use of the service has beenas follows. For the 72 weeks up to 21 February 2004, the average number of passengers for Sundays (when a reduced serviceoperates) was 28 (total 1992), for Mondays 101 (total 7,268), for Tuesdays 111(total 7,965), for Wednesdays 118 (total 8,489), for Thursdays 100 (total 7,186),for Fridays 119 (total 8,537), and for Saturdays 84 (total 6,051). The overalltotal number of passengers carried since the service started has therefore been47,488. From the informationavailable, it is not possible to break these figures down into different timeperiods for each day. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179114,"EventID":"S2W-06355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2252,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":34,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children currently learn Russian in secondary schools.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children currently learn Russian in secondary schools.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally. However information on examination presentations for 1998-2002 isprovided in the Scottish Qualifications Authority Annual Statistical Report2002. Their report incorporating the data for 2003 will be published inJune/July this year but I can inform you that the following numbers of pupilswere presented for Russian in 2003:7at Standard Grade 7at Access 3 1at Intermediate 1 2at Intermediate 2 23at Higher, and; 4 at Advanced Higher. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179115,"EventID":"S2W-06356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2252,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":34,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students study Russian at Scottish universities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students study Russian at Scottish universities.","AnswerText":"In 2001-02 there were 92 students studying Russian in higher education institutions in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179116,"EventID":"S2W-06357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2252,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":34,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-19T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has in place to encourage the teaching of Russian in schools and universities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has in place to encourage the teaching of Russian in schools and universities.","AnswerText":"Since 2001, the Scottish Executive has provided education authorities with £10.5 million to support modernlanguages learning and teaching and to take forward the recommendations of the ministerialaction group on Languages’ report Citizens of a Multilingual World. Oneof these recommendations was that “At the national level, a variety of languagesother than French alone, including heritage or community languages such asScottish Gaelic and Urdu, should be taught as a first modern language”. Localauthorities are generally responsible for ensuring a diversified provision offirst modern language within their area if not within each school.As autonomous bodies, highereducation institutions rightly make their own decisions with regard tocurriculum provisions within particular subject areas. Scottish ministers areprevented by legislation from directing funds towards particular courses orinstitutions as this is a matter for the Scottish Higher Education FundingCouncil. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179117,"EventID":"S2W-06358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2068,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":22,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority in respect of improving the traceability of second-hand cars after the point of sale.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority in respect of improving the traceability of second-hand cars after the point of sale.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive is inregular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues including operationalmatters for the DVLA on a UK wide basis.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179118,"EventID":"S2W-06359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on the Education Maintenance Allowance pilot schemes in (a) East Ayrshire, (b) Glasgow, (c) West Dunbartonshire and (d) Dundee in each of the fina","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on the Education Maintenance Allowance pilot schemes in (a) East Ayrshire, (b) Glasgow, (c) West Dunbartonshire and (d) Dundee in each of the financial years in which the schemes operated.","AnswerText":"The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) pilot areas have spent as follows: | Financial Year | 1999-2000 (£) | 2000-01 (£) | 2001-02 (£) | 2002-03 (£) | 2003-04 (£) | | East Ayrshire | 892,479 | 1,316,653 | 1,161,000 | 1,140,500 | Not available | | Dundee | nil | nil | 915,000 | 1,310,000 | Not available | | Glasgow | nil | nil | 2,912,000 | 4,900,000 | Not available | | West Dunbartonshire | nil | nil | 488,000 | 774,100 | Not available | EMA budgeting followsfinancial not academic years. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179119,"EventID":"S2W-06360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the family income threshold for qualifying for the Educational Maintenance Allowance before the scheme is rolled out nationally in the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the family income threshold for qualifying for the Educational Maintenance Allowance before the scheme is rolled out nationally in the academic year 2004-05.","AnswerText":"Income thresholds will be expanded for national rollout of the EMA programme in academic year 2004-05.Thresholds have been developed in line with Treasury and Inland Revenue advances in the Tax Credit system. | | Minimum Income Threshold | Maximum Income Threshold | | Original pilot figures (1999-2000) | £13,000 | £25,000 | | Revised pilot figures 2003-04) | £15,000 | £30,000 | | National rollout thresholds (2004-05) | £19,630 | £30,000 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179120,"EventID":"S2W-06361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1968,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":6,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set a firm deadline for the submission of claims for ex gratia payments to former members and dependants of former members of the Scottish Transport Grou","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set a firm deadline for the submission of claims for ex gratia payments to former members and dependants of former members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes so that the remainder of the total amount agreed for ex gratia payments can be paid out to those who have submitted claims.","AnswerText":"Given the slow current paceof payments, I will consider over the next few weeks whether a deadline shouldbe set and, if so, how it will operate. I will remain mindful of the positionof those with entitlement to payments under the present arrangements but who,for whatever reason, have not claimed them.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179121,"EventID":"S2W-06362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1968,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":6,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much interest has accrued on the original sums that it agreed for ex gratia payments to former members and dependants of former members of the Scottish Transport Gro","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much interest has accrued on the original sums that it agreed for ex gratia payments to former members and dependants of former members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes from the time of the announcement of the sums to the time of the payment and whether it will ensure that such interest is paid out to those eligible for ex gratia payments in addition to any payments already made.","AnswerText":"The £126 million allocatedto provide the programme of ex-gratia payments to former members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes is a fixed amount and, in common withmost government programmes, does not vary along with the timing of theindividual payments.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179122,"EventID":"S2W-06363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1968,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":6,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has now been paid out in ex gratia payments to members and former members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes and how much, including interest, is l","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much has now been paid out in ex gratia payments to members and former members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes and how much, including interest, is left of the total sum agreed for ex gratia payments.","AnswerText":"To date £121.72 million hasbeen paid leaving a balance of £4.28 million still to be paid. I last gavefigures in response to question S2W-5036 as at 21 January 2004, since then afurther eight payments totalling about £44,000 have been made.All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179123,"EventID":"S2W-06364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5925 by Malcolm Chisholm on 10 February 2004, whether the number of patients waiting for a first appointment at the Sleep Centre in","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5925 by Malcolm Chisholm on 10 February 2004, whether the number of patients waiting for a first appointment at the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh at 3 February 2004 was 1,069 and how the figure of 655 patients referred to in that answer was calculated.","AnswerText":"I have asked for the figuregiven in response to the earlier question to be checked. This checking hasrevealed that the earlier figure, which was provided by NHS Lothian, wasincorrect, since it excluded those patients who were referred to the SleepCentre before 1 April 2003, and also excluded those patients waiting for ajoint first appointment and sleep study. I apologise for this error.The total number of patientswaiting for a first appointment with a consultant, following referral by a GP,at the beginning of February, was indeed 1,069. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179124,"EventID":"S2W-06365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5925 by Malcolm Chisholm on 10 February 2004, whether the number of patients awaiting a first appointment at the Sleep Centre in Ed","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5925 by Malcolm Chisholm on 10 February 2004, whether the number of patients awaiting a first appointment at the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh included any patients who had been on the waiting list in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01, (c) 2001-02 and (d) 2002-03.","AnswerText":"Some of the patients waitingfor a first appointment at the Sleep Centre were referred in the course of2002-03. None were referred before 2002-03.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179125,"EventID":"S2W-06366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the funding structure of the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh and return to the previous arrangement of central government funding rather tha","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the funding structure of the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh and return to the previous arrangement of central government funding rather than the current structure of funding by individual NHS boards.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to returnto the previous arrangement of national NHS funding. The criteria for anational service include low volume and high unit costs. As the sleep service doesnot meet these criteria, it cannot be considered as a national service. Fundingof the Sleep Centre is a matter for NHS Lothian, to be considered with otherservice priorities in the board area.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179126,"EventID":"S2W-06367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5926 by Malcolm Chisholm on 10 February 2004 and the reduction in funding for the Sleep Centre in the current financial year from t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5926 by Malcolm Chisholm on 10 February 2004 and the reduction in funding for the Sleep Centre in the current financial year from the 2001-02 and 2002-03 levels, whether it intends to increase funding to the centre and what the reasons are for its position on the matter.","AnswerText":"Funding of the Sleep Centrein Edinburgh is a matter for NHS Lothian. I understand that theapparent reduction in funding referred to was a consequence of Grampian NHSBoard setting up a local sleep disorder service in 2003-04. Patients fromGrampian no longer require to travel to Edinburgh for treatment, and Grampian NHS Board, therefore, nolonger makes payments to NHS Lothian in respect of this service. There is noindication that overall funding for sleep disorder patients in Scotland hasbeen reduced.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179127,"EventID":"S2W-06368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding by NHS boards for referrals to the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh is ring-fenced.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding by NHS boards for referrals to the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh is ring-fenced.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are responsiblefor arranging and funding treatment for their residents in other NHS boardareas, where that is appropriate. Core funding for the Sleep Centre is part ofNHS Lothian’s general financial allocation.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179128,"EventID":"S2W-06369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring takes place of the funding to the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh with regard to evaluating outcomes.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring takes place of the funding to the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh with regard to evaluating outcomes.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for NHS Lothian,as part of its responsibility for planning, monitoring, evaluating and managingthe performance of the services it provides to patients.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179129,"EventID":"S2W-06370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the cost of continuous positive airway pressure machines should be attributed to the community pharmacy budget and what the reasons are for its position on the ma","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the cost of continuous positive airway pressure machines should be attributed to the community pharmacy budget and what the reasons are for its position on the matter.","AnswerText":"Continuous positive airwaypressure machines may be used in the treatment of sleep apnoea. These machines arenot attributed to primary care budgets because patients whose symptoms suggestthey may be suffering from sleep apnoea are referred by their GP’s to hospitalspecialist clinics for diagnosis and treatment. If needed they are suppliedthrough the hospital service, with the cost being met from the hospital’sbudget and the patients care being managed by a relevant specialist.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179130,"EventID":"S2W-06371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage fathers, in cases of divorce or separation, to stay in contact with their children and to simplify the legal process and what the planned t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage fathers, in cases of divorce or separation, to stay in contact with their children and to simplify the legal process and what the planned timescale is of its proposed bill on family law.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive believes that both parents should continue to be involved in theirchild’s upbringing following separation or divorce, where this is practical andin the best interests of the child. The Children (Scotland)Act 1995 provides the court with sufficient powers to deal with the complexsituations that can arise when families are in transition and arrangements forresidence or contact may be disputed.In our white paper Parentsand Children we proposed giving automatic parental responsibilities andrights to unmarried fathers who in the future register the birth of their childjointly with the mother. We will issue in the near future a furtherconsultation on our proposals for the reform of family law. We will bringforward a bill in due course and when Parliamentary time permits. We realise that someparents, especially fathers, are not aware of the current law and how itaffects their parental rights. We will make sure that any changes that we maketo family law are made widely known so that parents are aware of their legalposition in relation to their children. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179131,"EventID":"S2W-06372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Department of Trade and Industry's White Paper Fair, Clear and Competitive - The Consumer Credit Market in the 21st Century, what representations o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Department of Trade and Industry's White Paper Fair, Clear and Competitive - The Consumer Credit Market in the 21st Century, what representations or responses it has made in relation to the White Paper, in particular with regard to the section on licensing arrangements.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has been thoroughly consulted by the Department of Trade and Industryon all areas, both during to the preparation and since the publication of the whitepaper. This demonstrates the Executive meeting the Partnership for a Better Scotland commitment to work with the DTI totackle harassment by loan sharks, introduce fairer credit schemes and newprotection from exorbitant interest rates.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179132,"EventID":"S2W-06373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its most recent estimate is of the number of (a) households and (b) people living in privately rented houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), broken down into (i) tra","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its most recent estimate is of the number of (a) households and (b) people living in privately rented houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), broken down into (i) traditional and bedsit HMOs, (ii) shared houses and flats, (iii) households with lodgers and (iv) HMO buildings converted into flats.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive does not collect any information on the number of households or peopleliving in private rented houses in HMOs which require to be licensed.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179133,"EventID":"S2W-06374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its most recent estimate is of the number of private houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), broken down into (a) traditional and bedsit HMOs, (b) shared houses and f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its most recent estimate is of the number of private houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), broken down into (a) traditional and bedsit HMOs, (b) shared houses and flats, (c) households with lodgers and (d) HMO buildings converted into flats.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive doesnot have comprehensive information on the different types of private houses inmultiple occupation.The Executive is providing£1 million in this and each of the next two financial years to help localauthorities improve their HMO licensing systems and ensure that all existingHMOs are licensed. As part of the process of setting objectives for the use of thisfunding, each authority was asked to estimate the number of licensable HMOs intheir area. The total of these estimates was 18,312. However, this should onlybe taken as a rough indication of numbers, as the robustness of the estimate foreach local authority area depends on the level of identification activitycarried out to date. It will also include all those HMOs owned by public bodiesand social landlords. Effective identification of all HMOs in the localauthority area is the first objective for the additional funding. The annual number of HMOlicences in force, broken down into various categories, is published in the Scottish Executive Statistical Bulletin Housing Trends in Scotland forthe last quarter of each year, which is available in the Scottish ParliamentInformation Centre. Buildings converted into flats are not considered HMOs,provided each flat is self-contained and has its own kitchen and bathroom. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179134,"EventID":"S2W-06375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what occurrences there have been of oil and fuel-related pollution of water from (a) industrial and commercial premises and (b) domestic premises in each of the last five","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what occurrences there have been of oil and fuel-related pollution of water from (a) industrial and commercial premises and (b) domestic premises in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Executive as this is an operational matter for the ScottishEnvironment Protection Agency.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179135,"EventID":"S2W-06376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that developers of new roads assess the needs of cyclists and that the findings of those assessments are incorporated at the planning s","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that developers of new roads assess the needs of cyclists and that the findings of those assessments are incorporated at the planning stage and what advice it has issued to the Planning Inspectorate about meeting the needs of cyclists.","AnswerText":"To ensure thatthe developer of a new road assesses the needs of cyclists, the Scottish Executive provides policy on transport andplanning in National Planning Policy Guidance 17 (NPPG17). This documentrecommends that cycling be integrated into the design of new developments andmade subject to cycle audit.NPPG17 is underreview and the intended replacement, draft Scottish Planning Policy 17 (SPP17),has been issued for consultation. This document makes clear the importance ofdevelopment proposals contributing to safe, convenient and attractive cyclenetworks. Planning Advice Note 57 (PAN57) provides good practice guidance onhow that policy can be achieved. The draft SPP17also requires a developer’s assessment of a proposal’s transport implicationsto consider cycling, walking and public transport. The policy andguidance documents referred to above are all in the public domain. Developers,planning authorities and the Scottish Executive Inquiry ReportersUnit (which is the Scottish equivalent to the Planning Inspectorate) shouldrefer to them during the development of proposals and in the making ofdecisions. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179136,"EventID":"S2W-06377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1863,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":45,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of Scotland's total land area is taken up by roads.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of Scotland's total land area is taken up by roads.","AnswerText":"The Department of Transport(DfT) produces estimates of the total land area that is covered by all roads inGreat Britain. DfT estimates that roads accounted for 0.6% of thearea of Scotland in 2001.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179137,"EventID":"S2W-06379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support, and assist the expansion of, Alcohol Focus Scotland and its affiliated agencies.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support, and assist the expansion of, Alcohol Focus Scotland and its affiliated agencies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive values the important contribution of Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS) andits affiliated agencies in reducing alcohol-related harm in Scotland. Inrecognition of that contribution we have been making increasing levels of corefunding available to AFS to support its activities. In the current financialyear, 2003-04, £228,000 has been made available under section 16b of the NHS (Scotland)Act 1978 and this will be increased further to £243,000 in 2004-05. Thisrepresents an uplift of some 47% over the last four years.In addition, funding of £30,000in 2003-04 and in 2004-05 is being made available to AFS under section 9 of theSocial Work (Scotland) Act 1978 towards the costs of a counsellor trainingscheme for the network of local councils on alcohol. The Executive has also recentlycommissioned an independent review to examine AFS’s performance in providingvalue for money in relation the funding we make available to them. The report’sfindings will be used to assist us and AFS to develop an even stronger role forthe organisation in relation to national alcohol problems policy. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179138,"EventID":"S2W-06380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2185,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to make more provision in the school timetable for the formal study of art and design.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to make more provision in the school timetable for the formal study of art and design.","AnswerText":"The National Guidelines onExpressive Arts 5-14 give guidance on the provision of the curriculum for artand design. The guidelines on the structure and balance of the curriculumadvise education authorities and schools that a minimum of 15% of a pupil’stime should be devoted to the expressive arts during the primary school yearsand over the first two years at secondary school. As the school curriculum in Scotland isnon-statutory, it is for education authorities and schools to decide how toimplement this advice, taking into account the needs and circumstances of theirpupils.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179139,"EventID":"S2W-06381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2866,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":63,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a decision has been taken to make the former premises of the Scottish College of Textiles in Galashiels a listed building.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a decision has been taken to make the former premises of the Scottish College of Textiles in Galashiels a listed building.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graeme Munro,Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to reply. His response is as follows:The former premises of the Scottish College ofTextiles in Galashiels has been listed at category B for their architecturaland historic interest. ","AnswerDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179140,"EventID":"S2W-06382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2767,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current salary is of Strathclyde Fire Brigade's Fire Master.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current salary is of Strathclyde Fire Brigade's Fire Master.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has no role in determining the pay of any Fire Service personnel. TheNational Joint Council for PrincipalOfficers of Local Authorities’ Fire Brigades negotiates the pay of chief fireofficers and the current nationalagreement sets minimum salaries based on population bands. It is a matter forlocal authority employers, in this case Strathclyde Joint Fire Board, todetermine whether to fix the salary for their chief officer at or above theminimum level provided for under this agreement.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179141,"EventID":"S2W-06383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2767,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the salary of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland is for 2003-04 and will be for 2004-05.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the salary of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland is for 2003-04 and will be for 2004-05.","AnswerText":"The annual salary of the outgoing Chief Inspector was £100,200 and the salary of the new Chief Inspector, who took up post on 1 March 2004, is also £100,200.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179142,"EventID":"S2W-06384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":60,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make any changes to the current planning guidance regarding the erection of mobile phone masts.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make any changes to the current planning guidance regarding the erection of mobile phone masts.","AnswerText":"We expect to publish shortlyrecent research on the evaluation of revised planning controls fortelecommunications development introduced in 2001. We will consider whether anyrevision of the existing planning guidance is required in light of the findingsof this research.I would also refer the memberto the answer given to question S2W-5472 on 22 January 2004,with regard specifically to National Planning Policy Guideline 19: RadioTelecommunications. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179143,"EventID":"S2W-06385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5032 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 February 2004, what the original terms were of Hoover's regional selective assistance offer of #1.7 mi","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5032 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 February 2004, what the original terms were of Hoover's regional selective assistance offer of #1.7 million.","AnswerText":"Hoover was offered a regional selective assistance grant of£1.7 million in October 1998. The project involved planned capital expenditureof over £5,195,000 and the planned safeguarding of 475 jobs which was lateramended to 361 safeguarded jobs. The £1.7 million has been paid in full withthe company actually spending £6 million on the project. The last instalment ofgrant was paid in February 2003 and the project was to remain in conditions untilFebruary 2005.The answer to S2W-5032 on 12 February 2004provides the current position. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179144,"EventID":"S2W-06386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1930,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":5,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any non-financial incentives were offered to Hoover as part of the agreement to retain research and development and manufacturing at its Cambuslang plant.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether any non-financial incentives were offered to Hoover as part of the agreement to retain research and development and manufacturing at its Cambuslang plant.","AnswerText":"The incentives offered to Hoover areas outlined in the answer to S2W-5032 on 12 February 2004 with the addition that South Lanarkshire Council has agreed to lookinto reviewing Hoover’s rates as a result of its reduced floorspace. Therewere no non-financial incentives offered to Hoover as part of the agreementto retain jobs at Cambuslang.All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179145,"EventID":"S2W-06387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of the Nursing and Midwifery Council statistics that the number of United Kingdom nurses leaving to work overseas rose last year by one th","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of the Nursing and Midwifery Council statistics that the number of United Kingdom nurses leaving to work overseas rose last year by one third to 8,000 and how many of the 8,000 nurses were from Scotland.","AnswerText":"This information is notavailable from The Nursing and Midwifery Council.The Executive is committedto building the capacity of the nursing and midwifery workforce and toestablishing NHSScotland as an employer of choice. However, we must alsorespect the freedom that individuals have in choosing to apply their knowledgeand skills outwith the United Kingdom. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179146,"EventID":"S2W-06388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2225,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, how many of the 3,742 overseas nurses recruited to work in Britain from the banned list of countries in 2002-03 were recruited to work in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, how many of the 3,742 overseas nurses recruited to work in Britain from the banned list of countries in 2002-03 were recruited to work in Scotland.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally, but figures issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) inJanuary 2004 for 2002-03 state that less than 2% of Scotland’snursing workforce is from countries outside the EU – around 970 nurses. Most ofthese nurses work in the independent sector in elderly care homes.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179147,"EventID":"S2W-06389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, children lived in poverty as defined by the (a) absolute low income, (b) relative low income and (c) material derivation indicators ann","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, children lived in poverty as defined by the (a) absolute low income, (b) relative low income and (c) material derivation indicators announced in the Department for Work and Pensions' report Measuring Child Poverty (i) before and (ii) after housing costs in each year from 1999 to 2003, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The latest estimates of thenumbers and percentages of children in Scotland living in absolute and relativelow income poverty, before and after housing costs, can be found in tables 2eand 2g of the Scottish Executive’s report Social Justice Indicators of Progress 2003.A copy of the report is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib.number 30309).Information is not yetavailable on the material deprivation indicator measure. Questions on materialdeprivation have been introduced into the Family Resources Surveys (FRS) – fromwhich low income poverty figures are derived – from 2004-05. Results will beavailable in 2006. Figures on children livingin low income poverty are not available at local authority level. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179148,"EventID":"S2W-06390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, children it estimates will be living in poverty in (a) 2004-05, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2020-21, (i) before and (ii) after housing costs, b","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, children it estimates will be living in poverty in (a) 2004-05, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2020-21, (i) before and (ii) after housing costs, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Executive does not makeprojections or forecasts of the numbers and percentages of children living inlow income poverty. The Executive iscommitted to eradicating child poverty in a generation.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179149,"EventID":"S2W-06391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost was in (a) 1999, (b) 2000, (c) 2001, (d) 2002 and (e) 2003 of raising a child to the age of 18.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost was in (a) 1999, (b) 2000, (c) 2001, (d) 2002 and (e) 2003 of raising a child to the age of 18.","AnswerText":"There is no reliable informationon these costs.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179150,"EventID":"S2W-06392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":51,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-23T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) fatal, (b) serious and (c) slight casualties there were in each of the last five years for which figures are available in (i) road and (ii) other transport a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) fatal, (b) serious and (c) slight casualties there were in each of the last five years for which figures are available in (i) road and (ii) other transport accidents involving illegal alcohol levels and what the percentage change was for each category between each year.","AnswerText":"Estimates of the numbers ofcasualties in road accidents involving illegal alcohol levels in each of thelast five years for which figures are available were published in RoadAccidents Scotland 2002, copies of which are available in the Parliament’sReference Centre (Bib. number 30447).The Scottish Executive has no functions in relation to the collection of statistics on rail,air and marine accidents. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179151,"EventID":"S2W-06393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5903 by Ms Margaret Curran on 17 February 2004, whether it will provide a breakdown of the nature of housing provided in each local","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5903 by Ms Margaret Curran on 17 February 2004, whether it will provide a breakdown of the nature of housing provided in each local authority area into (a) general needs housing, (b) special needs housing, (c) low cost housing and (d) any other identifiable category.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:The table shows the planned number of housing approvals set out in answer S2W-5903 on 17 February 2004 in each local authority area split by general needs, special needs and low cost home ownership. | Table 1 - Unit Approvals (2003-04) | | Unitary Authority | Rent - | Rent - | Low Cost | | | General | Special | Home | | | Needs | Needs | Ownership | | | No. | No. | No. | | Aberdeenshire | 21 | 32 | 38 | | Angus | 59 | 57 | 0 | | Argyll and Bute | 86 | 28 | 5 | | City of Aberdeen | 10 | 128 | 64 | | City of Dundee | 100 | 121 | 0 | | City of Edinburgh | 251 | 68 | 21 | | City of Glasgow | 1,233 | 197 | 272 | | Clackmannanshire | 16 | 17 | 0 | | Dumfries & Galloway | 93 | 53 | 0 | | East Ayrshire | 26 | 17 | 0 | | East Dunbartonshire | 10 | 0 | 0 | | East Lothian | 25 | 0 | 0 | | East Renfrewshire | 36 | 40 | 0 | | Falkirk | 34 | 10 | 12 | | Fife | 104 | 87 | 56 | | Highland | 155 | 8 | 97 | | Inverclyde | 143 | 36 | 0 | | Midlothian | 0 | 14 | 0 | | Moray | 47 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179153,"EventID":"S2W-06395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will now publish a revised version of its estimates of government expenditure and revenues in Scotland for the period covered by its revisions of gross domest","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will now publish a revised version of its estimates of government expenditure and revenues in Scotland for the period covered by its revisions of gross domestic product and gross value added figures.","AnswerText":"There is no need to considera revised version of Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland (GERS) becausethe GDP figures produced by the Scottish Executive are not used to produce the estimatesin GERS. I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-6394 on 29 April 2004 for more information. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the searchfacility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179154,"EventID":"S2W-06396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3103,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current Scottish Water proposals in respect of wastewater treatment on the Isle of Arran represent best value and what the reasons are for the position on the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current Scottish Water proposals in respect of wastewater treatment on the Isle of Arran represent best value and what the reasons are for the position on the matter.","AnswerText":"Ministers have tasked ScottishWater with delivering the current capital programme (Quality and Standards II) toquality standards as specified by the appropriate regulator (in this case the ScottishEnvironment Protection Agency) and to overall efficiency targets as set by theWater Industry Commissioner. Within this context, development of investmentproposals in specific locations, such as Arran, are operational matters for Scottish Water.Accordingly, I have asked the Chief Executive to write to you about thismatter.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179155,"EventID":"S2W-06397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3103,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, if the current Scottish Water proposals in respect of wastewater treatment on the Isle of Arran are implemented, how many homes on the island would remain unconnected to","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, if the current Scottish Water proposals in respect of wastewater treatment on the Isle of Arran are implemented, how many homes on the island would remain unconnected to the public sewage system; where these homes are located; what percentage of homes in each area specified by Scottish Water for improvement work would remain unconnected to the public sewerage system, and by what method homes not connected to the public sewerage system would dispose of raw sewage.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6396 on 8 March 2003.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.Scottish Parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179156,"EventID":"S2W-06398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1877,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":70,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it has had into the Atkinson Review on national statistics and what relevance this review will have for Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what input it has had into the Atkinson Review on national statistics and what relevance this review will have for Scotland.","AnswerText":"Officials within the Executive have met with the Atkinson team, and will be helping them to sourcethe Scottish data for the devolved services as they develop any new measuresfor the UK as a whole. In parallel, Scottish Executive analysts are considering the wide range of existing measures of publicsector activity for Scotland, and will assess the appropriateness of thesealongside the conclusions of the Atkinson review.We will then be in aposition to identify where more sophisticated or different measures arerequired, with the aim of developing measurements of productivity for thepublic sector in Scotland which take into account the new UK approach,where appropriate. The Executive considers this to be a very important area ofdevelopment, and is identifying resources to take it forward, in consultationwith a range of external expert advisors. ","AnswerDate":"2004-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179157,"EventID":"S2W-06399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1877,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":70,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional level of private housebuilding is necessary to arrest recent rises in house prices.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what additional level of private housebuilding is necessary to arrest recent rises in house prices.","AnswerText":"The interim report of theBarker Review contains an analysis of how an increase in house-building mightlead to a zero real rate of house price growth. This is one of several optionsin the interim report for considering housing supply levels, each of which isto be considered with considerable caution for the reasons given in the interimreport. The analysis relates to Great Britain as a whole and the detailedunderpinning work has not yet been published. It is not possible on presentinformation to say whether the conclusions of the analysis could be applied to Scotland.We have been liaisingclosely with the Barker Review team and we will consider the conclusions of thereview after the final report has been published and we have had an opportunityto consider their implications for Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179158,"EventID":"S2W-06400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1877,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":70,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the planning system is a contributory factor to house building levels being relatively unresponsive to price signals.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the planning system is a contributory factor to house building levels being relatively unresponsive to price signals.","AnswerText":"The Review of Housing Supply concluded at Great Britain level that the availability of land and the planning system are amongst the factors which affect housing supply.The land use planning system has an important role in enabling development to take place and guiding that development to the most suitable locations. The Executive’s planning policy on new housing is set out in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 3: Planning for Housing (published in March 2003). SPP 3 states that planning authorities should ensure that the housing land requirement for each housing market area is provided in full. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179159,"EventID":"S2W-06401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on West Lothian Council's support for a full community and health care partnership building on the success of its integrated trust model, the joint f","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on West Lothian Council's support for a full community and health care partnership building on the success of its integrated trust model, the joint future arrangements for community services expanded to include appropriate services for children, the health improvement agenda and the West Lothian Community Planning Partnership and whether the Scottish Executive will issue guidance to ensure that West Lothian Council representation on such a community and health care partnership's management committee includes trade union representatives and a politically-balanced representation of elected members.","AnswerText":"The establishment of communityhealth partnerships is dependent on the passage of the NHS (Reform) ScotlandBill. The views of a wide range of stakeholders have been taken into account inpreparing the draft legislation and the guidance which will describe thegovernance arrangements for community health partnerships. When the legislationis in place NHS boards will be required to submit to Ministers proposals forthe establishment of community health partnerships in the NHS board’s area. Itwould not be appropriate to comment on a particular model for a community healthpartnership until the legislation is in place and the proposals from NHS boardshave received full consideration.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179160,"EventID":"S2W-06402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will address concerns of West Lothian and North Lanarkshire councils that the emphasis of the city review will lead to a diminution of the role of urban economies","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will address concerns of West Lothian and North Lanarkshire councils that the emphasis of the city review will lead to a diminution of the role of urban economies between Edinburgh and Glasgow.","AnswerText":"It would be wrong to concludethat implementation of the Review of Scotland's Cities might lead to adiminution in the role of urban economies elsewhere in Scotland – particularlyin areas such as West Lothian and North Lanarkshire, whose economic success is veryclosely bound up with that of Glasgow and Edinburgh.Onthe contrary, the whole emphasis of our urban policy is to view cities in thecontext of their wider city regions. Our framework policy document for Scotland'scities – Building Better Cities – emphasises the fundamental importance ofclose collaboration between cities and their surrounding regions. Cities and their community planningpartners must draw together the wider city-region view, because many of theissues to be addressed – such as economic development, land-use planning,health-care and transport – require a perspective spanning the entire city-regionand beyond. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179161,"EventID":"S2W-06403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the contributions to the economy of communities outwith the major cities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the contributions to the economy of communities outwith the major cities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive regularly considers the contribution to the economy of different communities in a number of ways using available statistics. One approach is to look at Gross Value Added (GVA). The Office of National Statistics (ONS) estimates of GVA are published by local area, and are shown in the table below for 2001. From this it can be seen that 30% of total Scottish GVA was created in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The estimates are calculated on a workplace basis, i.e. income is allocated to an area based on where people work rather than where they live. Therefore areas with high levels of inward commuting will have higher values and so these figures do not fully explain the contributions to the economy from local areas.GVA by NUTS3 Area, Scotland 2001 (£ million) | Area | Total GVA | Percentage of Scottish total | | Scotland | 69,179 | 100% | | Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and North East Moray | 9,711 | 14.0% | | Angus and Dundee City | 3,119 | 4.5% | | Clackmannanshire and Fife | 4,003 | 5.8% | | East Lothian and Midlothian | 1,528 | 2.2% | | Scottish Borders | 994 | 1.4% | | Edinburgh, City of | 9,954 | 14.4% | | Falkirk | 1,760 | 2.5% | | Perth and Kinross and Stirling | 2,673 | 3.9% | | West Lothian | 2,410 | 3.5% | | East and West Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh and Lomond | 1,948 | 2.8% | | Dumfries and Galloway | 1,521 | 2.2% | | East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire Mainland | 2,480 | 3.6% | | Glasgow City | 11,059 | 16.0% | | Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire | 4,148 | 6.0% | | North Lanarkshire | 3,215 | 4.6% | | South Ayrshire | 1,434 | 2.1% | | South Lanarkshire | 3,546 | 5.1% | | Caithness and Sutherland and Ross and Cromarty | 806 | 1.2% | | Inverness and Nairn and Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey | 1,170 | 1.7% | | Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh and Argyll and the Islands | 952 | 1.4% | | Eilean Siar (Western Isles) | BuildingBetter Cities, our framework policy document for Scotland’scities, the Executive recognises the importance of city-regions and theeconomic significance and potential of West Lothian and North Lanarkshire in developing the city-regions of Edinburgh and Glasgow. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179163,"EventID":"S2W-06405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet West Lothian and North Lanarkshire councils to discuss the case for a balanced city region approach and address any problems and issues that face the","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet West Lothian and North Lanarkshire councils to discuss the case for a balanced city region approach and address any problems and issues that face the substantial urban economies of the central belt.","AnswerText":"Officials from the Enterprise,Transport and Lifelong Learning Department of the Scottish Executive met recently with representatives from North Lanarkshire and West Lothian councilsto discuss economic development and collaboration in their areas and arewilling to engage further as appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179164,"EventID":"S2W-06406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that, following NHS Lothians' review of better acute care, the acute medical and surgical admissions facilities at the Western General Hospital and","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that, following NHS Lothians' review of better acute care, the acute medical and surgical admissions facilities at the Western General Hospital and St John's Hospital will not close.","AnswerText":"Proposals that emerge from NHSLothian’s review of possible future patterns of acute care across its area willbe subject to full public consultation. The board must obtain the Scottish Executive’s endorsement of its overall strategy in the light of publicconsultation. It would not be appropriate, therefore, for me to comment on anyparticular form of service provision at this stage.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179165,"EventID":"S2W-06407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the review of burns treatment facilities by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer following a similar review in England, it will ensure that St John's Hospital ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the review of burns treatment facilities by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer following a similar review in England, it will ensure that St John's Hospital will be designated as a burns unit and that there will not be a negative impact on St John's Hospital as a result of any redesignation of burns services.","AnswerText":"Any decisions about thefuture configuration of the burns service at St John’s are primarily for NHSLothian, in consultation with relevant clinicians.The clinically-led review ofburns treatment facilities is looking at current Scottish burns capacity, withparticular reference to severity and length of stay, and in the light of theintroduction of managed clinical networks in a range of clinical services in Scotland.The aim of the review, which is expected to reach conclusions soon, is tomaximise the effectiveness of burns services across Scotland.Any proposal to alter significantly the existing pattern of burns serviceswould be the subject of public consultation. It would not be appropriate for meto comment further at this stage. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179166,"EventID":"S2W-06408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the specialist burns unit and associated plastic surgery facility at St John's Hospital will be retained at no less than their current operational scope and si'e.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the specialist burns unit and associated plastic surgery facility at St John's Hospital will be retained at no less than their current operational scope and si'e.","AnswerText":"Decisions about the scaleand configuration of healthcare services are matters for NHS boards, withinnational priorities and guidelines. In planning services, boards are obliged totake account of the assessed current and future needs of patients, and the existingand planned pattern of service provision regionally, and, where appropriate,nationally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179167,"EventID":"S2W-06409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4807 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, what the difference was in median wait and mean wait, broken down by NHS board and spe","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4807 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, what the difference was in median wait and mean wait, broken down by NHS board and speciality in each quarter.","AnswerText":"The information requestedhas been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 31311).","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179168,"EventID":"S2W-06410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4807 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, whether it holds the same information on median and mean waiting times for (a) in-pati","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4807 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, whether it holds the same information on median and mean waiting times for (a) in-patients and day cases and (b) out-patients, stating availability status codes.","AnswerText":"Availability Status Codes (ASCs) are not mandatory data items on the in-patient and day case discharge record. For this reason the in-patient/day case table in the answer to S2W-4807 includes all cases, and does not exclude cases with an ASC.On the out-patient record, Availability Status Codes (ASCs) can be identified. The table provides information on the median and mean waiting times for new out-patients without an ASC and new outpatients with an ASC. The mean and median wait data for new outpatients without an ASC was previously included in the answer to S2W-4807. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. | | Difference in Median Wait and Mean Wait (days) for New Outpatient Appointments | | Quarter Ended | Excludes ASCs | | Only ASCs | | | Median | Mean | Difference | | Median | Mean | Difference | | 30-Jun-1997 | 41 | 54.9 | -13.9 | | 81 | 105.3 | -24.3 | | 30-Sep-1997 | 45 | 60.5 | -15.5 | | 83 | 101.1 | -18.1 | | 31-Dec-1997 | 44 | 61.7 | -17.7 | | 87 | 108.6 | -21.6 | | 31-Mar-1998 | 43 | 60.7 | -17.7 | | 84 | 106.6 | -22.6 | | 30-Jun-1998 | 43 | 59.3 | -16.3 | | 73 | 97.5 | -24.5 | | 30-Sep-1998 | 48 | 64.0 | -16.0 | | 79 | 98.2 | -19.2 | | 31-Dec-1998 | 48 | 64.8 | -16.8 | | 83 | 102.7 | -19.7 | | 31-Mar-1999 | 47 | 66.2 | -19.2 | | 84 | 104.4 | -20.4 | | 30-Jun-1999 | About 14 dentists currentlyprovide 33.5 sessions of dental care per week. This equates to about 3.35 wholetime equivalents. Information is not availablefor previous years and for individual prisons. Broadly, the level of servicehas not changed appreciably in the past five years. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179170,"EventID":"S2W-06412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) number and (b) whole-time equivalent number of dentists has been per head of the prison population in each year since 1999, broken down by prison.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) number and (b) whole-time equivalent number of dentists has been per head of the prison population in each year since 1999, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6411 on 9 march 2004. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179171,"EventID":"S2W-06413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much methadone was prescribed in each year since 1999 and what percentage was sugar-free.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much methadone was prescribed in each year since 1999 and what percentage was sugar-free.","AnswerText":"Methadone hydrochloride can be used as a cough suppressant in terminal disease, an opioid analgesic and as a drug used in substance dependence. It is available in the following formulations: linctus; tablets; powder; injections; and oral solutions.Only oral solutions used in the treatment of substance dependence are available as sugar free. The table shows the number of prescribed items for all formulations of methadone hydrochloride for the years ending 31 March 2000 to 2003 inclusive. Data in the tables refer to prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors, but do not take into account medicines dispensed by hospitals or hospital-based clinics. | | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | | Total Prescribed Items | 243,120 | 274,164 | 319,138 | 360,326 | | Total Sugar Free | 31,753 | 39,050 | 47,469 | 72,482 | | Percentage Sugar Free | 13.06% | 14.24% | 14.87% | 20.12% | Source: The information in the table has been provided by ISD. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179172,"EventID":"S2W-06414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dental procedures were performed in each year since 1999 and what percentage of procedures occurred after toothache symptoms had already been noted, broken down ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many dental procedures were performed in each year since 1999 and what percentage of procedures occurred after toothache symptoms had already been noted, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179173,"EventID":"S2W-06415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that standards of data quality are consistent throughout the NHS and are maintained at the highest level possible, in light of the findings of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that standards of data quality are consistent throughout the NHS and are maintained at the highest level possible, in light of the findings of NHSScotland Data Quality Assurance Report on Acute Inpatient / Day Case Data 2000 - 2002.","AnswerText":"The report to which yourefer was prepared by the Information and Statistics Division (ISD) Scotland aspart of its well-established procedures for reviewing the quality of nationaldata collected by NHSScotland. The reports produced by ISD on these reviewsinclude recommendations to data providers on ways to maintain and wherenecessary improve the quality of data. ISD regularly reviews and updates itsplanned quality assurance programme to ensure that fit-for-purpose data areavailable to meet the developing needs of NHSScotland and, where data areintended for publication, to meet the standards required of National Statistics.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179174,"EventID":"S2W-06416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have received a community care service from their local authority in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have received a community care service from their local authority in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"There is no universallyaccepted definition of a “community care service”; however, statisticalinformation on day care, home care, care homes and other services provided bylocal authorities can be found in the publication “Scottish Community CareStatistics 2002”. This publication can be found on the web, at the followingaddress:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00309-00.asp ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179175,"EventID":"S2W-06417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding (a) has been and (b) will be invested in the implementation of (i) the recommendations of The Same as You? A review of services for people with lea","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding (a) has been and (b) will be invested in the implementation of (i) the recommendations of The Same as You? A review of services for people with learning disabilities and (ii) the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.","AnswerText":"The LearningDisability Change Funds provided to local authorities specifically for theimplementation of The Same As You? were £8 million in 2001-02, £12 millionin 2002-03, and £16 million in 2003-04 continuing at that level thereafter. Weare also providing £1.5 million over five years for the Scottish Consortium forLearning Disability.NHS boards and localauthorities will deliver implementation of the Mental Health (Care andTreatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 primarily from theirmainstream allocations. However, local authorities have received additionalrevenue funding of £1.2 million in 2003-04 with £12.5 million available in 2004-05and £13 million in 2005-06 continuing at that level thereafter. £2 millioncapital funds have also been announced for both 2004-05 and 2005-06. NHS boardshave also received towards £1 million Partnership Agreement resources this yearwith a further £6 million and £8 million announced for 2004-05 and 2005-06respectively. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179176,"EventID":"S2W-06418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have established rapid response teams as recommended by the Joint Future Group's report, as referred to in the annual report of the Chief Social ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have established rapid response teams as recommended by the Joint Future Group's report, as referred to in the annual report of the Chief Social Work Inspector, Progress with Complexity: The 2003 National Overview Report.","AnswerText":"Every local authority has eithera rapid response team covering part or all of their locality, or a comparable service.Thirty local authorities have a rapid response team, while the remaining two providea similar service without the label of a rapid response team.","AnswerDate":"2004-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179177,"EventID":"S2W-06419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many carers' assessments there have been in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many carers' assessments there have been in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally at present but I would refer the member to the answer given toquestion S2W-6151 on 17 March 2004 which sets out what the Executive is doing tocollect this information.All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the parliament website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179178,"EventID":"S2W-06420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive which long-stay hospitals may not have all residents resettled by 2005 due to uncertainty over the financial framework by local authorities, as referred to in the annual ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive which long-stay hospitals may not have all residents resettled by 2005 due to uncertainty over the financial framework by local authorities, as referred to in the annual report of the Chief Social Work Inspector, Progress with Complexity: The 2003 National Overview Report.","AnswerText":"The same as you? recommended in May 2000 that all long stay hospitalsfor people with learning disabilities should close by 2005. Six have closedsince May 2000, with seven remaining for closure by 2005. On 12 January Thesame as you? national implementation group published the Home at Last?report on progress with hospital closures and service reprovision, a copy of whichis available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 31309). It setsout a number of action points that aim to assist local authorities and NHS boardsin meeting the 2005 target, including a programme of work by NHS QualityImprovement Scotland (NHSQIS) to monitor the hospital closure programme in therun up to 2005. NHSQIS has set up a project group to work with all partners todeliver the closure of all long stay hospitals for people with learningdisabilities by 2005.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179179,"EventID":"S2W-06421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people (a) were eligible for and (b) received direct payments in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many people (a) were eligible for and (b) received direct payments in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The following table provides information on the number of clients receiving direct payments, by local authority, for the years ending 31 March 2001, 2002 and 2003.This information was not collected prior to the year 2000-01. Information on eligibility is not available. Number of Direct Payments by Local Authority | Local Authority | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | | Aberdeen City | 4 | 4 | 11 | | Aberdeenshire | 8 | 6 | 11 | | Angus | 4 | 23 | 30 | | Argyll and Bute | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Clackmannanshire | 1 | 4 | 18 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 7 | 25 | 27 | | Dundee City | 0 | 0 | 0 | | East Ayrshire | 0 | 0 | 17 | | East Dunbartonshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | | East Lothian | 5 | 7 | 7 | | East Renfrewshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Edinburgh, City of | 67 | 49 | 89 | | Eilean Siar | 0 | 3 | 5 | | Falkirk | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Fife | 30 | 64 | 120 | | Glasgow City | 17 | 16 | 15 | | Highland | 14 | 23 | 43 | | Inverclyde | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Midlothian | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Moray | 0 | 5 | 7 | | North Ayrshire | 0 | 0 | 0 | | North Lanarkshire | 3 | 10 | 11 | | Orkney Islands | 0Equipment and Adaptation Services in Scotland: ASurvey of Waiting Times for Social Work Provision, published in December 2001, copies of whichare available in the Parliaments Reference Centre (Bib number 18415). ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179181,"EventID":"S2W-06423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to direct local authorities to improve services for people with sensory impairments, in light of the concerns expressed by the annual report of t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to direct local authorities to improve services for people with sensory impairments, in light of the concerns expressed by the annual report of the Chief Social Work Inspector, Progress with Complexity: The 2003 National Overview Report.","AnswerText":"The Sensory Impairment Action Plan, launched in January, gives the Executive, local authorities andother stakeholders clear goals for improved services for people with a sensoryimpairment. A key recommendation is that a short life working group be set upto produce common sensory impairment service standards for implementation by September 2005.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179182,"EventID":"S2W-06424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet its target of having a 10% increase in the number of drug misusers receiving a drug treatment and care service in the community this year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet its target of having a 10% increase in the number of drug misusers receiving a drug treatment and care service in the community this year.","AnswerText":"The target of achieving a10% increase in the number of new clients attending drug treatment services ismonitored through returns to the Scottish Drug Misuse Database and figures arepublished annually by financial years.Data for 2003-04 will not beavailable until the autumn. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179183,"EventID":"S2W-06425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many drug misusers have received a drug treatment and care service in the community in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many drug misusers have received a drug treatment and care service in the community in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information is not held centrally on the total number of drug misusers who have received a drugtreatment service since 1999. However, the Information and Statistics Divisionof the Common Services Agency (ISD Scotland) do publish figures on the numbersof new clients entering drug treatment services each year, based on returns tothe Scottish Drug Misuse Database. These figures are broken down by localauthority area and are available at www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179184,"EventID":"S2W-06426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been allocated to Scottish Training on Drugs and Alcohol in each year since its formation.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been allocated to Scottish Training on Drugs and Alcohol in each year since its formation.","AnswerText":"£612,000 a year, £1.8 millionover three years, has been allocated to Scottish Training on Drugs and Alcoholsince its inception in April 2001.We are committed tomaintaining at least this level of funding for a further three years until 31 March 2007. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179185,"EventID":"S2W-06427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social workers were sponsored to undertake the Diploma in Social Work by their local authority in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social workers were sponsored to undertake the Diploma in Social Work by their local authority in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179186,"EventID":"S2W-06428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1870,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":52,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social service workers will have to be redeployed by local authorities because they are unable, or unwilling, to achieve the requisite qualifications of the soci","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social service workers will have to be redeployed by local authorities because they are unable, or unwilling, to achieve the requisite qualifications of the social services register for the staff in phase 1, as referred to in the annual report of the Chief Social Work Inspector Progress with Complexity: The 2003 National Overview Report.","AnswerText":"Staff who comeon to the register in phase one will have until the end of the first period ofregistration (a further three years) to achieve the necessary qualifications. Thenumbers of staff who will not achieve the required qualifications willtherefore be determined by employers as the registration process proceeds.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179187,"EventID":"S2W-06429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most up-to-date figures are for the number of people on each New Deal.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the most up-to-date figures are for the number of people on each New Deal.","AnswerText":"Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.Number of People Participating in New Deal Programmes in Scotland to end December 2003 | New Deal Programme | Number of Participants | | New Deal for Young People | 9,750 | | New Deal 25 Plus Enhanced Programme | 5,900 | | New Deal for Lone Parents | 10,600 | Source: New Deal Evaluation Database, Department for Work and Pensions Further information, including the publication of the quarterly New Deal for Unemployed People in Scotland Statistics, can be found on the Scottish Executive New Deal website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/ELLD/EI/00015648/New_Deal_Intro.aspx. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179188,"EventID":"S2W-06430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children have been in foster care placements in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children have been in foster care placements in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The table below shows the number of looked after children in foster care on 31 March, in each year between 1999 and 2003. | Local Authority Area | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | | Aberdeen City | 210 | 155 | 120 | 130 | 95 | | Aberdeenshire | 90 | 115 | 110 | 115 | 115 | | Angus | 75 | 75 | 65 | 85 | 95 | | Argyll and Bute | 35 | 30 | 25 | 30 | 40 | | Clackmannanshire | 35 | 30 | 35 | 35 | 35 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 120 | 105 | 125 | 125 | 145 | | Dundee City | 125 | 150 | 120 | 120 | 125 | | East Ayrshire | 30 | 55 | 70 | 65 | 85 | | East Dunbartonshire | 5 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 10 | | East Lothian | 55 | 65 | 80 | 75 | 80 | | East Renfrewshire | 10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | | Edinburgh, City of | 305 | 330 | 325 | 320 | 340 | | Eilean Siar | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 15 | | Falkirk | 90 | 85 | 100 | 85 | 105 | | Fife | 180 | 160 | 190 | 185 | 200 | | Glasgow City | 655 | 685 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00243-00.asp)","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179190,"EventID":"S2W-06432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many looked after children were in full time education in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many looked after children were in full time education in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally. However, in February 2003, the Executive published a report onprogress with implementing the recommendations of Learning with Care.This showed that all local authorities reported between 90% and 100% of lookedafter children as being in receipt of full-time education, although localauthorities were not consistent in including children being looked after athome in this return. This position is supplemented by information in the third annualreport of the Chief Social Work Inspector, Progress With Complexity, whichsets out the actions being taken by local authorities to improve theeducational attainment of looked after children, including the introduction ofpersonal education plans.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179191,"EventID":"S2W-06433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many looked after children did not have a social worker in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many looked after children did not have a social worker in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally. However, in his third annual report Progress with Complexity,published in January this year, the Chief Social Work Inspector found that of atotal of around 11,400 looked after children and young people in Scotland, severalhundred have no social worker (see http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/social/prco.pdf).Audit Scotland also published information on children onsupervision requirements without an allocated social worker in their follow upreport on dealing with youth offending published in November 2003 seehttp://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/publications/pdf/2003/03pf11ag.pdf. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179192,"EventID":"S2W-06434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children leaving care were not in (a) full-time education, (b) employment or (c) training in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children leaving care were not in (a) full-time education, (b) employment or (c) training in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information wascollected for the first time in 2002-03. It showed that across Scotland 60%of young people leaving care were not in employment, education or training. Abreakdown by local authority area is not available as this was the first yearof collection and standards of data returns varied.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179193,"EventID":"S2W-06435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) psychologists and (b) people offering psychiatric assistance, provided mental health services for looked after children in each year since 1999, broken down ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) psychologists and (b) people offering psychiatric assistance, provided mental health services for looked after children in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179194,"EventID":"S2W-06436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children with disabilities were on waiting lists for respite services in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many children with disabilities were on waiting lists for respite services in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-04-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179195,"EventID":"S2W-06437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors local authority funding for the provision of purchased bus services.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors local authority funding for the provision of purchased bus services.","AnswerText":"The provision of localsupported bus services is a matter for local authorities which receive funding forsuch services by means of formula allocation from the Executive. The provisionof supported bus services is covered by normal public procurement andaccountability rules. The Scottish Executive requires authorities to provide periodic financialreturns on supported bus services.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179196,"EventID":"S2W-06438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5144 by Allan Wilson on 21 January 2004, whether small waste oil burners used to heat schools, local halls and any other public or ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5144 by Allan Wilson on 21 January 2004, whether small waste oil burners used to heat schools, local halls and any other public or local authority facilities do not require to comply with the Waste Incineration (Scotland) Regulations 2003 on the same basis as private houses, given that they are similarly not being used for commercial activity.","AnswerText":"The Waste Incineration (Scotland)Regulations 2003 implement the Waste Incineration Directive through theexisting Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) regime. In the Executive’sview, the PPC regime does not extend to domestic activities and, consequently,small waste oil burners used to heat homes do not require to comply with theWaste Incineration (Scotland) Regulations. However, non-domestic activities,including non-commercial activities, fall within the scope of the PPC regimeand, accordingly, require to comply with the provisions of the 2003 Regulations.It is, of course, ultimately for the courts to interpret the provisions of regulations.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179197,"EventID":"S2W-06439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1894,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5794 by Cathy Jamieson on 9 February 2004, whether any information has been made available to the US authorities in connection with","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5794 by Cathy Jamieson on 9 February 2004, whether any information has been made available to the US authorities in connection with visa applications on an indirect basis.","AnswerText":"Neither the Scottish Executive nor the Scottish Criminal Record Office makes available either directlyor indirectly information to the US authorities in connection with visa applications. Asindicated, however, in the answer I gave to question S2W‑5794, individualsmay obtain information about themselves under the Police Act 1997 and the Data ProtectionAct 1998. The individuals concerned do not need to state the purpose for which theinformation is required. Some may require it for visa purposes and the informationmay be passed on by the individuals to the US authorities in that connection.","AnswerDate":"2004-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179198,"EventID":"S2W-06440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths by suicide occurred in each constituency in each of the last five years, broken down by age and gender.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths by suicide occurred in each constituency in each of the last five years, broken down by age and gender.","AnswerText":"The following table provides the latest available information for Scotland. It combines deaths from events of undetermined intent and deaths from intentional self-harm, as the majority of the former are likely to have been suicides. Detailed tables presenting similar information for parliamentary constituencies have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 31357).Deaths From Intentional Self-Harm and Events of Undetermined Intent, by Gender and Age Group | Gender | Age Group | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | | Males | Total | 650 | 663 | 674 | 646 | 676 | | | under 15 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | | | 15 - 29 | 182 | 186 | 202 | 167 | 176 | | | 30 - 44 | 228 | 232 | 228 | 232 | 252 | | | 45 - 59 | 137 | 128 | 134 | 151 | 144 | | | 60 and over | 101 | 114 | 107 | 94 | 101 | | Females | Total | 228 | 211 | 204 | 241 | 223 | | | under 15 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 2 | | | 15 - 29 | 48 | 39 | 42 | 42 | 44 | | | 30 - 44 | 68 | 72 | 69 | 90 | 67 | | | 45 - 59 | 46 | 49 | 49 | 54 | 54 | | | 60 and over | 63 | 48 | 39 | 54 | 56 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179199,"EventID":"S2W-06441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1973,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-24T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths as a consequence of physical violence occurred in each constituency in each of the last five years, broken down by age and gender.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths as a consequence of physical violence occurred in each constituency in each of the last five years, broken down by age and gender.","AnswerText":"The following table provides the latest available information for Scotland. Detailed tables presenting similar information for parliamentary constituencies have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 31358).Deaths from Assault, by Gender and Age Group, Scotland, 1998 - 2002 | Gender | Age Group | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | | Males | Total | 77 | 101 | 68 | 74 | 97 | | | under 15 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | | | 15 - 29 | 29 | 36 | 29 | 22 | 29 | | | 30 - 44 | 27 | 37 | 18 | 29 | 36 | | | 45 -59 | 11 | 23 | 14 | 16 | 18 | | | 60 and over | 6 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 10 | | Females | Total | 17 | 20 | 25 | 18 | 21 | | | under 15 | 2 | | 4 | 1 | 4 | | | 15 - 29 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 5 | | | 30 - 44 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 5 | 6 | | | 45 -59 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | | | 60 and over | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179200,"EventID":"S2W-06442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teacher training places there have been and what funding has been provided for teacher training in each year since 1995, giving the funding figures also at 1995 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teacher training places there have been and what funding has been provided for teacher training in each year since 1995, giving the funding figures also at 1995 prices.","AnswerText":"The following table gives the numbers of students on teacher training courses in Scotland and levels of funding provided for these places: | Year | Number | Funding | Funding at 95 levels | | 1995-96 | 7,056 | £27,571,719 | £27,571,719 | | 1996-97 | 6,782 | £26,713,276 | £26,494,990 | | 1997-98 | 6,501 | £25,988,501 | £25,394,197 | | 1998-99 | 6,263 | £26,652,391 | £24,508,549 | | 1999-2000 | 6,436 | £28,055,450 | £25,087,443 | | 2000-01 | 6,615 | £30,618,058 | £25,769,357 | | 2001-02 | 7,176 | £33,414,495 | £27,868,746 | | 2002-03 | 6,670 | £32,822,129 | £26,024,490 | | 2003-04 | 6,898 | £35,252,427 | £26,888,049 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179201,"EventID":"S2W-06443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers qualified in the last year and how many teachers it expects to qualify in each year up to 2007 with an (a) Bachelor of Education and (b) Postgraduate Ce","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers qualified in the last year and how many teachers it expects to qualify in each year up to 2007 with an (a) Bachelor of Education and (b) Postgraduate Certificate in Education.","AnswerText":"Information on how many teachers qualified in session 2002-03 and projections of how many teachers are expected to qualify in each year up to 2007 with an (a) Bachelor of Education (BEd) and (b) Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is shown in the table: | | Year | BEd | PGCE | Total | | Actual | 2002-03 | 586 | 1,500 | 2,086 | | Projections* | 2003-04 | 690 | 1,740 | 2,430 | | 2004-05 | 680 | 1,980 | 2,660 | | 2005-06 | 740 | 2,650 | 3,390 | | 2006-07 | 700 | 2,530 | 3,230 | | | Total | 3,396 | 10,400 | 13,796 | Note: *Rounded to the nearest 10. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179202,"EventID":"S2W-06444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of teacher training graduates (a) qualified from teacher training colleges in each year since 1995 and (b) it expects to qualify from teacher training col","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of teacher training graduates (a) qualified from teacher training colleges in each year since 1995 and (b) it expects to qualify from teacher training colleges in each year up to 2007.","AnswerText":"The table shows initial teacher education college graduates as a proportion of all initial teacher education graduates in Scotland, for each year from 1994-95 to 2001-02: | | 1994-95 | 1995-96 | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999- 2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | | ITE Colleges/All ITE (%) | 53 | 58 | 57 | 57 | 35 | 19 | 19 | 0 | | ITE Universities/All ITE (%) | 47 | 42 | 43 | 43 | 65 | 81 | 81 | 100 | By 2001-02 all colleges of education had merged with a university and future projections are therefore not relevant. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179203,"EventID":"S2W-06445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education follow-up inspections resulted in an unsatisfactory report in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education follow-up inspections resulted in an unsatisfactory report in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graham Donaldson, Chief Executive of HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE), to respond. His response is as follows:Details of the percentage of follow up inspections that have resulted in an unsatisfactory report in each of the last five years are as follows: | Year | Number of follow up inspections carried out | Follow up inspections resulting in an unsatisfactory report | Percentage | | 1999-2000 | 138 | 7 | 5% | | 2000-01 | 220 | 8 | 4% | | 2001-02 | 205 | 10 | 5% | | 2002-03 | 116 | 13 | 11% | | 2003-04* | 136 | 10 | 7% | Note: *data only available for period 1 April 2003 – 31 January 2004. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179204,"EventID":"S2W-06446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how often it anticipates using the powers it intends to take under the draft School Education (Ministerial Powers and Independent Schools) (Scotland) Bill.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how often it anticipates using the powers it intends to take under the draft School Education (Ministerial Powers and Independent Schools) (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"We anticipate that the powerswould be used infrequently.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179205,"EventID":"S2W-06447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions a school has been found to be non-compliant with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education's recommendations in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions a school has been found to be non-compliant with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education's recommendations in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"I have asked Graham Donaldson, Chief Executive of HM Inspectorateof Education (HMIE), to respond. His response is as follows:HMIE do not set specificcompliance requirements as a consequence of an inspection. Where improvementsare required, they make recommendations which can often be met in a number ofways. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179206,"EventID":"S2W-06448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many initial teacher education student places were unfilled in each year since 1997.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many initial teacher education student places were unfilled in each year since 1997.","AnswerText":"Information on how many initial teacher education places were unfilled in each year since 1997 is shown in the table: | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | | 12 | 37 | 22 | 33 | 0 | 4 | 2 | The majority of the unfilled places prior 2001-2002 were in BEd Music and BEd Technological Education courses. Higher education institutions have successfully increased the number of students enrolling on to these courses. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179207,"EventID":"S2W-06449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #78 million announced in its press release SEed539/2004 on 23 February 2004 will be allocated to teacher training.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #78 million announced in its press release SEed539/2004 on 23 February 2004 will be allocated to teacher training.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-4928 on 12 January 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available from the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179208,"EventID":"S2W-06450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to achieve the targets of reducing class si'es to (a) 25 in P1, (b) 20 in S1 maths, (c) 20 in S2 maths, (d) 20 in S1 English and (e) 20 in S2 English.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to achieve the targets of reducing class si'es to (a) 25 in P1, (b) 20 in S1 maths, (c) 20 in S2 maths, (d) 20 in S1 English and (e) 20 in S2 English.","AnswerText":"The target date for the overarchingPartnership for a Better Scotland commitments to significantly increase teachernumbers to 53,000 and associated class size commitments is August 2007.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179209,"EventID":"S2W-06451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional academic staff are being recruited for the purpose of training teachers as part of the expansion of initial teacher training announced in its press rel","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional academic staff are being recruited for the purpose of training teachers as part of the expansion of initial teacher training announced in its press release SEed539/2004 on 23 February 2004.","AnswerText":"This information is not heldcentrally. Staff recruitment is a matter for individual higher education institutions.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179210,"EventID":"S2W-06452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students domiciled in other areas of the United Kingdom are studying in Scottish higher education institutions and how many Scottish-domiciled students are study","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many students domiciled in other areas of the United Kingdom are studying in Scottish higher education institutions and how many Scottish-domiciled students are studying in higher education institutions in other areas of the UK.","AnswerText":"In 2001-02, there were 27,223students domiciled in other areas of the United Kingdom (excluding Scotland)studying in Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and 13,044 studentsdomiciled in Scotland studying in HEIs in other areas of the United Kingdom.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179211,"EventID":"S2W-06453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of students at each higher education institution in Scotland is domiciled outwith the United Kingdom and what this percentage is for the whole of Scotlan","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of students at each higher education institution in Scotland is domiciled outwith the United Kingdom and what this percentage is for the whole of Scotland.","AnswerText":"The percentages of students domiciled outwith the United Kingdom, at each higher education institution in Scotland, in 2001-02, are presented in the following table:Higher Education Students at Higher Education Institutions in Scotland, 2001-02 | | % Non UK Domicile | Non UK Domicile | All Domicile | | University of Abertay Dundee | 13.2 | 611 | 4,617 | | Edinburgh College of Art | 17.2 | 297 | 1,731 | | Glasgow School of Art | 14.9 | 215 | 1,442 | | Queen Margaret College | 16.3 | 722 | 4,416 | | The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama | 9.9 | 66 | 666 | | The Robert Gordon University | 11.7 | 1,311 | 11,250 | | The University of Paisley | 5.4 | 579 | 10,794 | | Glasgow Caledonian University | 3.7 | 559 | 15,170 | | Napier University | 9.8 | 1,323 | 13,568 | | The University of Edinburgh | 14.8 | 3,659 | 24,667 | | The University of Glasgow | 6.9 | 1,627 | 23,510 | | The University of Strathclyde | 14.0 | 3,197 | 22,775 | | The University of Aberdeen | 13.9 | 1,905 | 13,753 | | Heriot-Watt University 1 | 65.9 | 11,648 | 17,677 | | The University of Dundee | 13.1 | 2,043 | 15,584 | | The University of St Andrews | 24.9 | 1,890 | 7,576 | | The University of Stirling | 8.7 | 759 | 8,751 | | Scottish Agricultural College | 3.8 | 27 | 712 | | UHI Millennium Institute | 0.7 | 42 | 5,922 | | Bell College | 0.5 | 20 | 3,957 | (b)This information is not held centrally. (c) This information is notheld centrally. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179213,"EventID":"S2W-06455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to vary the amount payable under its graduate endowment scheme.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to vary the amount payable under its graduate endowment scheme.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5756 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questionss are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179214,"EventID":"S2W-06456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it provides to alleviate student hardship in (a) higher education institutions and (b) further education colleges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it provides to alleviate student hardship in (a) higher education institutions and (b) further education colleges.","AnswerText":"The following table gives the amount of Hardship Funds, Hardship Loans and Mature Students’ Bursary Funds (MSBF) allocated to both further and higher education institutions and the amount of Young Students’ Retention Fund (YSRF) allocated to further education institutions in 2003-04. | | Further Education Colleges | Higher Education Institutes | | | | FE Students | HE Students | Undergraduate Students | Postgraduate Students | Total | | Hardship Funds | £3,518,452 | £279,644 | £2,989,356 | £1,239,828 | £8,027,280 | | Hardship Loans | n/a | £275,100 | £717,400 | n/a | £992,500 | | MSBF | n/a | £4,432,664 | £4,267,336 | n/a | £8,700,000 | | YSRF | £1,679,360 | n/a | n/a | n/a | £1,679,360 | | | | | | | £19,399,140 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179215,"EventID":"S2W-06457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its plans for replacing those parts of the Schools (Scotland) Code still in force.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its plans for replacing those parts of the Schools (Scotland) Code still in force.","AnswerText":"We announced on 9 October 2002 ourplans to phase out the extant provisions contained in the Schools (Scotland)Code, and that we intended doing so in two stages. We will consult later thisyear on the terms of the statutory instrument that will implement the repeal of the provisions identified for the second stage.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179216,"EventID":"S2W-06458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it has carried out on abolishing the Schools (Scotland) Code.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it has carried out on abolishing the Schools (Scotland) Code.","AnswerText":"On 3 April 2000, we issued thedocument “Improving Our Schools – Consultation on the Schools (Scotland) Code” to key stakeholdersfor comment. On 15 October 2002, we consulted on the terms of The Schools (Scotland)Code Amendment Regulations 2003 (Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 75) used torepeal the provisions identified for the first stage of the repeal. We will beconsulting again later this year on the terms of a statutory instrument whichwill repeal the remaining regulations.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179217,"EventID":"S2W-06459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what subsidy it provides in the current year to higher education institutions for students from (a) Scotland, (b) other parts of the United Kingdom and (c) other parts o","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what subsidy it provides in the current year to higher education institutions for students from (a) Scotland, (b) other parts of the United Kingdom and (c) other parts of the European Union.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive provides funding to higher education institutions through the ScottishHigher Education Funding Council. The Funding Council allocates funding toinstitutions and not in support of individual students.The Student Awards Agencyfor Scotland (SAAS) pays a tuition fee contribution (£1,125 in 2003-04) onbehalf of all eligible Scottish domiciled and EU students undertaking full-timehigher education courses in Scotland. SAAS also makes a means-tested contribution up tothat amount for Scottish domiciled students on full-time higher educationcourses elsewhere in the UK. A limited number of Scottish domiciled and EUstudents undertaking taught post-graduate level courses in Scotlandwill have a fee contribution of £2,940 made on their behalf by SAAS. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179218,"EventID":"S2W-06460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish students attend university in (a) Scotland, (b) other parts of the United Kingdom, (c) other nations in what will become the European higher education a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish students attend university in (a) Scotland, (b) other parts of the United Kingdom, (c) other nations in what will become the European higher education area in 2010 and (d) other areas of the world.","AnswerText":"In 2001-02, there were148,815 Scottish domiciled students attending Scottish higher educationinstitutions (HEIs), and 13,044 Scottish domiciled students attending HEIs inother areas of the United Kingdom.The Scottish Executive holds information for Scottish students at HEIs in the UK only.Therefore information on students attending HEIs outwith the UK is notavailable. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179219,"EventID":"S2W-06461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government on progress being made with regard to building an electricity interconnector between Shetland, Orkney and the ma","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government on progress being made with regard to building an electricity interconnector between Shetland, Orkney and the mainland of Scotland, given the likely impact on its renewable energy targets.","AnswerText":"The Executive isparticipating in the work of both the Great Britain Transmission Issues WorkingGroup (TIWG) and the Highlands and Islands Transmission Issues Group (HITIG).The TIWG is led by theDepartment of Trade and Industry and its task is to assess the implications forthe Great Britain electricity network of the Governments’ renewablestargets and to co-ordinate action. The HITG is led by Highlands andIslands Enterprise with the remit to develop the case for new power connectionsin and from the highlands and islands, to identify key issues and toco-ordinate action. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179220,"EventID":"S2W-06462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Shetland Islands Council about the five wind turbines north of Lerwick, the efficiency level they operate at and their potential contribu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Shetland Islands Council about the five wind turbines north of Lerwick, the efficiency level they operate at and their potential contribution towards the Executive's targets for renewable energy.","AnswerText":"I am not aware of anyspecific discussions on this matter. However, I understand that the wind farmat Burradale, which was recently extended, is operating at a higher thanaverage capacity factor, and that the project is making a welcome contributiontowards our renewable generation targets.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179221,"EventID":"S2W-06463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of its renewable energy targets, with what organisations it has discussed an electricity interconnector between Shetland, Orkney and the mainland of Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of its renewable energy targets, with what organisations it has discussed an electricity interconnector between Shetland, Orkney and the mainland of Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer Mr Gibson to the answer given to question S2W-6461 on 9 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/searchwa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179222,"EventID":"S2W-06464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government on how an electricity interconnector between Shetland and the rest of Scotland would be funded and what contribu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government on how an electricity interconnector between Shetland and the rest of Scotland would be funded and what contribution the Executive will make to the cost of construction, given the likely impact on its renewable energy targets.","AnswerText":"The electricity network isprivately owned and operated and network upgrades are a matter for the networkowners in conjunction with the regulator, Ofgem. However, under the BritishElectricity Trading and Transmission Arrangement (BETTA) arrangements due to beintroduced in April 2005, the costs of upgrading the electricity networks in Scotlandwill be spread across all Great Britain consumers.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179223,"EventID":"S2W-06465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs in (a) Scotland and (b) the highlands and islands have been dependent on fisheries in each year since 1979, expressed also per capita and outlining the met","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs in (a) Scotland and (b) the highlands and islands have been dependent on fisheries in each year since 1979, expressed also per capita and outlining the methodology used to classify the jobs. ","AnswerText":"Information regarding the numbers of persons employed in the sea fisheries catching sector are compiled annually by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency. Each person employed is classified as regularly employed if employment in the catching sector is their main or only source of income. All other persons employed in the catching sector are classified as being irregularly employed.Table 1 shows employment in the catching sector over the period 1979-2002 (inclusive) although regional employment information is only available from the year 1984 onward. The table also presents catching sector employment as a percentage of the working age population. The statistics are based upon the mid-year population estimates produced by the General Register Office for Scotland. Table 1: Number of Persons Employed in the Catching Sector Since 1979 in Scotland and the Highlands and Islands. | Year | Scotland | Highlands and Islands | | Regularly employed | Irregularly employed | Total | Percentage of the working age population | Regularly employed | Irregularly employed | Total | Percentage of the working age population | | 1979 | 7,613 | 1,211 | 8,824 | 0.3% | | | | | | 1980 | 7,561 | 1,138 | 8,699 | 0.3% | | | | | | 1981 | 7,376 | 1,085 | 8,461 | 0.3% | | | | | | 1982 | 7,247 | 937 | 8,184 | 0.3% | | | | | | 1983 | 7,173 | 902 | 8,075 | 0.3% | | | | | | 1984 | 7,198 | 902 | 8,100 | 0.3% | 3,174 | 446 | 3,620 | 1.4% | | 1985 | 7,170 | 932 | 8,102 | 0.3% | 3,221 | 423 | 3,644 | 1.4% | | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179224,"EventID":"S2W-06466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with organisations in Shetland concerning the establishment of a “Shetland Brand” to identify products from Shetland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with organisations in Shetland concerning the establishment of a “Shetland Brand” to identify products from Shetland.","AnswerText":"This is a matter forShetland Islands Tourism, Shetland Enterprise, VisitScotland and other publicand private partners who are working closely to develop a brand for Shetland toinclude tourism, transport operators, products and businesses.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179225,"EventID":"S2W-06467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in implementing a public service obligation for transport to and from Shetland and what organisations it has had discussions with about this iss","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in implementing a public service obligation for transport to and from Shetland and what organisations it has had discussions with about this issue.","AnswerText":"The proposals contained inthe original report by the Highlands and Islands Strategic Transport Partnership(HITRANS) are being comprehensively evaluated. Work is now being progressedaimed at assessing and validating the operational and technical feasibility of the proposals. The Executive has had discussions with HITRANS, localauthorities, airlines, airport operators and specialist advisers.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179226,"EventID":"S2W-06468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received in favour of the implementation of a public service obligation for transport to and from Shetland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received in favour of the implementation of a public service obligation for transport to and from Shetland.","AnswerText":"One of the commitments inthe partnership agreement is to fully evaluate the proposals by the Highlands andIslands Strategic Transport Partnership (HITRANS) for an air network in the Highlands andIslands using Public Service Obligations (PSOs). HITRANS represents a number oflocal councils, including Shetland, all of whom are supportive of the PSOproposals.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179227,"EventID":"S2W-06469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the cost of rolling out broadband to (a) Scotland, (b) each constituency and (c) each Parliamentary region.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the cost of rolling out broadband to (a) Scotland, (b) each constituency and (c) each Parliamentary region.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6115 on 8 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179228,"EventID":"S2W-06470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the financial benefit to business and community organisations of the roll-out of broadband.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the financial benefit to business and community organisations of the roll-out of broadband.","AnswerText":"There is no estimate availableon the average financial benefit to organisations from broadband. However, our Enterpriseagencies have collated substantial case study evidence which illustrates thebenefits broadband can bring to individual businesses. These are accessiblefrom the following web link: http://www.scottish‑broadband.co.uk/casestudylist.asp. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179229,"EventID":"S2W-06471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the efficiency of the visitscotland contact centre in Livingston.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the efficiency of the visitscotland contact centre in Livingston.","AnswerText":"The Livingstoncontact centre is run by visitscotland.com, a private company. The Executivedoes not have a role in assessing the efficiency of the company. However, as ashareholder in visitscotland.com, VisitScotland has reported that it iscurrently performing better than expected against projected targets. Visitscotland.comis a world-class information and booking facility that plays a vital role inpromoting tourism in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179230,"EventID":"S2W-06472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) Northlink Ferries, (b) the Smyril Line and (c) other ferry and cruise ship operators regarding the marketing of Shetland as a holiday","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) Northlink Ferries, (b) the Smyril Line and (c) other ferry and cruise ship operators regarding the marketing of Shetland as a holiday destination.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for VisitScotlandand the area tourist boards which both welcome opportunities to work withtransport operators serving Scotland and its islands.Shetland Islands Tourism workswell with both Northlink Ferries and Smyril Line to market Shetland in its ownright and as a hub providing access to more remote areas of the North Atlantic. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179231,"EventID":"S2W-06473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many fishing boats have been based at Whalsay in the Shetland Isles in each year since 1979.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many fishing boats have been based at Whalsay in the Shetland Isles in each year since 1979.","AnswerText":"Departmental records relating to individual ports are only available from 1985 onward. The number of fishing vessels based at the port of Whalsay between 1985 and 2003 is shown in the following table.Active Fishing Vessels Based in The Port of Whalsay 1985 to 2003 | Year | Number of vessels | | 1985 | 22 | | 1986 | 24 | | 1987 | 24 | | 1988 | 22 | | 1989 | 23 | | 1990 | 22 | | 1991 | 20 | | 1992 | 21 | | *1993 | 35 | | 1994 | 37 | | 1995 | 40 | | 1996 | 37 | | 1997 | 35 | | 1998 | 47 | | 1999 | 42 | | 2000 | 44 | | 2001 | 42 | | 2002 | 40 | | 2003 | 34 | Note: *prior to 1993 a fishing vessel licence was not required for vessels 10 metres in overall length consequently these smaller vessels are excluded from the data between 1985 and 1992 inclusive. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179232,"EventID":"S2W-06474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) (a) vessels and (b) officers have been based in Shetland in each year since 1979.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) (a) vessels and (b) officers have been based in Shetland in each year since 1979.","AnswerText":"No SFPA vessels are based in Shetland but they regularly patrol its waters. The numbers of SFPA officers based in Shetland since 1979 are as follows: | Year | Number of SFPA Enforcement Staff | | 1979 | 3 | | 1980 | 3 | | 1981 | 3 | | 1982 | 3 | | 1983 | 3 | | 1984 | 3 | | 1985 | 4 | | 1986 | 4 | | 1987 | 4 | | 1988 | 4 | | 1989 | 5 | | 1990 | 5 | | 1991 | 5 | | 1992 | 5 | | 1993 | 5 | | 1994 | 6 | | 1995 | 6 | | 1996 | 5 | | 1997 | 5 | | 1998 | 5 | | 1999 | 5 | | 2000 | 5 | | 2001 | 5 | | 2002 | 5 | | 2003 | 6 | | 2004 | 6 | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179233,"EventID":"S2W-06475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the number of foreign fishing vessels operating in Scottish territorial waters.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the number of foreign fishing vessels operating in Scottish territorial waters.","AnswerText":"Access to fisheries inScottish territorial waters (0–12 miles) is mainly restricted to UK vessels. SomeEU member states have limited access. In consequence the numbers of foreignvessels operating there is normally very small.On 1 March 2004, surveillance bythe Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency indicated that no foreign fishingvessels were active in Scottish territorial waters. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179234,"EventID":"S2W-06476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) training providers and (b) fishing organisations regarding the future training of fishermen.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) training providers and (b) fishing organisations regarding the future training of fishermen.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has not had any discussions with training providers or fishingorganisations about the future training of fishermen. However, there are arange of training programmes available to fishermen that are delivered andfunded by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Many of these have beendeveloped in conjunction with training providers and fishing organisations andinclude a modern apprenticeship in sea fishing, and training for work coursesfor redundant fishermen.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lewis Macdonald","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179235,"EventID":"S2W-06477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it has given fishing communities in Shetland since 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support it has given fishing communities in Shetland since 1999.","AnswerText":"Shetland Enterprise operational expenditure (grants, training etc.) since 1999 is as follows: | Year | Expenditure (£ million) | | 1998-99 | 2.578 | | 1999-2000 | 3.096 | | 2000-01 | 4.187 | | 2001-02 | 2.7 | | 2002-03 | 3.9 | Business and community investments are also funded by the Shetland Development Trust. Since 1999, financial instrument for fisheries guidance and Executive back-up funds have contributed some £4.85 million in grant payments (excluding decommissioning) to the fishing industry in Shetland. Decommissioning payments over the same period have amounted to a further £4.5 million, with yet a further £747,636.53 made available in transitional aid. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179236,"EventID":"S2W-06478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with fishing organisations regarding the closed season for velvet crabs in Shetland and what support it has given to this initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with fishing organisations regarding the closed season for velvet crabs in Shetland and what support it has given to this initiative.","AnswerText":"Under the Shetland IslandsRegulated Fishery (Scotland) Order 1999, as amended, the Shetland ShellfishManagement Organisation (SSMO) is responsible for regulating certain shellfish fisheriesin Shetland waters, including velvet crab. The SSMO require to obtain theconsent of Scottish ministers to any fishery restrictions or changes to thesearrangements, and this was the case for the velvet crab closure.Responsibility lies with theSSMO to canvass the views of fishermen and their representative organisationson any measures introduced under the order. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179237,"EventID":"S2W-06479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with fishing organisations regarding the \"V-notch\" conservation technique for lobsters and what support it has given to this initiative.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with fishing organisations regarding the \"V-notch\" conservation technique for lobsters and what support it has given to this initiative.","AnswerText":"The Executive supports theuse of V-notching as a conservation measure. Following consultation withfishing organisations and other interested parties, an order was introduced in1999 prohibiting the fishing or landing of V-notched lobsters and crawfish.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179238,"EventID":"S2W-06480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the affect of the new pollution prevention and control regime on fisheries-dependent businesses.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the affect of the new pollution prevention and control regime on fisheries-dependent businesses.","AnswerText":"Regulatory impact assessmentswere prepared and consulted on prior to the pollution prevention and controlregulations coming into force. These assessments looked at the potential impactacross all Scottish industries. The regulations are reviewed on an ongoing basis,including the impact that they have on the fishing industry.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179239,"EventID":"S2W-06481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it enforces the provisions of the Shellfish Regulatory Order applicable to Shetland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it enforces the provisions of the Shellfish Regulatory Order applicable to Shetland.","AnswerText":"Responsibility forenforcement of the Shetland Islands Regulated Fishery (Scotland)Order 1999 rests with the grantee, the Shetland Shellfish ManagementOrganisation (SSMO).","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179240,"EventID":"S2W-06482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to alter the funding mechanisms applicable to (a) Shetland College and (b) the UHI Millennium Institute.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to alter the funding mechanisms applicable to (a) Shetland College and (b) the UHI Millennium Institute.","AnswerText":"The Executive has no plansto alter the funding mechanisms for Shetland College or UHI Millennium Institute. This is rightly amatter for (a) the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and (b) the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179241,"EventID":"S2W-06483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the delay in the announcement of the fallen stock scheme; why it will not introduce such a scheme in Scotland ahead of any scheme in England and ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the delay in the announcement of the fallen stock scheme; why it will not introduce such a scheme in Scotland ahead of any scheme in England and Wales, and what the reasons are for not introducing a scheme for the collection and disposal of fallen stock before autumn 2004.","AnswerText":"Further time is needed tofinalise arrangements for members’ subscriptions, obtain state aids clearanceand to put in place the practical arrangements with the collection and disposalindustry.The difficulties of settingup a Scottish Scheme are the same as those for the UK scheme. Furthermorea Scottish scheme would be much more expensive for our producers as it couldnot benefit from the economies of scale which the UK Scheme should deliver. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179242,"EventID":"S2W-06484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to introduce a scheme for the collection and disposal of fallen stock without the approval of Her Majesty's Government and the Department for Environme","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to introduce a scheme for the collection and disposal of fallen stock without the approval of Her Majesty's Government and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.","AnswerText":"Agriculture is devolved thereforethe Executive is solely responsible for such issues in Scotland,including the requirement to observe EU State Aid rules over funding.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179243,"EventID":"S2W-06485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Water will deliver its Quality and Standards 2 investment programme in time to comply with legislative deadlines for fresh and wastewater quality.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Water will deliver its Quality and Standards 2 investment programme in time to comply with legislative deadlines for fresh and wastewater quality.","AnswerText":"Ministers have taskedScottish Water with delivering the current capital programme (Quality andStandards II) to quality and legislative standards as specified by theappropriate regulator and to overall efficiency targets as set by the WaterIndustry Commissioner.The delivery of ScottishWater’s capital programme is a matter on which ministers place the highestpriority. It is one of the principle achievements for which the board ofScottish Water will be held accountable. At my last meeting with Scottish Waterwhen this issue was discussed, I received assurance that current investmentcommitments would be delivered to the timescales agreed with the relevantregulator. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179244,"EventID":"S2W-06486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5580 by Mrs Mary Mulligan on 11 February 2004, what the median waiting time is for central heating installations between initial ap","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5580 by Mrs Mary Mulligan on 11 February 2004, what the median waiting time is for central heating installations between initial application and completed installation under its central heating installation programme, broken down by postcode area.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Herresponse is as followsThis information is not heldcentrally. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179245,"EventID":"S2W-06487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5845 by Mrs Mary Mulligan on 10 February 2004, how many central heating systems have now been installed under its central heating i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5845 by Mrs Mary Mulligan on 10 February 2004, how many central heating systems have now been installed under its central heating installation programme, broken down by postcode area.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster,the Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response isas follows:Eaga have set up a websiteon the central heating and warm deal programmes. The address is www.eaga.co.uk. The website gives detail ofsurveys and installations of central heating by main postcode area. Informationis not collected on any other geographical basis. Information not shown is notcollected regularly. The information requested isalso given in the monthly reports on central heating and warm deal programmesproduced by Eaga Partnership, copies of which have been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 25061). Please consult the websitefor information on progress. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179246,"EventID":"S2W-06488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1888,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating systems installations under its central heating installation programme have been carried out because the existing central heating system was brok","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating systems installations under its central heating installation programme have been carried out because the existing central heating system was broken and beyond repair.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Herresponse is as follows:Up to the end of JanuaryEaga had installed 16,891 central heating systems. Of those 3,647 were systemsthat were broken and beyond repair. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179247,"EventID":"S2W-06489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that 16 and 17-year-old homeless people designated as “priority need” under section 1 of the Homelessness etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 are given ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that 16 and 17-year-old homeless people designated as “priority need” under section 1 of the Homelessness etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 are given the support services essential to their needs.","AnswerText":"Local authorities arerequired by section 1 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 to develop a homelessness strategy fortheir area. Scottish Executive guidance makes clear that the particular needs of homelesschildren and young people should be taken into account and addressed in thesestrategies. The guidance emphasises that where local assessment indicates thatyouth homelessness is a significant issue, the homelessness strategy shouldspecifically identify this as an area for action and the local authority shouldconsider a specific strategy to prevent and address homelessness amongst youngpeople.Local authorities must workcorporately, and in partnership with other local agencies, to ensure that therange of needs which a young homeless person may have is met. Homelessness strategies havebeen assessed by a cross-sector panel and feedback given. Implementation of thestrategies will be reviewed by the Executive and also monitored by CommunitiesScotland as part of their inspection of local authorities’ housing andhomelessness functions. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179248,"EventID":"S2W-06490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1832,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":42,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans to introduce legislation regarding the antisocial use of cars in line with new powers being given to courts in England and Wales to deal with dri","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans to introduce legislation regarding the antisocial use of cars in line with new powers being given to courts in England and Wales to deal with drivers who use their vehicles to commit crime or behave antisocially.","AnswerText":"I am consulting the Officeof the Solicitor to the Advocate General on this matter and will write to themember regarding this matter and place a copy of the letter in the Parliament’sReference Centre.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179249,"EventID":"S2W-06491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1773,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to change the content and delivery of initial teacher education.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to change the content and delivery of initial teacher education.","AnswerText":"The current review ofinitial teacher education is addressing, among other things, both theseaspects. The review group is expected to report to me by the end of March 2004 orshortly thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179250,"EventID":"S2W-06492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it plans to extend the present contract of employment of the Parliament's Clerk and Chief Executive until after Lord Fraser's inquiry into the ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it plans to extend the present contract of employment of the Parliament's Clerk and Chief Executive until after Lord Fraser's inquiry into the Holyrood project has been completed.","AnswerText":"The SPCB is contractuallybound to review the current contract it has with the Clerk/Chief Executive andwill do so shortly.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"George Reid","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179251,"EventID":"S2W-06493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contractual provisions in respect of marketing (a) each area tourist board and (b) VisitScotland have entered into in each year from 1999 to 2004, detailing how long","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what contractual provisions in respect of marketing (a) each area tourist board and (b) VisitScotland have entered into in each year from 1999 to 2004, detailing how long these contracts have left to run.","AnswerText":"This is entirely anoperational matter for VisitScotland and the individual area tourist boards.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179252,"EventID":"S2W-06494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support measures for fishing communities it has implemented, showing how much has been (a) allocated and (b) disbursed under each measure in each year from 1999 to 2","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support measures for fishing communities it has implemented, showing how much has been (a) allocated and (b) disbursed under each measure in each year from 1999 to 2004, broken down by constituency.","AnswerText":"The information is not available by constituency and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.The details for measures administered by the Scottish Executive are given in the following tables: | | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | | | Alloc £000's | Spend £000's | Alloc £000's | Spend £000's | Alloc £000's | Spend £000's | | Adjustment of fishing effort | | | | | | | | Renewal and Modernisation of the fleet | 669 | 333 | 0 | 363 | 1,563 | 98 | | Aquaculture | 2,483 | 342 | 0 | 280 | 1,813 | 555 | | Processing and Marketing | 1,885 | 2,763 | 0 | 2,280 | 5,844 | 1,438 | | Port Facilities | 575 | 430 | 0 | 759 | 1,419 | 1,223 | | Promotions | 275 | 352 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 165 | | Operations by Members of the Trade | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,451 | 0 | | Innovative Measures | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 426 | 0 | | Decommissioning | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24864 | 24847 | | Transitional Aid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | | | Alloc £000's | Spend £000's | Alloc £000's | Spend £000's | Allo £000's | Spend £000's | | Adjustment of fishing effort | It is not possible to give the Executive’s expenditure for the broadband campaign in any future years as levelsof Executive advertising spend have yet to be decided by ministers. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179254,"EventID":"S2W-06496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Football Partnership was formally incorporated and whether the partnership is yet able to consider applications for funding and, if not, what the reason","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Football Partnership was formally incorporated and whether the partnership is yet able to consider applications for funding and, if not, what the reasons are for the position on the matter.","AnswerText":"I am concerned that therehas not been a resolution of the various difficulties over the transfer offunds from the former Football Trust to the Scottish Football Partnership. the Executive has no direct locus but has been encouraging the parties to resolvethe difficulties and ensure the transfer of funds is made at the earliestopportunity. The precise nature of the difficulties are confidential mattersfor the trustees involved but I would hope that a resolution is not too far offand that the partnership, which was incorporated on 29 October 2001, willfinally be able to contribute to the development of football at all levels.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179255,"EventID":"S2W-06497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to transfer authority and funds to the Scottish Football Partnership from the Football Trust; whether there have been any difficulties with regar","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to transfer authority and funds to the Scottish Football Partnership from the Football Trust; whether there have been any difficulties with regard to (a) transfer obligations, (b) indemnity insurance, (c) tax issues and (d) potential liability of individuals; if so, what such difficulties are, what action it is taking to resolve them and what representations it has made, or correspondence it has received, in respect of any such problems, and whether the Executive will ensure that funding can be made available to the Scottish Football Partnership to enable it to consider applications for funding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6496 on 10 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179256,"EventID":"S2W-06498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-25T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5962 by Malcolm Chisholm of 25 February 2004, what the cost was of providing free personal care for the 780 people under 65 with de","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5962 by Malcolm Chisholm of 25 February 2004, what the cost was of providing free personal care for the 780 people under 65 with dementia.","AnswerText":"Only those aged 65 and overare eligible to apply for free personal care. I refer the member to the answergiven to S2W-5963 in respect of those under age 65.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179257,"EventID":"S2W-06499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current membership of the music industry forum is.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current membership of the music industry forum is.","AnswerText":"A phased study into a proposal to create an Association for the Professional Music Industry in Scotland is currently being carried out by the Scottish Arts Council. This association will become the voice of the industry in Scotland and will, amongst its other responsibilities, assume the role previously taken by the Music Forum. There are, therefore, no plans to reconvene the forum. Past membership of the Music Forum can be found in the reply to parliamentary question S1W-28273. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found athttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179258,"EventID":"S2W-06500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the relationship is between its music industry forum and the Scottish Arts Council's Scottish Music Industry Forum.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the relationship is between its music industry forum and the Scottish Arts Council's Scottish Music Industry Forum.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6499 on 9 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179259,"EventID":"S2W-06501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current priorities are of the music industry forum.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current priorities are of the music industry forum.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6449 on 9 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179260,"EventID":"S2W-06502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current relationship is between the music industry forum and New Music in Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the current relationship is between the music industry forum and New Music in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6449 on 9 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.New Music In Scotland(NEMIS) will be consulted - as will all music industry constituents - by the Scottish Arts Council in relation to the proposal for an Association for theProfessional Music Industry in Scotland, referred to in that reply. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179261,"EventID":"S2W-06503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the increase in demand for (a) social enquiry reports, (b) probation orders and (c) community service orders, as referred to in the annual report","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the increase in demand for (a) social enquiry reports, (b) probation orders and (c) community service orders, as referred to in the annual report of the Chief Social Work Inspector, Progress with Complexity: The 2003 National Overview Report.","AnswerText":"Scottish Executive policy is to promote the use of community disposalsand to continue to improve the range and quality of community sentencesavailable to the courts, so as to encourage the punishment of offenders in thecommunity rather than in custody wherever appropriate and consistent withpublic safety. Whilst sentencing decisions are a matter for the judiciary, theincreases show that the courts are making greater use of probation andcommunity service. The court must seek a social enquiry report when consideringa community sentence or when considering custody for a young offender or aperson who has not previously served such a sentence. A rise in such requestsreflects an increase in demand by the courts.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179262,"EventID":"S2W-06504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social enquiry reports were submitted to the courts in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area, and how many such reports were submitted on tim","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many social enquiry reports were submitted to the courts in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area, and how many such reports were submitted on time, expressed also as a percentage.","AnswerText":"Information on the number ofsocial enquiry reports (SERs) by local authority is published in Table 4 ofstatistical bulletin, Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics, 2002-03, a copyof which is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 30274).Information on the numbers of SERs expressed as a percentage submitted on timeand broken down by local authority is available on the Audit Scotland website,pages 97-98, at the following address http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/performance/documents/2003Report/servicespdf/SW.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179263,"EventID":"S2W-06505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of prisoners who had served sentences of six months or less requested a social work service within 12 months of their release, as referred to in the annu","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of prisoners who had served sentences of six months or less requested a social work service within 12 months of their release, as referred to in the annual report of the Chief Social Work Inspector, Progress with Complexity: The 2003 National Overview Report.","AnswerText":"I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179264,"EventID":"S2W-06506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10760 by Mr Jim Wallace on 14 November 2000, what the service out-turns were for each local authority for (a) 2000-01, (b) 2001-02 ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10760 by Mr Jim Wallace on 14 November 2000, what the service out-turns were for each local authority for (a) 2000-01, (b) 2001-02 and (c) 2002-03 for (i) probation, (ii) community service, (iii) social enquiry reports, (iv) throughcare (v) home circumstances reports and (vi) supervised attendance orders.","AnswerText":"Information on the serviceout-turns by local authority is published in statistical bulletins, CriminalJustice Social Work Statistics, 2000-01 (Bib. number 17695), 2001-02 (Bib. number27370) and 2002-03 (Bib. number 30274). Information in relation to StatutoryPost Release Supervision (Throughcare and home circumstances reports) was firstintroduced in the 2001-02 bulletin.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179265,"EventID":"S2W-06507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1848,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":2,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10761 by Mr Jim Wallace on 14 November 2000, what financial allocation was made to local authorities in total and to each individua","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10761 by Mr Jim Wallace on 14 November 2000, what financial allocation was made to local authorities in total and to each individual local authority in (a) 2000-01, (b) 2001-02 and (c) 2002-03 for (i) probation, (ii) community service, (iii) social enquiry reports, (iv) throughcare, (v) home circumstances reports and (vi) supervised attendance orders.","AnswerText":"I have arranged for theinformation on the allocations to be placed in the Parliament’s ReferenceCentre (Bib. numbers 31368, 31369 and 31370). The information for financialyears 2000-01 and 2001-02 is based on audited financial statements. The data inrespect of 2002-03 is based on revised grant allocations provided to groupingsin December 2002. Auditing of financial statements for 2002-03 has still to becompleted.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179266,"EventID":"S2W-06508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the justification was for choosing 2000 as the base year for the calculation of Scottish gross domestic product.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the justification was for choosing 2000 as the base year for the calculation of Scottish gross domestic product.","AnswerText":"The year 2000 was chosen asthe base year for the calculation of GDP because this is the most recent yearfor which industry weights are available. As industry weights are derived from input-outputtables, the base year used in the GDP index will relate to the latest year forwhich input-output tables are available - currently 2000. This is consistentwith the UK approach, and means that the Scottish index iscomparable with the UK and other EU countries which have complied with theESA95 EU regulation.When input-output tables for2001 are published, the Scottish GDP index will be updated to a base year of2001. This will affect data from 2002 onwards, as previous years data willcontinue to be calculated with the relevant year’s input-output derivedweights. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179267,"EventID":"S2W-06509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what other dates were considered when 2000 was chosen as the base year for the calculation of Scottish gross domestic product.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what other dates were considered when 2000 was chosen as the base year for the calculation of Scottish gross domestic product.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6508 on 9 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179268,"EventID":"S2W-06510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the calculation of gross domestic product is based solely on data from the industry sector and government services data and, if so, what the reasons are.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the calculation of gross domestic product is based solely on data from the industry sector and government services data and, if so, what the reasons are.","AnswerText":"The calculation of GDP isbased on a wide range of data sources including monthly and quarterly turnoverinquiries carried out by the Office for National Statistics; published datasources (e.g. on employment levels or activity levels in certain industries);and data received directly from companies and other organisations. This informationis aggregated for more than 260 industries in Scotland to produce the GDPindex.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179269,"EventID":"S2W-06511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what account it takes of individual earnings, pensions and benefit payments when calculating gross domestic product.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what account it takes of individual earnings, pensions and benefit payments when calculating gross domestic product.","AnswerText":"The Scottish quarterly indexis based on the output measure of GDP, therefore household incomes, earningsetc. are not taken into account in this calculation.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179270,"EventID":"S2W-06512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that current gross domestic product data provide a true and fair view of the Scottish economy.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that current gross domestic product data provide a true and fair view of the Scottish economy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish quarterly GDPindex is only one tool used to assess the Scottish economy. This is becomplimented by, for example, the full range of labour market statistics,corporate sector activity, productivity analysis, and benefit data we haveavailable to us.The Executive consultsregularly with external experts, through the Scottish Economic StatisticsConsultants Group, on the range of information required to provide a completeunderstanding of the Scottish economy. It publishes an annual programme forstatistical development which acts as a consultative document, on whichfeedback and comment is welcomed. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179271,"EventID":"S2W-06513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a table of (a) gross domestic product per capita and (b) average income per capita showing comparative data for Scotland and the rest of the UK fr","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a table of (a) gross domestic product per capita and (b) average income per capita showing comparative data for Scotland and the rest of the UK from 1993 to 2003.","AnswerText":"The following table presents the estimates of GVA per head for calendar years 1993 to 2001 for Scotland and for the rest of the UK. As these estimates are derived from the income components of GVA, at the aggregate Scotland level, the per capita rates also represent the total Scottish income per capita for each year.Gross Value Added (GVA) per head, Scotland and rest of UK (£ per capita) | | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | | Scotland | 9,809 | 10,376 | 10,861 | 11,406 | 11,966 | 12,465 | 12,802 | 13,263 | 13,660 | | Rest of UK | 9,791 | 10,324 | 10,815 | 11,427 | 12,151 | 12,895 | 13,423 | 13,979 | 14,546 | Source: ONS. Notes: 1. GVA data from 1997 to 2001 havebeen published by ONS as provisional. 2. GVA is also known as GDP at basicprices. The Rest ofUK figures have been estimated by the Scottish Executive from published figures. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179272,"EventID":"S2W-06514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to produce gross national product data for Scotland.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to produce gross national product data for Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6270 on 10 march 2004. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179273,"EventID":"S2W-06515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to produce additional statistical data giving a clearer understanding of Scotland's competitiveness and productivity relative to (a) other UK nations, (","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to produce additional statistical data giving a clearer understanding of Scotland's competitiveness and productivity relative to (a) other UK nations, (b) other UK regions and (c) major Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.","AnswerText":"There is currently asignificant agenda of work on developing regional indicators of productivityand competitiveness, both within the Executive, and at the national level. DTIis planning to consult on regional productivity indicators, and the Executivewill participate fully in this exercise. The Allsopp review of statistics foreconomic policymaking focuses on regional productivity measurement, and the Executive plans to work in partnership with relevant Whitehall departmentsand other organisations to take forward the final recommendations. This willinclude the need to produce comparable indicators for UK regionsand countries, and to allow meaningful comparison with other OECD and EUcountries.Separately, the Executivehas already published a number of articles and analysis of productivityinformation in the Scottish Economic Report (SER) and further analysisis presented in the latest SER, published on 5 March 2004.The report “Measuring Progress in Smart Successful Scotland” due forpublication later in the year, will also contain a range of indicatorscomparing Scottish performance against OECD countries. The Executive consultsregularly with external experts, through the Scottish Economic StatisticsConsultants Group, on the range of information required to provide a completeunderstanding of the Scottish economy, and relevant comparisons with otherareas. It publishes an annual programme for statistical development which actsas a consultative document, on which feedback and comment is welcomed. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179274,"EventID":"S2W-06516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the recently reclassified gross domestic product tables indicate that the new methodology assumes that the oil and gas sector accounts for 1.7% of the Scottish econom","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive why the recently reclassified gross domestic product tables indicate that the new methodology assumes that the oil and gas sector accounts for 1.7% of the Scottish economy and 2.7% of the UK economy.","AnswerText":"The UK weightfor the oil and gas sector covers the whole sector, including extraction. the Scottish weight for oil and gas only covers the part of the sector related to“service activities incidental to oil and gas extraction excluding surveying”.As the extraction of oil andgas occurs on the continental shelf, under EU directions it is classified as extraregio and treated as a separate region of the UK.Extraction of oil and gas is therefore included in the UK GDP figures but notin the GDP figures for any of the 12 regions of the UK. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jim Wallace","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179275,"EventID":"S2W-06517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps will be taken to ensure that NHS boards assign responsibility to an executive board member to help ensure that medical equipment is available to deliver care i","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what steps will be taken to ensure that NHS boards assign responsibility to an executive board member to help ensure that medical equipment is available to deliver care in line with national strategies and clinical practice, as referred to in recommendation 1 of Audit Scotland's report, Better Equipped to Care? - Follow-up report on managing medical equipment.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6519 on 11 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179276,"EventID":"S2W-06518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what central information it has on the status of medical equipment in NHS boards and whether it will take steps to introduce a specific national medical equipment managem","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what central information it has on the status of medical equipment in NHS boards and whether it will take steps to introduce a specific national medical equipment management standard, as referred to in recommendation 5 of Audit Scotland's report, Better Equipped to Care? - Follow-up report on managing medical equipment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive only holds central information on the monetary value of medicalequipment as an integral part of the summarised annual accounts for the NHS.NHS bodies themselves are required to maintain asset registers which detail themedical equipment owned by that body. The Scottish Executive will be considering fully therecommendations of Audit Scotland’s report Better Equipped to Care? – Follow upreport on managing medical equipment including recommendation 5 and willrespond in due course.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179277,"EventID":"S2W-06519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is, or will be, taking to give strategic management of medical equipment a higher priority at local and national levels, as referred to in Audit Scotland","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is, or will be, taking to give strategic management of medical equipment a higher priority at local and national levels, as referred to in Audit Scotland's report, Better Equipped to Care? - Follow-up report on managing medical equipment.","AnswerText":"All NHS boards will be askedto respond to the recommendations of the Audit Scotland report and detail howthey will address these recommendations. The Health Department will monitorsuch action plans on a regular basis.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179278,"EventID":"S2W-06520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what concerns it has that at “trust level, over three quarters of trust boards continue to view medical equipment only as an operational issue\", as referred to in A","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what concerns it has that at “trust level, over three quarters of trust boards continue to view medical equipment only as an operational issue\", as referred to in Audit Scotland's report, Better Equipped to Care? - Follow-up report on managing medical equipment, and what action it is taking to change this view.","AnswerText":"We recognise the problems atlocal level which are identified and highlighted in the report. To addressthese issues we will consider therecommendations on management information carefully and discuss with NHS boardshow improvements can be made. Thestrategic planning of medical equipment requirements is one of a number ofcomponents integral to the planning of sustainable clinical services. Arequirement for NHS boards to identify capital investment on medical equipmentas part of the financial information to support local health plans is beingintroduced from 1 April 2004 and as a follow up to the Audit Scotland reportall NHS boards will be asked to respond to the recommendations made and detailwhat action they propose to take to comply with the recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179279,"EventID":"S2W-06521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what concerns it has at the variation in the age of medical equipment across NHS trusts and that “some trusts are relying heavily on equipment that is beyond its st","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what concerns it has at the variation in the age of medical equipment across NHS trusts and that “some trusts are relying heavily on equipment that is beyond its standard life”, as referred to in Audit Scotland's report, Better Equipped to Care? - Follow-up report on managing medical equipment, and what action it is taking to remedy the situation and, in particular, to ensure that trusts have sufficient funds to replace old equipment.","AnswerText":"The concerns highlighted inthe report about the age of equipment have been noted and will be acted uponwhere necessary at local level. However, the report does make clear that whilstsome equipment is passed its expected useful life, where it is working well andcan be maintained and is fit for purpose, there is no need to replace itimmediately.The distribution of the NHScapital budget for 2004-05 was announced on 11 March with the Executive makingrecord levels of capital investment available in NHSScotland. By 2005-06capital resources will be £420 million which is an increase of 300% over the1997 level. An amount of capital isallocated to NHS boards on a “formula” basis and this is generally used for thepurchase of equipment as well as investment in the NHSScotland estate. It isfor individual NHS boards to determine, on an annual basis, the level offunding required for new and replacement medical equipment taking into accountother local and national priorities. NHS boards can use both capital andrevenue resources to meet equipment costs. The use of PPP where appropriatealso frees up additional capital resources to deal with issues such as medicalequipment. In addition the Executivehas centrally funded programmes in excess of £40 million since 2000 forinvestment in medical equipment. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179280,"EventID":"S2W-06522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":7,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any information on a national or NHS board area basis on any incidents in which a patient's health or recovery has been put at risk due to outdated equipme","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any information on a national or NHS board area basis on any incidents in which a patient's health or recovery has been put at risk due to outdated equipment and, if so, whether it will provide such information for each year from 1999-2000 to date.","AnswerText":"The information is not heldcentrally.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179281,"EventID":"S2W-06523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support muay thai.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support muay thai.","AnswerText":"Muay Thai is not arecognised sport and therefore receives no support from sportscotland.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179282,"EventID":"S2W-06524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support will be available to muay thai competitors who will represent Scotland in the World Championships in Thailand later this year.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what support will be available to muay thai competitors who will represent Scotland in the World Championships in Thailand later this year.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6523 on 9 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179283,"EventID":"S2W-06525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used by sportscotland to ensure that sports recognised by the International Olympic Committee are supported by it.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used by sportscotland to ensure that sports recognised by the International Olympic Committee are supported by it.","AnswerText":"In considering the recognitionof sports, sportscotland apply criteria which have been agreed betweenthe four home country sports councils and UK Sport. It is for the InternationalOlympic Committee to determine what criteria it applies in recognising sports.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179284,"EventID":"S2W-06526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1823,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":10,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance will be provided to ensure that Scottish muay thai competitors are able to compete in the 2008 Olympics.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance will be provided to ensure that Scottish muay thai competitors are able to compete in the 2008 Olympics.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6523 on 9 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179285,"EventID":"S2W-06527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new, affordable houses for (a) rent and (b) purchase have been constructed with assistance from Scottish Homes and Communities Scotland in each local authority a","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many new, affordable houses for (a) rent and (b) purchase have been constructed with assistance from Scottish Homes and Communities Scotland in each local authority area in each of the last three years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:The following table shows the number of affordable houses for rent and owner occupation, by local authority area, which have been approved for construction with assistance from Scottish Homes and Communities Scotland, in each of the last three years. Table 1 – Communities Scotland - Number of Affordable Houses for Rent and Owner Occupation by Local Authority Area (2000-01 to 2002-03) | Local Authority | Rent | Owner Occupation | | | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | | Aberdeenshire | 130 | 179 | 281 | 76 | 14 | 28 | | Angus | 115 | 97 | 87 | 0 | 11 | 6 | | Argyll and Bute | 64 | 62 | 62 | 12 | 8 | 17 | | City of Aberdeen | 149 | 100 | 90 | 41 | 13 | 21 | | City of Dundee | 334 | 305 | 87 | 72 | 7 | 0 | | City of Edinburgh | 317 | 324 | 235 | 53 | 0 | 36 | | City of Glasgow | 1,176 | 1,555 | 1,299 | 287 | 83 | 290 | | Clackmannanshire | 72 | 28 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Dumfries and Galloway | 162 | 96 | 98 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | East Ayrshire | 10 | 36 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 0 | | East Dunbartonshire | 0 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | East Lot","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179286,"EventID":"S2W-06528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding Scottish Homes and Communities Scotland have made available for the construction of new, affordable rural houses for (a) rent and (b) purchase in each of","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding Scottish Homes and Communities Scotland have made available for the construction of new, affordable rural houses for (a) rent and (b) purchase in each of the last three years for which figures are available.","AnswerText":"I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows: The following table shows the amount of funding for affordable houses for rent and owner occupation in rural areas, which have been provided with assistance from Scottish Homes and Communities Scotland, in each of the last three years. Table 1 – Communities Scotland - Expenditure on Affordable Houses for Rent and Owner Occupation in Rural areas (2000-01 to 2002-03) | | Rent (£ million) | Owner Occupation (£ million) | | 2000-01 | 38.4 | 5.5 | | 2001-02 | 48.6 | 2.7 | | 2002-03 | 45.4 | 2.5” | ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Curran","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179287,"EventID":"S2W-06529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2140,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":55,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many diabetologists there were in each NHS board area at 31 March and 30 September in each of the last three years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many diabetologists there were in each NHS board area at 31 March and 30 September in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Central data on medicalstaff numbers is collected via the annual census on 30 September each year. Thecurrent data is correct at 30 September 2003. There is no central datacollected at 31 March in each year.I refer the member to TableB9 in the “Workforce” section of the ISD website http://www.isdscotland.org. Data isavailable on the number of consultants within the specialty of “Endocrinology& Diabetes”, in each of the last three years. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179288,"EventID":"S2W-06530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the national standard is for social worker contact with a child on supervision.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the national standard is for social worker contact with a child on supervision.","AnswerText":"There are no national standardsfor the frequency of contact between a social worker and a child onsupervision.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179289,"EventID":"S2W-06531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will evaluate and review the implementation of the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will evaluate and review the implementation of the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerText":"The Act contains a range ofdifferent provisions which are at varying stages of implementation and monitoringto ensure that they are achieving what was anticipated when it was enacted.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179290,"EventID":"S2W-06532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out to monitor the implementation of Children's Panel decisions.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out to monitor the implementation of Children's Panel decisions.","AnswerText":"The 2002 study into children on home supervision Children (Scotland) Act 1995 Research Findings No. 4: Home Supervision was conducted by Stirling University on behalf of the Scottish Executive Education Department.The Audit Scotland report Dealing with offending by young people (December 2002) was carried out on behalf of the Auditor General and the Accounts Commission. Dealing with offending by young people: A follow up report was published in November 2003. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179291,"EventID":"S2W-06533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information is available to monitor decisions made by Children's Panels, the outcomes of their decisions and the rate of re-offending.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what information is available to monitor decisions made by Children's Panels, the outcomes of their decisions and the rate of re-offending.","AnswerText":"Localauthorities and managers of serviceshave responsibilities to monitor and improve their performance. Overall, the Scottish Executive undertakes monitoring through the Social Work Services Inspectorate annualreport and periodic thematic and specific reports by the Inspectorate. TheChildren and Young People Delivery Group is taking forward work to strengthenlocal quality assurance systems and external inspection of children’s services.Revised guidance for local authorities onplanning co-ordinated children’s services will be issued later this year. The Scottish Executive has collated and published performance by local authorities and other service providers under the time intervalsmonitoring group. Audit Scotland reports to the Scottish Parliament provide independentassessment of performance.At individual case level,children’s hearings will monitor progress at review hearings. The AntisocialBehaviour etc. (Scotland) Bill proposes a new power for reporters and hearingsto refer local authorities to thecourts if there are concerns that statutory obligations are not being met. The Executive’s Reviewof the Children’s Hearings System will explore how children’s hearings'decisions and the outcomes of those decisions can be more consistently recordedand monitored to improve the service for children. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179292,"EventID":"S2W-06534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to extend the range of disposals available to Children's Panels and ensure that services recommended by the Children's Panel are fully resource","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to extend the range of disposals available to Children's Panels and ensure that services recommended by the Children's Panel are fully resourced.","AnswerText":"Children’s Hearings havewide ranging powers to make whatever disposals they consider appropriate tomeet the individual needs of the child. If service providers such as local authorities and voluntary agenciescan make an appropriate disposal available, the hearing may consider it as acondition of the supervision requirement.Measuresproposed in the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Bill will further extend the range of disposals,e.g. the power to impose electronic monitoring on young people as one elementof a package of support measures. The Scottish Executive has increased funding tosupport the Children’s Hearings system and improve service delivery. Later this year we will lookconstructively and critically at how the system is operating, where and how itmight be made more effective in addressing the needs of children, young peopleand their families. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179293,"EventID":"S2W-06535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research data is available to identify difficulties surrounding the retention of social workers by local authorities.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what research data is available to identify difficulties surrounding the retention of social workers by local authorities.","AnswerText":"The information referred tois given in a report Career Pathwaysin Scottish Social Services, a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 31353).","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179294,"EventID":"S2W-06536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it will give to recommendation 9 of the NCH Scotland report Where's Kilbrandon Now? recommending that Children's Panel members who are not in paid work","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it will give to recommendation 9 of the NCH Scotland report Where's Kilbrandon Now? recommending that Children's Panel members who are not in paid work or have no access to paid absence should be paid a fee to help increase participation.","AnswerText":"The first stage of theExecutive’s review of the Children’s Hearings System will involve wide and opendiscussions on the hearings system, its principles and its objectives. Laterthis year we will look constructively and critically at how the system isoperating, where and how it might be made more effective in addressing theneeds of children, young people and their families, including how volunteersmight be supported.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179295,"EventID":"S2W-06537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for male rape there have been in each of the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for male rape there have been in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The definition of rape inScots law means it is a crime that can only be committed against a femalevictim. Offences of serious sexual assault against male victims are prosecutedat common law as indecent assault and/or sodomy. There is no data availableabout numbers of prosecutions for offences of indecent assault against malesand/or sodomy. Prosecutions for indecent assault are not recorded in a waywhich identifies the gender of the victim.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elish Angiolini","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179296,"EventID":"S2W-06538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines or protocols the police have for dealing with incidents of male rape.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines or protocols the police have for dealing with incidents of male rape.","AnswerText":"Procedures in relation to theinvestigation of serious sexual offences are contained within individual forcepolicies. These local procedures are to be augmented by detailed guidance onsexual assault which the Justice Department is currently developing with the policeservice and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179297,"EventID":"S2W-06539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to include the maintenance of Scotland's cultural and historic heritage in Historic Scotland's performance targets.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to include the maintenance of Scotland's cultural and historic heritage in Historic Scotland's performance targets.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for the maintenance of individual historic buildings and monuments rests with their owners. Historic Scotland is directly responsible for the maintenance of over 300 properties in the care of Scottish ministers and one of the agency’s keytargets in recent years has been the completion of condition surveys on all these properties in order to prioritise more effectively its programme ofmaintenance.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179298,"EventID":"S2W-06540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the protection and conservation of Castle Tioram will be part of Historic Scotland's commitment to safeguard the nation's built heritage.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the protection and conservation of Castle Tioram will be part of Historic Scotland's commitment to safeguard the nation's built heritage.","AnswerText":"Castle Tioram is a scheduledmonument and as such responsibility for its maintenance rests with its owners.At the public local inquiry held in 2001 into an application for scheduledmonument consent for the restoration of the Castle, Historic Scotland argued thecase for consolidation. Scottish ministers subsequently refused scheduledmonument consent for the application.Any future application forscheduled monument consent in respect of the Castle would be considered on itsmerits and in line with Scottish Executive policy. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179299,"EventID":"S2W-06541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address the 194% increase in cases of \"alleged lack of parental care\" in the last five years.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address the 194% increase in cases of \"alleged lack of parental care\" in the last five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive has significantly increased resources to the Scottish Children’sReporter Administration in recent years to ensure that referrals areappropriately investigated.A number ofpolicies and programmes provide support for parenting either directly orindirectly. These include Integrated Community Schools and Sure Start Scotland,which targets support at families with very young children (0-3 years),particularly vulnerable and deprived families. Further parenting support services are to be made available throughout Scotland aspart of our antisocial behaviour measures. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Euan Robson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179300,"EventID":"S2W-06542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to provide access to support services for victims of male rape.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to provide access to support services for victims of male rape.","AnswerText":"Male victims of sexual violence can access support through a number of avenues. The Executive funds Victim Support Scotland to provide information, advice and support to all victims of crime. It also provides funding to voluntary organisations which specialise in support for victims of sexual abuse, such as Men Against Sexual Abuse and the Moira Anderson Foundation. More generally, the NHS 24 Breathing Space telephone advice line is aimed at young men who are experiencing difficulties, whatever these might be.A pilot project in Glasgow will soon look at how the immediate response to female and male survivors of sexual violence could be improved. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Hugh Henry","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179301,"EventID":"S2W-06543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will publish the outcome of the review and evaluation of the prosecution of rape and sexual offences.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will publish the outcome of the review and evaluation of the prosecution of rape and sexual offences.","AnswerText":"The review is wide-rangingand will include consultation with a number of interest groups, with whom any recommendationswill be shared. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will produce a reportfor publication at the conclusion of the review.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elish Angiolini","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179302,"EventID":"S2W-06544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service's review and evaluation of the prosecution of rape and sexual offences will include male rape.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service's review and evaluation of the prosecution of rape and sexual offences will include male rape.","AnswerText":"In Scots law the crime ofrape can only be committed against a female. Equivalent crimes of sexualviolence against male victims are charged at common law as offences of indecentassault and/or sodomy. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service reviewwill include examination of the prosecution of serious sexual offencescommitted against male victims.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Elish Angiolini","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179303,"EventID":"S2W-06545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it provides to Rape Crisis Scotland to ensure that victims of male rape receive the support and counselling they require.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it provides to Rape Crisis Scotland to ensure that victims of male rape receive the support and counselling they require.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Executive’s ViolenceAgainst Women Branch, has provided Rape Crisis Scotland with core funding ofover £80,000 in each of the three years from 2002-03 to 2004-05. This fundingwas awarded to Rape Crisis Scotland for staffing and running costs of the nationaloffice.However, five of the Rape Crisis groups that willreceive the funding announced by Margaret Curran on 23 January, provide supportand counselling to male victims of sexual abuse. These are Ayr, Central, Dumfries,Fife and Highland. The Scottish Executive also providesfunding to a range of other organisations which provide counselling and familysupport services to male and female victims of sexual abuse. These include MenAgainst Sexual Abuse and the Moira Anderson Foundation. Moreover, all victimsof crime can access information and support through Victim Support Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Mary Mulligan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179304,"EventID":"S2W-06546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":3,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it takes when a local authority refuses to fund care in a residential home or in the community.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what action it takes when a local authority refuses to fund care in a residential home or in the community.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have a dutyunder the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to provide the appropriate services, basedon their assessment of need.","AnswerDate":"2004-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179305,"EventID":"S2W-06547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1826,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":35,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what opportunities exist for the development of skills in (a) young offender institutions and (b) all prisons.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what opportunities exist for the development of skills in (a) young offender institutions and (b) all prisons.","AnswerText":"I have asked Tony Cameron,Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is asfollows:(a) Young OffendersInstitutions: The Scottish Prison Servicedelivers a wide range of basic, core and life skills programmes through apartnership with Motherwell College. This provision covers basic literacy and numeracyprogrammes together with courses to address IT and problem solving skills. Lifeskills include courses such as basic financial management, food preparation andcooking, first aid, food hygiene and healthy eating, together with art andmusic. In addition, offenders get access to physical education. In Polmont the vocationaltraining delivered includes hairdressing, joinery, bricklaying, painting anddecorating and industrial cleaning. Scottish Prison Service staff using nationallyrecognised standards of competence to deliver the vocational training. (b) Prisons: The broad approach todelivery of skills to adult offenders does not differ markedly from theapproach taken with young offenders. Scottish Prison Service staff delivervocational training in all establishments dependent on the prisoner mix and onthe facilities available in each prison. The Scottish Prison Serviceis also beginning to develop vocational training in conjunction with employers. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179306,"EventID":"S2W-06548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what external scrutiny there has been of Renfrewshire Council's schools PPP tendering procedures.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what external scrutiny there has been of Renfrewshire Council's schools PPP tendering procedures.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of the procuring client, Renfrewshire Council in this instance, in any contract toensure that correct tendering procedures are followed. The project is subjectto external audit just as any other procedure would be.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179307,"EventID":"S2W-06549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to ensure that PPP/PFI deals comply with EU procurement directives.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to ensure that PPP/PFI deals comply with EU procurement directives.","AnswerText":"Compliance with the ECpublic procurement directives is the responsibility of individual contractingauthorities. Failure to comply may result in legal proceedings being brought,either by the European Commission or by an aggrieved competitor under theremedies provisions in the UK Regulations which give effect to the directives.Guidance on complying with the EU procurement directives in a PPP/PFI contextwas published by the Treasury Taskforce in Technical Note No. 2 How to followEC Procurement Procedure and Advertise in the OJEC.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179308,"EventID":"S2W-06550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what account it has taken of any legal challenges to PFI/PPP in England, particularly in relation to EU regulations.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what account it has taken of any legal challenges to PFI/PPP in England, particularly in relation to EU regulations.","AnswerText":"The legal challenges by the EuropeanCommission to two English PPP projects, which both related to the use of thenegotiated procedure, have been resolved following discussion between the UK and theCommission. Our approach, as is the case in England, is that individualcontracting authorities must choose the appropriate contract award procedureunder the procurement directives, taking legal advice as appropriate. However,given the complexity of PPP contracts and the difficulty in pre-determining anappropriate allocation of risk, the negotiated procedure with a call forcompetition will generally be available.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179309,"EventID":"S2W-06551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2947,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":8,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been made to, or received from, the European Union about PPP/PFI procurement processes and what representations it has received from other organ","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been made to, or received from, the European Union about PPP/PFI procurement processes and what representations it has received from other organisations or individuals about such procurement processes.","AnswerText":"The Executive has notreceived any representations from the European Commission about PPP procurementprocesses in Scotland. Nor is the Executive aware of any such representationsmade to it recently from other organisations.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Andy Kerr","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179310,"EventID":"S2W-06552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a ratio of one GP to a population of 72,000 for the provision of out-of-hours care is appropriate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a ratio of one GP to a population of 72,000 for the provision of out-of-hours care is appropriate.","AnswerText":"The appropriate numbers ofGPs necessary in the new models of out-of-hours care will be considered as NHSboards develop their plans for out-of-hours service re-provision under theterms of the new General Medical Services (GMS) contract.NHS boards must havealternative arrangements in place by December 2004 which must meet mandatoryaccreditation standards to ensure a safe, quality service. Under suchalternative arrangements anyone who needs access to primary medical serviceswill get it, whether it be telephone advice, a home visit or seen at a GP surgeryor primary care emergency centre. A national out-of-hoursworking group is established to assist boards. This group is comprised of keystakeholders from across the service and includes members from NHS24, the Scottish Ambulance Service and patient representatives. In addition, three keysenior appointments have been made to the pay modernisation team of NHSScotland to focus on the new models of out-of-hours care across Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179311,"EventID":"S2W-06553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2902,"Party":"Scottish Socialist Party","RegionID":1,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a ratio of one GP to a population of 115,000 for the provision of home visits is appropriate.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether a ratio of one GP to a population of 115,000 for the provision of home visits is appropriate.","AnswerText":"NHS boards must havealternative arrangements in place by December 2004 which must meet mandatoryaccreditation standards to ensure a safe, quality service. Under suchalternative arrangements anyone who needs access to primary medical serviceswill get it, whether it be telephone advice, a home visit or seen at a GPsurgery or primary care emergency centre.A national out-of-hoursworking group is established to assist boards. This group is comprised of keystakeholders from across the service and includes members from NHS24, the Scottish Ambulance Service and patient representatives. In addition, three keysenior appointments have been made to the pay modernisation team of NHSScotland to focus on the new models of out-of-hours care across Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Malcolm Chisholm","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179312,"EventID":"S2W-06554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1994,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":23,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in exercising its powers to shoot deer under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996, it has acted at all times in accordance with health and safety requirements, with part","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in exercising its powers to shoot deer under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996, it has acted at all times in accordance with health and safety requirements, with particular regard to the possible presence of walkers in the area of the cull.","AnswerText":"I am satisfied that the DeerCommission for Scotland (DCS), in exercising its powers under the Deer(Scotland) Act 1996, has at all times acted in accordance with best practice andhealth and safety requirements, in particular with regard to the possiblepresence of walkers in the area of the cull.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Allan Wilson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179313,"EventID":"S2W-06555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1831,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":6,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it is committing to the provision of DNA testing.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it is committing to the provision of DNA testing.","AnswerText":"We have recently made anadditional £1 million available to the Scottish Police Service to support thedevelopment of DNA in the investigation of crime. Around £800,000 will be usedby forces to purchase eight genetic analysers which are used in the process ofdeveloping DNA profiles obtained from samples taken both at the point of arrestand from crime scenes. The remaining money will be allocated to increasing DNAsampling levels across Scotland. Together, these measures will give the ScottishPolice Service equipment that is as up to date as any in the world and will, inturn, assist in solving more crimes.","AnswerDate":"2004-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Cathy Jamieson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179314,"EventID":"S2W-06556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase funding to Alcohol Focus Scotland, in light of the increasing demand on the service.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase funding to Alcohol Focus Scotland, in light of the increasing demand on the service.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6379 on 8 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliamentwebsite. The search facility can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179315,"EventID":"S2W-06557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a standard level of financial assistance for individual local authorities for alcohol services, as outlined in Alcohol Focus Scotland's report A R","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a standard level of financial assistance for individual local authorities for alcohol services, as outlined in Alcohol Focus Scotland's report A Report on Funding.","AnswerText":"Local authorities areexpected to meet their responsibilities for tackling alcohol problems fromwithin the resources made available to them by the Scottish Executive. While we have no plans to provide additional resources to local authoritiesfor this purpose, we announced on 4 March 2004 that we will be making anadditional £8 million available to NHS boards for tackling alcohol problemsover the next two financial years.This ring-fenced allocation isin addition to the existing resources for tackling alcohol problems provided inNHS boards general allocations. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Tom McCabe","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179316,"EventID":"S2W-06558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase funding to the Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and the Trossachs Tourist Board to replace any funding gap created by the los","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase funding to the Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and the Trossachs Tourist Board to replace any funding gap created by the loss of European structural funds.","AnswerText":"The European Commission'sThird Report on Economic and Social Cohesion, published on 18 February,outlines its proposals for Structural and Cohesion Funds in the nextprogramming period for 2007-13. The Commission is expected to publish formalproposals in July 2004 for negotiation among member states and it is hoped thatan agreement on these proposals can be reached in the Council of Ministers bythe end of 2005.Therefore, the future of EuropeanStructural Funds is still at an early stage and it is not yet possible topredict how much funding any area tourist board will receive post 2006. ","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank McAveety","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179317,"EventID":"S2W-06559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the contract arrangements are for the collection of tolls on the Erskine Bridge.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the contract arrangements are for the collection of tolls on the Erskine Bridge.","AnswerText":"Tolls are collected undercontract by APCOA Parking (UK) Ltd. Under the contract arrangements the companycollects the tolls and banks all revenues direct to the Executive, and is paida monthly management fee for carrying out the operations. The contract itselfruns from 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2005, but is extendable by up to oneyear.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179318,"EventID":"S2W-06560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":67,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit, membership and work programme will be of the review group set up to consider tolls on Scottish bridges.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit, membership and work programme will be of the review group set up to consider tolls on Scottish bridges.","AnswerText":"I am currently consideringthese matters and will make an announcement in due course.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicol Stephen","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179319,"EventID":"S2W-06561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2188,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":4,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will issue definitive guidance to education authorities on the circumstances in which parents may choose to educate their children at home, following the end of t","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive when it will issue definitive guidance to education authorities on the circumstances in which parents may choose to educate their children at home, following the end of the consultation process on the revised draft guidance, Guidance on the circumstance in which parents may choose to educate their children at home, in October 2003 and in light of any inconsistency in the treatment of home education across Scotland.","AnswerText":"We hope to issue theguidance this month.","AnswerDate":"2004-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2004-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Peter Peacock","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":null,"CrossPartySupport":null,"RegisteredInterest":null},{"UniqueID":179320,"EventID":"S2W-06562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1906,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":50,"ApprovedDate":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","SubmissionDateTime":"2004-02-26T00:00:00","Title":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been received for the reciprocal enforcement of a maintenance order in each year since 1999.","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been received for the reciprocal enforcement of a maintenance order in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The number of applications coming in to Scotland and going out from Scotland through the central authority is as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |