[{"UniqueID":280080,"EventID":"S4W-12051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:43.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-02T12:01:42.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many counsellors are employed by GP practices.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual GP contractors as employers. The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:43.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280081,"EventID":"S4W-12052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:44.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-02T12:01:42.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of GP practices employs a counsellor and how this compares with (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12051 on 22 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/39875.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:44.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280082,"EventID":"S4W-12053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:44.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-02T12:01:42.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) counsellors, (b) psychotherapists and (c) cognitive behavioural therapists the NHS employs.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the number of (a) counsellors, (b) psychotherapists and (c) cognitive behavioural therapists the NHS employs is as follows:\r\n(a) The number of counsellors employed under the psychology budget in NHS Scotland can be found in the publication “Workforce Planning for Psychology Services in NHSScotland - Characteristics of the Workforce within Psychology Services 2012”: Table 1 or 1b. at the following link.\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2012-11-27/2012-11-27-Psychology-Workforce-Tables.xls.\r\n (b) Information on the number of psychotherapists employed in NHS Scotland is not centrally available. However, information on the number of psychotherapists who work within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service can be found at the following link in Table 1.\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health%2DTopics/Workforce/Publications/2012-11-27/CAMHS_September2012.xls.\r\n (c) The number of Cognitive Behavioural Therapists employed in NHS Scotland can be found in the publication “Workforce Planning for Psychology Services in NHSScotland - Characteristics of the Workforce within Psychology Services 2012”: Table 1 or 1b. at the following link.\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2012-11-27/2012-11-27-Psychology-Workforce-Tables.xls.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:44.557","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280083,"EventID":"S4W-12054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:44.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-02T12:01:42.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the findings of the Welsh Government report, Evaluation of the Welsh School-based Counselling Strategy: Final Report.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials met with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the authors of the Welsh Government report, in August 2012 to discuss the report’s findings and their relevance for Scotland. Education Scotland are now in discussion with BACP to identify how best to disseminate the findings to Scottish local authorities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:44.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280084,"EventID":"S4W-12055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:45.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-02T12:01:42.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Welsh Government’s decision to introduce a statutory duty for local authorities to provide school-based counselling in all post-primary schools and whether it will consider similar measures for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007 places a duty on all education authorities and managers of grant-aided schools to endeavour to ensure that public schools and grant-aided schools are health promoting. The Act defines a health promoting school as one which provides activities and an environment and facilities which promote the physical, social, mental and emotional health and wellbeing of pupils in attendance at the school.\r\nIn addition, under Curriculum for Excellence, everyone within each learning community, whatever their contact with children and young people may be, shares  a responsibility for creating a positive ethos and climate of trust, one in which everyone can make a positive contribution to the wellbeing of each individual within the school and wider community.\r\nIt is for each local authority and school to decide how best to meet their duties under the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007 and to develop their own approaches to implement Curriculum for Excellence, based on local needs and circumstances. A number of authorities provide access to school based counselling in their schools. In other areas, schools utilise the skills of their pastoral care staff and liaise with health services for specialist support when required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:45.257","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280085,"EventID":"S4W-12056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:45.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-02T12:01:42.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many superfast computers are in operation in Scotland and at what operating speeds, expressed in petaflops; how many graphics processing units are involved in parallel computing and what percentage of the maximum computing power they achieve; which universities are engaged in their operation, and what non-Scottish universities are involved in any superfast computing collaboration.\r\n","AnswerText":"Most higher education institutions in Scotland own resources for research computing. The trend until recently has largely been to purchase such resources at the departmental level, with specific research goals in mind, funded by research grants. These resources tend to be “compute clusters”, and are often designed for high-throughput computing, rather than for the massively parallel simulations which traditional supercomputers are designed for. They tend to lack the high-speed network interconnect between compute nodes which defines a supercomputer.\r\nThe overall speed of such a system is usually not measured due to the irrelevance of this number to the system – the system is not designed to work on a single problem at once. Also, the departmental nature of such systems means that they tend to be rather limited in size, and therefore theoretical peak performance.\r\nMany companies, for instance in the oil and gas sector, are likely to own large systems for engineering simulations, however commercial interests mean that information on such systems is not publically available.\r\nThe use of graphics processing units (GPUs) to speed up calculations is still a limited area, and although their use is increasing, no major systems in Scotland make heavy use of GPUs. The performance numbers of any GPUs are therefore not considered in the answer given.\r\nIn the list provided we have concentrated on large systems for which information is publically available, and those which have been designed, either wholly or partly, for running parallel workloads.\r\nTable 1 lists the major systems hosted in Scotland, hosted at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Strathclyde. As mentioned above various smaller compute clusters are hosted by other Scottish universities, notably the University of Aberdeen, the University of Dundee, the University of Glasgow, Heriot Watt University, and the University of St Andrews. These are all smaller than the systems listed.\r\nSystem Name\r\nHosting Institution\r\nCollaborating Partners\r\nFunders\r\nTheoretical Peak Performance (PFlop/s)\r\nSystem Details\r\nGPU Component\r\nReference\r\nDiRAC\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh\r\nSee note below\r\nSTFC\r\n1.258\r\nIBM BlueGene/Q 65000 cores, 5D Torus Interconnect, High Performance IO and Interconnect\r\nNo\r\n[1]\r\n\r\nHECToR\r\nEPCC, University of Edinburgh\r\nUoE HPCX Ltd, EPCC, NAG Ltd, Cray Inc, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, EPSRC. See note below1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nUK Research Councils\r\n0.829\r\nCray XE6 90,112 cores (AMD 2.3 GHz 16-core processors) High speed Cray Gemini interconnect\r\nNot in main system. Testbed available containing 14 GPUs\r\n[2]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nARCHIE-WeSt\r\nUniversity of Strathclyde\r\nUniversity of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Strathclyde, University of Stirling and University of the West of Scotland.\r\nUniversity of Strathclyde and EPSRC\r\n0.038\r\n3408 cores (Mainly Dual Intel Xeon X5650 @ 2.66 GHz) 4xQDR Infiniband Interconnect @ 40 GB/s\r\n8 GPUs available\r\n[3]\r\n\r\nECDF\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh\r\n0.027\r\nIBM iDataPlex. 2912 cores (Mix of Intel Westmere E5620 quad core and E5645 six core). Gigabit Ethernet connection and some QDR Infiniband\r\n12 GPUs available\r\n[4]\r\n\r\n\r\nThese systems are provided for the benefit of UK users, and therefore have users from many different academic institutions around the UK and beyond.\r\nSources:\r\nhttps://safe.epcc.ed.ac.uk/diracwiki/index.php/Edinburgh_6144_node_BlueGene/Q\r\nhttp://www.hector.ac.uk/\r\nhttp://www.archie-west.ac.uk/\r\nhttp://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/information-services/services/research-support/research-computing/ecdf/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:45.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280094,"EventID":"S4W-12067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:49.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:04:30.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sailings of (a) passenger and (b) freight ferry services were scheduled between the mainland and the Northern Isles in the off-peak season in each year since 2005-06 and how many have been scheduled for 2012-13.\r\n","AnswerText":"Under the previous (2006-2012) Northern Isles ferry services contract, details of all passenger and freight service sailings were set out in Part 4 (page 65) of the contract between Scottish Ministers and NorthLink Ferries Ltd. A copy of this contract has been lodged with the Scottish Parliaments Information Centre (SPICe) under Bib No. 54651.\r\nDetails of all passenger and freight sailings under the current Northern Isles ferry services contract is available on the NorthLink Ferries website which can be accessed through the following link: http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/timetables.html.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:49.22","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280095,"EventID":"S4W-12068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:49.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:04:30.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions ministers and officials have had with (a) Serco NorthLink, (b) trade unions and (c) community groups regarding Serco NorthLink's plans to reduce the number of (i) staff, (ii)  sailings and (iii) dry dock maintenance visits by vessels on ferry routes between the mainland and the Northern Isles.\r\n","AnswerText":"The detail of Serco’s proposals for the configuration of the Northern Isles ferry services was fully discussed with Transport Scotland’s tender evaluation team during the procurement exercise. Serco NorthLink has undertaken extensive consultation with trade unions and local communities on the changes.\r\nTransport Scotland officials regularly meet with Serco NorthLink representatives to discuss contract management issues, and also attend meetings of the External Transport Forum which represents ferry user groups.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:49.733","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280096,"EventID":"S4W-12069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:50.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:04:30.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Serco NorthLink consulted Transport Scotland before announcing plans to reduce the number of (a) staff and (b) sailings on ferry services between the mainland and the Northern Isles; how many such meetings there have been, and whether it will publish the minutes from any such meetings.\r\n","AnswerText":"Serco NorthLink’s proposals with regard to crewing and timetabling were included in their bid for the Northern Isles ferry services contract and were fully discussed with Transport Scotland’s tender evaluation team during the procurement exercise.\r\nTransport Scotland officials meet regularly with Serco NorthLink representatives to discuss contract management issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:50.063","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280097,"EventID":"S4W-12070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:50.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:04:30.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the economic impacts on Northern Isles communities of Serco NorthLink’s planned (a) job cuts, (b) passenger fare increases and (c) reduction in the number of sailings on ferry services to the islands.\r\n","AnswerText":"The introduction by Serco NorthLink of variable passenger muster modes will have an immediate positive impact on the Northern Isles economies as the operator will now be recruiting both a seasonal and temporary labour pool in Orkney and Shetland which will be used to provide core crew succession planning opportunities going forward.\r\nThe 2013-2014 fares increase of 2.8% is based on the CPI figure for May (published in June) 2012. This increase, which is in line with our other ferry service contracts, will help protect these lifeline ferry services for another year.\r\nIt is anticipated that the changes to the sailing timetable will have no detrimental impact on the Northern Isles communities. These planned changes were introduced on the basis of a detailed analysis of demand and following consultation with both passengers and the business community whose transport needs will continue to be met.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:50.437","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280098,"EventID":"S4W-12071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:50.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:04:30.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the increases in passenger fares that will result from Serco NorthLink’s decision to abolish the mid-season period for ferry services to the Northern Isles.\r\n","AnswerText":"The tender for the Northern Isles ferry services contract invited bidders to propose their own fares and freight tariff methodology within certain parameters set down in the tender documentation. This included the requirement to set fares within different seasons and other designated peak periods. Serco’s bid satisfied these requirements and they continue to retain a low, mid and peak fare system on their ferry services in the Northern Isles.\r\nIn their bid for the Northern Isles contract, Serco met the requirement that, over the tariff year, tariffs must average to the relevant previously published tariff for each category. This ensures that ferry customers will not experience inappropriate fares increases.\r\nFurthermore, it was also a requirement of the tender that fare discounts for certain categories of passengers be retained. Therefore, under the contract with Serco, all of these mandatory discounts continue, including discounts for islanders, national entitlement card holders and visually impaired passengers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:50.763","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280099,"EventID":"S4W-12072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:51.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:04:30.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the (a) level and (b) impact on passengers of Serco NorthLink’s increases in the price of (i) food and (ii) beverages sold on Northern Isles ferry services.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Serco NorthLink. Since taking over the operation of the Northern Isles ferry services, Serco NorthLink has worked to improve the onboard experience for passengers including the catering on offer. This work is ongoing and is aimed at making the food and drink that is available on the vessels match the needs and expectations of passengers including those on limited budgets. It is therefore anticipated that the food and drink offered on board the Northern Isles vessels will compare favourably which what was previously available to passengers.\r\nIn addition, Serco aim to extend their ‘Buy Local Produce’ policy and have pledged that even more local food and beverages will feature on its on-board menus in future. The ‘Buy Local Produce’ policy includes not only Orkney and Shetland. The company’s policy encompasses all of the areas – mainland and islands – from which these lifeline services operate and produce from the Caithness and Grampian areas also feature prominently on the menus.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:51.107","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280100,"EventID":"S4W-12073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:51.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:04:30.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the savings that Serco NorthLink expects to make from the plan to reduce the number of staff working on Northern Isles ferry services.\r\n","AnswerText":"Serco’s bid for the Northern Isles ferry services tender included detail of their proposals for crewing levels following the introduction of variable passenger muster models. The company’s bid was fully examined by the tender evaluation panel and their proposals were reflected in their price.\r\nTransport Scotland monitors the operation of the Northern Isles ferry services contract, including the financial aspects, on an ongoing basis to ensure that Serco is fulfilling its obligations under the terms of the contract.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:51.433","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280101,"EventID":"S4W-12074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:51.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:04:30.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the impact on freight passengers of Serco NorthLink’s decision to reduce the freight ferry service to the Northern Isles to one vessel between January and June 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"In the tender for the Northern Isles ferry services contract, bidders were invited to examine the level of freight demand on the Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Lerwick service and set out their proposals to meet that demand. Freight traffic varies at different times of the year so bidders were invited to examine the market and demonstrate that their freight proposals would meet demand.\r\nIn their bid, Serco proposed using two freighters during a peak freight season of mid June to 1 December and a single freighter on alternate nights during the low season. Serco reached this position by thoroughly investigating and analysing the freight demands and traffic movements across the year. They were involved in extensive dialogue with the livestock sector, seafood sector and other key shippers of freight and they continue to maintain close links with this sector to ensure that their needs are met. Freight is, of course, also carried on the two ropax vessels all year round. In addition, during the low season, Serco maintain the second freighter ready to be brought into service if ever demand makes this necessary. Bidders’ freight proposals were all fully examined by the tender evaluation panel and an independent expert and they were content with the robustness of Serco’s freight proposals.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:51.763","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280102,"EventID":"S4W-12075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:52.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:04:30.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that the machinery of negotiation between Serco NorthLink and the maritime trade unions is honoured in respect of (a) proposed redundancies and (b) the terms and conditions of employment of staff remaining in position but working in areas of the business affected by job losses.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is correctly a matter for Serco NorthLink and the relevant trade unions to establish procedural arrangements by which they can negotiate over matters of mutual interest.\r\nI am aware that Serco was involved in close negotiation with the RMT and Nautilus over recent changes to crewing levels on the Northern Isles vessels and that this resulted in the achievement of staff reductions without any compulsory redundancies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:52.073","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280103,"EventID":"S4W-12076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:52.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:04:30.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that the existing terms and conditions of employees working on Serco NorthLink ferry services to the Northern Isles are respected by the employer.\r\n","AnswerText":"Bidders for the Northern Isles ferry services contract were advised of our expectation that, in the event of a change of operator, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations rules would apply. Therefore, when Serco took over the contract, the NorthLink crew had the right to transfer over to the new operator with their terms and conditions protected.\r\nGoing forward, it should be noted that employees’ terms and conditions are set down in their employment contracts and therefore employees would have a direct right of action in relation to any breach by their employer of those terms.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:52.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280104,"EventID":"S4W-12077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:52.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:04:30.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what sanctions are available to Transport Scotland in circumstances where a contractor providing lifeline ferry services does not honour employees’ contractual terms and conditions.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12076 on 21 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:52.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280105,"EventID":"S4W-12079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:53.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:09:07.513","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to encourage a negotiated settlement of the industrial dispute between Serco NorthLink and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).\r\n","AnswerText":"As I explained in my Parliamentary Statement of 13 December 2012, the dispute on the Northern Isles ferries is rightly a matter to be resolved between the ferry operator, Serco NorthLink, and the RMT union. However, I have on several occasions spoken to both parties and urged them to work constructively together to address their issues and avoid disruption to these vital ferry services. I have also discussed the matter with the STUC. Transport Scotland officials remain in regular contact with Serco to ensure that I remain up-to-date with developments.\r\nI am pleased that the RMT chose not to go through with their full 6-day programme of strike action over the festive period. I remain hopeful that discussion between the ferry operator and the union over the coming days will lead to a final resolution of the dispute, particularly given that Serco have ensured that there are no compulsory redundancies and that they have also given an assurance that they do not intend to make any further changes to staff terms and conditions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:53.057","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280106,"EventID":"S4W-12080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:53.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:09:07.513","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review its decisions on redacting sections of Transport Scotland’s 2012-18 contract with Serco NorthLink for ferry services to the Northern Isles on grounds of commercial sensitivity.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government takes a proactive approach to the publication of our contracts for subsidised ferry services. In October 2012, the Northern Isles contract was published on the Transport Scotland website. At the time of publication, however, officials agreed to redact certain sections of the contract which contains commercially sensitive information. However, further discussions with Serco are scheduled to take place in due course with a view to the possible release of some of the redacted material.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:53.37","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280107,"EventID":"S4W-12081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:53.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:09:07.513","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what definition of commercial sensitivity it used in redacting sections of Transport Scotland’s 2012-18 contract with Serco NorthLink for ferry services to the Northern Isles.\r\n","AnswerText":"As a general rule, reference has been made to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and the exemption under section 33. Guidance on this section describes information as being commercially sensitive when its release might cause “real and actual harm to a relevant commercial, financial or economic interest.\r\nHowever, Transport Scotland officials are due to have further discussions with Serco with a view to the possible release of some of the redacted material.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:53.697","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280108,"EventID":"S4W-12082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:54.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:09:07.513","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take steps to cap the profits that can be earned by Serco NorthLink in providing lifeline ferry services to the Northern Isles and on what grounds such a cap was not included in the 2012-18 contract for Northern Isles ferry services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The cost of operating the ferry services to the Northern Isles far exceeds revenues so no operator will ever run the services at a profit. This is why these services require to be subsidised by the Scottish Government. \r\nThe Northern Isles contract (Volume 1, Section C) includes a tightly defined payments mechanism which guards against any overpayment being made to the operator, Serco. Each year, the operator will only be paid the sum set down in the contract’s financial base case. Payment beyond the agreed base case level will only be made where the operator has recorded savings against predicted costs in certain areas of spend and - even in these instances – any cost savings will be shared with the Scottish Government. The previous 2006-12 contract had been drafted on a different basis with a less complex payments mechanism.\r\nThe Northern Isles contract not only provides the necessary incentive to the operator to maximise efficiency but also prevents overpayment to the operator thereby ensuring best value for money for the public purse.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:54.023","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280109,"EventID":"S4W-12083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:54.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:09:07.513","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on the use of agency staff on lifeline ferry services.","AnswerText":"Decisions around the employment of agency workers are operational matters to be made by the companies running our subsidised ferry services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:54.367","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280110,"EventID":"S4W-12084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:54.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:09:07.513","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussion it has had with the UK Government regarding any safety implications of Serco NorthLink’s plans to reduce staffing levels on ferry services to the Northern Isles.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no such discussions with the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:54.71","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280111,"EventID":"S4W-12085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:55.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:09:07.513","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussion it has had with the UK Government regarding any safety implications of Serco NorthLink’s plans to reduce the number of dry dock maintenance visits by ferries working on routes to the Northern Isles.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no such discussions with the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:55.053","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280112,"EventID":"S4W-12086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-03T13:16:55.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-03T10:09:07.513","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there was a delay in announcing the preferred bidder for the 2012-18 contract for Northern Isles ferry services.","AnswerText":"Following a thorough procurement exercise, the closing date for final tenders for the Northern Isles ferry services contract was set for 5 March 2012 and four final bids were received. Over the following weeks these bids were then required to be properly evaluated by a panel of officials and external specialist advisers.\r\nOn 4 May 2012, I announced that Serco had emerged as the preferred bidder and the new service came into operation on 5 July 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:16:55.367","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280116,"EventID":"S4W-12089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-04T13:19:39.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-04T12:25:49.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average number of patients per GP has been in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested will be available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) (Bib. Number 54628).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-18T13:19:39.48","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280117,"EventID":"S4T-00188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T13:12:11.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T11:20:13.203","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to the victims of recent flooding in Stonehaven and other areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T13:12:11.687","MeetingDate":"2013-01-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280118,"EventID":"S4T-00192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T13:24:49.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T11:52:25.057","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that NHS accident and emergency units are able to cope with increased demand on their services during the winter.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T13:24:49.85","MeetingDate":"2013-01-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280119,"EventID":"S4F-01089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T13:11:24.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T09:15:51.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime Minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T13:11:24.813","MeetingDate":"2013-01-10T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280120,"EventID":"S4F-01090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T13:11:25.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T09:10:03.863","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T13:11:25.407","MeetingDate":"2013-01-10T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280121,"EventID":"S4F-01102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T13:11:29.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T11:32:07.04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how the recent report by Pinsent Masons, Scotland's place in the Renewable Energy World, aids Scotland's sustainable growth.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T13:11:29.683","MeetingDate":"2013-01-10T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280122,"EventID":"S4F-01103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T13:11:29.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T11:33:29.05","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the impact of changes to child benefit will be on families in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T13:11:29.993","MeetingDate":"2013-01-10T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280123,"EventID":"S4F-01104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T13:11:30.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T11:35:43.797","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the recent CNN poll that places Scotland as the number one tourist destination for 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T13:11:30.337","MeetingDate":"2013-01-10T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280124,"EventID":"S4F-01106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T13:11:30.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T11:40:34.89","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the assertion by the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland that a change in legislation is required to properly define the roles and responsibilities of the service's HR and finance functions.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T13:11:30.977","MeetingDate":"2013-01-10T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280131,"EventID":"S4W-12090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:46.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-04T16:09:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that Scottish production companies can benefit from the high-end TV tax credit.\r\n","AnswerText":"Implementation of the recommendations of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission has seen benefits for the broadcasting sector, which creates the environment within which Scottish broadcasting companies can benefit from the high-end television tax credit. These include measures such as:\r\nbetter funding for television production;\r\ngreater working together by government agencies to support the sector; and \r\nincreased profile of the sector within the Scottish Parliament.\r\nThis has resulted in Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise announcing last year the Television Production Fund, with an allocation of £1 million for the 2012-13 financial year. Creative Scotland has formed partnerships with leading broadcasters STV, DRG, Creative Media and Nine/8 Entertainment. There has also been a rise in the proportion of productions that are made in Scotland and shown across the UK which has rise from 2.6% in 2006 to 4.9% in 2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:46.207","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280132,"EventID":"S4W-12091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:46.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-04T16:09:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that TV production companies wishing to benefit from the high-end TV tax credit choose to film in Scotland.","AnswerText":"There have been successes in attracting television production to Scotland for example, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International worked with Shed Productions to relocate the BBC drama Waterloo Road to Scotland. This venture is expected to generate almost £25 million in direct investment and 230 job opportunities across all levels of production.\r\n\r\nScotland’s remarkable landscapes and heritage are sought after by producers. For example, the Christmas special for Downton Abbey was shot at Inveraray Castle in Argyll and Bute. Creative Scotland Locations offers a free and confidential service to television producers seeking suitable locations. The tax credit for high end television drama will provide a further incentive to locate television production in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:46.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280133,"EventID":"S4W-12092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:46.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-04T16:09:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the facilities are available to encourage TV production companies wishing to benefit from the high-end TV tax credit to base their productions in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Current success in attracting television production demonstrates that Scotland has facilities and skilled staff for such productions, including high-end television drama.\r\nThe Scottish Government would welcome the establishment of a sustainable production facility to complement Scotland’s current offering in relation to landscapes, historic homes and good film crews. Creative Scotland have committed £75,000 to undertake a feasibility study for development of screen industry facilities, with a provisional future investment of £1 million earmarked to develop such a proposal in more detail.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:46.91","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280134,"EventID":"S4W-12093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:47.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T10:26:29.087","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Public Finance Manual was first issued.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Public Finance Manual was first published on the Scottish Government website at the beginning of 2002. Post-devolution financial guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers had previously been published in the form of individual Finance Guidance Notes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:47.237","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280135,"EventID":"S4W-12094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:47.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T10:26:29.087","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the contents of the Scottish Public Finance Manual.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has never had any formal discussions with the UK Government on the contents of the Scottish Public Finance Manual. Guidance issued by the UK Government has no application with regards devolved matters, unless expressly adopted by the Scottish Ministers. However, in the preparation of guidance published in the manual due consideration is given to relevant guidance issued by the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:47.597","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280136,"EventID":"S4W-12095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:47.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T10:26:29.087","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish Public Finance Manual defines best value.","AnswerText":"Best Value is defined in the Scottish Public Finance Manual as continuous improvement in performance whilst maintaining an appropriate balance between quality and cost, having regard to economy, efficiency, effectiveness, equal opportunities and sustainable development.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:47.94","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280137,"EventID":"S4W-12096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:48.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T10:26:29.087","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what occasions the Scottish Public Finance Manual has been applied to potential community land buyouts.\r\n","AnswerText":"Details of individual community land buyouts are not held centrally. However, the Scottish Public Finance Manual is applicable to all bodies subject to audit by the Auditor General and any other body sponsored by the Scottish Government and they would be obliged to comply with relevant requirements in respect of potential community land buyouts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:48.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280138,"EventID":"S4W-12097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:48.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T10:26:29.087","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the Scottish Public Finance Manual and, if so, when.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Public Finance Manual is reviewed and updated as necessary on a regular basis. Substantive amendments are announced in Finance Guidance Notes published on the Scottish Government website.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:48.623","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280139,"EventID":"S4W-12099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:49.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T13:46:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on obtaining legal advice on an independent Scotland’s membership of the EU and when it expects to receive the final advice on the matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"The government has commissioned specific legal advice on the issue of an independent Scotland’s membership of the European Union. The government will receive the advice when it has been finalised.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:49.11","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280140,"EventID":"S4W-12100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:49.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:01:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider making the offer of three courses of IVF treatment standard across all NHS boards.","AnswerText":"The National Infertility Group was set up in April 2010 to address the inequity of access to IVF treatment across Scotland. The Group will submit its report, which will include a recommendation on the number of IVF treatment cycles, to Ministers by the end of January 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:49.483","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280141,"EventID":"S4W-12101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:49.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:05:37.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people it has invited to join the Expert Working Group on Welfare and what proportion (a) was women and (b) has an income in the lower five deciles of Scottish incomes.","AnswerText":"Five people with expertise in public sector delivery, social policy, accountancy and economics have been appointed to the Expert Working Group on Welfare. One woman has been appointed to the Group. Information on income was not sought.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:49.827","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280142,"EventID":"S4W-12102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:50.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:05:37.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it gave to appointing (a) women and (b) people with incomes in the lower five deciles of Scottish incomes to the Expert Working Group on Welfare.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12101 on 17 January 2013 All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:50.107","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280143,"EventID":"S4W-12103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:50.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:05:37.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has provided a definition of Scottish values to the Expert Working Group on Welfare.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have set out their vision on welfare in an independent Scotland in Your Scotland, Your Voice and in Working for Scotland: The Government’s Programme for Scotland 2012-13. Opportunities for debate on the principles and values that should underpin welfare in an independent Scotland will be created through a programme of wider stakeholder engagement.\r\nWe established the Expert Working Group on Welfare to review and provide assurance on work being undertaken by the Scottish Government on the cost of benefit payments in an independent Scotland and the delivery of those payments in an independent Scotland. The group will seek to acquire further information from the UK Government as appropriate.\r\nThe group will also offer views on what aspects of the UK Government’s current reforms to working-age benefits should be an immediate priority for change in an independent Scotland.\r\nThe full remit of the group and other information on appointments, meetings, expenses and members can be accessed at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/welfarereform/EXPERTWORKINGGROUPONWELFARE. The conclusions of the group will be submitted to Scottish Ministers in May 2013 and will be published shortly thereafter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:50.467","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280144,"EventID":"S4W-12104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:50.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:05:37.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Expert Working Group on Welfare will define Scottish values in its final report.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:51.01","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280145,"EventID":"S4W-12105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:51.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:05:37.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it arrived at the definition of Scottish values to be used by the Expert Working Group on Welfare.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:51.307","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280146,"EventID":"S4W-12106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:51.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:05:37.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what statistical evidence it used to construct the definition of Scottish values to be used by the Expert Working Group on Welfare.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:51.603","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280147,"EventID":"S4W-12107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:51.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:05:37.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in considering the definition of Scottish values to be used by the Expert Working Group on Welfare, what values held by people in other countries it (a) assessed and (b) considered inferior to those proposed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:51.933","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280148,"EventID":"S4W-12108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:52.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:05:37.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the terms of reference of the Expert Working Group on Welfare.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:52.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280149,"EventID":"S4W-12109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:52.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:05:37.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the letters of appointment issued to the members of the Expert Working Group on Welfare.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:52.54","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280150,"EventID":"S4W-12110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:52.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:05:37.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Expert Working Group on Welfare has been asked to use the welfare system in place prior to May 2010 as a baseline.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:52.883","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280151,"EventID":"S4W-12111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:53.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:05:37.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Expert Working Group on Welfare has been asked to consider which elements of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 should be reversed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:53.163","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280152,"EventID":"S4W-12112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:53.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:05:37.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Expert Working Group on Welfare has been asked to recommend which elements of the £2.5 billion in reductions referred to in its news release of 6 January 2012, A welfare system for Scotland, should be reversed.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:53.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280153,"EventID":"S4W-12113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:53.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:05:37.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Expert Working Group on Welfare will consider the tax credits system.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:53.977","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280154,"EventID":"S4W-12114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:54.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:06:08.457","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11554 by Richard Lochhead on 11 December 2012, what its position is on the decline in dairy (a) cow and (b) herd numbers in each area.\r\n","AnswerText":"The decline in cow and herd numbers in these parishes is in line with the national trend over the same period, demonstrating a move toward more specialised dairy enterprises which allows farmers to achieve production efficiencies and economies of scale.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:54.443","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280155,"EventID":"S4W-12115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:54.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:12:04.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports dairy farmers (a) with and (b) wanting to establish small herds. \r\n","AnswerText":"A number of measures to provide support for dairy farmers can be accessed through the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). This includes support to dairy farmers through Less Favoured Area Support Scheme payments to those in the ring fenced dairy area which are likely to have smaller herds.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:54.77","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280156,"EventID":"S4W-12116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-07T16:58:55.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T15:06:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will report on the findings of its review of the fall in the number of pregnancies arising from IVF treatment at the Glasgow Assisted Conception Unit between September and November 2012 and when this will be made public.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to respond to.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-21T16:58:55.49","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280157,"EventID":"S4W-12121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T09:36:02.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T09:12:00.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will receive HM Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Authorities’ report on the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have now received the report, and thank Mr Torrie and his team for their work. Copies have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 54552) and it is being published on the Scottish Government website.\r\nMinisters instructed this Inquiry under Section 44 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 to establish the extent of progress made by the Highlands and Islands Fire Board since the Accounts Commission Best Value Report, as well as to identify what remains for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to address when it commences on 1 April 2013. We will carefully consider Mr Torrie’s report, but look to the Highlands and Islands Fire Board, as well as the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, to take forward its recommendations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T09:36:02.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280166,"EventID":"S4W-12118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:11.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T16:08:21.92","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Serco NorthLink's contract allows it to change the length of the (a) peak and (b) low season.\r\n","AnswerText":"The peak and low season periods established under the current Northern Isles ferry services contract were included in Serco’s original tender bid proposals. Therefore, the current contract has not been subjected to any variation in this regard.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:12.037","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280167,"EventID":"S4W-12119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:12.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T16:08:21.92","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Serco NorthLink’s decision to increase the length of the peak season by two weeks and decrease the low season by one constitutes an additional increase in fares above the expected annual increase.\r\n","AnswerText":"In developing their peak and off-peak timetables for their Northern Isles ferry services tender, all bidders, including Serco, were required to analyse current and projected future demand and to design a timetable structure to meet and manage this demand. Under the new contract, timetables periods now differ from what was previously in place with the aim of meeting the demand increases that result from tourism and holidays.\r\nIn their bid for the Northern Isles contract, Serco met the requirement that, over the tariff year, tariffs must average to the relevant previously published tariff for each category.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:12.427","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280168,"EventID":"S4W-12120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:12.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T16:08:21.92","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what communications it has had with Serco NorthLink regarding its plans to (a) extend the peak season and (b) reduce low fare periods in 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"In developing proposed peak and off-peak timetables for their Northern Isles ferry services tenders, all bidders were required by the Scottish Government to analyse current and projected future demand and to design a timetable structure to meet and manage this demand. The proposals put forward by Serco and all other bidders were discussed with Transport Scotland’s tender evaluation team during the procurement exercise.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:12.753","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280169,"EventID":"S4W-12122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:13.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T09:14:11.937","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is undertaking an investigation into allegations of bullying and harassment in the Scottish Ambulance Service and, if so, what form the investigation is taking and when the results will be published.","AnswerText":"As I have previously stated, I want a zero tolerance approach to bullying and harassment in NHSScotland. I expect all allegations of bullying and harassment to be fully investigated in line with the Preventing and Dealing with Bullying and Harassment PIN Policy published in December 2011. I am aware that the allegations are being investigated, but cannot provide any further details at this stage.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:13.097","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280170,"EventID":"S4W-12125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:13.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the recommendations of the Expert Working Group on Welfare will be fully costed.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:13.613","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280171,"EventID":"S4W-12126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:13.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the remit of the Expert Working Group on Welfare includes currently devolved benefits.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:13.923","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280172,"EventID":"S4W-12127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:14.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the remit of the Expert Working Group on Welfare includes the abolition or reform of current welfare benefits.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:14.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280173,"EventID":"S4W-12128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:14.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Expert Working Group on Welfare has been asked to recommend new benefits.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:14.597","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280174,"EventID":"S4W-12129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:14.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the report of the Expert Working Group on Welfare will be made public.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:14.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280175,"EventID":"S4W-12130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:15.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with (a) the Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform, (b) SCVO and (c) COSLA prior to the establishment of the Expert Working Group on Welfare.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Expert Working Group on Welfare has been established to provide advice to Scottish Ministers. It has not been discussed with partners in local government or the third sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:15.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280176,"EventID":"S4W-12131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:15.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Expert Working Group on Welfare will issue a public call for evidence and hold evidence sessions in public.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:15.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280177,"EventID":"S4W-12132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:15.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants would be required to administer a welfare system in an independent Scotland and what information it has on how this compares with the number of civil servants in Scotland currently administering the welfare system.","AnswerText":"The numbers of civil servants required to administer a welfare system in an independent Scotland will be dependent on a number of variables, such as: the ongoing impact of the UK government welfare reform programme; the public sector landscape that is inherited at the point of independence; and, the decisions taken by Scottish Ministers on delivery, transitioning and design of a Scottish system of welfare.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:15.813","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280178,"EventID":"S4W-12133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:16.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) which of its staff are involved in supporting the work of the Expert Working Group on Welfare.\r\n","AnswerText":"Five Scottish Government officials working on policy and analysis related to welfare will have part-time roles in supporting aspects of the work of the Expert Working Group on Welfare.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:16.123","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280179,"EventID":"S4W-12134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:16.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to tell recipients of UK welfare benefits whether criteria and payments will be maintained at the same levels in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013 All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:16.453","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280180,"EventID":"S4W-12135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:16.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Expert Working Group on Welfare will consider pensions.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:16.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280181,"EventID":"S4W-12136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:17.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of the impact on its anti-poverty strategy, it considers that the welfare system is in need of reform and, if so, what principles would underpin its approach in an independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:17.077","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280182,"EventID":"S4W-12137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:17.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) when and (b) where the Expert Working Group on Welfare will first meet and how often it will meet thereafter.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:17.42","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280183,"EventID":"S4W-12138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:17.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been budgeted for the work of the Expert Working Group on Welfare.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:17.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280184,"EventID":"S4W-12139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:18.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were on the shortlist for the Expert Working Group on Welfare and how many were (a) women, (b) registered disabled and (c) benefit claimants.\r\n","AnswerText":"Four members were selected from an initial shortlist, compiled by officials, of seven candidates with expertise in public sector delivery, social policy, accountancy and economics. All originally shortlisted candidates were male and information on disability and income was not sought. Following the addition of one further member, the group now has five members, one of whom is a woman.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:18.027","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280185,"EventID":"S4W-12140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:18.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which members of the Expert Working Group on Welfare have experience of designing or administering a welfare system.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:18.323","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280186,"EventID":"S4W-12141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:18.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T12:04:59.59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many fixed penalty notices for littering have been issued by each local authority in each year since 2008.\r\n","AnswerText":"The available information on non-court disposals for littering offences is given in the following table. The information held centrally is only available from the financial year 2008-09.\r\nInformation on fixed penalties issued by local authorities is not held centrally.\r\nPeople given non-court disposals for littering offences1, by approximate local authority area2, 2008-09 to 2011-12\r\nLocal Authority/penalty\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nAberdeen City\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n2\r\n1\r\n33\r\n165\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAngus\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n1\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n5\r\n9\r\n2\r\n1\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n25\r\n22\r\n9\r\n11\r\nDundee City\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n1\r\n7\r\n33\r\n69\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n16\r\n25\r\n14\r\n3\r\nEast Dunbartonshire \r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEast Lothian\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nEast Renfrewshire \r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n37\r\n88\r\n266\r\n263\r\nEilean Siar\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFalkirk\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n69\r\n48\r\n186\r\n174\r\nOld-style FF/FP Code\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFife\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n9\r\n1\r\n24\r\n18\r\nGlasgow City\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n275\r\n1,071\r\n1,051\r\n501\r\nOld-style FF/FP Code\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nHighland\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n6\r\n3\r\n5\r\n4\r\nInverclyde\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n45\r\n45\r\n31\r\n72\r\nMidlothian \r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nMoray\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n40\r\n37\r\n53\r\n33\r\nFiscal Fixed Penalty (pre-SJR codes)3\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nOrkney Islands \r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n28\r\n21\r\n6\r\n0\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n13\r\n25\r\n174\r\n101\r\nScottish Borders\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n3\r\n2\r\n0\r\n1\r\nShetland Islands\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n22\r\n22\r\n14\r\n3\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n69\r\n46\r\n4\r\n0\r\nStirling\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n6\r\n2\r\n13\r\n14\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n29\r\n28\r\n20\r\n7\r\nWest Lothian\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n39\r\n54\r\n86\r\n64\r\nNot Known\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n7\r\n11\r\n8\r\n1\r\nFiscal Fixed Penalty Notice\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFiscal Fixed Penalty (pre-SJR codes)3\r\n14\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\nPolice Formal Adult Warning\r\n39\r\n76\r\n84\r\n84\r\nPolice Restorative Justice\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n2\r\nPolice Warnings4\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\nVerbal Warning\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nWarning Letter (Police/Children's Reporter)\r\n9\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\nScotland\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nPolice Formal Adult Warning\r\n39\r\n76\r\n84\r\n84\r\nPolice Restorative Justice\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n2\r\nOther Police Warnings4\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\nVerbal Warning\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nWarning Letter (Police/Children's Reporter)\r\n9\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\nFiscal Fine\r\n749\r\n1,571\r\n2,033\r\n1,509\r\nFiscal Fixed Penalty Notice\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFiscal Fixed Penalty (pre-SJR codes)3\r\n16\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Where main offence.\r\n2. Incorporates an approximate mapping of sheriff courts into local authority areas. Some sheriff courts will deal with cases from more than one local authority area.  Some local authority areas, including East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Midlothian and North Ayrshire, do not contain a sheriff court. As there is no court recorded for police fixed penalties these cannot be broken down to local authorities.\r\n3.  Number of pre-Summary Justice Reform procurator fixed penalty codes. It is known that this category contains both fiscal fines and fixed penalties, however it is not possible to separate the numbers of each. \r\n4.  Mainly verbal warnings, but also includes prostitute and community warnings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:18.637","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280187,"EventID":"S4W-12142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:18.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T12:04:59.59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prosecutions for littering have been made by each local authority in each year since 2008.\r\n","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the following table.\r\nPeople proceeded against in Scottish courts for litter offences1 by approximate local authority area2, 2008-09 to 2011-12.\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nAberdeen City\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAngus\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n3\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\nDundee City\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEast Lothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n1\r\n4\r\n3\r\n0\r\nEilean Siar\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFalkirk\r\n7\r\n4\r\n4\r\n11\r\nFife\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGlasgow City\r\n18\r\n7\r\n9\r\n1\r\nHighland\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nInverclyde\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\nMidlothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nMoray\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n11\r\n3\r\n5\r\n1\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nScottish Borders\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nShetland Islands\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nStirling\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nWest Lothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nScotland\r\n47\r\n25\r\n27\r\n21\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Where main offence.\r\n2. Incorporates an approximate mapping of sheriff courts into local authority areas. Some sheriff courts will deal with cases from more than one local authority area.  Some local authority areas, including East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Midlothian and North Ayrshire, do not contain a sheriff court.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:18.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280188,"EventID":"S4W-12143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:19.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T12:13:00.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to implement the recommendation of Equally Well: Report of the Ministerial Taskforce on Health Inequalities that \"The Government should create and fund new evidence-based anticipatory care programmes for other groups at high risk of health problems\".","AnswerText":"The recommendations set out in the 2008 report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities Equally Well remain pertinent in The Scottish Government’s commitment to addressing the inequalities in health that persist in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government has now mainstreamed the Keep Well programme.\r\nUnder the Keep Well programme, 40-64 year olds with no previous diagnosis of CVD, living in deprived communities, are invited to attend a health check, typically within their local GP Practice.\r\nAs part of the mainstreaming programme, Keep Well has been extended to specific populations, such as carers, homeless people, offenders, gypsy travellers and certain ethnic groups, who evidence suggests are at increased risk of CVD and other health inequalities.\r\nOver 180,000 Keep Well health checks have been delivered across Scotland (between March 2009 and end June 2012).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:19.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280189,"EventID":"S4W-12144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:19.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T12:13:00.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to implement the recommendation of Equally Well: Report of the Ministerial Taskforce on Health Inequalities that \"The Government should continue to reform the funding of primary care services, to meet the needs of groups and communities most at risk of health inequalities\".\r\n","AnswerText":"The recommendations set out in the 2008 report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities Equally Well remain pertinent in the Scottish Governments commitment to addressing inequalities that persist in Scotland.\r\nScottish Enhanced Services Programme funding of £13 million has been allocated to Health Boards for 2012-13. Changes have been introduced to enhance local autonomy, whilst providing greater discretion for NHS boards to consider how spend assists primary care in delivering the aims of the quality strategy taking account of the 2020 vision for sustainable health care.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:19.633","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280190,"EventID":"S4W-12145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T13:47:19.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:37:03.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the remit of the Expert Working Group on Welfare will consider establishing a minimum income level for (a) unemployed, (b) disabled and (c) low-paid people.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12103 on 17 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T13:47:19.963","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280191,"EventID":"S4W-12146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T16:52:09.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T12:56:29.23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to reduce the increasing number of fire incidents reported in the home.\r\n","AnswerText":"The latest Fire Statistics Scotland 2011-12 publication presents the number of dwelling fires over the last 10 years. They have in fact been declining since 2008-09. Details are as follows:\r\nFires by location, 2002-03 to 2011-12p - Scotland1\r\nNumber of Primary Fires\r\nYear\r\nDwellings\r\n2002-032\r\n7,875\r\n2003-04\r\n8,131\r\n2004-05\r\n7,048\r\n2005-06\r\n7,061\r\n2006-07\r\n6,963\r\n2007-08\r\n6,666\r\n2008-09\r\n6,705\r\n2009-10r\r\n6,573\r\n2010-11r\r\n6,300\r\n2011-12p\r\n6,149\r\nNotes:\r\np – provisional.\r\nr – revised.\r\n1 – figures before 2009-10 for primary fires are based on sample data weighted to Fire and Rescue Service totals.\r\n2 – does not include incidents that occurred during national industrial action in November 2002, January 2003 and February 2003.\r\nFire prevention and protection activity over recent years has been key to reducing the number of fires, casualties and losses in Scotland. These activities remain strategic priorities. The Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2013, which is currently under consultation, proposes that the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will have a duty to promote fire safety at national and local levels. This includes the continued promotion of Home Fire Safety Visits aimed at helping vulnerable people protect their homes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T16:52:09.72","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280192,"EventID":"S4W-12147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T16:52:10.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T13:58:52.5","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the health risks of the radioactive material on the foreshore at Dalgety Bay.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T16:52:10.093","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280193,"EventID":"S4W-12148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T16:52:10.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T14:35:17.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it addresses rises in the cost of imported animal feeds.\r\n","AnswerText":"Animal feedstuffs are a globally traded commodity product. The price of animal feed is commercially driven and determined by the supply and demand balance on world markets. It is up to livestock farmers and their business advisors to factor in input cost volatility and risk when preparing their forward business plans.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T16:52:10.423","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280194,"EventID":"S4W-12149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T16:52:10.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T14:35:17.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the uptake of domestically grown animal feeds.\r\n","AnswerText":"Direct support for protein crop production was available under the previous common agricultural policy regime but was discontinued in 2005 as part of the move away from coupled support payments. Any historical entitlements were converted and now from part of the Single Farm Payment regime.\r\nIt is therefore now a commercial matter for the primary producer, and where appropriate, his business adviser to determine whether to grow animal feed crops, taking into account such factors as input and equipment costs, labour availability and the projected market return. We do however recognise the potential challenges that such decisions entail when there is such a high degree of volatility in animal feed prices on the global marketplace.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T16:52:10.78","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280195,"EventID":"S4W-12150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T16:52:11.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T14:35:17.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent study by SAC Consulting on the availability of distillery by-products.","AnswerText":"The report has been discussed with stakeholders during a meeting in November, and is available via:\r\nhttp://www.sruc.ac.uk/info/20005/sac_consulting/812/distillery_feed_by-products_briefing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T16:52:11.093","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280196,"EventID":"S4W-12151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-08T16:52:11.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T14:50:58.733","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-03616 by Keith Brown on 7 November 2011, what its position is on the findings regarding the Glasgow to Edinburgh via Shotts railway line that were set out in Network Rail’s recently-published strategic business plan and whether the Office of the Rail Regulation is still expected to publish its determination on the route in October 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"We note Network Rail’s publication of their strategic business plan for Scotland, which contains its proposals for a range of improvements, including the electrification of the Edinburgh to Glasgow via Shotts railway line. The publication represents an important industry milestone and the inclusion of the electrification of the Shotts route is consistent with the requirements as set out in our high level output specification, published in June 2012.\r\nAs this is just one step in the regulatory process, we look forward to the Office of Rail Regulation’s review and challenge of these overall plans. In the meantime, we will continue to work with our industry partners to ensure that effective delivery plans are in place and that the cost for these plans are robust and affordable.\r\nThe Office of Rail Regulation will publish its final determination of the outputs, funding and wider regulatory framework for control period 5 in October 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-22T16:52:11.437","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280203,"EventID":"S4O-01699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:44:37.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T11:03:09.19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason reported death rates at the Royal Alexandra Hospital are higher at the weekend than on weekdays.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:44:37.497","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280204,"EventID":"S4O-01700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:44:37.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:18:18.307","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the health risks of the radioactive material at the foreshore at Dalgety Bay.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:44:37.993","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280205,"EventID":"S4O-01701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:44:38.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:18:18.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how policing in Dumfries and Galloway will be accountable to local people once the single police force becomes operational.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:44:38.307","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280206,"EventID":"S4O-01702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:44:38.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:18:20.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the inappropriate use of social unavailability codes by NHS boards to meet waiting times targets.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:44:38.713","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280207,"EventID":"S4O-01703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:44:39.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T16:24:16.56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been prosecuted in the last year for smoking in enclosed premises or permitting smoking to take place in enclosed premises.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:44:39.227","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280208,"EventID":"S4O-01704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:44:39.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:18:23.08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent support it has given to developing walking and cycling infrastructure in Mid Scotland and Fife.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:44:39.57","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280209,"EventID":"S4O-01705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:44:39.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:18:27.603","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on expediting the proposed new subsea power cables to the Western Isles and Orkney.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:44:39.96","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280210,"EventID":"S4O-01706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:44:40.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:18:29.04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"Both ministers and government officials regularly meet with all NHS boards, including NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, to discuss a range of matters of local interest.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:44:40.24","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280211,"EventID":"S4O-01707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1926,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:44:40.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:18:32.13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on Gypsy/Traveller halting sites.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:44:40.553","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280212,"EventID":"S4O-01708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:44:40.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:18:32.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its Race Equality Statement will be updated.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s 2008-11 Race Equality Statement set out our approach to race equality. We are currently considering our approach to race equality over the next three years. Our current thinking will be published in April and we will work with stakeholders and publish a Race Equality Statement at the end of the summer. This will provide more detail on our plans and will coincide with the autumn budget considerations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:44:40.927","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280213,"EventID":"S4O-01679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:45:59.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:17:53.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that proposed budget reductions will have on colleges in North East Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:00.103","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280214,"EventID":"S4O-01680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:00.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:17:54.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the plans for college regionalisation.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:00.65","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280215,"EventID":"S4O-01681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:00.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:17:54.297","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the educational attainment of pupils from the poorest backgrounds.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:00.963","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280216,"EventID":"S4O-01682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:01.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:17:54.5","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the impact on educational attainment of exposure to lead in childhood.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:01.29","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280217,"EventID":"S4O-01683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:01.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T11:30:15.537","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the audit of waiting lists for colleges will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:01.667","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280218,"EventID":"S4O-01684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:01.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:17:54.89","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that universities meet their obligations as proposed in the Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill to widen access to higher education for children from deprived backgrounds.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:01.96","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280219,"EventID":"S4O-01685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:02.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:17:55.093","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to ensure that student debt in Scotland remains the lowest in the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:02.29","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280220,"EventID":"S4O-01686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:02.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:17:55.36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent advice the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning has given to local authorities regarding charging for instrumental music tuition.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:02.633","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280221,"EventID":"S4O-01687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:02.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:17:55.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the University of London regarding the future of the University Marine Biological Station Millport.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:02.977","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280222,"EventID":"S4O-01688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:03.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:17:55.857","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages young people from poorer backgrounds to participate in further and higher education.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:03.413","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280223,"EventID":"S4O-01689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:03.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:17:56.077","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the transition between primary and secondary school can contribute to problems for S1 and S2 pupils in English and maths.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:03.77","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280224,"EventID":"S4O-01690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:04.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T16:09:22.933","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is involved in helping widen access to colleges for disabled people.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:04.083","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280225,"EventID":"S4O-01691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:04.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T09:38:54.503","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports young carers in balancing the demands of schoolwork and caring responsibilities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:04.38","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280226,"EventID":"S4O-01692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:04.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T09:30:41.817","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training is given to teachers to help pupils with additional support needs.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:04.677","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280227,"EventID":"S4O-01693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:04.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:17:56.84","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent progress has been made in introducing the EU 1+2 model of language teaching.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:04.973","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280228,"EventID":"S4O-01695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:05.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:17:57.183","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent reductions in the availability of college courses for students with additional needs.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:05.317","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280229,"EventID":"S4O-01696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:05.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T12:34:25.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes it has made to the teaching of history in secondary schools since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"Curriculum for Excellence is giving educators the flexibility to teach history in creative and engaging ways. Children and young people are able to learn in a wide range of contexts; Scottish, British, European and worldwide and this breadth is reflected in all national qualifications in history.\r\nTo ensure there is a proper focus on the changes that have shaped Scotland, a required unit on Scottish history has been part of the Higher History qualification since 2010-11. This approach is being extended to the new National 4 and 5 qualifications from 2013-14.\r\nThe teaching and learning of history is thriving, and we have seen a 20% increase in uptake of Higher History since 2007.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:05.627","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280230,"EventID":"S4O-01697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:05.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T10:14:21.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many modern apprenticeship starts there were in Edinburgh in the most recent year for which information is available and how this compares with 2006-07.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2011-12 there were 1,618 modern apprenticeship starts in the City of Edinburgh Council area and in 2006-07 there were 1,031 starts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:05.97","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280231,"EventID":"S4O-01698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T12:46:06.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-07T12:17:57.84","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the waiting list figures for Cumbernauld College will be published.","AnswerText":"As I explained to Drew Smith on 16 January 2013 (Official Report c.), an update has been placed in SPICE today (Bib. number 54653). The audit looked a sample of seven colleges including Cumbernauld College.\r\nEven at this interim stage it is clear that, in a very large number of cases, those who appear on so-called “waiting lists” are not in fact waiting to enter the course at all, either because they have taken up another course, failed to gain the entrance qualification, moved into employment or chosen some other option.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T12:46:06.25","MeetingDate":"2013-01-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280241,"EventID":"S4W-12123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:54:59.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T09:16:12.84","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the reduction in the further education budget for 2013-14 will have on student places at Motherwell College.\r\n","AnswerText":"The funding of individual colleges is a matter for the Scottish Funding Council, and I have asked its chief executive to write to the member.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:54:59.957","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280242,"EventID":"S4W-12124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:00.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T09:16:12.84","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact there has been on staff numbers at Motherwell College as a result of reductions to the further education budget in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13.","AnswerText":"Colleges are independent employers of staff and are responsible for their own staffing matters. Ministers have made clear that, where colleges are seeking to reduce the size of their workforce, they should do so in a way which avoids compulsory redundancies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:00.36","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280243,"EventID":"S4W-12152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:00.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T16:20:03.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Fife who have been charged with (a) murder and (b) a knife crime have been (i) remanded in custody, (ii) granted bail and (iii) granted bail despite opposition from the Crown Office prosecutors in each of the last five years. \r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:00.737","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280244,"EventID":"S4W-12153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:01.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T17:56:37.217","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each local authority has received for sales of common good land or assets in each year since 1999.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:01.11","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280245,"EventID":"S4W-12154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:01.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T17:56:37.217","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has issued guidance to local authorities in relation to the sale of common good land or assets and, if so, when.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2005, the then Scottish Executive published an advisory note to local authorities “Local Government in Scotland Act 2003: Asset Management under Best Value”. This note provides advice on how local authorities manage all assets in their care, including common good land and assets. It includes advice on the redeployment or disposal of assets.\r\nThis advisory note should be read alongside statutory duties which apply to local authorities over the sale of common good land or assets. This includes a general requirement when selling an asset to consider whether the transaction achieves the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained, in terms of section 74 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and regulations made under that section, restrictions in the circumstances in which a local authority can dispose of a common good asset (section 75 of the 1973 Act refers) and a broader statutory duty upon local authorities to secure Best Value in terms of Part 1 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:01.47","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280246,"EventID":"S4W-12155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:01.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-08T17:56:37.217","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how sales of common good land or assets by local authorities are monitored to ensure that best value is achieved.\r\n","AnswerText":"Responsibility for securing Best Value lies first and foremost with local authorities themselves. They are under a statutory duty to secure Best Value through Part 1 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003. They also are subject to a duty, when disposing of an asset, to consider whether the transaction achieves the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained, in terms of section 74 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and regulations made under that section.\r\nLocal authorities are subject to audit for how they secure best value. As part of this, they need to be able to demonstrate if asked by an auditor that they have fulfilled their duties in disposing of any common good assets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:02","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280247,"EventID":"S4W-12156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:02.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T09:38:47.23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Steel Engineering has created at least 120 jobs as stated on page 85 of the Scottish Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13.","AnswerText":"In April 2011 Steel Engineering announced it would create 120 jobs when it opens a new plant and builds a \"mini-port\" in Renfrew to transfer large structures on to ships in the Clyde. This project will be supported by a £1.8 million Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) from Scottish Enterprise. To date £80,000 has been paid.\r\nAll job numbers associated with RSA grants are the company’s forecast figures, and are subject to change depending on future economic conditions and other factors affecting the businesses concerned. Payment of RSA is made in instalments, typically over several years during the lifetime of a project and only when job and capital expenditure targets are met.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:02.39","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280248,"EventID":"S4W-12157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:02.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T09:38:47.23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Doosan Power Systems has set up an R&D centre near Glasgow creating 200 jobs, as stated on page 84 of the Scottish Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13.\r\n","AnswerText":"Doosan Power Systems plans for investing in Scotland’s offshore wind market changed in mid-December 2011. With that, the company decided not to press forward with its plans for a research and development centre near Glasgow which had the potential to create 200 jobs. The company cited the overall economic conditions and liquidity issues in Europe as the reason for its decision. However, Doosan Power Systems remains a major employer in Scotland with over 1,200 staff and the company continues to be committed to its Scottish operations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:02.763","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280249,"EventID":"S4W-12158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:03.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T09:38:47.23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Doosan Power Systems has created up to 1,700 jobs through its offshore wind plans, as referred to on page 84 of the Scottish Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13.\r\n","AnswerText":"Doosan Power Systems plans for investing in Scotland’s offshore wind market changed in mid-December 2011. With that, the company decided not to press forward with its 10 year plan to invest £170 million in Scottish wind power, which had the potential to create 1,700 jobs. The company cited the overall economic conditions and liquidity issues in Europe as the reason for its decision. However, Doosan Power Systems remains a major employer in Scotland with over 1,200 staff and the company continues to be committed to its Scottish operations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:03.14","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280250,"EventID":"S4W-12159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:03.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T09:38:47.23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Gamesa has created the 300 jobs referred to on page 84 of the Scottish Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13.","AnswerText":"Gamesa confirmed in March 2012 that it has selected Leith as a location for its new offshore wind turbine manufacturing facility. This project is yet to proceed. The company is in close regular contact with Scottish Enterprise around the implementation of this project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:03.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280251,"EventID":"S4W-12160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:04.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T09:38:47.23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 180 jobs referred to on page 84 of the Scottish Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13 Gamesa has created at its offshore wind technology centre at Strathclyde Business Park.","AnswerText":"In June 2011, Gamesa announced it would create up to 180 jobs as part of a new offshore wind technology centre. This project was supported by a £1.5 million regional selective assistance (RSA) grant from Scottish Enterprise.\r\nAll job numbers associated with RSA grants are the company’s forecast figures and are subject to change depending on future economic conditions and other factors affecting the businesses concerned. Payment of RSA is made in instalments, typically over several years during the lifetime of a project and only when job and capital expenditure targets are met.\r\nAs this is an on-going project, we cannot release details of job numbers associated it as it could impact on the company's commercial operations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:04.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280252,"EventID":"S4W-12161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:04.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T09:38:47.23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the planned 200 jobs referred to on page 84 of the Scottish Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13 Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe Ltd has created.","AnswerText":"Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe has indicated that it is still within the five year period of creating these jobs (as stated in its original announcement of 3 December 2010) and as such the figures for the planned jobs are currently unavailable. However, it is anticipated that job numbers created will be available later this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:04.667","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280253,"EventID":"S4W-12162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:05.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T09:38:47.23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Amazon has created (a) 750 permanent new jobs and (b) a further 1,500 temporary jobs during the peak Christmas period at its fulfilment centre at Dunfermline as announced in the Scottish Government news release of 15 November 2011, Amazon opens in Fife.","AnswerText":"This project was supported by a £1.4 million regional selective assistance (RSA) grant from Scottish Enterprise.\r\nAll job numbers associated with RSA grants are the company's forecast figures, and are subject to change depending on future economic conditions and other factors affecting the businesses concerned. Payment of RSA is made in instalments, typically over several years during the lifetime of a project and only when job and capital expenditure targets are met.\r\nAs this is an ongoing project, we cannot release details of associated job numbers, as this could impact on the company's commercial operations.\r\nFigures covering temporary jobs during the Christmas period are currently being collated by Amazon and an announcement on these jobs numbers will be made in the next couple of weeks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:05.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280254,"EventID":"S4W-12164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:05.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T09:38:47.23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Amazon has created an additional 200 posts at its fulfilment facility in Gourock as announced in the Scottish Government news release of 15 November 2011, Amazon opens in Fife.\r\n","AnswerText":"This project was supported by a £750,000 regional selective assistance grant from Scottish Enterprise.\r\nAll job numbers associated with RSA grants are the company's forecast figures, and are subject to change depending on future economic conditions and other factors affecting the businesses concerned. Payment of RSA is made in instalments, typically over several years during the lifetime of a project and only when job and capital expenditure targets are met.\r\nAs this is an on-going project, we cannot release details of associated job numbers, as this could impact on the company's commercial operations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:05.79","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280255,"EventID":"S4W-12168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:06.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T11:19:47.113","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what initiatives it is introducing in NHS (a) Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (b) Ayrshire and Arran to reduce the incidence of drug maladministration.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are responsible for the administration of drugs, including responsibility for reducing the incidence of adverse events concerning drug administration, in their board area.\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are undertaking specific initiatives to improve their systems and processes to increase the number of checks and ensure clarity of prescribing and charting. Incident reporting and auditing are used to identify errors and to identify lessons for dissemination, or improvements to guidance. Greater Glasgow and Clyde have also identified a number of education initiatives aimed at Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy staff.\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran are undertaking specific initiatives to improve their systems and processes, they have highlighted that they are the first Scottish site to have implemented the Hospital Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (HEPMA) which is recognised to significantly enhance medicines safety. NHS Ayrshire and Arran are using incident reports and Significant Adverse Event Reviews to support learning for staff and continuous improvements. Medicines events are reviewed by a Medicines Risk Protection Group which has a remit to review and recommend improvements to policies and procedures.\r\nNational initiatives to support NHS boards to reduce drug administration errors include work on medicines reconciliation undertaken as part of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme, and support for the development of electronic prescribing as part of the E-Health strategy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:06.353","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280256,"EventID":"S4W-12170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:06.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T11:38:36.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time has been in each NHS board for patients seeking treatment for haemorrhoids in each year since 1999.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:06.93","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280257,"EventID":"S4W-12171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:07.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T11:38:36.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have been treated for haemorrhoids by each NHS board in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"Treatment for haemorrhoids can occur at GP surgeries, outpatient clinics and in hospital as an inpatient or day case.\r\nThere are no centrally collected figures which count the number of people consulting a GP practice or receiving treatment from the practice for haemorrhoids. However, estimates of consultations are available from a sample of general practices in Scotland taking part in the Practice Team Information (PTI) scheme in the financial years 2003-04 to 2011-12 (Table 1). Patients exclusively treated outwith primary care is not included in these figures. PTI records do not specify if treatment was offered or only advice given.\r\nCentrally collected outpatient clinic information does not capture details of diagnoses made therefore it is not possible to show statistics on patients attending for treatment of haemorrhoids.\r\nThe numbers of patients admitted to a hospital as a day case or inpatient for treatment of haemorrhoids are shown in Table 2.\r\nIt should be noted that a patient may appear in both the GP consultation figures and the hospital admission figures. The total number of patients does not, therefore, equal the sum of the figures given in the tables. Also, people with haemorrhoids who self-medicated using over-the-counter products without consulting a GP or being admitted to hospital during the year are not included.\r\n\r\nTable 1 – Estimated numbers of patients in Scotland consulting a GP or practice nurse1 for haemorrhoids2, with corresponding 95% confidence intervals3; for financial years 2003-04 to 2011-124\r\nFinancial year \r\n(ending 31 March)\r\nEstimated number of patients consulting in Scotland\r\n95% Confidence Interval\r\n2003-04\r\n41,070\r\n(37,650-44,500)\r\n2004-05\r\n41,830\r\n(37,900-45,760)\r\n2005-06\r\n41,990\r\n(38,170-45,800)\r\n2006-07\r\n39,100\r\n(36,060-42,140)\r\n2007-08\r\n39,150\r\n(35,780-42,510)\r\n2008-09\r\n44,300\r\n(41,310-47,300)\r\n2009-10\r\n45,600\r\n(42,190-49,010)\r\n2010-11\r\n46,130\r\n(42,660-49,600)\r\n2011-12\r\n48,130\r\n(44,290-51,970)\r\nSource: Practice Team Information (PTI), ISD Scotland\r\n1. Estimates of patients consulting are based on the number of people with a face-to-face contact with either a GP or a practice-employed nurse in practices participating in Practice Team Information (PTI). This sample of Scottish general practices covers the full range of age, sex, deprivation and urban/rural classes existing in Scotland.\r\n2. To be included in PTI figures patients had at least one contact where a haemorrhoid was indicated as (one of) the reason(s) for that contact in that year. Haemorrhoids are defined by the following Read codes:\r\nG84.     Haemorrhoids (including all child codes)\r\nGyu83 [X] Internal haemorrhoids with other complications\r\nGyu84 [X] External haemorrhoids with other complications\r\nGyu85 [X] Unspecified haemorrhoids with other complications \r\nL416. Haemorrhoids in pregnancy and the puerperium (including all child codes)\r\n3. As the PTI estimates are based on data from a sample of practices, 95% confidence intervals are included to indicate the accuracy of these estimates. \r\n4. The sample included 59, 53, 51, 49, 48, 58, 60, 59 and 59 PTI practices that submitted complete GP and practice nurse data for the years ending 31 March 2003 to 2012 respectively.\r\n\r\n\r\nTable 2 - Number of patients admitted to Scottish hospitals for treatment of haemorrhoids - Financial years ending 31 March 2000 to 2012\r\n\r\nNHS Health Board of Treatment\r\n2000\r\n2001\r\n2002\r\n2003\r\n2004\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\n\r\nNHS AYRSHIRE & ARRAN\r\n722\r\n696\r\n725\r\n740\r\n629\r\n841\r\n912\r\n\r\nNHS BORDERS\r\n62\r\n52\r\n40\r\n39\r\n51\r\n46\r\n41\r\n\r\nNHS DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY\r\n145\r\n148\r\n104\r\n58\r\n89\r\n90\r\n137\r\n\r\nNHS FIFE\r\n294\r\n324\r\n192\r\n217\r\n226\r\n268\r\n301\r\n\r\nNHS FORTH VALLEY\r\n190\r\n189\r\n235\r\n199\r\n113\r\n110\r\n110\r\n\r\nNHS GRAMPIAN\r\n399\r\n465\r\n606\r\n728\r\n674\r\n655\r\n637\r\n\r\nNHS GREATER GLASGOW & CLYDE\r\n1418\r\n1393\r\n1460\r\n1518\r\n1635\r\n1825\r\n1931\r\n\r\nNHS HIGHLAND\r\n289\r\n229\r\n162\r\n186\r\n176\r\n199\r\n282\r\n\r\nNHS LANARKSHIRE\r\n511\r\n477\r\n460\r\n464\r\n473\r\n525\r\n617\r\n\r\nNHS LOTHIAN\r\n565\r\n595\r\n474\r\n321\r\n365\r\n359\r\n405\r\n\r\nNHS ORKNEY\r","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:07.677","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280258,"EventID":"S4W-12172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-09T13:55:08.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-09T11:38:36.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients in each NHS board area have had an appointment for treatment for haemorrhoids cancelled in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not collected centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-23T13:55:08.24","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280267,"EventID":"S4W-12173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-10T13:53:47.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-10T10:21:27.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will meet each of its obligations under the EU Drugs Strategy (2013-20).\r\n","AnswerText":"In December 2012, the European Union (EU) Drugs Strategy for 2013-20 was endorsed by the Council of the European Union. The Strategy aims to contribute to a reduction in the demand for, and supply of drugs within the EU, as well as a reduction in the health and social risks and harms caused by drugs.\r\nThe EU Drugs Strategy describes the overarching political framework and priorities for EU drugs policies that have been identified by Member States and EU Institutions for 2013-20 and provides a framework for co-ordinated and joint action between Member States. The Strategy is based on “a strategic approach that supports and complements national policies” (Official Journal of the European Union, 29.12.2012).\r\nThe framework, aims and objectives of the EU Drugs Strategy will serve as the basis of two consecutive four-year EU Drug Action Plans, which are currently being drafted. The Scottish Government continues to liaise with the UK Government, as the Member State, to ensure that Scottish interests are fully represented in the action plans.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-24T13:53:48.12","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280268,"EventID":"S4W-12174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-10T13:53:48.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-10T10:42:02.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many dermatology inpatient beds there have been in each NHS board area in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The average available staffed beds for dermatology in-patients by NHS Board for financial years ending 31 March 1999 to 31 March 2012 are provided in the following table(s).\r\nNHS Board\r\n1998-99\r\n1999-2000\r\n2000-01\r\n2001-02\r\n2002-03\r\n2003-04\r\n2004-05\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n15\r\n15\r\n15\r\n15\r\n15\r\n15\r\n15\r\nBorders\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\nFife\r\n7\r\n6\r\n6\r\n5\r\n5\r\n3\r\n3\r\nForth Valley\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGolden Jubilee National Hospital\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGrampian\r\n19\r\n16\r\n14\r\n13\r\n10\r\n9\r\n9\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n51\r\n48\r\n46\r\n43\r\n40\r\n40\r\n34\r\nHighland\r\n8\r\n9\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\n9\r\n7\r\nLanarkshire\r\n26\r\n26\r\n15\r\n15\r\n15\r\n14\r\n15\r\nLothian\r\n15\r\n13\r\n7\r\n8\r\n8\r\n9\r\n8\r\nOrkney\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nShetland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nTayside\r\n18\r\n18\r\n14\r\n13\r\n13\r\n13\r\n13\r\nWestern Isles\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nScotland\r\n160\r\n152\r\n126\r\n121\r\n115\r\n114\r\n105\r\n\r\nNHS Board\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2001-11\r\n2011-12\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n13\r\n11\r\n11\r\n10\r\n9\r\n8\r\n7\r\nBorders\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nFife\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nForth Valley\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGolden Jubilee National Hospital\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGrampian\r\n8\r\n8\r\n9\r\n9\r\n8\r\n7\r\n7\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n31\r\n31\r\n31\r\n24\r\n21\r\n20\r\n17\r\nHighland\r\n5\r\n5\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\nLanarkshire\r\n14\r\n12\r\n13\r\n12\r\n13\r\n11\r\n10\r\nLothian\r\n8\r\n8\r\n9\r\n8\r\n8\r\n9\r\n7\r\nOrkney\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nShetland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nTayside\r\n12\r\n11\r\n12\r\n12\r\n12\r\n13\r\n12\r\nWestern Isles\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nScotland\r\n94\r\n88\r\n89\r\n78\r\n74\r\n71\r\n62\r\nSource: ISD Scotland, ISD(S)1.\r\nInformation on quarterly and annual available staffed beds split by specialty and NHS board of treatment is published by Information Services Division and is available at the link:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Hospital-Care/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-24T13:53:48.54","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280269,"EventID":"S4W-12175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-10T13:53:48.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-10T11:03:10.9","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many assaults on hospital staff have been reported in each year since 1999, broken down by (a) hospital and (b) NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. This is a matter for NHS boards.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-24T13:53:49.01","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280270,"EventID":"S4W-12176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-10T13:53:49.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-10T11:31:20.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-09951 by Keith Brown on 24 October 2012, whether it has received a report and recommendation regarding the proposed Rosyth international container terminal from the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals and, if not, when it expects to.\r\n","AnswerText":"A report was received from the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals on 31 December 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-24T13:53:49.617","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280276,"EventID":"S4W-12177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-10T16:46:55.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-10T11:35:32.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made a decision regarding the funding of the Choose Life suicide prevention programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has set up a working group to consider future policy and action on prevention of suicide and self harm, in the context that the Choose Life strategy and action plan is approaching the end of its 10 year lifetime. The aim is to produce a new national strategy on suicide and self harm, to be published by the Scottish Government in late summer or autumn 2013.\r\nWork is now well underway towards the development of a public engagement paper, which we will publish in late February 2013. The engagement paper will not be a draft strategy. It is being prepared in order to prompt discussion around key issues. This discussion will then inform development of a new strategy on prevention of suicide and self harm. Four public engagement events are being run in late February and early March 2013, once the engagement paper has been published, to allow stakeholders an opportunity to feed in views on future policy and action.\r\nIn 2013-14 we will, subject to discussion of detail with NHS Health Scotland, continue to provide national mental health improvement funding to NHS Health Scotland, including funding to support the Choose Life national programme. Funding for local suicide prevention action is in general allocations to local authorities under the Single Outcome Agreement. Decisions on how this is used locally are for local authorities in conjunction with their community planning partners.\r\nBetween 2000-02 and 2009-11, there has been an overall downward trend in suicide rates, with an overall decrease of 17%.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-24T16:46:55.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280277,"EventID":"S4W-12178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-10T16:46:56.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-10T11:35:32.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to issue updated guidance to local authorities and housing associations on housing revenue accounts as a result of the introduction of the recent welfare reforms.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with Local Government and other stakeholders to support the Scottish housing community as it deals with the UK Government's welfare reforms. Scottish Government investment is supporting awareness raising, training and guidance for local authorities and housing associations on the welfare reforms. Our action plan is available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/16342/hbreform/sg.\r\nThe housing revenue account is an internal account particular to the finances of local authorities. This account records income and expenditure in relation to a local authority’s own direct provision of housing. The introduction of the welfare reforms does not alter the rationale for local authorities to maintain these accounts. There are therefore no plans to incorporate welfare reform issues into the guidance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-24T16:46:56.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280278,"EventID":"S4W-12179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-10T16:46:56.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-10T11:35:32.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what mechanisms registered tenant organisations can communicate with it on policy development.","AnswerText":"Individual registered tenant organisations (RTOs) can communicate with the Scottish Government on policy development by responding to public consultations and by corresponding with ministers and officials. They can communicate collectively with the government through the nine Regional Networks of RTOs. Representatives of the networks have bi-annual meetings with the Minister for Housing and Welfare; are members of the Housing Policy Advisory Group and of other Government working groups on housing, welfare and related matters; and are in regular contact with officials.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-24T16:46:56.973","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280279,"EventID":"S4W-12180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-10T16:46:57.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-10T11:35:32.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for updating the Regional Networks website. \r\n","AnswerText":"The website is shared by the nine Regional Networks. Each network’s committee of volunteers is responsible for updating its part of the website.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-24T16:46:57.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280294,"EventID":"S4W-12181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:03.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-10T16:30:47.673","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the £2.9 million funding for Scotland’s national parks announced on 10 January 2013 is additional to the £2.9 million announced on 19 December 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scotland’s National Parks were allocated a total of £2.9 million of additional capital funding from the total of £394 million secured by the Scottish Government as part of the UK Chancellors Autumn Statement.\r\nThis additional funding was announced to the Scottish Parliament on 19 December 2012. Further details about the £2.9 million funding package to the National Parks were provided in a Scottish Government news release on 10 January 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:03.227","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280295,"EventID":"S4W-12182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:03.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-10T16:31:06.113","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to update Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guideline 86 in order to ensure that people with dementia receive the testing, diagnosis and interventions needed to assist with their condition.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is responsible for developing, reviewing and updating evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland. Guidelines are generally considered for review by SIGN every three years.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to take national action to support early, accurate diagnosis and help services in taking a holistic approach to managing people with dementia, and enabling self-management, including through the development of a HEAT target from 2013 guaranteeing at least a year’s worth of post-diagnostic support, coordinated an an appropriately trained link worker.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:03.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280296,"EventID":"S4W-12183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:04.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-10T16:43:25.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to update Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guideline 74 that was published in September 2003.\r\n","AnswerText":"Responsibility for updating SIGN guideline 74 lies with Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:04.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280297,"EventID":"S4W-12184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:05.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T08:46:14.713","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many acres of land are occupied by, or earmarked for, wind farm developments, broken down by the Macaulay Land Capability for Agriculture (LCA) classification.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:05.363","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280298,"EventID":"S4W-12185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:05.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T11:33:55.683","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the development of the National Cycle Network route 78 between Oban and Inverness will contribute to its target of having 10% of all journeys made by bicycle by 2020.","AnswerText":"Use of the National Cycle Network has increased by 50% in the past four years and it now carries 35 million trips a year in Scotland. It is over 2,000 miles long and the route through the Great Glen is the largest missing link in the Network.\r\nIn addition, both Highland and Argyll & Bute council areas have among the highest returns for children cycling to school, as monitored by the Hands Up Scotland Survey carried out by Sustrans. Indeed, Highland is double the national average at over 8%. Both local authorities already more than match the funding made available by Transport Scotland and are, therefore, well placed to market and promote use of this new infrastructure.\r\nWe are confident that communities along this route, and in the larger urban areas of Oban, Fort William and the city of Inverness, who have been consulted from the beginning of this project, will be encouraged to choose cycling for every-day short trips that they might otherwise make by car and will contribute to the 10% vision for cycling by 2020.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:05.8","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280299,"EventID":"S4W-12186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:06.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T11:33:55.683","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the expected reduction in vehicle journeys is as a result of the development of the National Cycle Network route 78.\r\n","AnswerText":"We would expect a reduction in car trips by making shorter journeys more attractive for cycling and walking as a result of the new route. In Sustrans’ figures for the National Cycle Network usage in Scotland in 2011, 27% of pedestrians and 33% of cyclists said that they could have used a car to make their trip instead of walking or cycling.\r\nMonitoring of usage will be an ongoing exercise and Sustrans, Highland and Argyll and Bute Councils will report their findings following completion of the route and in line with local authority and National Cycle Network monitoring schedules.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:06.19","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280300,"EventID":"S4W-12187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:06.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T11:33:55.683","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is encouraging retailers to stock smaller portions of snack foods.","AnswerText":"Portion size of all foods is a key focus of our effort to help people maintain a healthy weight. Our stated aims on portion sizes are set out in the Preventing Overweight and Obesity Route Map:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/02/17140721/8\r\nThese are for the food industry to ensure that portion sizes better reflect consumers energy needs.\r\nIn addition the Scottish Government and Food Standards Agency in Scotland are currently working together on a voluntary framework for the food industry, setting out new actions to improve diet and combat overweight and obesity in Scotland. The proposed voluntary framework is expected to be published early in 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:06.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280301,"EventID":"S4W-12188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:07.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T11:33:55.683","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when its Food Implementation Group last met and what actions it agreed.","AnswerText":"The Food Implementation Group (FIG) was established to take forward actions with representative food industry bodies, on energy intake within the Preventing Overweight and Obesity Route Map.\r\nThe FIG has met eight times from 2010 to 2012. The last meeting was held on 7 June 2012. Minutes of all these meetings can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Healthy-Living/Food-Health/Food-Implemantation-Group.\r\nIn September 2012, FIG held a closed discussion which included a large number of food businesses, as well as representative food industry bodies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:07.08","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280302,"EventID":"S4W-12189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:07.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T11:33:55.683","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Grocery Retailers' Forum last met and whether the minutes of that meeting will be published.","AnswerText":"The last meeting of the Scottish Grocery Retailers’ Forum was on 2 May 2012. The agenda and minutes from this meeting can be accessed at http://scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Food-Industry/retailing/May12-minutes. We are also due to meet with them again next month.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:07.453","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280303,"EventID":"S4W-12190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:07.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T11:33:55.683","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made toward achieving the four targets identified in the Scottish Government Travel Strategy 2011-2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made the following progress against the targets set out in its 2011-2016 Travel Strategy:\r\nTarget 1 – to reduce business related travel emissions by 25% between 2005-06 and 2016-17.\r\nTarget 2 – to reduce business related travel emissions by 42% by 2019-20 against 2005-06 levels (aligning our target with the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009).\r\nReductions in travel-related emissions between 2005-06 and 2009/10 are reported in the 2009/10 Annual Environmental Performance Report:\r\n(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/11/01111158/0).\r\nEquivalent reductions between 2009-10 and 2011-12 are reported in the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Sustainability Report: \r\n(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/09/2732).\r\nThese reports show that the Scottish Government is making good progress towards achieving these targets. \r\nTarget 3 – to increase the share of more sustainable travel practices to 35% by 2014-15 from a baseline year of 2005-06. \r\nThe Scottish Government promotes sustainable travel options through the Travel Hierarchy set out in its 2011-2016 Travel Strategy:\r\n(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Information/travel-strategy). \r\nThis hierarchy requires the promotion of video conferencing, public transport, walking and cycling and the appropriate use of air travel, taxis and private cars. Between 2009-10 and 2011-12, the Scottish Government reduced its emissions from business related air travel by 18.4%. Over the same period, the number of business related journeys made by taxi in Edinburgh reduced by 55.0%.\r\nThe Scottish Government also promotes a number of initiatives to encourage lower carbon options for staff travel to work including: Walk to Work Week and schemes promoting cycling and car sharing.\r\nThe above highlights some of the progress that is being made towards achieving the 35% target for the adoption of more sustainable travel practices. This progress will be quantified in the 2012-13 Public Sector Sustainability Report that will be published in the Autumn.\r\nTarget 4 – establish a baseline for the commute to work [probably 2010-11] with a view to establishing carbon targets for the commute to work to be achieved by \r\n2014-15 taking into consideration business need, location and staff work life balance.\r\nA full staff travel survey was carried out last July and 2012-13 will be used as the baseline year for future commute to work carbon reduction targets. The results of the survey, and associated commute to work targets, will be published later this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:07.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280304,"EventID":"S4W-12200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:08.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:19:18.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the key responsibilities of the new divisional roads policing units will be.\r\n","AnswerText":"Operational matters are for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland to consider.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:08.313","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280305,"EventID":"S4W-12201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:09.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:19:18.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total budget will be of the (a) divisional roads policing units and (b) Trunk Roads Patrol Unit.","AnswerText":"Operational and budgetary matters are for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland and the chair of the Scottish Police Authority to consider.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:09.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280306,"EventID":"S4W-12202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:09.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:19:18.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes there will be to the policing of local roads following the creation of the Trunk Roads Patrol Unit.","AnswerText":"These are matters for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland to consider.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:09.793","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280307,"EventID":"S4W-12203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:10.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:19:18.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will have responsibility for influencing driver behaviour on the local road network, following the creation of the Trunk Roads Patrol Unit with responsibility for influencing driver behaviour on trunk roads.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 makes clear that it is the responsibility of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) to hold the chief constable to account for the policing of Scotland.\r\nThe SPA will therefore be responsible for collecting relevant evidence to enable it to review, in a timely and effective manner, the performance of the Police Service of Scotland against the strategic priorities and other relevant objectives and targets.\r\nThe Police Service of Scotland retains responsibility for policing of local roads, although local authorities also have responsibility for a range of decriminalised sanctions.\r\nAs one strand of Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020, Road Safety Scotland is also responsible for a range of initiatives designed to improve driver behaviour on all roads in Scotland, such as its national and social media campaigns. Details of these are available at: http://www.road-safety.org.uk/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:10.37","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280308,"EventID":"S4W-12204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:10.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:19:18.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been killed or seriously injured on the (a) trunk road and (b) local road network in each of the last three years, broken down by type of road user.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table provides the statistics requested. It should be noted that the figures do not take account of the higher overall length of the local authority roads or the larger volumes of traffic on trunk roads.\r\nCasualties by severity, road user and type of road, 2009 to 2011 (Extracted from STATS19 database in January 2013)\r\nKilled\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTrunk road\r\n\r\nLocal authority road\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\nPedestrian\r\n11\r\n12\r\n6\r\n\r\n36\r\n35\r\n37\r\nPedal cycle\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n\r\n5\r\n6\r\n7\r\nMotor cycle\r\n11\r\n15\r\n7\r\n\r\n32\r\n20\r\n26\r\nCar\r\n44\r\n34\r\n38\r\n\r\n72\r\n71\r\n51\r\nTaxi\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nMinibus\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nBus/coach\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nLight goods vehicle\r\n4\r\n1\r\n2\r\n\r\n0\r\n2\r\n4\r\nHeavy goods vehicle\r\n0\r\n3\r\n3\r\n\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\nOther\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n\r\n0\r\n3\r\n1\r\nTotal\r\n70\r\n67\r\n57\r\n\r\n146\r\n141\r\n128\r\n\r\n\r\nSerious\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\nTrunk road\r\n\r\nLocal authority road\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\nPedestrian\r\n24\r\n27\r\n29\r\n\r\n485\r\n430\r\n485\r\nPedal cycle\r\n5\r\n4\r\n10\r\n\r\n147\r\n134\r\n146\r\nMotor cycle\r\n77\r\n63\r\n65\r\n\r\n255\r\n256\r\n228\r\nCar\r\n306\r\n282\r\n194\r\n\r\n830\r\n621\r\n562\r\nTaxi\r\n4\r\n2\r\n2\r\n\r\n6\r\n8\r\n21\r\nMinibus\r\n4\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\n11\r\n2\r\n2\r\nBus/coach\r\n2\r\n5\r\n2\r\n\r\n34\r\n47\r\n49\r\nLight goods vehicle\r\n22\r\n18\r\n14\r\n\r\n29\r\n21\r\n21\r\nHeavy goods vehicle\r\n11\r\n13\r\n15\r\n\r\n11\r\n8\r\n13\r\nOther\r\n6\r\n4\r\n0\r\n\r\n19\r\n24\r\n19\r\nTotal\r\n461\r\n418\r\n331\r\n\r\n1,827\r\n1,551\r\n1,546\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:10.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280309,"EventID":"S4W-12205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:11.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:19:18.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will monitor the impact of the new divisional roads policing units on driver behaviour.","AnswerText":"The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 makes clear that it is the responsibility of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) to hold the chief constable to account for the policing of Scotland.\r\nThe SPA will therefore be responsible for collecting relevant evidence to enable it to review in a timely and effective manner, the performance of the Police Service of Scotland against the strategic priorities and other relevant objectives and targets.\r\nScotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020, published on 15 June 2009, includes distinct and challenging partnership targets for reductions in road casualties in Scotland up to 2020. This is the wider context in which the partners hold each other accountable for our collective efforts in improving road safety.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:11.353","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280310,"EventID":"S4W-12206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:12.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:19:18.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the Police Service of Scotland makes available statistics that allow the impact of the Trunk Roads Patrol Unit and divisional roads policing units to be effectively assessed.","AnswerText":"The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 makes clear that it is the responsibility of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) to hold the Chief Constable to account for the policing of Scotland.\r\nThe SPA will therefore be responsible for collecting relevant evidence to enable it to review, in a timely and effective manner, the performance of the Police Service of Scotland against the strategic priorities and other relevant objectives and targets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:12.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280311,"EventID":"S4W-12207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-11T14:31:12.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:19:18.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it used to formulate the statement in its news release of 4 December 2012, Police numbers up, that “This is in direct contrast to UK Government plans which will see the loss of an estimated 16,000 policing posts in England and Wales”.\r\n","AnswerText":"Page 13 of the 2011 HMIC “Adapting to Austerity report” states that based on estimated police workforce reductions in England and Wales from “March 2010 until the end of the Comprehensive Spending Review period there will be 11% (16,200) fewer officers”.\r\nThe adapting to austerity report can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.hmic.gov.uk/media/adapting-to-austerity-20110721.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-25T14:31:12.447","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280319,"EventID":"S4W-12208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:31:59.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T08:43:21.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what programmes are available to support looked-after children into employment.","AnswerText":"In December 2011 the Scottish Government announced that £1.5 million was to be invested over three financial years in an Employer Recruitment Incentive for 1000 targeted young people. 80 targeted young people will be supported in 2012-13; 460 in 2013-14; and 460 in 2014-15.\r\nThis incentive, of £1500 per individual, is offered through Skills Development Scotland and has been specifically designed to:\r\nEncourage employers to assist the transition of young people who have a background as a care leaver, ex-young offender or young carer into sustainable employment; and support these targeted young people with the transition into sustainable employment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:00.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280320,"EventID":"S4W-12209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:00.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T08:43:21.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many looked-after children are taking part in programmes aimed at getting them into employment.\r\n","AnswerText":"As at the end of December 2012, 67 individuals had been supported through the Employer Recruitment Incentive for targeted young people and includes care leavers. The aim of this incentive is to support 1000 targeted young people over the three financial years: 80 in 2012-13; 460 2013-14; and 460 in 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:00.503","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280321,"EventID":"S4W-12210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:00.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T08:43:21.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reassess its anti-poverty policies in light of the UK Government’s welfare reform policies.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s approach is to tackle the long term drivers of poverty through early intervention and prevention. Our Solidarity target reflects the importance we attach to reducing income inequality, something which the UK Government's policies risk exacerbating. We have serious concerns that welfare reform will impact on the most vulnerable in society and our plans for mitigation, such as the Scottish Welfare Fund, look to help those in poverty who might suffer the most.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:00.767","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280322,"EventID":"S4W-12211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:01.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T08:43:21.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisons use father and child visit contracts.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“No prison should be describing the process for bonding visits as a contract.\r\nAs I advised when I wrote to Mary Fee MSP on 25 September 2012, I have instructed a review of the current arrangement which is on-going and revised guidance will be issued to all prisons shortly. Central to this revised guidance will be that the rights of the child are paramount and recognising a prisoners right under European Convention on Human Right to a family life.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:01.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280323,"EventID":"S4W-12212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:01.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T08:43:21.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it tackles mental health problems in rural areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy and provides funding to agencies to support implementation of policy. The management of local actions in implementing this policy is the responsibility of these relevant local agencies, based on local need, including geography and rurality.\r\nIn the Mental Health Stategy: 2012-15 we set out a number of approaches which will assist in tackling mental health problems in rural areas. There is a strong focus throughout the strategy on actions that people can take for themselves, and in their own communities, to maintain and improve their own health.\r\nLocally, NHS boards continue to develop and deliver self-help services according to need, with many of these services and resources being available through primary care. Nationally, existing services and resources include the NHS Living Life service, delivered through NHS 24, and the Steps for Stress resources, managed by NHS Health Scotland.\r\nWe have committed to work with partners, including the Royal College of General Practitioners and Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland, to increase local knowledge of social prescribing opportunities, including through new technologies.\r\nWe have committed to the effective use of modern technology to provide information and deliver evidence-based services. We have begun, and will continue through the period of the strategy, to develop, with NHS 24, a Scotland-wide approach to improving mental health through new technology.\r\nAn example of recent innovative use of new technology is the use of video conferencing for patients with mental health problems at Abbeyfield Care Home in Ballachulish. Patients and care home staff now have access to services, support and advice from specialist teams in Inverness, with no need for travel.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:01.33","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280324,"EventID":"S4W-12214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:01.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T13:39:07.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S4W-11764 by Kenny MacAskill on 20 December 2012, whether it consulted organisations or individuals other than executive agencies, Scottish Government directorates or holders of judicial or public offices appointed by ministers before deciding to amend section 16 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 and, if so, what organisations or individuals.\r\n","AnswerText":"As announced in November 2012, the Scottish Government is intending to legislate to clarify the powers of the court to impose a consecutive sentence for people who are released early from prison and go on to commit another offence before their original sentence has ended. We are intending a technical change to the law to help make it clearer and easier to understand.\r\nWe have not formally consulted on our proposed technical changes, but once the legislation is introduced into Parliament we will consider carefully views offered from the Justice Committee, other MSPs and stakeholders on the provision.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:01.627","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280325,"EventID":"S4W-12215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:01.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T13:39:07.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people convicted of homicide have received as their main penalty a (a) Sheriff Court fine, (b) Justice of the Peace Court fine, (c) fiscal fine, (d) fiscal compensation order, (e) fiscal combined offer and (f) police antisocial behaviour penalty in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"Decisions on sentencing in individual cases for people convicted of offences are taken entirely independently by the court. Also, decisions in individual cases on the use of alternatives to prosecution such as fiscal fines for offences are taken entirely independently by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.\r\nThe available information is given in the following tables. As police ASB FPNs cannot be issued for these crimes, they are not included in the table as none were issued.\r\nPeople convicted in Scottish Courts receiving a fine, 2006-07 to 2011-12\r\nCrime/offence1 and Court2\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nHomicide:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nMurder:\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\nHigh Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSheriff Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nJustice of the Peace Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDistrict Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStipendiary Magistrate Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCausing death by careless driving:\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\nHigh Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSheriff Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n5\r\n5\r\n5\r\nJustice of the Peace Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDistrict Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStipendiary Magistrate Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCausing death by dangerous driving:\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\nHigh Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nSheriff Court\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nJustice of the Peace Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDistrict Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStipendiary Magistrate Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDeath by careless driving when under  \r\ninfluence of drink/drugs:\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\nHigh Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSheriff Court\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nJustice of the Peace Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDistrict Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStipendiary Magistrate Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCulpable homicide (common law):\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\nHigh Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSheriff Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nJustice of the Peace Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDistrict Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStipendiary Magistrate Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nIllegal driver, disqualified/unlicensed\r\netc involved in fatal accident:\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\nHigh Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSheriff Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nJustice of the Peace Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDistrict Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStipendiary Magistrate Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAttempted murder:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nHigh Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSheriff Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nJustice of the Peace Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDistrict Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStipendiary Magistrate Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSerious assault:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nHigh Court\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSheriff Court\r\n138\r\n187\r\n176\r\n100\r\n93\r\n69\r\nJustice of the Peace Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDistrict Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStipendiary Magistrate Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nRobbery:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nHigh Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSheriff Court\r\n20\r\n23\r\n18\r\n20\r\n10\r\n18\r\nJustice of the Peace Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDistrict Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStipendiary Magistrate Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nRape and attempted rape:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nHigh Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSheriff Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nJustice of the Peace Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDistrict Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStipendiary Magistrate Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSexual assault:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nHigh Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSheriff Court\r\n10\r\n6\r\n2\r\n2\r\n4\r\n7\r\nJustice of the Peace Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDistrict Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStipendiary Magistrate Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHousebreaking:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nHigh Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSheriff Court\r\n248\r\n237\r\n232\r\n148\r\n134\r\n96\r\nJustice of the Peace Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n4\r\n0\r\n2\r\nDistrict Court\r\n3\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStipendiary Magistrate Court\r\n5\r\n4\r\n7\r\n11\r\n16\r\n15\r\nHandling an offensive weapon:\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\nHigh Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSheriff Court\r\n938\r\n897\r\n839\r\n618\r\n455\r\n369\r\nJustice of the Peace Court\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\n9\r\nDistrict Court\r\n9\r\n2\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStipendiary Magistrate Court\r\n73\r\n29\r\n10\r\n35\r\n41\r\n30\r\nDrugs:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nHigh Court\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nSheriff Court\r\n3,213\r\n3,167\r\n2,734\r\n2,945\r\n2,583\r\n2,341\r\nJustice of the Peace Court\r\n0\r\n4\r\n271\r\n622\r\n819\r\n657\r\nDistrict Cou","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:01.937","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280326,"EventID":"S4W-12216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:02.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T13:39:07.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people convicted of attempted murder have received as their main penalty a (a) Sheriff Court fine, (b) Justice of the Peace Court fine, (c) fiscal fine, (d) fiscal compensation order, (e) fiscal combined offer and (f) police antisocial behaviour penalty in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12215 on 8 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found:\r\nat: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:02.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280327,"EventID":"S4W-12217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:02.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T13:39:07.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people convicted of serious assault have received as their main penalty a (a) Sheriff Court fine, (b) Justice of the Peace Court fine, (c) fiscal fine, (d) fiscal compensation order, (e) fiscal combined offer and (f) police antisocial behaviour penalty in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12215 on 8 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found: at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:02.61","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280328,"EventID":"S4W-12218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:02.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T13:39:07.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people convicted of (a) rape and (b) attempted rape have received as their main penalty a (i) Sheriff Court fine, (ii) Justice of the Peace Court fine, (iii) fiscal fine, (iv) fiscal compensation order, (v) fiscal combined offer and (vi) police antisocial behaviour penalty in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12215 on 8 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found:\r\nat: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:03","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280329,"EventID":"S4W-12219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:03.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T13:39:07.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people convicted of handling an offensive weapon have received as their main penalty a (a) Sheriff Court fine, (b) Justice of the Peace Court fine, (c) fiscal fine, (d) fiscal compensation order, (e) fiscal combined offer and (f) police antisocial behaviour penalty in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12215 on 8 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found: at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:03.31","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280330,"EventID":"S4W-12220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:03.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T13:39:07.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people convicted of robbery have received as their main penalty a (a) Sheriff Court fine, (b) Justice of the Peace Court fine, (c) fiscal fine, (d) fiscal compensation order, (e) fiscal combined offer and (f) police antisocial behaviour penalty in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12215 on 8 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found:\r\nat: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:03.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280331,"EventID":"S4W-12221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:03.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T13:39:07.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people convicted of common assault have received as their main penalty a (a) Sheriff Court fine, (b) Justice of the Peace Court fine, (c) fiscal fine, (d) fiscal compensation order, (e) fiscal combined offer and (f) police antisocial behaviour penalty in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12215 on 8 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found:\r\nat: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:03.95","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280332,"EventID":"S4W-12222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:04.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T13:39:07.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people convicted of sexual assault have received as their main penalty a (a) Sheriff Court fine, (b) Justice of the Peace Court fine, (c) fiscal fine, (d) fiscal compensation order, (e) fiscal combined offer and (f) police antisocial behaviour penalty in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12215 on 8 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found:\r\nat: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:04.247","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280333,"EventID":"S4W-12223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:04.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T13:39:07.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people convicted of housebreaking have received as their main penalty a (a) Sheriff Court fine, (b) Justice of the Peace Court fine, (c) fiscal fine, (d) fiscal compensation order, (e) fiscal combined offer and (f) police antisocial behaviour penalty in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12215 on 8 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:04.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280334,"EventID":"S4W-12224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T14:32:04.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T13:39:07.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people convicted of drug offences have received as their main penalty a (a) Sheriff Court fine, (b) Justice of the Peace Court fine, (c) fiscal fine, (d) fiscal compensation order, (e) fiscal combined offer and (f) police antisocial behaviour penalty in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12215 on 8 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found:\r\nat:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T14:32:04.887","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280335,"EventID":"S4T-00197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2487,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T12:49:27.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T09:53:12.727","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how value-based pricing will impact on the availability of orphan and ultra-orphan medicines such as Kalydeco.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T12:49:27.413","MeetingDate":"2013-01-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280336,"EventID":"S4T-00198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T12:49:27.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T10:27:13.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support the workforce of Montgomery Litho Ltd following its liquidation.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T12:49:27.68","MeetingDate":"2013-01-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280337,"EventID":"S4F-01109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T12:48:42.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-10T14:04:33.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T12:48:43.027","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280338,"EventID":"S4F-01111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T12:48:43.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T09:16:44.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what recent discussions the Scottish Government has had with NHS boards about appointment procedures for senior health managers.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T12:48:43.653","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280339,"EventID":"S4F-01112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T12:48:43.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T09:24:38.313","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T12:48:43.933","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280340,"EventID":"S4F-01118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T12:48:45.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T11:00:05.893","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T12:48:45.79","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280341,"EventID":"S4F-01119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T12:48:46.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T11:12:43.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government allows convicted criminals to post online material purporting to cast doubt on their conviction.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T12:48:46.053","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280342,"EventID":"S4F-01120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T12:48:46.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T11:13:08.727","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the impact of UK pension reforms in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T12:48:46.337","MeetingDate":"2013-01-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280351,"EventID":"S4W-12191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:23.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:00:05.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) 16 to 19 and (b) 20 to 24-year-olds have a work coach.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you on this matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:23.84","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280352,"EventID":"S4W-12192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:24.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:00:05.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Skills Development Scotland will introduce an action plan to deliver its evaluation strategy.\r\n","AnswerText":"The production of an action plan to support the delivery of Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) Evaluation Strategy is the responsibility of SDS. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the Member.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:24.463","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280353,"EventID":"S4W-12193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:24.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:00:05.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it helps local authorities provide 3-year funding streams to third sector agencies.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government aims to provide local authorities with three year funding allocations (year one final and years two and three provisional) in order to give them certainty in longer term financial planning, which in turn should help them to provide three year funding streams to third sector agencies.\r\nThe Joint Statement on the Relationship at Local Level between Government and the Third Sector states that: “As a general rule funders will aim to take a three year approach to both grant and contract funding” and would encourage authorities to operate in this way. The joint statement is clear that where three year funding is declined, local authorities will be clear on the reasons for taking such a decision.\r\nFull and early involvement of the third sector in the co-production of service design and planning is likely to lead to funding packages that are satisfactory for all parties. \r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government supports the third sector by supporting the network of local third sector interfaces and through Ready for Business and Just Enterprise. One potential benefit of this support is likely to be the development of sustainable funding arrangements to the benefit of all parties.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:24.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280354,"EventID":"S4W-12194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:25.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:00:05.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many training programme opportunities have been (a) available and (b) taken up by 20 to 24-year-olds in each year since 2008.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:25.29","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280355,"EventID":"S4W-12195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:25.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:00:05.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to 20 to 24-year-olds seeking training courses.\r\n","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland (SDS) offers a range of ways for individuals of all ages to access training. Learners can contact SDS via more than one hundred locations throughout Scotland. SDS have space on their website detailing the services they deliver for individuals as well as their dedicated My World of Work online service to help people plan, build and direct their career throughout their lives.\r\nSDS also offers advice by telephone to individuals looking for assistance on their helpline: 0800 917 8000.\r\nSDS can advise individuals about both appropriate training available to them, and any associated funding for which they may be eligible.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:25.65","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280356,"EventID":"S4W-12196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:26.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:00:05.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young people who are unemployed have been so for at least two years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Annual Population Survey (APS) provides the preferred measure of youth unemployment. The latest data covers October 2011 to September 2012.\r\nOf the 85,100 young people who are unemployed approximately 11% (10,000) have been unemployed for at least two years. As the APS is a sample survey there is an amount of variability in this estimate.\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, Office for National Statistics.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Levels are rounded, proportions calculated using unrounded figures and based on economically active population.\r\n2. Duration breakdown excludes those where duration was unknown (for this period the duration of unemployment was unknown for approximately 1,700 young people).\r\n3. The subgroup of interest here is relatively small and therefore this estimate is not as reliable as that for the overall population aged 16 to 24 years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:26.04","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280357,"EventID":"S4W-12197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:26.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:00:05.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young people who are unemployed and have been so for at least two years have attended a (a) training and (b) employability programme in each of the last three years, broken down by programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you on this matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:26.6","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280358,"EventID":"S4W-12198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:26.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:00:05.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commission an independent evaluation of the success of its employability programmes.\r\n","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is currently finalising details of an action plan to support the SDS evaluation strategy 2012-15. This will include a three to four year rolling plan to ensure that all future evaluation is adequately planned and resourced. Scottish Government will be better placed to assess whether any additional independent evaluation of its employability programmes is required following publication of the SDS action plan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:26.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280359,"EventID":"S4W-12199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:27.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-11T12:00:05.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase the number of modern apprenticeships offered by small and medium-sized enterprises and, if so, how.\r\n","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland (SDS) uses a range of mechanisms to develop a clear picture of employer and industry skills needs, including their recently launched Our Skills Force. In a bid to provide greater, more direct support to help Scotlands small and medium sized enterprises compete in the current economic climate, SDS has now introduced a new employer services team to provide direct skills support for employers and their representative bodies.\r\nThe employer services team will work on a regional basis with local partners, such as business Gateways, chambers of commerce and local authorities. Included within this service will be the opportunity to investigate the appropriateness of Modern Apprenticeships to their business or recruitment needs.\r\nThe Scottish Government is developing policy around a shared apprenticeship model. The aim is to make it easier for small and micro sized businesses, in the construction industry in the first instance, to engage with the modern apprenticeship programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:27.227","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280360,"EventID":"S4W-12225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:27.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T14:14:43.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding each community justice authority receives under section 27 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968.","AnswerText":"Funding allocated to each Community Justice Authority (CJA) under section 27 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, for the current financial year (2012-13), is provided in the following table:\r\nCJA Area\r\nAmount\r\nFife and Forth Valley\r\n£12,148,540\r\nGlasgow\r\n£18,187,279\r\nLanarkshire\r\n£11,781,996\r\nLothian and Borders\r\n£14,586,776\r\nNorthern\r\n£12,336,156\r\nNorth Strathclyde\r\n£10,532,199\r\nSouth West Scotland\r\n£9,368,326\r\nTayside\r\n£7,891,419\r\nTotal \r\n£96,832,691\r\nIn addition, each Community Justice Authority has been able to submit applications under Section 27 for additional funding from the Payback Sports Facilities Fund, up to a maximum of £375k per CJA over the two years 2011-12 - 2012-13. The aim of the fund is to promote the rehabilitation of offenders and help reduce reoffending by maintaining and improving sports amenities available to communities throughout Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:27.817","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280361,"EventID":"S4W-12226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:28.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T14:14:43.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of prisoners are attending education programmes.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe number of prisoners attending education in the Scottish Prison Service varies from day to day. A snapshot of prisoners attending education for November 2012 shows that 34.6% of the population attend education.\r\nIn addition to this other prisoners will be undertaking addiction work, visits, work and other activities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:28.16","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280362,"EventID":"S4W-12227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:28.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T14:14:43.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many community payback orders have been issued.","AnswerText":"The information requested can be found in Criminal proceedings in Scotland 2011-12 (Table 7). This publication is available on-line on the Scottish Government website at  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/11/5336.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:28.787","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280363,"EventID":"S4W-12228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:29.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T14:14:43.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of offenders who carry out a community payback order has gone on to reoffend.\r\n","AnswerText":"Re-offending rates cannot be measured directly, as not all offences result in prosecution and conviction. Instead, reconviction rates are used as a proxy measure of the rate of re-offending. Information about the percentage of offenders who received these orders in 2010-11, and have gone on to be reconvicted, will be published in the statistical bulletin Reconviction Rates in Scotland: 2010-11 Cohort in summer 2013.\r\nThe dates of all Scottish Government Official and National Statistics publications are pre-announced, and the up to date list of future publications can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Search/Forthcoming.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:29.223","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280364,"EventID":"S4W-12229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:29.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T14:14:43.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown by nationality of the prison population.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“On 16 January 2013 the number of offenders in custody including those on remand was 7750 if which 7459 were British. The following table shows the nationality of the remaining 291.”\r\nPrisoner Nationality\r\nTotals\r\nAfghanistan\r\n4\r\nAlbanian\r\n12\r\nAlgerian\r\n3\r\nAngolan\r\n1\r\nAustralian\r\n1\r\nBangladeshi\r\n1\r\nBulgarian\r\n2\r\nChinese\r\n15\r\nCzech\r\n2\r\nDutch\r\n4\r\nEcuadorian\r\n1\r\nEgyptian\r\n1\r\nEstonian\r\n1\r\nFrench\r\n2\r\nGambian\r\n7\r\nGerman\r\n2\r\nGhanaian\r\n1\r\nGuinean\r\n1\r\nHungarian\r\n3\r\nIndian\r\n9\r\nIranian\r\n2\r\nIraqi\r\n3\r\nIrish\r\n14\r\nItalian\r\n2\r\nJamaican\r\n7\r\nKenyan\r\n2\r\nKorean\r\n1\r\nKuwati\r\n1\r\nLatvian\r\n8\r\nLibyan\r\n1\r\nLithuanian\r\n25\r\nMalawian\r\n1\r\nMaltese\r\n1\r\nMexican\r\n1\r\nMorroccan\r\n2\r\nNew Zealander\r\n1\r\nNigerian\r\n9\r\nPakistani\r\n11\r\nPalestinian\r\n3\r\nPolish\r\n61\r\nPortuguese\r\n3\r\nRomanian\r\n6\r\nRussian\r\n6\r\nSlovakian\r\n4\r\nSomalian\r\n6\r\nSouthern African\r\n2\r\nSpanish\r\n3\r\nSudanese\r\n1\r\nTurkish\r\n4\r\nUgandan\r\n2\r\nUndetermined\r\n2\r\nVietnamese\r\n17\r\nZimbabwean\r\n6\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:29.52","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280365,"EventID":"S4W-12230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:29.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T14:14:43.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of prisoners is released without accommodation.\r\n","AnswerText":"Between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012 there were 19,792 discharges from prison, of whom 846 people stated that they would be of no fixed abode on release. In the same period there were 1,735 applications to local authorities for homelessness assistance from homeless households where discharge from prison was the main reason for the applicant’s homelessness.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:29.91","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280366,"EventID":"S4W-12231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:30.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T14:14:43.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it evaluates rehabilitation programmes (a) in and (b) out of prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The evaluation of rehabilitation programmes for individual prisoners is undertaken by analysing data gathered before, during and after the delivery of programmes. This includes reviewing psychological risk tools, psychometric tests, clinical observation and monitoring offenders’ behaviour.\r\nThe Scottish Prison Service has not individually evaluated the effectiveness of these programmes however there is a significant body of research from around the world that demonstrates the effectiveness of these in reducing reoffending.\r\nSPS is currently in the process of reviewing and updating its suite of rehabilitation programmes to create a robust framework of evaluation.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:30.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280367,"EventID":"S4W-12232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:30.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T14:14:43.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many repeat offenders have repeated rehabilitation programmes in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“Interventions will be delivered after an assessment of an individual’s risks and needs. This may result in an individual having to repeat interventions to ensure that their risks and needs are as far as possible, addressed prior to release.\r\nThe SPS does not record whether repeat offenders are participating on rehabilitation programmes for a second (or third) time.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:30.657","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280368,"EventID":"S4W-12233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:31.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T14:14:43.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether families can accumulate prison visits if they live a long distance from the prison.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“A life prisoner or those serving a sentence of more than 14 months who has served at least six months may apply to the Governor to start accumulating visits. If the Governor gives permission for this then the prisoner will be moved to another prison closer to visitors to participate in such visits for a maximum period of two months.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:31.373","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280369,"EventID":"S4W-12234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:31.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T14:14:43.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether offenders' families are involved in reviews of (a) sentencing, (b) care in custody and (c) other aspects of offenders' care.","AnswerText":"In relation to reviews of sentencing, following a person's conviction, the court will decide on an appropriate sentence within the overall legal framework provided by Parliament. The court has wide discretion to consider what an appropriate sentence should be for specific cases and will take into account a range of relevant factors such as the circumstances of the offender including their family circumstances. Any offender can seek to appeal against their sentence and it will for the Appeal Court to consider the merits of the appeal. There is also an exceptional process by which an offender can seek to have the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) refer their case back to court for a further appeal. An offenders' family can of course assist in helping appeals and applications to the SCCRC, but they do not have a formal role in these processes.\r\nIn relation to the review of the care of offenders in custody the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) actively encourages offenders and their families to contribute to the prisons Integrated Case Management process for those subject to post release supervision and to attend their annual case conference. The SPS also invites families, with the offenders’ approval, to the Act2Care case conference as part of its Suicide Risk Management Strategy where the offender is at risk of suicide or self harm.\r\nIn addition, community-based social workers regularly meet with families in their home to consider the supports and services required and to take account of their views on a possible return to the family home when offenders are being considered for any form of release.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:31.657","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280370,"EventID":"S4W-12235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:32.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T14:27:00.54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Protected Geographical Indicator status for Stornoway black pudding is expected to be granted.\r\n","AnswerText":"Protected Geographical Indicator status (PGI) for Stornoway Black Pudding is expected to be granted around the end of January/mid February 2013. The EU wide consultation ended on 15 December following which the Commission will start making arrangements for the name to be added to the register of EU protected food names. Due to the administrative procedures including translation in the EU community languages this takes a further 6-8 weeks before publication of the registered name in the EU Official Journal.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:32.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280371,"EventID":"S4W-12236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:32.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T14:32:41.347","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has conducted of any potential water pollution as a result of unconventional gas exploration and extraction and whether it is considering commissioning further research.\r\n","AnswerText":"Following the investigation of two seismic tremors experienced near Preese Hall, Lancashire during fracking operations in 2011, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society conducted a wide ranging and authoritative review of the scientific and technical evidence on the risks associated with hydraulic fracturing for shale gas, and published a report in June 2012. Their overall conclusion is that the risks can be managed effectively in the UK as long as operational best practices are implemented and enforced through current regulation, a position shared by The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).\r\nWhilst we and SEPA believe that the current regulatory tools provide a high level of protection, it should be noted that shale gas activity, including hydraulic fracturing, is only exploratory and there is no experience of production operations in the UK as yet. Therefore we will monitor any future activity to ensure that the current tools are effective in protecting the water environment and if not will look at further measures at that point.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:32.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280372,"EventID":"S4W-12238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:33.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T14:32:41.347","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the updated National Flood Risk Assessment will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"The first ever National Flood Risk Assessment (NFRA) for Scotland was published in December 2011 and is only the first step in a new risk-based approach to managing the impacts of floods, where the focus of plans and actions to manage flooding are targeted on where the need and benefits are greatest. The next step is for SEPA to publish new flood risk and flood hazard maps in December 2013. The NFRA will form a regular part of the new Flood Risk Management Planning Cycle, and will be updated by 22 December 2018, as required by the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:33.153","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280373,"EventID":"S4W-12239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:33.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T15:57:10.14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made regarding the introduction of the Scottish Welfare Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"We are working in partnership with colleagues in COSLA, and local authority representatives on the development of the Scottish Welfare Fund. We have set up a Design and Implementation Group (DIG), in partnership with COSLA, and involving local authority representatives, to oversee the development and introduction of the Scottish Welfare Fund. The DIG meets regularly to discuss all aspects of implementation and good progress is being made.\r\nNotes from DIG meetings, and details of ongoing developments of the Scottish Welfare Fund are available on our website:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/welfarereform/socialfund.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:33.48","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280374,"EventID":"S4W-12240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-14T17:15:33.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T15:57:10.14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what will qualify as emergency help under the proposed Scottish Welfare Fund.","AnswerText":"There are a range of payment methods that local authorities can use to provide emergency help under the Scottish Welfare Fund. As well as cash payments, local authorities may decide to use payments in-kind such as food vouchers, or loaded store cards, to best meet the needs of a claimant in an emergency.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-28T17:15:33.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280380,"EventID":"S4W-12241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T14:03:14.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T09:19:20.36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning has met colleges to discuss waiting lists in the last six months.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have been involved in no such meetings in the last six months. I did however meet with the Chair of the Board of Scotland’s Colleges on 7 November 2012, at which we discussed Scotland’s Colleges’ approach to the issue.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T14:03:14.47","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280381,"EventID":"S4W-12242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T14:03:15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T09:19:20.36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of the audit of the processes by which colleges compile waiting lists.\r\n","AnswerText":"As I indicated to the Parliament on 16 January 2013, an update for MSPs on the audit has been placed in Scottish Parliaments Information Centre (SPICe). (Bib number 54653) The update makes clear that the report will be published in February.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T14:03:15.017","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280382,"EventID":"S4W-12244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T14:03:15.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T12:19:56.64","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it seeks the consent of the Queen or Prince Charles prior to introducing legislation and, if so, in respect of (a) how many and (b) which bills it has sought such consent since May 2007 and for which bills consent was refused.\r\n","AnswerText":"Rule 9.11 of the Scottish Parliament’s Standing Orders (which reflects the requirements of paragraph 7 of Schedule 3 to the Scotland Act 1998) states that:\r\n“Where a Bill contains provisions, or is amended so as to include provisions, which would, if the Bill were a Bill for an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament, require the consent of Her Majesty, the Prince and Steward of Scotland or the Duke of Cornwall, the Parliament shall not debate any question whether the Bill be passed or approved unless such consent to those provisions has been signified by a member of the Scottish Government during proceedings on the Bill at a meeting of the Parliament.”\r\nInformation on Crown consent where it has arisen in relation to individual Bills is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. However, the Scottish Government understands that Crown consent has been sought, and granted, for every Scottish Parliament Bill enacted since 1999 for which the parliamentary authorities have determined that consent is required by Rule 9.11. Where Crown consent has been signified, that fact has been confirmed during the debate on the relevant Bill at a meeting of the Parliament and has been recorded in the Parliament’s Official Report.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T14:03:15.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280383,"EventID":"S4W-12250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T14:03:16.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T12:55:42.897","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants are involved in each of the workstreams set up in preparation for the 2014 referendum.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of their normal duties, civil servants provide support on relevant aspects of the Scottish Government’s work. Staff contribute to constitutional policy development from within their own subject areas as and when required.\r\nThe amount of time staff spend contributing to the workstreams varies widely from week to week, and we do not routinely record this information, as we have no business need for it. The most recent published information on this subject is in the form of a response to a Freedom Of Information request available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/constitution/About/Workstreams.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T14:03:16.09","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280384,"EventID":"S4W-12251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T14:03:17.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T12:55:42.897","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many working hours have been committed to each of the workstreams set up in preparation for the 2014 referendum.\r\n","AnswerText":"Detailed information on staff activity is not routinely held at the level of working hours.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T14:03:17.043","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280385,"EventID":"S4W-12252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T14:03:17.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T12:55:42.897","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what cost has been incurred by each of the workstreams set up in preparation for the 2014 referendum.\r\n","AnswerText":"The dominant costs incurred are staff costs and I refer you to the answer to question S4W-12061 on 31 January 2013. Other costs are generally not accounted for separately. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T14:03:17.713","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280386,"EventID":"S4W-12243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T17:02:53.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T11:07:23.547","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 is compliant with the (a) European Convention on Human Rights and (b) Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and, if so, what evidence it has to support this.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s view is that the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 complies with the European Convention on Human Rights. The statements from the Presiding Officer and the then Minister for Justice provide evidence of this. They are available on the Scottish Parliament’s website at page 26 of the Explanatory Notes for the then Bill: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S2_Bills/Family%20Law%20(Scotland)%20Bill/b36s2-introd-en.pdf.\r\nThe Government does not believe there is any conflict between the 2006 Act and the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, but it is not appropriate to suggest that the 2006 Act requires to be ‘compliant’ with the 1995 Act. Both Acts are primary legislation about a devolved matter and both are relevant statutes in the area of family law. The 2006 Act amended the 1995 Act. A key principle underlying both Acts is that the welfare of the child is paramount.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T17:02:53.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280387,"EventID":"S4W-12248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T17:02:53.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T12:54:53.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation it has made of the implementation of Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guideline 114, Non-pharmaceutical management of depression in adults.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has established the HEAT target to “Deliver faster access to mental health services by delivering 18 weeks referral to treatment for psychological therapies from December 2014”.\r\nWe have published “The Matrix: a Guide to Delivering Evidence-based Psychological Therapies in Scotland” on what treatments are effective for which conditions. This takes into account the content of SIGN guideline 114, along with other sources of evidence, in its recommendations on the treatment of depression. The Matrix also emphasises that services must provide adequate supervision for staff delivering psychological interventions, to ensure patient safety and the delivery of evidence-based care.\r\nThrough NHS Education Scotland, we are working to assess and develop workforce capacity to ensure that a range of staff are equipped to deliver therapies. We are also building processes into the work to gather information on clinical outcomes.\r\nIn the Mental Health Stategy:2012-15 we set out a number of approaches which are consistent with the recommendations of SIGN guideline 114. There is a strong focus throughout the Strategy on actions that people can take for themselves, and in their communities, to maintain and improve their own health.\r\nNHS boards continue to develop and deliver self-help services. Nationally, self-help services and resources include the NHS Living Life service, delivered through NHS 24, and the Steps for Stress resources, managed by NHS Health Scotland.\r\nWe have committed to work with partners to increase local knowledge of social prescribing opportunities, including through new technologies, and to develop, with NHS 24, a Scotland-wide approach to improving mental health through new technology.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T17:02:53.767","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280388,"EventID":"S4W-12249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T17:02:54.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T12:54:53.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that patients are treated in accordance with Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines.","AnswerText":"The implementation of SIGN guidelines is the responsibility of NHS boards, who are responsible for the planning and provision of services to meet the needs of their population.\r\nNHS boards are responsible for auditing and monitoring implementation of SIGN Guidelines locally. An audit tool forms part of the SIGN Guidelines issued to NHS boards and it is their responsibility to decide how it is used to monitor and audit implementation of any guidance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T17:02:54.28","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280389,"EventID":"S4W-12253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T17:02:54.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T15:27:55.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make a statement on the role of Professor Stephen Tierney as an independent expert adviser as announced in the news release of 5 July 2012, Scottish Government appoint referendum expert.\r\n","AnswerText":"Copies of correspondence between ministers, officials and Professor Stephen Tierney, regarding Professor Tierney’s appointment as an independent expert adviser on the Scottish independence referendum, have been lodged in SPICe, along with a copy of his paper, entitled “The Multi-option Referendum: international guidelines, international practice and practical issues”. (Bib numbers. 54712 and 54713).\r\nProfessor Tierney was appointed as the Government’s adviser in May 2012 to advise on issues arising from the consultation responses. He had a number of discussions with Scottish Government officials, and also met with the First Minister during the 2012 summer recess. The First Minister subsequently wrote to Professor Tierney to ask for his advice (based on international experience) on the practicalities of holding a two question referendum. However, following the signing of the Edinburgh Agreement on 15 October 2012, the issue of a two question referendum did not require further consideration.\r\nScottish Government officials met again with Professor Tierney in Autumn 2012, when he noted that the Government’s main proposals for running the referendum had received strong support from respondents (including key electoral stakeholders) and that there was, therefore, little on which he could offer additional advice. \r\nProfessor Tierney wrote to the First Minister on 21 January 2013 to tender his resignation as an independent expert adviser, as he was also being considered for an advisory role for the Referendum (Scotland) Bill Committee.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T17:02:54.797","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280390,"EventID":"S4W-12254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T17:02:55.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T15:27:55.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the advice of Professor Stephen Tierney in his role as independent expert adviser on the referendum.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12253 on 7 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found:\r\nat: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T17:02:55.327","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280391,"EventID":"S4W-12255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T17:02:55.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T15:27:55.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish all correspondence between ministers, officials and Professor Stephen Tierney since his appointment as an independent expert adviser on the referendum.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12253 on 7 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T17:02:55.7","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280392,"EventID":"S4W-12256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T17:02:56.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T15:27:55.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which of the recommendations from chapter (a) 2, (b) 3, (c) 4 and (d) 5 of Independent Budget Review: The Report of Scotland's Independent Budget Review Panel have been implemented.","AnswerText":"The Independent Budget Review (IBR) report sets out a menu of options for delivering public services within a significantly constrained public expenditure environment. Following the publication of the report, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth led a programme of consultation meetings across Scotland. Discussions also took place with key stakeholders including Community Planning Partnerships and business organisations and the views of the general public were sought at open meetings and through a web-based consultation.\r\nOn the back of this engagement, Ministers have driven forward a programme of reform incorporating many of the recommendations of the IBR and has delivered balanced Scottish Budgets in each of the three years since it was published, through a balanced approach of rigorous efficiency, pay restraint, reform of public services and an innovative approach to infrastructure investment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T17:02:56.293","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280393,"EventID":"S4W-12260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T17:02:56.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T15:27:55.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings there have been between ministers or officials and members of the Independent Budget Review since the publication of Independent Budget Review: The Report of Scotland's Independent Budget Review Panel.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12256 on 28 January 2013, the Independent Budget Review (IBR) report sets out a menu of options for delivering public services within a significantly constrained public expenditure environment and the Government consulted widely on the IBR’s recommendations.\r\nAgainst that background, Scottish Ministers and officials discussed the Independent Budget Review report with members of the panel at the time of its publication in 2010. The Independent Budget Review panel then stood down.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T17:02:56.917","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280394,"EventID":"S4W-12261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T17:02:57.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T15:34:31.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on which legislation it has consulted (a) the Queen and (b) Prince Charles in each year since 1999 and what bills were then (i) altered, (ii) dropped and (iii) not given consent.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12244 on 24 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T17:02:57.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280395,"EventID":"S4W-12265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T17:02:57.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T15:47:54.72","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how and when it arrived at the figure of 70 minutes for the MV Coruisk's return crossing time between Gourock and the new linkspan in Dunoon.\r\n","AnswerText":"Data supplied by David MacBrayne Ltd for the MV Coruisk, for when she previously operated an hourly timetable on this service in 2003-04, shows that she arrived on time in just over 45% of her sailings. A 70 minute scheduled turnaround would avoid the knock on effect of repeated late arrivals.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T17:02:57.54","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280396,"EventID":"S4W-12266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T17:02:57.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T15:47:54.72","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland specified a required crossing time for the Gourock-Dunoon ferry route when it was put out to tender.","AnswerText":"The invitation to tender for the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service issued on 18 February 2011 included the following minimum requirement for frequency of sailings and timetables:\r\nThe operator must deliver a timetabled service which connects passengers with other local transport services. This should, as a minimum, connect with the same railway services as the existing service.\r\nIn practice this required all bidders to propose a timetable that could meet hourly train departures from Gourock to Glasgow Central and hourly arrivals in the opposite direction, half-hourly at peak times, and to ensure that sufficient time was available to passengers to transfer from ferry to train and vice versa.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T17:02:57.93","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280397,"EventID":"S4W-12267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T17:02:58.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T15:47:54.72","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Maritime and Coastguard Agency certification of a vessel does not imply that it can operate reliably irrespective of weather conditions and that this is a matter to be determined by the operator of the vessel.\r\n","AnswerText":"The certification of a vessel by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency ensures that it meets the regulatory requirements for the waters in which it will sail. The deployment of vessels is a matter for owners and operators.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T17:02:58.26","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280398,"EventID":"S4W-12268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T17:02:58.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T16:11:43.423","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the submission of planning applications in close proximity to the festive period and what effect this has on opportunities for public scrutiny and consultation.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are no statutory restrictions on what time of year applications for planning permission can be submitted.\r\nThe Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 set out minimum timescales of 14 and 21 days for responses to neighbour notification and other publicity on applications for planning permission.\r\nIt would be for the planning authority to consider any extension to those minimum time periods depending on the prevailing circumstances. In doing so, planning authorities need to bear in mind the need for efficient processing of applications for planning permission and the statutory timescales for dealing with such applications.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T17:02:58.587","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280399,"EventID":"S4W-12269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-15T17:02:58.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T16:13:41.44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many convictions there have been under section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003, broken down by (a) financial year and (b) procurator fiscal area.\r\n","AnswerText":"The question asks for figures on the number of ‘convictions’ under Section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act. However, the figure that is normally counted in the statistical bulletins on criminal proceedings is ‘offences with a charge proved’. This is because convictions may include a number of charges and the database on convictions records only the main charge (the charge that attracts the most severe penalty). If we were to provide the number of convictions, this is unlikely to provide a full measure of the use of the Act. For example, in 2011-12, while there were 369 convictions in Scotland where the main charge was religiously aggravated, the total charges proved with a religious aggravation was 518.\r\nThe following table therefore provides figures on the number of charges proved under Section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 in each of the three procurator fiscal federations for the last eight financial years. (With effect from April 2012, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service aggregated their previous \r\n11 areas into three larger geographical areas known as federations, namely North, East and West.)\r\nCharges proved with a religious aggravator recorded, by Procurator Fiscal area, 2004-05 to 2011-12\r\nPF Area\r\n2004-05\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nNorth\r\n9\r\n10\r\n13\r\n12\r\n21\r\n20\r\n15\r\n27\r\nEast\r\n22\r\n26\r\n34\r\n35\r\n45\r\n48\r\n53\r\n77\r\nWest\r\n169\r\n297\r\n308\r\n295\r\n356\r\n291\r\n313\r\n414\r\nTotal\r\n200\r\n333\r\n355\r\n342\r\n422\r\n359\r\n381\r\n518\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.\r\n\r\nThe totals were published in November 2012 in the statistical bulletin Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2011-12 (in Table 2 of the additional datasets section). Further information on the recording of offence aggravators can therefore be found in that bulletin at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/DatasetsCrimProc/OffAgg1112. \r\nFigures on the number of religiously aggravated offences that resulted in a conviction in 2011-12 were also published in “Religiously Aggravated Offending in Scotland 2011-12” (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/11/7685/0). It should be noted that the cases examined in this publication are not directly comparable to those provided in the above table. While the above table counts the number of charges proved in 2011-12 for religiously aggravated offending, the report is based on the number of religiously aggravated charges that occurred in 2011-12. Charges that occur in one year may not be proved in court until the following year. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-29T17:02:58.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280414,"EventID":"S4W-12270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T13:55:57.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T12:39:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) mean and (b) median wage is for police (i) officers and (ii) civilian support staff.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. This is a matter for police forces.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T13:55:57.23","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280415,"EventID":"S4O-01709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:33.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:24.537","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on concerns regarding Glasgow City Council’s plans for the redevelopment of George Square.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:34.073","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280416,"EventID":"S4O-01710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:34.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:24.913","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to protect and increase employment in rural areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:34.713","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280417,"EventID":"S4O-01711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:35.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T14:01:33.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it has made for the Bannockburn celebrations during Homecoming 2014.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:35.133","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280418,"EventID":"S4O-01712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:35.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:25.287","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle unemployment in the Glasgow Provan constituency.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:35.523","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280419,"EventID":"S4O-01713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:35.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:25.567","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle unemployment in Lothian.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:35.883","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280420,"EventID":"S4O-01714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:36.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:25.77","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reductions it expects in unemployment levels during 2013.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:36.35","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280421,"EventID":"S4O-01715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:36.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:25.943","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how important North Sea oil and gas revenue is to the Scottish economy and how important it would be in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:36.663","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280422,"EventID":"S4O-01716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:36.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:26.13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial assistance it will provide to Moray Council for the storm damage to Lossiemouth and Kingston.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:36.973","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280423,"EventID":"S4O-01717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:37.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:26.52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the Department of Work and Pensions' Work Programme is having on unemployment in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:37.66","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280424,"EventID":"S4O-01718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:37.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:26.69","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth last met the chief executive of Scottish Enterprise and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:38.003","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280425,"EventID":"S4O-01719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:38.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:26.893","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what capital allocation has been made to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority as part of the 2013-14 shovel-ready construction and maintenance projects.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:38.333","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280426,"EventID":"S4O-01720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:38.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T09:50:42.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what employment initiatives it provides to tackle unemployment among people aged 24 and over.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:38.753","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280427,"EventID":"S4O-01721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:39.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T12:42:47.907","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the use of social impact bonds.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:39.033","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280428,"EventID":"S4O-01722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:41.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T10:55:54.827","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage new business start-ups.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:41.717","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280429,"EventID":"S4O-01723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:42.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:27.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made toward implementing the shovel-ready projects announced in December 2012.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:42.187","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280430,"EventID":"S4O-01724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:42.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:27.94","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the results of the Bank of Scotland’s December 2012 survey of purchasing managers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:42.467","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280431,"EventID":"S4O-01725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:42.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T10:13:52.62","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it has provided to support the cruise ship industry in the west of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Development International and VisitScotland helped set up the industry umbrella body, CruiseScotland, in 2008. In 2010 Scottish Enterprise funded a report for Cruise Scotland on the future of the cruise industry in Scotland.\r\nVisitScotland also actively supports Cruise Scotland by providing in-kind support, advice and funds marketing opportunities through the VisitScotland Growth Fund.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:42.763","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280432,"EventID":"S4O-01727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:43.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:28.563","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussion it has had with Rolls-Royce and South Lanarkshire Council in response to the announcement of the planned closure of the Rolls-Royce East Kilbride plant.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s main economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise, has been in ongoing discussions with Rolls-Royce about the proposal to move its East Kilbride operation to Inchinnan and the potential areas of support for safeguarding the overall Rolls-Royce presence in Scotland.\r\nThere is also representation and support from Scottish Government agencies, Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland, on the taskforce led by South Lanarkshire Council, which was formed following the Rolls-Royce announcement. The taskforce discussion has concentrated on the development of an East Kilbride action plan which will align with South Lanarkshire Council’s town centre action plan. The plan will aim to encourage further business opportunities for East Kilbride and is due to be ready by the end of March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:43.06","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280433,"EventID":"S4O-01728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:43.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T11:45:56.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on the Scottish budget from 2012 to 2015 of any changes to the terms and conditions of police officers.","AnswerText":"There will be no impact on the Scottish budget of any changes to the terms and conditions of police officers. This will be for the Scottish Police Authority to manage within its budget through negotiations at the Scotland Standing Committee of the Police Negotiating Board.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:43.48","MeetingDate":"2013-01-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280434,"EventID":"S4O-01729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:43.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T10:10:58.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Edinburgh trams will be included in its concessionary fare scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:43.777","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280435,"EventID":"S4O-01730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:44.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:49.14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:44.26","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280436,"EventID":"S4O-01731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:44.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:49.733","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last communicated with NHS Borders and what issues were covered.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:44.65","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280437,"EventID":"S4O-01732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:45.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:50.06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what transport options are available for care home patients who are discharged from accident and emergency departments at night and what guidance is given to NHS boards regarding this.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:45.087","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280438,"EventID":"S4O-01733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:45.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:51.9","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the Scottish Court Service.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:45.383","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280439,"EventID":"S4O-01734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:45.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:52.62","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent Scottish Household Survey suggesting that up to 30% of adults volunteer.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:45.65","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280440,"EventID":"S4O-01735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:46.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-15T15:52:51.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed so-called bedroom tax reductions to housing benefit will have on Scotland's housing associations and local authorities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:46.04","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280441,"EventID":"S4O-01736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:46.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:58.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to make public transport a more attractive option.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:46.32","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280442,"EventID":"S4O-01737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:46.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:58.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had about widening access to culture for people in north Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:46.6","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280443,"EventID":"S4O-01738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T14:59:46.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-14T12:05:58.5","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the figures recently released by Barnardo's concerning the rest of the UK, whether it will carry out research into the scope of child trafficking in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T14:59:46.96","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280451,"EventID":"S4W-12272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:09.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T14:21:50.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what benefits it expects to be gained from the Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas (JESSICA) and Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres (SPRUCE) funding initiatives.","AnswerText":"SPRUCE, Scotland’s £50 million JESSICA Fund, provides loan support to revenue-generating regeneration projects within the 13 eligible areas targeted within Priority 3 of the Lowland and Uplands Scotland ERDF Programme 2007-2013. It is anticipated that the fund will be recycled up to three times within 10 years, providing a significant resource to support successful regeneration.\r\nSPRUCE is an innovative investment model, capable of attracting public and private sector finance and expertise, to assist the delivery of urban regeneration projects SPRUCE is supporting sustainable economic growth by investing in infrastructure projects at a time when the lack of available market lending can make it difficult to get projects started. It is helping to regenerate our city and urban areas, while providing support for the construction sector and creating and supporting jobs – and can support a range of development such as office and commercial space, key transport projects and investment in energy efficiency projects.\r\nSPRUCE has supported two projects to date, with investments totalling £11.4 million. The first at Dundyvan in Coatbridge will support up to 100 jobs and provide new commercial space for up to 16 small and medium enterprises, while generating 12 new jobs during the construction phase.\r\nThe second, in Glasgow provides much needed Grade A office space for the city centre, which should generate interest from high profile companies whilst helping to support up to 250 jobs in the construction sector and 30 apprenticeships. During construction the contractors have agreed through the inclusion of community benefits, to provide work placements opportunities, support new and completing apprentices, advertise jobs and contracts locally and provide training to contractors and subcontractors.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:09.14","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280452,"EventID":"S4W-12281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:09.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T14:35:38.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for capital expenditure on HMP Cornton Vale.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe Scottish Prison Service is committing a significant investment to improve the quality of facilities at HMP and YOI Cornton Vale pending the full implementation of its long term plans for women offenders announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on 29 October 2012.\r\nAs I have previously indicated up to an additional £3 million will be spent on Cornton Vale to bring the facility up to the basic standard required to be able to maintain reasonable operation until the planned opening of Inverclyde.\r\nThis will include refurbishment of house blocks, ablutions, the gym, medical dispensary and the building which will be used for the new family centre.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:09.657","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280453,"EventID":"S4W-12282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:10.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T14:35:38.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the visitor centre at HMP Cornton Vale will open.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe Family Centre at HMP and YOI Cornton Vale is currently still on schedule to open in spring 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:10.233","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280454,"EventID":"S4W-12283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:10.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T14:35:38.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to retaining HMP Cornton Vale for long-term prisoners only.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe Commission on Women Offenders recommended that Cornton Vale should be replaced with a smaller specialist unit for women offenders serving a statutory defined long-term sentence.\r\nOn 29 October 2012 the Justice Secretary wrote to the Justice Committee advising that he had agreed the Scottish Prison Service Chief Executive’s recommendation that the SPS should proceed to develop HMP Inverclyde as a “custom made” national prison for women offenders, with both the regime and the building fully meeting the aspirations and recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders. It is intended that HMP Inverclyde will include a specialist unit for long term women offenders in custody.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:10.717","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280455,"EventID":"S4W-12284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:11.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T14:35:38.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to opening further 218 Time Out centres for women and a pilot centre for men.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed to pilot a Community Justice Centre for women as part of our response to the Angiolini Commission on women offenders. We expect that the pilot will run for 2 years. We will consider carefully the learning as it emerges from the pilot centre before considering wider implementation, including whether it would be appropriate to pilot such a centre for men.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:11.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280456,"EventID":"S4W-12285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:11.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T15:25:13.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, when the Gourock-Dunoon ferry route was put out to tender, whether bids that would have required the installation of pontoons would be rejected on the basis that they did not use the existing infrastructure.\r\n","AnswerText":"The tender specification for the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service stated that “tenderers must highlight the specific harbour facilities which they intend to use for the services.” A bid which included the installation and use of pontoons would not have been automatically rejected for that reason.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:11.683","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280457,"EventID":"S4W-12286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:11.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T15:25:13.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action will be taken to alleviate delays at the Kessock Bridge while resurfacing is taking place.\r\n","AnswerText":"During these essential resurfacing works (due to start on 11 February 2013) delays are inevitable however Transport Scotland has undertaken extensive planning, consultation and investment into ensuring traffic disruption is minimised. Measures include: \r\nPermanent junction signalisation of A82 Rose Street and Henderson Road in Inverness (Rose Street - allowing traffic better access onto the A82 and Henderson Road where vehicles will be able to turn right avoiding the need to use the Longman roundabout)\r\nPermanent signalisation of the A9 Longman roundabout\r\nPermanent southbound slip road from Stadium Road to the A9 southbound at Longman roundabout (currently being constructed)\r\nTemporary short bus lane on Stadium Road to allow only buses to exit via Stadium Road northbound\r\nTemporary dedicated bus and HGV lane on the A9 southbound running from South of Tore Roundabout and ending north of the Kessock Bridge\r\nPeak time train services to and from Inverness doubled in capacity during the works and Stagecoach has developed a timetable of additional bus services to and from the Black Isle\r\nProgressing with additional permanent car parking at Beauly (subject to final land agreements) and temporary car parking at Dingwall (use of Ross County Football ground car park).\r\nReopening of Conon Bridge railway station (currently due to open on 8 February 2013)\r\nInstallation of additional Variable Message Signing and CCTV cameras in order to provide better information to road users\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:11.997","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280458,"EventID":"S4W-12287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:12.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T15:25:13.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to develop a park and ride facility to alleviate traffic congestion at the Kessock Bridge.\r\n","AnswerText":"During these essential resurfacing works (due to start on 11 February 2013) delays are inevitable however Transport Scotland has undertaken extensive planning, consultation and investment into ensuring traffic disruption is minimised.\r\nMeasures to alleviate delays include the use of additional permanent car parking at Beauly station (which we are progressing subject to final land agreements) and temporary car parking at Dingwall (use of Ross County Football ground car park) allowing their use for park and ride.\r\nTransport Scotland does not currently have any plans to develop either a temporary or a permanent park and ride facility at Tore. Transport Scotland considered this in detail at an early stage with The Highland Council (using their extensive knowledge of the local network) as part of the permanent mitigation measures on the A82 and A9 which will have significant beneficial effects both during the Kessock Bridge works, and in the long term). There was insufficient evidence to support the long term viability of a park and ride at the Tore site north of the Kessock Bridge.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:12.307","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280459,"EventID":"S4W-12288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:12.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T15:25:13.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Highland Council regarding the provision of a park and ride facility at Tore.\r\n","AnswerText":"During these essential resurfacing works (due to start on 11 February 2013) delays are inevitable however Transport Scotland has undertaken extensive planning, consultation and investment into ensuring traffic disruption is minimised.\r\nTransport Scotland does not currently have any plans to develop either a temporary or a permanent park and ride facility at Tore. Transport Scotland considered this in detail at an early stage with The Highland Council (using their extensive knowledge of the local network) as part of the permanent mitigation measures on the A82 and A9 which will have significant beneficial effects both during the Kessock Bridge works, and in the long term). There was insufficient evidence to support the long term viability of a park and ride at the Tore site north of the Kessock Bridge.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:12.637","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280460,"EventID":"S4W-12289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:12.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T15:25:13.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what modelling has been carried out to predict traffic congestion at the approaches to the Kessock Bridge while it is being resurfaced.\r\n","AnswerText":"During these essential resurfacing works (due to start on 11 February 2013) delays are inevitable however Transport Scotland has undertaken extensive planning, consultation and investment into ensuring traffic disruption is minimised.\r\nAs part of this planning an extensive traffic model covering the road network in and around Inverness has been developed to investigate traffic flows, journey times, delays, congestion, and develop measures to alleviate and minimise delays.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:12.933","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280461,"EventID":"S4W-12290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:13.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T15:25:13.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans have been made to allow emergency vehicles access to cross the Kessock Bridge while it is being resurfaced.\r\n","AnswerText":"During these essential resurfacing works (due to start on 11 February 2013) delays are inevitable however Transport Scotland has undertaken extensive planning, consultation and investment into ensuring traffic disruption is minimised.\r\nEmergency vehicles will be able to use the temporary dedicated bus and HGV lane which will be put in place on the A9 southbound running from south of Tore roundabout and ending north of the Kessock Bridge. Going North over the Kessock Bridge emergency vehicles will be able to use the short bus lane on Stadium Road to exit via Stadium Road northbound or the A82 Longman Road and onto the Kessock Bridge.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:13.307","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280462,"EventID":"S4W-12291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:13.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T15:25:13.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Highland Council, (b) the emergency services, (c) British Waterways and (d) businesses regarding the use of the Inverness - Beauly road while the Kessock Bridge is being resurfaced. \r\n","AnswerText":"During these essential resurfacing works (due to start on 11 February 2013) delays are inevitable however Transport Scotland has undertaken extensive planning consultation and investment into ensuring traffic disruption is minimised.\r\nTransport Scotland developed a detailed Communications Strategy and as part of this Transport Scotland has had ongoing discussions and liaison with The Highland Council, the emergency services, British Waterways (now Scottish Canals), stakeholders and businesses regarding the use of the Inverness-Beauly road (the A862) during the main phases of work on the Kessock Bridge. \r\nTransport Scotland is not promoting the A862 as a diversion route. The detailed traffic modeling did not predict a significant impact on the A862. It is likely that around 200 to 300 cars will divert via the A862 during a.m. and p.m. peak three hour periods. Discussions with Scottish Canals have taken place to alleviate possible queuing on A862 at Muirton Swing Bridge when the works commence and the canal re-opens following its annual closure for essential maintenance. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:13.65","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280463,"EventID":"S4W-12292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:13.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T15:25:13.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many road users it expects will switch to use rail services from Conon Bridge when the station reopens.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is estimated that 7% of the 40,000 predicted annual passenger journeys from/to Conon Bridge Station would result from passengers transferring from road to rail. This equates to 2,800 journeys switching from road to rail when Conon Bridge station reopens on 8 February 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:13.977","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280464,"EventID":"S4W-12293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:14.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T15:36:38.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on non-resident parents being able to avoid financial family obligations when they are subject to sequestration.\r\n","AnswerText":"Sequestration is available as a last resort for people who cannot pay their debts as they become due. This includes child maintenance arrears. It is important that sequestration should encourage financial rehabilitation, and this should include closure on outstanding debts. When assessing a contribution to be paid by an individual to their sequestrated estate, a trustee allows the individual to retain sufficient income to pay their ongoing liabilities which includes current child maintenance payments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:14.367","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280465,"EventID":"S4W-12294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:14.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T15:36:38.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that non-resident parents are unable to avoid financial family obligations when they are subject to sequestration.\r\n","AnswerText":"Currently in Scotland, arrears of child maintenance are included in a sequestration and any unpaid balance will be discharged at conclusion of sequestration.\r\nThe Scottish Government recently undertook a consultation on Bankruptcy Law Reform which outlined a number of proposals to modernise bankruptcy legislation in Scotland. The consultation asked for views on whether child maintenance arrears should continue to be claimable and to be discharged in bankruptcies and Protected Trust Deeds when the individual is discharged. The majority of respondents to the consultation responded that child maintenance arrears should continue to be discharged in both sequestration and Protected Trust Deeds. Given the view of the majority of stakeholders who responded to this consultation, the Scottish Government has no plans to change this at this time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:14.693","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280466,"EventID":"S4W-12306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:14.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:07:23.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff shortages NHS boards have reported in remote and rural communities in each year since 1999, broken down by (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) dentists.","AnswerText":"The information requested on how many staff shortages NHS boards have reported in remote and rural communities in each year since 1999, broken down by (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) dentists is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:15.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280467,"EventID":"S4W-12310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-16T16:56:15.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:09:51.607","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the delivery of health services in relation to projected population changes.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government takes account of population change and projected population change in determining funding for the provision of health care services and the allocation of those funds between health boards. The delivery of health services is the responsibility of individual health boards in the context of their local circumstances.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-30T16:56:15.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280474,"EventID":"S4W-12295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:45.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:03:18.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many court cases have been cancelled in each year since 2007 and how many were cancelled due to lack of court time, also broken down by sherrifdom. \r\n","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:45.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280475,"EventID":"S4W-12297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:46.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:04:57.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to assist NHS Education for Scotland streamline sponsorship arrangements for trainee GPs requiring tier 2 visas.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is primarily a matter for NHS Education for Scotland and NHSScotland boards to consider and, at this stage, the Scottish Government is encouraging the development of proposals on a collaborative basis that will (a) satisfy the UK Borders Agency requirements for sponsors of trainees, (b) ensure our health services can continue to attract good quality doctors to come and train in Scotland and (c) seek to minimise any financial or bureaucratic burdens falling on such trainees, or NHSScotland boards.\r\nIn developing proposals, one option under consideration is how best to achieve a single sponsor system to host the oversight and co-ordination arrangements of all trainee doctors requiring tier 2 visas. There is recognition that such a solution would seem to offer operational advantages, and be less costly for trainees, but would also require agreement on where best to locate this host arrangement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:46.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280476,"EventID":"S4W-12299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:46.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:04:57.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the need for a single sponsor system for trainee GPs in Scotland requiring a tier 2 visa and what plans it has in this regard.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12297 on 30 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:46.523","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280477,"EventID":"S4W-12301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:46.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:03:18.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many High Court cases have been cancelled due to a lack of court time in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:46.837","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280478,"EventID":"S4W-12303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:47.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:03:18.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost has been of summoning witnesses to take part in trials then sending them home due to lack of court time in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:47.133","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280479,"EventID":"S4W-12304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:47.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:03:18.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost has been of providing court support services for trials that did not take place in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:47.43","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280480,"EventID":"S4W-12305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:47.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:03:18.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost has been of providing court support services for trials that did not take place due to lack of court time and had to be rescheduled in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:47.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280481,"EventID":"S4W-12307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:48.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:03:18.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on legal aid in preparation for trials that had to be rescheduled in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Legal Aid Board does not collect or hold such information centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:48.083","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280482,"EventID":"S4W-12308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:48.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:03:18.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many working days have been lost by (a) witnesses, (b) legal aid lawyers and (c) court staff attending court for trials that did not take place in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information in respect of part (a) is not held.\r\nMatters relating to legal aid fall under the responsibility of the Scottish Legal Aid Board. I have asked the chief executive of that organisation to write to the member.\r\nMatters relating to court staff fall under the responsibility of the Scottish Courts Service. I have asked the chief executive of that organisation to write to the member.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:48.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280483,"EventID":"S4W-12309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:48.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:03:18.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many working days have been lost by (a) witnesses, (b) legal aid lawyers and (c) court staff attending court for trials that were cancelled due to lack of court time in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information in respect of part (a) is not held. \r\nMatters relating to legal aid fall under the responsibility of the Scottish Legal Aid Board. I have asked the chief executive of that organisation to write to the member.\r\nMatters relating to court staff fall under the responsibility of the Scottish Courts Service. I have asked the chief executive of that organisation to write to the member\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:48.63","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280484,"EventID":"S4W-12316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:48.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:14:58.497","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the European Food Safety Authority report, Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment for bees for the active substance clothianidin (EFSA Journal 2013;11(1):3066).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) conclusions on the risks associated with neonicotinoids and bees. We have asked the UK’s Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) to look urgently at EFSA’s evidence. On receipt of the ACP’s advice, we will look at whether additional restrictions are necessary.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:48.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280485,"EventID":"S4W-12317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:49.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:14:58.497","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings in the European Food Safety Authority report, Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment for bees for the active substance clothianidin (EFSA Journal 2013;11(1):3066), whether it will (a) continue to allow the use of neonicotinoid insecticides, (b) consider a moratorium on the use of neonicotinoids on outdoor crops or (c) reconsider the availability of neonicotinoids in garden centres for use by the general public.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12316 on 25 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:49.24","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280486,"EventID":"S4W-12318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:49.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:14:58.497","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to meet the Scottish scientists who gave oral evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee on 21 and 28 November 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials have already had contact with scientists who gave evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee, on a number of issues.\r\nThe Scottish Government also has extensive contact with scientists on issues relating to bees and bee health through the insect pollinators initiative (IPI). The IPI aims to aid understanding and mitigation of the biological and environmental factors that adversely affect insect pollinators.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:49.677","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280487,"EventID":"S4W-12319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:50.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:14:58.497","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to start collecting pesticide usage data from farms and, if so, whether the data will be made available for scientific analysis.\r\n","AnswerText":"Pesticide usage data has been collected by SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture) from farm records as part of regular surveys since the mid-1970s. Survey results can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.sasa.gov.uk/pesticides-usage-survey-reports.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:50.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280488,"EventID":"S4W-12320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:50.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:14:58.497","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in relation to the availability of detailed information on the methodology of safety testing carried out by the insecticide industry.","AnswerText":"The methodology of safety testing, the studies and guidance required, for an insecticide to be evaluated are available from the Chemicals Regulation Directorate at:\r\nhttp://www.pesticides.gov.uk/guidance/industries/pesticides/topics/pesticide-approvals/pesticides-registration/data-requirements-handbook\r\nStudies have to meet OECD or equivalent guidelines for the testing of chemicals. OECD guidelines can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.oecd.org/env/chemicalssafetyand biosafety/testingofchemicals/oecdguidelinesforthetestingofchemicals.htm.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:50.41","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280489,"EventID":"S4W-12321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:50.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:17:20.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Scottish Police Authority should have control of the Police Service of Scotland or hold it accountable for its actions.\r\n","AnswerText":"In terms of The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, The Scottish Police Authority’s main functions are:\r\n(a) To maintain the Police Service,\r\n15 (aa) To promote the policing principles set out in section 32,\r\n(b) To promote and support continuous improvement in the policing of Scotland,\r\n(ba) To keep under review the policing of Scotland,\r\n(c) To hold the chief constable to account for the policing of Scotland (including, in\r\nparticular, the chief constable’s carrying out of the duties imposed by or\r\n20 mentioned in section 17).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:50.767","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280490,"EventID":"S4W-12322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:51.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:17:20.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what input local authorities will have into how the policing budget is spent in their areas once the Police Service of Scotland becomes operational.\r\n","AnswerText":"Each local authority area will have a designated Local Police Commander, who will work with locally elected councillors and Community Planning Partnerships to shape local services and prioritise local needs. This includes a statutory requirement to prepare a local police plan for each local authority area setting out the main priorities and objectives for policing in the local authority area.\r\nAll 32 local authorities in Scotland and eight regional police services are currently involved in developing and trialling new local engagement and scrutiny arrangements, which will be introduced on day one of the new service. In collaboration with COSLA and the Improvement Service, we have published national guidance on good practice in this area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:51.127","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280491,"EventID":"S4W-12323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:51.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:17:20.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the (a) Scottish Police Authority has and (b) Police Service of Scotland will have (i) human resources and (ii) finance functions.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 makes it clear that the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has a duty “to maintain the Police Service” and that the Chief Constable “is responsible for the day to day administration of the Police Service.”\r\nDecisions on the detailed structures for the delivery of corporate functions within these organisations rest with the Scottish Police Authority and the Police Service of Scotland. The SPA Board confirmed on Friday 18 January 2013 that as they take forward this work to finalise the detailed arrangements for finance and HR, they will appoint some staff as police staff (under the direction and control of the Chief Constable) and other staff as SPA staff.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:51.593","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280492,"EventID":"S4W-12324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:51.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:17:20.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the budgets for fire and rescue services will continue to be made available, broken down by the current board areas after 1 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"No, the budget for the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) will not be broken down by current board area. It will be for SFRS to determine how it manages local budget allocation. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:51.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280493,"EventID":"S4W-12325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:52.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:17:20.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to change the (a) financial arrangements and (b) responsibilities of retained firefighters after 1 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"Retained fire fighters will transfer from their current service to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) on 1 April 2013 under their current terms and conditions. Any changes to the financial arrangements and responsibilities of retained fire fighters after 1 April 2013 are a matter for the SFRS.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:52.39","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280494,"EventID":"S4W-12326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:52.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:14:58.497","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the availability is of oilseed rape that is not pretreated with neonicotinoid products; what the reason is for this, and whether it plans to take action on this matter.","AnswerText":"There are no statutory rules to say that oilseed rape seed must be treated with neonicotinoids.\r\nAccording to the Scottish Government’s Pesticide Usage Surveys, virtually all commercially available non-organic oilseed rape seed is pre-treated. Farmers can obtain untreated oilseed rape by using Home Saved seed grown from Conventional Certified seed grown on the farm. The Scottish Government’s data suggests relatively few farmers use Home Saved oilseed rape seed, and those that do mostly still choose to have a dressing applied.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:52.873","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280495,"EventID":"S4W-12327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:53.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:14:58.497","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings it had to discuss independent scientific evidence and advice regarding the (a) use and (b) availability of neonicotinoids from 2007 to 16 January 2013.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular on-going discussions on pesticide issues with its own scientists in SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture), our Scottish assessor on the Advisory Committee on Pesticides, with Scotland’s Rural College and officials in the Health and Safety Executive’s Chemicals Regulation Directorate.\r\nTo gather the information for (a) and (b) could only be done so at a disproportionate cost.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:53.28","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280496,"EventID":"S4W-12328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:53.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:14:58.497","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence on yields has been attributed to the use of neonicotinoids on oilseed rape in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Neonicotinoid seed treatments are aimed at two groups of pests on oilseed rape, flea beetles and aphids.\r\nIt is difficult to estimate the average yield loss from feeding damage caused by various flea beetle species as crop establishment depends on how favourable crop growth conditions are at the time of sowing.\r\nHowever, aphids which transmit turnip yellow virus when feeding are estimated to cause a yield loss of up to 30% at an individual crop level.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:53.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280497,"EventID":"S4W-12329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:54.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:14:58.497","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is planning to increase the number of insect pollinators.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has contributed £0.5 million of co-funding to the Insect Pollinators Initiative (IPI) which is a research initiative led by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. The aim of the IPI is to aid understanding and mitigation of the biological and environmental factors that adversely affect insect pollinators. More information is available at: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/pollinators/.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently in the third year of its 10-year Honey Bee Health Strategy, the main aim of which is to achieve a sustainable and healthy population of honey bees for pollination and honey production in Scotland through strengthened partnership working between stakeholders with an interest in honey bees.\r\nAs honey bees are a flagship species the benefits accrued through the bee health strategy will bring consequential benefits to other insect pollinators. More information is available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/06/23102211/0.\r\nThe first Scotland-wide honey bee health survey is being completed, involving inspections taking place and samples being collected from most parts of the country. Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) are currently analysing the results and a composite report will be released later in the year. The report will provide a snapshot of the nation’s bee health and will be used to inform future decisions relating to bee health and treatment of diseases, pests and emerging threats\r\nScotland’s biodiversity strategy is currently under review. The associated consultation document, the 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/07/5241) recognised the vital role of pollinators to Scotland and the importance of protecting them.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:54.107","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280498,"EventID":"S4W-12330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:54.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-16T16:14:58.497","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it understands the effects of neonicotinoids on bees to be and on what evidence.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government scientists have reviewed both published and regulatory scientific data and also keep this issue under constant review.\r\nSome studies in certain conditions demonstrate sub-lethal effects of neonicotinoids, which includes impairment of foraging ability and return to the hive by individuals leading to reduced worker, brood and queen production.\r\nHowever, studies conducted under realistic field conditions have not identified any unacceptable risk at field population level.\r\nThis issue is kept under constant review. The Scottish Government has asked the Advisory Committee on Pesticides to look at the latest European Food Safety Authority’s findings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:54.463","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280499,"EventID":"S4W-12331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:54.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T11:33:43.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-01379 by Alasdair Allan on 24 October 2012 (Official Report, c.12514) whether the stakeholder group reviewing Guidance on Education of Children Absent from School through Ill-health met during the last three months of 2012 and, if so, when.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12332 on 29 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:54.807","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280500,"EventID":"S4W-12332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:55.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T11:33:43.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the stakeholder group reviewing Guidance on Education of Children Absent from School through Ill-health (a) last met and (b) will next meet.\r\n","AnswerText":"The children unable to attend school due to ill health review group last met on 28 March 2012 and will next meet on 1 February 2013.\r\nA meeting of the group was unable to be facilitated in December 2012 as intended due to other pressures. Meetings of the group have now been scheduled across 2013 to take this work forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:55.167","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280501,"EventID":"S4W-12334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:55.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T11:33:43.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the updated Guidance on Education of Children Absent from School through Ill-health will be published.","AnswerText":"The intention is that as part of their consideration of the issues which require further guidance the stakeholder group will also consider the format and timing of the preparation of the products which will result from the review. The review is not simply a rewrite of the current guidance document, instead it will consider what is required to remove barriers to the successful implementation of the duties to provide education to those who are unable to attend school.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:55.433","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280502,"EventID":"S4W-12335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T13:54:55.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T13:13:17.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the number of extra children in Scotland who will be deemed to be in poverty as a result of the provisions in the Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill.","AnswerText":"The Department of Work and Pensions are estimating that the uprating measures in 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 will result in around an extra 200,000 children being in relative income poverty compared to uprating benefits by CPI. Based on Scotland’s current share of children in poverty, this will result in an estimated 15,000 children being pushed into poverty as a result of the 1% uprating of working-age benefits.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T13:54:55.697","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280510,"EventID":"S4W-12336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T16:37:36.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T13:58:25.14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investigations are taking place to (a) identify alternative products to neonicotinoids for use as insecticides and (b) compare the toxicity of neonicotinoids with alternative products.\r\n","AnswerText":"Under its agency agreement with Scottish Ministers, the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) is carrying out work designed to help to better understand the likely consequences of possible regulatory options for neonicotinoids, including the implications of alternative pesticides or pest control measures being used.\r\nPesticides are tightly regulated and subject to a rigorous assessment before they can be sold or used in the UK. This process includes an assessment of the toxicity of pesticides to foraging bees and bee hives.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T16:37:36.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280511,"EventID":"S4W-12338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T16:37:36.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T13:58:25.14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether comparative research into neonicotinoids and alternative products should be carried out anonymously by independent laboratories.","AnswerText":"Under the European regulatory process for approving pesticides, decisions on pesticide approvals are based on a dossier of evidence submitted by the company. The dossier can include published scientific evidence from independent sources, as well as evidence from studies funded by the company. In the latter case, such studies are required to have been carried out to internationally recognised guidelines and have verified Good Laboratory Practice and quality assurance certification, in order to ensure that the results are objective and impartial.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T16:37:36.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280512,"EventID":"S4W-12339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T16:37:37.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T14:43:38.273","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve the availability of live traffic cameras on the (a) A90, (b) A96 and (c) A98. \r\n","AnswerText":"There are 15 live traffic camera views available on the Traffic Scotland website covering the Grampian area including the A90 and the A96. Transport Scotland is currently reviewing its Intelligent Transport System strategy to look for opportunities to add further cameras and they recognise additional cameras on the A90 and A96 trunk roads would be beneficial. Live traffic cameras are available to view on the Traffic Scotland website and mobile devices. Transport Scotland is also taking steps to improve the resilience and availability of camera images as technical issues are known to affect the website for short periods of time.\r\nResponsibility for all aspects of traffic management on the A98, including improving the availability of live traffic cameras, rests with Aberdeenshire Council and Moray Council.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T16:37:37.067","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280513,"EventID":"S4W-12340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T16:37:37.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T15:39:02.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its broadband strategy will ensure that all rural areas have access to high-speed broadband.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Digital Strategy commits us to delivering world-class digital infrastructure, capable of delivering high speed broadband, to all of Scotland by 2020. Those areas currently experiencing poor or no service will be a priority.\r\nAs an interim milestone, we are committed to providing access to next generation, high speed broadband to at least 85% of premises across Scotland by the end of 2015. We will also put in place measures to ensure a significant uplift in service for the remaining 10-15% for whom delivery of broadband at this speed will not be possible.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T16:37:37.427","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280514,"EventID":"S4W-12341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T16:37:37.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T15:39:02.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to use unused high-speed broadband lines in rural areas to ensure that rural communities have access to high-speed broadband.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is promoting infrastructure sharing as a means of extending the reach and reducing the costs of broadband roll-out across all of Scotland, and particularly in rural communities.\r\nBidders for the two projects that form the Scottish Government’s Step Change 2015 Programme are being encouraged through the respective procurements to re-use existing infrastructure where it reduces cost or increases coverage.\r\nTo assist, details of existing infrastructure has been captured and made available to bidders as part of the tender process. The extent to which it will ultimately be re-used is dependent on the intervention area for the projects; the benefits that using the infrastructure could deliver; and the commercial terms that can be agreed between the supplier and the infrastructure owners.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T16:37:37.677","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280515,"EventID":"S4W-12342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T16:37:37.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T15:42:55.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Creative Scotland on developing support for artistic and creative activities using the Scots language.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers and Scottish Government officials have met recently with Creative Scotland to discuss the role of Creative Scotland in supporting and promoting the Scots language. Discussions have been positive and Creative Scotland has provided a paper to Ministers setting out their vision for Scots. Following these discussions, Creative Scotland will develop the paper further and it will inform the development of their policy for the Scots language.\r\nThe Scottish Government is supporting and facilitating close working between Creative Scotland and Scots bodies where possible. At the request of the Scottish Government, Creative Scotland is taking forward the Scots Language Working Group recommendation that a Scots Scrievar be appointed. Ministers have requested that they consult closely with Scots language interests, including the Scots Language Centre and Scottish Language Dictionaries.\r\nThe Scottish Government assumed responsibility for direct funding of Scottish Language Dictionaries (SLD) and the Scots Language Centre (SLC) in 2009. Since then the Scottish Government has taken a number of steps to strengthen the roles of the SLC and SLD. In addition to the project with Creative Scotland, mentioned above, SLD and SLC have, at the request of the Scottish Government, been involved in close working with bodies such as Education Scotland, the General Register Office of Scotland (now National Records of Scotland) and the National Trust for Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government has also provided additional resources to both SLD and the SLC to enable them to make progress with specific initiatives such as the SLD book on Scots grammar, the SLC website to support the Scots Language question in Census 2011 and to make progress with Scots language working Group recommendations such as the Scots Touns project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T16:37:37.97","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280516,"EventID":"S4W-12343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T16:37:38.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T15:42:55.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to support a joint working approach between Creative Scotland, the Scots Language Centre and Scottish Language Dictionaries in developing support for the Scots language.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12342 on 29 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T16:37:38.22","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280517,"EventID":"S4W-12344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-17T16:37:38.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T15:42:55.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to strengthen the role of (a) the Scots Language Centre and (b) Scottish Language Dictionaries as national agencies for developing Scots language (i) policy and (ii) projects in light of the recommendations in the Report of the Ministerial Working Group on the Scots Language.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12342 on 29 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-01-31T16:37:38.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280526,"EventID":"S4W-12345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:15.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T15:55:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it distributed in the first round of the Housebuilding Infrastructure Loan Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"A total of £3 million was awarded to successful projects from the first round of the Fund.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:15.507","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280528,"EventID":"S4W-12346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:15.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T15:55:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what companies received support in the first round of the Housebuilding Infrastructure Loan Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"I can confirm that three companies received loan offers from the first round of the Fund. Details of these are as follows:\r\n\r\nApplicant\r\nProject\r\nLoan Amount\r\nEWP Investments Limited\r\nArmadale Station, West Lothian\r\n£500,000\r\nTrustees of Richard Tyser\r\nNess Castle, Inverness\r\n£1,900,000\r\nISIS Waterside Regeneration Limited \r\nMaryhill Locks, Glasgow\r\n£600,000\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n£3,000,000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:16.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280529,"EventID":"S4W-12348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:16.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T15:55:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will offer companies support under the Housebuilding Infrastructure Loan Fund by the end of April 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"Our intention is that loan offers will have been issued to the successful applicants of round two by that date.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:16.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280530,"EventID":"S4W-12349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:17.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T15:55:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether awards have been made under the second round of the Housebuilding Infrastructure Loan Fund and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have now considered all of the applications and can confirm that decisions have been made on five schemes, with four going forward to conditional loan offer. In addition I have asked my officials to progress discussions with two schemes to further explore our scope to support them.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:17.193","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280531,"EventID":"S4W-12350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:17.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:35:46.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding each NHS board has received from the Working Well Challenge Fund.","AnswerText":"The Working Well Challenge Fund was available for two years; 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. The following table shows the amount awarded for each board in each of these years.\r\nWorking Well Challenge Fund\r\nNHSScotland Board allocations\r\nNHS Board\r\nYear 2009-2010\r\nYear 2010-2011\r\nNHS Ayr and Arran\r\n17,000\r\n11,400\r\nNHS Borders\r\n110,875\r\n0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n0\r\n12,100\r\nNHS Fife\r\n62,000\r\n32,000\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n18,250\r\n0\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n48,638\r\n0\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n109,919\r\n67,700\r\nNHS Highland\r\n49,495\r\n0\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n177,800\r\n0\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n139,114\r\n30,000\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n8,500\r\n0\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n25,840\r\n0\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n166,100\r\n12,950\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n8,050\r\n0\r\nAmbulance Service\r\n18,500\r\n17,597\r\nNHS Education\r\n30,000\r\n0\r\nNHS 24\r\n44,540\r\n0\r\nGolden Jubilee\r\n12,840\r\n0\r\nTotal per year\r\n1,047,461\r\n183,747\r\nGrand Total (over two years)                                 \r\n£1,231,208\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:17.52","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280532,"EventID":"S4W-12351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:17.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:35:46.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent progress has been made by the Working Well Challenge Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"Over the past four years the Working Well policy has supported a mix of various NHSScotland board projects, including, during the first two years, projects funded through the Working Well Challenge Fund, and a programme of national led projects.\r\nThe concept of Working Well remains strong across boards and we are currently reviewing the Working Well policy to ensure that it meets current priorities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:17.943","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280533,"EventID":"S4W-12352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:18.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:35:46.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reduction there has been in violence against NHS staff in each year since the Working Well Challenge Fund was established and how much of this can be attributed to the fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information regarding violence towards NHSScotland staff is not held centrally. Collection of information is a matter for individual NHSScotland boards.\r\nAny alteration to the levels of violence against NHS staff will be the result of a number of factors and it is not possible to attribute any variation to the Working Well Challenge Fund.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:18.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280534,"EventID":"S4W-12353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:18.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:44:02.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investigations it has carried out into creating a subsidiary of Scottish Water to enter the utilities retail market.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have no carried out no formal investigations into that matter. Scottish Water keep all issues of business growth under review whilst preferring to build on core strengths and existing areas of expertise and they keep Scottish Government appraised of their considerations. Were Scottish Water to create a subsidiary to enter the utilities retail market it would open up an entirely new business area requiring specific skills and expertise and would require them to take out a licence which brings considerable expense and obligation - they do not consider this to be a viable proposition at this time.\r\nScottish Water are working hard and successfully to increase the level of renewable energy generated from its estate and assets both as part of the core business and through its Horizons subsidiary. Scottish Water are also working diligently to reduce energy consumption across its operations. We believe that there is considerable opportunity for growth in energy production from the estate and assets both to reduce operating costs and for commercial gain by working with strategic partners through commercial arrangements for example landlord rental schemes for on-shore wind on Scottish Water catchments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:18.783","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280535,"EventID":"S4W-12354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:19.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:38:34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding allocated to the Energy Assistance Package in 2012-13 (a) has been spent, (b) has been committed and (c) remains unspent.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Energy Assistance Package (EAP) budget for 2012-13 was £47.5 million, of this £44 million was allocated to EAP stage 4. The balance of £3.5 million was primarily for grant funding the Energy Saving Trust and Energy Action Scotland and funding any marketing campaigns.\r\n\r\nThe state of play as of 31 December 2012 was that:\r\n(a)\t£29.4 million had been spent – see notes (i), (iv);\r\n(b)\t£8.2 million was committed - see notes (ii), (iv); and\r\n(c)\t£9.9 million remained unspent -see notes (iii), (iv).\r\n\r\nNotes:\r\n(i) Figure includes both expenditure on stage 4, estimated from Scottish Gas management information data on the number of installations completed in the period April to December 2012, and the money spent or committed to the Energy Saving Trust and Energy Action Scotland or other purposes.\r\n(ii) Figure estimated from Scottish Gas management information data on the number of people referred to stage 4 and waiting for an installation as at end December 2012.\r\n(iii) Figure is the funding available less ((a) and (b)). This is a demand-led scheme and the unspent provision will fund a service for the customers referred in the period 1 January to 31 March 2013.\r\n(iv) All figures are subject to change once final invoices are completed and received.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:19.487","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280536,"EventID":"S4W-12355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:20.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:38:34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average spend per household is under the Energy Assistance Package.\r\n","AnswerText":"Over the three financial years from 2009-10 to 2011-12, the total Scottish Government programme expenditure on the Energy Assistance Package (EAP) was £100.9 million and some 233,000 households were estimated to have been assisted at an average spend per household of approximately £430. This expenditure covered all four stages of EAP, including energy advice, tariff and benefits checking, referral to energy companies for CERT-funded insulation measures and the end to end process of installing physical measures (insulation and new or repaired central heating systems) under EAP stage 4. The vast majority of the expenditure (£92.7 million) was spent on EAP stage 4, providing physical measures to 27,969 households at an average cost of approximately £3,300 per household. The Energy Assistance Package is expected to save households at least £3.80 on energy costs for every £1 of Scottish Government expenditure.\r\nNote that the 2011-12 data is provisional and that the energy cost saving is based on estimates from June 2012. More information on the delivery of the Energy Assistance Package can be found in the Home Energy Programmes Detailed Report 2009-2012, available from the Energy Saving Trust website:\r\nwww.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Take-action/Home-Energy-Scotland/Energy-Assistance-Package/Programme-statistics\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:20.14","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280537,"EventID":"S4W-12356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:20.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:50:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Healthcare Improvement Scotland's draft Announced Inspection Report - care for older people in acute hospitals: Ninewells Hospital was completed.","AnswerText":"Healthcare Improvement Scotland published their inspection report on the care older people at Ninewells Hospital on 30 January 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:20.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280538,"EventID":"S4W-12357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:21.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:50:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long it took Healthcare Improvement Scotland, from the date of the inspection, to publish its announced inspection reports on care for older people in acute hospitals, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information requested is provided in the following table:\r\n\r\nHealth Board\r\nHospital\r\nDate of Inspection\r\nDate of Publication of Report\r\nDuration\r\nNHS Borders\r\nBorders General Hospital\r\n17-19 July 2012\r\n27 August 2012\r\n6 weeks\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\nDumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary\r\n6-8 August 2012\r\n17 September 2012\r\n6 weeks\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\nWestern Infirmary\r\n21-23 Feb 2012\r\n4 April 2012\r\n6 weeks\r\nRoyal Alexandra Hospital\r\n14-16 March 2012\r\n25 April 2012\r\n6 weeks\r\nGlasgow Royal Infirmary\r\n2-4 May 2012\r\n13 June 2012\r\n6 weeks\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\nHairmyres Hospital\r\n6-8 March 2012\r\n16 April 2012\r\n6 weeks\r\nWishaw General Hospital\r\n28 -30 May 2012 (and 19 June 2012 unannounced follow-up)\r\n19 July 2012\r\nCombined report 7 weeks after initial inspection \r\n(4 weeks after follow-up inspection)\r\nMonklands Hospital\r\n25-27 June 2012\r\n6 August 2012\r\n6 weeks\r\nNHS Lothian\r\nWestern General Hospital\r\n11-13 April 2012\r\n21 May 2012\r\n6 weeks\r\nNHS Tayside\r\nNinewells Hospital\r\n24-26 September 2012 \r\n(and 21 January 2013 unannounced follow-up)\r\n 30 January 2013\r\nCombined report published 18 weeks after initial inspection \r\n(9 days after follow-up inspection)\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\nWestern Isles Hospital\r\n17-19 October 2012\r\n26 November 2012\r\n6 weeks\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:21.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280539,"EventID":"S4W-12358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:21.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:50:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what specific services are in place for older prisoners.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“In common with other jurisdictions, SPS recognises that we are dealing with an ageing prison population reflecting the ageing trend in society.\r\nCurrently SPS, along with partner agencies, is responding through the provision, for example, of aids and adaptations to accommodation, the provision of specialist beds, access to specialised occupational health equipment as well as the provision of age appropriate activities. However, given the trend towards an even older population, SPS will keep the matter under review.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:21.623","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280540,"EventID":"S4W-12359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:21.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:50:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of all police staff is female.\r\n","AnswerText":"As at 30 September 2012 the percentage of all police staff that were female was 62 per cent (based on headcount). This is based on all police staff employed by the eight Scottish police forces, the Scottish Police Services Authority and the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:21.92","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280541,"EventID":"S4W-12360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:22.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:50:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the staff working in corporate services in each police force is female.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the requested information. This is a matter for police forces.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:22.233","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280542,"EventID":"S4W-12361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:22.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:50:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff from each police force have been assigned to work in the single service reform team units.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the requested information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:22.763","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280543,"EventID":"S4W-12362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:23.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:50:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an equalities impact assessment will be carried out before the creation of corporate services for the Police Service of Scotland.","AnswerText":"This will be a matter for the Scottish Police Authority and the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland to take forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:23.137","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280544,"EventID":"S4W-12363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:23.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:50:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether equalities impact assessments will be carried out before implementing the outcomes of the single service reform groups.","AnswerText":"Work on the implementation of the single service reform groups is being undertaken by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland National Police Reform Team and as such this is a matter for the Police Service of Scotland to take forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:23.557","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280545,"EventID":"S4W-12364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:23.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:50:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what key performance indicators will be used to measure the performance of the Police Service of Scotland and whether any of these indicators relate specifically to drug crime.","AnswerText":"The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 makes clear that it is the responsibility of the Scottish Police Authority to hold the Chief Constable to account for the policing of Scotland.\r\nA range of work is currently underway to develop performance management frameworks to assess the performance of the Police Service of Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority in the delivery of the strategic police priorities. These frameworks are expected to be in place to measure performance from 1 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:23.84","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280546,"EventID":"S4W-12365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:24.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:50:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff hours have been allocated by each police force to the single service reform team units.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the requested information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:24.133","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280547,"EventID":"S4W-12366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:24.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T16:50:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the salary cost has been of the time allocated by each police force to the single service reform team units.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the requested information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:24.447","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280548,"EventID":"S4W-12367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:24.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-17T17:47:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who determines the membership of the Scottish Chronic Pain Steering Group and whether appointments to the group are regulated or supervised by any organisation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Chronic Pain Steering Group was convened by Scottish Government with the secretariat and support for the Group being provided by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Membership is multidisciplinary and includes voluntary sector and patient representation. Additional advice and expertise is co-opted as required.\r\nThe method of selection of representatives to serve on groups may vary depending on the nature, remit, role and term of the group. In many cases no specific qualifications or specialist knowledge is required, beyond an enthusiasm to get involved in making things better.\r\nRegular updates are provided on the work of the group are reported to Scottish Ministers. Updates on the work of the group are also publically available at:\r\nhttp://www.knowledge.scot.nhs.uk/pain.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:24.807","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280549,"EventID":"S4W-12368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:25.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T09:57:16.56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many snare users have attended the training required to qualify for an identification number for the purpose of setting snares.\r\n","AnswerText":"1,376 snare users have attended the snaring training courses, as set out in the Snares (Training) (Scotland) (No.2) Order 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:25.32","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280550,"EventID":"S4W-12369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:25.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T09:57:16.56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many snare users it estimates still need to attend the training required to qualify for an identification number for the purpose of setting snares before 1 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"Representatives of the shooting industry estimate that there are approximately 5,000 snaring operators in Scotland. On the basis that 1,376 snare users have already attended the snaring course, this leaves approximately 3,624 that have still to attend the snaring training course. It is not compulsory for snaring operators to attend the course before the 1 April 2013 unless they are required to set a snare from this date.\r\nIt is the responsibility of an individual snaring operator to attend a snaring training course and produce a valid training certificate when requested to do so. Only when they have completed a training course can they obtain an identification number from the chief constable of their local police force. It will be an offence from 1 April 2013 to set a snare without displaying a tag on the snare which contains the snaring operator’s identification number.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:25.633","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280551,"EventID":"S4W-12370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:25.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T09:57:16.56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that training is attended by everyone who needs to qualify for an identification number for the purpose of setting snares before 1 April 2013.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12369 on 30 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:25.96","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280552,"EventID":"S4W-12371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:26.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T09:57:16.56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what auditing or monitoring it does of the training required to qualify for an identification number for the purpose of setting snares, as delivered by the approved bodies to ensure that the content is as specified.","AnswerText":"The approved bodies follow an agreed course format and are considered by the Scottish Government to have the necessary knowledge and expertise in a Scottish context to carry out training in the setting of snares.\r\nWhilst there is no requirement to audit or monitor the training courses delivered by the approved bodies, if a situation was brought to our attention that one of the approved bodies training was deficient we would then take steps to remedy the situation, including, if necessary, removing them from the list of approved bodies in the Schedule to The Snares (Training) (Scotland) (No.2) Order 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:26.333","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280553,"EventID":"S4W-12372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:26.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T09:57:16.56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value of game shooting is to the economy.","AnswerText":"A report by Public and Corporate Economic Consultants (PACEC) in 2006 titled “The Economic and Environmental Impact of Sporting Shooting” is the most recent study of the value of game shooting in Scotland. Their study estimated that, at that time, game shooting was worth £240 million annually to the economy of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:26.817","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280554,"EventID":"S4W-12373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:27.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T11:06:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the main grant letter breaking down details of the grants to colleges for (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13 will be published and what the reason is for any delay.\r\n","AnswerText":"Matters related to the provision of grant to individual colleges are the responsibility of the Scottish Funding Council. I have asked the chief executive of the council to write to the member.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:27.223","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280555,"EventID":"S4W-12374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:27.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T11:06:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a rural college that merges with a city-based college will remain eligible for the institutional element of rural and remoteness funding.\r\n","AnswerText":"Matters related to the funding of individual colleges are the responsibility of the Scottish Funding Council. I have asked the chief executive of the council to write to the member.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:27.55","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280556,"EventID":"S4W-12375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:28.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T11:49:47.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many criminal cases funded by legal aid have been transferred from solemn to summary in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have been advised by the Scottish Legal Aid Board that data on criminal cases received prior to April 2008 does not contain the summary information required to provide an answer to these questions. In April 2008, a new computer system, which retains more detailed information, was introduced. For that reason, the numbers provided below do not show figures for 2007 and the 2008 is figure for the year from April, only.\r\nThe number of cases transferred from solemn proceedings to summary from April 2008 are as follows:\r\nFrom April 2008: \t633\r\n2009\t\t\t1,122\r\n2010\t\t\t1,165\r\n2011\t\t\t1,244\r\n2012\t\t\t1,213\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:28.02","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280557,"EventID":"S4W-12376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:28.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T11:49:47.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many criminal cases funded by legal aid have been transferred from summary to solemn in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have been advised by the Scottish Legal Aid Board that data on criminal cases received prior to April 2008 does not contain the summary information required to provide an answer to these questions. In April 2008, a new computer system, which retains more detailed information, was introduced. For that reason, the numbers provided do not show figures for 2007 and the 2008 is figure for the year from April, only.\r\nThe number of cases transferred from summary proceedings to solemn from April 2008 are as follows:\r\nFrom April 2008:\t29\r\n2009\t\t\t34\r\n2010\t\t\t45\r\n2011\t\t\t45\r\n2012\t\t\t56\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:28.317","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280558,"EventID":"S4W-12377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-18T15:52:28.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T15:14:38.51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether written guidance has been issued to NHS boards following the decision to make Kalydeco available on the NHS.","AnswerText":"A letter from the Scottish Government was issued to NHS boards on 23 January 2013 to clarify the interim arrangements for immediate requests for ivacaftor (Kalydeco®) for NHS patients suffering from cystic fibrosis who have not had a lung transplant and who have the G551D gene mutation.\r\nFurther guidance will be issued to NHSScotland on the operational arrangements for the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-01T15:52:28.66","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280566,"EventID":"S4W-12378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T14:30:36.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T16:09:30.827","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-10860 by Keith Brown on 14 November 2012, for what reason redundancy payments were made by Argyll Ferries Ltd and not Cowal Ferries Ltd; for what reason redundancy payments amounted to £1,400,182; how much of this was incurred through charges for terminating contracts with agency staff, and whether it considers that Argyll Ferries Ltd met best accounting practice in its 2011-12 annual report by not showing redundancy payments and start-up costs as separate exceptional items.\r\n","AnswerText":"Under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) legislation, staff contracts transferred from Cowal Ferries Ltd to Argyll Ferries Ltd when the latter took over operations from the former. Redundancy payments amounting to £1,400,182 were, therefore, made by Argyll Ferries Ltd under terms agreed through negotiation with the relevant Trades Unions. No redundancy payments were made to agency staff.  The accounts of Argyll Ferries Ltd are prepared and independently audited under UK Accounting Standards and applicable UK law (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T14:30:36.29","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280567,"EventID":"S4W-12382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T14:30:36.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T15:30:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many community payback orders have been imposed in each community justice authority area in each month since February 2011.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the number of community payback orders commenced by local authorities in 2011-12 is published at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/SocialWork/CPOs (worksheet entitled “CPOs - ords and inds”).\r\nNumbers of community payback orders issued by Scottish courts have been obtained separately, from the Scottish Court Service (SCS), on a monthly basis, covering the period February 2011 to March 2012 at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/CPOs. The SCS data is available at an individual court level but is not held at the level of community justice authority area.\r\nThe two sets of data are not directly comparable with one another, as they are not compiled on exactly the same basis (see paragraph 4.38 of published bulletin “Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics, 2011-12”- http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/12/1332/4.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T14:30:36.6","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280568,"EventID":"S4W-12383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T14:30:36.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T15:30:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hours of community payback orders have been imposed in each community justice authority area in each month since February 2011.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information from local authorities on the number of hours which have been imposed as part of unpaid work or other activity requirements given with community payback orders in 2011-12 is published at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/SocialWork/CPOs (worksheet entitled “CPOs - ave len UPW”).\r\nInformation is not held centrally on the number of hours imposed in February and March 2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T14:30:36.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280569,"EventID":"S4W-12384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T14:30:37.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T15:30:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many custodial sentences of less than six months have been imposed in each sheriffdom in each month since May 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the following table.\r\nPeople given a custodial sentence of six months or less in Scottish Courts, 2007-08 to 2011-12\r\nSheriffdom1\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nGlasgow and Strathkelvin\r\n2,482\r\n2,245\r\n2,100\r\n2,087\r\n2,181\r\nGrampian, Highland and Islands\r\n1,513\r\n1,350\r\n1,146\r\n1,176\r\n1,189\r\nLothian and Borders\r\n1,647\r\n1,807\r\n1,422\r\n1,424\r\n1,263\r\nNorth Strathclyde\r\n1,933\r\n1,747\r\n1,741\r\n1,640\r\n1,685\r\nSouth Strathclyde Dumfries and Galloway\r\n2,206\r\n2,120\r\n1,959\r\n1,563\r\n1,726\r\nTayside, Central and Fife\r\n2,874\r\n2,858\r\n2,497\r\n2,663\r\n2,606\r\nScotland2\r\n12,664\r\n12,142\r\n10,874\r\n10,561\r\n10,665\r\nSource:  Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.\r\nNotes:\r\n1.  Includes an approximate mapping of District courts to Sheriffdoms.\r\n2.  Includes a small number of cases relating to the High Court, or where court location is not known\r\n\r\nBy way of context, the table below shows information on the number of people with a charge proved in Scottish courts over the same period.\r\nPeople with a charge proved in Scottish Courts, 2007-08 to 2011-12\r\n \r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nScotland\r\n133,608\r\n125,889\r\n121,028\r\n115,564\r\n108,336\r\nSource:  Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T14:30:37.193","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280570,"EventID":"S4W-12385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T14:30:37.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T15:30:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many community payback orders have (a) been completed in (i) full and (ii) part and (b) not been completed since February 2011, broken down by community justice authority area.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information from local authorities on the number of terminations of community payback orders in 2011-12 is published at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/SocialWork/CPOs\r\n(worksheet entitled “CPOs - terminations reason”).\r\nInformation is not held centrally on the number of terminations of community payback orders in February and March 2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T14:30:37.507","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280571,"EventID":"S4W-12386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T14:30:37.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T15:30:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hours of community payback orders have (a) been completed in (i) full and (ii) part and (b) not been completed since February 2011, broken down by community justice authority area.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information from local authorities on the number of hours completed as part of unpaid work or other activity requirements successfully completed in 2011-12 is published at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/SocialWork/CPOs\r\n(worksheet entitled “CPOs - upw reqs succ comp”).\r\nInformation is not held centrally for February and March 2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T14:30:37.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280572,"EventID":"S4W-12387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T14:30:38.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T15:30:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has given to councils regarding the type of work to be carried out by people sentenced to community payback orders.\r\n","AnswerText":"Practice guidance on the operation of the Community Payback Order (CPO), drawn up in consultation with a range of relevant organisations and agencies, was issued to local authorities on 24 December 2010, in advance of the legislation coming into force. This guidance contains a section on the “unpaid work or other activity” requirement which includes information on the objectives and guiding principles of the unpaid work element. It does not, however, specify the type of unpaid work to be carried out by offenders, which is for local authorities to determine.\r\nThe guidance is designed to be read in conjunction with the National Outcomes and Standards for Social Work Services in the Criminal Justice System, and specifically section 8 thereof which deals with reparation.\r\nBoth documents are available on the Scottish Government website at the following location: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/offender-management/offender/community/16910/Standards/Guidance \r\nLocal authorities now have a statutory duty to consult annually on the nature of unpaid work and other activities to be undertaken by those on CPOs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T14:30:38.177","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280573,"EventID":"S4W-12388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T14:30:38.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T16:26:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency's e-learning package on human trafficking was trialled; what feedback was received about the package, and whether it will be rolled out across the Police Service of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Training for police officers on human trafficking is an operational matter for the police. The Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency has advised that the e-learning package was trialled in November 2012, feedback was positive, and the package is being rolled out across all police forces this month.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T14:30:38.537","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280574,"EventID":"S4W-12389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T14:30:38.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T16:49:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any criminal liability will automatically pass from the existing boards to the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.\r\n","AnswerText":"Provision to this effect has been included in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2013, which was laid in draft in the UK Parliament on 22 January 2013 by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Scotland Office, in exercise of powers conferred by the Scotland Act 1998.\r\nParagraph 12 of Schedule 3 of the Order states that any criminal offence committed before the relevant day by a relevant authority within the meaning of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 is, on and after that day, to be regarded for all purposes as if it had been committed by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and criminal proceedings may be instituted or continued against the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service accordingly. Equivalent transitional provision is made for offences committed by any of the current police bodies or chief constables.\r\nThis transitional provision has been included in this draft Scotland Act Order to avoid any doubt that it applies to offences under reserved legislation, which includes in particular the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T14:30:38.817","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280575,"EventID":"S4W-12405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T14:30:39.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T09:37:00.283","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost has been of citing witnesses to take part in trials then sending them home due to lack of court time in each year since  2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T14:30:39.113","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280576,"EventID":"S4T-00214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1742,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T12:54:55.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T11:17:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update following the recent winter weather conditions.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T12:54:55.867","MeetingDate":"2013-01-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280577,"EventID":"S4T-00221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T12:54:57.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T11:50:50.08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the outcome of the Scottish Police Authority meeting on 18 January.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T12:54:57.537","MeetingDate":"2013-01-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280578,"EventID":"S4F-01130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T13:35:23.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T10:55:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to improve awareness of the screening and symptoms of cervical cancer. \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T13:35:23.743","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280579,"EventID":"S4F-01132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T12:54:49.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T09:39:59.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he next plans to meet the Prime Minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T12:54:49.347","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280580,"EventID":"S4F-01134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T12:54:49.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T10:01:42.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T12:54:49.907","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280581,"EventID":"S4F-01141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T12:54:52.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T11:00:00.237","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T12:54:52.277","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280582,"EventID":"S4F-01144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T12:54:53.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T11:16:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the recent report in The Scotsman that Scotland is receiving less than its population share of defence spending.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T12:54:53.12","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280583,"EventID":"S4F-01148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T12:54:54.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T11:54:12.237","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's report suggesting that a boy born in one of the most deprived 10% of areas in Scotland has a life expectancy 14 years below one born in the least deprived areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T12:54:54.26","MeetingDate":"2013-01-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280589,"EventID":"S4W-12390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:03.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T16:58:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) job and (b) employability opportunities will be created by its youth employment budget in 2012-13, broken down by programme.","AnswerText":"The number of jobs and employability opportunities that will be created by the Scottish Government’s additional funding to support youth employment in 2012-13 will be:\r\n1,400 subsidised jobs for 16-19 year olds in social enterprises and voluntary organisations through Community Jobs Scotland.\r\n1,754 opportunities for young people through jobs, work experience and training through the Social Enterprise & Third Sector Challenge Fund. \r\n3,371 young people supported towards and into employment across six local authority areas. \r\n100 young graduates supported into employment in the small business sector.\r\n110 paid graduate placements through Adopt an Intern Scheme.\r\n630 young people access to loans to either start up or grow their own businesses\r\nIn addition, the following opportunities will be created over the three year period from 2012-13 to 2014-15:\r\n1,000 of the most disadvantaged young people including care leavers supported to enter the labour market.\r\n2,500 young people supported into opportunities linked to major cultural and sporting events.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:03.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280590,"EventID":"S4W-12391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:03.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T16:58:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) job and (b) employability opportunities were created by its youth employment programmes in 2011-12, broken down by programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government youth employment programmes are all designed to improve the employability of young people, whether they are pre-employment programmes or in-work training programmes.\r\nThe following table details the outcomes for Scottish Government programmes related to youth employment:\r\nProgramme\r\nOutcomes delivered in 20011-12\r\nModern Apprenticeship\r\n26,427 MAs in employment\r\nAdopt an Apprentice\r\n375 redundant MAs supported\r\nCommunity Jobs Scotland\r\n1,843 individuals supported\r\nAdopt an Intern\r\n50 placements funded by SG\r\nGet Ready for Work\r\n4,033 positive outcomes, of which 2,491 were job outcomes\r\n \r\nIn addition, 6,985 claims were made for Skills Development Scotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive in 2011-12 and 400 placements have been filled through Talent Scotland to date. Talent Scotland management information does not support an annual breakdown.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:03.57","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280591,"EventID":"S4W-12392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:04.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T16:58:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) job and (b) employability opportunities have been created by the £9 million that it gave to local authorities in 2012 to tackle youth unemployment.\r\n","AnswerText":"This programme of activity, being delivered by six local authorities, will reach its conclusion in September 2013 and will help support 1,369 job opportunities, through wage subsidies and 2,078 employability opportunities, in the form of training.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:04.24","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280592,"EventID":"S4W-12393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:05.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T16:58:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young people have been supported by the £9 million that it gave to local authorities in 2012 to tackle youth unemployment.\r\n","AnswerText":"The £9 million additional Opportunities for All funding, given to six local authorities in 2012, will help support 3,447 young people.\r\nThe delivery of this support will be complete by September 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:05.13","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280593,"EventID":"S4W-12394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:05.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T16:58:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people between (a) 16 and 19 and (b) 20 and 24 undertook opportunities created by the youth employment budget in 2011-12.\r\n","AnswerText":"There was no specific “youth employment budget” in 2011-12. However, please see the following table which details the participants for programmes relating to youth employment broken down by age where possible:\r\nProgramme\r\n16-19\r\n20-24\r\ntotal\r\nModern Apprenticeships1\r\n13,216\r\n3,583\r\n16,799\r\nAdopt an apprentice2\r\n189\r\n159\r\n348\r\nCommunity Jobs Scotland3\r\n493\r\n1,121\r\n1,614\r\nAdopt an Intern4\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\n50\r\nGet Ready for Work\r\n10,315\r\n0\r\n10,315\r\nNotes:\r\n1. 9,628 Modern Apprentices were aged 25 and above – total for 2011-12: 26,427\r\n2. 27 apprentices supported through Adopt an Apprentice were 25 and above – total for 2011-12:  375\r\n3. Community Jobs Scotland supported 229 individuals aged 25 and above – total for 2011-12:  1843\r\n4. Management information does not detail an age breakdown for this programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:05.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280594,"EventID":"S4W-12396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:06.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T16:58:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) 16 to 19 and (b) 20 to 24-year-olds have undertaken more than one learning, training or work opportunity via programmes administered by Skills Development Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:06.33","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280595,"EventID":"S4W-12398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:07.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T16:58:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will spend the additional £80 million referred to by the Minister for Youth Employment on 10 January 2012 (Official Report, c. 15340), broken down by programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of our all-Government, All-Scotland response to assist young Scots towards and into employment, the £80 million we have identified will go towards:\r\n£33 million (including £3 million from Young Scot funding) for Opportunities for All;\r\n£15 million for the Employer Recruitment Incentive;\r\nUp to £25 million of remaining European Structural Funds to support youth employment;\r\n£5 million to support young people into opportunities linked to major cultural and sporting events hosted in Scotland;\r\n£1 million to enable the Prince’s Trust Scotland to offer loans to young entrepreneurs; and\r\n£700,000 to support graduate recruitment schemes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:07.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280596,"EventID":"S4W-12399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:07.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T16:58:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the new conditions of the Employer Recruitment Incentive.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials are liaising with representatives from the Scottish local authorities economic development group, business organisations and others on the details of the employer recruitment incentive. Details will be circulated to MSPs as soon as they are available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:07.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280597,"EventID":"S4W-12400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:08.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T16:58:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what officials the Minister for Youth Employment met on her recent visit to Brussels and what was discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"Since 2008, the Scottish Government has adopted the practice of regularly publishing details of Ministers’ engagements on the Scottish Government website:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/People/14944/Events-Engagements/MinisterialEngagements\r\nDetails of meetings held from 5 September 2012 to 30 November 2012 should be published in February 2013.\r\nAt the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council meeting, which I attended on behalf of the UK, I spoke about the importance of engaging young people in decisions that affect their lives. I highlighted the support provided by the Scottish and UK Governments to youth organisations to enable structured dialogue with young people to take place.\r\nIn meetings with representatives from the European Commission, discussions focused on the forthcoming youth employment package (subsequently announced on 5 December) which includes a recommendation that Member States introduce a Youth Guarantee for young people within four months of leaving education or becoming unemployed. \r\nIn meetings with representatives from the Austrian, Dutch, Finnish and German governments, I described the Scottish Government’s youth employment strategy, sought information on the measures they were taking to tackle youth unemployment, how their vocational education systems contributed to this and how Austria and Finland were implementing Youth Guarantees to unemployed young people. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:08.047","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280598,"EventID":"S4W-12401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:08.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-18T16:58:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the Minister for Youth Employment’s recent letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions regarding a youth guarantee across EU member states (Official Report, col. 15342).\r\n","AnswerText":"It is not normal practice to publish private letters between Ministers. However, in my letter to the Secretary of Work and Pensions, I suggested that it would be helpful to have a discussion about the UK Government’s views on the European Commission’s recommendation on a Youth Guarantee. Mr Mark Hoban MP, Minister for Employment, responded positively to this request and a discussion has been arranged.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:08.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280599,"EventID":"S4W-12407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:09.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T11:57:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has given to the Scottish Muscle Network in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not directly fund the Scottish Muscle Network.\r\nThe Scottish Muscle Network is one of 23 national managed clinical networks (NMCN). Each NMCN is individually commissioned and performance managed by National Services Division on behalf of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care directorates and NHS boards.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:09.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280600,"EventID":"S4W-12408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:09.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T11:57:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will help the Scottish Muscle Network to achieve the goals set out in its Annual Report 2011-12.","AnswerText":"All National Managed Clinical Networks (NMCNs), including the Scottish Muscle Network, are provided with performance management support through NHS National Services Scotland, National Services Division. The formal mechanism for this is a service agreement and a closely monitored annual work plan of activities.\r\nThe Scottish Muscle Network has reported significant progress against its goals which are included within its latest annual report. the Network has most recently:\r\narranged a multidisciplinary educational conference on 6 September 2012;\r\ncompleted a myotonic dystrophy audit the  findings of which will be included within its 2012-13 annual report;\r\nhosted a forum on neuromuscular cases on 13 September 2012. A further forum is planned for May 2013; and\r\naudited the uptake and use of transitional care resources.\r\nThe network is currently developing seven information sheets on neuromuscular conditions for NHSScotland’s primary care services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:09.653","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280601,"EventID":"S4W-12409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:10.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T11:57:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what schemes it funds to help families affected by muscular dystrophy.","AnswerText":"We want to ensure that people living with neuromuscular conditions, including their families, get access to the best possible care and support.\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland published the Neurological Clinical Standards in October 2009. These standards will help ensure people with neuromuscular conditions get the earliest and most appropriate neurological treatment locally, but with access to specialist services when needed. That’s why we provided boards with £1.2 million, to develop improvement groups as the main vehicles to take them forward.\r\nWe have also funded:\r\nThree neuromuscular care advisor posts in the South East and Tayside, the North of Scotland, and the West of Scotland for two years. These regional care advisors will be able to signpost people living with neuromuscular conditions and their families to services and support in their local area;\r\nThe Wheelchair and Seating Services Quality Improvement Framework which supports the timely provision of wheelchairs in a way that responds to people’s needs at each stage in the progression of their condition;\r\nA £1.5 million investment in improving services for complex respiratory conditions, which has created a number of new posts (including consultants, dieticians, physiotherapists, nurses and pharmacists) enabling more people to be treated locally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:10.137","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280602,"EventID":"S4W-12410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:10.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T11:57:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives families to access the specialist myotonic dystrophy support group based in Nottingham.","AnswerText":"We fully recognise the valuable role that peer support can play in enabling and supporting people living with neuromuscular diseases.\r\nWe are not aware of any requests for support made to the Scottish Government from families wishing to attend the Nottingham-based myotonic dystrophy support group.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:10.667","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280603,"EventID":"S4W-12411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:11.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T11:57:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it has given to families travelling to the myotonic dystrophy support group conference in Bristol.","AnswerText":"We are not aware of any requests for support from families wishing to attend the Myotonic Dystrophy Support Conference in Bristol.\r\nThe Scottish Muscle Network is currently working to improve the support that individuals with neuromuscular conditions and their families receive. This has included:\r\nappropriate sign-posting to services and support groups provided by third sector organisations; and\r\nthe development and auditing of standards on the information and support provided within myotonic dystrophy clinics.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:11.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280604,"EventID":"S4W-12412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:11.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:16:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to increase access to specialist child and adolescent mental health services for deaf children and young people.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials have met with members of the National Deaf Children’s Society and the Scottish Council on Deafness to discuss their proposals.\r\nWe have asked them to engage with NHS boards as primary commissioners of such services and we will continue that dialogue through the Scottish Government child and adolescent mental health services network as we consider next steps. We will ensure that service developments are meeting the needs of children and young people with sensory impairments.\r\nWe have made a commitment to work with NHS boards and partners to improve monitoring information about who is accessing services and is consistently available to inform decisions about service redesign and to remove barriers to services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:11.933","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280605,"EventID":"S4W-12413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:12.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:16:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to develop a national specialist child and adolescent mental health service for deaf children and young people.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12412 on 31 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:12.68","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280606,"EventID":"S4W-12414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:13.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:16:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason deafness is not listed as a mental health indicator.","AnswerText":"The current NHS Health Scotland mental health indicator sets out to provide a profile of the mental health of the Scottish population and a means of monitoring the state of mental health to enable evidence-informed decision making for mental health improvement policy planning. However, these are limited by gaps and weaknesses in the evidence-base, availability of data and the feasibility of collecting data. Additionally, the indicators do provide a firm basis on which to build and develop a greater understanding of the causes and consequences of mental health and how these can be measured.\r\nAlthough data is available on disability, it is not possible to break it down into specific impairments due to the small sample sizes of key surveys. Specific impairments such as poor hearing/deafness are captured within the longstanding illness and limiting longstanding illness indicators. Unfortunately the sample size does not allow for poor hearing/deafness to be extracted from the data. However as the evidence base improves the indicators and their data sources will be reviewed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:13.367","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280607,"EventID":"S4W-12415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:14.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:16:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children and young people are registered as deaf with NHS boards and how many of them have presented with mental health issues.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:14.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280608,"EventID":"S4W-12417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-21T16:51:15.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T14:12:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the accuracy of Audit Scotland’s evidence to the Public Audit Committee on 16 January 2013 (Official Report, c. 1114), that \"It is not a given that a national IRMP will draw resources from the Highlands and Islands down to the central belt.\" following the creation of the National Fire and Rescue Service.","AnswerText":"Decisions on the allocation of resources are currently a matter for the eight Scottish Fire and Rescue Services, and from 1 April 2013 will be the responsibility of the single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). It will use the IRMP as a business planning tool to ensure the most effective and efficient use of its resources, and to demonstrate prudent use of public funding.\r\nThe SFRS is under a statutory duty to ensure adequate arrangements for fire and rescue services in all 32 of Scotland’s local authority areas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-04T16:51:15.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280610,"EventID":"S4W-12402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:02.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-19T11:11:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the management of Scotland's airports regarding their preparedness to deal with severe snow conditions.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government meets the management of all of Scotland’s main airports on a regular basis. Discussions cover a wide range of issues including resilience and winter weather preparedness.\r\nDuring bad weather events, we work closely with the airports to ensure information is shared and disseminated so that the transport network continues to work to best effect and passengers are kept informed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:02.657","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280611,"EventID":"S4W-12418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:03.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T16:41:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to work with the Groceries Code Adjudicator to ensure a fair and consistent approach to the food supply chain throughout the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully supports the appointment of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA). Scottish Ministers have long pressed for the need for an independent GCA to police the Groceries Supply Code of Practice. I have therefore written to the newly appointed GCA requesting a meeting.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:03.327","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280612,"EventID":"S4W-12419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:03.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T16:41:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether ministers (a) have met (b) are to meet UK Government ministers to discuss  the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12418 on 6 February 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:03.763","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280613,"EventID":"S4W-12420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:04.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T17:36:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the CashBack for Communities programme funding is fully committed.\r\n","AnswerText":"Since the inception of the highly successful CashBack for Communities Programme in 2007, over £50 million recovered from the proceeds of crime has been invested throughout Scotland, directly benefitting over 600,000 young people and generating over 11,000 young person volunteers who are now putting something back into their communities.\r\nThe Scottish Government allocates available funds to large national partner organisations, which are responsible for running projects across Scotland. Based on the Scottish Government’s commitment to continue to expand the successful CashBack for Communities Programme, all PoCA recoveries currently available to the Programme have been committed through to 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:04.497","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280614,"EventID":"S4W-12421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:04.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T17:36:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when applications can next be made for funding from the CashBack for Communities programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"Since the inception of the highly successful CashBack for Communities Programme in 2007, over £50 million recovered from the proceeds of crime has been invested throughout Scotland, directly benefitting over 600,000 young people and generating over 11,000 young person volunteers who are now putting something back into their communities.\r\nThe Scottish Government allocates available funds to large national partner organisations, which are responsible for running projects across Scotland. Based on the Scottish Government’s commitment to continue to expand the successful CashBack for Communities Programme, all PoCA recoveries currently available to the Programme have been committed through to 2015-16.\r\nAs part of that commitment, there will be tranches of smaller individual grants available to applications for youth work and cultural activities delivered by YouthLink Scotland and Youth Scotland and Creative Scotland respectively in the next financial year 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:05.013","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280615,"EventID":"S4W-12422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:05.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T17:36:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how applications can be made for funding from the CashBack for Communities programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"Since the inception of the highly successful CashBack for Communities Programme in 2007, over £50 million recovered from the proceeds of crime has been invested throughout Scotland, directly benefitting over 600,000 young people and generating over 11,000 young person volunteers who are now putting something back into their communities.\r\nThe Scottish Government allocates available funds to large national partner organisations, which are responsible for running projects across Scotland. Based on the Scottish Government’s commitment to continue to expand the successful CashBack for Communities Programme, all PoCA recoveries currently available to the Programme have been committed through to 2015-16.\r\nAs part of that commitment, there will be tranches of smaller individual grants available to applications for youth work and cultural activities delivered by YouthLink Scotland:\r\nhttp://www.youthlinkscotland.org/Index.asp?mainID=11887\r\nand Youth Scotland:\r\nhttp://www.youthscotland.org.uk/projects/cashback-small-grants-scheme.htm\r\nand Creative Scotland:\r\nhttp://www.creativescotland.com/investment/cashbackforcreativity respectively in the next financial year 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:05.7","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280616,"EventID":"S4W-12423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:06.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T17:36:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government where guidance on applying for funding from the CashBack for Communities programme can be obtained.","AnswerText":"Since the inception of the highly successful CashBack for Communities Programme in 2007, over £50 million recovered from the proceeds of crime has been invested throughout Scotland, directly benefitting over 600,000 young people and generating over 11,000 young person volunteers who are now putting something back into their communities.\r\nThe Scottish Government allocates available funds to large national partner organisations, which are responsible for running projects across Scotland. Based on the Scottish Government’s commitment to continue to expand the successful CashBack for Communities Programme, all PoCA recoveries currently available to the Programme have been committed through to 2015-16.\r\nAs part of that commitment, there will be tranches of smaller individual grants available to applications for youth work and cultural activities delivered by YouthLink Scotland:\r\nhttp://www.youthlinkscotland.org/Index.asp?mainID=11887\r\nand Youth Scotland:\r\nhttp://www.youthscotland.org.uk/projects/cashback-small-grants-scheme.htm\r\nand Creative Scotland:\r\nhttp://www.creativescotland.com/investment/cashbackforcreativity respectively in the next financial year 2013-14. Guidance can be found at respective web pages.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:06.777","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280617,"EventID":"S4W-12424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:07.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T10:13:10.463","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its forthcoming consultation on a new food body will address meat inspection issues.","AnswerText":"The forthcoming consultation on a new food body will focus on transferring existing Food Standards Agency (FSA) functions to a new body, and examine what options exist to expand its scope and responsibilities beyond the existing FSA functions. Meat inspection is already a FSA function.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:07.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280618,"EventID":"S4W-12425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:08.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T10:13:10.463","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its consultation on a new food body.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government website sets the timing for publication of the forthcoming consultation on a new food body as “winter 2012-2013”.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:08.617","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280619,"EventID":"S4W-12426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:09.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:08:19.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on creating a mechanism for determining appropriate staffing levels and skill mix in the care home sector.","AnswerText":"There is a statutory requirement on care service providers to ensure that at all times suitably qualified and competent persons are working in the care service, as are appropriate for the health and welfare of service users. The National Care Standards also require care home staff to have professional training and expertise which allows them to meet the needs of residents. Compliance with these requirements is part of the Care Inspectorate’s inspection process. The Care Inspectorate has a range of measures it can take to ensure that providers comply with requirements.\r\nAs a result of a Scottish Government-supported development project, conducted in partnership with NHS Information Services Division (ISD), COSLA, the Care Commission and with care home providers, a prototype model for informing care staff hours has been developed and tested in a number of care homes in Scotland. A report on the model was submitted to the COSLA-led Older People’s Services Development Group and practicable options for possible implementation are still under consideration by the group. On behalf of the group, the Joint Improvement Team is currently identifying what the options are for national implementation. The prototype model continues to be used in a small number of homes.\r\nStaffing levels remain a decision for care home management with the model providing insights which can help managers make informed decisions about the staffing hours which will meet residents’ needs.\r\nThe Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), as the regulator of the social services workforce in Scotland maintains registers of specific groups of workers. A criterion of registration is that a worker has, or is working towards, a qualification that reflects the skill, knowledge and competence required for practice in each job function. Required registration with the SSSC was introduced in 2009. Managers in care home services have been subject to required registration since November 2009. Supervisors in care home services have been subject to required registration since March 2012. This year, practitioners working in care home services will be subject to required registration from 29 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:09.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280620,"EventID":"S4W-12427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:10.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:08:19.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the criteria are for eligibility for (a) free personal care and (b) nursing care.","AnswerText":"Eligibility criteria are defined in the National Standard Eligibility and Waiting times for the Personal and Nursing Care of Older People – Guidance. A complete copy of the guidance is available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1095/0087758.doc.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:10.363","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280621,"EventID":"S4W-12428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:11.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:08:19.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for the review of National Care Standards.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has undertaken exploratory work to inform the review of the National Care Standards and will launch a consultation in the first half of 2013. The consultation will seek views on the proposed approach to the review, the actual review process and its timing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:11.877","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280622,"EventID":"S4W-12439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:12.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:11:22.933","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by how much each NHS board has been (a) over- or (b) underfunded in each of the last six years, also expressed as a percentage.","AnswerText":"Each NHS board has received an appropriate amount of funding from the Scottish Government in each of the last six years and therefore no board has been either over or under funded in that time period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:12.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280623,"EventID":"S4W-12440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:14.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:11:22.933","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional in-year funding each NHS board has received in each year since April 2007 and for what reason.","AnswerText":"NHS boards have received the following in-year funding amounts over the last six years:\r\nNHS Board\r\nIn Year Allocations\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran \r\n   76,701 \r\n   65,901 \r\n   72,329 \r\n    77,845 \r\n    74,017 \r\n    85,417 \r\nNHS Borders \r\n   22,553 \r\n   20,999 \r\n   20,711 \r\n    24,486 \r\n    22,062 \r\n    23,153 \r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway \r\n   40,042 \r\n   35,941 \r\n   33,870 \r\n    34,064 \r\n    30,970 \r\n    36,850 \r\nNHS Fife \r\n   62,707 \r\n   58,016 \r\n   63,346 \r\n    65,246 \r\n    58,646 \r\n   100,406 \r\nNHS Forth Valley \r\n   47,623 \r\n   45,098 \r\n   48,466 \r\n    55,009 \r\n    76,000 \r\n    99,942 \r\nNHS Grampian \r\n   98,671 \r\n  101,932 \r\n   110,042 \r\n   123,316 \r\n   107,810 \r\n   120,072 \r\nNHS Greater Glasgow \r\n  286,824 \r\n  279,440 \r\n   255,760 \r\n   275,317 \r\n   313,144 \r\n   342,383 \r\nNHS Highland \r\n   73,140 \r\n   76,288 \r\n   78,063 \r\n    73,804 \r\n    74,227 \r\n    82,983 \r\nNHS Lanarkshire \r\n   79,274 \r\n   86,959 \r\n   94,084 \r\n    67,494 \r\n   119,317 \r\n   114,261 \r\nNHS Lothian \r\n  164,276 \r\n  149,153 \r\n   155,306 \r\n   135,214 \r\n   172,997 \r\n   191,134 \r\nNHS Orkney \r\n    7,415 \r\n    9,295 \r\n   10,303 \r\n    12,053 \r\n    14,737 \r\n    13,614 \r\nNHS Shetland \r\n    7,749 \r\n    8,292 \r\n    9,996 \r\n     9,849 \r\n    15,451 \r\n    11,944 \r\nNHS Tayside \r\n   85,612 \r\n   85,480 \r\n   89,683 \r\n    97,258 \r\n    97,846 \r\n   116,831 \r\nNHS Western Isles \r\n    7,916 \r\n    6,740 \r\n   12,398 \r\n    13,196 \r\n    12,190 \r\n    13,569 \r\nUnified Boards\r\n1,060,503\r\n1,029,534\r\n1,054,357\r\n1,064,151\r\n1,189,414\r\n1,352,559\r\n\r\nNHS Board\r\nIn Year Allocations\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\n£000s\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\n    6,886 \r\n   27,084 \r\n   23,311 \r\n    20,097 \r\n    17,360 \r\n    17,861 \r\nNHS 24\r\n    7,202 \r\n    3,909 \r\n    3,725 \r\n     7,511 \r\n    6,555 \r\n     3,050 \r\nNHS Education\r\n   31,145 \r\n   39,811 \r\n   44,629 \r\n    29,289 \r\n    29,186 \r\n    31,069 \r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n    9,987 \r\n    6,335 \r\n    8,267 \r\n     8,853 \r\n    3,871 \r\n     2,369 \r\nNHS NSS\r\n   75,058 \r\n  145,830 \r\n   154,218 \r\n   134,649 \r\n   142,480 \r\n   105,116 \r\nNHS QIS\r\n-193 \r\n     257 \r\n    1,867 \r\n     2,361 \r\n    2,628 \r\n     3,122 \r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n    6,511 \r\n    1,872 \r\n    5,280 \r\n    12,259 \r\n    6,543 \r\n     5,949 \r\nState Hospital\r\n    3,276 \r\n    1,290 \r\n    1,357 \r\n      511 \r\n    5,825 \r\n    12,477 \r\nSpecial Boards\r\n139,872\r\n226,388\r\n242,654\r\n215,530\r\n214,448\r\n181,013\r\nTotal\r\n1,200,375\r\n1,255,922\r\n1,297,011\r\n1,279,681\r\n1,403,862\r\n1,533,572\r\n\r\nOver the course of a financial year, the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate will typically make around 1,200 in-year allocations to NHS boards which cover a wide variety of reasons. These allocations can be made to one specific board, for example if there is a public health project being piloted in one board area, or to all boards such as funding to cover the costs of the general medical services contract or waiting times funding.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:14.077","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280624,"EventID":"S4W-12441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:15.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:28:54.917","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what public sector information-sharing protocols exist to ensure that the Scottish Prison Service adheres to any restraints placed on prisoners' contact with victims of domestic violence.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nWhilst there is no specific information sharing protocol we work closely with our criminal justice partners to tackle the unacceptable behaviours demonstrated by perpetrators of domestic violence. In addition, the Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 2011 contain a power to allow Governors to take reasonable steps to prevent or restrict written communications and telephone calls from a prisoner to a person, where that person so requests.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:15.247","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280625,"EventID":"S4W-12442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:16.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:35:56.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on recent comments by CNN that Scotland's natural heritage is a reason for it being an internationally notable travel destination.\r\n","AnswerText":"CNN’s accolade supports the Scottish Government’s ambition to grow the tourism sector.2013 has been assigned the Year of Natural Scotland, which is an opportunity to spotlight, celebrate and promote Scotland’s outstanding natural beauty, landscapes and biodiversity to our people and our visitors, and to continue to build on the momentum created by the previous focus years as we progress towards Homecoming 2014 and beyond.\r\nIt is intended that the legacy of the Year of Natural Scotland will be economic benefit for Scotland through increased awareness of Scotland’s natural assets and participation by Scotland’s people and visitors in festivals, events and natural attractions; enhancement of Scotland’s reputation as a place of outstanding natural beauty to enjoy responsibly; better working relationships across the sector; and development of operational practice and initiatives that continue through to 2014 and beyond in supporting and enhancing sustainable nature-based tourism. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:16.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280626,"EventID":"S4W-12443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:17.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:35:56.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent comments by CNN, what plans it has to promote Cape Wrath as a desirable destination for walkers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Year of Natural Scotland 2013 is an excellent opportunity to promote Scotland’s stunning natural beauty and biodiversity. The whole country is being promoted as a destination for all visitors including walkers.\r\nThe Year of natural Scotland presents an opportunity for those promoting walking at Cape Wrath and the wider area to increase awareness of Cape Wrath as a destination for walkers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:17.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280627,"EventID":"S4W-12444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:18.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:35:56.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to protect the (a) wild land character of the Cape Wrath Trail and (b) Scottish National Trail between Fort Augustus and Cape Wrath.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy states that planning authorities should safeguard the character of wild land areas in development plans. It will therefore be for Highland Council to protect the wild land character of the land around these trails.\r\nThe Year of Natural Scotland presents an opportunity for those promoting walking at Cape Wrath and the wider area to increase awareness of Cape Wrath as a destination for walkers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:18.523","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280628,"EventID":"S4W-12445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:19.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:46:39.713","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the clinical standards for breast screening (a) were last published and (b) will be revised.","AnswerText":"The clinical standards for breast screening were last published on 1 October 2002. Five core standards were updated in 2008: lung, breast, ovarian, core and bowel. A Cancer Quality Performance Indicators Programme was developed following the publication of the core standards.\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland is currently working with their partner organisations to review and update their work around national screening programmes, including screening for breast cancers. They are currently developing a governance mechanism for Cancer Quality Performance Indicators which will be piloted in March 2013. Findings from this pilot will further inform their national screening programme work.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:19.583","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280629,"EventID":"S4W-12446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:20.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:46:39.713","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the clinical standards for cervical screening (a) were last published and (b) will be revised other than to amend the age for commencement of routine screening.\r\n","AnswerText":"The clinical standards for cervical screening were last published on 1 December 2001.\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland is currently working with their partner organisations to review and update their work around national screening programmes, including screening for cervical cancers. They are currently developing a governance mechanism for Cancer Quality Performance Indicators which will be piloted in March 2013. Findings from this pilot will further inform their national screening programme work.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:20.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280630,"EventID":"S4W-12447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:20.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:53:49.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce will (a) first meet and (b) report its findings.\r\n","AnswerText":"The first meeting of the Commission will take place on Friday 8 February 2013. The Commission will produce its recommendations in the second quarter of 2014. These will be published in full.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:20.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280631,"EventID":"S4W-12449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:21.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:53:49.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce will publish its work programme and reports on progress until publishing its final report.","AnswerText":"The Commission does not at this stage plan to publish its work programme or to publish reports on progress. However it will engage closely with a wide range of stakeholders including the main political parties as its work progresses.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:21.3","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280632,"EventID":"S4W-12450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:21.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:53:49.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the remit is of the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce.\r\n","AnswerText":"Building on the platforms of Curriculum for Excellence, careers services modernisation, Post-16 education reform and Scotland’s successful Modern Apprenticeship programme, the remit of the Commission is to develop proposals designed to enhance Scotland’s vocational and further education system as it relates to young people; enable young people to make the best transition from the broad general education under Curriculum for Excellence into the system; and encourage greater employer commitment to youth employment and the development and delivery of the vocational and further education system.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:21.797","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280633,"EventID":"S4W-12451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:22.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:53:49.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the work of the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce will feed into the Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill.\r\n","AnswerText":"The work of the Commission is currently at an early planning stage with final recommendations due to be published in the second quarter of 2014. Subject to the approval of Parliament, the consideration of the Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill is expected to be completed during the first half of 2013. The work of the Commission is therefore not expected to feed into the bill. However in terms of the vision the Commission will seek to develop, its work will build on this legislation which focusses on improved college governance and accountability as well as the coherence of provision.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:22.703","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280634,"EventID":"S4W-12452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:23.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T12:17:16.44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will produce advice for local authorities and other public sector bodies on incorporating a living wage requirement into procurement contracts.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government issued a Scottish Procurement Policy Note in August 2012 which provided advice to Scottish local authorities and other public sector bodies on the potential to encourage contractors to pay their employees a living wage through procurement processes. This note is also available on the Scottish Government website:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0039/00399217.pdf.\r\nAs part of our public consultation on the Procurement Reform Bill we sought views from stakeholders on the impact and implications of encouraging the living wage through procurement which are currently under consideration. We have published an analysis of the responses:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/01/1908.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:23.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280635,"EventID":"S4W-12453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:23.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T12:30:50.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has advised NHS Forth Valley to amend how it records periods of social unavailability and, if so, when and for what reason.","AnswerText":"No, the Scottish Government has not advised NHS Forth Valley to amend how it recorded periods of social unavailability.\r\nAll NHS boards were advised last year through new guidance that as of 1 October 2012 ‘social unavailability’ was being scrapped and replaced with “patient advised unavailability”, bringing the system into line with the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act. It is for boards to ensure they apply Scottish Government guidance accurately.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:23.967","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280636,"EventID":"S4W-12454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:25.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T12:30:50.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many instances of treatment outwith the 18-week target period NHS Forth Valley did not record as a breach of the waiting times guarantee.","AnswerText":"The internal audits on the management of waiting times at Forth Valley published on 20 December 2012 stated that it found no instances of inappropriate behaviour or pressure on staff to hide breached or manipulate data. Overall, patient records reviewed were accurate; however, improvements were identified surrounding some aspects of system operation and control, particularly in relation to the usage of different patient administrations systems for in-patients and out-patients.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:25.23","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280637,"EventID":"S4W-12455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:26.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T12:30:50.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what explanation NHS Forth Valley has provided for the level of social unavailability used in its management of waiting times.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12454 on 5 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:26.4","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280638,"EventID":"S4W-12456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:27.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T12:30:50.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of social unavailability each NHS board recorded in (a) June 2011, (b) June 2012 and (c) December 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information on the number of patients with a period of social unavailability on 30 June 2011 and 30 June 2012 (latest available published data) by NHS Board is provided in the following table. Official waiting times statistics for 31 December 2012 is due to be published by ISD Scotland on 26 February 2013.\r\nMonthly Social Unavailability as at Census date \r\nNHS Board\r\nJune 2011\r\nJune 2012\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n703\r\n775\r\nBorders\r\n308\r\n236\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n493\r\n321\r\nFife\r\n543\r\n402\r\nForth Valley\r\n1,915\r\n511\r\nGrampian\r\n7,128\r\n6,949\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n12,244\r\n5,492\r\nHighland\r\n814\r\n761\r\nLanarkshire\r\n2,148\r\n1,466\r\nLothian\r\n12,585\r\n1,790\r\nOrkney\r\n82\r\n52\r\nShetland\r\n275\r\n109\r\nTayside\r\n2,175\r\n1,652\r\nWestern Isles\r\n74\r\n58\r\nGJNH\r\n148\r\n81\r\nScotland\r\n42,149\r\n20,883\r\nSource: ISD Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:27.46","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280639,"EventID":"S4W-12457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:28.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T12:30:50.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11979 by Alex Neil on 9 January 2013, whether the £14.2 million allocated for people affected by thalidomide is index-linked.","AnswerText":"The £14.2 million funding for Thalidomiders in Scotland will be index linked over the 10-year period, beginning April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:28.38","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280640,"EventID":"S4W-12458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:29.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T12:30:50.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost was of the NHS board elections in (a) Dumfries and Galloway and (b) Fife.","AnswerText":"The Independent Evaluation of the Health Board Elections carried out by the London School of Economics reported that the pilot elections and associated publicity cost £299,406 in Dumfries and Galloway and £473,850 in Fife.\r\nThe Scottish Government will take this information in to account as it considers the independent evaluation on health board elections and alternative pilots.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:29.363","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280641,"EventID":"S4W-12459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:30.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T12:30:50.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the turnout was for the NHS board elections in (a) Dumfries and Galloway and (b) Fife.","AnswerText":"The Independent Evaluation of the Health Board Elections carried out by the London School of Economics reported that turnout of eligible electors was 22.6% (26,516) in Dumfries and Galloway and 13.9% (39,761) in Fife.\r\nThe Scottish Government will take this information in to account as it considers the independent evaluation on health board elections and alternative pilots.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:30.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280642,"EventID":"S4W-12460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:31.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T12:30:50.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost will be of rolling out elections to every NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Independent Evaluation of the Health Board Elections carried out by the London School of Economics reported that the costs associated with introducing elections to all Scottish health boards would be in the region of £12 million, dependent upon the model used.\r\nThe Scottish Government will take this information in to account as it considers the independent evaluation on health board elections and alternative pilots.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:31.987","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280643,"EventID":"S4W-12461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T14:50:32.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T12:30:50.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will respond to Health Board Elections and Alternative Pilots: Final Report of the Statutory Evaluation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has received the independent evaluation on health board elections and alternative pilots and will be considering the implications of the information contained in the report early in 2013.\r\nA copy of the final report was placed with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre on 20 December 2012 (Bib. number 54605).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T14:50:32.983","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280667,"EventID":"S4W-12462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T16:58:30.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T14:03:00.18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment's letter to Tavish Scott  MSP of 17 January 2013, for what reason 10% of businesses did not receive their single farm payment before the end of 2012 and when they will be paid.\r\n","AnswerText":"By the end of December 94% of all farmers had been paid. By 25 January, almost 98% of farmers had been paid - 18,420 from an estimated population of 18,855. The expenditure at 25 January stood at £436,857,618.76.\r\nThe EC has legislated for a payment window of 1 December to 30 June in which to settle claims. There are three main reasons why a payment might be made later:-\r\nThe need to confirm that the claim is eligible: this could involve checking the eligibility of land declarations or undertaking inspections;\r\nFarmers undertaking changes to business structures: such as cases of inheritance, mergers of businesses, or businesses splitting to become two or more legal entities: and the need to recover outstanding debts and deal with breaches of scheme or cross-compliance conditions.\r\nResolving these issues inevitably takes longer than for other more straightforward payments and, in some instances, we are dependant upon the farmer providing information. It is not possible, therefore, to provide a date when all outstanding claims will be paid, but we expect payments will be completed well before the closure of the payment window, which has been the pattern for several years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T16:58:30.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280668,"EventID":"S4W-12463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T16:58:31.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T14:46:24.507","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) fuel and (b) carbon emissions savings have been made as a result of the Scottish Green Bus Fund.","AnswerText":"Data submitted in periodic returns from bus operating companies to-date identify savings of 126,000 litres of fuel and 414 tCO2 of carbon emissions. Returns submitted do not, however, reflect total savings, since returns are not yet due for vehicles recently coming in to service or those yet to enter service.\r\nTotal projected savings from vehicles purchased from the three rounds of the Scottish Green Bus Fund (including Bids yet to be approved under Round 3) are expected to  realise 36,000 Tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) and a reduction of up to 60% in fuel consumption over the estimated 15 year lifespan of the vehicles.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T16:58:31.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280669,"EventID":"S4W-12464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T16:58:31.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T14:46:24.507","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it uses to monitor the impact of the Scottish Green Bus Fund on fuel savings and carbon emissions.","AnswerText":"As a condition of grant, operators receiving funding are required to submit periodic data detailing the operation and performance of each vehicle for which funding was provided. The data required includes details of CO2 savings and fuel efficiency.\r\nTotal projected savings from vehicles purchased from the three rounds of the Scottish Green Bus Fund (including Bids yet to be approved under Round 3) are expected to  realise 36,000 Tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) and a reduction of up to 60% in fuel consumption over the estimated 15 year lifespan of the vehicles.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T16:58:31.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280670,"EventID":"S4W-12465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T16:58:32.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T15:02:26.04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the outcome of discussions it has had with bus operators in relation to reimbursement levels for concessionary travel.\r\n","AnswerText":"On 31 January 2013 the Scottish Government announced that we had reached agreement with the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) on the reimbursement and funding arrangements for the National Concessionary Travel scheme over the next two years.\r\nThe agreement is based on independent research developed in full consultation with CPT. It is fair, robust and financially sustainable.\r\nThe reimbursement rate will now reduce from 67% of the adult single fare to 60% in 2013-14 and 58.1% in 2014-15.\r\nBy way of transition, Scottish Government has agreed to phase in the reduction and to provide an additional £10 million this financial year to operators participating in the scheme during March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T16:58:32.117","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280671,"EventID":"S4W-12466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-22T16:58:32.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T15:06:07.93","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11920 by Keith Brown on 22 January 2013, what actions it is taking in cooperation with the Office of Rail Regulation and Network Rail specifically to reduce air pollution levels at Scotland’s main railway stations before the publication of the final determinations for 2014 to 2019 and what regulatory processes and frameworks it can use to tackle this issue.\r\n","AnswerText":"A number of engagements with the Office of Rail Regulation and Network Rail are planned prior to a final determination being made in October 2013. These engagements provide an opportunity to both review and challenge all relevant aspects of Network Rail's plans in Scotland over the five-year period to 2019 and ensure consistency with the requirements set out in the Scottish Ministers' High Level Output Specification and Statement of Funds Available .\r\nIn addition a schedule of further meetings with Network Rail and ScotRail is already established to discuss current environmental issues related to the railways in Scotland including issues such as air quality. The latest monitoring at Edinburgh Waverley Station demonstrates the louvers and new glazing systems are contributing to air quality improvements.\r\nEdinburgh Waverley railway station is deemed to fall within the remit of The Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations 2000. It is the responsibility of local authorities to assess air quality in their areas under these provisions. In addition there is a requirement placed on employers under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations to ensure employee exposure limits are not breached.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-05T16:58:32.523","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280673,"EventID":"S4O-01759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:20:34.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T08:55:22.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with HM Revenue and Customs regarding the tax paid by companies in receipt of Scottish Government grants.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:20:34.79","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280674,"EventID":"S4O-01760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:20:35.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:07:50.203","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will complete the service model assessment for ferry services in Orkney.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:20:35.18","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280675,"EventID":"S4O-01761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:20:35.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:07:50.89","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the issue of blacklisting.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:20:35.633","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280676,"EventID":"S4O-01762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:20:36.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:07:51.187","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will decide on how much support it will provide for the concessionary travel scheme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:20:36.07","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280677,"EventID":"S4O-01763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:20:36.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T11:22:29.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action the Minister for Public Health is taking following his meeting with SANDS Lothian regarding Mortonhall Crematorium.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:20:36.397","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280678,"EventID":"S4O-01764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:20:36.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:07:51.593","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether local planning decisions should be made by local councillors.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:20:36.74","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280679,"EventID":"S4O-01765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:20:37.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:07:51.763","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Renewable Energy Investment Fund will operate.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:20:37.053","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280680,"EventID":"S4O-01766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:20:37.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T17:29:07.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Transport Scotland regarding the price of off-peak train travel.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:20:37.41","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280681,"EventID":"S4O-01767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:20:37.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:07:52.373","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines Education Scotland provides for local authorities regarding informal consultations on school closures.","AnswerText":"Education Scotland does not provide guidelines or advice to local authorities regarding informal consultations on school closures.\r\nInformal consultation on school closure proposals is not required by law and is undertaken by local authorities at their own discretion to inform the decision making process. Its outcome has no formal bearing on the process required by legislation\r\nFor formal consultations under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 the Scottish Government provides statutory guidance to local authorities on its website.\r\nA local authority must provide an Educational Benefits Statement when formally proposing a school closure and the 2010 Act places a statutory requirement for Education Scotland to provide an independent report on the educational aspects of any closure proposal.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:20:37.74","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280682,"EventID":"S4O-01768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:20:38.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:07:52.653","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider extending the requirements of the Scottish Housing Quality Standard to the private rented sector.","AnswerText":"There is an existing statutory repairing standard for private sector landlords. The consultation last autumn on Homes That Don’t Cost The Earth sought views on whether a single common standard should apply to all properties irrespective of tenure and we will publish a long term Sustainable Housing Strategy in the first half of this year. The consultation highlighted broad support for setting up a working group to develop draft regulations on the energy efficiency of private housing and this group will be formed shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:20:38.44","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280683,"EventID":"S4O-01739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:38.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:06:44.463","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment is taking to tackle rural poverty.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:38.203","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280684,"EventID":"S4O-01740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:38.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:06:45.133","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on direct payments being made to farmers.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:38.627","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280685,"EventID":"S4O-01741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:38.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T14:25:59.6","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage supermarkets to stock quality Scotch Lamb.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:38.923","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280686,"EventID":"S4O-01742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:39.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:06:46.553","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the environmental benefits are of using LED lighting in commercial applications.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:39.267","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280687,"EventID":"S4O-01743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:39.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:06:47.257","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with farmers' representatives regarding the impact of high costs of fuel and animal feed on the farming sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:39.67","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280688,"EventID":"S4O-01744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:40.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:06:47.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prevent the spread of squirrel pox in Dumfriesshire and the south of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:40.093","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280689,"EventID":"S4O-01745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:40.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:06:48.44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the impact of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:40.577","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280690,"EventID":"S4O-01746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:41.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:06:48.94","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on making the Scots Pine Scotland's national tree.\r\n","AnswerText":"If Scotland is to have a national tree then the Scots pine as an easily identifiable and iconic species may be a good option. However I am keen to hear the views of the public on this and look forward to seeing of the Public Petitions Committee report on the issue.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:41.077","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280691,"EventID":"S4O-01747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:41.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T10:38:37.053","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the retail sector to discuss the loss of the Marine Stewardship Council certificate for mackerel.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government have been in close contact with the main retailers, and the fishing industry, since the Marine Stewardship Council announced the suspension of the MSC certification. It has been agreed with the industry that this issue will be discussed at the next Scottish Grocery Retailers’ Forum on 27 Feb 2013, that I will chair.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:41.543","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280692,"EventID":"S4O-01748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:41.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T09:32:43.333","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to involve communities in the decision-making process in relation to new special protection areas required under EU directives.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies use the UK Special Protection Area selection guidelines to identify the most suitable territories for the bird species that are covered by the provisions of the EU Wild Birds Directive. Once suitable locations have been identified Ministers will ensure that communities and authorities are engaged in discussions on the future management implications before a formal public consultation and classification process is undertaken.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:41.933","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280693,"EventID":"S4O-01749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:42.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:07:11.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle metal theft.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:42.933","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280694,"EventID":"S4O-01750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:43.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:38:32.363","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Lord Advocate’s position is on the legal validity of the agreement between the UK and Scottish governments on an independence referendum.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:43.807","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280695,"EventID":"S4O-01751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:44.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:07:14.307","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to the impact that potential court closures may have on island communities in relation to travel.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:44.087","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280696,"EventID":"S4O-01752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:44.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:07:15.943","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the adequacy of the number of police officers carrying out duties in communities.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:44.4","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280697,"EventID":"S4O-01753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:45.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T14:07:16.69","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made by the Police Service of Scotland to configure its backroom functions.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:45.18","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280698,"EventID":"S4O-01755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1841,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":120,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:45.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:07:19.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had or will have with the new local police commanders for Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:45.913","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280699,"EventID":"S4O-01756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:46.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:07:19.237","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that combating wildlife crime is a priority for the Police Service of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:46.207","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280700,"EventID":"S4O-01757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:46.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T10:58:19.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it issues to the police regarding their use of social media when investigating criminal activity.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is for chief constables to determine the best way to investigate criminal activity. The Scottish Government does not provide guidance on how they should do this.\r\nThe Police Service of Scotland is already working on guidance for the use of social media by the police from 1 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:46.583","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280701,"EventID":"S4O-01758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:46.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:07:22.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Lord Advocate has had with the Advocate General concerning the agreement between the UK and Scottish governments on an independence referendum.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have regular discussions with the Advocate General on a range of issues. The content of those discussions is confidential.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:46.91","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280702,"EventID":"S4O-01754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T14:19:45.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-21T12:07:17.677","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its priorities are for sentencing policy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T14:19:45.553","MeetingDate":"2013-01-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280703,"EventID":"S4W-12467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T13:56:24.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T16:53:44.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the Homelessness (Abolition of Priority Need Test) (Scotland) Order 2012 on reoffending rates.","AnswerText":"The Homelessness (Abolition of Priority Need Test) (Scotland) Order 2012 came into effect on 31 December 2012 and gives all households assessed by local authorities as being unintentionally homeless the right to settled accommodation, regardless of priority. There has been no assessment of the impact of the order on reoffending rates.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T13:56:24.297","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280704,"EventID":"S4W-12472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T13:56:24.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T09:16:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by which date self-directed support will be fully implemented in each local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"The commencement date for the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 has yet to be decided by Scottish Ministers. In setting a date ministers will take into consideration the view of the SDS Programme board, who will make a recommendation after their next meeting on 18 February 2013.\r\nAfter the powers and duties of the Act come into force, local authorities will continue to implement the National Strategy on Self-directed Support.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T13:56:24.64","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280705,"EventID":"S4W-12473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T13:56:25.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T09:16:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is an implementation plan for self-directed support.","AnswerText":"There is a national programme of work with local implementation plans in each local authority area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T13:56:25.157","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280706,"EventID":"S4W-12474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T13:56:25.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T09:16:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the implementation of self-directed support by local authorities is being monitored.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with stakeholders, including the Care Inspectorate, to develop an outcomes-based framework for the monitoring and evaluation of self-directed support implementation.\r\nCurrently only data on the numbers of people taking direct payments is collected centrally. However from April 2013 the Scottish Government's new Social Care Survey will begin collecting data on the number of people choosing different self-directed support options.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T13:56:25.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280707,"EventID":"S4W-12475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T13:56:26.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T09:16:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding has been given to each local authority to assist with the implementation of self-directed support, and what proportion of this is transitional funding for services.\r\n","AnswerText":"Each local authority has been given an allocation of funding as part of a three year programme to support transformation in adult social care and children’s services for self-directed support. The following table details the amounts allocated to each local authority for transformation funding 2012 to 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Government has not been prescriptive in setting the proportion of transformation funding that should be spent on transitional or “bridging” costs and this will vary between local authorities.\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2012-13 *\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nAberdeen City\r\n£251,440\r\n £426,000 \r\n £225,560 \r\nAberdeenshire\r\n£259,360\r\n £445,740 \r\n £236,560 \r\nAngus\r\n£176,640\r\n £268,080 \r\n £152,520 \r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n£161,680\r\n £235,180 \r\n £136,680 \r\nClackmannanshire\r\n£113,280\r\n £131,780 \r\n £88,720 \r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n£219,760\r\n £359,260 \r\n £195,640 \r\nDundee City\r\n£212,720\r\n £343,280 \r\n £186,840 \r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n£177,960\r\n £269,960 \r\n £152,520 \r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n£155,520\r\n £222,020 \r\n £130,960 \r\nEast Lothian\r\n£155,080\r\n £222,020 \r\n £130,960 \r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n£146,720\r\n £204,160 \r\n £122,160 \r\nEdinburgh, City of \r\n£477,160\r\n £909,160 \r\n £452,160 \r\nEilean Siar\r\n£100,960\r\n £104,520 \r\n £75,520 \r\nFalkirk\r\n£195,560\r\n £307,560 \r\n £170,560 \r\nFife\r\n£383,880\r\n £710,820 \r\n £360,200 \r\nGlasgow City\r\n£604,760\r\n £1,168,600 \r\n £567,440 \r\nHighland\r\n£258,920\r\n £446,680 \r\n £237,000 \r\nInverclyde\r\n£151,120\r\n £211,680 \r\n £125,240 \r\nMidlothian\r\n£140,120\r\n £190,060 \r\n £115,560 \r\nMoray\r\n£148,480\r\n £207,920 \r\n £123,920 \r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n£194,680\r\n £305,680 \r\n £169,240 \r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n£324,480\r\n £583,920 \r\n £299,920 \r\nOrkney Islands\r\n£91,280\r\n £84,780 \r\n £66,280 \r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n£211,840\r\n £344,220 \r\n £188,600 \r\nRenfrewshire\r\n£214,480\r\n £347,980 \r\n £189,480 \r\nScottish Borders\r\n£175,760\r\n £265,260 \r\n £150,760 \r\nShetland Islands\r\n£92,600\r\n £87,600 \r\n £68,040 \r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n£185,880\r\n £286,880 \r\n £160,880 \r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n£329,760\r\n £596,140 \r\n £306,520 \r\nStirling\r\n£146,720\r\n £204,160 \r\n £122,160 \r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n£154,200\r\n £217,320 \r\n £127,440 \r\nWest Lothian\r\n£186,320\r\n £290,640 \r\n £163,960 \r\n*This includes £25,000 awarded to each local authority, specifically to enable children’s services teams to engage in SDS implementation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T13:56:26.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280708,"EventID":"S4W-12476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T13:56:26.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T09:16:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether each local authority will use a single common assessment for self-directed support.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local authorities will assess people for self-directed support under Section 12A of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. In discharging their duties local authorities are expected to have regard to statutory guidance. Further guidance on self-directed support will be issued under section 5 of the 1968 Act.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T13:56:26.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280709,"EventID":"S4W-12477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T13:56:27.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T09:16:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will consult on the regulations regarding the removal of charges for carers for support services.\r\n","AnswerText":"We will consult on the regulations by the end of April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T13:56:27.34","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280710,"EventID":"S4W-12478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T13:56:27.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T10:47:14.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) fatal road collisions and (b) fatalities caused by road collisions there have been on the A9 between Inverness and Perth in the last 10 years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland collates information on reported personal injury accidents on trunk roads in Scotland and this database is updated periodically, as data provided by the police is checked and verified. The following table shows the number of fatal accidents and number of fatalities on the A9 between Perth and Inverness by year, since 2003.\r\n\r\nA9 Perth to Inverness by Year\r\n\r\nFatal Accidents\r\nNumber of Fatalities\r\n2003\r\n5\r\n6\r\n2004\r\n5\r\n5\r\n2005\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2006\r\n8\r\n10\r\n2007\r\n7\r\n9\r\n2008\r\n5\r\n10\r\n2009\r\n3\r\n4\r\n2010\r\n9\r\n13\r\n2011\r\n7\r\n9\r\n2012\r\n5\r\n8\r\n2013*\r\n1\r\n1\r\n*up to present date, which is 24th January 2013\r\nThe figures quoted may differ slightly from those published elsewhere due to being extracted on a different date and the database may have changed between the two dates, e.g. due to late returns or corrections.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T13:56:27.887","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280711,"EventID":"S4W-12480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T13:56:28.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T10:47:14.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in how many incidents on the A9 between Inverness and Perth in the last 10 years road design was considered a contributing factor.\r\n","AnswerText":"The police record details of all personal injury accidents, including on the A9 trunk road, however road design is not recorded as a contributory factor.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T13:56:28.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280712,"EventID":"S4W-12481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T13:56:28.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T10:59:26.943","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the Procurement Reform Bill will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has signalled its intention to introduce a Procurement Reform Bill before summer recess.\r\nA public consultation on a range of issues relating to the procurement process ran from 10 August to 2 November 2012. A total of 251 consultation responses were received.\r\nIndependent analysis of the consultation responses and a summary report were published on the 25 January 2013 on the Scottish Government website.\r\nThe analysis of the consultation, along with other views and research, will help inform the development of the Bill as it makes its way through the Scottish Parliament.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T13:56:28.573","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280713,"EventID":"S4W-12482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T13:56:28.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T12:12:15.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect the narrow-headed ant.\r\n","AnswerText":"The narrow-headed ant (Formica exsecta) is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Species and is included on both the Scottish Biodiversity List and the UK Red Data Book.\r\nAll mound-building red wood ant species are threatened by degradation of forest habitat and fragmentation as a result from increased forest cover caused by low levels of grazing, deer culling and encroachment by scrub and bracken.\r\nThe most important management practice for the narrow-headed ant is to maintain open areas within the forest. This management requirement has been taken into consideration in two important areas for the species, one as a site of special scientific interest and RSPB reserve, and the other a Forestry Commission Scotland forest where foresters are proactively helping to protect and enhance populations of the ant.\r\nScottish Natural Heritage (SNH) published a report in 2006, A Review of wood ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Scotland which contains information on the ecology of the species. SNH has also been a member and a strong supporter of the National Wood Ant Steering Group, which includes the James Hutton Institute, Scottish Wildlife Trust, RSPB, among other organisations and individuals. The group has promoted surveys and collated information on wood ants. SNH recently contracted the James Hutton Institute to gather information to inform the Biodiversity Surveillance Strategy in relation to wood ants and a report has been produced which is currently being reviewed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T13:56:28.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280714,"EventID":"S4W-12483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T13:56:29.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T12:12:15.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of narrow-headed ants in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Around 90% of the UK population is found in Scotland, mainly within the Abernethy-Glenmore-Rothiemurchus region where there are around 380 nests. Outlying populations exist at Rannoch (7 nests), Mar (17 nests) and Carrbridge. Most Scottish historic records are from the Caledonian forests of mid-Strathspey. Almost all nests are found at altitudes between 200 and 400 metres.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T13:56:29.273","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280725,"EventID":"S4W-12468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T16:52:11.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T09:03:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Parliament was informed, and by what means, of the establishment of a residential pain service, as reported in the Daily Express on 21 January 2013.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people living with chronic pain can access high quality, safe and effective treatment as close to home as possible. The National Chronic Pain Steering Group is overseeing a range of work to assist boards in improving access to chronic pain services.\r\nFor a small proportion of people more specialised treatment may be required. National Services Scotland is currently assessing options for the most appropriate service model for Scotland. They expect to complete this work by the end of summer 2013, following which we will then be in a position to formally update Parliament and relevant stakeholders of the outcome.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T16:52:12.01","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280726,"EventID":"S4W-12469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T16:52:12.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T09:03:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the residential pain service referred to by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing in a report in the Daily Express on 21 January 2013 will commence.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people living with chronic pain can access high quality, safe and effective treatment as close to home as possible. The National Chronic Pain Steering Group is overseeing a range of work to assist boards in improving access to chronic pain services.\r\nFor a small proportion of people more specialised treatment may be required. NHS National Services Scotland is currently assessing options for the most appropriate service model for Scotland. This work is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T16:52:12.727","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280727,"EventID":"S4W-12470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T16:52:13.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T09:03:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost will be of the residential pain service referred to by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing in a report in the Daily Express on 21 January 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is currently assessing options for the most appropriate service model for Scotland. As part of its assessment NSS will consider the cost and clinical effectiveness of all the options. This work is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T16:52:13.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280728,"EventID":"S4W-12471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T16:52:13.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T09:03:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government where the residential pain service referred to by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing in a report in the Daily Express on 21 January 2013 will be located.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS National Services Scotland is currently assessing options for the most appropriate service model for Scotland. This work is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T16:52:13.99","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280729,"EventID":"S4W-12484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T16:52:15.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T13:20:43.6","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the Barnett consequentials arising from the 2012 Autumn Statement has been allocated to flood risk management.\r\n","AnswerText":"The total funding allocated to local government by way of capital consequentials arising from the 2012 Autumn Statement is £46.2 million. Local authorities have the lead for flood risk management in their respective areas and the capital consequentials will be distributed between all local authorities according to an agreed formula share. The funding will be spread over two years with £1.3 million allocated for 2012-13 and £44.9 million allocated for 2013-14.\r\nThe additional funding will support those capital projects that are ready to be delivered and additional to current local government investment plans.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T16:52:15.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280730,"EventID":"S4W-12485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T16:52:15.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T13:20:43.6","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-00181 by Paul Wheelhouse on 18 December 2012 (Official Report, c. 14831), which local authorities have made requests for assistance under the Bellwin scheme; at what stage are these representations, and how much each authority has (a) asked for and (b) been granted.\r\n","AnswerText":"Following the severe weather in December, potential claims for assistance under the Bellwin Scheme were notified to the Scottish Government by Aberdeenshire, Moray, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Highland and Angus councils.\r\nFrom the date of the emergency incident, local authorities have four months to submit formal interim claims for assistance and eight months to submit final audited claims. On receipt of the interim claim, the Scottish Government will make payment of 90% of eligible expenditure above the Bellwin threshold (0.2% of the council’s total net revenue budget) with the remaining 10% paid on receipt of the final audited claim. At this stage we have not received any interim claims and so do not have any details of the amounts local authorities may claim.\r\nIn addition to the December 2012 incidents the Bellwin Scheme was triggered earlier this financial year for various flooding incidents across Scotland. As a result we were notified of potential claims from East Ayrshire, Argyll and Bute, Scottish Borders and Perth and Kinross councils but to date no eligible claims have been received.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-01-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T16:52:16.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280731,"EventID":"S4W-12486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T16:52:16.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T13:20:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S4W-07746 by Nicola Sturgeon on 19 June 2012, how the £7.5 million is allocated, broken down by year.","AnswerText":"The £7.5 million referred to in question S4W-07746 is comprised of £2.5 million in each of the financial years 2012-13, 2013/14 and 2014-15. In 2012-13 this is broken down as follows:\r\nInitiatives\r\nCommunity Food and Health Scotland\r\n£723,000 *\r\nHealthyliving Award\r\n£592,000 *\r\nScottish Cooking Bus\r\n£382,000 *\r\nHealthyliving Programme\r\n£268,000 *\r\nNutrition and Diet resource\r\n£77,000\r\nResearch\r\n£65,000\r\nNew Food Body Team\r\n£120,000 *\r\nReformulation co-ordinator\r\n£85,000 *\r\nPolicy Development\r\n£95,000\r\nCancer prevention work\r\n£25,000\r\nSocial Marketing\r\n£30,000\r\nTotal for 2012-13\r\n£2,462,000\r\nThese initiatives marked with an asterisk (*) are funded at the indicated level for three years to 2014-15.\r\nThe remainder of the budget for 2013-14 and 2014-15 is yet to be allocated.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T16:52:16.767","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280732,"EventID":"S4W-12487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-23T16:52:17.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T15:51:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the hourly wage is for working prisoners at each prison.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The SPS does not pay prisoners on an hourly basis, therefore it is not possible to provide an hourly wage rate for working prisoners in each prison.\r\nWages are paid to prisoners dependent on the type of work and the level of training and skills required carrying out the task. There are no set hours that are required to work to receive this weekly wage.\r\nWages paid to prisoners are the same across the SPS for the same task in all public sector establishments. Wage payments range from £5 per week for unemployed to £18 per week (plus £3 for prisoners in open conditions).”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-06T16:52:18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280741,"EventID":"S4W-12488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:19.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-23T16:21:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support (a) it and (b) Historic Scotland provides to (i) local authorities and (ii) communities wishing to (A) safeguard and preserve and (B) develop historic or listed buildings.\r\n","AnswerText":"(a) & (b) Scottish Government support in such matters is delivered through Historic Scotland, as the Executive Agency tasked with safeguarding the historic environment.\r\n(i) & (ii) Historic Scotland (HS) works closely with local authorities and communities to safeguard, preserve and secure the future of Scotland’s listed buildings. It has long been recognised that the most effective way of keeping a healthy listed building stock is through their everyday use in the community.\r\n(A) It is when historic or listed buildings fall out of use that they are at risk and HS continues to develop strategies around identifying development and funding strategies in partnership with local authorities, community partnerships and other key stakeholders. At a national and local level, the agency also helps identify and deal with buildings at the estate management stage, before they have become redundant, advising on new uses and potential for conversion. \r\nRecent examples where under-used or redundant buildings have been brought back to life through concerted action by community groups, private developers or charitable building trusts assisted financially and technically by HS, include, Knockando Woollen Mill, Maryhill Burgh Halls and Anchor Mills, Paisley converted to a business centre and residential accommodation. Historic Scotland will continue to prioritise important buildings seeking new uses and supporting local authorities in managing their own heritage property portfolios. \r\nThe protection of listed buildings is largely the responsibility of local authorities and is carried out through the listed building consent procedure under the terms of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 as amended by the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Historic Environment (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2011. Historic Scotland works closely with all local authorities advising on technical issues and larger scale strategic projects. \r\n(B) Historic Scotland makes financial support available to local authorities, individuals and community groups who wish to repair and redevelop historic buildings, through a range of grant funding streams that are targeted to provide the most appropriate intervention. One of the key drivers for the provision of such grant support is; delivering benefits for communities by helping to regenerate and promote the active use and ongoing care and maintenance of the historic environment, broadening access to it, promoting sustainable economic and rural development and reinforcing local identity and sense of place.\r\nThe principal grant streams are (amounts per annum):\r\nHistoric Building Repair Grant Scheme (HBRG) (£4.6 million); financial help is available to owners to meet the cost of high-quality repairs using traditional materials and specialist craftsman to conserve original features in buildings of special architectural or historic interest. In redevelopment projects, stage one Historic Scotland grant is very often the first confirmed scheme support and is recognised as a catalyst in attracting other funders to the project.\r\nRepair Grants for Places of Worship (£1.5 million); Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund jointly provide grant assistance for repairs to Places of Worship considered to be of outstanding architectural or historic interest.\r\nConservation Area Regeneration Scheme: Historic Scotland’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) grant programme is intended to drive the integrated regeneration of historic urban centres primarily by repairing and revitalising the built heritage so as to bring new uses, new economic activity and new confidence together with the engagement of local communities through a range of awareness raising, training and educational initiatives. The scheme encourages local authorities to establish Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes and can also support Townscape Heritage Initiatives funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. To date, Historic Scot","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:19.683","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280742,"EventID":"S4W-12494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:20.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T09:27:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason ministers did not appear to refer to the six-point list of demands on fuel poverty during the debate on 23 January 2013 (Official Report, c.14759), which were contained in its subsequent news release.\r\n","AnswerText":"The opening and closing speeches for the fuel poverty debate referred to the Government motion and issues raised by members in the debate. The Minister for Housing and Welfare updated members on the Deputy First Minister’s meetings with the major energy companies and how we wished to see Scotland receive its fair share of Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding. The six-point list of demands for the Summit included these concerns, and also concerns raised in the debate such as improved regulation of energy companies and ensuring ECO is delivered throughout Scotland and supported by robust and relevant reporting.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:20.32","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280743,"EventID":"S4W-12495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:20.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T09:27:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the briefing notes prepared for ministers for the fuel poverty debate on 23 January 2013 (Official Report, c.14759) referred to the six-point list of demands on fuel poverty, which were contained in its subsequent news release and, if not, whether it will publish these notes.\r\n","AnswerText":"Briefing notes for the fuel poverty debate covered all issues pertinent to the opening and closing speeches, items likely to be raised in the debate, the motion and proposed amendments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:20.727","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280744,"EventID":"S4W-12496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:21.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T09:27:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the UK Government regarding the agenda for the joint energy summit that was held on 24 January 2013 and when it advised the UK Government that it had prepared the news release, which was published on 23 January 2013, containing its six-point list of demands on fuel poverty.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12497 on 6 February 2013. Scottish Government officials liaised with the UK Government officials regularly in the build-up to the summit. The Scottish Government issued the news release following a debate on fuel poverty in the Scottish Parliament. It reflected the content of the debate and set out the key points of action the Scottish Government believes need to be taken to further tackle fuel poverty.\r\nAll 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:21.04","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280745,"EventID":"S4W-12497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:21.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T09:27:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it first informed the UK Government that it wanted to table its six-point list of demands on fuel poverty at the joint energy summit held on 24 January 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government had a number of meetings and communications with Scotland Office officials, dating from August 2012, to organise a joint energy summit and to ensure that the event achieved positive outcomes for Scottish households suffering from high energy prices. Difficulty in securing earlier UK Ministerial attendance resulted in the summit date of 24 January 2013.\r\nIn the interim, the Deputy First Minister asked to meet with each of the major energy companies, regarding assistance for vulnerable consumers.\r\nA meeting was held between Scottish Government and Scotland Office officials on 15 January 2013 to discuss the agenda for the summit. Scottish Government officials made the Scotland Office aware of the Deputy First Minister’s meetings with the major energy companies (confirmed in an email of 18 January 2013), who would be attending and also raised matters of concern to stakeholders regarding the Energy Companies Obligation. Scottish Government officials also requested a nominated Department for Energy and Climate Change official to discuss what matters they were planning to raise at the summit. A teleconference between Scottish Government officials and a Department for Energy and Climate Change official on 21 January 2013 covered the respective issues for the summit.\r\nOn 22 January 2013 Scottish Government officials emailed Scotland Office officials to confirm that the Minister for Housing and Welfare would address support for vulnerable customers in Scotland and the asks of energy suppliers and UK Government in her agenda item. Scotland Office officials confirmed by email that they were content with these points. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:21.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280746,"EventID":"S4W-12498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:21.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T09:27:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its news release on fuel poverty of 23 January 2012, which called for information on the operation of the energy company obligation to be put in the public domain, whether it was aware that the UK Government had already done so in summer 2012. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s ask is “That the UK Government ensures the Scottish Government receives robust and relevant information on how its new ECO schemes is being delivered in Scotland” and did not refer to more general information about the operation of the Energy Company Obligation. The relevant UK legislation states “The Administrator (OFGEM) must submit to the Secretary of State a report each month setting out the progress which suppliers have made towards meeting their obligations under this Order”.\r\nConcerns about the reporting of what was being delivered in Scotland under the previous Carbon Emissions Reduction Target, have been raised at the Economy, Energy and Tourism committee in the recent past. Scottish Government officials have been working for a number of years with Department for Energy and Climate Change, energy suppliers, Energy Saving Trust and OFGEM and what is now Energy UK to improve the data on CERT. Data for the first year of four years of CERT (up to March 2012) for professionally installed loft and cavity wall insulation was published as official statistics by the Energy Saving Trust in August 2012. The Committee expressed a desire that Energy Company Obligation (ECO) reporting would provide robust and relevant information demonstrating that Scotland is benefitting from an obligation paid for by all consumers.\r\nWe will continue to press UK Government and OFGEM to ensure that ECO reporting contains detailed and timely information on its delivery in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:21.693","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280747,"EventID":"S4W-12499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:22.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T09:27:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the UK Government on the operation of the energy company obligation prior to the joint energy summit held on 24 January 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been liaising with the Department of Energy and Climate Change on a regular basis to discuss the policy relating to the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) since its inception and throughout its development. As ECO moves to implementation we continue to liaise with them and Ofgem as part of our efforts to secure maximum uptake and benefit to the people of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:22.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280748,"EventID":"S4W-12500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:22.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T09:27:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it decided to issue the news release published on 23 January 2013 containing its six-point list of demands on fuel poverty.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is normal practice to issue a news release to accompany significant events such as key government debates and summits.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:22.303","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280749,"EventID":"S4W-12501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:22.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T09:27:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has of how many calls were made to the telephone hotline number on fuel poverty published on 23 January 2013 online and  in a news release and for what reason the hotline number appears to have been incorrect. \r\n","AnswerText":"It is not possible to estimate how many calls were made to the telephone number initially uploaded in the online news release as this is not a number maintained by the Energy Saving Trust. There was no significant difference in the overall number of calls received to the Home Energy Scotland hotline on 23, 24 and 25 January 2013. A technical problem was the reason why an incorrect telephone number was uploaded onto the Scottish Government website, despite the original version of the document being correct, and this has since been corrected.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:22.6","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280750,"EventID":"S4W-12502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:22.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T09:27:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much time (a) officials and (b) special advisers spent on (i) developing the six-point list of demands on fuel poverty and (ii) checking the accuracy of the telephone hotline number contained in its news release on fuel poverty published on 23 January 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"A key responsibility of officials and special advisers is to advise and brief Ministers on an ongoing basis, in particular for debates and events. The Minister for Housing and Welfare required and received briefing for the fuel poverty debate on 23 January 2013 and the joint summit on energy prices the following day.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:22.99","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280751,"EventID":"S4W-12505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:23.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T10:31:11.92","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Shetland will benefit from the (a) £120 million announced in June 2012 for Highlands and Islands digital connectivity and (b) £5 million fund announced in August 2012 to help bring next generation broadband to some of Scotland's most remote communities.\r\n","AnswerText":"The £120 million announced in June 2012 for the Highlands and Islands and Next Generation Broadband project will deliver significant next generation broadband coverage throughout Shetland. Procurement of this project, which is being managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, is expected to conclude shortly, after which, rollout details will be known.\r\nCommunity broadband projects in Shetland, and across Scotland, can register interest in the Scottish Government’s £5 million Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) Seed Fund via the CBS website:\r\nhttp://www.communitybroadbandscotland.org/index.php/funding, ahead of the first open application round in April 2013. CBS launched with a pioneer phase which is supporting community broadband projects in Applecross, Colonsay, Ewes Valley, Elvanfoot, Tomintoul and Glenlivet and Corgarff and Glenbuchat.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:23.317","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280752,"EventID":"S4W-12506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:23.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T10:31:11.92","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has relating to maximum broadband speeds and not-spots across Shetland and how often this information is updated.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of the project to procure next generation broadband across the Highlands and Islands, Highlands and Islands Enterprise obtained data from suppliers that indicated where there is no current or planned (within the next three years) commercial deployment of next generation broadband in Shetland. This data has been revised during the procurement process to ensure the most up-to-date definition of the intervention area is known prior to conclusion of the procurement.\r\nOfcom publishes broadband speeds data annually on the following website: http://maps.ofcom.org.uk/broadband/. 2012 data indicates that average broadband speeds in Shetland are 5.2 Mbps.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:23.63","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280753,"EventID":"S4W-12507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:23.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T11:04:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its plan to deliver world-class digital connectivity.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will outline the options for delivering world-class digital connectivity shortly. Our intention is to stimulate debate and test our ideas through widespread discussion and engagement throughout the early part of this year. This engagement is vital in order to refine our vision of a world class, digitally connected country and ensure that the benefits of this connectivity can be shared across the country. The planned dialogue will involve leading academic, business and public sector stakeholders and make full use of digital technology in capturing ideas and shaping our long term thinking.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:23.94","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280754,"EventID":"S4W-12508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:24.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T11:04:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide greater detail of its plan to deliver next generation broadband to the Midlothian area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published the Step Change 2015 procurement plan in May 2012 setting out our plans for delivering the infrastructure required to deliver a step change in broadband connectivity for the rest of Scotland area. Midlothian falls within the scope of this procurement.\r\nWe have subsequently conducted an open market review and public consultation to identify the commercial roll out plans to define our intervention area. The Public Consultation report provides maps of the areas covered by commercial roll out and those intended to be covered within the scope of the project. Detailed roll out plans for individual local authorities will not be known until after the contract for the infrastructure provider is awarded.\r\nThe formal tender process for the Rest of Scotland procurement commenced in September 2012 and the project remains committed to contract award by June 2013. The Scottish Government continues to work closely with local authority partners to achieve Step Change 2015 targets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:24.613","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280755,"EventID":"S4W-12509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:25.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T11:04:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are to deliver next generation broadband to households in areas where telecoms companies will not upgrade the relevant infrastructure for commercial reasons.","AnswerText":"The focus of the Scottish Government’s Step Change 2015 Programme is to address the digital divide by extending the infrastructure needed to deliver next generation broadband to those areas where the market will currently not go. The area covered by the Step Change projects has been determined by a review of where there is no current or planned (within the next three years) commercial deployments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:25.017","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280756,"EventID":"S4W-12510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:25.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T11:04:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in formulating its next generation broadband plans for (a) Scotland and (b) Midlothian, how it has taken into account the need for internet connectivity for claiming benefits following the introduction of universal credit.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Digital Strategy seeks to address the digital divide in all sectors of society by extending the infrastructure needed to deliver next generation broadband to those areas where the market will currently not go in Midlothian and throughout Scotland. In addition to significant deployment of next generation broadband, our Step Change 2015 programme also seeks to ensure at least basic broadband for all which will support the delivery of online public services such as claiming benefits.\r\nWe recognise that the move to digital by default for delivery of Universal Credit offers opportunities, particularly in helping to get people online and realise the wider benefits of digital. However, these reforms are being led by the UK Government and they must ensure that people are supported in the transition and that safeguards are in place for those who need them.\r\nThese cuts and changes to the welfare system are not of our making but we are committed to doing all that we can to ensure that we mitigate the worst impacts and help people and organisations in Scotland make the transition. As part of our efforts, we are providing £230,000 over the next two years to fund three local authority-led Universal Credit pilots. This funding will help councils prepare people to make their claims online by guiding them through online processes for current council benefits, and building their skills and confidence as a result.\r\nWe have also established a working group to consider arrangements for inclusion, support and exceptions in relation to Universal Credit implementation in Scotland, including digital.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:25.36","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280757,"EventID":"S4W-12511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:25.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T11:21:46.467","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that consenting authorities take into account the provisions of article 6(2) of the habitats directive when considering proposals affecting European wildlife sites that have deteriorated or are at risk of deterioration.\r\n","AnswerText":"A broad range of measures exists to anticipate and regulate interventions to deliver the requirements of Article 6(2) of the Habitats Directive. These include the lists of Operations Requiring Consent associated with Sites of Special Scientific Interest (which “underpin” the majority of terrestrial European sites), access legislation and fishery conservation measures. It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage any natural feature by reason of which land is a European site (subject to certain conditions). Scottish Natural Heritage keeps abreast of the status of features on European sites through its programme of Site Condition Monitoring.\r\nFor any proposal which falls into the category of being a “plan or project” (as provided by Article 6(3) of the Directive), Scottish competent authorities must execute the procedural requirements of Part IV (or Part IVA for Land Use Plans) of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:25.733","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280758,"EventID":"S4W-12512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:26.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T12:01:46.967","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that open cast coal developments deliver community benefit at a level comparable to renewable energy developments.","AnswerText":"As for renewable energy developments, community benefit arrangements are provided on a voluntary basis by opencast coal operators. Scottish Planning Policy provides guidance that operators should work closely with communities from an early stage of developing a proposal. Community benefits may be proposed by a developer and we would encourage communities to seek early engagement with them to maximise all opportunities consistent with guidance on planning obligations and good neighbour agreements set out in Circular 3/2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:26.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280759,"EventID":"S4W-12513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:26.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T12:02:57.857","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what community benefit it expects open cast coal developments to provide.","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy on opencast coal states that there should normally be a presumption against new opencast coal developments unless they are environmentally acceptable or provide local community benefits which outweigh the impacts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:26.593","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280760,"EventID":"S4W-12514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:26.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T12:56:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to increase the production of venison.\r\n","AnswerText":"We are working closely with representatives of the Scottish venison sector to identify opportunities to substantially increase both the production and processing of venison in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:26.903","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280761,"EventID":"S4W-12515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:27.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T12:56:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the economic benefits of increasing the production of venison.\r\n","AnswerText":"An initial assessment of the economic benefits of increasing the production of venison has been completed and suggests that there is clear potential for growth within the venison sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:27.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280762,"EventID":"S4W-12516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T14:31:27.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T12:56:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) dermatology and (b) melanoma referrals there have been in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"\r\nThe information gathered for Dermatology referrals records the number of patients who were referred and attended their appointment.\r\nThe following tables are split into three due the changes in the past 13 years in how waiting times are measured and collected. \r\nNHS Board of Treatment\r\nYear Ending\r\nDec-99\r\nDec-00\r\nDec-01\r\nDec-02\r\nDec-03\r\nDec-04\r\nDec-05\r\nDec-06\r\nDec-07\r\nNHS Scotland2\r\n80 609\r\n80 981\r\n79 247\r\n83 761\r\n80 564\r\n81 020\r\n81 448\r\n76 878\r\n86 419\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n4 727\r\n4 989\r\n4 831\r\n4 974\r\n4 741\r\n4 775\r\n4 909\r\n3 615\r\n4 781\r\nNHS Borders\r\n1 132\r\n1 169\r\n1 192\r\n1 248\r\n1 306\r\n1 355\r\n1 357\r\n1 405\r\n1 505\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n2 027\r\n1 868\r\n1 925\r\n1 996\r\n2 004\r\n2 017\r\n1 957\r\n2 769\r\n2 777\r\nNHS Fife\r\n4 303\r\n4 985\r\n5 025\r\n5 372\r\n4 697\r\n5 106\r\n5 682\r\n5 910\r\n6 096\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n3 124\r\n2 941\r\n3 054\r\n2 986\r\n2 458\r\n3 710\r\n3 184\r\n3 888\r\n4 398\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n3 911\r\n4 342\r\n4 331\r\n3 834\r\n3 600\r\n3 156\r\n4 186\r\n3 574\r\n4 912\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n29 673\r\n27 817\r\n28 219\r\n30 465\r\n29 089\r\n27 789\r\n27 148\r\n27 564\r\n30 607\r\nNHS Highland\r\n4 232\r\n4 545\r\n4 156\r\n3 870\r\n4 498\r\n4 398\r\n3 780\r\n3 831\r\n3 577\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n8 947\r\n10 203\r\n8 808\r\n11 283\r\n10 376\r\n8 986\r\n8 618\r\n7 747\r\n8 342\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n11 850\r\n11 791\r\n11 686\r\n11 446\r\n12 002\r\n13 302\r\n14 134\r\n10 503\r\n11 869\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n 103\r\n 138\r\n 90\r\n 94\r\n 107\r\n 114\r\n 116\r\n 134\r\n 107\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n 205\r\n 174\r\n 136\r\n 155\r\n 103\r\n 270\r\n 158\r\n 192\r\n 201\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n6 040\r\n5 732\r\n5 516\r\n5 712\r\n5 276\r\n5 755\r\n5 943\r\n5 416\r\n6 963\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n 289\r\n 287\r\n 278\r\n 326\r\n 307\r\n 287\r\n 264\r\n 330\r\n 283\r\nSource: ISD Scotland SMR00.\r\nRef: IRS2013-00167.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Data is derived from a subset of records comprising Scottish residents who received a new outpatient appointment at a consultant-led outpatient clinic in an acute specialty following referral from a GP or dentist. It excludes patients with ASCs - Availability Status Codes.\r\n2. Other providers of NHS treatment are included in the NHS Scotland total but not explicitly shown.\r\n\r\nTable 2: Number of New Outpatient Dermatology appointments following referral from a GP/GDP by NHS Board of Treatment, quarter ending March 2008 – March 2010 1,3,4\r\nNHS Board of Treatment\r\nQuarter Ending\r\nMar-08\r\nJun-08\r\nSep-08\r\nDec-08\r\nMar-09\r\nJun-09\r\nSep-09\r\nDec-09\r\nMar-10\r\nNHS Scotland 2\r\n21 389\r\n23 226\r\n27 408\r\n29 130\r\n26 414\r\n24 718\r\n27 183\r\n27 153\r\n25 344\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n1 261\r\n1 298\r\n1 610\r\n1 618\r\n1 649\r\n1 364\r\n1 644\r\n1 843\r\n1 508\r\nNHS Borders\r\n 495\r\n 429\r\n 513\r\n 520\r\n 549\r\n 474\r\n 565\r\n 567\r\n 520\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n 702\r\n 789\r\n 745\r\n 609\r\n 623\r\n 640\r\n 592\r\n 515\r\n 629\r\nNHS Fife\r\n1 215\r\n1 459\r\n1 528\r\n1 764\r\n1 709\r\n1 450\r\n1 623\r\n1 516\r\n1 799\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n1 107\r\n1 249\r\n1 314\r\n1 303\r\n1 514\r\n1 455\r\n1 331\r\n1 246\r\n 845\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n1 069\r\n1 587\r\n1 897\r\n1 631\r\n1 301\r\n1 561\r\n1 530\r\n1 282\r\n1 442\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n7 567\r\n7 873\r\n9 846\r\n9 431\r\n8 273\r\n7 881\r\n9 260\r\n9 277\r\n8 584\r\nNHS Highland\r\n 787\r\n 922\r\n 899\r\n 955\r\n 753\r\n 819\r\n 838\r\n 802\r\n 684\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n2 106\r\n2 285\r\n2 952\r\n3 631\r\n3 399\r\n2 812\r\n2 937\r\n3 211\r\n3 202\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n3 089\r\n3 272\r\n4 062\r\n5 187\r\n4 434\r\n4 033\r\n4 682\r\n4 771\r\n3 906\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n 29\r\n 53\r\n 25\r\n 3\r\n 57\r\n 0\r\n 31\r\n 14\r\n 26\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n 20\r\n 55\r\n 32\r\n 84\r\n 22\r\n 43\r\n 95\r\n 49\r\n 67\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n1 861\r\n1 898\r\n1 923\r\n2 312\r\n2 081\r\n2 116\r\n1 961\r\n2 001\r\n2 046\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n 81\r\n 57\r\n 62\r\n 82\r\n 50\r\n 70\r\n 94\r\n 59\r\n 86\r\nSource: ISD Scotland Waiting Times Warehouse.\r\nRef: IRS2013-00167.\r\n1. Scottish residents seen at a new NHS appointment at a consultant/dentist-led outpatient clinic following referral from their GP or dentist (GDP).\r\n2. Other providers of NHS treatment are included in the NHS Scotland total but not explicitly shown.\r\n3. Data is based on the Waiting Times Data Warehouse position as at 26th October 2012 (i.e. the data used for publication that was released on 26th November 2012). \r\n4. It should be noted that the numbers of attendances at an outpatient clinic increase by approxim","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T14:31:27.577","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280775,"EventID":"S4W-12429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:48:51.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:10:36.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many social unavailability codes for (a) outpatients and (b) inpatients have been issued by each NHS board in each month since the New Ways waiting time system was introduced, also expressed as a percentage.\r\n","AnswerText":"Officials have provided a report on the quarterly statistics published by ISD on waiting times. These reports include information on the number of patients who are socially unavailable at the census date that the publication relates to and compares it with the position in the previous quarter.\r\nThe specific information requested is published by ISD Scotland and can be found on their website at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/Publications/data-tables.asp.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:48:51.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280776,"EventID":"S4W-12430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:48:52.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:10:36.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional letters it expects will be issued monthly by NHS boards because of the new rules for applying social unavailability codes.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:48:52.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280777,"EventID":"S4W-12433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:48:52.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:10:36.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what options are available to patients where the 12-week referral to treatment time guarantee has not been met.\r\n","AnswerText":"The operation of the treatment time guarantee is contained in the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011, in the treatment time guarantee regulations and directions as well as the guidance issued by the Scottish Government in August 2012. Links to the Regulations and Directions are:\r\nwww.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_17.pdf.\r\nThe guidance on the treatment time guarantee can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_32.pdf.\r\nThe Scottish Government expects NHS boards to ensure they comply with the law for each individual patient.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:48:52.973","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280778,"EventID":"S4W-12435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:48:53.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:10:36.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers an unacceptable breach of the waiting time guarantee for cancer treatment.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has set two standards for patients diagnosed with cancer.\r\nThe first, is that patients who have been urgently referred with a suspicion of cancer or are referred from one of the national cancer screening programmes, should begin treatment within 62 days.\r\nThe second standard, is that patients diagnosed with cancer and irrespective of the route of referral, should begin treatment within 31 days from the date that the decision to treat was agreed with the patient.\r\nPatient breaches out with these waiting times standards are considered unacceptable unless for compelling clinical reasons.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:48:53.623","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280779,"EventID":"S4W-12436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:48:54.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:10:36.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports NHS boards that report problems in achieving the waiting time guarantee for colorectal cancer treatment.\r\n","AnswerText":"When there is evidence that an NHS board is persistently failing to meet cancer waiting times standards, the NHS board is offered a programme of performance support. This programme is tailored and may involve one or more of the following:\r\nweekly monitoring of performance against standards;\r\nevidence that breach analyses are being carried out and that resulting action is being taken;\r\ndiagnostic on-site visits by a support team to identify improvement opportunities and facilitate pathway redesign where necessary;\r\nsign posting to other NHS boards where there are examples of good practice that have resulted in sustained above standard performance.\r\nThis support is usually continued until the NHS board has consistently achieved the cancer waiting times standards.\r\nPerformance support programmes consider the whole healthcare system, to ensure that a focus on the area of concern does not adversely affect other parts of the healthcare system.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:48:54.253","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280780,"EventID":"S4W-12437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:48:54.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:10:36.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether GP referrals for diagnostic tests are (a) given lower priority than and (b) subject to the same waiting time as guarantees and exemptions referrals by consultants for the same tests.\r\n","AnswerText":"Those patients covered by Scottish Government guarantees are set out in guidance issued by the Scottish Government in August 2012. These documents are available at the following links:\r\nwww.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_32.pdf \r\nwww.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_33.pdf \r\nUrgency of all referrals is judged by the referrer. Referrals for diagnostic tests are prioritised according to clinical need and irrespective of the source of referral.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:48:55.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280781,"EventID":"S4W-12438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:48:55.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-22T11:10:36.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it regards as a reasonable time for patients referred by GPs for diagnostic tests to be seen.\r\n","AnswerText":"Current diagnostic waiting time standards provide an indication of the maximum time that patients referred for investigations can expect to wait. Urgency of referrals is judged by the referrer. Referrals for diagnostic tests are prioritised according to clinical need and irrespective of the source of referral.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:48:55.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280782,"EventID":"S4W-12518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:48:56.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T13:52:45.24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) support and (b) financial assistance it provides for large goods vehicle (LGV) and passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) drivers to obtain a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence.\r\n","AnswerText":"Driver Certificate of Professional Competence is reserved, derived from an EU Directive introduced in 2009 (2003/59). Drivers must undertake periodic training and operators have a responsibility to ensure their drivers are on track to complete their training.\r\nThe provision of such training is a commercial matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:48:56.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280783,"EventID":"S4W-12520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:48:57.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T13:52:45.24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the United Road Transport Union regarding reported difficulties in complying with the Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) Regulations 2007.","AnswerText":"My officials met with the United Road Transport Union on 18 August 2011 to discuss a range of issues, including Driver Certificates of Professional Competence (CPC). At this meeting, the union agreed to join the Scottish Freight and Logistics Advisory Group (ScotFLAG), which is facilitated by Transport Scotland.\r\nOn 13 October 2011 ScotFLAG produced a report into Driver CPC. The report concluded the uptake of training by industry at that time was suitable and sufficient.  As a group member, the union had an opportunity to feed into this process.\r\nThe United Road Transport Union has not raised Driver CPC at subsequent ScotFLAG meetings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:48:57.19","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280784,"EventID":"S4W-12521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:48:57.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T13:52:45.24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide training to ensure that large goods vehicle (LGV) and passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) drivers in employment who are required to obtain a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence before the September 2014 deadline can do so, given that employers have no obligation to provide the required training.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a reserved and commercial matter. Operators and owners have an obligation to ensure their drivers complete the 35 hours training.\r\nCommercial training is available; and all such training and individual courses must be approved. In the UK, the approving body is the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:48:57.813","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280785,"EventID":"S4W-12522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:48:58.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T13:52:45.24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether individual learning accounts can be used to cover the cost of obtaining a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence.","AnswerText":"Individual Learning Account (ILA) funding cannot be used to support training, which is a statutory requirement for the individual’s particular employment. Existing drivers will not therefore be able to draw down ILA funding in relation to Certificate of Professional Competence statutory training.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:48:58.44","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280786,"EventID":"S4W-12523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:48:59.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T15:35:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have used individual learning accounts to undertake beginners IT courses since 2007, broken down by (a) gender, (b) age, (c) level of educational attainment and (d) amount of financial support.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. I will ask the chief executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you on this matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:48:59.047","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280787,"EventID":"S4W-12524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:48:59.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T15:51:18.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many insulin pumps (a) the NHS bought to meet the expected demand and (b) have been distributed to NHS boards since publication of Chief Executive Letter (CEL) 4 (2012) on Insulin Pump Therapy for People with Type 1 Diabetes.","AnswerText":"This level of information is not held centrally.\r\nHowever, in 2012 the Scottish Government provided funding of £2.5 million for the purchase of 558 insulin pumps and associated consumables for people with type 1 diabetes in 2012-2013. This number was based on information provided by NHS boards. This figure does not include insulin pumps that were purchased separately by NHS boards to meet the needs specific to their local population.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:48:59.75","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280788,"EventID":"S4W-12525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:49:00.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T15:51:18.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what make and model of insulin pumps the NHS bought to meet the expected demand following publication of Chief Executive Letter (CEL) 4 (2012) on Insulin Pump Therapy for People with Type 1 Diabetes.","AnswerText":"This level of information is not held centrally.\r\nHowever in 2012 the Scottish Government provided funding of £2.5 million for the purchase of 558 insulin pumps and associated consumables for people with type 1 diabetes in 2012-2013. This number was based on information provided by NHS boards. This figure does not include insulin pumps that were purchased separately by NHS boards to meet the needs specific to their local population.\r\nWhile information on the number of people on insulin pumps is published annually in the Scottish Diabetes Survey, information on the make and model of these pumps is not routinely collected.\r\nNHS boards are routinely responsible for purchasing insulin pumps and the associated consumables through the procurement framework for insulin pumps provided by NHS Scotland’s National Procurement. This allows NHS boards to choose from a variety of insulin pumps to meet the needs of their local population.\r\nWe expect clinicians to decide which model of insulin pump is most appropriate based on individual clinical circumstances and in close consultation with the patient.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:49:00.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280789,"EventID":"S4W-12526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-24T16:49:00.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T15:51:18.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what quantity of each model of insulin pump the NHS bought to meet expected demand following the publication of Chief Executive Letter (CEL) 4 (2012) on Insulin Pump Therapy for People with Type 1 Diabetes.\r\n","AnswerText":"This level of information is not held centrally.\r\nHowever in 2012 the Scottish Government provided funding of £2.5 million for the purchase of 558 insulin pumps and associated consumables for people with type 1 diabetes in 2012-2013. This number was based on information provided by NHS boards. This figure does not include insulin pumps that were purchased separately by NHS boards to meet the needs specific to their local population.\r\nNHS boards are routinely responsible for purchasing insulin pumps and the associated consumables through the procurement framework for insulin pumps provided by NHS Scotland’s National Procurement. This allows NHS boards to choose from a variety of insulin pumps to meet the needs of their local population.\r\nWe expect clinicians to decide which model of insulin pump is most appropriate based on individual clinical circumstances and in close consultation with the patient.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-07T16:49:00.997","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280795,"EventID":"S4W-12527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:31.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T16:27:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will reconvene the expert panel that it set up in 2007 to recommend measures to improve the energy performance of houses and buildings and what its (a) remit and (b) timetable will be.\r\n","AnswerText":"The intention is to reconvene the Expert Panel around the middle of 2013 and officials are currently discussing the remit of the Panel with Lynne Sullivan. It is anticipated that the Panel will report back in autumn 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:31.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280796,"EventID":"S4W-12529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:33.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T17:32:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to holocaust education programmes.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Holocaust education and Holocaust Memorial Day have a vital role in ensuring that atrocities of the past are never repeated and that racism, bigotry and prejudice are not tolerated.\r\nThe Scottish Government has provided sustained support to the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET) to deliver the Lessons from Auschwitz project, which has had participants from more than 60% of Scotland’s schools and colleges. The four part project includes survivor testimony, a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Poland and wider dissemination of the lessons learned within schools and communities. Survivor testimonies are also captured and promoted through initiatives such as the Gathering the Voices project.\r\nWe work with HET, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Interfaith Scotland, local authorities and others including the Anne Frank Trust to raise awareness in schools and to deliver the annual national commemoration of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. The Holocaust Memorial Day 2013 Advisory Board developed a schools programme which included a number of school visits, schools intranet events, exhibitions and a Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration programme for schools at Glasgow City Chambers which was attended by about 400 pupils.\r\nEducation Scotland promote education resources, professional development opportunities and curricular projects which build capacity and expertise in holocaust education. Holocaust education practice is also included in sessions run for undergraduate teacher trainees offered to Scottish universities, as part of global citizenship awareness for students.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:33.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280797,"EventID":"S4W-12530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:34.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T17:32:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness in schools of holocaust memorial day.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12529 on 6 February 2013. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:34.47","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280798,"EventID":"S4W-12531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:34.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T17:32:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to provide schools with reliable information about the holocaust.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12529 on 6 February 2013. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:34.89","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280799,"EventID":"S4W-12532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:35.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T17:32:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to help provide schools with first-hand accounts of the holocaust through survivor stories.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12529 on 6 February 2013. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:35.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280800,"EventID":"S4W-12533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:36.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T17:32:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to provide school pupils with the opportunity to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12529 on 6 February 2013. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:36.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280801,"EventID":"S4W-12573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:37.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T12:30:24.943","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students applied for, but did not obtain, college places in 2012-13, broken down by institution.\r\n","AnswerText":"Colleges are responsible for their own recruitment and application processes and this information is not held centrally. It is a matter for each college to determine which characteristics of the applicant are recorded, including whether he or she is an existing student.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:37.153","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280802,"EventID":"S4W-12574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:37.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T12:33:04.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) fatal and (b) serious road accidents heavy goods vehicles have been involved in in the North East Scotland parliamentary region, in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of injury road accidents reported to the police involving heavy goods vehicles in the North East Scotland parliamentary region by severity.\r\nYear\r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\n2007\r\n5\r\n16\r\n2008\r\n5\r\n24\r\n2009\r\n4\r\n14\r\n2010\r\n6\r\n25\r\n2011\r\n1\r\n21\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:37.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280803,"EventID":"S4W-12575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:38.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T12:33:04.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many road traffic collisions there have been in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of injury road accidents reported to the police in the areas requested.\r\nYear\r\nAberdeen\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n2007\r\n392\r\n631\r\n2008\r\n512\r\n692\r\n2009\r\n445\r\n687\r\n2010\r\n350\r\n598\r\n2011\r\n362\r\n518\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:38.23","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280804,"EventID":"S4W-12576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:38.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T12:33:04.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many dentists were practising in Grampian in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested can be found in the Medical and Dental Staff in post table on the NHS Information Services Division website:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health%2DTopics/Workforce/Publications/2012-11-27/Dentists_S2012.xls\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:38.573","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280805,"EventID":"S4W-12577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:38.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T12:33:04.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many nurses there have been in NHS Grampian in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested can be found in the Nursing and Midwifery staff in post table on the NHS Information Services Division website:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2012-11-27/Nursing_and_Midwifery_SIP_S2012.xls?53296406\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:38.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280806,"EventID":"S4W-12578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:39.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T12:33:04.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new business start-ups there were in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"New business start-ups are measured using new business VAT/PAYE registration figures.\r\nTable 1 shows the number of new business VAT/PAYE registrations in the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire local authority areas from 2007 until 2011. The data is taken from the Office for National Statistics Business Demography 2011 publication, which contains the most up to date data available.\r\n\r\nTable 1: New business VAT/PAYE registrations in the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire local authority areas, 2007-2011\r\n\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\nAberdeen City\r\n1,220\r\n935\r\n790\r\n1,035\r\n1,215\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n1,385\r\n1,045\r\n820\r\n880\r\n1,175\r\nSource: Business Demography 2011, Office for National Statistics\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:39.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280807,"EventID":"S4W-12579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:39.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T12:33:04.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many construction workers were employed in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Table 1 shows the number of employment jobs in the construction sector for the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire local authority areas from 2008 until 2011. The data is taken from the Office for National Statistics Business Register and Employment Survey, results from which are only available from 2008 to 2011.\r\n\r\n\tTable 1: Construction1 sector employment jobs2 in the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire local authority areas, 2008-2011\r\n\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\nAberdeen City\r\n7,400\r\n7,300\r\n6,800\r\n6,600\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n8,800\r\n8,100\r\n7,700\r\n8,600\r\nSources: Business Register and Employment Survey, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Construction - Section F according to Standard Industrial Classification (UK SIC 2007).\r\n2. Employment jobs include all employee jobs within VAT/PAYE registered enterprises, and also working owners of VAT/PAYE registered enterprises. The employment jobs estimate does not include those that are self-employed in enterprises that are not registered for VAT/PAYE i.e. the smallest sole proprietors or partnerships.\r\n3. Data is rounded to the nearest hundred. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:39.587","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280808,"EventID":"S4W-12580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:39.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T12:33:04.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many construction companies were registered in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Table 1 below shows the number of construction enterprises registered in the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire local authority areas from 2008 until 2012. The data is taken from the Inter-Departmental Business Register and is rounded to the nearest 5.\r\nTable 1: The number of VAT/PAYE registered1 construction2 enterprises, registered in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire local authority areas, March 2008- March 2012\r\n\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\nAberdeen City\r\n635\r\n640\r\n625\r\n620\r\n625\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n1,400\r\n1,430\r\n1,440\r\n1,445\r\n1,420\r\nSource: Inter-Departmental Business Register, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Data refers to VAT/PAYE registered enterprises only. Unregistered enterprises, sole traders and partnerships who are not registered for PAYE or VAT, are not included.\r\n2. Construction - Section F according to Standard Industrial Classification (UK SIC 2007).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:39.93","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280809,"EventID":"S4W-12581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:40.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T12:33:04.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has allocated to alcohol support services in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Responsibility is devolved to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships to commission (informed by robust needs assessment) evidence based, person centred and recovery-focused treatment services to meet the needs of their resident populations. Decisions on spend for alcohol and drug services are made locally by the ADPs.\r\nThe Scottish Government allocates funding to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) via NHS Boards. In those areas where there is more than one ADP, the NHS Board should agree with ADPs how this funding should be distributed between them.\r\nInformation on funding allocations to each of the three Alcohol and Drugs Partnerships (Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray) in NHS Grampian is not held centrally.\r\nThe following table details alcohol prevention, treatment and support funding allocations to NHS Grampian for the last five years.\r\n\r\nNHS Board\r\nAllocation 2008-09\r\nAllocation 2009-10\r\nAllocation 2010-11\r\nAllocation 2011-12\r\nAllocation 2012-13\r\nGrampian\r\n£2,014,386\r\n£2,804,595\r\n£2,804,595\r\n£2,880,681\r\n£3,010,872\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:40.29","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280810,"EventID":"S4W-12582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:40.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T12:33:04.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has allocated to mental health services in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies - including NHS Boards and Local Authorities - to support implementation of policy.\r\nThe management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local spending priorities are the responsibility of relevant local agencies. It is therefore the responsibility of NHS Boards and local authorities to work with their partners and regularly review spending decisions to deliver fit for purpose services which respond to local needs.\r\nFunding on mental health promotion, early intervention and appropriate treatment for people with mental health problems will continue to be drawn from the overall funds allocated to NHS Scotland and Local Authorities by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:40.633","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280811,"EventID":"S4W-12583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:40.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T12:33:04.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there have been changes to the original timescale for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.","AnswerText":"The protracted legal challenges have resulted in delays to the original timescale and the completion date is now spring 2018. We ensured as much preparatory work as possible was progressed during the legal challenges to ensure that the delay was kept to a minimum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:40.973","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280812,"EventID":"S4W-12584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-25T14:09:41.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T12:33:04.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce whether it has secured the funding for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route under the non-profit distributing funding mechanism.","AnswerText":"The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) is jointly funded by the Scottish Government, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Council. The Scottish Government is fully committed to delivering the AWPR and has committed that funding will be provided through the Non Profit Distribution programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-08T14:09:41.317","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280824,"EventID":"S4T-00229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T13:22:06.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:10:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any economic benefits will accrue to Scotland from High Speed 2.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T13:22:06.413","MeetingDate":"2013-01-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280825,"EventID":"S4T-00231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T13:22:06.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:47:02.327","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will accept in full the recommendations of the Electoral Commission regarding the conduct of a referendum on Scotland separating from the rest of the United Kingdom.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T13:22:06.79","MeetingDate":"2013-01-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280826,"EventID":"S4F-01150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T13:21:28.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-24T14:16:27.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T13:21:28.39","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280827,"EventID":"S4F-01153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T13:21:29.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T09:47:19.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T13:21:29.95","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280828,"EventID":"S4F-01158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T13:21:31.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T10:44:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister for what purpose the Scottish Government has recently contacted the foreign ministries of EU member states.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T13:21:31.713","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280829,"EventID":"S4F-01160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T13:21:32.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:19:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to protect the number of nursing and midwifery staff.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T13:21:32.54","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280830,"EventID":"S4F-01163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T13:21:33.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:47:12.67","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what projects, and at what value, have been delivered through the non-profit distributing model pipeline in 2012-13.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T13:21:33.463","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280831,"EventID":"S4F-01165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T13:21:34.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:57:10.39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government has approved plans for staff redundancies suggested by the Scottish Police Authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T13:21:34.023","MeetingDate":"2013-01-31T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280847,"EventID":"S4W-12585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:44.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T08:41:52.93","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish information on public sector bodies' performance against planning targets.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will be publishing a Scotland-wide report that will provide a summary of information collated from the annual performance reports by each planning authority and key agency. It is expected that each organisation will make their own annual report available on the web.\r\nThe Scottish Government publishes statistics on a quarterly basis that sets out the performance of planning authorities on different types of planning applications. This information guides authorities who benchmark against other comparable authorities and helps to focus attempts to improve efficiency. These statistics are not formally recognised as planning targets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:44.77","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280848,"EventID":"S4W-12586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:45.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T10:08:08.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11719 by Kenny MacAskill on 20 December 2012, how Victim Support Scotland publicises the fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"The administration of the fund is a matter for Victim Support Scotland (VSS). All VSS local services are aware of the Victim’s Fund. When staff and volunteers who are dealing directly with victims of crime know that they have a case which fits the criteria, they submit an application to the VSS victim’s fund. Partner agencies are also aware of the fund and VSS receive applications through them also.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:45.08","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280849,"EventID":"S4W-12587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:45.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T10:08:08.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11719 by Kenny MacAskill on 20 December 2012, how much has been given to maintain the fund in 2012-13 and how much was provided in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.\r\n","AnswerText":"An initial support grant of £30,000 was made by the Scottish Government when the fund was launched in 2010. Another grant of £15,000 was made in September 2012, and a further £15,000 is due in September 2013. The Victim Support Scotland Campaign Board have also raised more than £50,000 in additional funding since the victims’ fund was established.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:45.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280850,"EventID":"S4W-12588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:45.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T10:08:08.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11719 by Kenny MacAskill on 20 December 2012, how many people have received support from the fund in 2012-13 and how many received support in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.\r\n","AnswerText":"The fund was established in 2010 and so figures for the period of 2010-11 are not available. In 2011-12, 116 victims received support totalling £52,244. Since 1 April 2012 to 31 December 2012, Victim Support Scotland received 45 requests, totalling £19,050.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:45.597","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280851,"EventID":"S4W-12593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:45.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T10:55:00.063","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11719 by Kenny MacAskill on 20 December 2012, what criteria are used in assessing applications for support to the fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"The administration of the fund is a matter for Victim Support Scotland (VSS). VSS’s criteria is to provide support and principally pay for services where no other funding is available for victims who have been referred to, or have self-referred, to them.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:45.877","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280852,"EventID":"S4W-12594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:46.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T10:55:00.063","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11719 by Kenny MacAskill on 20 December 2012, what the average payment from the fund has been in 2012-13 and was in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.\r\n","AnswerText":"The average payment from the fund over the period 1 April 2012 to 31 December 2012 is £423.33. The average for the last two years since March 2011 has been £425.35. There is no average payment from fund over period 2010-2011 as this was the year the fund was established.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:46.127","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280853,"EventID":"S4W-12595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:46.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T10:55:00.063","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11719 by Kenny MacAskill on 20 December 2012, when it will publish the Victims and Witnesses Bill.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Bill on 6 February 2013. The Bill and accompanying documents can be viewed online at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/576.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:46.453","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280854,"EventID":"S4W-12596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:46.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:17:34.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-01687 by Michael Russell on 16 January 2013 (Official Report, c.15514), whether it plans to hold further discussions with the University of London regarding the University Marine Biological Station Millport and what it considers the economic impact of the station closing would be.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning met with the University of London and other stakeholders on 17 January 2013. Discussions were constructive and a second meeting was scheduled for February 2013.\r\nAs the economic development agency for the area, Highland and Islands Enterprise commissioned Sneddon Economics Ltd to carry out an independent economic impact study to outline the socio-economic importance of the Station to the island of Cumbrae. According to that study, completed on 7 January 2013, the total direct and indirect economic impact of the Station was 37 full time equivalent jobs. It also recognised that the socio-economic impact of the station extended beyond employment to the social fabric of Cumbrae.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:46.797","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280855,"EventID":"S4W-12599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:47.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:46:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what countries are in receipt of support through its International Development Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government International Development Fund currently supports projects in Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. More details can be found on the Scottish Government website http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/International/int-dev.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:47.093","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280856,"EventID":"S4W-12600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:47.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:46:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been allocated by its International Development Fund in each year since 2004-05.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government International Development Fund began in the 2005-6 financial year. Spend for each complete financial year since then is outlined in the following table.\r\nYear\r\nAmount\r\n2005-6\r\n£1,845,385\r\n2006-7\r\n£2,749,041\r\n2007-8\r\n£4,481,211\r\n2008-9\r\n£5,999,999\r\n2009-10\r\n£5,298,376\r\n2010-11\r\n£9,000,000\r\n2011-12\r\n£9,000,000\r\n\r\nIt should be noted that in 2007-08 the baseline International Development Fund budget was £3,000,000. This was supplemented by an additional £1,481,211 which was not baselined at that stage into the International Development Fund budget.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:47.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280857,"EventID":"S4W-12601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:47.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:46:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are used when determining the countries that will receive support through its International Development Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scotland’s International Development Fund has been designed to reflect our historic relationship with countries such as Malawi as well as our contemporary links with South Asia through our diasporan communities. The Scottish Government also takes a country’s ranking on the Human Development Index (HDI) into account when considering which areas to support. The HDI is a comparative measure of life expectancy, literacy, education, standards of living, and quality of life for countries worldwide. To support those in greatest need and the most vulnerable Scottish Government funding is awarded to countries with a low HDI rating. More details are available on our website:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/International/int-dev.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:47.657","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280858,"EventID":"S4W-12602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:47.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:46:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how often (a) the Minister for External Affairs and International Development and (b) its officials liaises with UK Government (i) ministers and (ii) officials to discuss international development.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials regularly liaise with their UK counterparts to discuss a range of issues including International Development. Both the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs and the Minister for External Affairs and International Development have written to Justine Greening, the UK Secretary of State for International Development to request a meeting following her appointment in September. A mutually convenient date for this meeting is still to be arranged.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:47.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280859,"EventID":"S4W-12605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:48.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:46:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which non-governmental organisations (NGOs) it is working in partnership with regard to its International Development Fund and what criteria are used to determine these.\r\n","AnswerText":"The full list of organisations that have received funding through the Scottish Government International Development Programme is set out in the following table.\r\nThe International Development Fund also provides core funding to the Network of International Development Organisations Scotland (NIDOS), the Scotland Malawi Partnership (SMP) and the Scottish Fair Trade Forum.\r\nAll of our funding is awarded following an independent assessment process. Applications are assessed against the criteria set out in the call for funding which are published online alongside the application papers for each funding round, details of which are set out on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/International/int-dev \r\nActive Learning Centre\r\nInternational Network of Street Papers\r\nSanday School\r\nAdam Smith College\r\nInverclyde Council\r\nSave the Children\r\nAdvanced Life Support in Obstetrics\r\nIslamic Centre Glasgow\r\nSCIAF\r\nBalfron High School\r\nIslamic Relief Worldwide\r\nSCOTDEC\r\nBell College\r\nITCHES World Care\r\nScotland Malawi Business Group\r\nBooks Abroad\r\nIRPS\r\nScotland's Buddhist Vihara\r\nCONGOMA - SCVO\r\nJames Hutton Institute (Macaulay Land Use Research Institute)\r\nScotland-Malawi Mental Health Education Project\r\nChallenges Worldwide\r\nJubilee Scotland\r\nScotland Malawi Partnership (SMP)\r\nChild First\r\nLeonard Cheshire Disability Scotland\r\nScottish Agricultural College\r\nChild Support Project\r\nLeprosy Mission Scotland\r\nScottish Churches World Exchange\r\nChristian Aid\r\nLink Community Development Scotland\r\nScottish Crop Research Institute\r\nChristian Blind Mission\r\nLothian Zambia Partnership\r\nScottish International Relief\r\nChristian Engineers in Development\r\nMaime Martin Fund\r\nSense Scotland\r\nChurch of Scotland\r\nMaking Wonders\r\nSKIP\r\nCivic Computing\r\nMalawi at St Magnus\r\nScottish Police College\r\nCommonwealth Local Government Forum\r\nMalawi Institute of Tourism\r\nStenhouse Primary School\r\nConcern Worldwide\r\nMalawi Tomorrow\r\nTearfund\r\nDeaf Action\r\nMalawi Trade School\r\nUcare Foundation\r\nDevelopment Education Centres\r\nMary's Meals (Scottish International Relief)\r\nUNICEF\r\nDundee School of Medicine\r\nMedical Aid for Palestinians\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh\r\nEdinburgh Direct Aid\r\nMercy Corps Scotland\r\nUniversity of Glasgow\r\nEMMS International\r\nMission Aviation Fellowship\r\nGlasgow Caledonian University\r\nEnterprising Global Citizen Consortium\r\nMoffat Centre\r\nThe Open University\r\nEqualexchange\r\nNational Library of Scotland\r\nUniversity of St Andrews\r\nEurotalk Interactive\r\nNHS Tayside\r\nUniversity of Stirling\r\nThe Fair Trading Partnership\r\nNIDOS\r\nUniversity of Strathclyde\r\nFriends of African Nursing\r\nNorth Lanarkshire Council\r\nUniversity of the West of Scotland\r\nGlasgow City Council and The Raven Trust\r\nOpportunity International\r\nVenture Trust Malawi\r\nGlasgow the Caring City\r\nOxfam\r\nVSO\r\nGlobal Concerns Trust\r\nQueen Margaret University\r\nWaverly Care\r\nHealing Wounds\r\nRed Cross Society\r\nWestgate Medical Centre\r\nIDEAS\r\nRosewell High School\r\nWWF\r\nImani Development\r\nRoyal College of Paediatrics and Child Health\r\n \r\nInteract Worldwide\r\nRoyal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (Sightsavers)\r\n \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:48.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280860,"EventID":"S4W-12612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:48.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:40:09.92","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure that Waverley railway station does not breach safe air pollution limits.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of local authorities to assess air quality in their areas under the provisions of the Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations 2000. Waverley Station as a partially covered building falls within scope of the relevant local authority.\r\nIt is the responsibility of Network Rail as the station operator to provide a safe environment for passengers and staff on its premises. In addition there is a requirement placed on employers under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) to ensure employee exposure limits are not breached.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:48.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280861,"EventID":"S4W-12613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:48.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:40:09.92","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it can promote healthy food choices on the high street.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funds the Scottish Grocers Federation Healthyliving Programme which aims to improve the supply and provision of fresh produce and healthier food choices in local convenience stores with a focus on low-income areas. The support includes training for staff and providing shops with chillers and shelving for the display and promotion of healthier produce.\r\nIn December last year the total number of stores in the programme was 1,237 covering all 32 local authorities.\r\nWe are also working with the catering sector through the Healthyliving Award which recognises caterers who reduce fat, salt and sugar and make healthy options more easily available. While most of the 690 sites are not on the High Street, we encourage any caterers to work towards achieving the award as it is free and sites are fully supported throughout the process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:48.827","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280862,"EventID":"S4W-12614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:49.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:42:49.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update Transport Scotland Corporate Plan 2012-2015 to include implementation of the forthcoming national walking strategy.","AnswerText":"The national walking strategy is at an early stage of formulation. It is anticipated that the strategy will be delivered towards the end of 2013.\r\nUntil the strategy has been delivered, and we know its contents, it is not possible to say whether the Transport Scotland Corporate Plan 2012-2015 will require to be updated for work around implementation.\r\nIn the meantime we continue to promote walking through our on-going work around active travel.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:49.077","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280863,"EventID":"S4W-12615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:49.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:42:49.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland: Annual Business Plan 2013-14 will include work implementing the national walking strategy.","AnswerText":"The national walking strategy is in the early stages of formulation. It is anticipated that the strategy will be delivered towards the end of 2013.\r\nUntil the strategy has been developed, it is not possible to say whether the Transport Scotland: Annual Business Plan 2013-14 will require to be updated for work around implementation.\r\nIn the meantime we continue to promote walking through our on-going work around active travel.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:49.31","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280864,"EventID":"S4W-12616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:49.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:45:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11998 by Kenny MacAskill on 24 January 2013, what resource is being made available in the police central government budget to deliver the savings.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of the Police Central Government budget, budget - of the order of £60 million in 2013-14 and £70 million in 2014-15 - is available to support police reform, including the delivery of savings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:49.56","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280865,"EventID":"S4W-12619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:49.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:07:15.313","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what data it uses to measure university performance on widening participation to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.","AnswerText":"Statistical data on students attending higher education courses in Scottish universities, including those students from disadvantaged backgrounds, is provided by the Higher Education Statistics Agency and the data is reported on annually by the Scottish Funding Council.\r\nThe Scottish Funding Council’s analysis of entrants from disadvantaged backgrounds is based on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:49.84","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280866,"EventID":"S4W-12631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:50.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:25:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients who have been refered by a consultant for a scan since January 2012 have not been seen within the 18-week target time, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not collected centrally. Information is published for the total of numbers waiting and patients waiting more than the six weeks standards for the eight key diagnostic tests. This includes CT, MRI and ultrasound scans as well as Barium studies. \r\nThe six week waiting time standard covers referrals from all sources not just from consultants but also from primary care. In the month ending 30 September 2012, 31,571 patients were waiting for one of the four scans mentioned above and with 472 patients waiting more than six weeks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:50.073","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280867,"EventID":"S4W-12632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T15:23:50.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:25:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients referred for a scan without referral by a consultant since January 2012 have not been seen within the 18-week target time, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12631 on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T15:23:50.353","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280874,"EventID":"S4W-12607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:28.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:59:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of new households created in each of the last five years was single-person households in the (a) social and (b) private rented sector.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally as it is not possible to identify newly forming households from our data sources.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:29.013","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280875,"EventID":"S4W-12608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:29.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:59:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many homelessness applications from single people in each of the last five years resulted in an offer of a (a) one-bedroom property or room in a shared property, (b) two-bedroom property or  (c) three or more bedroom property in the social rented sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table shows the total number of homeless applications from single people which were (a) assessed as unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and (b) for whom a social rented sector tenancy was offered.\r\n\r\nFinancial year accommodation was offered\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nNumber of cases from single homeless people where social rented sector accommodation was offered\r\n7,371\r\n8,490\r\n9,911\r\n10,053\r\n9,969\r\n\r\nInformation on the size of the property offered is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:29.373","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280876,"EventID":"S4W-12609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:29.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:59:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure that the size of new housing built for affordable rent reflects demand and takes into account the requirements of the social housing underoccupancy penalty.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of local authorities to determine these matters based on their housing need and demand assessments, local housing strategies and other planning policies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:29.687","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280877,"EventID":"S4W-12610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:29.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:59:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of social housing stock is made up of one-bedroom properties.","AnswerText":"The Scottish House Condition Survey estimates that, in 2011, around 26% of social housing stock was made up of 1 bedroom dwellings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:29.997","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280878,"EventID":"S4W-12611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:30.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T11:59:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many one-bedroom properties have been built in the social rented sector in each of the last five years, also expressed as a percentage of social housing built.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nDetails of the total numbers of properties built by registered social landlords and local authorities are available on the Scottish Government website:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/NewBuild.\r\nHowever a split by number of bedrooms is not available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:30.387","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280879,"EventID":"S4W-12617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:30.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:02:49.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, prior to issuing its news release on 23 January 2013 on fuel poverty, what discussions it had with Ofgem regarding the investigation into claims of wholesale energy price fixing and whether the regulator indicated to it that the investigation had concluded. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with Ofgem regarding its investigation into claims of wholesale energy price fixing.\r\nThe Scottish Government has repeatedly called on Ofgem and the UK Government to take firmer action to deliver an energy market that is transparent, fair, competitive and effective to ensure that consumers are protected. The allegations of price fixing in the wholesale gas market which emerged on 13 November 2012 were of great concern to the Scottish Government and it called for swift and effective action to fully assess the allegations. As such, the Scottish Government urges Ofgem and the Financial Services Authority to press ahead with their investigations into these allegations; including publishing outcomes and taking any required action, as soon as possible, to ensure that any wrongdoing, where founded, is punished and that the consumers are protected.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to work with stakeholders across the energy sector, including energy suppliers, Ofgem and the UK Government, to ensure that Scottish consumers get the best deal on their energy bills.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:30.76","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280880,"EventID":"S4W-12620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:31.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:10:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many alleged offenders have appeared in court to face charges in relation to their original offence following a failure to pay or complete a fiscal direct penalty, in each year since 2009.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:31.073","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280881,"EventID":"S4W-12621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:31.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:10:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many fiscal direct penalties for (a) motor and (b) other offences have been withdrawn for mandatory reasons in each year since 2009.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:31.387","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lesley Thomson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280882,"EventID":"S4W-12622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:31.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:10:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many fiscal direct penalties have been withdrawn at the Procurator Fiscal’s discretion for (a) a failure to pay or complete a fiscal direct penalty and (b) other reasons in each year since 2009.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:31.697","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lesley Thomson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280883,"EventID":"S4W-12623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:31.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:10:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have appeared in court to face charges in relation to their original offence after their fiscal direct penalty has been (a) refused and (b) recalled in each year since 2009.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:32.01","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lesley Thomson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280884,"EventID":"S4W-12624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:32.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:10:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11856 by Kenny MacAskill on 23 January 2013, what percentage of all fiscal fines, including those discharged, has been paid or is on track to be paid.\r\n","AnswerText":"The percentages in the following table have been taken from Scottish Court Service’s Quarterly Fines Report 14.\r\nYear\r\nFiscal fines paid/on track to be paid expressed as a percentage of the value imposed (including discharges)\r\nFiscal fines paid/on track to be paid expressed as a percentage of the value to be paid (excluding discharges)\r\n2009-10\r\n66%\r\n78%\r\n2010-11\r\n60%\r\n69%\r\n2011-12\r\n52%\r\n57%\r\n\r\nAs Scottish Court Service makes clear in their report, fines and penalties are levied throughout each year and arranged instalment payments can mean that some may take two or more financial years to be paid.\r\nThe percentages provided in the second column are not representative of the total value due as some fiscal fines can be discharged. The percentages in the third column are a more accurate representation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:32.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280885,"EventID":"S4W-12625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:32.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:10:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the definition is of purposeful activity in prisons.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“Rule 84(2) of The Prison and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 2011 defines purposeful activities as \r\nWork\r\nEducation of any kind, including physical education;\r\nCounselling and other rehabilitative programmes;\r\nVocational training and;\r\nWork placements outside the prison.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:32.617","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280886,"EventID":"S4W-12626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:32.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:10:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) programmes and (b) activities constitute purposeful activity in prisons.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“Purposeful activity as defined in the Prison and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 2011 includes work, education, learning and employability, (including physical education) and programmes to address offending behaviour.\r\nActivities and programmes include:\r\nCounselling and Other Rehabilitative Programmes\r\nLife skills programme.\r\nSubstance-related offending behaviour programme.\r\nAlcohol awareness.\r\nFirst steps.\r\nDrug action for change.\r\nParenting programme.\r\nPositive parenting.\r\nSMART - substance abuse programme.\r\nConstructs.\r\nFemale offender programme.\r\nAnger management.\r\nControlling anger, regulating emotions.\r\nViolence prevention programme.\r\nGood lives for sex offenders.\r\nYouth justice programme.\r\nWork:\r\nRepair Work: bicycles, recycling machinery, prison waste, clothing etc.\r\nProduction and Assembly Work: manufacturing garden sheds, benches, Post Office trolleys, skips, textiles.\r\nCommercial Partner Work: new initiative (still in planning).\r\nPackaging Work: tea and coffee work parties.\r\nEstablishment Services: passmen, kitchen, laundry, gardens, horticulture.\r\nEducation, including Physical Education, Vocational Training and Learning Skills and Employability Interventions:\r\nPhysical education.\r\nLiteracy assessment.\r\nLiteracy classes.\r\nNumeracy classes.\r\nEnglish for speakers of other languages.\r\nArt classes.\r\nPeer support.\r\nMusic classes.\r\nDrama classes.\r\nVocational and employability classes - painting and decorating, hairdressing and bricklaying.\r\nWork Placements Outside Prison;\r\nCommunity Placements - wood recycling, groundwork at football clubs, working with Phoenix Future Trusts.\r\nThe Justice Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into purposeful activity.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:32.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280887,"EventID":"S4W-12627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:33.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:10:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what average number of hours per week convicted prisoners are engaged in purposeful activity (a) across the prison estate and (b) in each penal establishment.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The average number of hours per week which convicted prisoners are engaged in purposeful activity across a) the prison estate and b) in each prison establishment is shown in the attached table.”\r\nTotals 2012-2013 (until end November 2012)\r\nAverage per convicted prisoner\r\nAberdeen\r\n26\r\nBarlinnie\r\n19\r\nCornton Vale\r\n22\r\nDumfries\r\n19\r\nEdinburgh\r\n15\r\nGlenochil\r\n18\r\nGreenock\r\n21\r\nInverness\r\n22\r\nLow Moss\r\n27\r\nOpen Estate\r\n23\r\nPerth\r\n16\r\nPeterhead\r\n23\r\nPolmont\r\n16\r\nShotts\r\n16\r\nAddiewell\r\n25\r\nKilmarnock\r\n29\r\nEstate Average\r\n21\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:33.197","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280888,"EventID":"S4W-12628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:33.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:10:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what targets the Scottish Prison Service has for the number of hours per week that convicted (a) short-term and (b) long-term prisoners should be engaged in purposeful activity.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The delivery of purposeful activity in the Scottish Prison Service is currently monitored through a Key Performance Indicator (KPI). KPIs are performance measures set by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in the SPS Delivery Plan. Targets are not set for these measures and performance is evaluated by comparing performance against the previous years, it is therefore a mechanism of continuous improvement rather than specific targets.\r\nPurposeful activity increased by 18% in public sector prisons from 4.3 million hours in 2009-10 to 5.1 million hours in 2011-12. Private sector hours were 1.6 million in 2010-11 and 2011-12. SPS does not collect information related to short term and long term prisoners who are engaged in purposeful activity.\r\nI have instigated an organisational review to ensure that SPS is more clearly aligned with the Scottish Government's National Performance Framework, Reducing Re-offending Agenda and Justice Strategy. The review will refresh the vision, mission, strategic priorities and overall operating philosophy of SPS and provide a better foundation upon which to design and develop purposeful activity.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:33.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280889,"EventID":"S4W-12629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:33.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:10:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what average number of hours per week convicted prisoners spend out of their cells (a) across the prison estate and (b) in each penal establishment.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The Scottish Prison Service does not collect information in this way regarding the time offenders in custody spend out of their cell.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:33.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280890,"EventID":"S4W-12630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:34.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T13:10:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what options for the organisation of the independent custody visiting schemes after 1 April 2013 have been proposed by (a) the Scottish Government, (b) the Scottish Police Authority and (c) independent custody visiting scheme administrators and what stage of consideration each proposal has reached.\r\n","AnswerText":"Justice officials have been working closely with the current scheme administrators throughout 2012 to develop proposals for the new statutory custody visiting scheme. Draft proposals were shared with the Scottish Police Authority in December 2012. A meeting of all three parties took place on 24 January 2013 when a number of issues including transitional arrangements and future scheme administration were discussed. Further meetings are taking place to consider these matters further. This will enable the Authority to take decisions on the future scheme in time for 1 April.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:34.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280891,"EventID":"S4W-12633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:34.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T14:05:23.107","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to the North East of Scotland Transport Partnership in commissioning a study of the cost and feasibility of reopening the Formartine and Buchan railway line. \r\n","AnswerText":"While we have received no formal proposal for the reopening of the Formartine and Buchan railway line, the Scottish Government is keen to improve access to the rail network across Scotland.\r\nIn considering proposals to reopen former railway lines and stations, it is necessary for the Scottish Government to take a strategic view and fully consider the impact on the whole network. Determining the potential benefits to new passengers against the negative impact on existing passengers, while robustly assessing the value for money and affordability are essential. The long-term demand, the operational and engineering feasibilities, subsidy implications to the Scottish Government and initial capital costs must be considered in detail.\r\nI understand that promoters of the Formartine and Buchan line are currently discussing their proposals with the North East of Scotland Transport Partnership (Nestrans). Transport Scotland would be happy to offer advice, if Nestrans decide that the proposal merits further consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:34.333","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280892,"EventID":"S4W-12634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:34.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T16:00:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has commissioned of (a) changes in the number of planning staff employed by local authorities and (b) what skills shortages exist.","AnswerText":"The new Planning Performance Frameworks have been designed to give local authorities the opportunity to provide information on their organisational structure and the level of staff within that structure. As these were the first ever Planning Performance Frameworks, the level of information provided by each authority varies greatly. However, we will work with Heads of Planning Scotland (HoPS) to refine the requirements for the next round of frameworks to enable more accurate analysis.\r\nSimilarly, the frameworks allow authorities the opportunity to identify the skill sets available to them within their organisation and what measures have been introduced to encourage a culture of continuous improvement. It is useful to have a record of this information and the Scottish Government has committed a further £20,000 this year to HoPS to help further develop skills. Since 2006, the Scottish Government has invested over £2.7 million in local authority skills development through the Planning Development Programme. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of each authority to ensure that they possess the skills necessary to carry out their planning duties effectively and efficiently.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:34.66","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280893,"EventID":"S4W-12635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:34.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T16:00:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will evaluate whether planning authorities have met its expectations in dealing with planning applications.","AnswerText":"The issue of performance is a key strand of planning reform and the Scottish Government is fully committed to ensuring that planning realises its potential in aiding economic recovery. The Scottish Government in partnership with COSLA are establishing a high level group to monitor and review the performance of planning authorities and to consider proposals to link performance with wider reform of planning fees.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:34.943","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280894,"EventID":"S4W-12636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:35.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T16:00:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown by (a) local authority and (b) purpose of the allocation of £673,000 to planning departments for 2013-14 and whether the impact will be monitored.\r\n","AnswerText":"A breakdown of the bids by local authority is available from the planning - renewable energy page of the Scottish Government’s website:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/National-Planning-Policy/themes/renewables/windresources. Individual bids, which have also been made available on the website, set out the local purpose of the allocation. We will return to planning authorities later this year to understand what impact the funds have made.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:35.24","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280895,"EventID":"S4W-12637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:35.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T16:00:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring is being carried out of the implementation of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 with regard to planning decisions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has reported to the Scottish Parliament annually since 2011 on the operation of Section 72 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, as required by and within the terms of Section 73 of the Act. This year’s report will be laid before the Scottish Parliament by 1 April. Previous year’s reports have the following laying numbers: SG/2011/21 and SG2012/38.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not monitor implementation of sections 70 and 71 of the Act as the Orders that conferred permitted development rights on domestic air source heat pumps, domestic wind turbines and non-domestic microgeneration installations removed those classes of development from the planning application process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:35.52","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280896,"EventID":"S4W-12638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:35.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T16:00:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on carbon emissions of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requirement for new developments to comply with (a) increased CO2 emission reductions and (b) the provision of on-site renewables, broken down by (i) local authority and (ii) type of development.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have reported to the Scottish Parliament annually since 2011 on the operation of Section 72 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, as required by and within the terms of Section 73 of the Act. This year’s report will be laid before the Scottish Parliament by 1 April. Previous year’s reports have the following laying numbers: SG/2011/21 and SG/2012/38.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:35.8","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280897,"EventID":"S4W-12639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:36.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T16:00:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what issues Scottish Natural Heritage will monitor in relation to hill tracks.\r\n","AnswerText":"Monitoring of all tracks to ensure compliance with planning control is, as is the case for all development, primarily the responsibility of the relevant planning authority.\r\nScottish Natural Heritage’s good practice guidance in respect of upland tracks is currently being updated and will be published shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:36.097","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280898,"EventID":"S4W-12640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-28T17:06:36.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T16:00:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what issues will be considered in the review of strategic development plans.\r\n","AnswerText":"The review of strategic development plans will consider whether the current procedural arrangements and approaches to the preparation of these plans are fit for purpose. The review will commence in Summer 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-25T17:06:36.377","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280911,"EventID":"S4W-12641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:40.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T07:29:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of jobs that are directly connected to wind farm developments, broken down by the parliamentary constituency of the employee’s residence.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s position on energy employment is set out in the Energy in Scotland statistical compendium published on 25 January 2013 and available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Business/Energy/Compendium2013.\r\nScottish Renewables estimates that of the 11,136 full time equivalent posts directly supported by the renewables industry and its supply chain in 2011-12, 2235 were connected directly to onshore wind. The figures are not broken down by parliamentary constituency.\r\nThe success of the onshore wind industry has contributed towards the wider success of the renewable energy sector and in particular provided a rationale for the major grid upgrade projects.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:40.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280912,"EventID":"S4W-12642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:40.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T07:29:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many non-UK nationals are employed in the development of wind farms. \r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:40.727","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280913,"EventID":"S4W-12643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:40.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T07:29:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many apprenticeships have been created by wind farm developers, broken down by the parliamentary constituency of the apprentice.\r\n","AnswerText":"There were 3,128 modern apprenticeship (MA) starts in engineering and related frameworks in 2011-12, of which 20 could be attributed to wind turbine operations. However, as this is the only apprenticeship framework which relates specifically to the renewable energy sector, it is not possible to identify how many more of the engineering-related MA starts were linked to the renewables sector. The figures provided are not broken down by parliamentary constituency.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:41.01","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280914,"EventID":"S4W-12644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:41.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T18:39:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Energy Advisory Board (a) last met and (b) will next meet.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Energy Advisory Board last met on 14 November 2012. The meeting discussions included Energy Skills, Heat and the role of District Heating, and updates on key issues affecting the Energy Sectors. The next meeting of the Board will be on 6 March 2013. Minutes of all Scottish Energy Advisory Board meetings can be found on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/resources/working-groups/energy-advisory-board/Minutes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:41.29","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280915,"EventID":"S4W-12645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:41.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T18:39:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent advice it has received from the Government Actuary’s Department in respect of pensions for Scottish police officers and on what dates it received such advice in (a) 2007, (b) 2008, (c) 2009, (d) 2010, (e) 2011 and (f) 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"Due to key changes in public sector pensions policy the advice and guidance issued by GAD over the requested periods have been numerous and relate to a wide number of subjects. The cost of identifying each and every item of GAD advice during the requested period would be disproportionate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:41.617","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280916,"EventID":"S4W-12646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:41.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T18:39:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what responsibilities the Government Actuary’s Department has to the Scottish Government in respect of pensions for Scottish police officers.","AnswerText":"GAD are commissioned by the Scottish Government to undertake full valuations of all public sector schemes, using appropriate financial and demographic assumptions; and to recommend the contribution rate to be paid by the employers who participate in the scheme. They also provide actuarial advice to other public sector pension schemes where Scottish Ministers have responsibilities, as and when required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:41.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280917,"EventID":"S4W-12647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:42.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T18:39:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it routinely receives advice from the Government Actuary’s Department in respect of pensions for Scottish police officers.","AnswerText":"GAD provides actuarial advice to the Scottish Government in respect of all public sector pension schemes, including the police schemes, as and when commissioned to do so.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:42.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280918,"EventID":"S4W-12648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:42.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T18:05:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will allocate any Barnett consequentials arising from the StartUp Loans scheme announced in the 2012 Autumn Statement.\r\n","AnswerText":"I am able to confirm that the Scottish Government received consequentials from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills in relation to the “StartUp Loans” scheme as part of the funding that flowed to the Scottish Government as part of the Autumn Statement.\r\nYou will be aware that consequentials accrue to the Scottish Government as a whole and Scottish Ministers decide how they are deployed to the benefit of the nation.\r\nThe Scottish Government initiatives were launched prior to the announcement of the UK scheme and was co-developed with and supported by our partners in the public, private and third sectors\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:42.46","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280919,"EventID":"S4W-12649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:42.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T18:39:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has received from the Government Actuary’s Department since May 2007 in relation to the review of commutation tables for Scottish police officers' pensions and on what dates.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government regrets that the information requested can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:42.77","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280920,"EventID":"S4W-12650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:43.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T18:39:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what correspondence it  has had with the Home Office since May 2007 regarding the review of commutation tables in respect of Scottish police officers' pensions and on what dates. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government regrets that the information requested can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:43.053","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280921,"EventID":"S4W-12651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:43.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T18:39:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the actuarial advice from the Government Actuary's Department regarding Scottish police officers' pensions is based on statistical information relevant to Scotland only or as part of a UK-wide assessment.","AnswerText":"There are various regulations relating to the Police Pension Schemes in Scotland under which the Government Actuary (either directly or via his appointment as the Scheme Actuary) has responsibility for setting or providing actuarial advice on factors. When considering appropriate factors, the Government Actuary may take into account various sources of relevant information. In particular, mortality assumptions are set following consideration of some or all of national statistics (including the UK as a whole and for the constituent countries/regions of the UK), standard mortality tables issued by the UK Actuarial Profession and scheme specific analysis (where available).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:43.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280922,"EventID":"S4W-12652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:43.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T18:39:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Government Actuary's Department's (GAD) position has been in relation to the Scottish administration and whether GAD has recommended that the Scottish police pension commutation tables should be reviewed, since 1998.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Government Actuary's Department's (GAD) has been actuarial adviser to the Scottish Government in respect of the Police Pension Schemes since their introduction. GAD issued advice to the Scottish Government (via the Scottish Public Pensions Agency) on revised commutation tables for the Police Pension Scheme 1987 on 29 May 2007. No recommendations relating to revisions of the 1988 commutation factors were made to the Scottish Government prior to that date.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:43.66","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280923,"EventID":"S4W-12653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:43.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T18:39:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether adjudications by the Pensions Ombudsman in relation to police pension commutation will apply equally in Scotland and the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"The Pensions Ombudsman has powers that apply throughout the UK. These are covered in section 151 of the Pensions Schemes Act 1993.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:43.94","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280924,"EventID":"S4W-12654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:44.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T10:03:59.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it can improve the commuter links between Stonehaven and Aberdeen to promote commuting by public transport instead of driving.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government envisages an accessible Scotland with safe, integrated and reliable transport that supports sustainable economic growth. We promote integration between different services and modes of transport and we encourage operators to engage with each other over timetables.\r\nThe commuter links by rail between Stonehaven and Aberdeen have benefitted from the introduction of additional calls at Portlethen Station from December 2012 timetable. These changes are designed to attract more passengers using the services for commuting to and from Aberdeen as well as leisure travel.\r\nAdditionally the Aberdeen to Central Belt Rail Enhancement Scheme is one of the projects identified as part of the Scottish Government's Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) published in 2008. It aims to deliver reduced passenger journey times of around 20 minutes, improved service frequency and connectivity between Aberdeen and Edinburgh/Glasgow and more efficient freight operations. The scheme will be delivered in phases from 2020.\r\nWith regards to bus travel The Scottish Government provides an annual subsidy, the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG), of £50 million to the bus industry, the aim of which is to keep fares at affordable levels and enable bus operators to run services that might not otherwise be commercially viable. This substantial subsidy also creates a limited re-distribution of funding towards longer and more rural services, which provide a degree of protection for our more vulnerable rural communities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:44.223","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280925,"EventID":"S4W-12655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:44.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T10:03:59.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it can improve connectivity and reduce waiting times between railway stations on the Inverness to Aberdeen line and the rest of the country.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is working closely with Network Rail and ScotRail to introduce service enhancements on the Aberdeen to Inverness route this year. Further service and infrastructure enhancements are planned during the next control period which runs from 2014 to 2019. These enhancements will improve connectivity and waiting times.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:44.52","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280926,"EventID":"S4W-12656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:44.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T10:42:20.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the responses to the Deputy First Minister’s letter on EU membership on her blog unedited as soon as they are received.\r\n","AnswerText":"The decision to make any response publicly available would be for the member state who provided it.\r\nThe Scottish Government will respect the wishes of fellow Member States in deciding whether or not to publish a response.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:44.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280927,"EventID":"S4W-12657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T13:58:45.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T10:42:20.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the addressees to which the Deputy First Minister sent her letter on EU membership.\r\n","AnswerText":"The letter was sent to the foreign ministries of each EU Member State via their Embassy or High Commission in the UK.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T13:58:45.19","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280934,"EventID":"S4W-12658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T16:47:30.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T12:22:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what potential benefits will accrue to remote and rural areas in the north and west following the announcement of a pilot scheme in Ardnamurchan to devise new ways of delivering healthcare in such areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T16:47:30.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280935,"EventID":"S4W-12659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T16:47:31.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T13:42:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time equivalent staff there are in Skills Development Scotland’s employer services team.","AnswerText":"The Employer Services Team is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the member.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T16:47:31.08","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280936,"EventID":"S4W-12660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T16:47:31.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T13:42:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the remit of Skills Development Scotland’s employer services team is and whether it operates via a hotline or visits businesses.","AnswerText":"The employer services team is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to the member.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T16:47:31.5","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280937,"EventID":"S4W-12661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T16:47:31.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T13:42:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Skills Development Scotland’s employer services team was (a) set up and (b) available to engage with businesses.","AnswerText":"The employer services team is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to the member.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T16:47:31.81","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280938,"EventID":"S4W-12662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T16:47:32.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T13:42:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the six local authorities that received £9 million in 2012 to tackle youth unemployment will each produce a report on the success of its programmes when completed in September 2013.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has agreed with each local authority that a report on progress against target will be provided on a bi monthly basis. This will capture both qualitative and quantitative monitoring information to help assess the impact of this additional funding for young people.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government is monitoring progress against each local authority’s agreed outcomes and will produce a summary report detailing the impact across all six areas after the programme completion in September 2013.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T16:47:32.123","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280939,"EventID":"S4W-12663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T16:47:32.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T13:42:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what dialogue it has had with each of the six local authorities that received £9 million in 2012 to tackle youth unemployment regarding the success of their programmes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has agreed with each local authority that they will report on progress against target on a bi monthly basis. Scottish Government officials liaise with the local authorities in question on a regular basis providing support and maintaining dialogue, ensuring prompt and accurate monitoring.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T16:47:32.42","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280940,"EventID":"S4W-12665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T16:47:32.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T14:04:41.277","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the criteria for access to the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund and whether the fund will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis or allocated across NHS boards.\r\n","AnswerText":"The operational arrangements for managing the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund are still in development. Advice for NHS boards will be provided in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T16:47:32.733","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280941,"EventID":"S4W-12666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T16:47:33.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T14:14:00.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the heat produced at the Steven's Croft Biomass Power Station in Lockerbie is used and how much is vented.\r\n","AnswerText":"E.ON, the operator of the Steven’s Croft station, reports that last year it exported approximately 21 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of heat from Steven’s Croft to neighbouring customers. The remaining heat is used within the steam turbine to generate electricity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T16:47:33.137","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280942,"EventID":"S4W-12667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T16:47:33.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T14:59:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses have benefitted from the small business bonus scheme in (a) East Lothian, (b) Midlothian and (c) Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Official Statistics published on 24 October 2012 show that 89,087 business properties across Scotland are benefitting from the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) in 2012-13. This is an increase of almost 4,000 from the previous year.\r\nIn East Lothian 1,556 and in Midlothian 1,127 business properties are benefiting from the SBBS.\r\nIn 2012-13 it is estimated that the SBBS has saved small businesses in East Lothian and Midlothian £4.5 million. \r\nThe Scottish Government has committed to maintain the SBBS for the lifetime of this Parliament.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T16:47:33.497","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280943,"EventID":"S4W-12668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T16:47:33.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T14:59:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-114714 by Fergus Ewing on 6 December 2012, what progress has been made with the plans for the stakeholder event in Spring 2013. \r\n","AnswerText":"Following my very useful meeting with stakeholders on 9 November 2012, I have arranged a further stakeholder event for 30 April 2013.\r\nSince the meeting in November I have written to payday loan companies in the UK and I am pleased that representatives from some of the payday loan companies, including the Consumer Finance Association have expressed an interest in discussing the pressing issues we have debated in Parliament in the last couple of weeks.\r\nI will continue to work with stakeholders to fully consider the issues and to find further solutions to the problems faced by indebted people in Scotland who have found themselves in difficulties because of payday borrowing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T16:47:33.793","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280944,"EventID":"S4W-12673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T16:47:34.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T15:30:55.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether additional funding has been set aside for local authorities to become more involved in the Year of Natural Scotland 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"No additional funding has been set aside by the Scottish Government specifically for local authorities to become more involved in the Year of Natural Scotland however partners across the country are being actively encouraged to join the celebration of the Year and to harness its significant potential to boost tourism and the wider economy.\r\nI have had meetings with a number of local authorities to discuss Year of Natural Scotland and I am encouraged by their supportive approach.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T16:47:34.103","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280945,"EventID":"S4W-12674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T16:47:34.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T15:30:55.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that its procurement contracts safeguard jobs in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government uses community benefit clauses in public procurement contracts to achieve our national outcome of more and better employment opportunities for people in Scotland.\r\nSince the Scottish Government published guidance on Community Benefits in Procurement in 2008, commitments by the Scottish public sector to employ over 3,500 new workers via targeted recruitment and training opportunities has been achieved.\r\nWe intend to use the forthcoming Procurement Reform Bill to introduce a statutory requirement that public sector bodies include community benefit clauses in all new major public contracts and that those in receipt of major public contracts publish their commitments and target updates on training, apprenticeships and performance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T16:47:34.387","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280946,"EventID":"S4W-12675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T16:47:34.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T15:30:55.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to those affected by the recent flooding in Musselburgh.\r\n","AnswerText":"Flood protection schemes are primarily a matter for local authorities, however the Scottish Government is committed to supporting work that helps protect the people of Scotland from the effects of flooding.\r\nMost recently, I helped The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency launch a new coastal flood warning system for the east coast of Scotland on 28 January, covering the coast from Arbroath to Eyemouth and including a total of 28 specific potentially vulnerable areas. I welcome these new coastal flood warnings schemes in the Forth and Tay coastal areas, which will enable residents to take action and prepare for flooding in advance and I would encourage residents in these areas to register to receive free messages direct to their landline or mobile alerting them whenever a flood warning has been issued for their area.\r\nI would recommend anyone affected by flooding to contact the Scottish Flood Forum. The Forum, which receives funding from the Scottish Government, provides an invaluable source of advice and support. I also encourage residents affected by flooding to apply for crisis loans through the Department for Work and Pensions.\r\nI am also in discussions with the Association of British Insurers about industry proposals for continuation of flood insurance for the most vulnerable properties once the statement of principles ceases this summer.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T16:47:34.697","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280947,"EventID":"S4W-12676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-29T16:47:34.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T15:30:55.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the potential benefits of wind farms outweigh those of established activities such as tourism.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is not a question of whether the benefits of one outweigh the benefits of the other. We are committed to ensuring that the renewable energy sector and the tourism industry continue to flourish side by side. Therefore, we have already committed to examining the need for further research into the impact of wind farms on tourism.\r\nIn its report on the achievability of the Scottish Government’s renewable energy targets of 23 November 2012, the Energy, Enterprise and Tourism Committee stated that it “has seen no empirical evidence which demonstrates that the tourism industry in Scotland will be adversely affected by the wider deployment of renewable energy projects, particularly onshore and offshore wind.“ and that “no witness has provided the Committee with robust, empirical evidence, as opposed to anecdotal comment and opinion, that tourism is being negatively affected by the development of renewable projects.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-26T16:47:34.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280950,"EventID":"S4O-01789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:30:55.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T14:36:40.497","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve access to the railway network for disabled people.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:30:56.77","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280951,"EventID":"S4O-01790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:30:58.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T10:17:00.27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support credit unions in light of the reported rapid expansion of high interest short-term lending.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:30:58.067","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280952,"EventID":"S4O-01791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:30:58.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T10:59:46.877","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on the provision of Gaelic-medium schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:30:58.41","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280953,"EventID":"S4O-01792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:30:58.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T09:08:07.533","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government about devolving consumer-related powers in light of the UK Government’s plans to abolish Consumer Focus.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:30:58.753","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280954,"EventID":"S4O-01793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:30:59.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:17.433","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Local Authorities Remuneration Committee regarding its forward work programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:30:59.05","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280955,"EventID":"S4O-01794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:30:59.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:17.683","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the transition from the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target to Green Deal.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:30:59.393","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280956,"EventID":"S4O-01795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:31:00.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:17.933","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making to integrate the transport system.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:31:00.623","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280957,"EventID":"S4O-01796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:31:00.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:18.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what events it will hold to promote the Year of Natural Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:31:00.92","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280958,"EventID":"S4O-01797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:31:01.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T09:53:22.653","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent steps it has taken to improve internet connectivity in rural areas and in Aberdeenshire West.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed over £240 million of public funding to the Step Change 2015 programme, which will deliver a step change in next generation broadband connectivity throughout Scotland by 2015. This investment will largely focus on rural areas.\r\nAberdeenshire West is included within a tender that was issued at the end of January 2013. We hope that the tender process will be concluded by June 2013 and welcome the additional £16 million that has been provided by Aberdeenshire Council as part of that programme to address specific local priorities within their region.\r\nIn addition, the communities of Corgaff and Glenbuchat in Aberdeenshire West are among the first communities to benefit from our Community Broadband Scotland initiative, which is supporting rural communities in delivering their own broadband solutions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:31:01.217","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280959,"EventID":"S4O-01798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:31:01.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T11:05:03.22","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency regarding flooding caused by surface water.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussions with Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and other responsible authorities about surface water flooding.\r\nIndeed, I am pleased to be able to inform the Parliament that we published the Surface Water Management Guidance on Tuesday. This guidance is an important step towards the collaborative approach to the management of surface water flooding in Scotland set out in the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. The guidance has been developed jointly by the Scottish Government, local authorities, Scottish Water and SEPA through the Scottish Advisory and Implementation Forum for Flooding.\r\nThe guidance sets out a shared vision for how surface water flooding will be addressed through the flood risk management planning process, and how the different organisations can work together to identify the most sustainable solutions to manage the risk of surface water flooding across the whole of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:31:01.513","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280960,"EventID":"S4O-01769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:45.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:01.41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding the board's future plans.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:45.84","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280961,"EventID":"S4O-01770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:46.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T10:39:32.72","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the fairness and transparency of the individual patient treatment request system.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:46.183","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280962,"EventID":"S4O-01771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:46.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:01.91","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how NHS boards ensure that GPs reduce the unnecessary waste of prescribed drugs.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:46.467","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280963,"EventID":"S4O-01772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:46.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T10:27:06.003","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:46.747","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280964,"EventID":"S4O-01773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:47.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T11:36:00.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects NHS Lothian to achieve NHS Scotland Resource Allocation parity.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:47.073","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280965,"EventID":"S4O-01774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:47.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T11:03:26.55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how best practice in prescribing is shared between NHS boards.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:47.37","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280966,"EventID":"S4O-01775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:47.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:02.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the Cumbrae Public Reference Group on reviewing and improving health services on the island.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:47.667","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280967,"EventID":"S4O-01776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:47.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:02.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage healthy eating in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:48.01","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280968,"EventID":"S4O-01777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:48.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:03.173","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing last spoke to the chief executive of NHS Lanarkshire.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:48.307","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280969,"EventID":"S4O-01778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:48.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:03.347","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent progress Healthcare Improvement Scotland has made in inspections of care for older people.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:48.62","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280970,"EventID":"S4O-01779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:48.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T09:23:46.347","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are being taken to improve access to GP services.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:48.96","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280971,"EventID":"S4O-01780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:49.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T11:18:04.433","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what air ambulance provision there is across Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:49.257","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280972,"EventID":"S4O-01781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:49.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:03.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what lessons have been learned from Glasgow's Equally Well testing programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:49.54","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280973,"EventID":"S4O-01782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:49.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:04.203","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing last met the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what was discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:49.82","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280974,"EventID":"S4O-01783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:50.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T09:35:01.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that patients requiring radiotherapy after surgery receive it as soon as possible.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:50.117","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280975,"EventID":"S4O-01784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:50.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:04.623","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support will be available for people who want to volunteer at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.","AnswerText":"The games offer a fantastic opportunity for people from all over Scotland to volunteer.\r\nTo encourage a wide range of people to apply for this opportunity, we have taken a number of practical steps to provide support for people who wish to volunteer.\r\nThe organising committee has created a drop-in centre where potential volunteers can gain advice and assistance. A contact centre is also available to provide advice by both telephone and email to those who are based further afield.\r\nWe also recognise that some people may need additional assistance to overcome practical and financial barriers to volunteering. To help tackle this, the Scottish Government has teamed up with the BIG Lottery Fund and the organising committee to develop the Legacy 2014 Volunteer Support Programme. This £500,000 programme was announced in January and is expected to open in autumn 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:50.427","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280976,"EventID":"S4O-01785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:51.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T11:05:20.377","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what input its Health and Social Care Directorate made to the draft second report on proposals and policies.\r\n","AnswerText":"As noted in the Draft Second Report on Proposals and Policies, tackling climate change is the responsibility of every part of the Scottish Government, its agencies and local government.\r\nWe propose to ramp up emissions reduction from across the entire public sector, including the Health estate, by accelerating implementation of actions identified within existing carbon management plans and later move to more ambitious activity.\r\nOur household energy efficiency measures and some of our transport proposals may also bring wider health benefits in addition to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:51.597","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280977,"EventID":"S4O-01786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:51.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:05.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that NHS boards meet the waiting times targets.\r\n","AnswerText":"We provide the necessary guidance and additional support when required to all NHS boards across Scotland in order to ensure that they continue to meet our current waiting times targets.\r\nThe Scottish Government also engage with NHS boards on a very regular basis in relation to waiting times and other key issues. There is also a formal annual review and mid-year review with each board.\r\nThe Scottish Government utilises the comprehensive set of statistics published on a quarterly basis by NHS Information Services Division, which includes performance against the waiting time target and standards etc.\r\nWe continue to work closely with health boards to address any issues and to maintain compliance in meeting our current waiting times targets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:51.91","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280978,"EventID":"S4O-01787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:52.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:05.187","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what potential benefits will accrue to remote and rural areas in the north and west following the announcement of a pilot scheme in Ardnamurchan to devise new ways of delivering healthcare in such areas.","AnswerText":"I am expecting NHS Highland to develop and test alternative models of healthcare delivery in remote and rural areas so as to ensure people living there have access to safe and sustainable services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:52.223","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280979,"EventID":"S4O-01788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:32:52.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-28T12:10:05.437","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will amend the Quality and Outcomes Framework so that it can focus more on the early years.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of the move to a more Scottish focused GP contract, we will seek to implement changes which help to directly address the challenges facing Scotland, including inequalities.\r\nA focus on prevention and early intervention particularly in the early years of life will be crucial in meeting these challenges. The quality and outcomes framework is part of our approach to help achieve this.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:32:52.567","MeetingDate":"2013-02-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280980,"EventID":"S4W-12534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:36:54.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing last met the UK Government's health ministers to discuss value-based pricing of medicines.\r\n","AnswerText":"Arrangements are currently in hand to meet with Earl Howe, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for Medicines and Pharmacy policy, at the next available opportunity. I have also exchanged correspondence with Earl Howe concerning Value Based Pricing and have received continuing assurances that the UK Government and Devolved Administrations will work closely together in developing a value based pricing approach. I can also confirm that officials are in regular contact with the Department of Health concerning value based pricing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:36:54.813","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280981,"EventID":"S4W-12535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:36:55.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the development of value-based pricing of medicine and when this is likely to be implemented.\r\n","AnswerText":"Pricing of branded medicines is currently a reserved matter and proposals for Value Based Pricing are being taken forward by the UK Government’s Department of Health. The Scottish Government is supportive of the principle of value based pricing and is continuing to work with the Department of Health on its Development.\r\nUK wide negotiations on value based pricing are on-going at present and all parties concerned are working towards agreeing and implementing the new arrangements early in 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:36:55.453","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280982,"EventID":"S4W-12536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:36:56.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Orphan Drugs Fund is consistent with value-based pricing of medicine.\r\n","AnswerText":"Pricing of branded medicines is currently a reserved matter. The proposals for Value Based Pricing for medicines licensed from 1 January 2014 are being taken forward by the UK Government’s Department of Health. The Scottish Government is supportive of the principle of Value Based Pricing and the Scottish Government continues to work with the Department of Health on its development and on successor arrangements to the current Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) in relation to medicines licensed prior to 1 January 2014.\r\nThe operational arrangements for managing the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund to cover the cost of successful Individual Patient Treatment Requests (IPTRs) for high cost, low volume orphan medicines within the NHS in Scotland are still in development.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:36:56.247","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280983,"EventID":"S4W-12537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:36:56.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much housing benefit was paid to (a) local authorities, (b) housing associations and (c) private landlords in 2011-12.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Department for Work and Pensions reports the following amounts of housing benefit were paid to Scottish landlords during 2011-12:\r\nLocal Authorities: £674 million\r\nHousing Associations: £608 million\r\nPrivate Landlords: £446 million\r\nThe source for this information can be found at the following website address:\r\nhttp://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/h_tables_budget_2012_300812.xls.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:36:56.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280984,"EventID":"S4W-12538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:36:57.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when its ministers last met UK Government ministers to discuss housing benefit and what was discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Minister for Housing and Welfare last met UK Government Ministers in London on 16 December 2012. Discussions centred around the direct payment of Housing Benefit to tenants and whether the discretion afforded to the Northern Ireland assembly – to continue to pay housing benefit to landlords – could be extended to Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:36:57.247","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280985,"EventID":"S4W-12539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:36:57.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will help to mitigate housing benefit changes.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government action to help mitigate housing benefit changes is set out at: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/16342/hbreform/sg\r\nThis includes: work with COSLA and wider stakeholders to seek influence DWP’s policies; extensive analysis to promote understanding of the reforms and their implications; and £160,000 funding for support, training and guidance to help local authorities and social landlords prepare for the changes.\r\nWe have also invested more widely to protect households affected by welfare reforms in 2013-14. We are providing an additional £9.2 million funding for the Scottish Welfare Fund (the devolved Social Fund). We and our partners in local government will commit a total of £40 million to ensure that vulnerable people in Scotland currently receiving Council Tax Benefit are protected from the 10% cut in funding imposed by the UK Government for Council Tax successor arrangements. We are also providing a £5.4 million funding package for advice and support services which will go to directly towards helping people and families in Scotland better understand and cope with these changes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:36:57.84","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280986,"EventID":"S4W-12540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:36:58.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Scotland will be affected by the proposed changes to housing benefit and what assessment it has made of the impact.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table shows the estimated numbers of households in Scotland affected by housing benefit changes which have been implemented by the United Kingdom Government to date and those which are scheduled to be implemented from April 2013.\r\nAssessments of the possible impacts of these changes are published on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nImpact of Housing Benefit Changes in Scotland\r\nHousing Benefit Change\r\nImplementation \r\ndate\r\nEstimated number of households affected1\r\nChanges to local housing allowance rates for tenants in private rented sector.  \r\n       - Removing £15 excess.\r\n       - Restriction to 4 bedroom rate.\r\n       - Capping LHA rates by bedroom size.\r\n       - Basing LHA rates on 30th percentile rent. \r\nPhased in from 1 April 2011\r\n          55,000\r\nLocal housing allowance rate for single people without dependants aged 25 – 34 restricted to the rate for a room with shared facilities.\r\nPhased in from 1 April 2011\r\n           4,400\r\nUnder occupation penalty for working age households in local authority or housing association housing.\r\n- penalty of 14% of rent for those assessed as under occupying by 1 room.\r\n- penalty of 25% of rent for those assessed as under occupying by 2 or more rooms.\r\nFrom 1 April 2013\r\n        105,000\r\nOverall cap on benefits, which will initially be implemented through a reduction in housing benefit.\r\nTo be phased in from 1 April 2013\r\n           4,600\r\nUprating local housing allowance rates by the lower of consumer price index or actual increase in the 30th percentile rate.\r\nApril 2011\r\nRestricting the uprating of local housing allowance rates to a maximum of 1% per year for two years from 2014-15.\r\nApril 2014\r\n\r\n   \r\n         79,0002\r\nUprating non-dependant deductions to reflect increases in rent since 2001-02.\r\nApril 2011\r\nNo estimate available.\r\nChanges to non-dependant deduction rates under Universal Credit.\r\nPhased in from autumn 2013.\r\nNo estimate available.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Since some households may have been affected by more than one of the changes it is not possible to provide an estimate of the total number of households affected.\r\n2. Figure shows the total number of households receiving local housing allowance at the latest available date. The effect on households will depend on whether private landlords continue to rent to households on housing benefit at LHA rates restricted in this way.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:36:58.417","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280987,"EventID":"S4W-12541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:36:59.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to prevent local authority or housing association tenants being evicted due to rent arrears that arise because of the proposed housing benefit reforms.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been consistent in our opposition to the way in which welfare reforms are being implemented by the Westminster Government and is discussing with key stakeholders how to help tenants cope with them.\r\nWe are very sympathetic to the difficulties that some tenants will find themselves in as a result of these reforms but in the interests of tenants themselves, we cannot advocate placing tenants in situations where they cannot afford to pay off debts to their landlords. We are also concerned that if tenants do not pay their rent in full, landlords will lose a significant proportion of the income they rely on to provide services to all of their tenants.\r\nThe Scottish Government has already strengthened the protection for tenants in Scotland against eviction for rent arrears. From 1 August 2012 we brought pre-action requirements for rent arrears into force to ensure that eviction is a last resort.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:36:59.087","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280988,"EventID":"S4W-12542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:36:59.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked the UK Government for exemptions from aspects of the proposed housing benefit reforms and, if so, which aspects; when it asked, and what the outcome was.\r\n","AnswerText":"Over the period from 2010 to the present date, the Scottish Government has sought concessions to the UK Government’s housing benefit reforms on numerous occasions since DWP first announced its welfare reforms. These are that:\r\nResponsibility for housing benefit be devolved to the Scottish Parliament \r\nThe proposal to reduce housing benefit for benefit recipients unemployed for twelve months or more be withdrawn \r\nThe regulations on under-occupation deductions be withdrawn \r\nUnder-occupation deductions should not apply where there is no alternative accommodation available \r\nUnder-occupation deductions apply only to benefit recipients with two or more spare bedrooms \r\nVulnerable tenants be safeguarded against direct payments \r\nWorking families, disabled people, foster carers and parents who shared responsibility for children be safeguarded from under occupation penalties \r\nThe flexibility afforded to the Northern Ireland Assembly on direct payments be extended to the Scottish Parliament\r\nPeople living in supported exempt accommodation be exempt from the benefits cap\r\nThe UK Government increases its discretionary housing payments allocation to local authorities.\r\nOver the same period, DWP withdrew the proposal to reduce housing benefit for benefit recipients unemployed for twelve months or more; and decided to maintain current arrangements for covering the housing costs of benefit recipients in supported exempt accommodation for the next one to two years.\r\nIn respect of direct payments, DWP has committed to provide budgeting support and make payment exceptions to a proportion of tenants. It has funded six direct payment demonstration projects to inform practice on direct payments. We are closely monitoring progress in this area.\r\nAlthough DWP has increased the discretionary housing payment (DHPs) budget, this constitutes less than 4% of the overall cuts to housing benefit. In respect of under-occupation, DWP intends that local authorities prioritise DHPs to people living in substantially adapted accommodation and foster/kinship carers. \r\nThe Scottish Government and Scottish housing stakeholders continue to engage with DWP to seek to influence the UK Government’s welfare reforms.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:36:59.663","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280989,"EventID":"S4W-12543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:00.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Ayrshire and Arran last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"Individual NHS boards may have conducted their own, smaller-scale, staff survey since the last NHSScotland Staff Survey in 2010 but we do not hold this information. The 2010 NHSScotland Staff Survey provides information on the level of reported incidences of bullying and harassment broken down by individual NHS board. This information can be found at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.staffgovernance.scot.nhs.uk/monitoring-employee-experience/staff-survey/.\r\nIt is for individual NHS boards to decide what, if any, action to take in response to the findings from the staff survey. We would expect any such actions to be recorded in boards’ staff governance action plans.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:00.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280990,"EventID":"S4W-12544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:00.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Borders last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:00.693","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280991,"EventID":"S4W-12545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:01.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Dumfries and Galloway last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:01.21","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280992,"EventID":"S4W-12546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:01.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Fife last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:01.77","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280993,"EventID":"S4W-12547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:02.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Forth Valley last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:02.863","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280994,"EventID":"S4W-12548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:03.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Grampian last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:03.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280995,"EventID":"S4W-12549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:04.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:04.297","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280996,"EventID":"S4W-12550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:04.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Highland last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:04.873","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280997,"EventID":"S4W-12551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:05.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Lanarkshire last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:05.407","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280998,"EventID":"S4W-12552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:05.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Lothian last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:05.903","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":280999,"EventID":"S4W-12553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:06.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Orkney last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:06.42","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281000,"EventID":"S4W-12554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:06.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Shetland last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:06.92","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281001,"EventID":"S4W-12555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:07.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Tayside last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:07.433","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281002,"EventID":"S4W-12556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:07.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Western Isles last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:07.947","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281003,"EventID":"S4W-12557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:08.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Health Scotland last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:08.43","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281004,"EventID":"S4W-12558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:08.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS National Waiting Times Centre last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:08.93","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281005,"EventID":"S4W-12559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:09.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS24 last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:09.43","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281006,"EventID":"S4W-12560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:09.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Ambulance Service last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:09.99","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281007,"EventID":"S4W-12561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:10.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the State Hospitals Board for Scotland last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:10.537","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281008,"EventID":"S4W-12562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:11.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS National Health Services Scotland last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:11.1","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281009,"EventID":"S4W-12563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:11.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Healthcare Improvement Scotland last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:11.647","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281010,"EventID":"S4W-12564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:12.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the NHS whistleblowers' hotline will be established.\r\n","AnswerText":"The service provision is expected to commence on 2 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:12.16","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281011,"EventID":"S4W-12565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:12.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether incidents of bullying and harassment have been raised with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing at any recent NHS board annual reviews and, if so, which boards and what action was subsequently taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"Some references were made at the NHS Ayrshire and Arran Annual Review on 17 December 2012. Whilst it was clearly not appropriate for particular incidents/individual cases to be discussed in a public forum, I was assured that NHS Ayrshire and Arran take such allegations extremely seriously and are actively investigating. As in any such case, should the board’s review identify any necessary actions, I would expect these to be implemented as a matter of priority.\r\nNHS Health Scotland invited a stakeholder panel who picked up (from the annual report) on the work Health Scotland were doing in this area and the panel was very supportive of the approach being adopted.\r\nNo other incidents of bullying and harassment were raised at any of the recent annual review meetings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:12.66","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281012,"EventID":"S4W-12566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:13.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) raise awareness and (b) challenge bullying in the NHS.\r\n","AnswerText":"I wrote to NHSScotland Chairs and Chief Executives on 22 February 2013, reminding them that boards should frequently review their behaviours and practices to ensure they have a culture which actively encourages and supports members of staff to raise concerns. The culture should also ensure that staff are not penalised or persecuted in any way for raising concerns in good faith.\r\n\r\nThe Partnership Information Network (PIN) Policy, Preventing and Dealing with Bullying and Harassment in NHSScotland, provides guidance to NHS Boards on the development of a clearly defined policy and procedure for dealing with bullying and harassment complaints. The PIN Policy also highlights the importance of promoting the policy to staff, training for managers and of senior managers monitoring the application of the policy.\r\nThe Dignity at Work toolkit, Give Respect Get Respect, provides guidance to NHS Boards on promoting Dignity in the Workplace. The toolkit includes a description of bullying and its effect.\r\nCulture, values and behaviours will be a fundamental cornerstone of the 2020 Workforce Vision which we aim to launch at the NHS event in June 2013. This will present a further opportunity to restate our commitment to providing a working environment in the NHS in Scotland which is free from bullying and harassment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:13.173","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281013,"EventID":"S4W-12567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:13.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that NHS boards discontinue the use of confidentiality clauses in compromise agreements.\r\n","AnswerText":"The use of confidentiality clauses in compromise agreements is entirely an issue between individual NHS boards and their employees. Certain conditions have to be met in order for a compromise agreement to be legally binding, including a requirement for the employee to have received advice from a relevant independent adviser as to the terms and effect of the agreement. Any clause which sought to prevent an individual from raising a protected whistleblowing disclosure would be illegal under the Employment Rights Act and would therefore be unenforceable.\r\nI wrote to NHSScotland chairs and chief executives on 22 February 2013, reminding them that boards should frequently review their behaviours and practices to ensure they have a culture which actively encourages and supports members of staff to raise concerns. I also told them that I expect Boards to ensure that confidentiality clauses and non-derogatory statement clauses are not being used to suppress the reporting of concerns about practice in NHSScotland, and to ensure that these clauses are used appropriately.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:13.673","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281014,"EventID":"S4W-12568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:14.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings have taken place between the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and the (a) chairs and (b) chief executives of NHS boards to discuss the impact of the proposed welfare reforms.\r\n","AnswerText":"No meetings have taken place between the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and Chairs or the Chief Executives of NHS boards, for the specific purpose of discussing the impact of the proposed welfare reforms.\r\nDirectors of Public Health from Scottish Health boards have identified that reform of the welfare benefits system may have an effect on health outcomes and they have commissioned the Scottish Public Health Network (ScotPHN) to review the evidence of impact on health and identify mitigating actions. ScotPHN has published interim guidance which can be accessed through their website (www.scotphn.net).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:14.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281015,"EventID":"S4W-12569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:14.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what preparations have been made by NHS boards to deal with the impact of the proposed welfare reforms.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware that a number of NHS boards has prepared briefing for staff on welfare benefit changes. The Scottish Directors of Public Health Group has commissioned the Scottish Public Health Network to undertake work to identify possible mitigation measures and interim guidance has been published. Scottish Government officials have established a group of stakeholders to look at the potential impact of welfare benefit reform on population health and on demand for healthcare services. This group will report into the Scottish Government’s Welfare Reform Governance structure.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:14.703","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281016,"EventID":"S4W-12570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:15.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) GPs and (b) consultants will charge patients requiring medical reports in order to access benefits.\r\n","AnswerText":"The majority of GP practices in Scotland operate as independent contractors under the terms of a UK General Medical Services contract and there is a contractual obligation on GPs to provide information to prove incapacity to work to Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), or their agents that is not chargeable to patients. It is only when GPs agree to provide services out with their NHS contractual terms and conditions, that they are entitled to charge a professional fee as remuneration for doing so.\r\nNHS boards are required to provide medical reports to the DWP, on behalf of patients, to support claims for benefits. The following link gives guidance on the provision of reports and fees by hospitals and NHS consultants:\r\nhttp://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/pip-assessment-guide.pdf\r\nMatters relating to welfare, employment and tax benefits, including the implementation of current reforms are the responsibility of the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:15.217","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281017,"EventID":"S4W-12571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:15.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings have taken place between the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and COSLA to discuss the impact of the proposed welfare reforms.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and COSLA meet to discuss a range of issues from time to time.\r\nOn 21 November 2012, the Scottish Government signed an agreement with COSLA, to adopt a collaborative approach to supporting councils in their response to welfare reform. As part of this agreement, we hold regular joint political meetings to review progress on our collective efforts. A meeting is scheduled to take place on 28 February 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:15.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281018,"EventID":"S4W-12572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:16.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-25T10:03:34.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings have taken place between the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities to discuss the impact of the proposed welfare reforms.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers discuss the impact of the proposed welfare reforms on people and organisations in Scotland on a regular basis.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:16.28","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281019,"EventID":"S4W-12677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:17.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T16:42:03.073","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards have been built into the procurement process for a new operator for the Cairngorm funicular railway and associated facilities to ensure that the adjacent Cairngorms Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation will not be adversely affected.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I will ask its chief executive to write to you in this regard.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:17.073","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281020,"EventID":"S4W-12678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:17.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T16:42:03.073","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Highlands and Islands Enterprise, (b) the Cairngorms National Park Authority and (c) The Highland Council to ensure that the Cairngorm funicular railway operates in a manner that does not adversely affect the integrity of the Cairngorms Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation.\r\n","AnswerText":"Ministers and officials meet representatives of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and The Highland Council on a frequent basis to discuss a wide range of issues. I am not aware that the operation of the Cairngorm funicular railway in relation to the Cairngorms Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation has formed a specific part of those discussions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:17.463","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281021,"EventID":"S4W-12679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:17.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T16:42:03.073","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what liability a future operator of the Cairngorm funicular railway and its associated facilities will have for any adverse impact on a qualifying interest of the Cairngorms Special Protection Area or Special Area of Conservation resulting from its management.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I will ask its chief executive to write to you in this regard.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:17.807","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281022,"EventID":"S4W-12680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:18.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T17:30:41.18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hybrid buses are in operation; what percentage of the bus fleet this represents, and what measures it has planned to achieve the 50% market penetration suggested as achievable by 2027 in Low Carbon Scotland: Meeting our Emissions Reduction Targets 2013-2027: The Draft Second Report on Proposals and Policies.","AnswerText":"Funding under Rounds 1 and 2 of the Scottish Green Bus Fund will see 71 low carbon vehicles (LCVs) operating in the Scottish bus fleet. These LCVs represent around 1.3% of the total Scottish fleet. Additional funding under Round 3 of the Fund could see around 45 more LCVs entering service increasing the percentage of these vehicles to approximately 1.8% of the fleet.\r\nThe Scottish Green Bus Fund is helping bridge the current price gap between conventional and low carbon buses and providing support and confidence to both manufacturers and the bus companies. We expect the market for LCV buses to continue maturing until it reaches the point where LCV buses become commercially viable in their own right. In the meantime, we will continue to provide grant funding.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:18.103","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281023,"EventID":"S4W-12681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:18.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T17:49:00.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS Education Scotland last conducted a staff survey regarding bullying and harassment; what levels of bullying were reported, and what action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:18.493","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281024,"EventID":"S4W-12682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:18.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T17:53:33.43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost has been of the eCare programme.","AnswerText":"The cost of the eCare Programme has been £50,300,000 from its inception in 2001 until the end of March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:18.977","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281025,"EventID":"S4W-12683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:19.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T17:53:33.43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) when and (b) for what reason the information on its website regarding the eCare programme was removed.","AnswerText":"The information regarding the eCare programme was removed from the website on 22 January 2013. The information about eCare was out of date and with the decision to change the course of IT development in support of the Health and Social Care integration, the information is no longer relevant. A short statement on the current status of eCare and its transition can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Quality-Improvement-Performance/eHealth/eCare\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:19.32","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281026,"EventID":"S4W-12684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:19.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T17:53:33.43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what lessons it has learned from the eCare programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"The lessons learned from the eCare programme span the programme’s policy and strategy focus, the way it was organised and governed and the technical approach to delivering an information sharing service and integrating it with local ways of working. A detailed lessons learned report will be completed and made available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:19.617","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281027,"EventID":"S4W-12686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:19.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T17:53:33.43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there have been benefits from funding the eCare programme.","AnswerText":"Funding local data sharing partnerships contributed towards the improvement of local information sharing protocols, procedures and guidance originally provided by the eCare programme. Adapting local IT systems, improved communications and increased willingness to share information to achieve a better outcome for clients.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:19.93","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281028,"EventID":"S4W-12687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:20.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T21:48:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11952 by Michael Matheson on 28 January 2013, to what use the £58,000 for chronic pain in the Healthcare Improvement Scotland budget noted in document NHSBA10 to the Health and Sport Committee will be put.","AnswerText":"The funding provided reimburses staff costs for expert clinical advice to support the improvement of chronic pain services in Scotland. Expert clinical advice includes representation on professional groups (such as Royal College of Anaesthetists and British Pain Association, development of the SIGN Guideline and learning sessions for clinicians). Reimbursement ensures there is no disruption to the provision of chronic pain services as a result of working on the national chronic pain service model.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:20.227","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281029,"EventID":"S4W-12688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:20.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T20:22:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12367 by Michael Matheson on 29 January 2013, who has appointed people to the Scottish Chronic Pain Steering Group in the last two years and who regulates or supervises the group.","AnswerText":"As noted in my response of 29 January 2013, the Scottish Chronic Pain Steering Group was convened by the Scottish Government to inform and develop policy and oversee the work programme to support NHS boards in developing chronic pain services. The group comprises a range of clinicians from across NHSScotland with appropriate patient and voluntary sector representation. The Scottish Government is represented on the membership. The group is supported by Healthcare Improvement Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:20.817","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281030,"EventID":"S4W-12689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:21.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T20:22:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12367 by Michael Matheson on 29 January 2013, whether it can confirm that the Scottish Chronic Pain Steering Group is not regulated by the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The National Chronic Pain Steering Group was formed as an expert advisory group to inform policy development. It is not a public body and therefore not required to be regulated by the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:21.333","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281031,"EventID":"S4W-12690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:21.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-29T20:22:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12367 by Michael Matheson on 29 January 2013, who selects and what the method of selection is for members of the Scottish Chronic Pain Steering Group.\r\n","AnswerText":"As advised in my response of 29 January 2013, the National Chronic Pain Steering Group is a multidisciplinary expert group convened by the Scottish Government. Membership for the group was invited from healthcare professionals and relevant stakeholders with an interest in informing policy to improve services for people living with chronic pain in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:21.847","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281032,"EventID":"S4W-12691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:22.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T10:46:03.83","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to children living in households with an alcoholic parent.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has annually funded the Partnership Drugs Initiative (PDI) since 2001. The funding for 2012-13 was £850,000.\r\nA variety of approaches to support children and young people affected by substance misuse are undertaken by PDI funded projects. The PDI fund young carers groups which work in schools to raise awareness about young carers living with a parent with drug and alcohol issues, both for young people and also to the teachers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:22.487","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281033,"EventID":"S4W-12692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:22.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T10:46:03.83","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to charities that help children and family members of alcoholics.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has annually funded the Partnership Drugs Initiative (PDI) since 2001. The funding for 2012-13 was £850,000.\r\nThe PDI funds voluntary organisations that deliver different projects across all 30 Alcohol and Drug Partnership areas working with families, vulnerable children and young people affected by substance misuse.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:22.863","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281034,"EventID":"S4W-12693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:23.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T10:46:03.83","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to recognise Children of Alcoholics Week 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of raising awareness of children affected by parental alcohol problems and will continue to work with organisations like Addaction who have also supported Children of Alcoholics Week. It is clear that we must all work together to support families and ensure the best start for every child through prevention, early intervention and building support.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:23.19","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281035,"EventID":"S4W-12694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:23.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T10:46:03.83","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes charities that help children of alcoholics to those affected.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the excellent work many charities do in this important area. I recently visited the Lighthouse Foundation in Kilmarnock which has benefited from Partnership Drugs Initiative funding and is clearly making a difference to the lives of local families affected by addiction.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:23.47","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281036,"EventID":"S4W-12695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:23.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T10:46:03.83","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to schools to help children who live with an alcoholic parent.\r\n","AnswerText":"We are currently updating our practice guidance (Getting our Priorities Right) for use by all practitioners working with children, young people and families affected by problematic alcohol or drug use. This is due for publication in the spring.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:23.75","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281037,"EventID":"S4W-12698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T13:37:24.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T11:23:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reasons are for reported delays in projects due to proceed in 2012-13 through the non-profit distribution programme, broken down by project.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) programme was announced in November 2010, as part of the Spending Review 2010. It was a response to the reduction in traditional capital Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) originally set at 36% in real terms over the four years of the UK Spending Review. NPD provides an alternative way of financing projects through future revenue rather than current capital, and meant that projects could continue to be developed, rather than be delayed until future capital DEL became available.\r\nA high level estimate of the profile of capital investment through the NPD programme was provided to the Finance committee in January 2011, noting that individual procuring authorities would control actual project timescales and profiles. A similar profile was included in a graph within the Draft Budget 2012-13, based on an update of these early estimates undertaken by the Scottish Futures Trust. Since those estimates were prepared, significant work has been undertaken with the many procuring authorities involved to develop each project, and the updated profile of capital investment included in a graph within the Draft Budget 2013-14, reflects this more detailed level of scrutiny and planning.\r\nThe NPD programme includes around 50 large, complex projects which are being procured by more than 30 different procuring authorities. For many of the procuring authorities, this will be a new form of procurement.\r\nUpfront preparation will deliver better value for money. Infrastructure UK’s ‘Cost Review’ in 2010 identified that higher costs in UK infrastructure projects are mainly generated in the early project formulation and pre-construction phases and noted contributing factors included: stop-start investment programmes and the lack of a visible and continuous pipeline of forward work; and starting projects before the design is sufficiently complete. \r\nThe reasons for changes in timings which have occurred for 2012-13 are included in the following table.\r\nProject\r\n\r\nReason for change in timing for 2012-13\r\nBorders Rail\r\n\r\nA decision was taken to deliver the project through Network Rail’s Regulatory Asset Base (RAB) rather than Non-Profit Distributing (announced 29 September 2011, after Draft Budget was published).\r\n\r\nM8,M73,M74\r\n\r\nDecision to de-risk the project and deliver utilities first, financed through capital funding separately from the main NPD contract.\r\n\r\nColleges\r\n\r\nColleges awaited the outcome of Spending Review 2011, which provided clarity over the availability of enabling funds, prior to going to the market. \r\nStaggering the timing of procurement of the three colleges reflected detailed readiness and avoided them competing with each other in the market.\r\nThe colleges are all in procurement, and are expected to move into construction in 2013-14.\r\n\r\nSchools\r\n\r\nThe early estimate was based on a simple equal apportionment of the investment between financial years based on an assumption that progress on the ten projects announced initially could be accelerated given NPD funding availability. Project specific issues including decisions on scope, new-build versus refurbishment, site issues and public consultation by local authorities has meant that in general projects have not been able to accelerate to meet funding availability.\r\nThe 19 projects in Phase 3 of the programme were finalised in September 2012, and planning is now underway to establish detailed delivery timescales for these projects.\r\nThe overall Scotland’s Schools for the Future Programme has already delivered, with six schools already completed, nine currently under construction and a further 52 in the pipeline. This is 12 more schools than originally planned.\r\n\r\nHub – Community Health\r\n\r\nProjects procured through hub have been phased in line with the hub territory partner procurements with many individual projects having detailed scope and site issues remaining to be resolved by procurers. In addition, many of these community health projects are now b","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T13:37:24.047","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281038,"EventID":"S4W-12696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:13.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T11:19:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Deputy First Minister's statement to the Foreign Affairs Committee in Edinburgh on 28 January 2013 that a Scotland separated from the rest of the UK would have independent domestic intelligence machinery, what the cost would be of (a) setting up and (b) running such machinery and what discussions it has had with the UK Government on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"An independent Scotland will have security arrangements that are proportionate, fit for purpose, and reflect a full strategic assessment of Scotland’s needs and the threats we may face.\r\nIn line with the recommendation of the Electoral Commission, the Scottish Government has proposed to the UK Government that the two governments should engage in preparatory discussions to exchange the factual information that will be required to underpin post-referendum negotiations, and to develop an understanding of the issues that will require to be agreed after a “yes” vote and the approaches that will be taken to concluding those agreements. We look forward to the UK Government’s response. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:14.02","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281039,"EventID":"S4W-12697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:14.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T11:19:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Deputy First Minister's statement to the Foreign Affairs Committee in Edinburgh on 28 January 2013, that MI5, MI6 and GCHQ would share intelligence with a Scotland separated from the rest of the UK, what guarantee it has received from the UK Government on this matter.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12696 on 18 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:14.427","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281040,"EventID":"S4W-12699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:14.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T11:52:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to allow pedestrian or cycling access on the Forth Replacement Crossing and, if so, how it will compare with current provision.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Forth Replacement Crossing will be constructed to motorway standard and will not have pedestrian or cyclist facilities. The current Forth Road Bridge will be retained as a public transport corridor and will maintain the current provision for pedestrians and cyclists.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:14.8","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281041,"EventID":"S4W-12701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:15.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T12:09:45.483","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides for advocacy services for disabled children and young people.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Guide to Commissioners, published by the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance in 2010 to assist local authorities and NHS boards in the scoping of needs and procurement of advocacy services, is currently being reviewed. In addition following the national consultation exercise in 2012 which sought views on how to improve advocacy for children and young people more detailed guidance focussing on children’s advocacy is proposed. This will address some of the key issues which were highlighted through the consultation as being unique to children’s advocacy, including issues around consent, information sharing and the identification and management of conflicts of interest.\r\nGuidance on the Procurement of Care and Support Services by public bodies in Scotland was published jointly by the Scottish Government and COSLA in September 2010.\r\nIn each year since 2005-06, £13 million has been included in the overall funding for local authorities and £5 million has been included in NHSScotland funding to help in the implementation and delivery of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. This includes funding for the provision of advocacy services.\r\nFrom 2010-11 additional annual recurring funding of £500,000 has also been provided for advocacy services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:15.16","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281042,"EventID":"S4W-12702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:15.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T12:09:45.483","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advocacy services are available in each NHS board area for disabled children and young people; who provides the services, and where they are located.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. NHS boards and local authorities are responsible for ensuring that advocacy is available to all who need it within their respective areas and that resources are matched to meet these needs.\r\nThe Scottish Independent Advocacy Service has produced a Map of Advocacy and this is available at: \r\nhttp://www.siaa.org.uk/images/stories/SIAA_AdvocacyMap_2011_2012.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:15.847","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281043,"EventID":"S4W-12704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:16.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T12:11:18.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether advocacy services for disabled children and young people are available in every local authority area and, if so, (a) who provides the service and (b) where it is located.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12702 on 27 February 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:16.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281044,"EventID":"S4W-12705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:16.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T12:11:18.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many disabled children and young people each local authority provides services for.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. While Scottish Government does not collect consolidated statistics for services provided to disabled children and young people by local authority, figures are available for disabled children and young people in a number of areas. These include:\r\nStatistics\r\nDescriptor\r\nLink\r\nRespite weeks\r\nCollected annually by Audit Scotland – local authority – number of respite weeks offered for day and overnight service\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/10/24145257/10\r\nScottish Household Survey\r\nHousehold members with a long-standing illness, health problem or disability (0-15 years)\r\nhttp://scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/08/17093111/22\r\nScottish Health Survey\r\nProportion of children (0-15 years) with limiting and non-limiting long standing conditions\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/scottish-health-survey/Publications#a1\r\nPre-school education statistics\r\nNumber of children registered with local authority or partnership pre-school providers assessed as having Additional Support Needs or with a Coordinated Support Plan\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Children/PubPreSchoolEdChildcare\r\nPupil Census (included in Summary Statistics for Schools)\r\nNumber of pupils attending either a mainstream or special school with ‘additional support needs’.\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/PubPupilCensus\r\nLooked After Children statistics\r\nNumber of children looked after by local authorities by disability status\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/02/23091516\r\nAnnual Population Survey (Local Area Labour Markets in Scotland)\r\nEmployment/unemployment/inactivity rate for people with a disability aged 16-64\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/08/10094809\r\nThe Support Needs System\r\nNumber of children assessed on SNS, type of impairment, service availability.\r\nhttp://www.isdscotlandarchive.scot.nhs.uk/isd/3397.html\r\nThe Department of Work and Pensions\r\nNumber of children aged 5-17 entitled to Disability Living Allowance\r\nhttp://83.244.183.180/100pc/tabtool.html\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:16.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281045,"EventID":"S4W-12706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:17.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T12:11:18.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether local authorities have common (a) eligibility criteria and (b) assessment tools when determining assistance for disabled children and young people.","AnswerText":"The Children (Scotland) Act 1995, and accompanying Regulations and Guidance, set the eligibility criteria and assessment process in relation to disabled children and young people; including sharing of information, joint assessments and collaboration with both statutory and voluntary agencies. Each local authority will have their own defined standards for the delivery of these services, set within the context of local priorities to fulfil their statutory obligations.\r\nSections 23 and 24 of the Act relate specifically to the assessment of disabled children and their carers.\r\nSubsequent legislation including the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act (1996) and the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 placed further duties on local authorities when carrying out assessments.\r\nEducation authorities have duties under the Additional Support for Learning Act to provide identify, make and review provision for children and young people for additional support needs, including those children who have a disability. In addition, specific provisions are in place for children who are identified and are brought to the attention of the education authority as having a disability from 0- 3 years of age. In these circumstances education authorities have a duty to provide additional support. The Code of Practice for Additional Support for Learning provides guidance to education authorities and partners on this provision and the assessment of children’s and young people’s additional support needs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:17.623","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281046,"EventID":"S4W-12707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:18.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T12:11:18.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long disabled children and young people have to wait to access a social worker, broken down by local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Each local authority will collect information relating to their specific circumstances.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:18.437","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281047,"EventID":"S4W-12708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:18.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T12:11:18.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages peer support for families of disabled children and young people.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently funding three projects to support capacity building a) in relation to parents and carers of disabled children and young people at both national and local levels and b) disabled children and young people themselves. Intrinsic to these projects is the development of peer support.\r\nDetails of the projects are as follows:\r\nOrganisation\r\nProject\r\nParent Network Scotland\r\nParental capacity building models and peer support for parents of disabled children\r\nFor Scotland’s Disabled Children and Children in Scotland\r\nEngagement of families with disabled children in policy influencing and participation work\r\nYoung Scot\r\nEngagement of disabled young people in identifying and addressing needs in their community\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:18.967","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281048,"EventID":"S4W-12709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:19.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T13:14:55.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider supporting cloning as a means of ensuring the future of the Scottish wildcat.","AnswerText":"Cloning of wildcats is not under active consideration at present as there are other more immediate options to conserve extant populations and if necessary, to captive breed and reintroduce wildcats.\r\nThe main threat to the Scottish wildcat is considered to be hybridisation with feral domestic cats. Hence many of the actions being considered are intended to reduce the threats to wildcats from domestic cats in the countryside, with this being undertaken through neutering and vaccination and the promotion of wildcat-friendly land management practices.\r\nOther actions are likely to include further survey work to improve our knowledge of current Scottish wildcat populations, research on both genetics and hybridisation issues and on practical habitat management. A captive breeding programme and other measures, such as storing frozen gametes, are also currently being considered. Underpinning the range of conservation actions, will be the aim of promoting responsible domestic cat ownership in order to reduce the risk of further hybridisation in areas identified as priority habitats for wildcats.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:19.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281049,"EventID":"S4W-12710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:20.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T13:14:55.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the findings of the Cairngorms Wildcat Project will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"The findings of the Cairngorms Wildcat Project were published in full on 31 August 2012 and the final report is available on the Cairngorms National Park Authority website: \r\nhttp://cairngorms.co.uk/look-after/conservation-projects/cairngorms-wildcat-project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:20.167","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281050,"EventID":"S4W-12711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:20.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T13:14:55.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider sponsoring a follow-on programme to the Cairngorms Wildcat Project that ran from 2007 to 2012.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action Group (SWCAG), which is co-ordinated by Scottish Natural Heritage, and consists of a range of organisations, is currently producing a National Conservation Action Plan for the Scottish wildcat. The Action Plan, which SWCAG hope to have agreed by Spring 2013 and published shortly thereafter, will build on the experience from the Cairngorms Wildcat Project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:20.527","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281051,"EventID":"S4W-12712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:20.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T14:02:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports (a) college and (b) university students wanting to study abroad for (i) short-term periods, (ii) an academic year and (iii) complete degree periods.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting both college and university students wanting to study abroad for varying lengths of time. Funding is given to a number of programmes to support such outward mobility activity, including:\r\nThe 3 week long Study China and Study India programmes. \r\nThe Erasmus Programme through which students can study for between 3 months and an academic year in another European country.\r\nThe 8-12 week long technical work placements abroad available through the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) programme.\r\nThe Outward Mobility Fund through which 11 projects in 10 institutions received funding in 2012-13 for a range of mobility periods.\r\nIn 2014-15 the Scottish Government will launch a pilot project offering funding for up to 250 Scottish domiciled students undertaking their undergraduate degree in the European Union. Eligible students will be entitled to financial support towards their living costs and a student loan. This will be the first time Scottish-domiciled students studying in Europe will be entitled to the same living cost support as students attending university in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:20.887","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281052,"EventID":"S4W-12713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:21.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T14:02:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to encourage (a) students and (b) school pupils to take up offers of studying abroad that are provided by colleges and universities.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting both inward and outward student mobility. In terms of outward mobility we provide funding to the EU Lifelong Learning Programme and opportunities for Scottish students to experience studying overseas through schemes including the Study China and Study India programmes, and through the Scottish Government’s Outward Mobility Fund.\r\nWe are also supporting the NUS Scotland led Developing Scotland’s Global Citizens project which aims to increase awareness amongst school pupils and students of the availability and benefits of studying overseas; and we are enabling Scottish students to undertake technical work placements abroad through the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:21.26","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281053,"EventID":"S4W-12715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:21.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T14:02:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what benefits it considers studying abroad brings to (a) students, (b) school pupils, (c) academic institutions and (d) the economy.\r\n","AnswerText":"Studying abroad can open up opportunities for any young person, whatever stage of life and education they are at, including the chance to learn another language, experience different cultures, traditions and develop broader perspectives. Study abroad experiences can therefore help students and school pupils become more tolerant, understanding and responsible global citizens - enhancing their skills and ultimately making them more employable.\r\nFurthermore, it supports the international collaboration work undertaken by academic institutions and helps the sector remains internationally competitive and truly excellent in world terms, creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:21.617","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281054,"EventID":"S4W-12716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:21.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T14:31:29.397","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what statutory requirement exists to ensure that GP practice telephone numbers are not premium rate lines.","AnswerText":"The vast majority of GP practices operate as independent contractors within the NHS and are contracted locally by territorial Health boards to provide general medical services. Practices are contracted under the terms of either The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Scotland) Regulations 2004, as amended, or The National Health Service (Primary Medical Services Section 17C Agreements) (Scotland) Regulations 2004, as amended.\r\nBoth sets of Regulations prohibit a service provider from using a practice telephone number which patients and others are required to call in relation to its NHS services that starts with the digits 087, 090 or 091; or is a number starting 070 and followed by a further eight digits.\r\nBoth sets of Regulations also require contractors to comply with all relevant legislation and to have regard to all relevant guidance issued by the Health board and the Scottish Ministers.\r\nOn 22 February 2011, the then Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing wrote to the Chief Executives of Scottish NHS boards setting out the Scottish Government’s policy that patients should not incur charges above the equivalent of a local call when contacting their GP practice.\r\nNHS boards were asked to draw this policy to the attention of all GP contractors working in their areas and to encourage them to ensure that telephone calls to their practice incur as low a charge as possible; to ensure that no new premium rate contracts are entered into; and for any existing premium rate numbers that Boards review these arrangements with each individual contractor and aim to reduce any premium rate charge to the equivalent of a local call.\r\nNote: the local call tariff patients pay will vary depending on the call provider chosen by the individual and the terms and conditions of the telephone contract which they as an individual have opted to enter into with the telephone provider of their choice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:21.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281055,"EventID":"S4W-12717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:22.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T14:31:29.397","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GP practices have phone lines that are not (a) free to call or (b) charged at a local rate.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12716 on 27 February 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nTherefore, the information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:22.21","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281056,"EventID":"S4W-12718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:22.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:03:13.547","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in view of its policies on poverty and social inclusion, what its position is on the Office of Fair Trading's Review of the personal current account market.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the Office of Fair Trading’s Review of the personal current account market, noting that the OFT has found that the sector has become more concentrated since its last review in 2008. The Scottish Government shares the OFT’s concerns regarding a lack of sufficient competition in the Scottish banking market, which is having a negative effect on consumers’ willingness and ability to switch accounts.\r\nBanks should also be aware of the particular needs of socially and financially excluded individuals as customers, especially in light of the UK Parliament’s welfare reforms.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:22.553","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281057,"EventID":"S4W-12719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:22.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:03:13.547","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the retail banking sector and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"Details of all ministerial engagements are published in arrears on the Scottish Government website and can be accessed using the following link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/People/14944/Events-Engagements/MinisterialEngagements.\r\nThe database includes 36 references to ministerial engagements with representatives of retail and high street banks from 1 May 2011 until September 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:22.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281058,"EventID":"S4W-12720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:23.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:11:36.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in view of its policies on poverty and social inclusion, whether it plans to meet representatives of the Office of Fair Trading to discuss the content of the Review of the personal current account market.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government Officials maintain contact with the OFT on a regular basis and will continue to discuss matters of mutual interest.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:23.227","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281059,"EventID":"S4W-12721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:23.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:11:36.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in view of its policies on poverty and social inclusion, whether it monitors whether the retail banking sector meets the five objectives set out for it by the Office of Fair Trading on 13 July 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12720 on the 28 February 2013, the Scottish Government meets regularly with the OFT, which has responsibility for the five objectives for the retail banking sector.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:23.507","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281060,"EventID":"S4W-12722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:23.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:11:36.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in view of its policies on poverty and social inclusion, whether it considers that there is effective competition in the personal current account market. \r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12718 on 28 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:23.787","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281061,"EventID":"S4W-12723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:24.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:11:36.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in view of its policies on poverty and social inclusion, what discussions it has with (a)  Office of Fair Trading and (b) UK financial authorities regarding the personal current account market.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12720 on 28 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:24.1","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281062,"EventID":"S4W-12724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:24.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:11:36.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it will provide to credit unions in 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"Credit unions are eligible to apply for Scottish Government third sector organisational support programmes and development funds and we encourage them to do so. We shall ensure that credit unions and their representative bodies are made aware of any new third sector development funding as soon as it is available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:24.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281063,"EventID":"S4W-12725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:24.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:11:36.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding the number of housing repossessions.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has taken measures to assist households at risk of repossession.\r\nThe Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Act 2010 provides legislative protection for home owners. The Act requires all repossession cases to call in court; requires all lenders to demonstrate that they have considered all reasonable alternatives to repossession and enables home owners to be represented in court by approved lay representatives.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s home owners’ support fund which is comprised of the mortgage to rent and mortgage to shared equity schemes supports the most vulnerable home owners and aims to help 600 households over two years from 2011-2013. In 2011-12, 325 households were helped to remain in their homes through the schemes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:24.707","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281064,"EventID":"S4W-12739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:24.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are age restrictions for applying for support from the student loans company.","AnswerText":"Student loans are paid under The Education (Student Loans) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 as amended. These regulations state that a student who is 55 or over at the start of their course is not eligible for a living cost loan.\r\nStudents eligible for a student loan at the start of a course retain their eligibility and as a result can be in receipt of a student loan when aged 55 or over.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:24.987","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281065,"EventID":"S4W-12740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:25.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what limits there are on student support for people aged over 55 at the date on which a course commences.","AnswerText":"A student who is 55 or over at the start of their course is not eligible for a living cost loan.\r\nThere is however no age restriction with regards to tuition fees and bursaries, therefore eligible Scottish domiciled students studying full-time in Scotland are not required to pay tuition fees if studying for a first degree or an HN qualification.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:25.363","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281066,"EventID":"S4W-12741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:25.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are age restrictions in relation to student support when applying to study for a postgraduate teaching qualification.\r\n","AnswerText":"Postgraduate teaching qualifications are funded at undergraduate level and are subject to the same restrictions as set out in response to the answers to questions S4W-12739 and S4W-12740 on 19 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:25.737","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281067,"EventID":"S4W-12742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:26.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding student support.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no recent discussions with the UK Government regarding student support.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:26.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281068,"EventID":"S4W-12743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:26.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Skills Development Scotland (SDS), (b) the Scottish Funding Council and (c) colleges regarding SDS providing college places in the future.","AnswerText":"Officials liaise regularly with Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council and college representatives about a range of issues, including SDS-funded college provision. We will continue to engage as the Employability Fund develops in future years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:26.36","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281069,"EventID":"S4W-12744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:26.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress Skills Development Scotland has made toward delivering the target of 5,800 new college places in 2012-13.","AnswerText":"This question relates to the operational responsibilities of Skills Development Scotland. I will ask its chief executive to respond.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:26.657","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281070,"EventID":"S4W-12745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:26.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time equivalent places or how much learning activity will be delivered by the planned 5,800 new college places to be provided by Skills Development Scotland in 2012-13.","AnswerText":"The New College Learning Programme is an entirely new approach to the provision of effective and appropriate learning opportunities for young people which lead to a job or progression in learning. Each opportunity will deliver 192 hours of college learning and 192 hours of work experience. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:26.97","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281071,"EventID":"S4W-12746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:27.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £24 million to be transferred to Skills Development Scotland in 2013-14 as part of the Employability Fund has been allocated to colleges.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2013-14, £24 million of the £52 million Employability Fund will be ring-fenced for the college sector. Of this, £6 million will be administered by Skills Development Scotland. SDS started procurement for the Employability Fund through Public Contracts Scotland on 17 December 2012. Assessment of the bids is now underway.\r\nTo provide stability for the college sector, £18 million will be administered by the Scottish Funding Council in 2013-14 and allocated to colleges pro rata to their current funding.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:27.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281072,"EventID":"S4W-12747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:27.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many bids have been received for the Employability Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland (SDS) started the procurement process for the Employability Fund on 17 December 2012. The information you have requested is not held centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of SDS to write to you on this matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:27.563","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281073,"EventID":"S4W-12748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:28.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the Employability Fund has been spent.","AnswerText":"The Employability Fund contracts will not commence until 1 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:28.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281074,"EventID":"S4W-12749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-30T17:09:28.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any part of the Employability Fund allocated to Skills Development Scotland has been taken back due to lack of bids for funding.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Employability Fund will be delivered by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) as of financial year 2013-14. As such, funding will be available to SDS as of 1 April 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-27T17:09:28.513","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281098,"EventID":"S4W-12726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:52:54.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been allocated to the Scottish Welfare Fund for (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have allocated £33 million for the Scottish Welfare Fund for 2013-2014, comprising £23.795 million being transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions and £9.2 million from the Scottish Government’s Budget. We have not decided the funding for subsequent years. Decisions on funding levels for future years will be confirmed in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:52:54.473","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281099,"EventID":"S4W-12727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:52:54.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the Scottish Welfare Fund is being paid for by the (a) UK and (b) Scottish Government in (i) 2013-14, (ii) 2014-15 and (iii) 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12726 on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:52:54.91","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281100,"EventID":"S4W-12728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:52:55.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the criteria were to calculate the level of funding required to establish the Scottish Welfare Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"The highest spend by the Department for Work and Pensions in Scotland, on Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans for living expenses in recent years was around £30 million in 2009-2010. The Scottish Government established the Scottish Welfare Fund at a higher amount of £33 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:52:55.207","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281101,"EventID":"S4W-12729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:52:55.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be of the current changes to the welfare system on the Scottish Welfare Fund and whether it expects additional claims to be made as a consequence.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Welfare Fund is being established to help mitigate the impact of the UK Government’s welfare reforms.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:52:55.563","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281102,"EventID":"S4W-12750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:52:55.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:39:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs are using employers’ pension contributions that they receive as salary instead of NHS pension contributions.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12752 on 28 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:52:55.877","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281103,"EventID":"S4W-12751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:52:56.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:39:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs have formally opted out of paying employers’ pension contributions that they receive as NHS pension contributions.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12752 on 28 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:52:56.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281104,"EventID":"S4W-12752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:52:56.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:39:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what rules there are regarding GPs using employers’ pension contributions that they receive as salary instead of NHS pension contributions.\r\n","AnswerText":"The vast majority of GPs operate as independent contractors within the NHS under the terms of the nationally negotiated General Medical Services (GMS) contract.\r\nPayments for the GMS contract are made to practices and not to individual GPs. These payments are set out in the GMS Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE). The SFE for the current financial year is published on SHOW (Scotland’s Health on the Web) under cover of Scottish Government circular PCA (M) (2012) 13: \r\nhttp://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/pca/PCA2012(M)13letter.pdf.\r\nThe global sum is the payment to each practice towards its costs in delivering essential services, including its staff costs and expenses. When the new GMS contract was negotiated in 2004 the global sum was adjusted to include an amount reflecting employer pension contributions for GPs at that time.\r\nThe global sum and arrangements for contractors’ employer’s and employee’s superannuation contributions in respect of the NHS Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) for employees of their practice are covered in sections 2 and 22 of the SFE.\r\nGP contractors are not salaried: a practice partner’s income is their share of the practice’s residual profits after practice expenses have been met. Partners’ NHS Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) contributions are deducted in determining their taxable profits.\r\nThe NHS Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) is not a compulsory scheme and a contractor would be entitled to opt out of the scheme if they wished to do so. These arrangements and the management of practice income, including the element for GP employer pension contributions are all matters for practice partners to determine in line with their practice’s Partnership Agreement. Information on these matters is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:52:56.483","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281105,"EventID":"S4W-12753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:52:56.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:40:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients in the NHS Grampian area have been operated on in (a) private hospitals and (b) the Golden Jubilee National Hospital to meet waiting times targets in each of the last three years, broken down by hospital.","AnswerText":"The number of NHS Grampian patients operated in a private hospitals was 124 in 2009-10, 2 in 2010-11 and 9 in 2011-12. In relation to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital the number of Grampian patient treated at the hospital was 10 in 2009-10, 20 in 2010-11 and 148 in 2011-12. This information relates to acute surgical specialties and derived from ISD Scottish Morbidity Return for inpatient and day cases.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:52:56.767","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281106,"EventID":"S4W-12754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:52:57.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:39:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on GPs using employers’ pension contributions that they receive as salary instead of NHS pension contributions.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12752 on 28 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:52:57.14","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281107,"EventID":"S4W-12755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:52:57.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:40:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the costs have been to (a) NHS Grampian and (b) the Scottish Government of treating patients from the NHS Grampian area in private hospitals to meet waiting times targets in each of the last three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government receive management information from NHS boards on the cost of their use of the independent healthcare sector. The information from Grampian shows that the cost of treating patients from within the NHS Grampian area in the independent healthcare sector was £1.5 million in 2009-10; £1.6 million in 2010-11 and £2.5 million in 2011-12.\r\nIt should be borne in mind that some of this cost will relate to equipment such as a mobile MRI scanner or a mobile theatre, but the treatment of patients continue to be undertaken by NHS staff.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s policy is that NHS boards should use NHS funding to build sustainable capacity. The use of the independent healthcare sector should only be used in the margins to deal with short-term capacity issues. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:52:57.5","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281108,"EventID":"S4W-12756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:52:58.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:40:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of unused operating theatre capacity in NHS Grampian that could be used to meet waiting times targets.","AnswerText":"The utilisation of theatre capacity is a management issue for the board. We expect NHS boards, including Grampian, to ensure that theatres are used efficiently and effectively to deliver patient care including waiting time standards.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:52:58.233","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281109,"EventID":"S4W-12757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:52:58.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:40:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the cost of using unused operating theatre capacity in NHS Grampian to meet waiting times targets.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12756 on 28 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:52:58.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281110,"EventID":"S4W-12758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:00.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:59:31.25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of claims to the Scottish Welfare Fund in its first year and whether this estimate takes into account claims that may arise from current changes to the welfare system.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12729 on 21 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:00.087","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281111,"EventID":"S4W-12760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:00.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:59:31.25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the adequacy of funding of the Scottish Welfare Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the question S4W-12728, answered on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:00.493","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281112,"EventID":"S4W-12761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:00.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:59:31.25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of funding each local authority will receive in order to deliver the Scottish Welfare Fund and how this is calculated.\r\n","AnswerText":"The funding allocations for each local authority are set out in the following table. The basis of the distribution is previous spend for Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans; previous applications for Admin funding; and the bid made to the Department for Work and Pensions for set up costs. The methodology for the distribution was agreed by the joint Scottish Government, and COSLA, Settlement Distribution Group.\r\n\r\nSet up costs\r\nCommunity Care Grants\r\nCrisis Grants\r\nAdministration Costs\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2012-2013\r\n2013-14\r\n2013-14\r\n2013-14\r\nAberdeen City\r\n          69,250 \r\n        540,786 \r\n        359,055 \r\n          161,140 \r\nAberdeenshire\r\n          39,536 \r\n        301,674 \r\n        163,061 \r\n            75,370 \r\nAngus\r\n          37,490 \r\n        273,205 \r\n        145,866 \r\n            71,640 \r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n          32,748 \r\n        263,907 \r\n        108,853 \r\n            55,550 \r\nClackmannanshire\r\n          34,305 \r\n        230,847 \r\n        129,545 \r\n            59,470 \r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n          45,375 \r\n        430,012 \r\n        193,225 \r\n            96,170 \r\nDundee City\r\n          70,126 \r\n        986,180 \r\n        350,457 \r\n          175,470 \r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n          59,088 \r\n        650,528 \r\n        274,974 \r\n          141,910 \r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n          28,722 \r\n        242,097 \r\n          94,718 \r\n            43,970 \r\nEast Lothian\r\n          32,906 \r\n        264,481 \r\n        125,757 \r\n            57,120 \r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n          26,016 \r\n        182,290 \r\n          75,629 \r\n            35,720 \r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n        132,609 \r\n      1,429,737 \r\n        757,891 \r\n          367,420 \r\nFalkirk\r\n          58,674 \r\n        634,342 \r\n        293,480 \r\n          137,390 \r\nFife\r\n        106,334 \r\n      1,219,553 \r\n        640,440 \r\n          292,050 \r\nGlasgow City\r\n        335,269 \r\n      5,756,371 \r\n      1,964,745 \r\n        1,006,680 \r\nHighland\r\n          54,164 \r\n        555,135 \r\n        245,538 \r\n          116,980 \r\nInverclyde\r\n          55,601 \r\n        453,774 \r\n        278,763 \r\n          130,910 \r\nMidlothian\r\n          35,270 \r\n        253,461 \r\n        131,877 \r\n            63,000 \r\nMoray\r\n          30,777 \r\n        285,259 \r\n        101,858 \r\n            49,460 \r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n          70,457 \r\n        705,972 \r\n        362,552 \r\n          174,880 \r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n        148,322 \r\n      2,125,263 \r\n        830,751 \r\n          423,360 \r\nOrkney Islands\r\n          18,721 \r\n          47,868 \r\n            8,452 \r\n              5,100 \r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n          40,242 \r\n        420,828 \r\n        172,096 \r\n            76,940 \r\nRenfrewshire\r\n          84,297 \r\n        693,919 \r\n        454,938 \r\n          215,700 \r\nScottish Borders\r\n          35,781 \r\n        283,996 \r\n        122,551 \r\n            65,360 \r\nShetland Islands\r\n          19,336 \r\n          42,588 \r\n          16,904 \r\n              8,050 \r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n          43,200 \r\n        533,669 \r\n        179,236 \r\n            90,290 \r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n        107,898 \r\n      1,539,479 \r\n        604,302 \r\n          297,550 \r\nStirling\r\n          35,169 \r\n        379,733 \r\n        136,831 \r\n            64,970 \r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n          58,712 \r\n        562,482 \r\n        267,105 \r\n          136,210 \r\nWest Lothian\r\n          72,508 \r\n        674,404 \r\n        391,987 \r\n          175,470 \r\nScotland Total (approx)\r\n2,037,952\r\n23,000,000\r\n9,995,000\r\n4,878,000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:00.79","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281113,"EventID":"S4W-12762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:01.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:59:31.25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the Scottish Welfare Fund has been earmarked for crisis (a) loans and (b) grants.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have earmarked around 30 per cent of the Scottish Welfare Fund for Crisis Grants and the remainder for Community Care Grants. The Scottish Welfare Fund will not provide loans.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:01.117","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281114,"EventID":"S4W-12763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:01.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:59:31.25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the proportion of the Scottish Welfare Fund that will be allocated to claimants as (a) goods and (b) money.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is a matter for each local authority.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:01.4","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281115,"EventID":"S4W-12764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:01.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:59:31.25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether claimants who are allocated goods from the Scottish Welfare Fund will be provided with tokens or vouchers to purchase those goods.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12763 on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:01.697","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281116,"EventID":"S4W-12765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:02.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T15:59:31.25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the capacity of local authorities to allocate goods rather than money from the Scottish Welfare Fund to claimants.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12763 on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:02.053","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281117,"EventID":"S4W-12766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:02.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T17:15:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its response to the evaluation of direct elections to NHS boards.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish its position on the independent evaluation on health board elections and alternative pilots once it has considered the information contained in the report.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:02.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281118,"EventID":"S4W-12767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:02.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T17:15:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on direct elections to NHS boards.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will announce its position on the independent evaluation on health board elections and alternative pilots once it has considered the information contained in the report.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:02.693","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281119,"EventID":"S4W-12768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:03.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T17:15:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the candidates elected to the boards of NHS Fife and NHS Dumfries and Galloway in 2010 will continue to serve on the boards after their terms of office have expired in the event of direct elections not being continued.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has received the independent evaluation on health board elections and alternative pilots and will take this issue in to account as it considers its position.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:03.02","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281120,"EventID":"S4W-12769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:03.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T17:15:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many accident and emergency departments there are; at what hospitals; in which NHS board areas, and what size of population they serve.","AnswerText":"Emergency Departments (EDs) were defined by the British Association of Emergency Medicine (now the College of Emergency Medicine) in The Way Forward (2005) as “those hospitals with new patient attendances of greater than 40,000 per annum.\r\nThe principles for EDs in this type of hospital are as follows: Departments must have immediate access to the key supporting specialties to allow an ED to function safely. The following should be available on site: intensive care, anaesthetics, acute medicine, general surgery, orthopaedic trauma. There should be rapid easy access to child health (preferably on-site), 24-hour access to imaging (including CT scanning) and laboratory services available on site. In these circumstances, such departments can provide high quality emergency care around the clock for any patient presenting to the department. For those patients requiring regional centre expertise, then safe stabilisation and transfer protocols must be in place.  These principles apply to such hospitals whether in metropolitan, urban or rural areas.”\r\nIn addition, ISD Scotland has historically classified Emergency Departments as either core or non-core sites. Core sites include all Emergency Departments within large hospitals. It is important to note that, according to this classification, some core sites are large minor injuries units, such as the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.\r\nHospital\r\nNHS Board\r\nAttendances in 2011-12\r\nCrosshouse\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n70,301\r\nAyr\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n44,779\r\nBorders General\r\nBorders\r\n23,669\r\nDumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n33,546\r\nGalloway Community\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n11,667\r\nVictoria \r\nFife\r\n39,204\r\nForth Valley Royal*\r\nForth Valley\r\n42,410\r\nAberdeen Royal Infirmary\r\nGrampian\r\n64,148\r\nDr Gray's\r\nGrampian\r\n24,218\r\nRoyal Aberdeen Children\r\nGrampian\r\n18,244\r\nGlasgow Royal Infirmary\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n86,571\r\nRoyal Alexandra\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n75,711\r\nRHSC, Glasgow\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n45,271\r\nSouthern General\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n48,825\r\nVictoria Infirmary\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n80,144\r\nWestern Infirmary / Gartnavel\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n60,435\r\nInverclyde Royal\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n33,270\r\nBelford\r\nHighland\r\n8,826\r\nCaithness General\r\nHighland\r\n6,269\r\nLorn and Islands District General\r\nHighland\r\n6,252\r\nRaigmore\r\nHighland\r\n31,560\r\nHairmyres\r\nLanarkshire\r\n57,783\r\nMonklands\r\nLanarkshire\r\n68,192\r\nWishaw\r\nLanarkshire\r\n65,819\r\nRHSC, Edinburgh\r\nLothian\r\n40,182\r\nRoyal Infirmary\r\nLothian\r\n113,201\r\nSt Johns\r\nLothian\r\n52,895\r\nWestern General\r\nLothian\r\n38,974\r\nGilbert Bain\r\nShetland\r\n8,245\r\nNinewells\r\nTayside\r\n49,538\r\nPerth Royal Infirmary\r\nTayside\r\n25,436\r\nWestern Isles\r\nWestern Isles\r\n6,955\r\nNotes: Forth Valley Royal Hospital opened during 2011-12 - attendances based on partial year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:03.333","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281121,"EventID":"S4W-12770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:03.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T17:15:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average salary is of a consultant working in (a) the NHS and (b) an NHS accident and emergency department.","AnswerText":"The average salary of a consultant working in NHS Scotland is £87,500. This is based on the latest figures available for the financial year April 2011 to March 2012.\r\nIt is not possible to provide the average salary of a consultant working in an NHS accident and emergency department as this information is not held centrally.\r\nFurther information on Workforce Statistics can be found on the website at: www.isdscotland.org/workforce.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:03.63","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281122,"EventID":"S4W-12771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:03.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T17:15:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the additional £1 million for the emergency care action plan will be allocated and how much each NHS board will receive.","AnswerText":"NHS boards will be invited to bid for additional funding with decisions on funding allocations to be taken in April 2013. These decisions will be informed by a new group involving senior NHS managers, representatives from the medical Royal Colleges and other experts.\r\nThe Scottish Government has supported NHS boards to increase the number of consultants working in Scotland’s A&E Departments, with the number of consultants increasing from 75.8 consultants (WTE) in September 2006 up to 144.4 consultants (WTE) in September 2012.\r\nOver and above this additional funding, NHS boards will continue to review their projections for their consultant workforce going forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:03.927","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281123,"EventID":"S4W-12772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:04.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T17:15:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the additional £1 million for the emergency care action plan is embedded into long-term NHS plans and will be carried forward into subsequent financial years.","AnswerText":"This is additional funding to the territorial NHS boards and will be met from efficiencies/reprioritisation within our central portfolio budgets and will fund around ten full time consultants. NHS boards will be allocated £1,000,000 in 2013-14, £500,000 in 2014-15 and £250,000 in 2015-16.\r\nThe Scottish Government has supported NHS boards to increase the number of consultants working in Scotland’s accident and emergency departments, with the number of consultants increasing from 75.8 consultants whole time equivalent (WTE) in September 2006 up to 144.4 consultants (WTE) in September 2012.\r\nOver and above this additional funding, NHS boards will continue to review their projections for their consultant workforce going forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:04.223","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281124,"EventID":"S4W-12774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:04.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T17:15:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS boards will first receive funding from the emergency care action plan and when the first consultants will arrive in accident and emergency departments.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS boards will receive their allocations in April 2013 and we expect NHS boards to commence recruitment of consultants in April 2013.\r\nThe Scottish Government has supported NHS boards to increase the number of consultants working in Scotland’s accident and emergency departments, with the number of consultants increasing from 75.8 consultants whole time equivalent (WTE) in September 2006 up to 144.4 consultants (WTE) in September 2012.\r\nOver and above this additional funding, NHS boards will continue to review their projections for their consultant workforce going forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:04.55","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281125,"EventID":"S4W-12775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:04.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T17:15:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will (a) monitor and (b) measure the success of the emergency care action plan.","AnswerText":"The unscheduled care action plan will be monitored using a small number of new and existing indicators. The unscheduled care expert group is currently considering the unscheduled care data development projects underway in Scotland. New indicators will be developed through this work and these will be used alongside existing indicators (for example on 4 hour access to emergency departments) to monitor the action plan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:04.863","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281126,"EventID":"S4W-12776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T13:53:05.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T09:48:50.39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12378 by Keith Brown on 29 January 2013, how many Argyll Ferries Ltd staff were made redundant and what their average severance payment was.\r\n","AnswerText":"The average severance package paid to the 35 employees who accepted voluntary redundancy in connection with the new contract to run a passenger ferry service on the Gourock-Dunoon route was £40,005.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T13:53:05.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281130,"EventID":"S4W-12773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T16:49:20.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-30T17:36:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the National Gaelic Language Plan 2012-17 is delivering improvement against the outcomes and priorities identified in the plan.\r\n","AnswerText":"I am pleased to say we are seeing good progress against the priorities identified in the National Gaelic Language Plan. This progress is in the main development areas listed in the plan such as Home and Early Years, School Education, Post-School Education, Communities, Workplace, Arts and Media and Heritage and Tourism.\r\nAny description of the progress that has been made does involve considerable detail in the areas mentioned above and this has been included in a report which I have made available at the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 54809)\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T16:49:21.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281131,"EventID":"S4W-12777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5078,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T16:49:21.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T14:50:00.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Forth Replacement Crossing remains on target for completion by 2016.\r\n","AnswerText":"Yes, the Forth Replacement Crossing remains on target for completion in 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T16:49:21.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281132,"EventID":"S4W-12778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5078,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T16:49:22.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T14:50:00.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Contact and Education Centre for the Forth Replacement Crossing will be fully open to the public.","AnswerText":"The Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) Contact and Education Centre provides a permanent location for those affected by the FRC works to speak to a member of the project team face to face. This facility opened to the public on 7 January 2013. Booking requests to visit the project exhibition can be made through the project website at : www.forthreplacementcrossing.info.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T16:49:22.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281133,"EventID":"S4W-12779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5078,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T16:49:22.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T14:50:00.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of annual visitor numbers at the Contact and Education Centre at the Forth Replacement Crossing once the centre is fully open to the public.\r\n","AnswerText":"The primary purpose of the Contact and Education Centre is to provide an information point for those affected by the works. No estimate has been made of annual visitor numbers and the booking system ensures that the numbers within the building can be managed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T16:49:22.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281134,"EventID":"S4W-12780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T16:49:23.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T15:03:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that it complies with the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats regarding the (a) use of non-selective traps to capture protected species and (b) the reporting requirements under article 9.2.\r\n","AnswerText":"The requirements of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats as regards the use of non-selective traps to capture protected species are implemented in Scotland through the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 Schedule 3 of these Regulations lists species which may not be taken by specified means including traps which are non-selective according to their principle or their conditions of use, or any method which is indiscriminate and capable of causing its local disappearance or serious disturbance to a population. However, the Regulations allow licences to be granted under certain circumstances to permit the taking of these protected species by these non-selective methods, for example preventing serious damage to growing timber is a commonly used reason.\r\nIn order to comply with Article 9.2 of the convention, UK licensing authorities report biennially to the European Commission on the granting of all such licences.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T16:49:23.067","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281135,"EventID":"S4W-12781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T16:49:23.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T15:03:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the legal basis is for the licensing regime operated by Scottish Natural Heritage regarding the use of snares to capture mountain hares.\r\n","AnswerText":"Mountain hares are listed on Schedule 3 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) considers that snares are non-selective traps and a licence is therefore required under Regulation 44 of the above Regulations. \r\nSNH is, however, aware of the recent case at Inverness Sheriff Court concerning the snaring of mountain hares. SNH will be reviewing its position in light of this case before the end of the close season on 31 July 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T16:49:23.47","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281136,"EventID":"S4W-12782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T16:49:23.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T15:03:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for species licences to use snares to capture mountain hares have been made since 2006; how many have been granted, and for what reasons licences were not granted.\r\n","AnswerText":"Four applications for a licence to snare mountain hares were received between 2006 and June 2011 by the Scottish Government, as the appropriate licensing authority at that time. Two were granted and two were refused.\r\nThe applications that were refused did not offer sufficient detail or historical information on populations to allow the Scottish Government to satisfy itself that this proposal would not affect the favourable conservation status of mountain hares and two of the licences were therefore refused.\r\nFollowing the introduction of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act 2011, the licensing function was transferred to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in July 2011. SNH has received one application for the snaring of mountain hares, which was granted.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T16:49:23.863","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281137,"EventID":"S4W-12783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T16:49:24.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T14:59:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether people who are temporarily disabled can apply for a Blue Badge on a temporary basis.","AnswerText":"Yes. An individual who is temporarily disabled can apply for a Blue Badge on a temporary basis. A temporary badge will be issued where an individual is assessed by the local authority as being unable to walk or virtually unable to walk by reason of a temporary but substantial disability which is likely to last for a period of at least 12 months beginning with the date on which the badge is issued.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T16:49:24.253","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281138,"EventID":"S4W-12784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T16:49:24.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T15:04:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many court cases of repossession of residential properties there have been since the Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Act 2010 came into force and how many found in favour of the homeowner.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Act was introduced in September 2010. Details of the number of repossession cases initiated and disposed off in the sheriff courts by procedure are as follows: \r\nProcedure\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nInitiated\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nOrdinary cause\r\n8,256\r\n4,245\r\n79\r\nSummary application\r\n4\r\n975\r\n6,673\r\nTotal\r\n8,260\r\n5,220\r\n6,752\r\nDisposed\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nOrdinary cause\r\n6,476\r\n5,083\r\n253\r\nSummary application\r\n6\r\n489\r\n3,987\r\nTotal\r\n6,482\r\n5,572\r\n4,240\r\nNote: figures for initiations and disposals do not necessarily refer to the same cases.\r\nThe figure for the number of cases found in favour of the home owner is not available. In general, it can be assumed that when a case is recorded as having a disposal type of “dismissed” it has been disposed in favour of the defendant (home owner). \r\nDetails of the number of repossession cases disposed of as “dismissed” are as follows:\r\n \r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nOrdinary Procedure\r\n274\r\n1,061\r\n142\r\nSummary Application\r\n3\r\n458\r\n640\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T16:49:24.61","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281139,"EventID":"S4W-12785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T16:49:24.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T15:37:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of all road users is cyclists and how often they have been (a) involved or (b) injured in accidents over the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Household Survey Travel Diary shows that one per cent of journeys are made by bicycle. The Scottish Household Survey and the traffic estimates published in Scottish Transport Statistics also show small increases in cycling in recent years. Information on cyclists involved and injured in accidents is available in tables 12 (page 128) and A (page 11) of Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2011 which can be found in the Scottish Parliament’s Reference Centre (SPICe) (Bib number 54702).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T16:49:24.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281140,"EventID":"S4W-12786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T16:49:25.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T15:37:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it can provide to protect the Wemyss caves from erosion.\r\n","AnswerText":"Six of the Wemyss Caves are collectively designated as a single scheduled monument and are therefore of national importance. They are an important part of the historic environment for the local community, drawing in visitors and those in the academic community interested in early medieval Scotland. Nevertheless, protection of the caves against coastal erosion is a difficult and complex issue, with no practical and cost effective solution found to date. Although the protection and management of coastal areas rests with Fife Council, Historic Scotland is willing to provide technical advice and consider grant support to seek a long term viable solution for this monument.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T16:49:25.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281141,"EventID":"S4W-12787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T16:49:25.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T15:42:43.277","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what strategies are in place to deal with ash dieback.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Tree Health Advisory Group has been developing a draft Scottish action plan on Chalara (ash die-back); this will be presented at the Scottish Tree Health Summit on 6 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T16:49:25.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281142,"EventID":"S4W-12788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T16:49:25.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T15:42:43.277","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had (a) nationally and (b) internationally regarding plans to deal with future environmental epidemics.","AnswerText":"British Irish Council Environment Ministers’ meetings offer a specific opportunity to co-ordinate a response to threats posed by, for example tree and plant pests and parasites. Most recently on 7 September 2012, at Vogrie Country Park, ministers’ heard evidence from Joint Nature Conservation Committee and discussed strengthening co-ordination of efforts to overcome threats posed to biodiversity by invasive non-native species and exotic tree and plant pests and diseases. We have regular discussions with counterparts in Defra and in other devolved administrations about plans to address environmental threats which may have adverse consequences for the natural environment; however, international discussions are currently led, on behalf of devolved administration interests, by the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T16:49:25.873","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281143,"EventID":"S4W-12789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-01-31T16:49:26.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T15:42:43.277","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sites in Scotland are infected with ash dieback.","AnswerText":"As of 15 February 2013, as indicated in a letter of 19 February 2013 to the RACCE Committee, the number of sites in Scotland where ash-dieback had been confirmed was 42, out of 378 across the UK including two nurseries in Scotland, 32 recently planted sites and eight sites in the wider environment.\r\nAs survey work continues, infections may be found at more sites although at this time of year it should be stressed that these represent the discovery of sites already infected and not sites that have become infected since the initial rapid survey, as the disease is dormant during the winter months.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-02-28T16:49:26.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281144,"EventID":"S4W-12792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1841,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":120,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T14:19:52.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T16:53:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) undergraduate and (b) postgraduate initial teacher education places have been available at each university in each year since 2005.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following hyperlinks to Scottish Funding Council (SFC) Circular letters show (a)undergraduate and (b) postgraduate initial teacher education (ITE) places that have been available at each university in each year since 2005:\r\n2005\r\nhttp://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20090411233457/http://www.sfc.ac.uk/information/info_circulars/shefc/2005/he0405/annex3.pdf\r\n2006\r\nhttp://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20080412030808/http://www.sfc.ac.uk/information/info_circulars/sfc/2006/sfc0606/sfc0606.html\r\n2007\r\nhttp://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20101011225710/http://www.sfc.ac.uk/news_events_circulars/Circulars/2007/SFC1307.aspx\r\nhttp://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20101011225626/http://www.sfc.ac.uk/news_events_circulars/Circulars/2007/SFC4407.aspx\r\n2008\r\nhttp://www.sfc.ac.uk/newsinformation/Circulars/2008/SFC0808.aspx\r\n2009\r\nhttp://www.sfc.ac.uk/news_events_circulars/Circulars/2009/SFC1809.aspx\r\nhttp://www.sfc.ac.uk/newsinformation/Circulars/2009/SFC0809.aspx\r\n2010\r\nhttp://www.sfc.ac.uk/newsinformation/Circulars/2010/SFC0510.aspx\r\n2011\r\nhttp://www.sfc.ac.uk/newsinformation/Circulars/2011/SFC0111.aspx\r\n2012\r\nhttp://www.sfc.ac.uk/newsinformation/Circulars/2012/SFC0312.aspx\r\n2013 target intakes for ITE will be announced by SFC shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T14:19:52.703","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281145,"EventID":"S4W-12793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T14:19:53.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T19:03:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people its agencies employ on zero-hours contracts, broken down by agency.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and its agencies do not employ people on zero hours contracts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T14:19:53.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281146,"EventID":"S4W-12794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T14:19:53.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T19:56:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-10940 by Nicola Sturgeon on 7 December 2012, whether it will provide a breakdown of all public money paid to companies involved in the (a) marketing, (b) sale and (c) execution of work and repairs, maintenance and upgrades relating to the Energy Assistance Package.","AnswerText":"With regard to public money paid to companies involved with delivery of the Energy Assistance Package:\r\n(a) Marketing – expenditure in 2011-12 and provisional expenditure for 2012-13 by agencies used by the Scottish Government's Marketing Unit is as follows:\r\nCompany\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\nAPS\r\n\r\n£124,145.66\r\nCarat \r\n£282,271.71\r\n£60,980.76\r\nGolley Slater\r\n£1,358.30\r\n£693.60\r\nThe Leith Agency\r\n£6,180.00\r\n£141,802.52\r\nStory\r\n£52,133.37\r\n£20,550.23\r\nWhitespace\r\n£14,983.80\r\n£18,774.60\r\nTotal\r\n£356,927.18\r\n£366,947.37\r\nThe Scottish Government publishes annual marketing spend figures, with a separate line for Home Energy Scotland, at:\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/About/People/Directorates/Communications/advertising-marketing/spend\r\nNote that APS provides print, rather than marketing, services and is included in the overall expenditure breakdown above for completeness. APS was not included in the list of private companies involved in the marketing of the Energy Assistance Package in the answer to S4W-10940, as it does not provide marketing services.\r\n(b) Sale – as explained in the answer to S4W-10940, the Energy Assistance Package does not involve direct sales.\r\n(c) Work and repairs, maintenance and upgrades – the Scottish Government does not hold information about the payments made by Scottish Gas to their subcontractors to carry out this work.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T14:19:53.703","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281147,"EventID":"S4W-12795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T14:19:54.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T09:53:40.323","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12483 by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 January 2013, whether it will provide more information on the recent records from (a) Strathspey, (b) Loch Ard in Stirlingshire, (c) the Plockton area, (d) Ross and Cromarty and (e) Mudalach birch wood on Skye.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12483 on 30 January 2013 which has now been amended to remove Loch Ard in Stirlingshire, the Plockton area, Ross and Cromarty, and Mudalach birch wood on Skye as areas in Scotland that are known to be populated by the narrow-headed ant. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nThe core population (over 80% of the UK total) of narrow-headed ant occurs within the forest complex of Abernethy-Glenmore-Rothiemurchus in Speyside.\r\nThe queens of narrow-headed ants have very poor dispersal capabilities and cannot cross patches of non-suitable habitat, therefore they probably are unable to adapt or disperse adequately in the face of rapid ecological change.\r\nThe distribution and population status of narrow-headed ants (Formica exsecta) in Scotland\r\nLocality of F. exsecta\r\nCurrent population size\r\nMar Lodge Estate\r\nTwo or three nests. Probably under - recorded in east Cairngorms.\r\nCarrbridge, Speyside\r\nMore than 16 nests\r\nGlenmore, Rothiemurchus, Speyside\r\n110 to more than 130 nests, although many recorded are probably small ‘satellite’ nests.\r\nAbernethy Forest, Speyside\r\nMore than 150 nests although many are probably small “satellite” nests.\r\nBlack Wood of Rannoch, Perthshire\r\nAround six nests within a field at East Camghouran farm (possibly another six un-mapped nests nearby).\r\nPlodda Falls, Glen Affric, Invernesshire\r\nPossibly Extinct\r\nUnconfirmed record with no specimens.\r\nNot confirmed by recent surveys\r\nAmat Forest, Easter Ross\r\nPossibly Extinct\r\nConfirmed record with specimen.\r\nNot confirmed by recent surveys.\r\nSource: Hughes, J. (2006). A review of wood ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Scotland.\r\nScottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 178 (ROAME No. F04AC319).\r\nhttp://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/commissioned_reports/F04AC319.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T14:19:54.03","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281148,"EventID":"S4W-12796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T14:19:54.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T11:50:33.463","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that (a) schools are equipped with the latest technology and (b) young people are given the opportunity to develop skills relevant to future careers in (i) information technology, (ii) social media and (iii) communications.\r\n","AnswerText":"Individual local authorities are responsible for the provision of technology in their schools. To support schools and local authorities, the Scottish Government is in the final stage of establishing a national procurement framework that leverages the complete Scottish Public Sector spend on tablet devices to attract best value and offer consistent national pricing.\r\nCurriculum for Excellence provides opportunities for young people to develop their understanding, knowledge and skills for learning, life and work, from Early Years through to Senior Phase and beyond. The opportunity to develop these skills is embedded across all curriculum areas, including through practical, applied or “experiential” learning. Partnerships between schools, colleges, employers and other national and local organisations are key to the successful delivery of this. To support practitioners to embed young people’s skills development across the Broad General Education, Education Scotland has made available a range of resources.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T14:19:54.42","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281149,"EventID":"S4W-12797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T14:19:54.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T12:47:51.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consultants specialising in geriatrics were employed by the NHS in September (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008, (d) 2009, (e) 2010, (f) 2011 and (g) 2012 and what the annual change was, expressed as a percentage.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested on how many consultants specialising in geriatrics were employed by the NHS as at 30 September for each of the last seven years can be found in the following tables.\r\nTable 1 shows the total headcount of consultants specialising in geriatrics and the percentage change each year.\r\nGeriatrics\r\nHeadcount\r\n% change from the previous year\r\nSep-06\r\n128\r\nx\r\nSep-07\r\n137\r\n7.0%\r\nSep-08\r\n144\r\n5.1%\r\nSep-09\r\n149\r\n3.5%\r\nSep-10\r\n155\r\n4.0%\r\nSep-11\r\n157\r\n1.3%\r\nSep-12\r\n159\r\n1.3%\r\nSource: ISD Scotland.\r\n\r\nTable 2 shows the total whole time equivalent (WTE) of consultants specialising in geriatrics and the percentage change each year.\r\nGeriatrics\r\nWTE\r\n% change from the previous year\r\nSep-06\r\n118.9\r\nx\r\nSep-07\r\n126.7\r\n6.6%\r\nSep-08\r\n133.6\r\n5.4%\r\nSep-09\r\n137.4\r\n2.9%\r\nSep-10\r\n140.5\r\n2.3%\r\nSep-11\r\n141.5\r\n0.7%\r\nSep-12\r\n144.6\r\n2.2%\r\nSource: ISD Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T14:19:54.797","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281150,"EventID":"S4W-12817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2487,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T14:19:55.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T12:39:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consultants specialising in emergency medicine were employed by the NHS in September (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008, (d) 2009, (e) 2010, (f) 2011 and (g) 2012 and what the annual change was, expressed as a percentage.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested on how many consultants specialising in emergency medicine were employed by the NHS as at 30 September for each of the last seven years can be found in the following tables.\r\nTable 1 shows the total headcount of consultants specialising in emergency medicine and the percentage change each year.\r\nEmergency medicine\r\nHeadcount\r\n% change from the previous year\r\nSep-06\r\n76\r\n x\r\nSep-07\r\n82\r\n7.9%\r\nSep-08\r\n113\r\n37.8%\r\nSep-09\r\n101\r\n-10.6%\r\nSep-10\r\n136\r\n34.7%\r\nSep-11\r\n141\r\n3.7%\r\nSep-12\r\n151\r\n7.1%\r\nSource: ISD Scotland.\r\n\r\nTable 2 shows the total whole time equivalent (WTE) of consultants specialising in emergency medicine and the percentage change each year.\r\nEmergency Medicine\r\nWTE\r\n% change from the previous year\r\nSep-06\r\n75.8\r\nx\r\nSep-07\r\n81.0\r\n6.9%\r\nSep-08\r\n107.2\r\n32.3%\r\nSep-09\r\n94.8\r\n-11.5%\r\nSep-10\r\n128.4\r\n35.3%\r\nSep-11\r\n133.8\r\n4.3%\r\nSep-12\r\n144.4\r\n7.9%\r\nSource: ISD Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T14:19:55.123","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281159,"EventID":"S4W-12808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T15:41:38.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T12:58:57.59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported budget restraints facing local authorities, what action it is taking to support the voluntary sector in delivering high-quality services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will be providing local government in Scotland with over £9.7 billion in revenue funding in 2013-14. The vast majority of this funding, including any funding to support the voluntary sector will be provided by means of a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives.\r\nFull and early involvement of the third sector in the co-production of service design and planning is likely to lead to arrangements that are satisfactory to all parties and the role of the community planning partnership is key here. The Scottish Government also supports the third sector by supporting the network of local third sector interfaces and through Ready for Business and Just Enterprise.\r\nThe Scottish Government is implementing a shift to preventative spending, with specific funding of £500 million over the three year period to 2014-15 to encourage joint working across the public sector in adult social care, early years and tackling re-offending. The funding will support a transition across public services away from dealing with the symptoms of disadvantage and inequality towards tackling their root causes. The third sector has a crucial role to play in delivery, because of its specialist expertise, its ability to engage with vulnerable groups and its flexible and innovative approach. We are working across Government and with the third sector and the public sector to ensure that the role of the third sector in preventative spending can be maximised.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T15:41:39.013","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281160,"EventID":"S4W-12818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T15:41:39.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:49:38.62","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve flood defence systems in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire.\r\n","AnswerText":"Flood protection schemes are primarily a matter for local authorities, however the Scottish Government is committed to supporting work that helps protect the people of Scotland from the effects of flooding. That is why we are working with our partners to implement the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, and providing funding through the local Government settlement for local authorities to continue to invest in flood protection schemes.\r\nWe have also invested significantly in improving Scotland’s flood warning service, including funding to help the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Met Office establish a Scottish flood forecasting service, which is resulting in better flood forecasting and warning information being made available to the public throughout Scotland. A flood warning scheme for the River Carron in Stonehaven is also currently in development and planned to be rolled out in September 2013, as is the delivery of a new flood warning scheme for the Moray Firth by 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T15:41:39.31","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281161,"EventID":"S4W-12819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T15:41:39.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:49:38.62","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Grampian region has not been included in the roll-out of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's enhanced Floodline message alert system.\r\n","AnswerText":"Much of the Grampian region has already been included in the roll out of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's (SEPA) Floodline direct warning service. Indeed, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment launched the North East Flood Warning scheme for the rivers Dee, Don, Deveron and North Esk in March 2010. While I understand that the recently launched coastal flood warning scheme for the firths of Forth and Tay on the east coast does not extend as far as the Grampian coastline at the moment, I am sure you will appreciate that it would be impossible for SEPA to develop flood warning schemes for the whole of Scotland simultaneously.\r\nIt is important to prioritise public expenditure by targeting efforts where the benefits of investment are greatest. To that end, SEPA has developed a coastal flood vulnerability index, based on exposure to wave and storm surge, number of properties at risk, historical flooding and flood defence availability. This has been used to define the priority areas for coastal flood warning development included in SEPA’s Flood Warning Strategy published on 14 December which sets out forthcoming plans to enhance Scotland’s flood warning coverage.The firths of Forth and Tay were the highest priority areas and that is why the flood warning scheme for this stretch of coastline was launched on 28 January.\r\nA flood warning scheme for the River Carron in Stonehaven is also currently in development and is planned to be rolled out in September 2013. SEPA’s plans also include the delivery of new flood warning schemes for Loch Linnhe (by 2013); Moray Firth and Ness tidal (by 2014); Solway Firth (by 2015) and other at-risk locations through their existing Coastal Flood Alerting Tool by 2016. New fluvial flood warning schemes are also planned for Loch Lomond and River Leven and Garnock by 2016. SEPA will also continue to consider alterations to existing schemes where required and feasible. \r\nIn the meantime, Grampian residents who are not within a river or coastal Flood Warning area can still sign up to receive a more general Flood Alert message for the wider geographical area, usually representing local authority boundaries. This flood alerting service is underpinned by the national Coastal Flood Alerting Tool which was significantly improved in 2010. During the recent December storm, Flood Alerts highlighting the risk of coastal flooding were issued 24 hours in advance and we would encourage members of the public to sign up to receive these messages in the future. Further advice and sign up details can be found at the following address: http://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodingsignup/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T15:41:39.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281162,"EventID":"S4W-12820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T15:41:40.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:49:38.62","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many community benefit clauses were in place in public sector contracts in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on community benefit clauses used in individual contracts.\r\nWe are aware that Aberdeenshire council is currently using the clauses in capital projects and are assisting Scottish Prison Service to monitor the community benefit clauses in the contract for HMP Grampian.\r\nThe forthcoming Procurement Reform Bill will require public sector bodies to publish details of community benefit clauses in major public contracts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T15:41:40.057","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281163,"EventID":"S4W-12821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T15:41:40.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:49:38.62","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many ancillary staff were employed by NHS Grampian in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) role and (b) grade.","AnswerText":"“Ancillary” is not a term used to define a staff group in the NHS for statistical purposes. Employees working within portering or hotel services, who would normally be referred to as “ancillary” fall within the Support Services staff group.\r\nInformation relating to this staff group can be found on the NHS Information Services Division (ISD) website at: \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2012-11-27/All_Other_Staff_S2012.xls?20131428.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T15:41:40.527","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281164,"EventID":"S4W-12822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T15:41:40.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:49:38.62","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many ancillary staff employed by NHS Grampian in each of the last five years were paid the living wage, broken down by (a) role and (b) grade.\r\n","AnswerText":"The NHS pay cycle runs from 1 April each year and no member of staff employed in NHSScotland, whatever their role or grade, has been paid less than the Scottish living wage level since 1 April 2011. The Scottish living wage campaign started in Scotland in May 2009 and the Scottish Government subsequently adopted this as part of its 2011-12 public sector pay policy.\r\nAlthough pay for almost all non-medical staff in the NHS is based, in the first instance, on recommendations made by the independent NHS pay review body, Ministers chose to apply the Scottish living wage in NHSScotland to provide additional assistance to the lower paid. The only NHS settlement round where a Scottish living wage level had been set but not applied, therefore, was 1 April 2010 when the living wage was £7.00 per hour and the lowest available rate in NHSScotland was £6.98 per hour.\r\nIt should be noted that “ancillary” is not a term used to define a staff group in the NHS for statistical purposes. Employees working in portering or hotel services, who would normally be referred to as “ancillary”, fall within the support services staff group. Records show that there were 1,592.99 whole time equivalent (WTE) staff in the Support Services staff group in NHS Grampian as at 1 April 2010, of which 43.2 WTE were on the £6.98 hourly rate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T15:41:40.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281165,"EventID":"S4W-12823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T15:41:41.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:49:38.62","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that people carrying out work in relation to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route are paid the living wage.","AnswerText":"The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/ Balmedie to Tipperty contract will include requirements to comply with the latest employment legislation and will be administered to ensure full compliance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T15:41:41.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281166,"EventID":"S4W-12824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T15:41:41.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:49:38.62","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the outline business case for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.","AnswerText":"The outline business case for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/ Balmedie to Tipperty has been agreed between the project partners. The full business case will be agreed prior to contract award which is expected in autumn 2014.\r\nAs the formal procurement of this project is currently underway, it is not intended, for commercial reasons, to publish this business case until after the contract for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of this road, has been awarded.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T15:41:41.57","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281167,"EventID":"S4W-12825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T15:41:41.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:49:38.62","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that community benefit clauses are used in contracts for the work on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wants to ensure that investment in large infrastructure projects results in on the job training for apprentices and local employment opportunities, particularly on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/ Balmedie to Tipperty scheme.\r\nThis contract will include requirements to provide site based vocational training places and site-based professional training places.\r\nThe contract will also specify that a number of permanent, site based, full time equivalent construction employment opportunities are to be provided, which are specifically aimed at people who have not been in employment for at least 25 weeks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T15:41:41.883","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281168,"EventID":"S4W-12827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-01T15:41:42.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T15:17:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason residents associations are not allowed to represent their estates as a whole at homeowner housing panels.\r\n","AnswerText":"Residents association bodies cannot represent their estates as a whole because section 17 of the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 (the Act) provides that it is homeowners themselves who have the right to make an application to the Homeowner Housing Panel (HoHP).\r\nHowever, regulation 7(1) of the Homeowner Housing Panel (Applications and Decisions) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/180) provides that homeowners may act in person or be represented by any person. This means that if the homeowner so wished, he or she could choose to be represented by someone from a residents association.\r\nFurther, regulation 9(2) provides that when two or more applications by different homeowners relating to the same property factor are pending at the same time, the homeowner housing committee may direct them to be heard together. Therefore, if multiple homeowners from the same estate wished to apply at the same time regarding the same matter, there is nothing to prevent a residents association providing support and co-ordination to this group of applicant homeowners.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T15:41:42.21","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281176,"EventID":"S4W-12790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:27.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T16:25:08.4","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is a variation in price across NHS boards for GPs to sign a power of attorney form.","AnswerText":"The vast majority of GP practices operate as independent contractors within the NHS. Practices are contracted by health boards to provide NHS services to registered patients under the terms and conditions of a nationally negotiated General Medical Services contract.\r\nThe contract regulations do specify a number of prescribed medical certificates which GPs are required to provide free under the NHS. However not all documentation, certificates and reports requested by patients are covered by the NHS and when GPs agree to provide services outwith their NHS contractual terms and conditions, they are entitled to charge a professional fee as remuneration for doing so.\r\nThe British Medical Association (BMA) does not direct doctors on the level of professional fees but it does provide general guidance. Where a patient requests a report or certificate falling outside the work of the doctor’s NHS contract the BMA advises that the fee set should be reasonable, transparent and justifiable. Patients should also be forewarned of the fee level before the service is agreed and provided.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:27.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281177,"EventID":"S4W-12826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:27.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T14:03:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consultants specialising in paediatrics were employed by the NHS in September (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008, (d) 2009, (e) 2010, (f) 2011 and (g) 2012 and what the annual change was, expressed as a percentage.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information requested on the number of consultants specialising in paediatrics employed by the NHS can be found in the Consultant staff in post table on the workforce statistics website at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2012-11-27/Consultant_Staff_In_Post_S2012.xls?95634968\r\nThe annual change, expressed as a percentage, is available in the two tables:\r\nTable 1 shows the total headcount of consultants specialising in paediatrics and the percentage change each year.\r\n\r\n\r\nSep-06\r\nSep-07\r\nSep-08\r\nSep-09\r\nSep-10\r\nSep-11\r\nSep-12\r\nPaediatric Specialties\r\n \r\nHeadcount\r\n182\r\n209\r\n237\r\n309\r\n234\r\n236\r\n238\r\n% change from previous year\r\nx\r\n14.8%\r\n13.4%\r\n30.4%\r\n-24.3%\r\n0.9%\r\n0.8%\r\nSource: ISD Scotland National Statistics \r\n\r\nTable 2 shows the total whole time equivalent (WTE) of consultants specialising in paediatrics and the percentage change each year.\r\n \r\n \r\nSep-06\r\nSep-07\r\nSep-08\r\nSep-09\r\nSep-10\r\nSep-11\r\nSep-12\r\nPaediatric Specialties\r\nWTE\r\n167.2\r\n192.5\r\n217.4\r\n288.7\r\n216.0\r\n222.7\r\n223.8\r\n% change from previous year\r\nx\r\n15.1%\r\n12.9%\r\n32.8%\r\n-25.2%\r\n3.1%\r\n0.5%\r\nSource: ISD Scotland National Statistics \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:27.663","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281178,"EventID":"S4W-12828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:27.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T16:04:04.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many dental speciality consultants were employed by the NHS in each year from September 2006 to September 2012 and what the percentage change was.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of dental speciality consultants employed by the NHS can be found in the consultant staff in post table on the NHS Information Services Division website (ISD) at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2012-11-27/Consultant_Staff_In_Post_S2012.xls?95634968\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:28.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281179,"EventID":"S4W-12829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:28.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-02T12:16:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide a Gaelic language version of the independence referendum ballot paper.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not plan to provide a Gaelic language version of the ballot paper for the independence referendum.\r\nAs part of the question assessment process, the Electoral Commission tested the proposed question with voters who speak Gaelic as a first language. The Commission found that these participants could understand the question easily and experienced no difficulties in completing the ballot paper. The Commission’s report is published at:\r\nhttp://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/153691/Referendum-on-independence-for-Scotland-our-advice-on-referendum-question.pdf)\r\nVoter information will be available in other languages, including Gaelic, on request. Counting officers may also choose to display a translation of the ballot paper at polling stations if they consider this appropriate. This is standard practice for all elections.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:28.427","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281180,"EventID":"S4W-12830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:28.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T17:27:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties into further and higher education.\r\n","AnswerText":"With the support of the Scottish Funding Council, a number of colleges and universities in Scotland have achieved, or are working with Buttle UK to achieve, the Buttle Quality Mark. This accreditation programme recognises the provision of systems of support relevant to care leavers.\r\nWe do not hold information on individual students and their particular support needs. Colleges and universities consider applications on a case-by-case basis and are required under Equalities legislation to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate students with additional support needs.\r\nThe Student Awards Agency for Scotland administers the Disabled Student’s Allowance which provides support to students studying a course of higher education. The Scottish Funding Council also provides additional funding to higher education institutions in the form of the Disabled Students Premium.\r\nIn further education, there are two additional funding streams available to institutions. Dominant Programme Group 18 (DPG 18) includes programmes which are specifically designed to meet the needs of students with learning difficulties arising from one or more specific categories of disability. Extended Learning Support (ELS) students study on courses outwith DPG 18 and this funding recognises that ELS students also have needs which arise from specific disability categories and which require additional expenditure on the part of the college. On an individual level, students can apply to their college for the Additional Support Needs for Learning Allowance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:28.817","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281181,"EventID":"S4W-12831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:29.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T17:27:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to widen access to further and higher education for care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council support a number of programmes which meet the cost of learning support and other reasonable adjustments required to accommodate students with additional support needs. Working with Buttle UK, the Scottish Funding Council is also supporting institutions to develop systems of support that are relevant to care leavers. \r\nWhere admission is concerned, this is a matter for the relevant university or college and all students are considered for entry alongside their peers. So long as the student is judged to have the potential to successfully complete a course, a university or college is able to make allowances with respect to their background or circumstances.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:29.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281182,"EventID":"S4W-12832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:29.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T17:27:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties into employment.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting all young people with additional support needs who want to work, and it is our ambition that with the right support, they are able to find work in mainstream employment, taking account of their specific needs, and in line with their skills.\r\nIn support of this, the Scottish Government has: \r\nMade a specific commitment to all 16 – 19 year olds seeking a place in education or training through Opportunities for All. This is supported by £30 million new investment;\r\nUpdated our Post 16 Transitions Policy and Practice Framework which includes specific guidance on how to support the transitions of young people with additional support needs from school into post-school education and employment; and \r\nProvided £1.5 million over three financial years in support of an Employer Recruitment Incentive for 1000 young people within disadvantaged groups.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:29.737","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281183,"EventID":"S4W-12833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:30.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T17:27:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities are in further education.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) produces statistics for further education students in colleges. The latest detailed data on students in further education is for the academic year 2010-11.\r\nData on care leavers is not currently available from the SFC. The Scottish Government is working with the SFC and institutions to ensure this information is captured in future years.\r\nThe following table shows the number of further education enrolments split by disability type. Comparable population estimates are not available for these specific categories.\r\nEnrolments in further education (FE) in Scottish colleges by disability type: 2010-11\r\nDisability Type\r\n\r\nNumber of FE enrolments\r\nBlind/partially sighted\r\n                 1,065 \r\nDeaf/hearing impairment\r\n                 2,050 \r\nWheelchair user/mobility difficulties\r\n                 2,355 \r\nPersonal care support\r\n                   275 \r\nMental health difficulties\r\n                 4,035 \r\nUnseen disability not listed elsewhere e.g. diabetes/epilepsy\r\n                 8,895 \r\nMultiple disabilities\r\n                 4,230 \r\nDyslexia\r\n                 9,895 \r\nA disability not listed above (1)\r\n               10,315 \r\nNot recorded\r\n               34,695 \r\nNo known disability\r\n253,840              \r\nTotal FE enrolments\r\n             331,650 \r\nSource: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and Scottish Funding Council (SFC).\r\nNotes:\r\n(1) For colleges, students with an autistic spectrum disorder are included in the category 'A disability, impairment or medical condition not listed above' as they are not reported on separately.\r\nEnrolment numbers rounded to the nearest five.\r\nSome further education courses have a duration of less than one academic year, therefore students can enrol more than once per year. The number of FE enrolments will be higher than the number of students. Enrolments have been provided in this table to ensure comparability with the HE enrolment numbers provided in the answer to question S4W-12837 on 28 February 2013.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:30.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281184,"EventID":"S4W-12834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:30.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T17:27:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities are in higher education.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA) produces statistics for higher education students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) produces statistics for higher education students in colleges. The latest detailed data on students in higher education is for the academic year 2010-11.\r\nData on care leavers is not currently available from HESA or the SFC. The Scottish Government is working with HESA, the SFC and institutions to ensure this information is captured in future years.\r\nThe following table shows the number of higher education enrolments split by disability type. Comparable population estimates are not available for these specific categories.\r\nEnrolments in Higher Education (HE) in Scottish HEIs and colleges by disability type: 2010-11\r\nDisability Type\r\n\r\nNumber of HE enrolments\r\nBlind or a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses\r\n525 \r\nDeaf or a serious hearing impairment\r\n800 \r\nA physical impairment or mobility issues, such as difficulty using arms or using a wheelchair or crutches\r\n820 \r\nPersonal care support\r\n20 \r\nA mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder\r\n                 2,225 \r\nA long standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy\r\n                 3,765 \r\nTwo or more impairments and/or disabling medical conditions\r\n                 2,100 \r\nA social/communication impairment such as Aspergers syndrome/other autistic spectrum disorder (1)\r\n340 \r\nA specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D\r\n                 9,400 \r\nA disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed above (1)\r\n                 3,145 \r\nNot recorded\r\n                 3,800 \r\nNo known disability\r\n             263,060 \r\nTotal HE enrolments\r\n             290,000 \r\nSource: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and Scottish Funding Council (SFC).\r\nNotes:\r\n(1) For colleges, students with an autistic spectrum disorder are included in the category 'A disability, impairment or medical condition not listed above' as they are not reported on separately.\r\nEnrolment numbers rounded to the nearest five.\r\nThe vast majority of higher education courses have a duration of at least one academic year, therefore students generally enrol once per year. The number of HE enrolments is broadly comparable to the number of HE students.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:30.533","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281185,"EventID":"S4W-12835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:31.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T17:27:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities are in employment.\r\n","AnswerText":"No data is held centrally regarding the employment status of all care leavers.\r\nThe Annual Population Survey (APS) provides estimates of employment across Scotland; however the only data available for those specific conditions requested covers those who have any learning difficulties or disabilities. The latest APS data covers the period from October 2011 to September 2012. \r\nIn Scotland it is estimated that there are 9,000 people aged 16 and over with learning difficulties or disabilities who are in employment. Approximately 23.0% of all those aged 16+ with learning difficulties or disabilities are in employment; this is not the same as the employment rate for this group as it is based on those aged 16+ including those beyond retirement age.\r\nThe APS is a population survey and so there is an amount of variability in this estimate.\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes: \r\n1. Level rounded to nearest thousand, percentage based on unrounded figures.\r\n2. The sub-group of interest here is relatively small therefore this estimate is not as reliable as those for the total population aged 16+.\r\n3. Learning difficulties and disabilities includes conditions such as dyslexia or dyscalculia; mental impairments or mental handicap. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:31.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281186,"EventID":"S4W-12836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:31.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T17:27:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities are in post-16 education, employment and training.\r\n","AnswerText":"No data is held centrally regarding the employment status of all care leavers.\r\nThe Annual Population Survey (APS) provides estimates of employment across Scotland; however the only data available for those specific conditions requested covers those who have any learning difficulties or disabilities. The latest APS data covers the period from October 2011 to September 2012.\r\nIn Scotland it is estimated that there are 15,000 people aged 16 and over with learning difficulties or disabilities who are in employment, education or training. Approximately 39.6% of all those aged 16+ with learning difficulties or disabilities are in employment, education or training; this is not the same as the employment rate for this group as it is based on those aged 16+ including those beyond retirement age.\r\nThe APS is a population survey and so there is an amount of variability in this estimate.\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, Office for National Statistics.\r\nNotes: \r\n1. Level rounded to nearest thousand, percentage based on unrounded figures.\r\n2. The sub-group of interest here is relatively small therefore this estimate is not as reliable as those for the total population aged 16+.\r\n3. Learning difficulties and disabilities includes conditions such as dyslexia or dyscalculia; mental impairments or mental handicap.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:31.623","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281187,"EventID":"S4W-12837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:32.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T17:27:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of higher education students comprises care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA) produces statistics for higher education students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The Scottish Funding Council produces statistics for higher education students in colleges. The latest detailed data on students in higher education is for the academic year 2010-11.\r\nData on care leavers are not currently available from HESA or the SFC. The Scottish Government is working with HESA, the SFC and institutions to ensure this information is captured in future years.\r\nThe table below shows the number and percentage of higher education enrolments split by disability type.\r\nEnrolments in higher education (HE) in Scottish HEIs and colleges by disability type: 2010-11\r\nDisability Type\r\nNumber of HE enrolments\r\nPercentage of all HE enrolments\r\nBlind or a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses\r\n                   525 \r\n0.2%\r\nDeaf or a serious hearing impairment\r\n                   800 \r\n0.3%\r\nA physical impairment or mobility issues, such as difficulty using arms or using a wheelchair or crutches\r\n                   820 \r\n0.3%\r\nPersonal care support\r\n                     20 \r\n0.0%\r\nA mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder\r\n                 2,225 \r\n0.8%\r\nA long standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy\r\n                 3,765 \r\n1.3%\r\nTwo or more impairments and/or disabling medical conditions\r\n                 2,100 \r\n0.7%\r\nA social/communication impairment such as Aspergers syndrome/other autistic spectrum disorder (1)\r\n                   340 \r\n0.1%\r\nA specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D\r\n                 9,400 \r\n3.2%\r\nA disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed above (1)\r\n                 3,145 \r\n1.1%\r\nNot recorded\r\n                 3,800 \r\n1.3%\r\nNo known disability\r\n             263,060 \r\n90.7%\r\nTotal HE enrolments\r\n             290,000 \r\n100.0%\r\nSource: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and Scottish Funding Council (SFC).\r\nNotes:\r\n1 For colleges, students with an autistic spectrum disorder are included in the category 'A disability, impairment or medical condition not listed above' as they are not reported on separately.\r\nEnrolment numbers rounded to the nearest 5.\r\nThe vast majority of higher education courses have a duration of at least one academic year, therefore students generally enrol once per year. The number of HE enrolments is broadly comparable to the number of HE students.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:32.14","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281188,"EventID":"S4W-12838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:32.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T17:27:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of further education students comprises care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Funding Council produces statistics for further education students in colleges. The latest detailed data on students in further education is for the academic year 2010-11.\r\nData on care leavers are not currently available from the SFC. The Scottish Government is working with the SFC and institutions to ensure this information is captured in future years.\r\nThe following table shows the number and percentage of further education enrolments split by disability type.\r\nEnrolments in further education (FE) in Scottish colleges by disability type: 2010-11\r\nDisability Type\r\nNumber of FE enrolments\r\nPercentage of all FE enrolments\r\nBlind/partially sighted\r\n                 1,065 \r\n0.3%\r\nDeaf/hearing impairment\r\n                 2,050 \r\n0.6%\r\nWheelchair user/mobility difficulties\r\n                 2,355 \r\n0.7%\r\nPersonal care support\r\n                   275 \r\n0.1%\r\nMental health difficulties\r\n                 4,035 \r\n1.2%\r\nUnseen disability not listed elsewhere e.g. diabetes/epilepsy\r\n                 8,895 \r\n2.7%\r\nMultiple disabilities\r\n                 4,230 \r\n1.3%\r\nDyslexia\r\n                 9,895 \r\n3.0%\r\nA disability not listed above (1)\r\n               10,315 \r\n3.1%\r\nNot recorded\r\n               34,695 \r\n10.5%\r\nNo known disability\r\n             253,840 \r\n76.5%\r\nTotal FE enrolments\r\n             331,650 \r\n100.0%\r\nSource: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and Scottish Funding Council (SFC).\r\nNotes:\r\n1. For colleges, students with an autistic spectrum disorder are included in the category 'A disability, impairment or medical condition not listed above' as they are not reported on separately.\r\nEnrolment numbers rounded to the nearest 5.\r\nSome further education courses have a duration of less than one academic year, therefore students can enrol more than once per year. The number of FE enrolments will be higher than the number of students. Enrolments have been provided in this table to ensure comparability with the HE enrolment numbers provided in the answer to question S4W-12837 on 28 February 2013.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:32.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281189,"EventID":"S4W-12839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:32.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T17:27:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of people in employment comprises care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities.\r\n","AnswerText":"No data is held centrally regarding the employment status of all care leavers.\r\nThe Annual Population Survey (APS) provides estimates of employment across Scotland; however the only data available for those specific conditions requested covers those who have any learning difficulties or disabilities. The latest APS data covers the period from October 2011 to September 2012.\r\nIn Scotland it is estimated that there are 9,000 people aged 16 and over with learning difficulties or disabilities who are in employment. It is estimated that they account for approximately 0.3% of all those aged 16+ in employment.\r\nThe APS is a population survey and so there is an amount of variability in this estimate.\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes: \r\n1. Level rounded to nearest thousand, percentage based on unrounded figures.\r\n2. The sub-group of interest here is relatively small therefore this estimate is not as reliable as those for the total population aged 16+.\r\n3. Learning difficulties and disabilities includes conditions such as dyslexia or dyscalculia; mental impairments or mental handicap. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:32.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281190,"EventID":"S4W-12840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:33.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T17:27:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of people in post-16 education, employment and training comprises care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities.\r\n","AnswerText":"No data is held centrally regarding the employment status of all care leavers.\r\nThe Annual Population Survey (APS) provides estimates of employment across Scotland; however the only data available for those specific conditions requested covers those who have any learning difficulties or disabilities. The latest APS data covers the period from October 2011 to September 2012.\r\nIn Scotland it is estimated that there are 15,000 people aged 16 and over with learning difficulties or disabilities who are in employment, education or training. It is estimated that they account for approximately 0.6% of all those aged 16+ in employment, education or training.\r\nThe APS is a population survey and so there is an amount of variability in this estimate.\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, Office for National Statistics.\r\nNotes: \r\n1. Level rounded to nearest thousand, percentage based on unrounded figures.\r\n2. The sub-group of interest here is relatively small therefore this estimate is not as reliable as those for the total population aged 16+.\r\n3. Learning difficulties and disabilities includes conditions such as dyslexia or dyscalculia; mental impairments or mental handicap. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:33.37","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281191,"EventID":"S4W-12841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:33.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T10:11:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether organisations that are members of Advice UK will be able to bid for the £1.7 million fund to provide direct support for advice services.","AnswerText":"The £1.7 million fund to provide direct support for advice services is part of an overall funding package of £5.4 million announced on 21 January 2013 by the Scottish Government.\r\nA range of organisations in Scotland, including those that are members of Advice UK, will be able to bid for this funding once detailed arrangements have been finalised.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:33.807","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281192,"EventID":"S4W-12843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:34.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T17:27:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of people undertaking modern apprenticeships are care leavers or have (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities.\r\n","AnswerText":"Monitoring levels of apprentices with a disability relies on self declaration by individuals to employers or training providers, either when applying for apprenticeship opportunities, or when they start training.\r\nSkills Development Scotland advise that 0.4% of apprentices in training as at 28-12-2012 declared a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010. This figure of course does not include those apprentices who chose not to declare a disability.\r\nSkills Development Scotland do not routinely collect information on whether apprentices have been in care. However, an Employer Recruitment Incentive which is available to support disadvantaged young people, including care leavers, was introduced at the start of 2012-13 and the total numbers of individuals supported will be available at the end of the financial year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:34.167","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281193,"EventID":"S4W-12844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:34.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T17:27:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities are undertaking modern apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect this information.\r\nSkills Development Scotland do not routinely collect information on whether apprentices have been in care. However, the Employer Recruitment Incentive which is available to support disadvantaged young people, including care leavers, was introduced at the start of 2012-13. The total numbers of individuals supported will be available at the end of the financial year.\r\nMonitoring levels of apprentices with a disability, as defined by the Equality Act 2010, relies on self declaration by individuals to employers or training providers, either when applying for apprenticeship opportunities, or when they start training.\r\nSkills Development Scotland advise that 0.4% of apprentices in training as at 31-12-2012 declared a disability. This figure of course does not include those apprentices who chose not to declare a disability.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:34.93","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281194,"EventID":"S4W-12846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:35.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T12:19:40.13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether bidders for the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service were allowed to put forward proposals that would have required third parties to put new facilities in place before the service could commence.\r\n","AnswerText":"During the tendering process, bidders were obligated to contact the respective harbour authorities in respect of berthing arrangements at Gourock and Dunoon. This was to enable the bidders to negotiate and agree access and technical arrangements, including any alterations or adaptions that might be necessary in respect of the harbour authority’s facilities. Bidders were able to put forward proposals. However there was no obligation for third parties to put in place new facilities before the service commenced.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:35.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281195,"EventID":"S4W-12847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T14:06:35.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T12:25:29.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12267 by Keith Brown on 24 January 2013, whether it will confirm that owners and operators of vessels are responsible for decisions to sail a certified vessel under particular weather circumstances.","AnswerText":"The Master of a vessel has the legal responsibility for, and takes the decision on, whether it is safe to sail or not, as governed by The Merchant Shipping (Master’s Discretion) Regulations 1997.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:06:35.57","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281196,"EventID":"S4T-00236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T12:42:36.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T09:37:53.367","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in delivering infrastructure projects.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:36.223","MeetingDate":"2013-02-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281197,"EventID":"S4T-00237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T12:42:36.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T10:24:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had regarding the location of the headquarters of the Police Service of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:36.94","MeetingDate":"2013-02-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281198,"EventID":"S4F-01166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T12:42:03.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T13:52:05.53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:04.1","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281199,"EventID":"S4F-01167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T12:42:04.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-01-31T14:48:25.913","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime Minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:04.397","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281200,"EventID":"S4F-01168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T12:42:04.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T09:56:53.377","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:04.66","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281201,"EventID":"S4F-01177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T12:42:07.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T11:29:16.957","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the impact will be on Scotland's fishing fleet of Iceland's proposed 15% reduction in its mackerel quota.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:07.033","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281202,"EventID":"S4F-01178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T12:42:07.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T11:30:18.517","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister who will administer any fund established from the proceeds of a victims’ surcharge on offenders.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:07.343","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281203,"EventID":"S4F-01180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2487,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-04T12:42:07.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T11:45:02.917","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress the Scottish Government has made on tackling hospital acquired infections.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:07.953","MeetingDate":"2013-02-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281225,"EventID":"S4W-12798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:35.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T12:55:14.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its priorities are for reducing health problems caused by alcohol misuse.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s priorities for reducing health problems caused by alcohol misuse are set out in Changing Scotland's Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action which is available on the following link\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/03/04144703/0.\r\nThis Framework details a broad approach which focuses on education, diversionary activity, support for families and communities, and preventive public health measures such as alcohol brief interventions. There are 41 measures in the Framework, including legislative measures such as minimum unit pricing. We believe this wider package will help to create the cultural shift required to change our relationship with alcohol.\r\nIn February 2012 we published a progress report on our Framework for Action. This outlines the progress that we have made against each of these measures and outlines some of our future programmes of work and the next steps that we are taking in our fight against alcohol misuse in Scotland. This is available at \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0038/00388540.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:36.03","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281226,"EventID":"S4W-12799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:36.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T12:55:14.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the effectiveness of the priorities set out in Changing Scotland's Relationship with Alcohol.\r\n","AnswerText":"The key components of the Scottish Government’s alcohol strategy are the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, Changing Scotland’s Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action, the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act 2010 and the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012. These are being monitored and evaluated through a programme of work, Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy (MESAS), which is being led by NHS Health Scotland in collaboration with NHS National Services Scotland Information Services Division.\r\nThe programme is delivered through a portfolio of commissioned and in-house evaluation studies. The in-house project team responsible for delivery consists of public health research specialists with expertise in evaluation, epidemiology, health economics, statistical analysis and critical appraisal and synthesis of evidence.  Additional expertise is utilised as required, including external advisers where appropriate. \r\nNHS Health Scotland is committed to providing ministers and publishing annual reports that set out key findings from the MESAS programme, including monitoring trends in consumption and alcohol-related harm. More information on MESAS can be found in the published reports:\r\nThe baseline report (first report) was published in March 2011, Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy. Setting the Scene: Theory of change and baseline picture, and can be found on the following link: http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/5072.aspx;\r\nThe second annual report, Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy 2nd Annual Report, was published in December 2012. This presents the findings of the current studies to date and can be found on the following link: http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/6182.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:36.593","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281227,"EventID":"S4W-12800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:37.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T12:55:14.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that NHS boards promote the take-up of Keep Well checks.\r\n","AnswerText":"Keep Well is an anticipatory care programme that contributes to tackling health inequalities by targeting cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in the most deprived areas of Scotland.\r\nNHS Health Scotland manages the mainstreaming of the Keep Well programme through a co-ordinated framework of activity which helps to ensure that territorial NHS boards remain committed to Keep Well and the sharing of best practice. It has also helped implement guidance for engaging with the Keep Well core target population based on learning from earlier implementation of Keep Well. NHS boards are required to produce an annual report on their Keep Well activity.\r\nOver 180,000 Keep Well health checks have been delivered across Scotland so far (between March 2009 and end June 2012).\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to reducing the gap in health inequalities between deprived and affluent areas, and has committed provides funding of £11.3 million per annum over 2012-2015 for the delivery and implementation of Keep Well.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:37.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281228,"EventID":"S4W-12801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:37.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T12:55:14.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people, following a Keep Well check, have been found to have an alcohol intake above the recommended level, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect data on the alcohol intake of people following a Keep Well check.\r\nIt is up to individual boards to decide what data to collect locally, which helps them in planning their local service needs.\r\nAs part of the Keep Well health check, individuals are assessed for their alcohol consumption and where appropriate individuals are referred to alcohol services for further support.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:37.667","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281229,"EventID":"S4W-12802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:38.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T12:55:14.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government where people who have an alcohol intake above the recommended level are referred to for assessment and treatment.\r\n","AnswerText":"Decisions on the assessment and appropriate treatment for individuals are taken by practitioners, who take account of the needs and circumstances of each client. Their aim is to ensure that the treatment package will provide the most effective support for that individual. A comprehensive assessment is a key part of this treatment package and should be undertaken with each client to determine their individual needs and goals.\r\nA range of support services for people affected by problem alcohol use are available across Scotland. These services help individuals to recover from the harms caused by alcohol.\r\nThe provision of prevention activity, recovery focussed treatment and support services are for each local area to consider, taking account of local needs, circumstances and resources. Responsibility is devolved to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) to commission (informed by robust needs assessment) evidence-based, person-centred and recovery-focused prevention and treatment services to meet the needs of their resident populations.\r\nAlcohol Focus Scotland provides a search facility to identify support services throughout Scotland on their website. This is available at: http://www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/getting_help/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:38.26","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281230,"EventID":"S4W-12803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:38.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T12:55:14.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have received an Alcohol Brief Intervention in each year since 2010-11, broken down by NHS board, and how these interventions and their outcomes are monitored and reported.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of people that have received Alcohol Brief Interventions (ABIs) in 2010-11 and 2011-12, information for 2012-13 will be published in June 2013.\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nTotal Number of Interventions\r\nScotland \r\n88,143\r\n97,830\r\n185,973\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran \r\n7,591\r\n7,501\r\n15,092\r\nNHS Borders \r\n2,862\r\n2,727\r\n5,589\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway \r\n4,349\r\n2,337\r\n6,686\r\nNHS Fife \r\n4,773\r\n7,430\r\n12,203\r\nNHS Forth Valley \r\n4,094\r\n8,789\r\n12,883\r\nNHS Grampian \r\n11,229\r\n8,682\r\n19,911\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde \r\n15,465\r\n18,571\r\n34,036\r\nNHS Highland \r\n4,497\r\n5,658\r\n10,155\r\nNHS Lanarkshire \r\n7,813\r\n9,034\r\n16,847\r\nNHS Lothian \r\n14,930\r\n17,093\r\n32,023\r\nNHS Orkney \r\n155\r\n308\r\n463\r\nNHS Shetland \r\n287\r\n361\r\n648\r\nNHS Tayside \r\n9,563\r\n8,733\r\n18,296\r\nNHS Western Isles \r\n535\r\n606\r\n1,141\r\nABIs are an evidence-based and cost effective preventative intervention, potentially reducing the requirement for more costly alcohol related treatments later on. \r\nInformation on ABI’S is published on Information services Division website, which is available at: \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Drugs-and-Alcohol-Misuse/Publications/2012-06-26/2012-06-26-ABI-Report.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:38.823","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281231,"EventID":"S4W-12804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:39.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T12:55:14.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it cost the NHS to deal with the impact of alcohol abuse in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Societal Cost of Alcohol Misuse in Scotland for 2007, which was published in January 2010, can be found on the Scottish Government’s website via the following link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/12/29122804/0. This is the most recent publication on estimating the annual cost of alcohol misuse in Scotland and uses a cost of illness approach. The study includes estimates of the relevant direct, indirect and intangible costs associated with alcohol misuse, and covers the following categories: health care, social care, crime, productive capacity of the Scottish economy, wider social costs.\r\nThe total cost to the health service in Scotland for 2007 is estimated to be in the range of £143.6 million to £392.8 million annually with a midpoint estimate of £267.8 million.\r\nSection 5 in the study provides further detail on the costs to healthcare services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:39.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281232,"EventID":"S4W-12805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:39.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T12:55:14.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it cost the police to deal with the impact of alcohol abuse in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Societal Cost of Alcohol Misuse in Scotland for 2007, which was published in January 2010, can be found on the Scottish Government’s website via the following link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/12/29122804/0. This is the most recent publication estimating the annual cost of alcohol misuse in Scotland and uses a cost of illness approach. The study includes estimates of the relevant direct, indirect and intangible costs associated with alcohol misuse, and covers the following categories: health care, social care, crime, productive capacity of the Scottish economy, wider social costs.\r\nThe total cost of crime in Scotland for 2007 is estimated to be in the range of £114.2 million to £346.8 million annually with a midpoint estimate of £230.5 million.\r\nSection 7 in the study provides further detail on the costs of crime.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:39.82","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281233,"EventID":"S4W-12806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:40.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T12:55:14.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it (a) evaluates and (b) reviews changes in health problems from alcohol misuse.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12799 on 04 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:40.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281234,"EventID":"S4W-12807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:40.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T12:55:14.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it cost the country to deal with the impact of alcohol abuse in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Societal Cost of Alcohol Misuse in Scotland for 2007, which was published in January 2010, can be found on the Scottish Government’s website via the following link:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/12/29122804/0. This is the most recent publication on estimating the annual cost of alcohol misuse in Scotland and uses a cost of illness approach.\r\nThe study includes estimates of the relevant direct, indirect and intangible costs associated with alcohol misuse, and covers the following categories: health care, social care, crime, productive capacity of the Scottish economy, wider social costs.\r\nThe total societal cost of alcohol misuse in Scotland for 2007 is estimated to be in the range of £2,476.6 million to £4,635.4 million annually with a midpoint estimate of £3,555.7 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:40.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281235,"EventID":"S4W-12809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:41.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:08:22.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has achieved improved outcomes in reducing health harm caused by alcohol misuse and, if so, from what baseline the improvement is measured.\r\n","AnswerText":"Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy (MESAS) is a programme of work to evaluate the key components of the Scottish Government alcohol strategy. It is led by NHS Health Scotland in collaboration with NHS National Services Scotland Information Services Division. The programme is delivered through a portfolio of commissioned and in-house evaluation studies which has the overall aim of assessing the extent to which the strategy contributed to reducing alcohol-related harms in Scotland.\r\nAs set out in Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy 2nd Annual Report:http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/6182.aspx, which was published in December 2012, Scotland has seen recent improvements in levels of alcohol-related harm. However, as the report makes clear, alcohol-related harm must be viewed in a historical perspective and it is clear that harm remains at unacceptably high levels: alcohol-related deaths double and hospital discharges quadruple the levels of the early 1980s.\r\nScotland’s alcohol strategy continues to evolve and be implemented so it is not appropriate to set a single baseline year. The NHS Health Scotland MESAS first (baseline) and second annual reports make clear that a long term perspective on the overall impact of the strategy is needed, and that premature assessments of trends in consumption and harm based on a few years of data should be avoided.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:41.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281236,"EventID":"S4W-12810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:41.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:08:22.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what success rates alcohol and drug action teams have had in reducing alcohol intake and improving health outcomes in the last two years, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"While the Scottish Government provides funding for Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) via their respective health boards, the government does not performance manage them as ADPs are accountable to local Community Planning Partnerships.\r\nOn 20 April 2009 we launched a new joint Framework, signed jointly by Scottish Government, the NHS and Convention Of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), for delivering action on alcohol and drugs at local level. 30 Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) were created as a result of the framework and are anchored in Community Planning Partnerships. This document is available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/03/04144703/0.\r\nScottish Government, COSLA and NHS Scotland issued ADP Planning and Reporting Guidance for 2012-15 to local areas on 5 April 2012. It identifies seven core outcomes which ADPs are expected to deliver on and are augmented by a set of core indicators, which are available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Services/Alcohol/treatment/Partnership-Outcomes. \r\nThis Guidance aims to support the embedding of outcomes based planning and reporting at local level, helping ADPs to self-assess their performance (including benchmarking against other ADPs) and to articulate their contribution to their local Single Outcome Agreement, as well as contributing to a national picture of our overall progress in supporting alcohol and drug prevention, support and treatment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:41.91","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281237,"EventID":"S4W-12811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:42.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:08:22.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the uptake of the direct enhanced service for alcohol screening and brief interventions has been in the last two years, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"There is not a Direct Enhanced Service (DES) for alcohol screening and brief interventions in Scotland. Alcohol Screening and Brief Interventions across Scotland are delivered across a range of settings.\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12803 on 4 March 2013, which contains details of all the Alcohol Brief Interventions carried out between 2010 and 2012 by NHS board.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:42.41","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281238,"EventID":"S4W-12812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:43.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:08:22.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessments have been made of the provision of services for families affected by alcohol misuse since 2007.","AnswerText":"Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) are strategic partnerships, established in 2009 and are responsible for: developing local strategies for tackling problem alcohol and drug use and promoting recovery.\r\nADPs are responsible to undertake routine and on-going needs assessment of their local communities which should then inform decision-making for the provision of appropriate services for their area. This assessment of need should take into account the impact problem alcohol and drug use has on families and the need for related services to provide appropriate support.\r\nThere are a number of voluntary organisations and mutual aid groups such Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) across Scotland that support individuals in their recovery and also helps to catalyse the growth of recovery communities that support families and individuals to overcome the problems associated with problem alcohol use.\r\nAlcohol Focus Scotland provides a search facility to identify support services throughout Scotland on their website. This is available at: http://www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/getting_help/ \r\nThe Scottish Government has provided funding to the Partnership Drugs Initiative (PDI) since 2001.\r\nThe PDI funds voluntary organisations delivering different projects across all 30 Alcohol and Drug Partnership areas working with families, vulnerable children and young people affected by substance misuse.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:43.147","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281239,"EventID":"S4W-12813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:43.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:08:22.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many child protection cases there have been as a result of parental alcohol misuse in the last two years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Child protection statistics gathered for 2011-12 will include, for the first time, information on children affected by parental substance misuse. These figures will be published on the Scottish Government website in the spring.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:43.697","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281240,"EventID":"S4W-12814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:44.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:08:22.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent (a) meetings or (b) communications it has had with representatives of alcohol treatment providers regarding the impact of alcohol dependence on health and wellbeing.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government Ministers and officials regularly engage with alcohol treatment providers via Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs). When engaging with ADPs, Scottish Government Ministers and officials cover a range of topics given the broad remit and function of ADPs.\r\nADPs are strategic partnerships, established in 2009 and are responsible for: developing local strategies for tackling problem alcohol and drug use and promoting recovery, based on an assessment of local needs; and, putting in place an evidence based process for agreeing how funds should be deployed with a clear focus on the outcomes that the investment will deliver. ADPs are embedded within Community Planning Partnership structures and contribute to the delivery of local Single Outcome Agreements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:44.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281241,"EventID":"S4W-12815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:44.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:08:22.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are being treated for alcohol dependency.\r\n","AnswerText":"The national Drug and Alcohol Treatment Waiting Times Database (DATWTD) gathers access information from specialist drug and alcohol treatment services to measure performance against the HEAT A11 Drug and Alcohol Treatment Waiting Times Target. The DATWTD is managed by NHS National Services Scotland Information Services Division (ISD) and related data is published on a quarterly basis. Latest figures, published in December 2012, indicate that (for July – September 2012) 7,208 entries were recorded on the database for people starting alcohol treatment during the quarter. These figures can be viewed at: http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/wtpilot/reports.htm. \r\nThis data provides an indication of numbers of people being treated for alcohol dependency as the purpose of the DATWTD is to gather information on access to treatment interventions as opposed to numbers of individuals in treatment. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:44.79","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281242,"EventID":"S4W-12816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:45.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-01T13:08:22.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are alcohol dependent.","AnswerText":"Figures for the number of people dependent on alcohol in Scotland are not available. The Scottish Health Survey 2012 included, for the first time, the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). AUDIT is a validated screening tool specifically designed to identify those with alcohol dependence. Findings from the 2012 survey will be published in September 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:45.273","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281243,"EventID":"S4W-12848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:45.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T13:34:05","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of lipoedema have been recorded in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:45.803","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281244,"EventID":"S4W-12849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:46.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T13:34:05","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what treatment is available on the NHS for (a) cancer and (b) non-cancer patients with  lipoedema.","AnswerText":"Patients may be referred to lymphoedema services as some of the treatment options for lymphoedema may be of benefit to people with lipoedema. In some cases, clinicians may consider referring patients for consideration of tumescent liposuction which would be determined following appropriate specialist assessment. Clinicians are best placed to determine the appropriate treatment for their individual patients.\r\nLipoedema, unlike lymphoedema, has no post-cancer treatment correlation, therefore this would not have any bearing on the referral or treatment process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:46.663","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281245,"EventID":"S4W-12850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:47.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T13:34:05","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research there is into the (a) prevalence and (b) treatment of lipoedema.","AnswerText":"We are unaware of any on-going or completed research studies examining the prevalence or treatment of lipoedema in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government funds medical research through the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) which has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health and healthcare needs in Scotland. CSO would welcome research project proposals which seek to investigate the prevalence and treatment of the lipoedema. These would be subject to CSO’s standard peer and committee review processes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:47.1","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281246,"EventID":"S4W-12851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:47.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T13:59:18.803","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the population is of each NHS board area, broken down by (a) age and (b) gender, also expressed as a percentage.","AnswerText":"Estimates of the population, numbers and percentages, usually resident in each NHS board area as at 30 June 2011 are shown in the following tables.\r\nTable A\r\n \r\n \r\nNumbers\r\nNHS Board Areas\r\n \r\n       0-15\r\n     16-64\r\n     65+\r\n   Total\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\nMale\r\n    32,225 \r\n    112,856 \r\n    30,833 \r\n   175,914 \r\n \r\nFemale\r\n    30,816 \r\n    119,642 \r\n    40,518 \r\n   190,976 \r\n\r\nTotal\r\n    63,041 \r\n    232,498 \r\n    71,351 \r\n   366,890 \r\nBorders\r\nMale\r\n    10,071 \r\n      34,389 \r\n    10,465 \r\n     54,925 \r\n \r\nFemale\r\n     9,692 \r\n      35,721 \r\n    12,812 \r\n     58,225 \r\n\r\nTotal\r\n    19,763 \r\n      70,110 \r\n    23,277 \r\n   113,150 \r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nMale\r\n    12,421 \r\n      44,218 \r\n    15,024 \r\n     71,663 \r\n\r\nFemale\r\n    11,873 \r\n      46,098 \r\n    18,426 \r\n     76,397 \r\n\r\nTotal\r\n    24,294 \r\n      90,316 \r\n    33,450 \r\n   148,060 \r\nFife\r\nMale\r\n    33,311 \r\n    115,567 \r\n    28,431 \r\n   177,309 \r\n \r\nFemale\r\n    31,677 \r\n    121,157 \r\n    37,149 \r\n   189,983 \r\n\r\nTotal\r\n    64,988 \r\n    236,724 \r\n    65,580 \r\n   367,292 \r\nForth Valley\r\nMale\r\n    27,571 \r\n      93,803 \r\n    21,504 \r\n   142,878 \r\n \r\nFemale\r\n    26,322 \r\n      98,376 \r\n    27,965 \r\n   152,663 \r\n\r\nTotal\r\n    53,893 \r\n    192,179 \r\n    49,469 \r\n   295,541 \r\nGrampian\r\nMale\r\n    49,936 \r\n    185,981 \r\n    40,060 \r\n   275,977 \r\n \r\nFemale\r\n    46,780 \r\n    182,274 \r\n    50,249 \r\n   279,303 \r\n\r\nTotal\r\n    96,716 \r\n    368,255 \r\n    90,309 \r\n   555,280 \r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\nMale\r\n  106,594 \r\n    400,159 \r\n    76,317 \r\n   583,070 \r\n \r\nFemale\r\n  102,057 \r\n    414,094 \r\n  111,033 \r\n   627,184 \r\n\r\nTotal\r\n  208,651 \r\n    814,253 \r\n  187,350 \r\n 1,210,254 \r\nHighland\r\nMale\r\n    27,325 \r\n      98,655 \r\n    27,776 \r\n   153,756 \r\n \r\nFemale\r\n    25,745 \r\n      97,989 \r\n    34,470 \r\n   158,204 \r\n\r\nTotal\r\n    53,070 \r\n    196,644 \r\n    62,246 \r\n   311,960 \r\nLanarkshire\r\nMale\r\n    53,695 \r\n    178,716 \r\n    38,672 \r\n   271,083 \r\n \r\nFemale\r\n    51,705 \r\n    187,516 \r\n    52,881 \r\n   292,102 \r\n\r\nTotal\r\n  105,400 \r\n    366,232 \r\n    91,553 \r\n   563,185 \r\nLothian\r\nMale\r\n    73,017 \r\n    284,027 \r\n    53,696 \r\n   410,740 \r\n \r\nFemale\r\n    69,967 \r\n    295,710 \r\n    72,310 \r\n   437,987 \r\n\r\nTotal\r\n  142,984 \r\n    579,737 \r\n  126,006 \r\n   848,727 \r\nOrkney\r\nMale\r\n     1,750 \r\n        6,371 \r\n     1,845 \r\n       9,966 \r\n \r\nFemale\r\n     1,629 \r\n        6,357 \r\n     2,208 \r\n     10,194 \r\n\r\nTotal\r\n     3,379 \r\n      12,728 \r\n     4,053 \r\n     20,160 \r\nShetland\r\nMale\r\n     2,188 \r\n        7,447 \r\n     1,770 \r\n     11,405 \r\n \r\nFemale\r\n     2,058 \r\n        6,952 \r\n     2,085 \r\n     11,095 \r\n\r\nTotal\r\n     4,246 \r\n      14,399 \r\n     3,855 \r\n     22,500 \r\nTayside\r\nMale\r\n    34,996 \r\n    127,534 \r\n    34,166 \r\n   196,696 \r\n \r\nFemale\r\n    33,537 \r\n    131,497 \r\n    43,991 \r\n   209,025 \r\n\r\nTotal\r\n    68,533 \r\n    259,031 \r\n    78,157 \r\n   405,721 \r\nWestern Isles\r\nMale\r\n     2,226 \r\n        8,155 \r\n     2,437 \r\n     12,818 \r\n \r\nFemale\r\n     2,133 \r\n        7,835 \r\n     3,294 \r\n     13,262 \r\n\r\nTotal\r\n     4,359 \r\n      15,990 \r\n     5,731 \r\n     26,080 \r\nTotal\r\nMale\r\n  467,326 \r\n  1,697,878 \r\n  382,996 \r\n 2,548,200 \r\n\r\nFemale\r\n  445,991 \r\n  1,751,218 \r\n  509,391 \r\n 2,706,600 \r\n \r\nTotal\r\n  913,317 \r\n  3,449,096 \r\n  892,387 \r\n 5,254,800 \r\n\r\nTable B\r\n \r\n \r\nPercentages\r\nNHS Board Areas\r\n \r\n0-15\r\n16-64\r\n65+\r\nTotal\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\nMale\r\n18\r\n64\r\n18\r\n48\r\n \r\nFemale\r\n16\r\n63\r\n21\r\n52\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n17\r\n63\r\n19\r\n100\r\nBorders\r\nMale\r\n18\r\n63\r\n19\r\n49\r\n \r\nFemale\r\n17\r\n61\r\n22\r\n51\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n17\r\n62\r\n21\r\n100\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nMale\r\n17\r\n62\r\n21\r\n48\r\n\r\nFemale\r\n16\r\n60\r\n24\r\n52\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n16\r\n61\r\n23\r\n100\r\nFife\r\nMale\r\n19\r\n65\r\n16\r\n48\r\n \r\nFemale\r\n17\r\n64\r\n20\r\n52\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n18\r\n64\r\n18\r\n100\r\nForth Valley\r\nMale\r\n19\r\n66\r\n15\r\n48\r\n \r\nFemale\r\n17\r\n64\r\n18\r\n52\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n18\r\n65\r\n17\r\n100\r\nGrampian\r\nMale\r\n18\r\n67\r\n15\r\n50\r\n \r\nFemale\r\n17\r\n65\r\n18\r\n50\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n17\r\n66\r\n16\r\n100\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\nMale\r\n18\r\n69\r\n13\r\n48\r\n \r\nFemale\r\n16\r\n66\r\n18\r\n52\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n17\r\n67\r\n15\r\n100\r\nHighland\r\nMale\r\n18\r\n64\r\n18\r\n49\r\n \r\nFemale\r\n16\r\n62\r\n22\r\n51\r\n\r\nTota","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:47.597","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281247,"EventID":"S4W-12852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:47.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T15:14:21.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) the dualling works on the A9, (b) A96 improvement works, (c) Edinburgh and Glasgow to Aberdeen rail improvement works and (d) Edinburgh and Glasgow to Inverness rail improvement works have been accelerated in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011: Updated Programme Pipeline (January 2013) compared with the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011 as a result of the £394 million in additional capital resources allocated in the 2012 Autumn Statement.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wrote to the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Statement on 5 December calling on the UK Government to provide an immediate targeted boost to capital investment to protect the recovery in the short term and provide the infrastructure necessary to facilitate long term economic growth.\r\nThe Scottish Government therefore welcomed that the Chancellor finally heeded Scotland’s calls to boost capital spending, and that an additional £394 million in capital funding has been allocated over the three years, we note however that this was accompanied by reductions in our resource budget, and the capital budget is still being cut by 26 per cent in real terms over the period of the UK Spending Review.\r\nThe Scottish Government announced on 19 December 2012 that a £205 million package of construction and maintenance projects will be taken forward, allocating the additional capital consequentials for 2012-13 and 2013-14 arising from the Autumn Statement 2012. This package focused on smaller, “Shovel Ready” projects that could start work by the end of 2013-14, in order to boost jobs and economic activity. The Infrastructure Investment Plan pipeline includes larger projects, with a capital value over £20 million to be delivered over the period through to 2030. These larger projects require significant planning and preparation, and were unlikely to be able to be accelerated sufficiently to deliver by the end of 2013-14. Further information on the shovel ready projects that are being taken forward can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/12/jobs192012. A total of £21.2 million was allocated to transport projects over the period 2012-13 – 2014-15.\r\nWe also announced that we would not at this stage allocate the additional funds available for 2014-15. The Chancellor is planning a UK Spending Review in the first half of 2013, and this may impact on the overall budget available to the Scottish Government in 2014-15. We wish to reflect on the outcome of the UK Spending Review before allocating the additional capital consequentials for that year, and will make further announcements in due course.\r\nThe table below gives additional information about the progress being made with the projects specifically highlighted.\r\nDualling works on the A9\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government announced a commitment to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness by 2025 as part of the IIP announcement in December 2011. There are 80 miles of single carriageway to be dualled\r\n\r\nWork is now well underway and progressing on strategic engineering and environmental assessments. Ministers have announced two schemes that will be brought forward for earlier completion - A9 Kincraig to Dalraddy will start construction in 2015-16 and A9 Luncarty to Birnam will start construction in 2017. A series of corridor wide exhibitions were held in December 2012 to inform the public of the Scottish Government’s plans for dualling and the process and challenges involved.\r\n\r\nA96 improvement works\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government has made a commitment to complete the dualling of the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen by 2030.\r\n\r\nThe A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen is nearly 100 miles long and consists mostly of single carriageway and climbing lanes in places. Dualling the remaining 84 miles of this important road between Scotland's two northern most cities is a significant undertaking which will require careful, in-depth planning and design to ensure that we deliver the right scheme to help tackle congestion and provide better journey time reliability and road safety for motorists.\r\n\r\nTransport Scotland has undertaken a series of workshops with key agencies to discuss how the dualling work might be phased and share experience of the route and the benefits dualling will bring. This work will culminate in a strategy for dualling the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen with the objective completing the full dualling by 2030.\r\n\r\nA96 Inshes to Nairn\r\n\r\nFollowing the Scottish ","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:47.91","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281248,"EventID":"S4W-12856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:48.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T15:14:21.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which projects have been accelerated in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011: Updated Programme Pipeline (January 2013) compared with the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011 as a result of the £394 million in additional capital resources allocated in the 2012 Autumn Statement.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12852 on 4 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:48.27","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281249,"EventID":"S4W-12857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:48.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T15:14:21.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects the remaining unallocated amounts from the £394 million in additional capital resources allocated in the 2012 Autumn Statement to accelerate the delivery of the (a) A9 dualling works, (b) A96 improvements, (c) Edinburgh and Glasgow to Inverness rail improvement works or (d) Edinburgh and Glasgow to Aberdeen rail improvement works.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to my answer to question S4W-12852 on 4 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:48.627","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281250,"EventID":"S4W-12858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:48.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T15:14:21.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what new programme pipeline works were included in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011: Updated Programme Pipeline (January 2013) compared with the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011.\r\n","AnswerText":"There were no additions to the programme pipeline. The programme pipeline updates the programme information published in December 2011 as part of Annex C of the Infrastructure Investment Plan, for example in relation to costs and timeframes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:48.957","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281251,"EventID":"S4W-12859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:49.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T15:14:21.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Glasgow to Edinburgh high-speed rail plans set out in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011: Updated Programme Pipeline (January 2013) have displaced as a priority any of the projects in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Glasgow to Edinburgh high-speed rail plans has not displaced as a priority any of the projects in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:49.3","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281252,"EventID":"S4W-12860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:49.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T15:14:21.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many projects of what value in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011 had been completed by the time the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011:Updated Programme Pipeline (January 2013) was published and how many additional projects of what value were added by the update.","AnswerText":"Over 2012, nine of the major infrastructure projects included in the IIP, with a value of £644.5 million, have been completed and are now in use. These include:\r\nThree transport projects:\r\nthe Paisley Corridor rail improvements, \r\nthe Fife Intelligent Transport System (part of the Forth Replacement Crossing project); and\r\nA96 Fochabers to Mosstodloch Bypass.\r\nFour health projects: \r\nNHS Lanarkshire - Airdrie Community Health Centre\r\nNHS Tayside - Mental Health Developments Project, \r\nNHS Lothian – Royal Victoria Hospital; and \r\nNHS Grampian - Emergency Care Centre.\r\nTwo prison projects: \r\nHMP Low Moss; and \r\nHMPShotts – Redevelopment Phase 2.\r\nIndividual schools projects forming part of the Scotland’s Schools for the Future Programme (£1.25 billion) have been added to the pipeline, as have hub community health projects with a capital value over £5 million which form part of the wider hub programme. \r\nOver 100 individual “live” projects are included in the project pipeline, and it will be the most comprehensive overview of all major infrastructure projects under development that has to date been put in the public domain, and should serve to inform the market of upcoming investment opportunities and give information to all stakeholders who are interested in the progress of infrastructure investment in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:49.657","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281253,"EventID":"S4W-12861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:49.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T15:14:21.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its timescale is for setting out details of the (a) termini, (b) route, (c) cost and (d) date of the works on high-speed rail between Edinburgh and Glasgow.","AnswerText":"Outline business case appraisal will report in 2014. The outline business case will consider broad route alignment and indicative cost/benefits analyses of options.\r\nThose analyses will support the consideration of the decisions necessary to progress the scheme, and subsequently secure Parliamentary approval through Bill processes.\r\nPreparation for that Bill would require further development of a detailed proposal, including detailed design of route, termini options, and environmental and social reporting.\r\nOur ambition is that a new line linking Edinburgh to Glasgow, including a new route alignment for rail services to and from the South, would be operational by 2024.\r\nThis would indicate a preparation and construction period, allowing for a period of final operational testing, between 2016 and 2023.\r\nFurther detail on the timing of these processes is available from the following report, prepared by independent consultants, and placed on Transport Scotland’s website on 21 December 2012:\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/documents/rail/Commnetary_on_Outline_Programme.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:50","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281254,"EventID":"S4W-12862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:50.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T15:14:21.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will give potential developers notice of the additional capital works to be added to the programme in 2014-15 as a result of the £394 million in additional capital resources allocated in the 2012 Autumn Statement.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12852 on 4 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:50.327","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281255,"EventID":"S4W-12863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:50.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-04T15:14:21.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will compare the potential benefits of its high-speed rail proposals between Edinburgh and Glasgow against projects currently in the project pipeline.","AnswerText":"The Infrastructure Investment Plan published in December 2011 outlines the process for prioritising investment across the Scottish Government and the process for prioritising within sectors, including transport.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:50.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281256,"EventID":"S4W-12864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1742,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:51.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T07:04:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has about what action each local authority is taking to raise awareness of the impact of the proposed welfare reforms.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local authorities are engaged in a range of actions to prepare for the reforms, such as establishing arrangements for the Scottish Welfare Fund in their area and work to introduce the Council Tax Reduction scheme. Several local authorities are also involved in pilots that provide an opportunity to help prepare for the introduction of universal credit.\r\nWe are working in partnership with COSLA and funding the improvement service to gather intelligence and information about the preparedness of councils and their partners as they prepare to implement the reforms and support those affected by the changes. This will help local authorities to shape their individual responses to the emerging priorities in their areas, including actions required to raise awareness on the expected impacts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:51.937","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281257,"EventID":"S4W-12865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:52.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T10:08:41.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that every pregnancy other than in the last trimester is assessed for foetal growth retardation.","AnswerText":"National care pathways indicate that midwives should assess fetal growth at each scheduled antenatal visit from 28 weeks of pregnancy. If concerns were detected regarding growth at the time of the anomaly ultrasound scan, at between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, there would be a follow up, however the reasons for a small baby at this point are usually chromosomal or other abnormalities and this is not a time that “growth” per se is monitored. Normally formed babies are about the same size at 20 weeks.\r\nWhere a midwife has a concern related to fetal growth, she/he would refer the woman for ultrasound examination and obstetric review as required. Scans for growth would not be commenced until 28 weeks routinely or at 24 weeks if there had been a previous problem with severe growth restriction or another significant medical risk factor.\r\nWomen who are known to be at risk of fetal growth restriction will have additional monitoring including additional ultrasound scans during pregnancy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:52.247","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281258,"EventID":"S4W-12866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:52.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T10:08:41.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that doctors explore the risks of stillbirth associated with passive and active smoking with prospective parents.","AnswerText":"Awareness of all the risks of antenatal smoking, including the increased risk of stillbirth, is taught as part of midwifery and medical education curricula. All women are counselled of the risks of antenatal smoking at booking and throughout the pregnancy if they continue to smoke and are offered help with smoking cessation.\r\nAll health professionals have a responsibility to take a person-centred approach to improving the health of the people they care for and primary care settings are particularly well placed to engage with smokers. The guidance makes clear that GPs should be aware of all referral options to specialist smoking cessation services as well as how to provide advice to smokers through brief interventions. Helping smokers to quit is part of the primary care remit and payments are currently made to GP practices for recording smoking status and appropriate onward referral under the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF).\r\nThe Scottish Patient Safety Programme - Maternity Care Quality Improvement Collaborative will include smoking cessation as one of its two main aspects of care. The programme will focus on improving the numbers of women who are referred to smoking cessation services and improvements in the clinical management of risks for those women and their babies who are unable or unwilling to stop smoking.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:52.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281259,"EventID":"S4W-12867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:53.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T10:08:41.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it (a) monitors and (b) prepares for novel viruses or variations.","AnswerText":"In compliance with the International Health Regulations (IHR), Health Protection Scotland (HPS) undertakes surveillance to monitor the emergence of new viruses and variations and either provides or receives alerts from the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) via the Health Protection Agency, the competent body for the UK, as part of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control network of national/regional institutes.\r\nThe EWRS is a health professional network to promote cooperation and coordination between the EU Member States, with a view to improving the prevention and control of communicable diseases. Where an incident or outbreak of infectious disease has been identified which has capacity for spreading to other member states, HPS will provide an assessment and if it considers necessary, will issue a HPS Briefing Note to Health Protection Teams in local NHS boards and GPs to provide background to the case and recommendations for action. HPS work closely with Scottish Government to ensure they are fully informed and ministers are aware.\r\nHealth boards have local health protection plans in place to activate their response where a public health incident or outbreak occurs.\r\nIn addition, all Scottish Virology laboratories are part of a UK Clinical Virology Network which share information and where appropriate laboratory re-agents to allow testing capabilities for novel viruses or variations. Such contingency arrangements allowed the rapid roll-out of testing for the novel coronavirus in Scotland following the development of a new laboratory test by colleagues in the Respiratory Virus team in the Health Protection Agency (Colindale).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:53.027","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281260,"EventID":"S4W-12868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:53.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T10:08:41.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is participating in the work of the Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance group and, if so, what financial contribution it makes and whether an independent Scotland would continue such participation.","AnswerText":"The Chief Veterinary Officer Sheila Voas is a member of the Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance group and attends meetings.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not make any direct financial contribution to this group. However some costs are incurred for travel and subsistence as the meetings are generally held in London.\r\nIn an independent Scotland it would be sensible to continue participation in the group, if invited. It is a useful forum to identify and assess infectious incidents in animals and humans globally, which have potential for interspecies transfer and may pose a threat to UK public and animal health. \r\nIn addition, Health Protection Scotland is also represented on the group in relation to issues which impact on human health from animal infection and associated disease.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:53.4","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281261,"EventID":"S4W-12869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:53.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T10:08:41.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it holds separate contracts with the pharmaceutical industry for (a) the production of annual influenza vaccine and (b) rapid access to a novel vaccine in the event of a pandemic.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold contracts with the pharmaceutical industry for the annual seasonal flu vaccine. This is carried out by community pharmacists on behalf of General Practitioners. National Procurement Division of NHS National Services Scotland leads on the annual process of tendering and procurement for the Scottish Government national contingency stock of influenza vaccine which is reserved for use where vaccination uptake is higher than expected and additional vaccine is required to ensure those in at-risk groups can receive the vaccine.\r\nThe Scottish Government has priority access to a novel vaccine in the event of a pandemic via a contract signed by the Department of Health on behalf of the four UK administrations. This contract reserves capacity for the production and supply of pandemic vaccine.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:53.807","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281262,"EventID":"S4W-12870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:54.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T10:08:41.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients treated with a DePuy articular surface hip replacement have been (a) identified, (b) offered a review and (c) tested for levels of cobalt and chromium ions.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. It is for NHS boards to manage patients with metal on metal hip replacements, including DePuy articular surface hip replacements, so that they receive the appropriate level care.\r\nScottish Government officials are working with NHS boards to ensure that the guidance issued by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority on the management of patients with metal on metal hip replacements is being followed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:54.197","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281263,"EventID":"S4W-12871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:54.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T10:09:29.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made a submission to the consultation on the proposed merger between  the Human Tissue Authority, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the Care Quality Commission and, if so, whether this is publicly available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government did not submit a response to the Department of Health’s consultation on its proposals to transfer functions from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) to the Care Quality Commission. The Scottish Transplant Group, which advises ministers on matters relating to organ donation and transplantation in Scotland submitted a response on the HTA aspects of the consultation. The Westminster Government response to the consultation (which includes all stakeholder responses) can be found at the link below:\r\nhttp://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2013/01/response-hfea-hta\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:54.573","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281264,"EventID":"S4W-12872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:54.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T10:09:29.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) personnel support it provides to the (i) Human Tissue Authority and (ii) Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; whether an independent Scotland would establish similar bodies, and, if so, how much they would cost to (A) establish and (B) operate.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not make a financial contribution or provide personnel support to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority but does have a formal contract with the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) in relation to the functions it undertakes in Scotland. In 2012-13 the charge for this was £38,826. No personnel support is given to this organisation.\r\nThe Scottish Government will set out its proposals for an independent Scotland in a comprehensive white paper in the run up to the referendum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:54.947","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281265,"EventID":"S4W-12873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:55.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T10:09:46.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what target it has set for the eventual level of distribution of naloxone kits to heroin users following the study in the Annals of Internal Medicine [Ann Intern Med 2013;158:1-9], Naloxone for heroin overdose reversal.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s take home naloxone programme is supported by the collection and reporting of national monitoring information, which is led by the Information Services Division (ISD) of NHS National Services Scotland.\r\n2011-12 was the first full year of the rollout of the programme. The programme’s baseline measure and the number of take home naloxone kits issued through the programme was published by ISD Scotland in July 2012: http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/publications/abstracts/naloxone_programme_2011_12.html. The next release of monitoring information for 2012-13 will be published by ISD in summer 2013.\r\nThe Scottish Government works closely with an expert advisory group which provides advice and guidance on the rollout of the programme across Scotland, including on monitoring and evaluation. The advisory group continues to review the delivery of the programme so that it can be continually developed and targeted. As the academic evidence base around take home naloxone grows, it is expected that this will inform the delivery of Scotland’s national programme. A copy of the research study by Phillip Coffin and Sean Sullivan published in the Annals of Internal Medicine (January 2013) will be shared with members of the expert advisory group for their consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:55.43","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281266,"EventID":"S4W-12874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:55.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T11:38:29.77","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the GP contract ensures that patients with multimorbidity are reviewed for multimorbidity rather than for each condition separately and that such reviews include screening for depression.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) element of the GP contract is not designed to handle multimorbidities, other than encouraging GPs to review patients’ with more than one disease at the same time.\r\nNational Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, which leads on development of the QOF, is looking to develop guidelines on multimorbidities aimed at the GP audience. Many NHS boards in Scotland have Enhanced Service programmes that do encourage a multimorbidity approach, including screening for depression.\r\nGPs are expected to use their professional judgement and expertise in assessing the health and treatment of their patients, and this will include consideration of any multimorbidity or mental health factors.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:55.837","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281267,"EventID":"S4W-12875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:56.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T12:23:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11527 by Roseanna Cunningham on 13 December 2012, what membership changes there have been to the independent expert group since May 2011.\r\n","AnswerText":"The independent expert group on opiate replacement therapies was announced on 5 October 2012:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/10/treatment05102012.\r\nInformation on the membership of the group is available on the Drugs Strategy Delivery Commission’s website: http://drugsstrategydeliverycommission.ning.com/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:56.46","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281268,"EventID":"S4W-12876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:56.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T12:23:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11527 by Roseanna Cunningham on 13 December 2012, who the volunteers on the independent expert group are; what their job titles and roles are, and what criteria were used to select them.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the independent expert group on opiate replacement therapies is available on the Drugs Strategy Delivery Commission’s website: http://drugsstrategydeliverycommission.ning.com/. This website includes  information on the commissioning process and the membership of the expert group (including job titles and roles).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:56.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281269,"EventID":"S4W-12877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:56.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T12:23:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11533 by Roseanna Cunningham on 13 December 2012, whether it will publish all of the clinical evidence reviewed by the independent expert group and, if so, when.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the independent expert group on opiate replacement therapies is publicly available on the Drugs Strategy Delivery Commission’s website:\r\nhttp://drugsstrategydeliverycommission.ning.com/.\r\nThe expert group will be consulting all political parties on an independent basis and is also meeting with the cross party group on drug and alcohol misuse. The expert group is gathering evidence from a wide variety of perspectives including, professionals, academics, service users, their families, communities, delivery groups, national groups as well as from the international evidence base. The final scope of the review will be informed by the views of the cross political parties and the Chief Medical Officer.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:57.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281270,"EventID":"S4W-12878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T14:17:57.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T13:02:11.293","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to mitigate the effects of the underoccupancy penalty on families in Scotland.  \r\n","AnswerText":"SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT\r\nWRITTEN ANSWER\r\n28 February 2013\t\r\nIndex Heading: Governance and Communities\r\n Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to mitigate the effects of the underoccupancy penalty on families in Scotland.\r\n(S4W-12878)\r\nMargaret Burgess:The Scottish Government is providing financial help for low income people and families affected by the UK Government’s welfare reforms. We are protecting people currently receiving council tax benefit against the UK Government’s 10% cut in funding for successor arrangements; providing an additional £9.2 million for the new Scottish Welfare Fund; and providing a £5.4 million package to support those providing front-line advice and support to people across Scotland.\r\nWe are helping local authorities and landlords to support their tenants through the UK Government’s benefit changes through £160,000 investment in awareness raising, training and guidance. This includes resources for our homelessness prevention approach, which provides a strong safety net for anyone at risk of homelessness. We will monitor impacts closely and continue to work with tenant representatives and other stakeholders to identify any further action we can take to mitigate the effects of the under-occupancy penalty.\r\nAs long as responsibility for welfare benefits is reserved to Westminster we are limited in what we can do to protect vulnerable families.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:17:57.27","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281271,"EventID":"S4W-12879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:48:54.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:19:08.06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers worked on the paper, Scotland’s Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution, and how long they spent working on it.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution was drafted by a lead author civil servant with contributions from other civil servants, special advisers and ministers. For all of the individuals involved, consideration of the draft paper was only part of their overall workload. It is not practicable to give a detailed estimate of the total time spent by any individual in relation to this work.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:48:54.527","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281272,"EventID":"S4W-12880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:48:55.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:19:08.06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it consulted anyone external to the civil service when drafting the paper, Scotland’s Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government prepared Scotland’s Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution without employing external consultants.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:48:55.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281273,"EventID":"S4W-12881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:48:55.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the operational arrangements for the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"The final arrangements for managing the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:48:55.527","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281274,"EventID":"S4W-12882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:48:55.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients will benefit from the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund and on what basis the estimate has been made.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not centrally hold data on the number of patients suffering from rare conditions for which orphan medicines not recommended by the Scottish Medicines Consortium might be funded following a successful Individual Patient Treatment Request.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:48:55.887","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281275,"EventID":"S4W-12883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:48:56.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what drugs (a) with and (b) without European Medicines Agency orphan designation have not been accepted for use by the Scottish Medicines Consortium in each year since 2010 and how many potential users of the drugs there were.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) advice on all medicines, including medicines with European Medicines Agency orphan designation, is available on the SMC website: http://www.scottishmedicines.org\r\nThe Detailed Advice Document (DAD) for each medicine published by the SMC contains a section on Product Availability Date which identifies those medicines with orphan designation. The DAD also contains estimates from the medicine manufacturer about the number of patients in Scotland who would be eligible for treatment with the medicine in question.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:48:56.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281276,"EventID":"S4W-12886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:48:56.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent by each NHS board on orphan drugs in each year since 2010.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S4W-11438 on 13 December 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at;\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:48:56.587","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281277,"EventID":"S4W-12887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:48:57.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the hospital medicines utilisation database has recorded as being spent on  medicines for cancer treatment by each NHS board in each year since 2010.\r\n","AnswerText":"At present, the Hospital Medicines Utilisation Database (HMUD) data is not sufficiently complete for all the NHS boards in which tertiary cancer services operate to provide a true indication of the use of cancer therapy across Scotland.\r\nPlans are in place to improve the understanding and completeness of data in the HMUD system. Further validation of the dataset is also planned to enable expansion of its usage to areas other than its current main use of antimicrobial prescribing surveillance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:48:57.21","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281278,"EventID":"S4W-12888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:48:57.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what basis it has valued the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund at £21 million.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have estimated that £20 million would be sufficient to comfortably meet the costs of successful Individual Patient Treatment Requests for orphan medicines in the 2013-14 financial year. As the fund will begin operation in March 2013 the total we have allocated for the fund is therefore £21.7 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:48:57.553","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281279,"EventID":"S4W-12889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:48:57.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the interim advice provided by Professor Charles Swainson on the individual patient treatment request process.\r\n","AnswerText":"The outcomes of the current review of Access to New Medicines will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:48:57.867","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281280,"EventID":"S4W-12890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:48:58.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish guidance on the administration of the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund and whether it will consult on the guidance.\r\n","AnswerText":"The final arrangements for managing the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:48:58.537","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281281,"EventID":"S4W-12892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:48:58.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the qualifying criteria for the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund will be.\r\n","AnswerText":"The final arrangements for managing the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:48:58.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281282,"EventID":"S4W-12893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:48:59.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to ensure that patients with relatively rare conditions can access medicines recommended by their clinicians.","AnswerText":"The outcomes of the current review of Access to New Medicines will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:48:59.13","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281283,"EventID":"S4W-12894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:48:59.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of the review of the individual patient treatment requests process and whether a ministerial statement will be made on the matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"The outcomes of the current review of Access to New Medicines will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:48:59.427","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281284,"EventID":"S4W-12895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:48:59.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will remove the restrictions in the Chief Medical Officer's guidance on individual patient treatment requests that stipulate that applications for treatments must be within licence and outside a Scottish Medicines Consortium restriction.\r\n","AnswerText":"The outcomes of the current review of Access to New Medicines will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:48:59.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281285,"EventID":"S4W-12896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:49:00.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reform the individual patient treatment requests process to ensure that applications for treatments that fall within the scope of the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund are approved from 1 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The outcomes of the current review of Access to New Medicines will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:49:00.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281286,"EventID":"S4W-12897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:49:00.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that clinicians are not deterred from applying for treatments under the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government would expect clinicians to pursue an Individual Patient Treatment Requests (IPTRs) for an individual patient where they believe they can provide a robust clinical case to support prescribing an SMC “not recommended” medicine. NHS boards are expected to ensure their clinicians are appropriately trained in the IPTR policies. The Scottish Government will consider any recommendations for improvement in this regard from the new medicines review.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:49:00.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281287,"EventID":"S4W-12898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:49:00.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish monthly the number and type of applications to the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund and the associated costs.\r\n","AnswerText":"The final arrangements for managing the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:49:00.753","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281288,"EventID":"S4W-12899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:49:01.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether each NHS board will introduce the central collection of data on medicines prescribing and usage, broken down by condition.\r\n","AnswerText":"The vast majority of drugs in the NHS in Scotland are prescribed and dispensed in primary care. Prescription and cost analysis data of these drugs are published on the NHS National Services Scotland website at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Prescribing-and-Medicines/Publications/. The data also includes prescriptions written in hospitals that are dispensed in the community. Analysis is available in financial years from 2000-01.\r\nThe analysis provides details of the number of items dispensed and the gross ingredient cost by British National Formulary (BNF) therapeutic class. The BNF Chapter, Section and Subsection names contained in the analysis are broadly equivalent to treatment type.\r\nIt is important to note that some drugs can be used for more than one indication or treatment. The analysis therefore records prescribing against the main therapeutic class for which the drug is intended.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:49:01.11","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281289,"EventID":"S4W-12900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:49:01.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-06398 by Alex Neil on 23 April 2012, what subsequent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the introduction of value-based pricing.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have exchanged correspondence with Earl Howe concerning Value Based Pricing and have received further assurances that the UK Government and Devolved Administrations will continue to work closely together in developing a value based pricing approach. Officials are also in regular contact with the Department of Health and I can confirm that arrangements are currently in hand for me to meet with Earl Howe, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for Medicines and Pharmacy policy, at the next available opportunity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:49:01.44","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281290,"EventID":"S4W-12901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:49:01.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T14:44:56.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will retain the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund after value-based pricing is introduced.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Rare Conditions Medicines Fund is an interim measure whose operation we will review in light of any changes to the access to medicines landscape that come as a consequence of our ongoing review and the introduction of value based pricing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:49:01.737","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281291,"EventID":"S4W-12912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:49:02.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:42:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been (a) charged and (b) convicted for a criminal offence committed in an accident and emergency department in the last five years, broken down by crime.","AnswerText":"Information on the location of offences is not held in The Scottish Government court proceedings database, however, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-11677 on 10 January 2013 which includes data on section 5(1) of the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 relating to assaulting or impeding health workers in hospital premises.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:49:02.127","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281292,"EventID":"S4W-12913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:49:02.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:42:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what stage of implementation the Southern General Hospital’s proposed green travel plan has reached.","AnswerText":"The travel plan for the new South Glasgow Hospitals will be implemented when the hospitals are operational in 2015.\r\nIn the meantime, extensive travel planning for the hospitals is on-going including construction of on-site transport infrastructure, for example, a new dedicated road for public transport.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:49:02.563","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281293,"EventID":"S4W-12914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:49:02.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:42:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been invested to ensure high-frequency bus transportation as part of the Southern General Hospital’s proposed green travel plan.","AnswerText":"As part of the green travel plan for the new South Glasgow Hospitals, £40 million has been invested in the Fastlink bus service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:49:02.937","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281294,"EventID":"S4W-12918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:49:03.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T16:09:59.797","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants are working on constitutional reform workstreams.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of their normal duties, civil servants provide support on relevant aspects of the Scottish Government’s work. Staff contribute to constitutional policy development from within their own subject areas as and when required.\r\nThe amount of time staff spend contributing to the workstreams varies widely from week to week, and we do not routinely record this information, as we have no business need for it. The most recent published information on this subject is in the form of a response to an FOI request available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/constitution/About/Workstreams.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:49:03.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281295,"EventID":"S4W-12919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-05T16:49:03.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T16:09:59.797","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants are working on infrastructure workstreams.","AnswerText":"There are four members of staff within the Infrastructure Investment Unit, which leads on the production of the Infrastructure Investment Plan and co-ordinates analysis and advice to Ministers on public sector infrastructure investment issues.\r\nIn carrying out its role, the IIU works closely with officials across the Scottish Government Directorates and its Agencies, particularly those with major capital expenditure responsibilities such as Transport Scotland and Health Directorate and with Scottish Futures Trust.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T16:49:03.763","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281302,"EventID":"S4W-12925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T09:35:09.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T08:31:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish  Government what progress it has made in ensuring that the proposals to improve arrangements for independent monitoring of prisons will meet the obligations under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture.\r\n","AnswerText":"I asked Professor Andrew Coyle, Emeritus Professor of Prison Studies in the University of London and Visiting Professor in the University of Essex, to review the Scottish Government’s proposals to improve arrangements for independent monitoring of prisons.\r\nThe review ran from October 2012 until January 2013. Professor Coyle submitted his report to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice at the end of January 2013. Professor Coyle’s report will be published today, 7 February 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T09:35:10.08","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281303,"EventID":"S4W-12942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T12:34:56.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T12:27:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will (a) respond to its recent consultation on Renewables Obligation banding levels and (b) confirm levels of support for biomass generation.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is publishing today its response to a recent supplementary consultation on changes to the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) legislation and support levels.\r\nOur response confirms that support for biomass electricity will be restricted to stations no larger than 15 megawatts installed capacity – unless those stations are accredited as combined heat and power stations. This is slightly higher than the ceiling of 10 megawatts which we had proposed in our consultation, because – while we believe that the need for a restriction in support for biomass electricity remains essential, and we are delivering that – we also wish to support investment in a larger number of stations, subject to their receiving planning permission, which will incorporate good quality combined heat and power. These stations could also attract vital investment in existing businesses, creating and preserving jobs.\r\nWe are publishing a response document and summary of the consultation outcome on our website this morning. A copy of that report has also been sent to the Enterprise, Energy and Tourism committee and to the respondents to our consultation. The document also confirms our decisions in a small number of other areas, including support for solar PV. An amending Order containing these changes, and the others consulted upon as part of our review, will be laid before the Scottish Parliament shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T12:34:56.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281304,"EventID":"S4W-12902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:26.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:21:36.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the £119 million forecast for schools projects in the non-profit distributing programme for 2012-13 has not been spent or allocated by the Scottish Futures Trust.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to my answer to question S4W-12698 on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:26.163","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281305,"EventID":"S4W-12903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:26.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:21:36.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the £65 million forecast for colleges projects in the non-profit distibuting programme for 2012-13 has not been spent or allocated by the Scottish Futures Trust.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to my answer to question S4W-12698 on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:26.523","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281306,"EventID":"S4W-12904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:26.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:21:36.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which schools projects in the non-profit distributing programme have been (a) delayed or (b) subject to slippage.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to my answer to question S4W-12698 on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:26.867","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281307,"EventID":"S4W-12905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:27.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:21:36.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the £150 million forecast for schools projects in the non-profit distributing programme for 2013-14 has been reduced to £62 million.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to my answer to question S4W-12698 on 25 February 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:27.553","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281308,"EventID":"S4W-12906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:28.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:21:36.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the £115 million forecast for college projects in the non-profit distributing programme for 2013-14 has been reduced to £78 million.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to my answer to question S4W-12698 on 25 February 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:28.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281309,"EventID":"S4W-12907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:29.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:21:36.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which colleges projects in the non-profit distributing programme for 2012-13 have been (a) delayed or (b) subject to slippage.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to my answer to question S4W-12698 on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:29.253","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281310,"EventID":"S4W-12908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:29.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:21:36.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the forecast spend of £353 million in the non-profit distributing programme for 2012-13 has been reduced to £20 million.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12698 on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:29.987","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281311,"EventID":"S4W-12909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:30.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:21:36.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which projects in the non-profit distributing programme will be delayed as a result of the reduction in forecast spend from £353 million to £20 million in 2012-13.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to my answer to question S4W-12698 on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:30.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281312,"EventID":"S4W-12910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:30.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:21:36.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which projects in the non-profit distributing programme will be delayed as a result of the reduction of the forecast spend from £686 million to £338 million for 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to my answer to question S4W-12698 on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:30.75","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281313,"EventID":"S4W-12911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:31.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:44:49.373","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will offer to Strathclyde Police to assist in its efforts to catch the perpetrator of sexual assaults on three women in Glasgow between 24 January and 3 February 2013.","AnswerText":"The allocation and deployment of officers and the arrangements for the day-to-day policing of an area are the operational responsibility of the Chief Constable. The Scottish Government has confidence in the ability of the police to respond to incidents and is pleased that a man has now been arrested and charged in relation to these recent assaults in Glasgow.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:31.093","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281314,"EventID":"S4W-12915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:31.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:58:57.527","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve early diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.","AnswerText":"Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is a rare lung condition the cause of which is of unknown. It can be difficult to diagnose as the main symptoms are similar to other lung conditions. Diagnosis will usually be made by a respiratory specialist and may involve a number of tests including chest x-ray, CT scan and in some cases lung biopsy.\r\nRespiratory Managed Clinical Networks have been established in all NHS health boards across Scotland, supported by pump priming funding from the Scottish Government. Our National Advisory Group (NAG) for Respiratory Managed Clinical Networks is working to develop a co-ordinated approach to improving respiratory services across Scotland and provides the opportunity for local Managed Clinical Networks, patient representatives and stakeholders to discuss issues, identify solutions and share best practice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:31.42","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281315,"EventID":"S4W-12916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:32.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:58:57.527","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that patients can access orphan medicines.\r\n","AnswerText":"Access to orphan medicines has been a key focus of the Health and Sport Committee and the New Medicines Review. The Scottish Government will carefully consider any recommendations for improvement to the existing arrangements from the New Medicines Review and the Health and Sport Committee.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:32.077","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281316,"EventID":"S4W-12917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:32.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T15:58:57.527","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are measures in place to ensure that an older average age of patients is not a negatively discriminating factor in the valuation of treatments and their outcomes by the Scottish Medicines Consortium.\r\n","AnswerText":"In the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) assessment process, the benefits of treatment (measured in Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) will have been estimated from all patients in the clinical trial(s). These patients often cover a wide age range. When the single “cost per QALY” that informs the decision is arrived at, this will have been summed up to reflect the average across patients of all ages and thus is not specific to only one age group. This approach mitigates against any discrimination on the basis of age.\r\nThe cost per QALY is a factor in SMC decision making but the Committee will also consider the views of clinical experts and patient interest groups and SMC modifiers can be applied if appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:32.39","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281317,"EventID":"S4W-12921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:32.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T16:28:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the practice of using the names of deceased children as identities for undercover officers has been the practice in Scotland and, if it has not made enquiries into this matter, whether it will do so.","AnswerText":"The practice of using the names of deceased children as identities for undercover officers has never been the practice in any of Scotland’s eight police forces or the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency. This has been confirmed by Chief Constable House.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:32.687","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281318,"EventID":"S4W-12922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:33.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T17:22:31.56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the Scottish Medicines Consortium appraisal process has on the availability of orphan medicines.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Medicines Consortiums(SMC) processes for appraising orphan medicines are the same as that for any other medicine. However, in recognition of the small patient populations involved, the SMC can consider application of its modifiers which allow greater flexibility in its decision-making to allow consideration of additional factors such as accepting more uncertainty in the health economic case or a higher cost per Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:33.09","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281319,"EventID":"S4W-12923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:33.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T17:22:31.56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the incidence of misdiagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.\r\n","AnswerText":"Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is a rare lung condition, the cause of which is unknown. It can be difficult to diagnose as the main symptoms are similar to other lung conditions. Diagnosis will usually be made by a respiratory specialist and may involve a number of tests including chest x-ray, CT scan and in some cases lung biopsy.\r\nRespiratory Managed Clinical Networks have been established in all NHS health boards across Scotland, supported by pump priming funding from the Scottish Government. Our National Advisory Group (NAG) for Respiratory Managed Clinical Networks is working to develop a co-ordinated approach to improving respiratory services across Scotland and provides the opportunity for Local Managed Clinical Networks, patient representatives and stakeholders to discuss issues, identify solutions and share best practice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:33.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281320,"EventID":"S4W-12924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:34.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T17:22:31.56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prevent age discrimination in clinical decision making.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Equality Act 2010, places duties on NHS boards to reduce inequalities in access to health care and improve health outcomes for people. On 1 October 2012, new provisions in the Equality Act 2010 came into force, introducing a ban on unjustifiable age discrimination.\r\nThe equality team within NHS Health Scotland, are working to strengthen equality of access for all in NHS Scotland through their health inequalities impact assessment (HIIA). Impact assessment is an important tool for NHS boards to check their policies and services do not inadvertently exclude or discriminate groups within the population and it is an opportunity to promote equality of opportunity and good relations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:34.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281321,"EventID":"S4W-12926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:35.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T17:12:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money in fines revenue was remitted to HM Treasury in 2011-12, broken down by type of fine.\r\n","AnswerText":"The total paid to HM Treasury during 2011-12 from the Scottish Consolidated Fund was £32.0 million in respect of fines.\r\nThe total paid is made up of £28.5 million received from Scottish Government Justice Finance on behalf of the Scottish Court Service in 2011-12 and £3.5 million paid into the fund in 2010-11 but not remitted to HM Treasury until 2011-12. \r\nThe fund does not hold any further breakdown of the sums remitted. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:35.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281322,"EventID":"S4W-12927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:35.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T17:12:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money in fines revenue has been remitted to HM Treasury in each year since 1999.\r\n","AnswerText":"The sums that have been paid to the UK Treasury from the Scottish Consolidated Fund for each year from 1999-2000 to 2011-12 in respect of fines forfeitures and fixed penalties is given in the table.\r\n\r\nThe figures extracted from the accounts of the Scottish Consolidated Fund relate to the value of fines, forfeitures and fixed penalties paid to HM Treasury during any given year. It should be noted that the value remitted in a given year does not directly relate to the value of fines imposed in that year. Fines are not necessarily paid over in the financial year in which they are collected.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nYEAR\r\n£(m)\r\n1999-00\r\n13.0\r\n2000-01\r\n14.5\r\n2001-021\r\n27.1\r\n2002-03\r\n20.8\r\n2003-04\r\n31.1\r\n2004-05\r\n36.6\r\n2005-06\r\n41.8\r\n2006-07\r\n35.9\r\n2007-08\r\n26.1\r\n2008-09\r\n0\r\n2009-102\r\n57.7\r\n2010-11\r\n32.9\r\n2011-12\r\n32.0\r\n\r\n\r\nNote: 1. Includes £3.8 million which was applicable to 2000-01.\r\nNote  2. In 2008-09 a new Designated Receipts Order came into force and £32.2 million due to be paid to HM Treasury was held until completion of the annual audit. The Order reclassified fines resulting from Justice of the Peace business as non-designated therefore relieving us of the obligation to pay £4.1 million for 2008-09 to HM Treasury.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:35.557","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281323,"EventID":"S4W-12928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:35.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T17:30:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had discussions regarding raising the speed limit for HGVs on the (a) A1, (b) A7 and (c) A68.\r\n","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland has not had any specific discussions regarding raising the speed limit for HGVs on the A1, A7 and the A68 trunk roads.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:35.883","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281324,"EventID":"S4W-12929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:36.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T17:34:07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many accidents there have been on the (a) single and (b) crawler lane section of the A68 between Edinburgh and the border in each year since 2002, broken down by (i) severity and (ii) location.\r\n","AnswerText":"The accident data (personal injury accidents) for the period 1 January 2002 -12 is provided in the following tables. The first table covers the whole of the A68 Trunk Road, the following tables cover the three separate climbing lane sections of the A68 trunk road. The A68 Dalkeith Bypass opened in September 2008.\r\n68 Trunk Road including climbing lanes broken down by year/ severity\r\n \r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTotal\r\n2002\r\n2\r\n8\r\n36\r\n46\r\n2003\r\n2\r\n9\r\n24\r\n35\r\n2004\r\n2\r\n7\r\n47\r\n56\r\n2005\r\n1\r\n10\r\n28\r\n39\r\n2006\r\n1\r\n17\r\n35\r\n53\r\n2007\r\n2\r\n9\r\n36\r\n47\r\n2008\r\n2\r\n10\r\n56\r\n68\r\n2009\r\n1\r\n13\r\n31\r\n45\r\n2010\r\n0\r\n8\r\n30\r\n38\r\n2011\r\n1\r\n6\r\n20\r\n27\r\n2012*\r\n1\r\n3\r\n12\r\n16\r\nTotal\r\n15\r\n100\r\n355\r\n470\r\n \r\nA68 Dalkeith Bypass Single Climbing Lanes broken down by year/ severity\r\n \r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTotal\r\n2008\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2009\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2010\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2011\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2012*\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nTotal\r\n0\r\n1\r\n3\r\n4\r\n \r\nA68 Soutra to Oxton Single Climbing Lanes broken down by year/ severity\r\n \r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTotal\r\n2002\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2003\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n3\r\n2004\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2005\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2006\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2007\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2008\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2009\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2010\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2011\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2012*\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nTotal\r\n2\r\n3\r\n16\r\n21\r\n \r\nA68 Drygrange ( south of Earlston) Single Climbing Lanes broken down by year/ severity\r\n \r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTotal\r\n2002\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2003\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2004\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2005\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2006\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2007\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2008\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2009\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2010\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2011\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2012*\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n3\r\n*2012 – These statistics are not fully complete for all police forces, and are subject to change on submission of further datasets. However, the fatal accident figure is correct. \r\nThe figures quoted may differ slightly from those published elsewhere due to being extracted on a different date and the database may have changed between the two dates, e.g. due to late returns or corrections.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:36.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281325,"EventID":"S4W-12930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:36.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T16:46:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it will allocate to support the development of combined heat and power plants in the current parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"Support is available for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) from a number of sources. The main direct support mechanisms for renewable Combined Heat and Power (CHP) are the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) and the UK Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive.\r\nThe Renewables Obligation (Scotland) gives two Renewables Obligation Certificates (SROCs) for every megawatt hour of electricity generated by biomass electricity generating plants with CHP. Following its recent consultation on changes to the Renewables Obligation (Scotland), the Scottish Government proposes to go further by setting an eligibility requirement for plants over 15 MW to meet good quality CHP standards to further drive uptake of CHP. There is no specific budget allocation for CHP under the Renewable Obligation (Scotland) but Ofgem, who administer the schemes, provides an annual report on the number of accredited biomass plants with CHP and the number of SROCs issued in the previous year.\r\nIn the current Parliamentary session, finance for renewable CHP plants is also available through the £103 million Renewable Energy Investment Fund and the £50 million Warm Homes Fund. Finance for both renewable and non-renewable CHP is available through the £5 million District Heating Loan Fund. These schemes fund a range of renewable heat-only, CHP and district heating projects and there is no specific budget allocation for CHP.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:36.803","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281326,"EventID":"S4W-12931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:37.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T16:46:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is implementing to support the development of combined heat and power plants by (a) communities and (b) public sector institutions.\r\n","AnswerText":"The uptake of CHP depends upon the availability of markets for heat. The Scottish Government is working with local authorities to help them identify suitable locations and support planning for CHP and district heating through its Heat Mapping Programme. The heat maps help identify, plan for and maximise opportunities for local heat use and to support investment decisions on strategic heat infrastructure. The maps will not only benefit local authorities, but can also support feasibility work of developers or local communities.\r\nHighland, Fife and Perth and Kinross completed maps through the Scottish Government pilot. A two year programme began in April 2012 to roll out this methodology to all Scotland’s Local Authorities by March 2014. Eight local authorities are beginning work to collect the information for their heat maps. These are Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Dundee, Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire.\r\nCommunities and public sector institutions can access funding for feasibility studies through the Warm Homes Fund and District Heating Loan Fund, which can also help finance the capital costs of CHP projects. Feasibility support for the development of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facilities by communities, industrial sites and the NHS is also available from Zero Waste Scotland. Zero Waste Scotland is also planning to offer financial support for AD development in remote and island communities in 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:37.147","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281327,"EventID":"S4W-12933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:37.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T16:46:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it is allocating in the 2013-14 budget to support the development of combined heat and power plants.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12930 on 5 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:37.473","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281328,"EventID":"S4W-12934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:37.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T16:46:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new combined heat and power plants have been brought online since 2009 and how many will have been brought online by 2020.\r\n","AnswerText":"The most recent data published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that between 2009 and 2011, the number of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants in Scotland increased by 31, to 116. This includes both renewable and fossil fuel systems.\r\n\r\nWe do not currently have projections for the number of CHP plants that will be operational in 2020. As set out in the Draft outline Heat Vision published on 29 January 2013, the Scottish Government is developing a longer term strategy that looks at heat in the wider context of available energy resources, and demand. We will publish a Heat Generation Policy Statement (HGPS) later this year. The HGPS will look to replicate and build upon the success of the Electricity Generation Policy Statement in providing clarity on the Scottish Government’s views on the generation of heat within Scotland. Work is underway to gather data and identify where further information is required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:37.803","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281329,"EventID":"S4W-12935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:38.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T16:46:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of energy consumption (a) is being met and (b) will be met in 2020 by combined heat and power plants.","AnswerText":"The most recent data published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that in 2011 Scottish Combined Heat and Power (CHP) schemes generated 2,864 GWh of electricity (up 3.1% from 2010) and 6,813 GWh of heat (up 1.7% from 2010).\r\nWe do not currently have projections for the energy production from CHP plants in 2020. As set out in the Draft outline, Heat Vision published on 29 January 2013, the Scottish Government is developing a longer term strategy that looks at heat in the wider context of available energy resources, and demand. We will publish a Heat Generation Policy Statement (HGPS) later this year. The HGPS will look to replicate and build upon the success of the Electricity Generation Policy Statement in providing clarity on the Scottish Government’s views on the generation of heat within Scotland. Work is underway to gather data and identify where further information is required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:38.193","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281330,"EventID":"S4W-12936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:38.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T10:15:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish its response to the Skills Development Scotland report, Modern Apprenticeship Outcomes 2012.","AnswerText":"The evaluation of the Modern Apprenticeship programme, Modern Apprenticeship Outcomes 2012, is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. They will use the findings to inform their continuous improvement plan for the Modern Apprenticeship Programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:38.52","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281331,"EventID":"S4W-12937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:38.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T10:15:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to (a) redundant apprentices and (b) employers facing apprenticeship redundancies.","AnswerText":"The Adopt an Apprentice Initiative was launched in June 2009. This scheme offers employers a £2,000 incentive to employ a redundant apprentice to allow the apprentice the opportunity to complete their training.\r\nSince the scheme began it has supported over 1,500 redundant apprentices, enabling them to find alternative employment and continue their apprenticeship. (as at 1 January 2013)\r\nIf alternative employment cannot be secured for redundant apprentices then Skills Development Scotland advise them about alternative training and employment opportunities in their local area to try to ensure a positive outcome.\r\nThe Safeguard an Apprentice scheme provided a wage subsidy to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the construction, manufacturing and engineering sectors facing the prospect of making their apprentices redundant, and at September 2011 had supported over 110 SMEs to retain their apprentices.\r\nSafeguard an Apprentice was closed to new applications on the 30 September 2011. The decision to close the scheme was taken after a significant fall in applications.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:38.863","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281332,"EventID":"S4W-12938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:39.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T11:14:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the resolution of the European Parliament on protecting wilderness, INI/2008/2210, and whether it will adhere to this as part of the Year of Natural Scotland, 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has noted the 2009 European Parliament resolution “Wilderness in Europe” which was adopted by that Parliament on the basis that no new legislation would be required to achieve its aims. The Scottish Government is also aware that wilderness in the true sense of the word is found in continental Europe e.g. forests of Eastern Europe.\r\nThe Year of Natural Scotland 2013 is a celebration of Scotland’s biodiversity and landscapes. It is for both people in Scotland and our visitors to discover or rediscover the natural attractions of the country.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:39.19","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281333,"EventID":"S4W-12939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:39.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T11:23:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its strategy is to increase access to sport in rural communities.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to increasing participation in sport and physical activity at all levels across Scotland capturing the enthusiasm and excitement of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.\r\nOur key ambition for ensuring a lasting legacy of the Games is the development and roll out of community sports hubs across all 32 local authorities. The hubs will bring together sport and physical activity in a local community and help deliver more and better co-ordinated activities to help deliver a healthier, more active nation. 159 community sports hubs will be developed throughout Scotland by 2015. Currently there are 105 hubs up and running, with 11 in the north east of Scotland and a further eight hubs in development.\r\nThe development of the hubs is augmented by the £10 million Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund which is designed to support communities develop more and better places locally to be active.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:39.627","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281334,"EventID":"S4W-12940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:40.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T11:23:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to take forward NHS Grampian's infrastructure projects.","AnswerText":"It is for NHS Grampian to plan and take forward its infrastructure projects.\r\nScottish Government officials work closely with NHS Grampian on the delivery of its capital programme. The boards has submitted recently its draft five year capital plan for consideration; when approved the plan will set out NHS Grampian’s infrastructure plan for the period 2013-14 to 2017-18 and associated capital requirements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:40.047","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281335,"EventID":"S4W-12941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T13:51:40.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T11:23:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide for a feasibility study into the reopening of the Formartine and Buchan railway line.","AnswerText":"While we have received no formal proposal for the reopening of the Formartine and Buchan railway line, the Scottish Government is keen to improve access to the rail network across Scotland.\r\nIn considering proposals to reopen former railway lines and stations, it is necessary for the Scottish Government to take a strategic view and fully consider the impact on the whole network. Determining the potential benefits to new passengers against the negative impact on existing passengers, while robustly assessing the value for money and affordability are essential. The long-term demand, the operational and engineering feasibilities, subsidy implications to the Scottish Government and initial capital costs must be considered in detail.\r\nI understand that promoters of the Formartine and Buchan line are currently discussing their proposals with the North East of Scotland Transport Partnership (Nestrans). Transport Scotland would be happy to offer advice, if Nestrans decide that the proposal merits further consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:51:40.39","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281343,"EventID":"S4W-12920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T16:49:40.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-05T16:12:44.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants worked on the updated infrastructure investment plan that was published on 4 February 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12919 on 4 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:49:41.133","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281344,"EventID":"S4W-12943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T16:49:41.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T13:46:45.977","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the impact of the Gangmasters Licensing (Exclusions) Regulations 2010 on the poultry industry and, if so, what can be done to mitigate any such impact.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not received any approaches from the poultry industry regarding any effect of the Gangmaster Licensing (Exclusions) Regulations 2010 on the industry. The Gangmaster Licensing Authority function is reserved to Westminster.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:49:41.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281345,"EventID":"S4W-12944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T16:49:41.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T13:46:45.977","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ban beak trimming in poultry in line with UK plans to do so by 2016 and whether it has considered the impact of such a decision on the welfare of birds in relation to injurious pecking and feather loss and the consequences for egg producers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not committed to a ban on beak trimming by 2016. We understand that Defra have committed to review the evidence on beak trimming and to look at the feasibility of introducing a ban in England in 2016.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s long term goal is to ban routine beak trimming; however, it is important that this is not at the cost of bird welfare. A ban should not be enforced until the industry has the information and ability to comply without compromising hen welfare.\r\nWe are monitoring current investigations of possible alternative methods for the control of injurious feather pecking, including Scottish Government funded research and work being undertaken by Defra. We will also consider any advice offered by the Farm Animal Welfare Committee before coming to a decision on whether and when to ban beak trimming.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:49:41.773","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281346,"EventID":"S4W-12945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T16:49:42.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T14:11:34.243","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will maximise the economic benefits of the European Cheerleading Championships, to be hosted by Glasgow in June 2013, and how it will involve (a) young people and (b) the wider community in the event.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government congratulates Glasgow City Council, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and Scotcheer on attracting the European Cheerleading Championships to Glasgow in June 2013. Building on this and other successes, partners continue to promote Scotland as a key destination for the world’s major events, boosting our economy and international profile. The Scottish Government is confident that, working together, the organisers of the European Cheerleading Championships will involve both young people and the wider community in the event.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:49:42.023","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281347,"EventID":"S4W-12946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T16:49:42.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T15:51:26.303","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will extend outpatient access to the specialist unit at St John's Hospital to include deaf children with mental health problems.","AnswerText":"Generally the approach taken to serious and enduring mental illness in adults is different to the approach taken with children and young people in that there are often complexities related to the developmental process. There are different approaches to diagnosis and treatment reflecting the plasticity of the brain and fluidity of social and family factors. Child and adolescent psychiatry and clinical psychology are particular specialisms for this reason.\r\nWhile deafness increases the complexity of the case and requires additional diagnosis skills and understanding, our objective is that it shouldn’t be seen to increase severity. Deaf children and young people will be treated by their local CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) team in the community with clinicians ensuring all their needs are met and calling on support from other service providers such as British Sign Language interpreters when required.\r\nThere are currently no plans to develop a specialist CAMHS solely for deaf children and young people using specialist NHS child and adolescent mental health services. Our approach to improving services over the last few years has been to shorten waiting lists, invest in more staff, and to measure the performance of services by using a wide range of indicators, with the ultimate aim being improving outcomes for patients including those with a sensory impairment. We now have over 850 specialist child and adolescent clinicians in the workforce nationally and this has been a rise of over 36% since 2008.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:49:42.333","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281348,"EventID":"S4W-12947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-06T16:49:42.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T15:51:26.303","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deaf children with mental health problems have been referred to specialist units in England in each year since 2010 and what the cost was.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held nationally\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:49:42.677","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281359,"EventID":"S4W-12956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:44.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T16:50:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in view of the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy’s recent call for swift and decisive action in relation to the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, what advice it will give to farmers regarding their use on (a) oilseed rape and (b) other plants attractive to bees.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s position is based on the scientific advice it receives from the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP), its own scientists in SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture), and through other sources such as the European Food Safety Authority.\r\nThis scientific advice has highlighted there are concerns and gaps in the knowledge about the effects of neonicotinoids on pollinators. It is also important to take into account the potential risks at levels of exposure to neonicotinoids which are realistically likely to occur in the field.\r\nThe ACP has been asked urgently to produce new advice taking account of the latest scientific data. As part of this process, the ACP has commissioned independent reviews of key research findings. ACP’s advice following their reviews will then inform the Scottish Government’s view on next steps, and advice for farmers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:44.48","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281360,"EventID":"S4W-12957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:44.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T16:50:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings of the European Food Safety Authority regarding the effects of three neonicotinoid pesticides on bees and the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy’s recent call for swift and decisive action, whether it remains the Scottish Government's position that neonicotinoid pesticides do not pose a significant risk to insect pollinators and what representations it will make to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in relation to the vote on the proposed pesticide measures.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s position is based on the scientific advice it receives from the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP), its own scientists in SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture), and through other sources such as the European Food Safety Authority.\r\nThis scientific advice has highlighted there are concerns and gaps in the knowledge about the effects of neonicotinoids on pollinators. It is also important to take into account the potential risks at levels of exposure to neonicotinoids which are realistically likely to occur in the field.\r\nThe ACP has been asked urgently to produce new advice taking account of the latest scientific data. As part of this process, the ACP has commissioned independent reviews of key research findings. ACP’s advice following their reviews will then inform the Scottish Government’s view on any action.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:44.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281361,"EventID":"S4W-12958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:45.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T16:50:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which powers in the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill cannot be exercised under existing legislation.\r\n","AnswerText":"The provisions sought in the Bill are not available under existing legislation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:45.23","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281362,"EventID":"S4W-12959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:45.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T16:50:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Marine Scotland can take samples from any fish farm in Scottish waters for any purpose in connection with its regulatory and other duties.","AnswerText":"No. Marine Scotland can only take samples from fish farms in Scottish waters for specific purposes set out in legislation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:45.557","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281363,"EventID":"S4W-12960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:45.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T16:50:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what scientific data requirements Marine Scotland takes samples from fish farms.\r\n","AnswerText":"The majority of samples taken by Marine Scotland from Scottish fish farms have been for the purpose of discharging Scottish Ministers regulatory functions, these being to investigate the cause of mortalities occurring on Scottish fish farms; to investigate the suspicion or presence of a listed or emerging disease on Scottish fish farms; to collect samples to demonstrate the freedom from certain fish or shellfish diseases and demonstrating the United Kingdom’s high health status with regard to trade. Marine Scotland scientists may collect samples and data for the purpose of carrying out general research with the consent of Scottish fish farms, which would involve the voluntary provision by participating farms of material or data for analysis. The scope of the data or samples would be dependent upon the project concerned.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:45.87","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281364,"EventID":"S4W-12961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:46.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T16:50:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what offences will be subject to fixed penalty notices under the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"The provisions in the Bill are designed to widen the scope of offences for which the existing fixed penalty notice system can be used, to include all marine and freshwater fisheries related offences which fall within the responsibility of Marine Scotland. The Scottish Government have published a briefing note which provides some examples of the types of offences where fixed penalties might be applicable, this can be accessed at: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/Fish-Shellfish/bill/fpn\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:46.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281365,"EventID":"S4W-12962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:46.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T16:50:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it defines “technical nature” as used by the Deputy Director of Performance, Aquaculture and Recreational Fisheries to the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee in relation to the provisions in the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill on 28 November 2012 (Official Report, c. 1397).","AnswerText":"The term \"technical nature\" in the context of that evidence session recognised that the enabling powers being sought would in turn lead to the development of very detailed and complex pieces of secondary legislation which would likely require further amendment in due course to take account of technological advances and the like. The Scottish Government believes that, in these circumstances, setting out enabling powers rather than detailed technical provisions on the face of the Bill, is the appropriate approach.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:46.553","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281366,"EventID":"S4W-12968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:46.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T09:43:24.857","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote financial inclusion.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports a national infrastructure and related support for financial inclusion and financial awareness, including training for debt advisors and a Financial Learning Online Scotland website for financial capability practitioners. On 21 January 2013, the Deputy First Minister announced a £5.4 million funding package for advice services designed to help them manage the growing number of requests for help as a result of UK Government’s welfare reforms.\r\nWork in communities across Scotland on financial inclusion and financial capability is taken forward by local authorities, who are well placed to assess local need for services and put in place appropriate provision.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:46.867","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281367,"EventID":"S4W-12974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:47.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T09:58:30.297","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-08144 by Richard Lochhead 9 July 2012, what progress has been made on its marine litter strategy and when it will publish a consultation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to the development of a marine litter strategy, which aims to address the levels of marine litter present on our coast.\r\nA very successful stakeholder workshop was held in August 2012 and supporting research was published in September 2012. It was decided thereafter to support the strategy by undertaking a strategic environmental assessment which means that a draft strategy is now being prepared for consultation in the spring.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:47.38","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281368,"EventID":"S4W-12975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:47.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T10:05:52.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-10782 by Alex Neil on 13 November 2012, whether the report by Lothian and Borders Police in relation to the Elsie Inglis Care Home has been passed to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and, if so, what further action will be taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"Lothian and Borders Police have confirmed that a report was submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) on 27 December 2012. It will be for the COPFS to decide if any further action is required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:47.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281369,"EventID":"S4W-12976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:48.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T10:17:24.857","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it will not fund the Older Peoples Advice Service  from March 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funded the Older People’s Advice Service from May 2009 as part of commitments and investment attached to the publication of Achieving our Potential. Over the period 2009–2013 a total of £1.15 million (£250,000 in 09-10, £450,000 in 10-11, £300,000 in 11-12, and £150,000 in 12-13) was allocated to the project. It was understood that the Scottish Government support was short-term with the intention that, if successful, the project would be embedded within local service delivery and core funded accordingly.\r\nIn January 2013 the Scottish Government announced a £5.4 million package of funding to help front line advice services as they support individuals, families and older people facing the harsh reality of the welfare cuts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:48.427","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281370,"EventID":"S4W-12977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:48.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T10:21:46.797","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many medical physicists are employed by each NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested on how many medical physicists are employed by each NHS board is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:48.77","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281371,"EventID":"S4W-12978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:49.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T10:21:46.797","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many vacancies there are for medical physicists, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested on how many vacancies there are for medical physicists, broken down by NHS board is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:49.363","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281372,"EventID":"S4W-12979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:49.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T10:24:51.477","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been sleeping rough in each year since 2009-10, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The following table gives the number of homeless applications where at least one member of the household had slept rough on the night immediately before they made their homelessness application.\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nAberdeen City\r\n184 \r\n220 \r\n84 \r\nAberdeenshire\r\n114 \r\n103 \r\n85 \r\nAngus\r\n18 \r\n37 \r\n28 \r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n60 \r\n35 \r\n32 \r\nClackmannanshire\r\n23 \r\n29 \r\n20 \r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n68 \r\n50 \r\n56 \r\nDundee City\r\n195 \r\n133 \r\n85 \r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n24 \r\n19 \r\n32 \r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n10 \r\n13 \r\n9 \r\nEast Lothian\r\n103 \r\n61 \r\n23 \r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n14 \r\n15 \r\n19 \r\nEdinburgh\r\n467 \r\n512 \r\n446 \r\nEilean Siar\r\n6 \r\n5 \r\n8 \r\nFalkirk\r\n119 \r\n65 \r\n13 \r\nFife\r\n173 \r\n373 \r\n75 \r\nGlasgow City\r\n490 \r\n369 \r\n535 \r\nHighland\r\n187 \r\n114 \r\n87 \r\nInverclyde\r\n19 \r\n23 \r\n22 \r\nMidlothian\r\n15 \r\n3 \r\n7 \r\nMoray\r\n37 \r\n38 \r\n48 \r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n43 \r\n25 \r\n12 \r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n11 \r\n13 \r\n9 \r\nOrkney\r\n5 \r\n4 \r\n2 \r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n61 \r\n63 \r\n36 \r\nRenfrewshire\r\n62 \r\n51 \r\n51 \r\nScottish Borders\r\n42 \r\n15 \r\n15 \r\nShetland\r\n6 \r\n7 \r\n8 \r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n42 \r\n31 \r\n32 \r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n0 \r\n0 \r\n0 \r\nStirling\r\n78 \r\n47 \r\n18 \r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n69 \r\n43 \r\n57 \r\nWest Lothian\r\n0 \r\n0 \r\n0 \r\nScotland\r\n      2,745 \r\n      2,516 \r\n      1,954 \r\n\r\nSource: Scottish Government HL1 dataset as 27 Feb 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:49.94","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281373,"EventID":"S4W-12980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:50.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T10:24:51.477","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many families with children have been housed on a temporary basis in bed and breakfast accommodation in each year since 2009-10, broken down by local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s HL2 Return gives snapshot information on the number of households in temporary accommodation at the end of each quarter.\r\nTable 2 in the following file gives the number of households with children in bed and breakfast at the end of each quarter.\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/RefTables/TempAccomJulySept2012\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:50.44","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281374,"EventID":"S4W-12981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:50.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T11:18:37.213","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government where the £10 million for college funding announced on 6 February 2013 will be allocated.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council will work with Colleges Scotland and NUS Scotland to set priorities for this additional investment. Further information will be available in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:50.94","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281375,"EventID":"S4W-12982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:51.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T11:18:37.213","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what purpose the £10 million for college funding announced on 6 February 2013 is intended.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council will work with Colleges Scotland and NUS Scotland to set priorities for this additional investment. Further information will be available in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:51.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281376,"EventID":"S4W-12983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:51.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T11:18:37.213","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the £10 million for college funding announced on 6 February 2013 is new money or is found from (a) underspend, (b) resource consequentials or (c) another source.\r\n","AnswerText":"The additional £10 million of funding for colleges is new money whose source is Barnett consequentials.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:51.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281377,"EventID":"S4W-12984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:51.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T11:18:37.213","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the teaching grant funding for colleges for 2013-14 will be confirmed.","AnswerText":"Matters relating to the funding of individual colleges fall within the responsibility of the Scottish Funding Council. I have asked its chief executive to write to the member.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:51.89","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281378,"EventID":"S4W-12985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:52.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T11:18:37.213","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the student support funding for colleges for 2013-14 will be confirmed.","AnswerText":"Matters relating to the funding of individual colleges fall within the responsibility of the Scottish Funding Council. I have asked its chief executive to write to the member.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:52.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281379,"EventID":"S4W-12986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:52.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T11:34:52.7","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many wind turbines have imploded or caught fire as a result of a mechanical error during high winds since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:52.513","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281380,"EventID":"S4W-12987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:52.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T11:34:52.7","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many wind turbines have experienced gearbox or brake failure as a result of high winds since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:52.84","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281381,"EventID":"S4W-12988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:53.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T11:34:52.7","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing new regulations to increase the safety of wind turbines in the event of failure during high winds.\r\n","AnswerText":"Health and safety legislation is reserved to the UK Parliament. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the UK Department for Work and Pensions. \r\nIn its report on Health and Safety in the New Energy Economy (December 2010), the HSE considers that the general provisions of the existing Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provides the basis of a fit for purpose regulatory framework for renewable energy generation across both onshore and offshore health & safety regimes.\r\nThis framework will be kept under review.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:53.153","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281382,"EventID":"S4W-12989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T13:51:53.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T12:28:54.543","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to consolidate crofting legalisation and, if so, within what timescale.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will consider the consolidation of crofting legislation after it is satisfied that all the provisions of the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 are working as intended.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T13:51:53.48","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281389,"EventID":"S4W-12995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2487,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T15:28:54.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T15:20:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive what funds it is making available to NHS boards for 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"Territorial Boards have been given a general allocation increase of £256 million for 2013-14, an overall average increase over the equivalent 2012-13 allocation of 3.3%.\r\nSpecial boards allocations have increased by 1.0%. In addition, differential efficiency savings have been allocated to the elements of special boards budgets not providing direct patient care.\r\nDetails of Boards revenue resource and capital allocations for 2013-14 are provided in the following tables: \r\nRevenue Resource\r\n \r\nTerritorial Boards\r\n2013-14\r\n2013-14\r\nInitial\r\nAllocation\r\nFunding\r\nUplift\r\n£ million\r\n%\r\nAyrshire and Arran \r\n603.4\r\n2.8%\r\nBorders \r\n175.4\r\n2.8%\r\nDumfries and Galloway \r\n253.3\r\n2.8%\r\nFife \r\n539.5\r\n3.6%\r\nForth Valley \r\n434.2\r\n3.8%\r\nGrampian \r\n743.8\r\n4.2%\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde \r\n1,995.1\r\n2.8%\r\nHighland \r\n509.8\r\n2.8%\r\nLanarkshire \r\n865.1\r\n3.2%\r\nLothian \r\n1,141.2\r\n4.4%\r\nOrkney \r\n34.3\r\n4.6%\r\nShetland \r\n38.7\r\n2.8%\r\nTayside \r\n629.1\r\n2.9%\r\nWestern Isles \r\n60.7\r\n2.8%\r\n\r\n8,023.6\r\n3.3%\r\n\r\nSpecial Boards\r\n\r\n\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\n44.7\r\n1.0%\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n207.6\r\n1.0%\r\nNational Services Scotland\r\n281.7\r\n-0.4%\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland \r\n15.9\r\n-4.2%\r\nThe State Hospital\r\n33.6\r\n1.0%\r\nNHS 24\r\n61.5\r\n1.0%\r\nNHS Education for Scotland\r\n390.4\r\n0.2%\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n18.5\r\n-4.2%\r\n\r\n1,053.9\r\n0.2%\r\nTotals\r\n9,077.5\r\n2.9%\r\n\r\nCapital Resource 2013-14 – Initial Gross Allocation £ million\r\nTerritorial Boards\r\n\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n11.4\r\nBorders\r\n3.4\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n6.5\r\nFife\r\n21.1\r\nForth Valley\r\n6.4\r\nGrampian\r\n34.3\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n293.6\r\nHighland\r\n15.5\r\nLanarkshire\r\n14.8\r\nLothian\r\n57.6\r\nOrkney\r\n1.4\r\nShetland\r\n3.1\r\nTayside\r\n15.0\r\nWestern Isles\r\n1.3\r\nTotal\r\n485.4\r\n\r\nSpecial Boards\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\n4.8\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n13.5\r\nNational Services Scotland\r\n3.8\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland\r\n0.2\r\nThe State Hospital\r\n0.3\r\nNHS 24\r\n0.3\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n0.7\r\nTotal\r\n23.6\r\nRetained Centrally\r\n16.9\r\nTotals\r\n525.9\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T15:28:54.08","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281390,"EventID":"S4W-12948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T16:47:03.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T17:20:35.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the status is of the accreditation of Green Deal advisors.\r\n","AnswerText":"Accreditation under the Green Deal is available and is recognised in Scotland. It is carried out by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for all Green Deal Certification Bodies. There are currently nine such bodies able to certify Green Deal Assessor Organisations and 80 certified Green Deal Assessor Organisations registered with the Green Deal Oversight and Registration Body (ORB).\r\nIn order to operate in Scotland, it is a requirement that each individual Green Deal Adviser must be an existing Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessor who has completed the necessary Green Deal processes.\r\nFurther information is available from the Green Deal ORB at:\r\nwww.greendealorb.co.uk \r\nTo lodge a Green Deal Advice Report in Scotland registered Green Deal Advisors must also register on the Scottish EPC register.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:47:03.44","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281391,"EventID":"S4W-12949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T16:47:03.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T17:20:35.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how each local authority has performed in delivering its universal home insulation targets.\r\n","AnswerText":"Across Scotland, in its first year, the Universal Home Insulation Scheme delivered 34,371 measures at a cost to the Scottish Government of just over £9.6 million. In comparison to earlier schemes aimed at providing basic domestic energy efficiency measures, the Universal Home Insulation Scheme (which offered measures free of charge to private sector households within areas selected by local authorities) had much higher levels of take-up. As such, it has been very successful and has represented excellent value for money for the Scottish Government, both in terms of cost per measure and cost per tonne/carbon saved.\r\nTargets for the number of measures to be installed are initially proposed by local authorities in their applications for UHIS funding, then revised and agreed with the Scottish Government in the light of actual funding awarded. Targets are then set out in offers of grant, and in any additional offers of grant made for the year concerned. All local authorities were encouraged to set ambitious targets.\r\nReporting requirements and performance assessment processes are being reviewed as part of the process of moving from UHIS to the new local authority area-based schemes to be delivered under the Home Energy Scotland fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes for 2013-14.\r\nThe following table shows how each of the 27 local authorities which participated in the Universal Home Insulation Scheme (UHIS) in 2010-11 performed against their targets for the installation of measures, as set out in their grant offer letters.  Note that UHIS did not operate in Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Shetland or West Lothian, in 2010-11. The data for 2011-12 is not yet complete, because councils have until March 2013 to complete installations of measures in hard-to-treat properties undertaken as part of their 2011-12 programme. This data will be published later in 2013. \r\nLocal Authority\r\nVirgin Loft (CERT)\r\nCavity Wall Insulation (CERT)\r\nLoft Top-Up\r\nOther measures\r\n(2)\r\nTotal\r\n (all measures) \r\nAberdeen City Target\r\n303 \r\n500 \r\n1,961 \r\n228 \r\n2,992 \r\nPerformance (1)\r\n836 \r\n434 \r\n1,242 \r\n111 \r\n2,623 \r\nAberdeenshire Target\r\n150 \r\n200 \r\n1,900 \r\n0 \r\n2,250 \r\nPerformance\r\n255 \r\n68 \r\n1,086 \r\n0 \r\n1,409 \r\nArgyll and Bute Target\r\n55 \r\n51 \r\n100 \r\n85 \r\n291 \r\nPerformance (5)\r\n53 \r\n9 \r\n147 \r\n24 \r\n233 \r\nDundee City Target\r\n17 \r\n640 \r\n50 \r\n240 \r\n947 \r\nPerformance (1)\r\n11 \r\n456 \r\n51 \r\n641 \r\n1,159 \r\nEast Ayrshire Target\r\n320 \r\n640 \r\n960 \r\n0 \r\n1,920 \r\nPerformance\r\n142 \r\n199 \r\n266 \r\n0 \r\n607 \r\nEast Dunbartonshire Target\r\n775 \r\n775 \r\n215 \r\n0 \r\n1,765 \r\nPerformance\r\n180 \r\n861 \r\n775 \r\n0 \r\n1,816 \r\nEast Lothian Target\r\n683 \r\n400 \r\n171 \r\n0 \r\n1,254 \r\nPerformance\r\n184 \r\n475 \r\n454 \r\n37 \r\n1,150 \r\nEast Renfrewshire Target \r\n300 \r\n200 \r\n0 \r\n0 \r\n500 \r\nPerformance\r\n1 \r\n50 \r\n110 \r\n0 \r\n161 \r\nEdinburgh Target\r\n833 \r\n59 \r\n255 \r\n1,017 \r\n2,164 \r\nPerformance\r\n257 \r\n19 \r\n349 \r\n484 \r\n1,109 \r\nEilean Siar Target\r\n95 \r\n237 \r\n95 \r\n0 \r\n427 \r\nPerformance\r\n29 \r\n294 \r\n120 \r\n0 \r\n443 \r\nFalkirk Target\r\n30 \r\n750 \r\n2,250 \r\n0 \r\n3,030 \r\nPerformance\r\n496 \r\n672 \r\n1,217 \r\n1,272 \r\n3,657 \r\nFife Target\r\n991 \r\n2,233 \r\n2,223 \r\n0 \r\n5,447 \r\nPerformance\r\n917 \r\n1,541 \r\n1,770 \r\n212 \r\n4,440 \r\nGlasgow City Target\r\n385 \r\n174 \r\n135 \r\n125 \r\n819 \r\nPerformance\r\n307 \r\n524 \r\n571 \r\n0 \r\n1,402 \r\nHighland Target\r\n550 \r\n889\r\n1606 \r\n0 \r\n3045 \r\nPerformance\r\n331 \r\n362 \r\n1,126 \r\n104 \r\n1,923 \r\nInverclyde Target\r\n316 \r\n127 \r\n306 \r\n500 \r\n1,249 \r\nPerformance\r\n229 \r\n220 \r\n381 \r\n0 \r\n830 \r\nMidlothian Target\r\n133 \r\n13 \r\n0 \r\n506 \r\n652 \r\nPerformance (3)\r\n20 \r\n18 \r\n56 \r\n198 \r\n292 \r\nMoray Target\r\n20 \r\n5 \r\n160 \r\n0 \r\n185 \r\nPerformance (4)\r\n0 \r\n0 \r\n41 \r\n0 \r\n41 \r\nNorth Ayrshire Target\r\n133 \r\n267 \r\n400 \r\n70 \r\n870 \r\nPerformance\r\n133 \r\n99 \r\n189 \r\n137 \r\n558 \r\nNorth Lanarkshire Target\r\n280 \r\n365 \r\n0\r\n0 \r\n645 \r\nPerformance\r\n55 \r\n494 \r\n194 \r\n0 \r\n743 \r\nOrkney Target\r\nN/A \r\nN/A \r\nN/A \r\n40 \r\n40 \r\nPerformance (5)\r\nN/A \r\nN/A \r\nN/A \r\n25 \r\n25 \r\nPerth and Kinross Target\r\n319 \r\n467 \r\n1,275 \r\n540 \r\n2,601 \r\nPerformance\r\n317 \r\n133 \r\n897 \r\n1,320 ","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:47:03.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281392,"EventID":"S4W-12950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T16:47:04.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T17:20:35.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the gross value is of the commercial assets held by each local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local authorities are required to account for their assets in a number of categories. This does not include the category of commercial asset. The Scottish Government collects information on the net book value of assets held by local authorities. This information is included in the following table.\r\nNet book value of non-current assets by type of asset.\r\nLocal Authority Annual Accounts to 31 March 2007, Local Authority Final Capital Returns from 31 March 2008\r\nType of Asset\r\n 31 March 2005\r\n31 March 2006\r\n 31 March 2007\r\n 31 March 2008\r\n 31 March 2009\r\n 31 March 2010\r\n 31 March 2011\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\nDwellings\r\n6,091.3\r\n7,068.7\r\n7,632.4\r\n7,953.5\r\n8,739.3\r\n9,141.0\r\n9,780.1\r\nOperational Land and Buildings\r\n10,218.5\r\n10,863.8\r\n11,252.7\r\n12,522.6\r\n13,383.5\r\n18,182.7\r\n19,132.1\r\nVehicles, Plant and Equipment\r\n380.5\r\n501.2\r\n571.0\r\n647.0\r\n719.0\r\n769.1\r\n928.8\r\nInfrastructure\r\n2,320.3\r\n2,602.4\r\n2,874.5\r\n3,287.8\r\n3,640.8\r\n3,941.4\r\n4,335.1\r\nCommunity Assets\r\n96.2\r\n115.8\r\n138.5\r\n150.6\r\n170.0\r\n172.1\r\n177.8\r\nSurplus Assets\r\n416.6\r\n456.0\r\n388.5\r\n546.4\r\n540.6\r\n583.6\r\n492.7\r\nAssets Under Construction and Work In Progress\r\n243.8\r\n359.8\r\n619.3\r\n897.5\r\n1,019.3\r\n983.2\r\n1,275.9\r\nTotal Property, Plant and Equipment\r\n19,767.2\r\n21,967.8\r\n23,476.9\r\n26,005.3\r\n28,212.6\r\n33,773.1\r\n36,122.5\r\nIntangible Assets\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n47.0\r\n43.3\r\n42.8\r\n18.1\r\nTotal Operational and Non-Operational Assets\r\n19,767.2\r\n21,967.8\r\n23,476.9\r\n26,052.3\r\n28,255.9\r\n33,815.9\r\n36,140.6\r\nInvestment Properties\r\n978.3\r\n1,083.0\r\n1,131.0\r\n1,238.4\r\n1,130.7\r\n702.7\r\n209.2\r\nTotal\r\n20,745.5\r\n23,050.8\r\n24,607.9\r\n27,290.7\r\n29,386.6\r\n34,518.6\r\n36,349.8\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:47:04.313","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281393,"EventID":"S4W-12951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T16:47:04.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T17:20:35.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the market value is of the commercial assets held by each local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local authorities are required to account for their assets in a number of categories. This does not include the category of commercial asset. The Scottish Government collects information on the net book value of assets held by local authorities and I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12950 on 28 February 2013.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:47:04.623","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281394,"EventID":"S4W-12952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T16:47:04.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T17:20:35.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the maintenance budget has been for commercial assets held by each local authority in each of the last three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local authorities are required to account for their assets in a number of categories. This does not include the category of commercial asset. The Scottish Government does not hold information on the value of maintenance budgets for each local authority for their non-current assets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:47:04.937","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281395,"EventID":"S4W-12953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T16:47:05.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T17:20:35.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the maintenance budget for commercial assets was spent by each local authority in each of the last three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local authorities are required to account for their assets in a number of categories but this does not include the category of commercial asset. The Scottish Government only collects information on the total amount spent by each local authority on their premises.\r\nIn addition, this information has only been collected since 1 April 2011. The information for each local authority for 2011-12 (the latest published information) is provided in the following table.\r\nTotal cost of maintaining all premises in 2011-12\r\nLocal Authority\r\n(£000s)\r\nAberdeen City\r\n52,494\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n49,272\r\nAngus\r\n24,040\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n11,885\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n13,247\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n24,039\r\nDundee City\r\n52,572\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n20,353\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n27,276\r\nEast Lothian\r\n26,008\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n15,422\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n92,434\r\nEilean Siar\r\n8,367\r\nFalkirk\r\n46,914\r\nFife\r\n120,612\r\nGlasgow City\r\n83,855\r\nHighland\r\n50,790\r\nInverclyde\r\n15,836\r\nMidlothian\r\n19,835\r\nMoray\r\n24,765\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n34,869\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n120,698\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n8,442\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n31,138\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n43,014\r\nScottish Borders\r\n16,770\r\nShetland Islands\r\n19,684\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n29,519\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n103,967\r\nStirling\r\n16,845\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n31,359\r\nWest Lothian\r\n38,007\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:47:05.217","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281396,"EventID":"S4W-12954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T16:47:05.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T17:20:35.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information communications technology (ICT) systems are used by each local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information communications technology (ICT) systems used by each local authority is a matter for individual local authorities and information is not held centrally.\r\nLocal Government are finalising their Local Government ICT Strategy – Delivering Better Services for Communities - which sets out Local Government’s vision for ICT and how that vision will be realised. This will be the Local Government sectoral response to the Scotland’s Digital Future - Delivery of Public Services strategy and action plan. The Local Government strategy will focus on the achievement of three outcomes, enabled by ICT, Digital Services, Reduced Costs and Enabling Reform.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:47:05.497","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281397,"EventID":"S4W-12955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T16:47:05.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-06T17:20:35.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on information communications technology (ICT) asset management systems by each local authority in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual local authorities. The information on how much local authorities have spent on information communications technology asset management is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:47:05.78","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281398,"EventID":"S4W-12990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T16:47:06.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T13:32:59.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when work began on Scotland’s Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution.\r\n","AnswerText":"Work began on the policies in Scotland’s Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution following the publication of Your Scotland, Your Referendum in January 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:47:06.23","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281399,"EventID":"S4W-12991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T16:47:06.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T13:32:59.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants prepared Scotland’s Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12879 on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:47:06.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281400,"EventID":"S4W-12992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T16:47:06.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T13:32:59.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government at what time on 5 February 2013 Scotland’s Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution was provided to the Referendum (Scotland) Bill Committee clerks.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution was published on 5 February 2013 at 9.30am. The Referendum (Scotland) Bill Committee clerks were sent a copy at 9.32am.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:47:06.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281401,"EventID":"S4W-12993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T16:47:07.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T13:32:59.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it provided copies of Scotland’s Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution to The Sun and BBC Scotland before providing it to the Parliament.","AnswerText":"The Presiding Officer and the Referendum Bill Committee were provided with a copy of the report on its publication.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:47:07.26","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281402,"EventID":"S4W-12994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-07T16:47:07.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T13:42:43.933","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average single bus fare is and how this compares with 2006-07.\r\n","AnswerText":"A fares growth table is included in Bus and Coach statistics and Scottish Transport Statistics :\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j251205-044.htm.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:47:07.633","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281408,"EventID":"S4W-12963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:17.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T09:42:03.81","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will collect data on the (a) number and (b) geographical distribution of GPs in  2012-13 and at regular intervals thereafter.","AnswerText":"The number (headcount) of GPs working in Scottish general practices will continue to be published on an annual basis at http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/GPs-and-Other-Practice-Workforce/ and will add to the figures for 1988-2012 (inclusive) already published.\r\nIn addition, a 2013 survey of the GP workforce in general practices and the NHS board out of hours services is currently underway. The results of the survey, anticipated to include estimates of the whole time equivalent numbers of GPs working in Scotland overall with geographical breakdown by NHS board and CHP, will be published later in the year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:17.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281409,"EventID":"S4W-12964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:18.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T09:42:03.81","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last collected data on the (a) number and (b) geographical distribution of GPs and what the data show.","AnswerText":"Headcount numbers of GPs working in general practice in Scotland are routinely collected and are published annually at: \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/GPs-and-Other-Practice-Workforce/.\r\n\r\nThe published figures currently run from 1988 to 2012 inclusive and include the geographical breakdown of headcount by NHS Board and Community Health Partnership.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:18.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281410,"EventID":"S4W-12965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:19.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T09:42:03.81","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to (a) provide extra GPs and (b) increase the capacity of surgeries in deprived areas.","AnswerText":"The Bill on integration of adult health and social care being introduced to parliament before summer, will ensure that statutory partners, both Health Boards and Local Authorities, jointly plan and design services based on the needs of the population. The Bill will ensure that statutory partners are held equally and jointly accountable for the effective delivery of adult health and social care services. Our approach will ensure a focus on person- centred care, which will be of particular benefit in deprived areas.\r\nThe Scottish Government is in regular contact with the Deep End group of practices that are situated in the most deprived areas of Scotland whilst delivery models for the future are being informed through pilot work in deprived areas, including the 17c Reducing Inequalities Pilot Programme and the Scottish Government sponsored Links Project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:19.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281411,"EventID":"S4W-12971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:20.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T09:51:56.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12122 by Alex Neil on 22 January 2013, whether the investigation into claims of bullying and intimidation at the Scottish Ambulance Service headquarters has been completed and, if so, when the report will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"The investigation is concluded and a report has been made. This is now a matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service to take forward. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:20.223","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281412,"EventID":"S4W-12972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:20.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T09:51:56.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the claims of bullying and intimidation at the Scottish Ambulance Academy have been investigated and, if so, when the report will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"I am aware that the allegations to which you refer are being investigated by the Scottish Ambulance Service. This is a matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service to take forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:20.753","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281413,"EventID":"S4W-12997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:21.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T16:59:27.653","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS dental (a) nurses and (b) technicians there were in September (i) 2007 and (ii) 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the number of NHS dental (a) nurses and (b) technicians there were in September (i) 2007 and (ii) 2012 is available in the following table:\r\nTable 1: NHS Scotland dental nurses and technicians (WTE)\r\n\r\nSept-07\r\nSept-12\r\nChange Sept-07 to Sept-12\r\nDental nurse\r\n862.4\r\n1,426.5\r\n65.4%\r\nDental technician\r\n48.0\r\n130.4\r\n171.5%\r\nSource: ISD Scotland National Statistics\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:21.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281414,"EventID":"S4W-12998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:21.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T17:52:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund has been spent in each year; what projects have received funding, and how much private finance each project has received.","AnswerText":"To date, Scottish Enterprise (SE) has spent £2,567,935 to support the development of a range of N-RIF projects at various Scottish locations, namely Port of Dundee, Port of Leith, Rosyth, Methil, Hunterston, Inchgreen and Westway.\r\nTo date Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has spent £6,255,652 to support the development of a range of N-RIP projects at various HIE locations, namely, Kishorn, Arnish, Machrihanish, Nigg, Wick, Stornoway, Scrabster and Mallaig.\r\nSE and HIE continue to work with owners at these various locations in developing proposals to meet current market opportunities.\r\nIn terms of private funding projects, again SE and HIE are working closely with site owners to progress consent applications and funding packages. Funding packages are in place for a number of other ports with differing public/private funding splits.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:22","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281415,"EventID":"S4W-12999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:22.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T17:52:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund it expected to spend in each year of the fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"The National Renewables Infrastructure Fund is not split out on an annual funding basis. Funding awards are made in response to the open call for Expressions of Interest.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:22.39","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281416,"EventID":"S4W-13000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:22.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T17:52:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications there have been to the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund.","AnswerText":"Applications to the fund are in the form of Expressions of Interest. To date Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have received 42 Expressions of Interest, with the call remaining open.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:22.75","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281417,"EventID":"S4W-13001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:23.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T17:52:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications to the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund it expected in each year of the fund.","AnswerText":"The call for Expressions of Interest had an initial deadline of 10 December 2010, but there remains a continuing open call.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:23.047","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281418,"EventID":"S4W-13002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:23.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T17:52:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will investigate why demand for financial support from the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund has been lower than expected.\r\n","AnswerText":"The offshore wind industry has enormous potential, and to realise this potential it is essential that investors have confidence. The proposals outlined to date in the UK Energy Bill and Electricity Market Reform programme lack the measures to give investors the confidence beyond 2020.\r\nTo deliver market certainty and maintain investor confidence, it is crucial that the UK Government progress the Electricity Market Reform programme to give investment clarity and assurance to the energy sector. The UK Government must also make clear their ongoing support for the offshore wind sector and emulate the Scottish Government’s approach by setting a 2030 electricity decarbonisation target now, not in 2016 as planned under the UK Energy Bill.\r\nScottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are working closely with port owners and industry partners to progress the expressions of interest received under the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:23.357","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281419,"EventID":"S4W-13003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:23.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T17:52:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs have been created by projects that have received support from the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund.","AnswerText":"When National Renewables Infrastructure Fund (NRIF) was set up the overall assessment of the potential scale of the offshore wind industry was 28,000FTE. The purpose of NRIF is to support the development of the supply chain that creates these jobs. This sits alongside other investment measures and support mechanisms from Scottish Enterprise (SE), Highlands and Islands Enterprise and other public bodies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:23.7","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281420,"EventID":"S4W-13004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:23.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T17:52:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the financial benefit to the economy resulting from the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund.","AnswerText":"National Renewables Infrastructure Fund is one of the linchpins to the Scottish Government’s effort to develop an offshore wind sector in Scotland. Initial economic assessment indicates that a cumulative gross value added of £7.1 billion would be achievable if wind farm development proceeds and Scotland secures supply chain opportunities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:24.013","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281421,"EventID":"S4W-13005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:24.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T17:52:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the release of £15 million from the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund for other projects on the fund’s ability to help deliver (a) 28,000 jobs and (b) £7.1 billion to the economy.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise remain committed to supporting the development of locations that will attract offshore wind supply chain. The National Renewables Infrastructure Fund remains £70 million. Investment in projects will be assessed on the economic impact of the project and the need for public sector investment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:24.323","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281422,"EventID":"S4W-13006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:24.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T02:27:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing first sought advice regarding the establishment of the orphan medicines fund and when it was received.\r\n","AnswerText":"The New Medicines Review, which is considering all aspects of access to new medicines, was established on 14 January 2013.\r\nWe have received regular updates on the progress of the review since its inception.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:24.653","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281423,"EventID":"S4W-13007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:25.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T02:27:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce the draft regulations on passported benefits and for what reason this has been delayed.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Welfare Reform (Consequential Amendments) Scotland Regulations 2013 and the Education (School Lunches) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2013 were laid before the Scottish Parliament on 25 February 2013. The Welfare Reform (Consequential Amendments) (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 were laid before the Scottish Parliament on 27 February 2013.\r\nThis enables the regulations to come into force at the same time as the regulations for Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:25.183","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281424,"EventID":"S4W-13008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:25.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T02:27:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what current benefits will be covered by the draft regulations for passported benefits.\r\n","AnswerText":"The passported benefits covered by the regulations are: Legal Aid, Court Fee Exemptions, Free School Lunches, Education Maintenance Allowance, Individual Learning Accounts, NHS Optical Vouchers, Free NHS Dental Treatment, NHS Patient Travel Costs, Blue Badge Parking, Concessionary Bus Travel and Student Loan Exemptions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:25.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281425,"EventID":"S4W-13009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:26.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T02:27:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the draft regulations for passported benefits will cover all who currently qualify for these.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Regulations relating to income based passported benefits are designed to allow claimants on the Universal Credit pathfinder scheme, which begins in the Greater Manchester area later this year, to be able to claim income based passported benefits in the situation that any such claimants move to Scotland. This will have no impact on people who currently qualify for passported benefits. The Regulations relating to disability related passported benefits maintain passporting arrangements in Scotland to the National Concessionary Travel Scheme (NCTS), the Blue Badge Parking Scheme and Exemption from Repayment for Student loans for Higher Education.\r\nWe expect the numbers of people who will be entitled to Personal Independence Payments will be fewer than those who received Disability Living Allowance, therefore, we are putting in place transitional protections for those people who may no longer be able to passport to the NCTS and the Blue Badge Scheme. Further information on the impacts of these new passporting arrangements is available in my letter of 22 February 2013 to the Convener of the Welfare Reform Committee. It is available at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_Welfare_Reform_Committee/papers_05032013.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:26.26","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281426,"EventID":"S4W-13010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:26.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T02:27:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people currently qualify for passported benefits, broken down by benefit.\r\n","AnswerText":"The latest figures available for take up of passported benefits are shown on the following table:\r\nBenefit\r\nLatest Numbers Held\r\nLegal Aid\r\n2011-12 - 137,000 legal assistance cases (to nearest 1000).\r\nCourt Fee Exemptions\r\n2011-12 - 838 exemptions as a result of passported benefits, from 29,000 total exemptions. \r\n\r\nFree School Lunches\r\n2012 - 130,477 children and young people in Scottish schools were registered to receive a free school lunch. This figure includes a small number of children in P1-P3, who might not meet the eligibility criteria prescribed in statue, but are registered to free school lunches as part of local initiatives designed to promote healthy eating in the early years.\r\n[Source: Summary statistics for attainment, leaver destinations and healthy living, No. 2: 2012 Edition, published June 2012]\r\nEducation Maintenance Allowance (EMA)\r\n2011-12 - 34,390 young people received an EMA.\r\n\r\nIndividual Learning Accounts (ILA)\r\n2011-12 54,082 individuals funded learning using an ILA account.\r\n\r\nNHS Optical Vouchers\r\nYear ending March 2012 - 340,258 voucher claims processed for the provision of glasses/contact lenses for those on a passported benefit. \r\n\r\nHowever, this is a demand led service with information collected on the number of claims processed in respect of eligible people who have received a voucher towards the cost of glasses/contact lenses.\r\nAn individual may receive more than one voucher a year if it is considered necessary.\r\nFree NHS Dental Treatment\r\nNo figures are published.\r\nThis is a demand led service which those in receipt of a passported benefit access as needed. Claims are submitted and counted for individual courses of treatment, not for individuals, and an individual may receive more than one course of treatment in a year if necessary.\r\nNHS Patient Travel\r\nThis information is not collected centrally.\r\nBlue Badge Parking\r\n125,534 out of a total of 263,045 Blue Badges on issue at 31 March 2012 were awarded to individuals who passported automatically (without further assessment) to a Blue Badge.\r\nThe 125,534 includes individuals in receipt of:\r\nthe Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA;\r\na War Pensioners Mobility Supplement; \r\na lump sum (at tariffs 1-8) of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme;\r\nblind or registered blind people.\r\nWe are unable to extract from the total number of badges issued automatically how many were to individuals in receipt of HRCMDLA.\r\n[Source: Scottish Transport Statistics 2012]\r\nConcessionary Travel\r\n283,650 people in Scotland are eligible for the higher rate of the mobility component of disability living allowance or the higher or middle rate of the care component of disability living allowance and could therefore apply for the National Concessionary Travel Scheme.\r\nPlease note that this is the number for eligibility, not take up of the Scheme.\r\n[Source: DWP, Feb 2012]\r\nStudent Loans Exemptions \r\n2011-12 (academic year) under 50 borrowers were affected.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:26.807","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281427,"EventID":"S4W-13011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:27.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T02:27:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it costs to provide passported benefits to people who might lose their entitlement to these because of the proposed welfare reforms, also broken down by local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is unclear how many people might lose either wholly or in part their eligibility for benefits as a result of the UK Government’s welfare reforms.\r\nHowever there is enough data to allow us to estimate what the impact of moving from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payments might be for the Blue Badge Parking Scheme and the National Concessionary Travel Scheme. These are set out in my letter of 22 February 2013 to the Convener of the Welfare Reform Committee. It is available at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_Welfare_Reform_Committee/papers_05032013.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:27.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281428,"EventID":"S4W-13012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:27.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T02:37:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people in Scotland claim housing benefit and how many of them are in receipt of disability living allowance.","AnswerText":"The Department for Work and Pensions publishes information on the number of housing benefit claimants on their website. This information is available at:\r\nhttp://83.244.183.193/hb_la/#view=hblaview11&selectedWafers=0&selectedColumns=0\r\nDuring November 2012, there were 481,830 housing benefit claimants in Scotland.\r\nWe do not hold information centrally on the number of housing benefit claimants who are also in receipt of disability living allowance. From responses to the Family Resources Survey 2010-11, we estimate that around 46% of housing benefit claimants are also in receipt of disability living allowance. This would suggest that around 222,000 claimants are in receipt of housing benefit and disability living allowance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:27.88","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281429,"EventID":"S4W-13013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:28.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T02:37:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how much discretionary housing benefit was awarded by each local authority in 2011-12 and how much of it was allocated to (a) private sector, (b) local authority and (c) housing association tenants.\r\n","AnswerText":"The table gives the contribution from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) towards discretionary housing payments (DHP) in each local authority area in Scotland.\r\nLocal authorities are allowed to supplement the amount they spend on DHPs from their own resources up to a maximum of 1.5 times the figure given in the table. Therefore the overall amount of DHPs spent in any local authority area in a given year is capped at a maximum of 2.5 times the figure given below.\r\nHowever, we do not hold information centrally on the amount of DHPs awarded by each local authority in Scotland. We therefore do not know how many local authorities spent up to their maximum allowed amount.\r\nIn addition, a further breakdown of the amount allocated to each tenure is not held centrally.\r\nFurther information on the allocation of DHPs is available from the Department for Work and Pensions website at:\r\nhttp://www.dwp.gov.uk/local-authority-staff/housing-benefit/user-communications/hbctb-circulars/subsidy-circulars-2013/\r\nSummary of Discretionary Housing Payment amounts by Scottish local authority (DWP contribution)\r\nLocal Authority Area\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nAberdeen\r\n73,674\r\n76,110 \r\n94,240\r\n226,785 \r\nAberdeenshire\r\n24,260\r\n24,963 \r\n45,276\r\n160,695 \r\nAngus\r\n25,414\r\n32,429 \r\n56,313\r\n130,802 \r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n34,569\r\n40,773 \r\n58,246\r\n152,601 \r\nClackmannanshire\r\n5,336\r\n9,981 \r\n23,661\r\n162,088 \r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n39,425\r\n45,327 \r\n63,250\r\n232,271 \r\nDundee\r\n31,246\r\n69,850 \r\n114,767\r\n311,904 \r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n14,208\r\n20,629 \r\n49,849\r\n142,006 \r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n33,592\r\n29,948 \r\n42,723\r\n102,051 \r\nEast Lothian\r\n24,783\r\n28,932 \r\n47,911\r\n125,982 \r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n14,562\r\n14,965 \r\n25,501\r\n82,776 \r\nEdinburgh\r\n332,431\r\n337,526 \r\n570,286\r\n1,347,299 \r\nEilean Siar, Comhairle nan\r\n7,200\r\n9,360 \r\n10,582\r\n49,911 \r\nFalkirk\r\n7,878\r\n11,150 \r\n37,972\r\n136,698 \r\nFife\r\n77,858\r\n95,697 \r\n165,386\r\n435,614 \r\nGlasgow\r\n894,434\r\n1,053,201 \r\n1,393,221\r\n2,979,970 \r\nHighland\r\n44,158\r\n54,635 \r\n80,994\r\n216,106 \r\nInverclyde\r\n34,299\r\n40,548 \r\n55,072\r\n212,068 \r\nMidlothian\r\n24,007\r\n28,151 \r\n42,324\r\n150,453 \r\nMoray\r\n7,633\r\n9,042 \r\n18,543\r\n68,980 \r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n39,771\r\n49,677 \r\n95,074\r\n273,421 \r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n60,463\r\n103,420 \r\n163,264\r\n374,676 \r\nOrkney\r\n651\r\n761 \r\n3,042\r\n26,754 \r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n12,878\r\n19,665 \r\n43,018\r\n149,177 \r\nRenfrewshire\r\n42,350\r\n52,314 \r\n74,462\r\n251,714 \r\nScottish Borders\r\n17,599\r\n20,927 \r\n38,787\r\n170,470 \r\nShetland\r\n524\r\n687 \r\n721\r\n22,223 \r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n74,411\r\n121,673 \r\n153,344\r\n233,422 \r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n121,428\r\n140,212 \r\n217,462\r\n413,967 \r\nStirling\r\n27,306\r\n31,081 \r\n48,493\r\n111,886 \r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n29,132\r\n48,693 \r\n67,016\r\n325,468 \r\nWest Lothian\r\n44,326\r\n54,512 \r\n79,785\r\n239,205 \r\nScotland\r\n2,221,806\r\n2,676,839 \r\n3,980,585\r\n10,019,443 \r\nGreat Britain\r\n20,000,000\r\n30,000,000\r\n60,000,000\r\n155,000,000\r\nScotland share\r\n11.1%\r\n8.9%\r\n6.6%\r\n6.5%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:28.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281430,"EventID":"S4W-13014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:28.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T02:37:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of the level of the Department of Work and Pensions allocation for discretionary housing benefit to each local authority in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13013 on 5 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:28.91","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281431,"EventID":"S4W-13015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:29.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T02:37:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to issue additional guidance on the collection of arrears in the context of changes to the housing benefit system and, if so, what the guidance will contain.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has funded the Chartered Institute of Housing to provide guidance to social landlords on the UK Government’s reforms to housing benefit. This includes guidance on the collection of arrears specifically and asks landlords to identify whether there are other ways of collecting unpaid rent which do not risk the tenancy. The guidance is published at:\r\nhttp://www.cih.co.uk/resources/PDF/Scotland%20Policy%20Pdfs/Bedroom%20Tax/CIH_Bedroomtax_e.pdf.\r\nWe are supporting landlords to consider, and where necessary, adapt their practice in response to the UK Government’s housing benefit reforms. The guidance will be updated as required to reflect changes in this respect.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:29.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281432,"EventID":"S4W-13016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T13:45:30.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T02:37:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to issue additional guidance on evictions in the context of changes to the housing benefit system and, if so, what the guidance will contain.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that eviction is the last resort. In August 2012, it introduced regulations under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010 which require landlords to have exhausted all attempts to resolve the arrears with the tenant before taking action to evict. In June 2012 we published guidance for social landlords on these pre-action requirements. The guidance is published at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/06/2337. We will update the guidance to take account of the introduction of Universal Credit in due course.\r\nWe have also recently funded the Chartered Institute of Housing to provide guidance to social landlords on the UK Government’s reforms to housing benefit. This guidance highlights the challenges landlords are likely to face and asks landlords to identify whether there are other ways of collecting unpaid rent which do not risk the tenancy. The guidance is published at: \r\nhttp://www.cih.co.uk/resources/PDF/Scotland%20Policy%20Pdfs/Bedroom%20Tax/CIH_Bedroomtax_e.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:30.457","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281436,"EventID":"S4W-13017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:16.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:38:41.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to cycling tourism initiatives in North East Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Promotion of cycling tourism initiatives in NE Scotland by VisitScotland takes place through regional and national marketing.\r\nCycling opportunities are featured in relevant regional “What to See and Do” guides and are also promoted regionally through sales promotion activity with partners such as Tredz for Perthshire.\r\nAt a national level, cycling and mountain biking messages are included in postal mailings sent to the VisitScotland contact database twice annually, where relevant to the target market. The latest “Year of Natural Scotland” television advertisement includes a mountain biking message.\r\nThere is a dedicated cycling section on the VisitScotland website which includes cycling routes and activity providers. Cycling and mountain biking is heavily promoted through the “Active in Scotland” guide (including front cover) and distributed via VisitScotland Information Centres, and at key consumer and travel trade shows. E-versions are also available online.\r\nThe Scottish Government also supports improvements to the general cycling infrastructure through grant funding. Funding to Sustrans over this and the next two financial years is almost £30 million. I would encourage all local authorities to submit bids into Sustrans for match funding for local cycling projects. Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets grants to local authorities over this and the next two financial years will total £20 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281437,"EventID":"S4W-13018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:17.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:38:41.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made by the forum that it established to promote cycling tourism and when its action plan will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"A scoping meeting for the establishment of a forum was held in April 2010 after stakeholders highlighted in Cycling Scotland’s Best Value Review that there was a need for greater coordination in cycle tourism. Cycling Scotland then went onto establish the forum with a number of partners. The forum was previously chaired by Cycling Scotland, but since September 2012 has been chaired by Cyclists’ Touring Club Scotland.\r\nA Memorandum of Understanding was developed and the four key areas of focus for the forum were set out as follows:\r\nImprove communication and collaboration between stakeholders and the industry with a shared vision to develop and promote cycle tourism in Scotland;\r\nCo-ordinate research activity to improve a shared understanding of the target markets;\r\nCo-ordinate marketing efforts to maximise opportunities to raise awareness and grow the value of cycle tourism; and\r\nDevelop the cycling product and encourage best practice by making the most of Scotland’s cycling assets and establishing Scotland as a must visit, must return cycling destination.\r\nFunding from Sustrans and Cycling Scotland was secured for a project manager to work two days a month to progress activity. Meetings of the forum have, on average, been held quarterly in locations in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth.\r\nVisitScotland has been engaged to specifically improve the product content in tourism information and campaign activity. The forum has commented on and contributed to the VisitScotland Active Guide (a national publication). The forum is also working closely with VisitScotland to develop the cycle route content on visitscotland.com. The forum is engaging with local authorities to invite them to input the routes in their areas on to this site. This is happening in a phased approach and has so far included liaising with Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Scottish Borders, East Lothian, Fife, Dundee, Angus, Perthshire and Highland Councils. The intention is that route information in guides and online will also be used in specific campaign activity both nationally and regionally.\r\nInitial research into the status of cycle tourism in Scotland was conducted by the forum, which identified gaps in knowledge. Further funding was secured from Sustrans for a piece of research into the economic value of cycle tourism by Transform Scotland. This report, which includes a number of recommendations, is due to be launched in April 2013. A workshop for the forum took place at the end of February 2013 to develop a Strategic Action Plan based on findings of the report. The Action Plan will be published shortly.\r\nThe forum is also working closely with the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) as cycling is part of the Nature, Heritage and Activities asset working group. The forum has shared the research findings with the STA and is liaising with them on forming priority actions for this sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:17.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281438,"EventID":"S4W-13019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:17.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:38:41.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers have been employed in (i) Aberdeen and (ii) Aberdeenshire in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers is published on the Scottish Government website as supplementary data to the Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland publication. Primary school teacher information by local authority is available in table 7.1 and secondary school teacher information is in table 8.1 of the following link:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/Summarystatsforschools/teachcensus2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:17.657","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281439,"EventID":"S4W-13021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:17.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:38:41.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the price of private rented accommodation in Aberdeen.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the price of rented accommodation at a local authority level is not held centrally.\r\nPlanning authorities are required to examine local rent levels as part of their Housing Need and Demand Assessments (HNDAs) which are then appraised by the Scottish Government. Information about the price of private rents in Aberdeen is available in the Aberdeen City and Shire HNDA (2010) and the 2011 HNDA update. Links are provided below.\r\n2010 HNDA: \r\nhttp://www.aberdeencityandshire-sdpa.gov.uk/AboutUs/HNDA.asp\r\n2011 HNDA update: \r\nhttp://www.aberdeencityandshire-sdpa.gov.uk/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=898&sID=38\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:17.983","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281440,"EventID":"S4W-13022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:18.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:38:41.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many departments in NHS Grampian worked below their minimum staffing level in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is for each NHS board to decide how best to plan and deliver their services to meet the needs of their population. This includes how best to utilise funding and staff, taking account of national and local priorities to meet local health needs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:18.297","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281441,"EventID":"S4W-13023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:18.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:38:41.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many newly qualified nurses have gone into nursing in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not centrally available. However, the latest information on NHS Grampian employees as of 30 September 2012 is published on the NHS National Services Scotland, Information Services Division (ISD) website at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/data-tables.asp.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:18.623","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281442,"EventID":"S4W-13024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:18.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:38:41.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consultants have been employed in NHS Grampian in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of consultant staff in post in NHS Grampian as at 30 September from 2006 to 2012 is presented in the following table:\r\n\r\nTable 1 shows the total whole time equivalent (WTE) of consultants in NHS Grampian from September 2006 to September 2012\r\n\r\nSep-06\r\nSep-07\r\nSep-08\r\nSep-09\r\nSep-10\r\nSep-11\r\nSep-12\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n376.3\r\n380.4\r\n427.8\r\n439.0\r\n448.6\r\n463.8\r\n467.3\r\nSource: ISD Scotland National Statistics.\r\nSince September 2006 there has been an increase of 91.1 WTE consultants in NHS Grampian, up 24.2%.\r\nInformation on the number of consultants employed by NHS Grampian can be found in the Consultant staff in post table on the NHS Information Services Division (ISD) website at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2012-11-27/Consultant_Staff_In_Post_S2012.xls?5085.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:18.967","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281443,"EventID":"S4W-13025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:19.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:38:41.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many inpatient beds there have been in NHS Grampian in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of available staffed beds by NHS board is routinely published by Information Services Division and is available on the beds section of their website http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Hospital-Care/Beds/.\r\nInformation on the average number of available staffed beds in NHS Grampian for all specialties and all acute specialties for financial years 2007-08 to 2011-12 is provided in the following table.\r\nAverage number of available staffed beds1 in NHS Grampian for all specialties and acute specialties; financial years 2007-08 to 2011-12.\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-112\r\n2011-122\r\nAll specialties\r\n2,798\r\n2,718\r\n2,497\r\n2,358\r\n2,366\r\nAcute specialties\r\n1,910\r\n1,878\r\n1,850\r\n1,760\r\n1,764\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Includes beds for use by NHS patients that are located in non-NHS locations e.g. joint-user and contractual hospitals.\r\n2. Incomplete data, includes estimates.\r\nSource: ISD, ISD(S)1.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:19.293","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281444,"EventID":"S4W-13026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:19.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:38:41.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire will be affected by the proposed changes to housing benefits.\r\n","AnswerText":"Table 3 in the following paper gives an estimate of the number of households affected by the under-occupancy penalty by local authority.\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/supply-demand/chma/Benefitchanges/BenefitChangesUnderOccupancy\r\nThe paper is from May 2011 and gives a slightly earlier estimate of the numbers affected. Our current estimate is that around 105,000 households will be affected by the under-occupancy penalty.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:19.607","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281445,"EventID":"S4W-13027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:19.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:56:21.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS registered dental patients in the Grampian area have received check-ups in the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not available as routine child dental examinations cannot be identified from the available data. The number of NHS registered adult patients (18 years and over) in the Grampian area who had one or more NHS dental examinations in the period 1st April 2007 to 31st March 2012 was 225,050.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:19.92","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281446,"EventID":"S4W-13028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:20.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:56:21.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS registered dental patients in the Grampian area have received repeat check-ups in the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not available as routine child dental examinations cannot be identified from the available data. The number of NHS registered adult patients (18 years and over) in the Grampian area who had two or more NHS dental examinations in the period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2012 was 164,881. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:20.247","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281447,"EventID":"S4W-13029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:21.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:56:21.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS registered dental patients in the Grampian area have attended for treatment in the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of NHS registered patients (adults and children) in the Grampian area who attended for treatment (participated) in the period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2012 was 327,106.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:21.183","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281448,"EventID":"S4W-13030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:21.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:56:21.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many dental practices in the Grampian area have offered private treatment in the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:21.493","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281449,"EventID":"S4W-13031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:21.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:56:21.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many dental practices in the Grampian area have offered only NHS treatment in the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:21.883","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281450,"EventID":"S4W-13032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:22.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T13:56:21.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors whether dental practices funded by grants through the Scottish Dental Access Initiative scheme comply with the requirement that 80% of their work is NHS treatment.","AnswerText":"It is a condition of receiving a Scottish Dental Access Initiative grant that the grantee(s) submits to the relevant NHS board a certificate from a qualified chartered accountant (prior to 2007 an auditor’s certificate or a copy of the practice accounts) independently verifying that eighty per cent (80%) or more of the annual gross income in total at the practice is derived from General Dental Services (GDS).\r\nIn addition, the dentists shall, on request from the NHS board, allow the NHS board (or anyone nominated by the NHS board) to undertake an examination of the dentists’ full financial records.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:22.197","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281451,"EventID":"S4W-13033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-08T15:42:22.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T14:35:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of children in Scotland who will be deemed to be in poverty as a result of changes in welfare benefits since 2010.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not produce forecasts of poverty, however analysis published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in October 2011 estimated that the number of children in the UK living in relative poverty will rise by approximately 700,000 between 2009-10 and 2020-21. In 2009-10 200,000 children, 20 per cent of children, were living in relative income poverty in Scotland, this was 7.7 per cent of all children in the UK living in relative income poverty. Assuming Scotland’s share of UK child poverty remains unchanged at 7.7 per cent in future years, this would imply an additional 50,000 children in Scotland will be living in relative poverty by 2020-21. This estimate does not include changes subsequently introduced by the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:42:22.507","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281459,"EventID":"S4W-12966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T14:05:24.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T09:43:24.857","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people do not have bank accounts.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is published in the Family Resources Survey report 2010-11, Table 4.1 (page 64) and can be accessed via the following link:\r\nhttp://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/frs/2010_11/frs_2010_11_report.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T14:05:24.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281460,"EventID":"S4W-12967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T14:05:24.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-07T09:43:24.857","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the take-up of basic bank accounts.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12966 on 13 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T14:05:24.75","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281461,"EventID":"S4W-13034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T14:05:25.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-10T16:14:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all NHS board workforce plans (a) comply with the Equality Act 2010 and (b) contain specific equality duties.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested, regarding whether all NHS board workforce plans (a) comply with the Equality Act 2010 and (b) contains specific equality duties, is not centrally held.\r\nHowever, revised workforce planning guidance relating to this matter was issued in 2011 and can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/12/8405/5\r\nThe Scottish Government expects all NHS Boards to comply with the Equality Act 2010.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T14:05:25.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281462,"EventID":"S4W-13035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T14:05:25.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-10T16:14:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what specific equality duties are recorded in each NHS board workforce plan.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested on what specific equality duties are recorded in each NHS workforce plan is not centrally held. However, revised workforce planning guidance relating to this matter was issued in 2011 and can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/12/8405/5\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T14:05:25.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281463,"EventID":"S4W-13036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T14:05:25.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-09T10:23:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) critical incidents and (b) adverse events there have been since 2007-08 and, of these, how many have resulted in death, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n \r\nThere is no nationally or internationally agreed definition of adverse event, Healthcare Improvement Scotland has been asked to develop a national approach to the management of adverse events and this will include an agreed definition.\r\n \r\nNHS boards are responsible for ensuring the quality, safety and effectiveness of the services they provide and as such, there are a range of mechanisms in place for the recording and management of adverse events across the NHS in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T14:05:25.827","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281464,"EventID":"S4W-13037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T14:05:26.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-09T10:23:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is issued to NHS boards on dealing with (a) adverse events and (b) critical incidents.","AnswerText":"In addition to a range of statutory requirements, a range of guidance has been provided to NHS Boards to deal with adverse events/critical incidents. This guidance can be found at: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk.\r\n\r\nNHS Quality Improvement Scotland published the Clinical Governance and Risk Management Standards in 2005 and these can be found at: http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org.\r\n\r\nIn addition there is guidance and alerts circulated via the Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) \r\nhttp://www.mhra.gov.uk/Publications/Safetyguidance/DeviceBulletins/index.htm.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T14:05:26.327","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281465,"EventID":"S4W-13038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T14:05:26.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-09T10:23:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a copy of (a) an adverse event and (b) a critical incident report is routinely provided to staff who are directly involved.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Boards are responsible for the local management of adverse events and the expectation is that all staff involved in such incidents, are made aware of any learning resulting from them.\r\n\r\nThis expectation is set out in the Scottish Government’s Staff Governance Standard, under the Managing Health at Work PIN Guideline (2003), and the Clinical Governance and Risk Management Standard that were published in 2005 by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland. It is the responsibility of NHS Boards to ensure this guidance is reflected in local policy and practice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T14:05:26.84","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281466,"EventID":"S4W-13039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T14:05:27.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T19:26:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the potential harm to be to bees from the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s position is based on the scientific advice it receives from the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP), its own scientists in SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture), and through other sources such as The European Food Safety Authority.\r\nA number of studies have demonstrated risks to bee health and gaps in the knowledge about the effects of neonicotinoids on pollinators. However, there has been a lack of evidence of a direct link between neonicotinoids and a reduction in pollinator numbers when farmers use neonicotinoids in their fields.\r\nThe ACP has been asked urgently to produce new advice taking account of the latest scientific data. As part of this process, the ACP has commissioned independent reviews of key research findings. ACP’s advice following their reviews will then inform the Scottish Government’s view on any action.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T14:05:27.34","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281467,"EventID":"S4W-13040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T14:05:27.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T19:26:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it takes to ensure that pesticides used in farming are not harmful to bees.\r\n","AnswerText":"All agricultural pesticides are tightly regulated under European legislation to protect people and the environment. The risk assessment process, set out in the legislation, looks in detail at the risks to honey bees. The regulatory process is constantly updated so that it advances with scientific knowledge.\r\nThe Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products in Scotland is an important source of practical advice for the safe use of pesticides for farmers and all other professional users of pesticides.\r\nUnder a Scottish Government funded budget, staff at Scotland’s Rural College have provided extensive advice to farmers on the safe use of neonicotinoids, including notifying beekeepers prior to their use, as well as being strongly advised to follow label recommendations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T14:05:27.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281468,"EventID":"S4W-13041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T14:05:28.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-08T19:26:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research has been carried out to examine the reasons for the decline in honey bee numbers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is involved both directly and indirectly in a number of areas which are examining the reasons for the decline in honey bee numbers. This includes:\r\nThe launch in 2010 of the 10-year honey bee health strategy which aims to develop education, training, knowledge transfer and communications as well as promote surveillance, diagnosis, biosecurity and research and development.\r\nContributing half a million pounds to the insect pollinators initiative where nine projects have been funded to look into the causes and consequences of insect pollinator decline.\r\nThe completion of the first Scotland-wide honey bee health survey where inspections have taken place and samples collected from most parts of the country. A report is being prepared that will provide a snapshot of the nation’s bee health and will be used to inform future decisions relating to bee health and treatment of diseases, pests and emerging threats.\r\nSentinel Apiaries being set up to monitor high risk areas (such as ports and airports) and provide early warning of evidence of new exotic pests and diseases.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T14:05:28.353","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281469,"EventID":"S4W-13042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T14:05:28.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T09:28:29.467","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints were received from prisoners regarding their healthcare in each year between 2007 and November 2011, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nResponsibility and accountability for the provision of health care services to prisoners transferred from the SPS to the National Health Service on 1 November 2011. As part of this change responsibility for prisoner complaints relating to their healthcare transferred to the respective health boards.\r\nThe following table provides the number of healthcare complaints recorded by the SPS for each establishment from 2007 to 31 October 2011.\r\nEstablishment\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\nHMP Aberdeen\r\n122\r\n74\r\n112\r\n125\r\n102\r\nHMP Addiewell1\r\nN/A\r\n2\r\n766\r\n845\r\n932\r\nHMP Barlinnie\r\n842\r\n1036\r\n1065\r\n795\r\n931\r\nHMP Cornton Vale\r\n198\r\n211\r\n137\r\n154\r\n158\r\nHMP Dumfries\r\n72\r\n105\r\n70\r\n97\r\n74\r\nHMP Edinburgh\r\n561\r\n597\r\n733\r\n681\r\n562\r\nHMP Glenochil\r\n344\r\n575\r\n431\r\n430\r\n528\r\nHMP Greenock\r\n73\r\n95\r\n117\r\n93\r\n73\r\nHMP Inverness\r\n24\r\n22\r\n16\r\n18\r\n15\r\nHMP Kilmarnock\r\n362\r\n491\r\n364\r\n491\r\n530\r\nHMP Low Moss2\r\n28\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nHMP Open Estate3\r\n11\r\n19\r\n22\r\n18\r\n13\r\nHMP Perth\r\n273\r\n471\r\n219\r\n221\r\n206\r\nHMP Peterhead4\r\n77\r\n98\r\n80\r\n116\r\n28\r\nHMP Polmont\r\n1\r\n10\r\n13\r\n36\r\n27\r\nHMP Shotts\r\n379\r\n391\r\n393\r\n329\r\n336\r\nTotal\r\n3,367\r\n4,197\r\n4,538\r\n4,449\r\n4,515\r\n1HMP Addiewell opened in December 2008\r\n2 HMP Low Moss closed in May 2007\r\n3HMP Open Estate encompassed Castle Huntly and Noranside until 31st October 2011 when Noranside closed\r\n4 Population change at HMP Peterhead during 2011, completed in May 2011\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T14:05:28.837","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281470,"EventID":"S4W-13043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T14:05:29.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T09:28:29.467","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints have been received from prisoners regarding their healthcare since November 2011, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The latest annual national NHS complaints statistics (covering the period \r\n1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012) published by the Information Services Division (ISD) of NHS National Services Scotland are available at: \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Quality-Improvement/Publications/2012-09-25/2012-09-25-Complaints-Report.pdf. This includes prisoner complaints.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T14:05:29.12","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281471,"EventID":"S4W-13056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T14:05:29.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:43:56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of disabled people who will not receive personal independence payments by 2018, who would otherwise have received disability living allowance.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Department for Work and Pensions has produced forecasts for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) caseload in May 2018 and the counterfactual Disability Living Allowance (DLA) caseload if DLA had remained unchanged. This shows that by 2018, the DLA caseload for the UK would have been around 2,182,000 and the expected PIP caseload to be around 1,575,000. This suggests that 607,000 fewer people in the UK will be in receipt of PIP who would otherwise have received DLA.\r\nUsing this forecast on DLA and PIP caseloads and based on an 11 per cent share of the working-age DLA caseload in Scotland, it is estimated that by May 2018 the DLA caseload in Scotland would have been around 240,000, however, following the introduction of PIP the caseload is projected to be 173,000. This suggests around 67,000 fewer individuals in Scotland will be in receipt of PIP than would otherwise have received DLA.\r\nThese figures are indicative only and as such, should be treated with caution. The actual PIP caseload in May 2018 may be higher or lower than forecast assumptions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T14:05:29.51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281473,"EventID":"S4W-13044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T15:09:21.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:07:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how much it (a) cost to establish and (b) costs annually to administer the register of members' interests.\r\n","AnswerText":"The register of members’ interests is established and administered by the clerks to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee and the main costs arising relate to the clerks’ time in advising members whether interests are registrable, seeking information from members, drafting register entries and arranging for them to be published. \r\nIn relation to (a), during the 8 weeks of initial registration of members’ interests at the start of each session, we estimate that the clerking team spend approximately 90% of their time on registering members’ interests at a cost of £46,620. \r\nIn relation to (b), administration of the register after initial registration is only one of several responsibilities undertaken by the standards clerks and it is not possible to identify separately the costs of register work. Over the course of session 3, there were on average about 200 new or amended register entries per year. The cost of administering these ranges from £23 (for a simple entry or amendment) to £282 (for a more complex inquiry involving several discussions with members). \r\nA number of changes to the categories of the register of members’ interests were implemented at the start of session 4. These changes were intended to clarify and simplify the register of members’ interests, whilst ensuring that the register captures significant financial interests and that transparency and accountability are maintained. Whilst the costs provided for initial registration are based on experience of operating under the new rules in session 4, these changes may result in a reduction in the amount of time spent dealing with amendments to the register of members’ interests during this session compared to session 3. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:09:21.973","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Liam McArthur","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281474,"EventID":"S4W-13047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T15:09:22.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:07:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what its annual budget has been in each year since 2007 and what the proposed budget is for 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"The SPCB’s annual budget for each year is as follows:\r\n \r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n \r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\n£m\r\nNet Revenue Expenditure\r\n69.7\r\n71.6\r\n75.6\r\n75.7\r\n74.2\r\n69.4\r\n72.1\r\nCapital Expenditure\r\n1.6\r\n1.8\r\n2.6\r\n3.0\r\n1.3\r\n4.3\r\n3.0\r\nTotal Revenue and Capital Expenditure\r\n71.3\r\n73.4\r\n78.2\r\n78.7\r\n75.5\r\n73.8\r\n75.1\r\n \r\nThese figures exclude the budget for capital charges and non-cash items such as the cost of depreciation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:09:22.27","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Liam McArthur ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281475,"EventID":"S4W-13048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T15:09:22.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:28:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many manufacturing jobs have been (a) lost and (b) created in (i) Ayrshire, (ii) Renfrewshire, (iii) Dunbartonshire, (iv) Lanarkshire and (v) Inverclyde in each year since 1997.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available.\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13053 on 13 March 2013, which provides estimates of manufacturing employee jobs by local authority area. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found:\r\nat:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:09:22.567","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281476,"EventID":"S4W-13049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T15:09:22.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:28:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much overseas investment in the manufacturing sector there has been in each year since 1997.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available.\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government’s Businesses in Scotland publication does include an estimate of the number of enterprises operating in Scotland that are foreign owned, alongside estimates of Scottish employment and Scottish turnover for these enterprises.\r\nThese estimates broken down by industrial sector (including manufacturing) are available from Table 3 of the Businesses in Scotland publication, available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Business/Corporate/table3sic07\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:09:22.863","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281477,"EventID":"S4W-13050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T15:09:23.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:28:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether industrial production in the manufacturing sector has increased or decreased in each year since 1997.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information can be derived from the latest (2012 Quarter 3) Scottish Quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Publication, which was released on 1 February 2013 and can be found on the Scottish Government website at: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/GDP2012Q3.\r\nScottish GDP (output measure) is now published on the basis of the 2007 Standard Industrial Classification and 2009 Input-Output Gross Value Added weights.\r\nWith regards to annual data, a consistent time series for manufacturing production (in real terms) is available for the period 1998-2011. The published index of manufacturing production for Scotland is reported in Table 1.\r\nTable 1. Index of Manufacturing Production, 1998-2011\r\n(seasonally adjusted, chained volume measure of Gross Value Added at basic prices)\r\n1998\r\n108.5\r\n1999\r\n105.3\r\n2000\r\n101.2\r\n2001\r\n100.9\r\n2002\r\n97.3\r\n2003\r\n93.9\r\n2004\r\n97.6\r\n2005\r\n100.2\r\n2006\r\n105.6\r\n2007\r\n107.2\r\n2008\r\n108.8\r\n2009\r\n100.0\r\n2010\r\n103.8\r\n2011\r\n105.2\r\n\r\nUsing the index in Table 1, annual growth rates of output from the manufacturing sector have been calculated and reproduced in Table 2 for each year since 1999.\r\nTable 2. Year-on-Year Change in Manufacturing Production, 1999-2011\r\n1999\r\n-2.9%\r\n2000\r\n-3.9%\r\n2001\r\n-0.2%\r\n2002\r\n-3.6%\r\n2003\r\n-3.5%\r\n2004\r\n4.0%\r\n2005\r\n2.6%\r\n2006\r\n5.4%\r\n \r\n \r\n2007\r\n1.5%\r\n2008\r\n1.5%\r\n2009\r\n-8.1%\r\n2010\r\n3.8%\r\n2011\r\n1.3%\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:09:23.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281478,"EventID":"S4W-13051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T15:09:23.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:28:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether productivity in the manufacturing sector has increased or decreased in each year since 1997.\r\n","AnswerText":"Table 1 shows Gross Value Added (GVA) per employee for the manufacturing sector in Scotland. The data are sourced from the Annual Business Survey (ABS), which provides estimates from 1998 to 2010.\r\nThe manufacturing sector is defined using Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes.\r\nThe data are not entirely consistent over time, mainly on account of a change in the SIC codes between 2008 and 2009. Data for manufacturing on a SIC 2003 basis are provided from 1998 to 2008, and data for manufacturing on a SIC 2007 basis are provided from 2008 to 2010.\r\nTable 1: GVA per employee, Manufacturing Sector, Scotland\r\nIn current prices: not adjusted for inflation\r\nYear\r\nGVA per\r\nemployee\r\n(SIC 2003 based)1\r\nGVA per\r\nemployee\r\n(SIC 2007 based)2\r\n1998\r\n38,969\r\n\r\n1999\r\n36,494\r\n\r\n2000\r\n37,816\r\n\r\n2001\r\n39,036\r\n\r\n2002\r\n43,593\r\n\r\n2003\r\n46,694\r\n\r\n2004\r\n52,046\r\n\r\n2005\r\n54,144\r\n\r\n2006\r\n61,402\r\n\r\n2007\r\n60,774\r\n\r\n2008\r\n64,584\r\n65,919\r\n2009\r\n\r\n66,848\r\n2010\r\n\r\n71,033\r\nSource: Annual Business Survey, Office for National Statistics. Compiled by the Scottish Government \r\nNotes:\r\n1. Manufacturing sector defined in terms of Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 2003 as Divisions 15-37.\r\n2. Manufacturing sector defined in terms of Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 2007 as Divisions 10-33.\r\n3. Figures for 2008 on both a SIC 2003 and SIC 2007 basis have been provided for comparison.\r\nThe size of the manufacturing sector has reduced under SIC 2007 compared to SIC 2003. At the Scotland level, manufacturing employee data reduced by around 6% and manufacturing Gross Value Added by around 4% in 2008.\r\n5. Gross Value Added (GVA) per Employee is calculated by dividing GVA (at Basic Prices) by Total Employees. The GVA data used to calculate the figures in table is in current prices i.e. it has not been adjusted for inflation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:09:23.44","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281479,"EventID":"S4W-13052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T15:09:23.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:28:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average wage in the manufacturing sector has been in each year since 1997.\r\n","AnswerText":"The preferred source for earnings estimates is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), which is produced by the Office for National Statistics. The median is the recommended measure of average earnings as opposed to the mean.\r\nMedian hourly earnings excluding overtime in the manufacturing sector, Scotland, 1997 to 2012\r\nYear\r\nEarnings\r\n1997\r\n£7.04\r\n1998\r\n£7.49\r\n1999\r\n£7.71\r\n2000\r\n£7.97\r\n2001\r\n£8.32\r\n2002\r\n£8.65\r\n2003\r\n£9.05\r\n2004\r\n£9.12\r\n2005\r\n£9.53\r\n2006\r\n£10.06\r\n2007\r\n£10.42\r\n2008\r\n£11.10\r\n2009\r\n£11.03\r\n2010\r\n£11.14\r\n2011\r\n£11.38\r\n2012\r\n£11.91\r\nSource: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. ASHE is a sample survey from the PAYE system, therefore the self-employed and others not on the system are not covered by the survey, this will have differing impacts on different sectors of the economy.\r\n2. The estimates are based on the pay of full-time employees working in Scotland on adult rates whose pay was not affected by absence.\r\n3. There are a number of breaks in the ASHE time series which mean care should be taken when making comparisons over time: The methodology was revised in 2004, 2006 and 2011.\r\n4. Estimates for 1997 to 2007 are based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 2003; estimates from 2008 onwards are based on SIC 2007.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:09:23.707","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281480,"EventID":"S4W-13053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T15:09:23.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:28:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the level of employment in manufacturing has been in the (a) Renfrewshire, (b) Inverclyde, (c) North Ayrshire, (d) East Dunbartonshire and (e) West Dunbartonshire local authority area in each year since 1997.\r\n","AnswerText":"Table 1 shows the level of manufacturing employee jobs in the requested local authority areas, and those areas referred to in the answer to question S4W-13048 on 13 March 2012. The data are sourced from the Annual Business Inquiry (ABI) and the Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES). The ABI commenced in 1998 and BRES commenced in 2009. The manufacturing sector is defined using Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes.\r\nThe data provided are not entirely consistent over time. There are two main breaks in the data. The first main break occurs between 2002 and 2003 on account of the change from SIC 1992 codes to SIC 2003 codes. The second main break occurs between 2008 and 2009 on account of the change from SIC 2003 codes to SIC 2007 codes and the change in source from ABI to BRES. These changes may give rise to discontinuities, and as such the data is not strictly comparable across the series breaks.\r\nTable 1: Employee Jobs, Manufacturing Sector, by Local Authority Area \r\nYear\r\nEast Ayr-\r\nshire\r\nEast Dunbar-tonshire\r\nEast Renfrew-shire\r\nInver-clyde\r\nNorth Ayr-shire\r\nNorth Lanark-shire\r\nRenfrew-shire\r\nSouth Ayr-shire\r\nSouth Lanark-shire\r\nWest Dunbar-tonshire\r\n1998\r\n7,400\r\n2,900\r\n1,800\r\n6,100\r\n10,900\r\n19,600\r\n16,900\r\n9,000\r\n24,800\r\n5,600\r\n1999\r\n7,200\r\n3,300\r\n1,400\r\n8,700\r\n10,300\r\n20,500\r\n15,700\r\n8,500\r\n23,300\r\n5,400\r\n2000\r\n6,300\r\n2,800\r\n1,400\r\n7,700\r\n9,300\r\n18,700\r\n14,900\r\n7,000\r\n24,400\r\n4,000\r\n2001\r\n6,200\r\n2,900\r\n1,800\r\n6,900\r\n9,700\r\n17,500\r\n12,700\r\n6,100\r\n20,400\r\n4,100\r\n2002\r\n5,900\r\n2,400\r\n1,400\r\n5,400\r\n8,000\r\n16,000\r\n12,600\r\n6,100\r\n19,100\r\n3,800\r\n2003\r\n5,600\r\n2,600\r\n1,300\r\n3,600\r\n7,400\r\n15,600\r\n11,100\r\n5,200\r\n18,000\r\n3,400\r\n2004\r\n4,600\r\n2,500\r\n1,300\r\n2,500\r\n6,700\r\n14,500\r\n10,400\r\n5,900\r\n17,400\r\n3,200\r\n2005\r\n4,300\r\n2,700\r\n1,000\r\n2,100\r\n6,400\r\n14,300\r\n10,600\r\n5,900\r\n17,800\r\n3,100\r\n2006\r\n4,600\r\n2,600\r\n1,000\r\n2,200\r\n5,800\r\n15,000\r\n9,800\r\n5,300\r\n16,800\r\n3,100\r\n2007\r\n5,000\r\n2,700\r\n900\r\n2,000\r\n5,600\r\n14,800\r\n9,800\r\n5,600\r\n16,800\r\n2,700\r\n2008\r\n3,800\r\n2,700\r\n800\r\n2,800\r\n5,500\r\n14,700\r\n8,600\r\n5,300\r\n15,500\r\n2,400\r\n2009\r\n3,200\r\n1,800\r\n900\r\n2,800\r\n4,200\r\n12,200\r\n8,100\r\n4,900\r\n13,600\r\n2,500\r\n2010\r\n3,100\r\n1,400\r\n800\r\n1,900\r\n3,900\r\n10,200\r\n7,500\r\n4,500\r\n11,600\r\n2,300\r\n2011\r\n3,100\r\n1,400\r\n1,000\r\n1,700\r\n4,100\r\n11,300\r\n7,800\r\n4,600\r\n12,300\r\n2,300\r\nSources:  \r\n1998 to 2002 – Annual Business Inquiry, Office for National Statistics – Manufacturing defined on a SIC 1992 basis.\r\n2003 to 2008 - Annual Business Inquiry, Office for National Statistics – Manufacturing defined on a SIC 2003 basis.\r\n2009 to 2011 – Business Register and Employment Survey, Office for National Statistics – Manufacturing defined on a SIC 2007 basis.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Data are rounded to the nearest 100.\r\n2. Data are not consistent over time due to the change in SIC codes and the underlying source.\r\n3. For 1998 to 2005 the data are as at December each year.  For 2006 onwards the data are as at September each year.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:09:23.97","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281481,"EventID":"S4W-13054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T15:09:24.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:28:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many planning appeals in the (a) energy, (b) retail, (c) commercial property, (d) housing, (e) environmental waste management and (f) hotel, leisure and recreation sector ministers have considered since May 2011 and with what outcome.","AnswerText":"Planning appeal decisions in the period 1 May 2011 to 13 February 2013 are set out by sector in the following table:\r\n\r\nNumber of appeal decisions\r\nNumber of appeals allowed\r\nEnergy\r\n92\r\n27\r\nRetail\r\n19\r\n11\r\nCommercial property\r\n17\r\n12\r\nHousing\r\n148\r\n53\r\nEnvironmental waste management\r\n5\r\n3\r\nHotel, leisure and recreation\r\n13\r\n6\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:09:24.237","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281482,"EventID":"S4W-13055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T15:09:24.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:28:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much investment from outside of Scotland there has been and how many jobs have been created in the (a) retail, (b) energy, (c) commercial property, (d) construction, (e) environmental waste management and (f) hotel, leisure and recreation sector in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available.\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government’s Businesses in Scotland publication does include an estimate of the number of enterprises operating in Scotland that are foreign owned and rest of the UK owned, alongside estimates of Scottish employment and Scottish turnover for these enterprises.\r\nThese estimates broken down by industrial sector are available from Table 3 of the Businesses in Scotland publication, available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Business/Corporate/table3sic07\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:09:24.5","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281483,"EventID":"S4W-13057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T15:09:24.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:49:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many single bedroom rented households there are in each (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority area.","AnswerText":"The number of single bedroom rented households in each local authority is estimated to be as follows:\r\nLocal Authority\r\nNumber of single bedroom rented households\r\nAberdeen City\r\n                                                        16,000 \r\nAberdeenshire\r\n                                                          8,000 \r\nAngus\r\n                                                          6,000 \r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n                                                          3,000 \r\nClackmannanshire\r\n                                                          2,000 \r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n                                                          7,000 \r\nDundee City\r\n                                                        11,000 \r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n                                                          4,000 \r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n                                                          2,000 \r\nEast Lothian\r\n                                                          4,000 \r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n                                                          2,000 \r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n                                                        24,000 \r\nEilean Siar\r\n                                                          1,000 \r\nFalkirk\r\n                                                          4,000 \r\nFife\r\n                                                        12,000 \r\nGlasgow City\r\n                                                        35,000 \r\nHighland\r\n                                                          5,000 \r\nInverclyde\r\n                                                          4,000 \r\nMidlothian\r\n                                                          2,000 \r\nMoray\r\n                                                          3,000 \r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n                                                          3,000 \r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n                                                          9,000 \r\nOrkney Islands\r\n                                                          1,000 \r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n                                                          5,000 \r\nRenfrewshire\r\n                                                          9,000 \r\nScottish Borders\r\n                                                          5,000 \r\nShetland Islands\r\n                                                          1,000 \r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n                                                          4,000 \r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n                                                          6,000 \r\nStirling\r\n                                                          2,000 \r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n                                                          4,000 \r\nWest Lothian\r\n                                                          5,000 \r\nScotland\r\n                                                       209,000 \r\n\r\nWe have included social rented sector and private rented sector households in our analysis and our results are rounded to the nearest 1,000 households.\r\nWe are unable to provide a robust estimate of single bedroom rented households in each parliamentary constituency.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:09:24.78","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281484,"EventID":"S4W-13058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T15:09:25.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:49:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many households will be affected by the so-called bedroom tax in each (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13026 on 5 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nA breakdown of the figures by parliamentary constituency is not available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:09:25.157","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281485,"EventID":"S4W-13059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T15:09:25.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:49:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost has been of free personal care provided in each year since it was introduced.\r\n","AnswerText":"The cost of personal care provided in each year is given in the following table:\r\nTable: Expenditure on Free Personal and Nursing Care, 2003-04 to 2010-11\r\nYear\r\nSelf-funders  receiving      FPNC in a      Care Home\r\nClients          aged 65+ receiving         FPC at home\r\nTotal (£millions)\r\n2003-04\r\n86\r\n133\r\n219\r\n2004-05\r\n93\r\n158\r\n251\r\n2005-06\r\n97\r\n189\r\n286\r\n2006-07\r\n99\r\n228\r\n327\r\n2007-08\r\n104\r\n267\r\n372\r\n2008-09\r\n106\r\n277\r\n383\r\n2009-10\r\n108\r\n317\r\n425\r\n2010-11\r\n108\r\n342\r\n451\r\nSource: Free Personal and Nursing Care, Scotland, 2010-11\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:09:25.513","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281486,"EventID":"S4W-13060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-11T15:09:25.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:49:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have received free personal care in each year, broken down by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of people receiving free personal care in each year is collected at local authority level. It is not available by (a) parliamentary constituency, but the local authority has been used to estimate the number of people receiving free personal care in each (b) NHS board area:\r\nTable: Estimate of all people aged 65+ receiving free personal care at home or in a Care Home, 2003-04 to 2011-12\r\nNHS Board\r\n2003-04\r\n2004-05\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n       5,180 \r\n       5,510 \r\n       5,690 \r\n       5,920 \r\n       6,370 \r\n       6,780 \r\n       6,820 \r\n       6,970 \r\n       6,880 \r\nNHS \r\nBorders\r\n       1,630 \r\n       1,790 \r\n       1,860 \r\n       1,780 \r\n       1,760 \r\n       1,770 \r\n       1,810 \r\n       1,820 \r\n       1,840 \r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n       2,240 \r\n       2,180 \r\n       2,170 \r\n       2,180 \r\n       2,370 \r\n       2,630 \r\n       2,360 \r\n       2,490 \r\n       2,920 \r\nNHS \r\nFife\r\n       5,200 \r\n       5,320 \r\n       5,350 \r\n       5,440 \r\n       5,370 \r\n       5,560 \r\n       5,570 \r\n       5,360 \r\n       4,930 \r\nNHS \r\nForth Valley\r\n       3,290 \r\n       3,480 \r\n       3,620 \r\n       3,650 \r\n       3,710 \r\n       3,840 \r\n       4,070 \r\n       4,230 \r\n       4,210 \r\nNHS Grampian\r\n       6,920 \r\n       7,050 \r\n       7,490 \r\n       7,900 \r\n       7,920 \r\n       7,820 \r\n       7,810 \r\n       7,750 \r\n       7,610 \r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n      15,960 \r\n      17,380 \r\n      19,230 \r\n      17,900 \r\n      18,410 \r\n      18,460 \r\n      19,230 \r\n      19,150 \r\n      19,480 \r\nNHS Highland\r\n       3,930 \r\n       4,050 \r\n       4,340 \r\n       4,350 \r\n       4,270 \r\n       4,570 \r\n       4,550 \r\n       4,460 \r\n       4,410 \r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n       5,270 \r\n       5,750 \r\n       6,890 \r\n       6,660 \r\n       7,040 \r\n       7,230 \r\n       7,540 \r\n       7,430 \r\n       7,140 \r\nNHS \r\nLothian\r\n       8,990 \r\n       9,150 \r\n       9,450 \r\n       9,670 \r\n      10,060 \r\n      10,130 \r\n      10,650 \r\n      10,800 \r\n      10,870 \r\nNHS \r\nOrkney\r\n          270 \r\n          270 \r\n          290 \r\n          280 \r\n          270 \r\n          320 \r\n          350 \r\n          350 \r\n          330 \r\nNHS Shetland\r\n          300 \r\n          300 \r\n          280 \r\n          290 \r\n          320 \r\n          330 \r\n          350 \r\n          340 \r\n          340 \r\nNHS \r\nTayside\r\n       5,030 \r\n       5,390 \r\n       5,290 \r\n       5,210 \r\n       5,260 \r\n       5,380 \r\n       5,740 \r\n       5,750 \r\n       5,580 \r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n          610 \r\n          600 \r\n          640 \r\n          640 \r\n          620 \r\n          640 \r\n          650 \r\n          640 \r\n          640 \r\nScotland\r\n      64,760 \r\n      68,160 \r\n      72,560 \r\n      71,850 \r\n      73,730 \r\n      75,480 \r\n      77,480 \r\n      77,530 \r\n      77,110 \r\nSource – Free Personal and Nursing Care, Scotland, 2010-11\t\r\nNote:\t  All figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  2011-12 figures are provisional.\r\nNHS board figures are estimated based on the Local Authority funding the support not the area of residence, which may be different. \t\t\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:09:25.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281490,"EventID":"S4W-13061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:47.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:54:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the consultation on the establishment of a new food body for Scotland will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"The consultation on the establishment of a new food body for Scotland was launched on 28 February 2013. The consultation was published with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) under Bib number 54763.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:47.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281491,"EventID":"S4W-13062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:47.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:54:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent advice has been given to public bodies regarding contaminated meat.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued advice on its website on the 10 February 2013 to public institutions (schools, prisons, hospitals, and the armed forces) and the businesses who supply them, including caterers. This advice:\r\nReminded public institutions, and the businesses who supply them, of their responsibility with respect to their own food contracts and procurement procedures; such establishments are expected to have rigorous procurement procedures in place, with reputable suppliers;\r\nRequested that should any public institution have any concerns regarding the authenticity of their products, they should seek assurance from their supplier. Should the public body be unsatisfied with the assurance received then the appropriate action should be taken; and\r\nHighlighted that, following the horsemeat incident, public institutions are also within the scope of the UK-wide authenticity sampling programme organised by the FSA and are part of the extensive testing regime the FSA has established with the food industry.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:47.727","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281492,"EventID":"S4W-13063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:47.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:54:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all local authorities have completed investigations of all premises in their areas that manufacture processed meat products.\r\n","AnswerText":"As requested by Scottish Ministers on 23 January 2013, Foods Standards Agency Scotland asked Scottish local authorities to carry out focused food standards inspections at all approved premises producing processed meat products in Scotland. Local authorities report that there are a total of 201 such premises currently operating in Scotland.\r\nAll of the meat premises inspections are complete and no issues relating to horse DNA have been reported from the inspections. This programme was extended on 12 February 2013 to include cold stores (26 in total), so this makes 227 premises overall. All of the relevant cold stores visits have been completed to date.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:48.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281493,"EventID":"S4W-13064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:48.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:54:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects an audit of local authority food controls to be completed.\r\n","AnswerText":"Food Standards Agency Audits by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) of local authorities’ food and feed enforcement services are ongoing and take place throughout the year. In Scotland, FSA typically carries out twelve audits every year. Audit plans and audit reports are available on the FSA website: http://www.food.gov.uk/enforcement/auditandmonitoring/.\r\nAs a result of the horsemeat incident, the FSA plans to carry out two-day focussed food standards audits at a sample of three local authorities during April-June 2013. These will be used to further inform the evidence gathered during the desktop audit of 12 local authorities and previous audits that included all aspects of food law enforcement across all Scottish local authorities in previous years. This evidence will be used to determine any further action required to support effective food standards enforcement in Scotland.\r\nHorsemeat incident\r\nOn the 23 January 2013 Scottish Ministers asked the FSA to work with local authorities to carry out focused food standards audits of approved processed meat manufacturers. Scotland was the first part of the UK to initiate this work, which is in addition to the actions set out in the FSA’s plan and the European Commission’s testing programme. Together with additional audits of standalone cold stores, the work entailed 226 inspections.\r\nAll the focused audits are now complete and no issues relating to horse DNA have been reported (as at 11 March).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:48.317","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281494,"EventID":"S4W-13065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:48.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:54:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a new food body for Scotland will be established.\r\n","AnswerText":"The new food body will be established in primary legislation. The date of establishment is dependent on the timetable for Parliamentary business.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:48.647","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281495,"EventID":"S4W-13066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:48.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:54:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it expects retailers to take in identifying contaminated meat.  \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects the food industry, including retailers, wholesalers, food service companies, caterers and manufacturers, to co-operate with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and local authorities throughout the on-going horsemeat investigation. The food industry has agreed to a request from the FSA to test for the presence of horse meat in all their processed beef products.\r\nFurther, we expect the food industry, including retailers, to have rigorous procurement procedures in place, with reputable suppliers, and to ensure that the products they sell are safe for consumers and accurately labelled.\r\nThe initial phase of testing is almost complete and the vast majority (over 99%) of tests continue to show no horse DNA at or above the level of one percent.\r\nThe industry will continue to test for the presence of horse DNA in its beef products, reporting to the FSA, with test results being published on the FSA website at quarterly intervals. Any confirmed cases of gross contamination, greater than one percent horse meat, will be reported to the FSA immediately and published on the FSA website once the information has been received.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:48.957","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281496,"EventID":"S4W-13067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:49.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T15:20:26.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost of increasing the funded annual provision from 475 hours of pre-school education for three and four-year-olds to a minimum of 600 hours of early learning and childcare for three and four-year-olds and looked-after two-year-olds.\r\n","AnswerText":"A financial memorandum is being developed in collaboration with stakeholders, including Convention Of Scottish Local Authorities and will include estimated costs of implementing legislative proposals on early learning and childcare. It will be introduced along with the Children and Young People Bill, at which point funding and the impact on spending review plans can be fully considered.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:49.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281497,"EventID":"S4W-13068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:49.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T15:20:26.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will give to local authorities to deliver an increase in the funded annual provision from 475 hours of pre-school education for three and four-year-olds to a minimum of 600 hours of early learning and childcare for three and four-year-olds and looked-after two-year-olds.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13067 on 8 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:49.69","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281498,"EventID":"S4W-13069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:49.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T15:20:26.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its spending review plans include funding to deliver an increase in the funded annual provision from 475 hours of pre-school education for three and four-year-olds to a minimum of 600 hours of early learning and childcare for three and four-year-olds and looked-after two-year-olds.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13067 on 8 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:49.987","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281499,"EventID":"S4W-13070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:50.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T16:29:47.543","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation has taken place of the impact of the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published research into town centre regeneration on its website:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/09/21082703/0, in September 2011. This includes evidence taken from nine of the Town Centre Regeneration Fund (TCRF) projects.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:50.317","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281500,"EventID":"S4W-13071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:50.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T16:29:47.543","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many schemes that received funding through the Town Centre Regeneration Fund included an element to bring empty property into residential use.","AnswerText":"Seven schemes that received funding through the Town Centre Regeneration Fund included an element to bring empty property into residential use.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:50.627","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281501,"EventID":"S4W-13072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:50.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T16:29:47.543","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many vacant town centre properties have been brought into residential use through the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.","AnswerText":"Ten vacant town centre properties have been brought into residential use through the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:50.923","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281502,"EventID":"S4W-13073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:51.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T16:29:47.543","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has taken place of the economic impact of schemes that received funding through the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.","AnswerText":"We have not specifically assessed the economic impact of the TCRF schemes. I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13070 on 8 March 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:51.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281503,"EventID":"S4W-13074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:51.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T15:45:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that patients urgently referred through the bowel cancer screening programme start treatment within 62 days.","AnswerText":"The 62-day cancer access target was first introduced in 2000. In 2008, it was extended to include patients who screened positive in the bowel, breast and cervical screening programmes.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to closely scrutinise performance across NHS Scotland and action plans are required from NHS boards where there are challenges to sustained delivery against the standard. Management information on performance against the cancer access standards is returned from NHS boards on a monthly basis. This includes information on performance for those patients urgently referred through the bowel screening programme. The information is scrutinised by the Scottish Government and reported to the Cabinet Secretary.\r\nPerformance support is offered to those NHS boards where there are challenges to sustained delivery of the 62-day and 31-day cancer access standards. Performance support can include on-site diagnostic visits to identify actions that should be incorporated into the NHS board’s detailed action plan for performance improvement. A plan of engagement and focus is then agreed with the NHS board to support delivery including further diagnostic visits and input or support at hospital meetings or reviews. There is engagement with executive and clinical leads within the NHS board and constituent organisations, drawing upon a range of expertise, support, good practice and data and providing links with other organisations and NHS boards.\r\nAdditional funding has been made available to support diagnostic capacity in endoscopy to meet the cancer access standards for those with bowel cancer.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:51.5","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281504,"EventID":"S4W-13075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:51.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T15:45:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a waiting time target for second or subsequent cancer treatment.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has set two standards for patients diagnosed with cancer. The first is that patients, who have been urgently referred with a suspicion of cancer or are referred from one of the national cancer screening programmes, should begin treatment within 62 days.\r\nThe second standard is that all patients diagnosed with cancer, irrespective of the route of referral, should begin treatment within 31 days from the date that the decision to treat was agreed with the patient.\r\nThese standards apply to first treatments, helping to speed up the diagnostic pathway and reducing the period of uncertainty that can exist whilst trying to establish a diagnosis. These standards also provide assurance to patients that the immediate cancer control measures are being started as soon as possible.\r\nSubsequent cancer treatment waiting times are in general covered by good practice clinical guidelines, rather than management targets and vary depending on the tumour type and treatment type. Local and regional clinical audit reports and clinical governance structures are expected to monitor compliance with these guidelines.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:51.78","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281505,"EventID":"S4W-13076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:52.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T15:45:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the target waiting time is for endoscopy for patients identified as high risk and requiring ongoing surveillance and whether it is being met.","AnswerText":"From 31 March 2009, the Scottish Government set a national waiting time standard that patients will wait no more than six weeks for any of the eight key diagnostic tests. These tests include colonoscopy.\r\nThe latest available published performance (September 2012) indicates that NHS Scotland is meeting this standard in 91.2% of cases for colonoscopy. There is no target waiting time for endoscopy specifically for patients identified as high risk and requiring ongoing surveillance. The underlying medical condition determines the recommended surveillance interval for colonoscopy and clinicians are expected to prioritise patients according to clinical need.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:52.063","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281506,"EventID":"S4W-13077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:52.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T11:25:31.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on concerns noted in the Audit Scotland report, Protecting consumers, regarding a loss of experience and expertise from food safety services due to staff reductions.","AnswerText":"The report recommends that Councils work with the FSA in Scotland to develop a workforce strategy, which identifies the staffing levels and skills required to sustain an effective food safety service over the next 5 to 10 years, and take action to address any shortfalls identified.\r\nThe FSA will engage with local authorities to address this recommendation either individually or collectively through COSLA as local authorities deem appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:52.36","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281507,"EventID":"S4W-13078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:52.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T11:25:31.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that the (a) staffing levels and (b) skills required to sustain an effective food safety service are in place.\r\n","AnswerText":"Last week saw the launch of the Scottish Government’s public consultation on its proposals for a single independent public body with responsibility for food safety and standards in Scotland. The important principles in delivering better standards are that advice on food safety, as well as nutrition and labelling, should be independent, evidence based and transparent, and should be provided by an organisation which should remain at arm’s length from central Government.\r\nThis consultation on the scope and responsibilities of the new food body is an opportunity for consumers as well as industry to tell us what they think about what the new food body should do, and how food safety and standards should be addressed in Scotland in the future.\r\nFurthermore, the Audit Scotland report “Protecting Consumers” published 31 January 2013, recommends that Councils work with the FSA in Scotland to develop a workforce strategy, which identifies the staffing levels and skills required to sustain an effective food safety service over the next 5 to 10 years, and take action to address any shortfalls identified.\r\nThe FSA will engage with local authorities to address this recommendation either individually or collectively through COSLA as local authorities deem appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:52.64","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281508,"EventID":"S4W-13079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:52.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T11:25:31.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff have been employed in local authority food safety services in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Figures provided by local authorities to the Foods Standards Agency are given as full time equivalent (FTE)\r\n2009-10\r\n273\r\n2010-11\r\n304\r\n2011-12\r\n259\r\n2012-13\r\n236\r\nComparative information is not available prior to 2009-10.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:52.903","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281509,"EventID":"S4W-13080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:53.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T11:25:31.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public analyst laboratories there are and how many there were in (a) 1999 and (b) 2007.","AnswerText":"There are currently four public analyst laboratories in Scotland serving 31 local authorities in Scotland, and one public analyst laboratory in England serving one local authority in Scotland.\r\nIn each of the years 1999 and 2007 there were four public analyst laboratories in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:53.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281510,"EventID":"S4W-13081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:53.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T11:25:31.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public analysts there have been in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"There are currently seven public analysts in Scotland operating from four local authority public analyst laboratories: two each based in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow and one based in Aberdeen. One public analyst laboratory based in England and appointed by West Lothian Council in April 2012, has seven public analysts.\r\nThe numbers for the previous nine years are as in the following table.\r\nYear\r\nTotal PA’s\r\nAberdeen\r\nDundee\r\nEdinburgh\r\nGlasgow\r\n1995\r\n11\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n5\r\n2003-4\r\n9\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2004-5\r\n9\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2005-6\r\n9\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2006-7\r\n9\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2007-8\r\n8\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2008-9\r\n8\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2009-10\r\n8\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2010-11\r\n7\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2011-12\r\n7\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2012-13\r\n7\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:53.467","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281511,"EventID":"S4W-13082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T13:56:53.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T11:25:31.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public analysts there are and what local authority areas they cover.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are currently seven public analysts in Scotland operating from four local authority public analyst laboratories: two each based in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow and one based in Aberdeen. One public analyst laboratory based in England and appointed by West Lothian Council after competitive tender in April 2012, has seven public analysts.\r\nThere are currently four public analyst laboratories in Scotland serving 31 local authorities in Scotland, and one public analyst laboratory in England serving 1 local authority in Scotland. The breakdown per local authority is as follows:\r\nLaboratory\r\nLocal Authority\r\nAberdeen Scientific Services\r\n\r\nAberdeen City\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nHighland\r\nMoray\r\nOrkney\r\nDundee Scientific Services\r\n\r\nAngus\r\nClackmannanshire\r\nDundee City\r\nFalkirk\r\nFife\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\nStirling\r\nEdinburgh Scientific Services\r\n\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\nEast Lothian\r\nMid Lothian\r\nScottish Borders\r\nShetland Islands\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nGlasgow Scientific Services\r\n\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\nGlasgow\r\nInverclyde\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\nRenfrewshire\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\nEurofins*\r\nWest Lothian\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:56:53.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281513,"EventID":"S4W-13083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-12T15:09:24.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T14:18:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12384 by Kenny MacAskill on 8 February 2013, how many custodial sentences of (a) less than three months and (b) between three and six months have been imposed in each sheriffdom in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the following table.\r\n\r\nPeople given a custodial sentence of six months or less in Scottish Courts, 2007-08 to 2011-12\r\nSheriffdom/sentence length\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nGlasgow and Strathkelvin\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nless than 3 mths\r\n1,187\r\n931\r\n871\r\n758\r\n607\r\n3 mths to 6 mths\r\n1,295\r\n1,314\r\n1,229\r\n1,329\r\n1,574\r\nTotal\r\n2,482\r\n2,245\r\n2,100\r\n2,087\r\n2,181\r\nGrampian, Highland and Islands\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nless than 3 mths\r\n696\r\n540\r\n471\r\n420\r\n362\r\n3 mths to 6 mths\r\n819\r\n810\r\n676\r\n756\r\n827\r\nTotal\r\n1,515\r\n1,350\r\n1,147\r\n1,176\r\n1,189\r\nLothian and Borders\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nless than 3 mths\r\n900\r\n915\r\n752\r\n683\r\n498\r\n3 mths to 6 mths\r\n747\r\n892\r\n670\r\n741\r\n765\r\nTotal\r\n1,647\r\n1,807\r\n1,422\r\n1,424\r\n1,263\r\nNorth Strathclyde\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nless than 3 mths\r\n840\r\n635\r\n680\r\n678\r\n529\r\n3 mths to 6 mths\r\n1,093\r\n1,112\r\n1,061\r\n962\r\n1,156\r\nTotal\r\n1,933\r\n1,747\r\n1,741\r\n1,640\r\n1,685\r\nSouth Strathclyde Dumfries and Galloway\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nless than 3 mths\r\n997\r\n862\r\n813\r\n567\r\n471\r\n3 mths to 6 mths\r\n1,209\r\n1,258\r\n1,146\r\n996\r\n1,255\r\nAll\r\n2,206\r\n2,120\r\n1,959\r\n1,563\r\n1,726\r\nTayside, Central and Fife\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nless than 3 mths\r\n1,443\r\n1,277\r\n1,034\r\n1,061\r\n812\r\n3 mths to 6 mths\r\n1,431\r\n1,581\r\n1,463\r\n1,602\r\n1,794\r\nTotal\r\n2,874\r\n2,858\r\n2,497\r\n2,663\r\n2,606\r\nHigh Court\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nless than 3 mths\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n3 mths to 6 mths\r\n5\r\n14\r\n6\r\n6\r\n12\r\nTotal\r\n7\r\n15\r\n8\r\n8\r\n14\r\nScotland\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nless than 3 mths\r\n6,065\r\n5,161\r\n4,623\r\n4,169\r\n3,282\r\n3 mths to 6 mths\r\n6,599\r\n6,981\r\n6,251\r\n6,392\r\n7,383\r\nTotal\r\n12,664\r\n12,142\r\n10,874\r\n10,561\r\n10,665\r\nSource:  Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.\r\n1. Includes an approximate mapping of District courts to Sheriffdoms.\r\n2. Includes a small number of cases where court location is not known.\r\n\r\nBy way of context, the table below shows information on the number of people with a charge proved in Scottish courts over the same period.\r\nPeople with a charge proved in Scottish Courts, 2007-08 to 2011-12\r\n \r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nScotland\r\n133,608\r\n125,889\r\n121,028\r\n115,564\r\n108,336\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T15:09:24.667","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281514,"EventID":"S4O-01799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:36.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:20.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what international diplomats it has met recently and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:36.933","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281515,"EventID":"S4O-01800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:37.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:21.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to secure a connected network of local URTV stations and in what timescale.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:37.323","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281516,"EventID":"S4O-01801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:37.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:22.32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the feasibility study of future uses of Shambellie House will be published.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:37.587","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281517,"EventID":"S4O-01802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:37.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:22.533","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will implement its Working with China strategy.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:37.853","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281518,"EventID":"S4O-01803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:38.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T16:37:00.503","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent contact it has had with representatives of China and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:38.133","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281519,"EventID":"S4O-01805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:38.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:23.313","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will support Carrick Community Councils' Forum in creating a Lion of Alba sculpture and visitor centre at Turnberry, birthplace of Robert the Bruce, as a permanent legacy of the 2014 Year of Homecoming.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:38.4","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281520,"EventID":"S4O-01806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:38.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-13T10:54:08.513","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the international development priorities of an independent Scotland would differ from current UK aid policy.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:38.743","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281521,"EventID":"S4O-01807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:39.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:24.507","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that equalities groups and smaller community groups will receive support from the Glasgow 2014 Celebrate Fund.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:39.023","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281522,"EventID":"S4O-01808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:39.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:24.803","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its international development plan.","AnswerText":"Work is underway to develop proposals for international development with independence. That will of course inform the White Paper on Independence to be published later this year.\r\nI would encourage others to take this opportunity to consider how Scotland’s values can be expressed through our international development work and through the nature of our relationships with partner countries.\r\nFor the existing International Development Fund, funding rounds are currently open for projects in Malawi and South Asia, with announcements of successful projects expected in March and April of this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:39.413","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281523,"EventID":"S4O-01809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:39.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:38.727","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the so-called bedroom tax will have on families in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:39.74","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281524,"EventID":"S4O-01810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:40.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:39.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to invest in capital projects.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:40.037","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281525,"EventID":"S4O-01811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:40.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:39.467","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the budgetary impact of the so-called bedroom tax.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:40.32","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281526,"EventID":"S4O-01812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:40.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-13T11:08:49.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the completion of the resurfacing of the Kessock Bridge.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:40.957","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281527,"EventID":"S4O-01813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:41.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:40.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review Scottish Water's procurement processes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:41.27","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281528,"EventID":"S4O-01814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:41.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:40.367","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for regeneration in the Glasgow Kelvin constituency.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:41.63","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281529,"EventID":"S4O-01815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:42.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:40.763","Title":"","ItemText":"To as the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities has had discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth on the impact on cities of the Business Rates Incentivisation Scheme and whether she has communicated the outcome to the city councils.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:42.033","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281530,"EventID":"S4O-01816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:42.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:41.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it has made for the impact on housing of demographic change, in light of the Finance Committee’s recent report, Demographic change and an ageing population.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:42.423","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281531,"EventID":"S4O-01817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:42.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:41.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will make a statement on the future of the right to buy.","AnswerText":"We are giving active and detailed consideration to the future of right to buy in the light of the consultation responses and the policy options available. We will make an announcement once we have formed a view.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:42.86","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281532,"EventID":"S4O-01819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:43.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-13T10:17:01.983","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is encouraging people to purchase fresh, local produce.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:43.33","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281533,"EventID":"S4O-01820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:43.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:53.23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances it will give direction to the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:43.907","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281534,"EventID":"S4O-01821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:44.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-13T10:53:06.373","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what importance is placed on Education Scotland’s findings on local authority plans to close schools.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:44.25","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281535,"EventID":"S4O-01822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:44.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T15:54:01.59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what protection there is for young children in cases where allegations of sexual abuse have been made but no evidence has been found.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:44.577","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281536,"EventID":"S4O-01823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:44.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-13T10:10:20.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that college mergers will have on access to courses in Fife.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:44.873","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281537,"EventID":"S4O-01824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:45.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:54.477","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a Scottish passport system will be in place if Scotland separates from the rest of the United Kingdom.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:45.17","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281538,"EventID":"S4O-01825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:45.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:54.953","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many wind turbines will need to be erected to meet its target of providing 100% of Scotland’s electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:45.483","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281539,"EventID":"S4O-01826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:45.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T11:05:41.13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect communities in the north east from flooding.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:45.887","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281540,"EventID":"S4O-01827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:46.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:55.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on improvements to the Scottish Ambulance Service’s patient transport service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service Patient Transport Service provides a vital service across Scotland. It enables patients who have a medical or mobility need for the support of an ambulance crew to get to and from healthcare facilities for their appointments. In 2011-12 the Patient Transport Service undertook nearly 1.3 million patient journeys.\r\nThe Scottish Ambulance Service are taking forward an extensive improvement programme for the Patient Transport Service. The first phase of this work has delivered:\r\nthree regional booking centres to co-ordinate requests for ambulance transport;\r\na single national booking number to facilitate direct patient access;\r\nrevised pre-appointment information, developed in partnership with NHS boards, to better support patients to access transport appropriate to their needs;\r\na clinical needs assessment tool to ensure the service consistently provides transport that is person centred;\r\nmobile data technology across the patient transport fleet, allowing for dynamic real time management of vehicles and improved communication with crews.\r\nThe key focus in the next phase of the improvement programme will be on maximising the use of the new technology, ensuring consistency and improvement in the quality of service delivery across the country, and delivering a service that is more demand responsive and more person centred.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:46.263","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281541,"EventID":"S4O-01828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T13:47:46.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:56.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to encourage people to buy and consume locally produced foods.\r\n","AnswerText":"As I explained earlier when responding to Jean Urquhart, we are doing many things to encourage people to buy and consume locally produced foods. I hope that all members in the Chamber recognise the progress that is being made and can unite behind our efforts, which will support many local businesses across Scotland. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:47:46.59","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281542,"EventID":"S4W-13084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:51.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T16:41:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Skills Development Scotland monitors the (a) employment and (b) training status of people who (i) complete and (ii) do not complete modern apprenticeships and how this differs from other training programmes.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I will ask the chief executive to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:51.507","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281543,"EventID":"S4W-13085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:52.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T16:41:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young people are unemployed and how long they have been unemployed, broken down by level of qualification.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Annual Population Survey (APS) is the official source for detailed analysis of unemployment by age. The latest data covers October 2011 to September 2012.\r\nUnemployment amongst 16-24 year olds, by duration of unemployment and highest qualification, Scotland\r\n\r\n \r\nHighest qualification level\r\n\r\n\r\nNo or Low Qualifications\r\nSVQ level 2\r\nSVQ levels 3 to 5 and Other\r\nAll 16-24\r\nDuration\r\nLess than 12 months\r\n           9,000 \r\n         22,000 \r\n         33,000 \r\n         64,000 \r\n\r\n12 months or more\r\n           7,000 \r\n           7,000 \r\n           5,000 \r\n         21,000 \r\n\r\nAll 16-24\r\n         16,000 \r\n         29,000 \r\n         38,000 \r\n         85,000 \r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, Oct’11 – Sep’12, Office for National Statistics.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Levels are rounded to the nearest thousand.\r\n2. Excludes those where highest qualification was unknown therefore, rows may not sum to “all 16-24” totals.\r\n3. ‘No or low’ includes those with qualifications at SVQ level 1 or below.\r\n4. Other includes foreign qualifications.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:52.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281544,"EventID":"S4W-13086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:52.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T16:41:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Minister for Youth Employment will meet the UK Minister for Employment to discuss the European Commission’s proposed youth guarantee.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Minister for Youth Employment had a telephone discussion with Mark Hoban MP, Minister for Employment on 31 January to discuss the European Commission’s proposed youth guarantee.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:52.41","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281545,"EventID":"S4W-13087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:52.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T16:41:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what youth employment programmes it operates, broken down by (a) budget (i) allocated, (ii) spent and (iii) remaining and (b) the time period covered by programme budget.\r\n","AnswerText":"The level 4 budgets for 2012-13 were tabled at the Education Committee and published by SPICE on the Scottish Parliament website and describes the budget allocated to each programme.\r\nActual programme spend and actual outturn at budget level 3 is published, with narrative on any variances, in the Scottish Government consolidated annual accounts. Further audited detail on employment programmes delivered by the Skills Development Scotland is published in its annual accounts at:\r\nhttp://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/1141877/sds%20group%20accounts%20year%20ended%2031%20march%202012%20_final_.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:52.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281546,"EventID":"S4W-13088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:53.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T16:41:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to people who do not complete modern apprenticeships, in terms of (a) access to other programmes and (b) funding.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I will ask the Chief Executive to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:53.02","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281547,"EventID":"S4W-13089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:53.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T16:41:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Skills Development Scotland report, Modern Apprenticeship Outcomes 2012, includes a disclaimer concerning the accuracy of the commissioned research.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I will ask the chief executive to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:53.33","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281548,"EventID":"S4W-13090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:53.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T16:41:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Skills Development Scotland will publish the findings of the modern apprenticeship employer survey.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I will ask the chief executive to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:53.69","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281549,"EventID":"S4W-13091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:54.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T16:41:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on the modern apprenticeship programme in each year since 2006-07, broken down by gender of apprentice.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I will ask the chief executive to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:54.047","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281550,"EventID":"S4W-13092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:54.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T16:41:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost of a modern apprenticeship has been in each year since 2006-07, broken down by gender of apprentice.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I will ask the chief executive to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:54.407","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281551,"EventID":"S4W-13093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:54.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T16:41:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what methodology was used by Skills Development Scotland in its report, Modern Apprenticeship Outcomes 2012, and how the figures were weighted.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I will ask the chief executive to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:54.78","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281552,"EventID":"S4W-13094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:55.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T16:41:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget is for the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce; who the members of the commission are; what their remuneration is, and how many staff the commission has, broken down by pay grade.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce does not have a specific programme budget. The costs of supporting staff and other costs such as travel & subsistence will be met from direct running costs. \r\nThe members of the Commission are Sir Ian Wood (chair), Linda McKay (vice chair), Michael Davis, Sir Willie Haughey, Christine Pollock and Grahame Smith. Additional members may be added as the work of the Commission progresses. Members of the Commission will not be paid.\r\nThe Commission’s secretariat currently consists of a deputy director with support from a B3 analyst. This is likely to be expanded to include a B3 policy officer and a B1 policy officer. The staffing requirements of the secretariat will be kept under review.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:55.123","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281553,"EventID":"S4W-13095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:55.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-13T11:19:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions and (b) meetings ministers have had regarding the impact of independence for holders of Premium Bonds.\r\n","AnswerText":"SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT\r\nWRITTEN ANSWER\r\n13 March 2013\r\nIndex Heading: Finance\r\nNanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions and (b) meetings ministers have had regarding the impact of independence for holders of Premium Bonds.\r\n(S4W-13095)\r\nJohn Swinney: Ministers have to date had no discussions or meetings regarding the impact of independence for holders of premium bonds.\r\nPremium bonds are currently a liability of the UK government. Issues about dividing assets and liabilities are important and will fall to be negotiated between the two Governments following a yes vote. The Scottish Government is committed to achieving a fair and equitable settlement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:55.483","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281554,"EventID":"S4W-13096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:55.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-13T11:25:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussion ministers have had regarding the closure of retained fire stations.\r\n","AnswerText":"Decisions on operational matters such as the location, provision and closure of fire stations, including retained ones, are currently the responsibility of the fire and rescue services and post 1st April 2013 will be a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. As such, ministers have had no discussion on this subject.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:55.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281555,"EventID":"S4W-13097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:56.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-13T11:25:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers will make a statement on the future provision of retained fire stations.\r\n","AnswerText":"Decisions on operational matters such as the location and provision of fire stations, including retained ones, are currently the responsibility of the fire and rescue services and post on 1 April 2013 will be a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. As such, ministers have no intention of making a statement on this subject.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:56.233","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281556,"EventID":"S4W-13098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:56.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-13T12:57:56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to concerns expressed by parents in Aberdeenshire on constraints relating to S4 subject choice.\r\n","AnswerText":"National policy places no constraints on the number of subjects that can be studied in S4. Local authorities and schools will determine the number of subjects to be studied in S4. Decisions should be informed through engagement with parents and learners and based on a sound educational rationale tailored to their learners needs.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with Education Scotland, the Scottish Qualifications Authority and the National Parent Forum of Scotland to ensure that parents across Scotland, including Aberdeenshire, are kept informed and involved in the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence in Scottish schools. \r\nEducation Scotland has been in discussion with Aberdeenshire Council and continues to provide direct support, including meeting with parents from schools in the area and working closely with the Council’s Curriculum Development Officer.\r\nKenneth Muir, Director of Inspection Education Scotland, made a presentation on Curriculum for Excellence to the Council’s Education Committee on 7 February. At this meeting the Committee endorsed a revised paper on the Council’s plans for the Senior Phase which was in line with national expectations for Curriculum for Excellence.\r\nAs part of my on-going series of Curriculum for Excellence engagements, I will visit Aberdeenshire soon and meet with parents. In addition, the Cabinet Secretary attended an event for parents organised by the National Parent Forum for Scotland on 5 March 2013 where there were very positive discussions around Curriculum for Excellence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:56.497","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281557,"EventID":"S4W-13099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T15:33:56.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-12T16:46:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many reviews there have been following a high hospital standardised mortality ratio (HSMR) being recorded in each of the last four years; what HMSRs triggered these; which hospitals were involved; when the reviews were (a) ordered and (b) carried out, and what further action was taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"Since December 2009, Information Services Division (ISD) has produced quarterly hospital standardised mortality ratios (HSMR) for all Scottish hospitals participating in the Scottish Patient Safety Programme. This is published four times a year and can be found at \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Quality-Improvement/Quarterly-HSMR/.\r\nThis data is regularly reviewed by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) and Information Services Division (ISD).\r\nIn 2010, there were 2 hospitals (Queen Margaret Hospital, NHS Fife and Royal Alexandra Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde) which had HSMR values that triggered review. HIS wrote to these two NHS boards and asked them to develop local action plans. Implementation of these action plans is the responsibility for the individual NHS Boards, however they were reviewed by HIS and improvements in HSMR were recorded. Due to changes in service configuration HSMR data for the Royal Alexandra Hospital and the Vale of Leven Hospital are calculated together.  This service has seen a reduction in HSMR of 13.5% according to the most recently published data up to the end of September 2012.\r\nIn February 2012, Monklands Hospital and in August 2012 Fife Combined Hospitals triggered HSMR reviews. HIS have written to these two NHS boards asking them to develop local action plans. These action plans were reviewed by HIS and the hospitals are implementing these locally. The implementation of these actions plans are expected to take 12 months and as such the HSMR review process continues.  The most recent published data up to the end of September 2012 show reductions in the HSMR in Monklands Hospital of 11.9% and Fife Combined Hospitals has shown a reduction of 12.5%.\r\nMost recently the Western Isles Hospital has triggered an HSMR review. HIS have written to the Western Isles and they have submitted their initial response to HIS for consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T15:33:56.763","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281568,"EventID":"S4O-01818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-13T16:00:46.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-11T12:02:42.187","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities last met North Lanarkshire Council and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"Ministers and officials regularly meet representatives of councils, including North Lanarkshire Council, to discuss a range of issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T16:00:46.923","MeetingDate":"2013-02-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281576,"EventID":"S4W-13100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-14T15:25:57.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-13T16:22:37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions Health Facilities Scotland has reviewed the cleanliness of medical tools or instruments in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10, (c) 2010-11 and (d) 2011-12 and what further action was taken, broken down by (i) NHS board area and (ii) facility.\r\n","AnswerText":"Whilst Health Facilities Scotland engineers carry out testing of equipment used for decontamination (e.g. ultrasonic cleaners, washer disinfectors and sterilisers) to ensure they comply with the relevant guidance and British/European/International Standards they do not review the cleanliness of medical tools or instruments.\r\nIt is for the operator of the decontamination unit to put in place arrangements to monitor the cleanliness of decontaminated tools or instruments. In the case of centralised decontamination units, it is the responsibility of the relevant NHS Board.\r\nHealth Facilities Scotland provides advice and support to NHSScotland on decontamination matters, including the provision of on-site support to NHS Boards.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T15:25:57.577","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281577,"EventID":"S4W-13101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-14T15:25:57.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T13:28:06.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reviewed the implementation of the Wheelchair and seating services modernisation: Action Plan and whether all recommendations in the action plan have been met.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Wheelchair and Seating Services Project Board developed, monitored and supported the implementation of the Wheelchair and Seating Services Modernisation project. The project board was wound up in December 2010, following which the Wheelchair and Seating Services Delivery Group was established to oversee the final stages of implementation.\r\nThe delivery group assessed the position in relation to all of the actions set out in the Wheelchair and Seating Services Modernisation Action Plan. As at January 2012, when the Delivery Group completed its remit, one action remained outstanding relating to Information Management and Technology. It was agreed this would be a matter for NHS board chief executives to consider whether local and/or national IT solutions would be required in due course.\r\nThe delivery group produced the Wheelchair & Seating Services Improvement Framework, which was issued to NHS boards in May 2012. The Framework is designed to support local NHS boards to assess continuing improvement and delivery of wheelchair and seating services through appropriate local governance processes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T15:25:57.95","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281578,"EventID":"S4W-13102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-14T15:25:58.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T13:28:06.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has allocated annually to each NHS board for wheelchair and seating services since 2007-08.\r\n","AnswerText":"A total of over £16 million was allocated to NHS boards from 2007 to 2012 to support improvements in wheelchair services. The Wheelchair and Seating Services (WSS) modernisation project allocations from 2007 to 2012 are provided in the following table\r\nWSS Modernisation Project – Allocations to NHS Boards 2007-12\r\n\r\n2007-081\r\n2008-092\r\n2009-102\r\n2010-112\r\n2011-122,3\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n£91,008\r\n£190,347\r\n£553,720\r\n£431,765\r\n£407,256\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n£446,086\r\n£1,007,351\r\n£2,378,683\r\n£2,098,361\r\n£1,966,745\r\nNHS Highland\r\n£66,148\r\n£114,699\r\n£493,887\r\n£313,117\r\n£269,743\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n\r\n£418,500\r\n£1,758,000\r\n£970,412\r\n£919,152\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n£84,534\r\n£171,339\r\n£514,879\r\n£329,345\r\n£304,699\r\nNHS Education\r\n\r\n\r\n£50,000\r\n\r\n\r\nCentral Costs\r\n\r\n£72,000\r\n£89,000\r\n£147,000\r\n£30,000\r\nTotal\r\n£707,776\r\n£1,974,236\r\n£5,838,169\r\n£4,290,000\r\n£3,897,595\r\nNotes:\r\n1.Funding provided to NHS boards prior to start-up of the modernisation project\r\n2.Funding provided to NHS boards for the modernisation project totalling £16 million\r\n3.The modernisation project covered the three years from 2008-09 to 2010-11. As the full £16 million committed had not been spent at the end of this period, the remaining funding was allocated in \r\n2011-12.\r\nIn addition, since the end of the project and following on from the Strategic Spending Review, NHS boards have now been allocated additional recurring baseline funding to support continuous improvement as set out in the Wheelchair and Seating Quality Improvement Framework, which was issued to NHS boards in May 2012. Allocations to each NHS board for 2012-13 are set out in the following table:\r\nNHS Board annual allocation for wheelchair and seating services 2012-13\r\nNHS Board Area\r\nAllocation\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n£125,980\r\nNHS Borders\r\n£35,762\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n£51,358\r\nNHS Fife\r\n£117,517\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n£93,668\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n£164,363\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n£411,644\r\nNHS Highland\r\n£108,161\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n£186,847\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n£251,953\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n£7,227\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n£7,636\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n£134,138\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n£10,348\r\nTotal\r\n£1,706,602\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T15:25:58.463","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281579,"EventID":"S4W-13103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-14T15:25:58.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T13:28:06.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time has been for someone to be provided with a wheelchair in each year since 2007-08, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T15:25:58.963","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281580,"EventID":"S4W-13104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-14T15:25:59.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T13:28:06.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes there have been to the eligibility criteria for wheelchair services since 2007-08.\r\n","AnswerText":"There have been no changes to eligibility criteria for wheelchair services since 2007-08.\r\nThe current criteria for wheelchair services are available from the Rehabilitation Technology Information Service (ReTIS) website:\r\nhttp://www.retis.scot.nhs.uk/groups/scotretwc.php.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T15:25:59.48","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281581,"EventID":"S4W-13105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-14T15:25:59.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T13:28:06.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes there have been to the eligibility criteria for powered wheelchairs since 2007-08.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Standards and Eligibility Working Group (SEWG), a sub group of the Wheelchair and Seating Services Project Board, produced clarification of clinical criteria for the provision of attendant controlled and dual controlled powered wheelchairs.\r\nClarification was added to eligibility criteria for Indoor/Outdoor Occupant Controlled wheelchairs (EPIOC) and Attendant Controlled Outdoor Powered wheelchairs (EPAC).\r\nNew criteria were added in 2009 for Indoor/Outdoor Dual Controlled Powered wheelchairs (EPOIC Dual).\r\nThese eligibility criteria are available from:\r\nhttp://www.retis.scot.nhs.uk/groups/scotretwc.php.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T15:25:59.993","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281582,"EventID":"S4W-13106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-14T15:26:00.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T13:28:06.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the names of the members of the project board that monitored the implementation of the Wheelchair and seating services modernisation: Action Plan; and when the project board last met.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Wheelchair and Seating Services Project Board (WSSPB) oversaw the modernisation project and last met on 10 December 2010.\r\nWheelchair Seating Services Modernisation Project Board: Membership\r\nChair: Richard Carey\r\nChief Executive Officer, NHS Grampian\r\nGeoff Bardsley\r\nSenior Rehabilitation Engineer, NHS Tayside\r\nGordon Birnie\r\nMedical Director, NHS Fife\r\nJohn Colvin\r\nHead of Service, WestMARC, NHS GG&C\r\nAndrew Daly\r\nHead of Financial Planning and Allocations, NHS GG&C\r\nHazel Dykes\r\nAssociate Director AHP, NHS Dumfries & Galloway\r\nAnne Harkness\r\nDirector, Rehabilitation Directorate, NHS GG&C\r\nRoger Kincaid\r\nParent of Wheelchair User\r\nJill Pritchard\r\nFife Council\r\nLiz Rowlett\r\nPolicy, Information and Parliamentary Officer\r\nRon Skinner\r\nWheelchair User\r\nRoseanne Urquhart\r\nChair, ReTSAG\r\nJanet Garcia\r\nNational Project Manager, Scottish Government\r\nGraham Wood\r\nProject Support Officer, Scottish Government\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T15:26:00.51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281583,"EventID":"S4W-13107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-14T15:26:01.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T13:30:01.487","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with COSLA regarding the provision of resources to enable local authorities to carry out their duties under the Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13108 on 8 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T15:26:01.023","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281584,"EventID":"S4W-13108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-14T15:26:01.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T13:30:01.487","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what resources it currently allocates to each local authority to enable them to carry out their duties under the Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is providing local government in Scotland with almost £11 billion in 2012-13. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T15:26:01.537","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281585,"EventID":"S4W-13109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-14T15:26:02.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T13:30:01.487","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that local authorities comply with the Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009.\r\n","AnswerText":"Compliance of the Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009 is a matter for local authorities, not the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T15:26:02.117","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281586,"EventID":"S4W-13110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-14T15:26:02.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T13:30:01.487","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the annual returns from local authorities setting out how they have implemented the Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009.  \r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers will publish and lay before the Scottish Parliament by 30 September 2013 a report on the performance by local authorities of their function and performance in relation to the Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T15:26:02.66","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281592,"EventID":"S4W-13111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-15T14:43:29.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T14:42:59.02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consignments of imported meat have been (a) destroyed, (b) re-exported or (c) reprocessed since 1999 as a result of (i) unsatisfactory documentation or (ii) physical checks.\r\n","AnswerText":"Imported meat consignments from third countries may only enter the European Union through designated EU Border Inspection Posts (BIPs). There are currently no BIPS in Scotland approved for meat consignments, therefore, meat consignments imported from third counties directly to the UK must enter through BIPs in England or Northern Ireland.\r\nRelevant information will be held by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Border Agency, or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland as appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T14:43:29.363","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281593,"EventID":"S4W-13112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-15T14:43:30.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T14:42:59.02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of imported meat has been inspected in each year since 2007 and what action was taken where the meat failed to comply with import conditions.\r\n","AnswerText":"Imported meat consignments from third countries may only enter the European Union through designated EU Border Inspection Posts (BIPs). There are currently no BIPS in Scotland approved for meat consignments, therefore, meat consignments imported from third countries directly to the UK must enter through BIPs in England or Northern Ireland.\r\nRelevant information will be held by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Border Agency, or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland as appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T14:43:30.487","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281594,"EventID":"S4W-13113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-15T14:43:30.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T14:42:59.02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many times the (a) Food Standards Agency, (b) the Meat Hygiene Service and (c) local authority inspectors have found horsemeat being traded as beef since 2007 and what action was taken in each instance.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not been made aware of any previous instances of horsemeat being traded as beef in Scotland since 2007.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T14:43:31","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281595,"EventID":"S4W-13114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-15T14:43:31.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T20:16:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what testing is being carried out to ensure that horsemeat is not being traded as beef.\r\n","AnswerText":"FSA Authenticity Survey:\r\nOn the 19 February 2013, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) published information about its robust UK wide authenticity survey where 28 local authorities took samples of beef products from all parts of the food chain in the first two phases. Two local authorities in Scotland (City of Edinburgh and Stirling Councils) participated in phases 1 and 2. A further 24 local authorities will take samples for phase 3 and Highland Council and Dundee City Council are participating in this phase.\r\nPhase 1: As at 11 March 2013, 224 samples (16 in Scotland) of raw comminuted (minced) beef have been checked for horse and pig DNA. The results show that 212 of the 224 samples taken in phase 1 are negative for horse DNA at or above the 1% threshold. One Scottish sample tested positive.\r\nSeven samples are awaiting further verification and the FSA will publish details as soon as further information is received.\r\nPhase 2: As of 11 March 2013, 140 (10 in Scotland) samples of beef-based ready meals have been checked for horse and pig DNA. Of the 140 samples taken, and the 52 results received, all are negative for horse DNA. 0 Scottish samples tested positive.\r\nPhase 3: As part of an EU sampling programme 150 products will be tested in Phase 3. 12 samples will be taken in Scotland.\r\nIndustry testing:\r\nThe FSA also ordered food businesses to conduct authenticity tests on all processed beef products and provide the results to the FSA. Of the 5430 tests carried out by the industry to 11 March 2013 5386, over 99% did not contain horse DNA at or above the 1% threshold. The industry will continue to report the results of their ongoing testing and the FSA will provide quarterly updates via its website.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T14:43:31.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281596,"EventID":"S4W-13115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-15T14:43:32.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T20:16:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to assure consumers that products labelled as beef do not contain horsemeat.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government:\r\nOn the 23 January 2013, Scottish Ministers asked the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to work with local authorities to carry out focused food standards audits of approved processed meat manufacturers. Scotland was the first part of the UK to initiate this work, which is in addition to the actions set out in the FSA’s plan and the European Commission’s testing programme. All the focused audits are now complete and no issues relating to horse DNA have been reported (as at 11 March 2013).\r\nThroughout the horsemeat incident I have met regularly with stakeholders, including retailers, and have been in regular contact with ministers in other parts of the UK.\r\nAt the National Farmers Union Annual General Meeting 19 February 2013 I announced additional funding of £1 million to Quality Meat Scotland to strengthen the Scotch label, including a new licensing scheme to add weight to the rigorous requirements already in place to guarantee the authenticity of “Scotch Beef”, “Scotch Lamb” and “Specially Selected Pork”. This will provide the highest possible assurance that consumer food purchases contain premium quality branded beef and lamb.\r\nThis ties in well with our plans, announced last week, for an expert group to take forward the Scottish food industry’s work on traceability and provenance and this group will work on any further steps that need to be taken.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T14:43:32.14","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281597,"EventID":"S4W-13116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-15T14:43:32.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-15T14:28:55.137","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 will be brought into force.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 received Royal Assent on 10 July 2012 and certain technical provisions came into force the following day. Commencement Order No.1 came into force on 1 November 2012.\r\nThe remainder of the Act will come into force on such a day as the Scottish Ministers may by order appoint. It is the Scottish Government’s intention to prescribe a designated day in late Autumn 2014. In addition, the Scottish Government are working with key stakeholders in developing the policy that will allow the provisions for legally valid electronic documents to be commenced by the end of 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-01T14:43:33.013","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281599,"EventID":"S4W-13117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T14:09:31.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-17T13:29:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, when it will issue guidance to local authorities on the definition of a bedroom in relation to the UK Government's changes to housing benefit in respect of under occupancy.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is looking at all reasonable ways to mitigate the impact of the UK Government’s housing benefit cuts. Scottish legislation already provides flexibility for landlords to determine the number of bedrooms in their properties within certain parameters such as space standards. Guidance relating to the definition of a bedroom specifically for welfare benefit purposes is a matter reserved to the UK Government.\r\nHowever, we are considering whether any additional guidance in respect of defining bedrooms would be helpful.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:09:31.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281600,"EventID":"S4W-13118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T14:09:32.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-17T15:12:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the development and delivery of local strategies to tackle autism will be monitored.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have provided funding of £35,000 to each local authority in Scotland to develop local autism action plans, according to local need. The Scottish Government will soon be in contact with each local authority to obtain a copy of each action plan. It will be the responsibility of each local authority to monitor local autism action plans.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:09:32.667","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281601,"EventID":"S4W-13119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T14:09:33.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-17T15:12:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether charities that have authority to operate in Scotland but are registered only in England and Wales have to meet the same registration conditions in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"By law in Scotland only bodies which are entered in the Scottish Charity Register may refer to themselves as a “Scottish charity” or “a charity registered in Scotland”.\r\nSome bodies which operate from other parts of the UK or abroad can call themselves a “charity”, but they must also refer to the fact that they are based in another country e.g. “a charity registered in England and Wales” or “a French charity”. Additionally, they cannot occupy land or premises or carry out activities in shops etc. in Scotland.\r\nThe regulation of English and Welsh charities is set out in separate Westminster legislation, principally the Charities Act 2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:09:33.387","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281602,"EventID":"S4W-13120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T14:09:34.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-17T15:12:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the use of door-to-door collection bags by charities is subject to the same rules as other types of charitable collection.\r\n","AnswerText":"The current public charitable collection legislation provides for the collection from the public of money for charitable purposes taken either in a public place or by means of visits from place to place.\r\nSections 84 to 92 of the Charities and Trustees (Scotland) Act 2005, which have not yet been commenced, set out a new system of licensing public benevolent collections, which includes collections of money, direct debits and goods.\r\nIn 2010 officials conducted a consultation with local authorities on introducing the provisions of sections 84 to 92. The consultation findings showed there was little appetite for changing the current regulatory scheme and a number of local authorities voiced concerned that any new licensing scheme could be an unnecessary administrative burden.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:09:34.12","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281603,"EventID":"S4W-13121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T14:09:34.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-17T15:12:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action can be taken against charities that operate without authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"Under the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (the Act) the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has a variety of powers to investigate charities (including those calling themselves charities that may not actually be charities) and bodies which are controlled by charities.\r\nFollowing an inquiry OSCR has further powers to take action. These powers include directing a body which is not actually a charity to stop representing itself as such. Where there has been misconduct, OSCR can suspend any person who is involved in the management of the charity where that person has been responsible for or has contributed to the misconduct. OSCR can also direct the charity so to limit the transactions it can enter into without OSCR’s consent, and it can direct financial institutions not to part with money held on behalf of a charity (i.e. freeze bank accounts).\r\nCharity fundraising is mostly governed on a self-regulating basis and the Fundraising Standards Board is the independent self-regulatory body in the UK. There are some additional provisions about fund raising by professional bodies in the Act.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:09:34.867","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281604,"EventID":"S4W-13122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T14:09:35.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-17T15:12:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last received correspondence from Aberdeen City Council regarding local government funding.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular correspondence with all local authorities through COSLA. Aberdeen City Council did, however write to the Scottish Government recently regarding the Business Rates Incentivisation Scheme (BRIS). In my response I confirmed that in line with the agreed rules governing the scheme, the 2012-13 BRIS targets were not fixed and were currently subject to review and final agreement with COSLA.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:09:35.54","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281605,"EventID":"S4W-13123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T14:09:35.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T09:52:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Falkirk Council regarding the closure of the Birkhill Fireclay Mine.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had discussions with Falkirk Council regarding their decision, as owners, to close the Birkhill Fireclay Mine.\r\nHistoric Scotland had frequent contact with Falkirk Council regarding the designation of the site. Following Historic Scotland’s decision not to either list or schedule the site, Historic Scotland liaised further with the Falkirk Community Trust (as the charitable company set up by Falkirk Council to deliver culture, library, recreation and sport services on its behalf), the National Museums of Scotland as well as the National Mining Museum of Scotland to suggest that a feasibility study could be undertaken to explore future options for the site.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:09:35.93","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281606,"EventID":"S4W-13124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T14:09:36.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T10:16:29.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the ticket recognition agreement between Western Ferries and Argyll Ferries Ltd becomes operational.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wants to see a ticketing arrangement in place as soon as possible and are aware that discussions between Argyll Ferries and Western Ferries are on-going following their agreement in principle.\r\nBoth operators are working to find an early resolution and we are supporting that.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:09:36.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281607,"EventID":"S4W-13125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T14:09:36.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T10:16:29.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the harbour dues per journey will be for MV Finlaggan when it uses (a) Port Askaig and (b) Port Ellen harbour from 1 April 2013.","AnswerText":"For (a) Port Askaig, CalMac pay Argyll and Bute Council the published rates for harbour dues as detailed on the Council's website: http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/ports-and-harbours-vessels/ports-and-harbours-rates-vessels and for (b) Port Ellen harbour, CalMac pay an annual fee to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) which covers harbour dues at all the CMAL owned harbours used by CalMac.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:09:36.677","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281608,"EventID":"S4W-13126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T14:09:36.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T10:16:29.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost of fuel is per journey for MV Finlaggan from the mainland to (a) Port Askaig and (b) Port Ellen harbour.","AnswerText":"Fuel cost information, particularly at this level of detail, is commercially sensitive.  However, the difference in the cost of fuel for the MV Finlaggan sailing between these two journeys will be slightly higher given the route distance between Kennacraig and Port Askaig is 25 nautical miles and the route distance between Kennacraig and Port Ellen is 30 nautical miles.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T14:09:36.99","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281612,"EventID":"S4T-00250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T12:42:58.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T11:32:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what implications the agreement on the EU financial framework for 2014 to 2020 has for the allocation of structural funds in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:58.1","MeetingDate":"2013-02-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281613,"EventID":"S4T-00253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T12:42:59.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T11:59:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to NHS boards for the delivery of paediatric services.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:59.257","MeetingDate":"2013-02-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281614,"EventID":"S4F-01184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T12:42:26.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-14T14:13:03.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:26.327","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281615,"EventID":"S4F-01186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T12:42:27.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T10:53:41.86","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what strategies the Scottish Government has to combat obesity.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:27.747","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281616,"EventID":"S4F-01187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T12:42:28.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T11:06:02.893","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:28.48","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281617,"EventID":"S4F-01190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T12:42:30.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T11:30:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what recent discussions the Scottish Government has had with the BBC in relation to redundancies at BBC Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:30.883","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281618,"EventID":"S4F-01192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T12:42:31.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T11:41:25.673","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:31.663","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281619,"EventID":"S4F-01196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T12:42:34.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T11:52:55.58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government plans to implement new measures to tackle child poverty.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T12:42:34.127","MeetingDate":"2013-02-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281627,"EventID":"S4W-13127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T17:15:36.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T13:09:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many compromise agreements each NHS board has made with employees in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect this information centrally. The information on compromise agreements is a matter for each NHS board as an employer and the individual employee concerned.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T17:15:36.23","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281629,"EventID":"S4W-13128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T17:15:36.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T14:16:54.377","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to improve areas of poor air quality in 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with local authorities, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Transport Scotland and other partners to improve air quality in Scotland. This work will include:\r\nTaking forward the policies outlined in the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland and in Scotland’s National Transport Strategy.\r\nProviding practical and financial assistance to local authorities in implementing their air quality action plans; continuing to operate a comprehensive network of around 90 air quality monitoring stations throughout Scotland and utilising the data to inform and develop policy initiatives.\r\nProviding and collating advice and information to the public and other stakeholders through the Scottish Air Quality Website, Scotland’s Environment Web and Scottish Transport Emissions Partnership.\r\nFulfilling our obligations under EU air quality legislation, including taking account as necessary of any requirements arising from the European Commission’s comprehensive review of air quality policy during the 2013 European Year of Air; and\r\npursuing measures set out in the Low Carbon Scotland second draft report on proposals and policies which will contribute to improving air quality, such as promoting the take up of electric and hybrid vehicles and active travel, encouraging modal shift to public transport and local initiatives to plant woodland in and around towns.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T17:15:36.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281631,"EventID":"S4W-13129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T17:15:37.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T15:46:23.617","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it or its agencies will provide for pupils to visit First World War battlefields in 2014.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of the WWI Commemoration Programme, arrangements for a travel subsidy scheme to support all Scottish secondary schools who wish to visit WWI Battlefield sites are being developed. It is anticipated that the scheme will be managed by Historic Scotland. Information is being gathered from schools and others involved in Battlefield tours to ensure the proposed scheme is fair and equitable. An announcement will be made in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T17:15:37.057","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281633,"EventID":"S4W-13130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T17:15:37.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T15:46:23.617","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when officials developing proposals for a travel subsidy scheme for school visits to First World War battlefield sites will inform schools of these proposals.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13129 on 28 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T17:15:37.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281635,"EventID":"S4W-13131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-18T17:15:37.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T15:46:23.617","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether recent budget decisions include funding for school visits to First World War battlefields and, if so, (a) how much will be allocated and (b) whether rural schools will be allocated additional funding for any additional travel costs.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13129 on 28 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-04T17:15:37.773","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281636,"EventID":"S4W-13132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:15.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T15:56:31.08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-10543 by Derek Mackay on 7 November 2012, what arrangements it has in place to ensure compliance with the terms of the Aarhus Convention.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring public access to environmental and planning information, and the participation of the public throughout the decision-making process. The Scottish Government has ensured this is achieved primarily through the 2008 amendments to the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations. This amendment introduced a secondary period of consultation for members of the public and included additional advertising of determinations and greater clarification of the process through which any aggrieved party could challenge a decision.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:15.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281637,"EventID":"S4W-13133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:15.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T15:56:31.08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish its response to the questions regarding its Renewables Routemap to 2020 that it was recently asked by the Compliance Committee of the UN's Economic Commission for Europe. ","AnswerText":"A response to the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee from the UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has been published on the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe website and is available, along with the submission referred to in the response, at the following links: \r\nhttp://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/pp/compliance/C2012-68/Communication_with_Party/frUKC68_11Feb13/frUKC68_11Feb13.pdf  \r\nhttp://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/pp/compliance/C2012-68/Communication_with_Party/frUKC68_11Feb13/frUKC68_11Feb13_Attachment.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:15.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281638,"EventID":"S4W-13134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:16.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T16:34:57.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people resident in Scotland have been treated in hospitals in England in each year since 1999 and at what cost.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on patients resident in Scotland who were treated in hospitals in England for each financial year from 1999-00 to 2011-12 has been provided. This information is for all inpatients and day cases (elective and emergency admissions).\r\nInformation on the cost is not collected centrally.\r\nCount of Finished Admission Episodes1,2,3 carried out in an English NHS hospital for patients whose NHS Board of Residence is in Scotland; financial years 1999-00 to 2011-12.\r\nFinancial Year\r\nIn-patient Finished Admission Episodes (FAEs)\r\n1999-2000\r\n5,377\r\n2000-01\r\n5,767\r\n2001-02\r\n5,589\r\n2002-03\r\n5,851\r\n2003-04\r\n6,548\r\n2004-05\r\n6,998\r\n2005-06\r\n7,378\r\n2006-07\r\n7,518\r\n2007-08\r\n7,371\r\n2008-09\r\n7,326\r\n2009-10\r\n7,671\r\n2010-11\r\n7,811\r\n2011-12\r\n7,574\r\nSource: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre.\r\n1. All in.patient and day case admissions are included, elective and emergency.\r\n2. Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector is included.\r\n3. A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:16.27","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281639,"EventID":"S4W-13136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:16.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T09:26:31.55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who sets the objectives for local authority chief executives.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local authorities are autonomous bodies which operate entirely separately from the Scottish Government. Chief executives are employed by individual local authorities. It is for each local authority to make arrangements in relation to the objectives of its chief executive.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:16.613","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281640,"EventID":"S4W-13137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:16.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T09:26:31.55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that local authorities achieve consistent outcomes.","AnswerText":"Local authorities are autonomous bodies which are entirely separate from the Scottish Government. It is for each local authority to determine appropriate outcomes for its area based on its understanding of local needs and opportunities. Local authorities are accountable to their own residents for their decisions, their actions (including work in partnership with other bodies) and the outcomes they achieve.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:16.973","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281641,"EventID":"S4W-13138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:17.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T09:26:31.55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what bonuses were paid to each local authority chief executive for 2011-12 and how these bonuses related to agreed outcomes.","AnswerText":"Local authorities are autonomous bodies which are entirely separate from the Scottish Government. Individual local authorities employ and determine remuneration arrangements for their chief executives. The Scottish Government does not collect information from local authorities about their remuneration arrangements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:17.677","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281642,"EventID":"S4W-13139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:17.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T10:14:06.143","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role Scottish Natural Heritage's strategic locational guidance for onshore windfarms will play in the (a) National Planning Framework 3 and (b) revised Scottish planning policy.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government has been actively engaging Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) on the development of National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) and the preparation of revised Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) and looks forward to receiving SNH’s views on the NPF3 Main Issues Report and draft Scottish Planning Policy when these are issued for consultation. SNH will use their strategic locational guidance to help inform their response(s) to these consultations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:17.957","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281643,"EventID":"S4W-13140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:18.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T10:14:06.143","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that Scottish Natural Heritage's strategic locational guidance for onshore windfarms informs local development plans.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government, through Scottish Planning Policy (SPP), establishes the framework for Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH’s) strategic locational guidance (SLG) and provides statutory opportunities for SNH as a key agency to use their SLG to make representations to planning authorities on natural heritage matters to help inform local development plans.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:18.3","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281644,"EventID":"S4W-13141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:18.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T10:14:06.143","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role Scottish Natural Heritage's strategic locational guidance for onshore windfarms will play in the determination of project proposals for the development of onshore wind energy.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage are consulted on windfarm applications submitted to Scottish Ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and there is a range of criteria which triggers consultation with SNH on applications submitted to planning authorities. SNH will use their Strategic Locational Guidance to provide consultation responses on these applications, which Scottish Ministers and planning authorities will take into account in determining these applications.\r\nBefore determining an application the planning authority must also consult SNH on any Environmental Statement accompanying the planning application, where such a statement is required under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011, SSI 2011/139 or where an appropriate assessment is required under The Conservation (Natural Habitats & c.) Regulations 1994 as amended.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:18.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281645,"EventID":"S4W-13142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:18.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T11:14:44.563","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how regularly patients being treated for cancer receive follow-up health checks from a consultant following surgery.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is for clinicians to determine the frequency of follow up checks from a consultant following surgery for patients with cancer. It is expected that the necessity for and regularity of these checks will vary according to tumour type and will be determined by clinical judgement based on individual patient need and evidence-based, good practice guidelines.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:18.97","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281646,"EventID":"S4W-13143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:19.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T11:14:44.563","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that patients being treated for cancer receive follow-up health checks following surgery.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, the NHS and local authorities to support a whole system redesign of care following active treatment of cancer.\r\nThe overall aim of this transforming care after treatment programme is to ensure that patients are prepared for and supported to live with the consequences of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment.\r\nThe programme promotes holistic needs assessment and personalised care planning for patients after treatment, development of follow-up risk stratification and implementation of appropriate models of care so that patients will receive the appropriate level of support and intensity of surveillance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:19.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281647,"EventID":"S4W-13144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:20.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T11:14:44.563","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what aftercare treatment is available for patients being treated for cancer.\r\n","AnswerText":"The initial diagnosis, subsequent treatment and the ongoing aftercare that may be required by patients with cancer is a top clinical priority for both the Scottish Government and NHSScotland. The nature of aftercare required for patients treated for cancer will vary according to tumour type and will be determined by clinical judgement based on individual patient need and evidence-based, good practice guidelines.\r\nA key component of the Scottish Government’s Cancer Taskforce Action Plan is the development and implementation of models of care which promote recovery of function and confidence after anti-cancer treatment, empowering patients to self manage where it is appropriate and right to do so and reducing the need for unnecessary face-to-face follow-up without impacting on cancer surveillance or outcomes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:20.03","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281648,"EventID":"S4W-13145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:20.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T11:14:44.563","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the number of NHS staff in West Scotland there are to provide patients being treated for cancer with follow-up health checks following surgery.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested on the number of NHS staff in West Scotland there are to provide patients being treated for cancer with follow-up health checks following surgery is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:20.593","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281649,"EventID":"S4W-13146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:21.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T11:14:44.563","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff each NHS board has to ensure that patients being treated for cancer are provided with follow-up health checks following surgery and whether it considers that these numbers are sufficient.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested on how many staff each NHS board has to ensure that patients being treated for cancer are provided with follow-up health checks following surgery and whether it considers these numbers are sufficient is not held centrally.\r\nIt is for each NHS board to decide how best to plan and deliver their services to meet the needs of their population. This includes how best to utilise funding and staff, taking account of national and local priorities to meet local health needs. The Scottish Government does not advocate minimum staffing levels.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:21.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281650,"EventID":"S4W-13147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:21.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T11:16:12.143","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that a structured education programme for all patients with type 1 diabetes is being implemented.","AnswerText":"From 2013 we will monitor the provision of structured education for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes through the Scottish Diabetes Survey.\r\nOur Diabetes Action Plan, published in 2012, fully recognises the important role that structured education can play in supporting people with diabetes to self-manage their condition.\r\nIn implementing the Action Plan we have supported the appointment of a National Diabetes Education Lead at NHS Education Scotland. This led to the development of a review process for structured education: “Assessment of Patient Education in Scotland” and “Tools for Assessment of Patient Education in Scotland”. These resources are helping to ensure that structured Education across Scotland is consistent and quality assured. \r\nThe Scottish Diabetes Group has also given funding to NHS boards, Managed Clinical Networks to support the roll out of structured education. In 2011-12 this amounted to £154,450.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:21.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281651,"EventID":"S4W-13148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:22.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T10:20:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-10024 by Kenny MacAskill on 17 October 2012, how many drug finds there were in each prison in 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe following table illustrates the number of suspected drug finds recorded in 2012 broken down by establishment. SPS does not carry out analysis on substances found, and is not always advised of the outcomes of such analysis.\r\nEstablishment\r\n2012\r\nAberdeen\r\n77\r\nAddiewell\r\n465\r\nBarlinnie\r\n208\r\nCornton Vale\r\n52\r\nDumfries\r\n26\r\nEdinburgh\r\n208\r\nGlenochil\r\n114\r\nGreenock\r\n52\r\nInverness\r\n36\r\nKilmarnock\r\n252\r\nLow Moss\r\n90\r\nSPS Open Estate\r\n30\r\nPerth\r\n111\r\nPeterhead\r\n28\r\nPolmont\r\n64\r\nShotts\r\n136\r\nTotals\r\n1949\r\nHMP Addiewell opened December 2008\r\nHMP Low Moss Closed April 2007 – re-opening March 2012\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:22.527","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281652,"EventID":"S4W-13149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:23.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T10:20:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to commence sections 1 to 4 of the Prisons (Interference with Wireless Telegraphy) Act 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe Scottish Prison Service is in the early stages of planning the implementation of the provisions of The Prisons (Interference with Wireless Telegraphy) Act 2012, which received Royal Asset on the 19 December 2012. The timescales for commencing sections 1 to 4 of the Act will be considered as part of the implementation process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:23.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281653,"EventID":"S4W-13150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:23.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T12:27:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to conduct a passenger transport survey on bus travel and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government already collects survey information on bus travel through the Scottish Household Survey, a continuous survey based on a sample of the general population in private residences in Scotland. The Survey covers:\r\nThe extent that respondents use local bus services;\r\nThe time, distance and purpose of respondents’ bus journeys; \r\nThe frequency of bus services and distance to the respondents’ nearest bus stop; and passenger views of local bus services.\r\nThis information is published annually in three main publications available on the Transport Scotland website:\r\nTransport and Travel in Scotland: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/analysis/statistics/publications/transport-and-travel-in-scotland-previous-editions\r\nScottish Household Survey: Travel Diary Results: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/analysis/statistics/publications/shs-travel-diary-results-previous-editions\r\nBus and Coach Statistics: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/analysis/statistics/publications/bus-and-coach-statistics-previous-editions\r\nIn addition, Transport Scotland is conducting research into whether the National Concessionary Travel Scheme is meeting customer expectations. Initial findings from this research will be available in March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:23.76","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281654,"EventID":"S4W-13152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:24.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T12:27:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what programmes it supports to encourage increased bus usage.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government promotes increased bus patronage in various ways. We contributed to an accessible bus network through the £50 million annual Bus Services Operators Grant and the general revenue grant to local authorities, both of which are designed to safeguard essential services and develop new routes. We encourage attractive, quality services, as through Statutory Quality Partnerships and funding for new, low carbon vehicles under the Scottish Green Bus Fund. In addition, we spent £187 million on the National Concessionary Travel scheme, which incentivises bus use by those entitled to free travel under the scheme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:24.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281655,"EventID":"S4W-13153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:24.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T12:27:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to encourage people to drive less and (a) use public transport, (b) cycle and (c) walk more often.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to encouraging more people to use public transport and active travel for everyday journeys; and we have invested over £8.3 billion in public and active travel projects since 2007.\r\nIn order to encourage further train use, off-peak fares in Scotland will be frozen until 2016 and peak fares capped to RPI in January 2014 and 2015 at no additional cost to the franchise subsidy. In the next franchise, we will aim for more affordable fares that encourage increased use of under-used routes and to see more leisure trips being made by train rather than the car.\r\nIn order to encourage further use of buses, we will continue to provide significant public funding through the National Concessionary Travel scheme, the Bus Service Operators’ Grant and the Green Bus Fund. In addition, we are providing up to £40 million for the Glasgow Fastlink project – an exemplar bus rapid transit system which will provide fast access to jobs, services and communities.\r\nAdditionally, the new Forth Replacement Crossing will allow the Forth Road Bridge to become part of a dedicated public transport corridor, enabling journey times to be consistent and therefore encouraging a shift to public transport on that busy route.\r\nThrough the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland re-fresh exercise, we will ensure co-ordination of actions across a range of partner bodies to increase cycling’s modal share. The consultation with key stakeholders was launched in November and closed on 15 February 2013. We hope to publish the updated document in spring 2013, taking account of the responses received.\r\nWe are also committed to promoting walking, to reduce car journeys and improve the health of the population. Later this year we will publish a National Walking Strategy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:24.447","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281656,"EventID":"S4W-13154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:24.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T12:27:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have used public transport in the last five years, broken down by transport mode.","AnswerText":"Figures showing the number of passengers using bus and rail transport can be found in the summary table S1 (page 27) and ferries table 9.12 (page 197) of the publication Scottish Transport Statistics 2012, which can be found in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib number 54732).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:24.79","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281657,"EventID":"S4W-13155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:25.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T12:27:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to support public transport in the last five years, broken down by transport mode.","AnswerText":"Figures showing support for public transport can be found in table 10.1 (page 215) of the publication Scottish Transport Statistics 2012, which can be found in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (SPICe) (Bib number 54732).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:25.087","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281658,"EventID":"S4W-13156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:25.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T12:27:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to improve bus services in rural areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government altered the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) in April 2012 to provide additional support for rural services. Support to bus services is now based on the distance they travel, favouring the longer services more typical of rural areas. At the same time, changes to the legislation on bus service registration made it possible for fully flexible services open to the general public to qualify for BSOG and participate in the National Concessionary Travel Scheme, typically favouring smaller communities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:25.443","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281659,"EventID":"S4W-13157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:25.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T12:27:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages economic growth through its transport policies.","AnswerText":"The key role of transport is as a facilitator of economic activity in other sectors, carrying people and freight around the country and beyond. Investing in Scotland's transport infrastructure enhances productivity, encourages more efficient labour markets and promotes competition, underpinning current and future economic growth.\r\nTo this end the Scottish Government has invested through its transport policies over £8.3 billion in transport since 2007, the largest transport investment programme Scotland has ever seen, as we strive to improve journey times, reduce emissions and improve quality, accessibility and affordability across our strategic transport networks. And in difficult economic times, current investment in transport is directly supporting over 12,000 jobs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:25.82","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281660,"EventID":"S4W-13158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:26.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T12:27:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the bus industry and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"Officials last met representatives of the bus industry at the Bus Stakeholders Group on 28 February 2013, where discussions ranged widely over topics such as economic conditions, regulation and funding of the sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:26.223","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281661,"EventID":"S4W-13159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-19T14:45:26.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T12:48:39.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what projects it is funding to tackle sectarianism in 2012-13, broken down by (a) project and (b) funding amount.\r\n","AnswerText":"In the financial year 2012-13 £2.5 million has been allocated to allow the organisations listed in the following table to deliver a range of projects and initiatives to tackle sectarianism across Scotland:\r\nOrganisation and Project\r\nLocation\r\nFunding Amount\r\nCambridge University Technical Services –  Integrative Complexity  Project\r\nFalkirk\r\n£167,920\r\nChildren s Parliament – Me+Us Project\r\nEdinburgh, Midlothian, West Lothian, Aberdeen, South Lanarkshire and Western Isles\r\n£50,670\r\nCitizen s Theatre – Divided City Project\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n£116,500\r\nCity of Edinburgh Council – Community Research  Project\r\nEdinburgh\r\n£6,600\r\nConforti Institute – Lederach’s Peace Building Model  Project\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n£111,141\r\nFaith in Community Scotland – Developing and Asset-based Approach to tackling sectarianism  Project\r\nGlasgow and North Lanarkshire\r\n£69,793\r\nFestival of Spirituality and Peace – Civic Cafes  Project\r\nEdinburgh\r\n£9,000\r\nFootball Co-Ordination Unit Scotland (FoCUS)\r\nScotland\r\n£797,703\r\nThe Iona Community – Can you hear the bigots sing prisons  Project and  Community Youth Work  Project\r\nMainstream in Prisons and Glasgow\r\n£42,000\r\nNil by Mouth – Beyond Religion and Belief and Champions for Change Projects\r\nScotland\r\n£60,000\r\nOutward Bound Trust – Community Unity Project\r\nGlasgow, Inverclyde and Edinburgh\r\n£60,000\r\nA Place for Hope – Community Mediation Project\r\nDunfries and Galloway, Dundee, Argyle & Bute and Aberdennshire\r\n£50,000\r\nSACRO (Safeguarding Communities – Reducing Offending) – Together Project \r\nNorth Edinburgh\r\n£100,000\r\nScottish Community Development Centre – Proof of Concept  Project with Community Links, Yipworld.com and Getting Better Together Ltd and a  Community-led Action Research  Project with, Fauldhouse Community Development Trust, Edinburgh and Lothian Regional Equality Council and Pilmeny Development Trust\r\nEast Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, West Lothian and Edinburgh\r\n£166,537\r\nScottish Marriage Care – Evaluate Models of Intervention  Project\r\nGlasgow\r\n£69,690\r\nScottish Sports Futures – Stand Tall  Project\r\nGlasgow, Aberdeen, Peterhead and Stirling\r\n£84,000\r\nSense over Sectarianism – Schools and Community Engagement through Education  Project and  Small Grant Scheme  Project\r\nGlasgow\r\n£150,000\r\nShow Bigotry the Red Card – Anti-Sectarian Educational Work  Project\r\nScotland\r\n£20,000\r\nVoluntary Action Fund – Community Engagement and support  Projects with Inverclyde Community Development Trust, Stewarty Council of Voluntary Services, Brora Community Learning Centre, Central Scotland Regional Equality Council, Renton Community Development Trust, Brag Enterprises, Engender, Scottish Women s Convention, Edinburgh and Lothian s Regional Equality Council, Twechar Community Action and Scottish Women s Library.\r\nGlasgow, Edinburgh, Brora, Twechar, Inverclyde, Stewarty, Slamanan, Renton, Fife, Argyll & Bute, Dundee, West Dunbartonshire, Perth, Inverness, Dumfries and Galloway and Kilmarnock.\r\n£273,880\r\nYouth Scotland – Stand Up to Sectarianism  Project\r\nScotland\r\n£55,045\r\nYouthLink Scotland – Web Portal Project\r\n\r\n£87,780\r\nTotal Funding for projects and initiatives:\r\n\r\n£2,548,259\r\n\r\nI also refer the member to the answer to question S4W-08770, on 17 July 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament s website the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-05T14:45:26.553","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281688,"EventID":"S4O-01829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:24.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:06:26.183","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed merger between Motherwell, Coatbridge and Cumbernauld colleges will have on students in Lanarkshire.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:25.01","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281689,"EventID":"S4O-01830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:26.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:06:26.633","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop music education.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:26.307","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281690,"EventID":"S4O-01831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:27.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:06:29.13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on ensuring that three and four-year-olds have access to 600 hours of nursery education per year.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:27.787","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281691,"EventID":"S4O-01832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:28.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T10:16:29.643","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made by the Early Years Collaborative.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:28.757","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281692,"EventID":"S4O-01833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:29.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:06:32.58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the waiting list figures, and accompanying analysis, for Cumbernauld College will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:29.69","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281693,"EventID":"S4O-01834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:30.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T15:44:15.703","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that college regionalisation does not result in students being unable to attend courses close to home.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:30.69","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281694,"EventID":"S4O-01835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:31.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:06:43.39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to stop the reported fall in the number of Scottish postgraduate students. \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:31.58","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281695,"EventID":"S4O-01837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:32.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:06:46.65","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning last met principals of further education colleges and what matters were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:32.437","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281696,"EventID":"S4O-01838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:33.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:06:47.587","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in terms of headcount, how many college places for learners aged 25 and over have been lost in the last three years.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:33.497","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281697,"EventID":"S4O-01839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:34.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:06:50.737","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the educational attainment of children from areas of multiple deprivation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:34.387","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281698,"EventID":"S4O-01841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:35.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T15:32:12.28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports students wanting to go into postgraduate education.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:35.277","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281699,"EventID":"S4O-01842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:36.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:06:55.183","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with stakeholders regarding college education for people with learning disabilities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:36.057","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281700,"EventID":"S4O-01843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:36.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T09:15:07.173","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Universities Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:36.853","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281701,"EventID":"S4O-01844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:37.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:06:55.683","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is carrying out in partnership with the UK Government to support young people back into employment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:37.773","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281702,"EventID":"S4O-01845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:38.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T09:30:05.313","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made since November 2012 on implementing the recommendations of the Languages Working Group Report.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:38.6","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281703,"EventID":"S4O-01846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:39.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T11:01:09.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost annually to fund the increase in statutory nursery provision from 475 to 600 hours.\r\n","AnswerText":"A financial memorandum is being developed to accompany the Children and Young People Bill. This will detail the estimated costs and savings associated with each of the Bill provisions.\r\nIt is being developed in collaboration with stakeholders, including COSLA and will be introduced to Parliament along with the Bill this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:39.333","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281704,"EventID":"S4O-01847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:40.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:07:00.13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with colleges and the Scottish Funding Council regarding the protection of specialised rural courses following college regionalisation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Funding Council has given assurances to rural colleges merging with urban colleges that, as the new college will continue to serve the rural population of the region, the Funding Council will not, as a result of merger, remove the elements of the region's funding that are related to rurality.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:40.253","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281705,"EventID":"S4O-01848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:41.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:07:00.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase participation in higher education by people from poorer backgrounds.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have been making steady progress on widening access in recent years, supported by the work of the Scottish Funding Council Access and Inclusion Committee. Through the Post-16 Bill, we intend legislating to introduce statutory widening access agreements that we will use to bring about a step-change in participation rates.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:41.08","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281706,"EventID":"S4O-01849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:41.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T16:32:29.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made regarding Homecoming 2014.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:41.923","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281707,"EventID":"S4O-01850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:43.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T11:50:20.033","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will deal with the impact of the so-called bedroom tax on housing associations.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:43.217","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281708,"EventID":"S4O-01851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:44.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:07:52.923","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the number and range of public service obligations for fragile air services in the Highlands and Islands.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:44.217","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281709,"EventID":"S4O-01852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:45.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T16:15:14.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of incidents of number plate cloning fraud.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:45.213","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281710,"EventID":"S4O-01853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1841,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":120,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:46.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:07:55.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with local authorities regarding the distribution of food from food banks.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:46.073","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281711,"EventID":"S4O-01854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:46.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:08:00.613","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action the Cabinet Secretary for Justice will take to reduce delays in post mortems in the west of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:46.9","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281712,"EventID":"S4O-01855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:47.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T17:53:27.64","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will produce a report on traffic flow issues on the A90 and A8 in the west of Edinburgh.\r\n","AnswerText":"The A90 and A8 in the west of Edinburgh are local roads. As such, City of Edinburgh Council is responsible for their management, including the production of any traffic flow reports.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:47.697","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281713,"EventID":"S4O-01856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:48.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:08:05.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it would consider setting a rate of income tax higher than the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will reach a view on the appropriate level for the Scottish rate of income tax if and when the time comes to set the rate. It will then be for the Parliament to decide whether to approve the Government’s proposal.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:48.6","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281714,"EventID":"S4O-01857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:49.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:08:07.103","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in shifting coal freight from roads to rail and other forms of transport.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:49.833","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281715,"EventID":"S4O-01858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:50.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T16:17:27.94","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to promote the work of community councils and ensure that every community has support and resources to establish its own local decision-making and campaigning body.   \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and Convention Of Scottish Local Authorities are currently considering how to strengthen the role of community councils, alongside other measures to empower Scotland’s communities, as part of the development of the proposed Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:50.613","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281716,"EventID":"S4W-13160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:51.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T17:29:56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what conditions it would consider it necessary to gather and release pesticide application records or other such information on pesticides.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) collect data on pesticide application annually from farmers’ records. This data is published in summary form for Scottish Agriculture as a whole.\r\nIn addition, farmers have to meet a range of pesticide related requirements including recording details of each individual pesticide application. Scottish Government inspectors annually check approximately 250 farmers’ individual pesticide records during routine inspections to establish whether pesticides have been applied in line with the product label.\r\nThe Scottish Government can also request sight of individual pesticide application records if there are good reasons to do so, for example, an alleged breach of conditions of pesticide application.\r\nThird parties may request access to information on pesticide application records obtained by the Scottish Government under the Freedom of Information Act or the Environmental Information Regulations. Any request would be considered in accordance with the rules in that legislation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:51.377","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281717,"EventID":"S4W-13161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:52.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T17:43:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the assertion that the Vienna convention on successor states has a population de minimis that would exclude Shetland from the rights to the oil in the waters surrounding Shetland.","AnswerText":"Shetland is an important and valued part of Scotland and that will remain the case in an independent Scotland, which offers the prospect of more autonomy for the islands.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:52.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281718,"EventID":"S4W-13163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:53.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T17:56:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to secure investment from the Pension Infrastructure Platform (PIP) for infrastructure projects in Scotland and, if so, how much it expects to secure; for what projects; how much each project will receive, and what contact it has had with (a) HM Treasury or (b) the PIP.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Pension Infrastructure Platform (PIP) will be a UK-wide investment platform for infrastructure, but it is not yet ready to invest. Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) has met the chief executive of the National Association of Pension Funds, which is leading the PIP initiative, to discuss development of that investment platform and its potential interest in the £2.5 billion Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) programme. SFT has also met individual pension funds to discuss potential investment across the NPD programme. Both Scottish Government officials and SFT liaise regularly with officials from Infrastructure UK in HM Treasury.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:53.39","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281719,"EventID":"S4W-13164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:54.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T10:19:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding for community spending has been generated by landfill tax credits since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The Landfill Tax Communities Fund and the credit system are currently reserved and is regulated by ENTRUST on behalf of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.\r\nThe Scottish Government estimates that around £4.54 million was spent on project in Scotland during 2010-11.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:54.14","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281720,"EventID":"S4W-13165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:54.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T10:19:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to change how the money raised from landfill tax credits is distributed to communities affected by nearby landfill sites and what the reasons are for any such changes.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has announced its intention to use new powers in the Scotland Act 2012 to create a replacement tax on landfill when the UK system is disapplied in Scotland after the 1 April 2015. As mentioned in our consultation paper, “Protecting Our Resources-Consultation on a Scottish Landfill Tax”, we are proposing that the Landfill Tax Communities Fund be replaced with a new credit system that will retain the ability for communities and environmental organisations to access funds to offset the dis-amenity and negative impacts of landfill.\r\nThe distribution mechanism will be decided at a later stage following further consultation with stakeholders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:54.887","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281721,"EventID":"S4W-13167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:55.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T10:19:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that communities most affected by nearby landfill operations are the main beneficiaries of the money available from landfill tax credits and that it is not spent in communities that are not affected.\r\n","AnswerText":"As set out in our consultation paper, Protecting Our Resources - Consultation on a Scottish Landfill Tax, it is the intention that communities in close proximity to landfill sites will remain the main beneficiaries of the proposed replacement landfill tax credit system. We are also proposing to retain the ability for environmental groups to access the fund to protect biodiversity and habitats.\r\nThe distribution mechanism will be decided at a later stage following further consultation with stakeholders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:55.637","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281722,"EventID":"S4W-13169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:56.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T11:42:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the rules on enhanced disclosure of previous criminal convictions are compatible with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.\r\n","AnswerText":"We consider that the rules on enhanced disclosure checks in Scotland are compatible with Article 8 of the European Convention. However, we keep the statutory basis and application of these important arrangements under review, including in light of court judgements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:56.633","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281723,"EventID":"S4W-13170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:57.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T11:42:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the recent Court of Appeal ruling relating to the disclosure of criminal conviction information in England and Wales and its relevance to Scotland’s enhanced disclosure procedures.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is assessing the Court of Appeal judgement and the extent to which any aspect of it might be relevant to current practice regarding the enhanced disclosure of criminal convictions in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:57.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281724,"EventID":"S4W-13171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:58.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-19T17:29:56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12319 by Richard Lochhead on 25 January 2013, what information on pesticides is collected by (a) farmers and (b) Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture and how often.\r\n","AnswerText":"Under European pesticide legislation, farmers are required to keep at least three years of records of the pesticides they use, which includes the name, the time and the dose of application, the area and the crop where the pesticide was used.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) collect data on pesticide use on arable crops, soft fruit crops, vegetable crops and protected edible crops biennially, and pesticide use on grassland and fodder crops once every four years.\r\nThe pesticide data collected by SASA includes the rate applied, total quantity/volume used, area treated at each application, crop treated, details of which products are applied in the same tank, and date of application. This data is collected from a sample of farmers designed to be representative of Scottish pesticide use.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:58.383","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281725,"EventID":"S4W-13174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:48:59.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T12:19:13.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost to each NHS board was of prescribing Ritalin to children under 18 was in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12 and has been in 2012-13.\r\n","AnswerText":"Methylphenidate Hydrochloride is the non-proprietary drug name for the branded products Ritalin, Equasym, Equasym XL, Concerta XL, Medikinet XL, and Medikinet and is used as part of a programme of treatment for people who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. \r\nMethylphenidate Hydrochloride is only licensed for prescribing to patients aged under 18 in the UK, but may be prescribed off-label to adults where the clinician believes that the patient would benefit from treatment.\r\nTable 1 contains the Gross Ingredient Cost (£) of all Methylphenidate Hydrochloride products dispensed by community pharmacists or dispensing GPs, while Table 2 contains the Gross Ingredient Cost (£) of Ritalin dispensings only.\r\n \r\nTable 1 - Gross Ingredient Cost (£) paid for the dispensing of all Methylphenidate Hydrochloride products for financial years 2010-11 to 2012-131 by NHS board.\r\nHealth Board\r\nFinancial Year\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-131\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n139,528\r\n144,836\r\n74,606\r\nNHS Borders\r\n125,665\r\n143,411\r\n77,053\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n96,671\r\n102,990\r\n53,600\r\nNHS Fife\r\n361,743\r\n377,500\r\n188,535\r\nNHS Forth Valley \r\n150,998\r\n164,124\r\n81,672\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n315,055\r\n338,165\r\n169,719\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n342,007\r\n375,735\r\n206,863\r\nNHS Highland\r\n124,174\r\n134,977\r\n70,737\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n95,922\r\n118,786\r\n65,469\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n362,829\r\n388,854\r\n190,484\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n6,653\r\n5,731\r\n2,758\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n7,588\r\n7,282\r\n3,643\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n389,255\r\n402,255\r\n206,639\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n984\r\n1,495\r\n876\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n2,519,071\r\n2,706,142\r\n1,392,653\r\nNote:\r\nData for financial year 2012-13 is up to and including September 2012.\r\nCost relate to total dispensings, and may therefore include some off-label prescribing to adults.\r\nIncludes dispensings of Ritalin, Equasym, Equasym XL , Concerta XL, Medikinet XL, and Medikinet.\r\nDue to rounding, the figures in each column may not correspond precisely with the overall total for NHS Scotland.\r\nTable 2 - Gross Ingredient Cost (£) paid for the dispensing of Ritalin only for financial years 2010-11 to 2012-131 by NHS board.\r\nHealth Board\r\nFinancial Year\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-131\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n2,970\r\n2,754\r\n979\r\nNHS Borders\r\n1,789\r\n1,869\r\n902\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n201\r\n515\r\n342\r\nNHS Fife\r\n4,190\r\n4,170\r\n1,911\r\nNHS Forth Valley \r\n566\r\n507\r\n211\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n5,703\r\n5,932\r\n3,120\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n4,799\r\n5,489\r\n3,131\r\nNHS Highland\r\n1,789\r\n1,034\r\n525\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n2,760\r\n3,270\r\n1,798\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n11,764\r\n11,787\r\n5,617\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n3,554\r\n4,199\r\n1,947\r\nIsland Boards\r\n295\r\n340\r\n134\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n40,381\r\n41,867\r\n20,617\r\nNote:\r\nData for financial year 2012-13 is up to and including September 2012.\r\nCosts relate to total dispensings, and may therefore include some off-label prescribing to adults.\r\nDue to rounding, the figures in each column may not correspond precisely with the overall total for NHS Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:48:59.583","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281726,"EventID":"S4W-13175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:49:00.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T12:19:13.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it (a) has given and (b) will give to excluding patients diagnosed with (i) autism and (ii) learning disabilities in general from the definition of mental disorders in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government are currently in the process of taking forward amendments to the Act following the McManus Limited Review Report and other minor technical issues identified by external stakeholders in the Mental Health and Adults With Incapacity Amendment Bill and does not intend to commission a review into these matters at this time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:49:00.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281727,"EventID":"S4W-13176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:49:02.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T12:19:13.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients with autism spectrum disorders have been compulsorily detained under provisions in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 in each year.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold figures on the number of patients who are, or have been, detained under the Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 under compulsory measures.\r\nThe Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland only report on the broad categories of mental illness, learning disability or personality disorder in their annual report to Scottish Ministers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:49:02.11","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281728,"EventID":"S4W-13177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T13:49:03.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T12:19:13.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths of patients compulsorily detained under provisions in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 have been attributed to patient safety incidents in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government do not hold figures which specify the number of deaths of patients whilst receiving compulsory treatment under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T13:49:03.483","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281732,"EventID":"S4W-13180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:21.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T13:11:18.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage broadband providers to supply services to rural areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"Through our Step Change 2015 programme, the Scottish Government will put in place infrastructure capable of delivering next generation broadband to those areas where the market will currently not go. This infrastructure will be entirely open access, enabling any internet service provider to supply services to rural areas. We are also looking to encourage the growth of Community Internet Service Providers through our Community Broadband Scotland initiative.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:21.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281733,"EventID":"S4W-13181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:22.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T13:11:18.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on subsidies for the expansion of rural broadband in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to expanding broadband to rural areas. Over the last five years, we have spent £2.947 million on the Broadband Reach Programme, which delivered satellite broadband to rural communities. In addition, over £135,000 has been spent on rural broadband projects in 2012-13 through the LEADER programme.\r\nWe have allocated more than £240 million of public sector funding to our Step Change 2015 Programme, which will extend next generation broadband infrastructure into rural areas. In addition, £50.65 million has been identified, subject to the successful conclusion of the ongoing procurement process,  by fourteen local authorities for additional investment in their own areas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:22.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281734,"EventID":"S4W-13182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:22.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T13:11:18.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage the roll-out of superfast broadband in rural areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"The focus of the Scottish Government’s Step Change 2015 Programme is to address the digital divide by extending the infrastructure needed to deliver next generation broadband to those areas where the market will currently not go. These areas will be predominantly rural.\r\nWe have also established Community Broadband Scotland which will support community-led broadband projects in rural areas, with a particular focus on those that may not have next generation broadband delivered by Step Change.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:22.563","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281735,"EventID":"S4W-13183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:22.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T13:11:18.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will meet the target in Scotland's Digital Future - Infrastructure Action Plan that \"the rate of broadband take-up by people in Scotland should be at or above the UK average by 2013, and should be highest among the UK nations by 2015\" and what the current uptake rate is, expressed as a percentage.\r\n","AnswerText":"Ofcom’s Communications Market Report 2012, shows broadband up take in Scotland is 68% on par with Wales (68%) and Northern Ireland (69%). The UK average currently stands at 76%.\r\nBroadband take – up in Scotland increased by seven percentage points from 2011 to 2012 compared to the UK increased take up of two percentage points over the same year. SG are currently working on a range of initiatives which will further stimulate demand for broadband and increase overall digital participation rates.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:22.967","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281736,"EventID":"S4W-13184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:23.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T13:11:18.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will meet the target in Scotland's Digital Future - Infrastructure Action Plan that \"next generation broadband will be available to all by 2020.\"\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to achieving this target.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:23.297","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281737,"EventID":"S4W-13185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:23.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T13:11:18.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on upgrading each telephone exchange in North Ayrshire and what the timescale for this programme is.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not currently have a programme for upgrading telephone exchanges. Through our Step Change programme, we will deliver infrastructure capable of delivering next generation broadband by 2015. However, our approach is technology neutral and the extent to which the programme will involve upgrades to telephone exchanges will depend on the detail of the successful bid.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:23.593","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281738,"EventID":"S4W-13186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:23.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T13:11:18.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what methodology it uses to measure the progress of its high-speed broadband uptake targets.\r\n","AnswerText":"Take-up of communication services in Scotland, including broadband, is measured annually by Ofcom, through their Communications Market Report. In addition, the Scottish Government has national indicators covering high-speed broadband availability and use of the internet:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Performance/scotPerforms/indicator/digital\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Performance/scotPerforms/indicator/internet.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:23.92","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281739,"EventID":"S4W-13187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:24.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T13:36:30.9","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the National Planning Framework 3 will not result in significant adverse environmental effects.","AnswerText":"A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of National Planning Framework 3 is being undertaken. As required by the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, this will identify the likely significant environmental effects arising from the Framework, and set out mitigation measures to avoid or reduce significant adverse effects, where possible and appropriate. A Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) is also being undertaken, to identify and avoid adverse effects on the integrity of European protected sites and species. The SEA Environmental Report and a Draft HRA Record, setting out the findings of these environmental assessments, will be published for public consultation alongside the Main Issues Report.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:24.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281740,"EventID":"S4W-13188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:24.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T13:36:30.9","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that effective consultation is carried out with communities likely to be affected before any national developments are put forward in the National Planning Framework 3.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Participation Statement published in September 2012 to accompany the preparation of National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) sets out that the Scottish Government would assist communities to get involved in the preparation of NPF3. Further details will be available in the next iteration of the Participation Statement which is to be published alongside the Main Issues Report.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:24.653","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281741,"EventID":"S4W-13189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:25.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T13:36:30.9","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the need for any national development is demonstrated before it is considered as a potential development in the National Planning Framework 3.","AnswerText":"The criteria for National Developments were announced and published in September 2012 when we launched the pre Main Issues Report engagement exercise. Those national developments that we propose to take forward will be identified in the Main Issues Report, to be published shortly. The proposed national developments will be those which meet the mandatory criterion, at least one of the optional criteria and support the emerging spatial strategy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:25.043","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281742,"EventID":"S4W-13190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:25.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T13:36:30.9","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that there are effective links between the National Planning Framework 3, marine planning and the sustainable land use strategy.","AnswerText":"The emerging National Marine Plan, on-going sectoral marine planning for offshore renewable energy and the Land Use Strategy are important drivers for National Planning Framework 3's spatial strategy and will be reflected in the Main Issues Report, to be published for consultation shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:25.543","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281743,"EventID":"S4W-13191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:25.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T13:44:05.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact oil and gas sector production has on its plans to reduce Scotland's carbon footprint.\r\n","AnswerText":"The carbon footprint measures the emissions that are generated in the production of the goods and services we consume in Scotland (so-called “consumption-based” emissions), regardless of whether they are produced at home or abroad. Oil and gas sector production has therefore no immediate bearing on Scotland’s carbon footprint.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:25.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281744,"EventID":"S4W-13192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:26.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T13:44:05.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact would be on its carbon control emissions targets if the UK Government was to set Scotland's power generator emissions targets.\r\n","AnswerText":"Our recent draft Second Report on Proposals and Policies (RPP2) published on 29 January 2013 sets out our intention to help meet Scotland’s emissions reduction targets with a Scottish 2030 decarbonisation target to achieve a grid average of 50g CO2/kWh of electricity generation in Scotland. This is in line with the UK Committee on Climate Change’s recommendations. The draft RPP2 report, along with our draft Electricity Generation Policy Statement, sets out our approach for achieving the decarbonisation target which will be through a wide range of policies and powers including our executively devolved powers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, policy on Carbon, Capture and Storage, increasing Scotland’s renewable generation and demand management.\r\nThe UK Government will take powers in the forthcoming UK Energy Bill to set a 2030 decarbonisation target. Scottish Ministers will have a statutory consultation role with the UK Government in setting and amending any future decarbonisation target. We are urging UK Government to follow Scotland’s lead and set a decarbonisation target range on the face of the Bill, or as soon as is reasonably practical after Royal Assent.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:26.23","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281745,"EventID":"S4W-13193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:26.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T13:44:05.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce Scotland's carbon footprint.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is reducing Scotland’s carbon footprint in a number of ways. Many of the actions to reduce domestic emissions that are detailed in the recent draft report on proposals and policies will also lower the emissions linked to the consumption of domestic goods and services. Its influence over ‘imported’ emissions is less direct but Scotland is a strong advocate of more ambitious international targets which would lower emissions abroad. Apart from reducing the emission intensity of goods and services in this way, the measures presented in the reports on proposals and policies in many cases have the effect of moving consumption towards low-carbon alternatives.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:26.603","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281746,"EventID":"S4W-13194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:26.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T15:28:30.737","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will meet the target in Scotland's Digital Future - Infrastructure Action Plan that \"infrastructure...will have the capacity to deliver speeds of 40 - 80Mbps for between 85% to 90% of premises, with a significant uplift in speeds for those where delivery of 40 - 80Mbps is not possible at this stage, including those areas where there is currently no level of service speeds of 40 - 80Mbps for between 85% to 90% of premises.\"\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to achieving this target.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:26.93","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281747,"EventID":"S4W-13197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:27.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T15:41:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many reports of antisocial behaviour there have been in each year since 1999, broken down by constituency.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of reports of antisocial behaviour each year since 1999, broken down by constituency, is not held centrally.\r\nStatistics on Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and other related information, by local authority area, can be found on the Scottish Government website at: www.scotland.gov.uk/communitysafety. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:27.43","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281748,"EventID":"S4W-13198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:27.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T15:54:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of unwanted pregnancies.","AnswerText":"The Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework was published in August 2011 and contains five high level outcomes. The Scottish Government views the reduction of unintended pregnancies to be a priority and thus Outcome 1 of the Framework looks to achieve “fewer unintended pregnancies”.\r\nThe use of data published by ISD has been useful in supporting Scottish Government to make an assessment of the impact of policy on unintended pregnancy, for example, the fall in the number of terminations of pregnancy over the past three years and the rise in the uptake of effective, longer acting reversible methods of contraception.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working through the Framework with NHS boards, local authorities and third sector agencies to support a reduction in the number of unintended pregnancies by ensuring that everyone has; sex and relationships education appropriate to their age and stage of development; access to sexual health services including contraception services and; the skills to negotiate sexual relationships based on mutual respect.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:27.773","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281749,"EventID":"S4W-13199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:28.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T15:54:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve access to emergency hormonal contraception for women living in deprived areas.","AnswerText":"Emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) is widely available free of charge across Scotland from community pharmacies, sexual health clinics and GPs.\r\nThrough the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework, the Scottish Government aims to reduce the health inequalities gap in sexual health and we are working with NHS boards to ensure good access to sexual health services for all, but especially those who are most at-risk of poor sexual health outcomes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:28.133","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281750,"EventID":"S4W-13200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-20T16:48:28.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T15:54:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the NHS's provision of emergency hormonal contraception to assess whether there is a need to include newer and more effective methods of emergency contraception.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are currently two types of emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) licensed for use in Scotland:\r\nLevonorgestrel (known as Levonelle) – which is widely available for use up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraception failure and is available free of charge through community pharmacies, sexual health centres and GPs.\r\nUlipristal acetate (known as ellaOne) – which is available for use up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraception failure. ellaOne is available only on prescription due to licencing restrictions imposed on all new medicines. ellaOne is available from GPs or sexual health clinics.\r\nIn addition, an intrauterine device (IUD) can be used up to 5 days after unprotected sexual intercourse and can then remain in place as longer acting contraception for 5 -10 years. This must be fitted by a trained medical professional.\r\nAny new medicines are carefully reviewed by the EMEA and MHRA before they are licenced for use in the UK. No other EHC is currently licenced for use in the UK at this time, however new products are reviewed when they are made available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-06T16:48:28.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281751,"EventID":"S4W-13201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-21T15:13:51.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-20T19:09:22","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hospital wards were closed due to norovirus in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12 and have been closed in 2012-13, broken down by (i) NHS board and (ii) hospital.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.\r\nHealth Protection Scotland (HPS) monitors and publishes point prevalence surveillance data on a weekly basis by board reporting the number of hospitals and wards closed due to presumed or confirmed norovirus. This is management information data and not official statistics. This provides an indication of the impact that the norovirus is having on NHS Scotland but it is not incidence data. For example, it would not include an outbreak which started on a Tuesday and was over by a Sunday, while a ward closure occurring on a Monday that was still on-going the following Monday would be counted twice even though it related to a single outbreak.\r\nThese norovirus prevalence reports are published by HPS at:\r\nhttp://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/haiic/ic/noroviruspointprev.aspx.\r\nWe have asked HPS to produce board, hospitals and ward prevalence information for the years you have requested and I will write to you once this information becomes available. However, HPS cannot provide named hospitals within the boards.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T15:13:51.56","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281766,"EventID":"S4W-13213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-21T15:39:21.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T15:16:37.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there have been changes to the number of its special advisers and their responsibilities since January 2013 and what the costs are of employing the special adviser team.\r\n","AnswerText":"The estimated costs of employing Special Advisers for the current financial year is £922,678 – a real terms decrease of £60,389 from the 12-month cost of the 2006-07 Special Adviser team which, when up-rated to 2012-13 prices, cost £983,067. Costs for 2013-14 are estimated to fall further to £912,956 in nominal terms (£895,055 in 2012-13 prices) – a real terms decrease of £88,012 below 2006-07 levels.\r\nStephen Gethins left the Scottish Government, on 2 January 2013. Ewan Crawford was appointed on 13 February 2013, on a part-time basis, and joins as a Senior Special Adviser supporting Ministers on Government Strategy and Constitutional Issues.\r\nAs a result of Stephen Gethins’ departure, Malcolm Fleming has assumed responsibility for Energy, Rural Affairs and Environment. Alexander Anderson has replaced him in supporting the First Minister’s Private Office and contributing to keynote speeches.\r\nIn total, there are 13 Special Advisers. They are appointed in accordance with Part 1 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 by the First Minister as a Special Adviser for the purpose of providing assistance to the Scottish Ministers. \r\nTheir specific responsibilities are as follows:\r\nName\r\nRole\r\nAppointed\r\nGeoff Aberdein\r\nChief of Staff\r\nResponsible for the First Minister's strategic programme in Government\r\nFirst Minister’s senior intermediary with key internal & external stakeholders\r\nCoordination of the Special Adviser team \r\nPolicy support on Commonwealth Games & Sport portfolio\r\n \r\n26 May 2011\r\nStuart Nicolson\r\nHead of Communications \r\nSenior Political Spokesperson\r\n26 May 2011\r\nNoel Dolan\r\nSenior Special Adviser to the Deputy First Minister\r\nPolicy advice on Infrastructure & Investment portfolio\r\nPolicy advice on Welfare \r\n26 May 2011\r\nLiz Lloyd\r\nDeputy Head of Communications & Political Spokesperson\r\nLead on online and new media\r\n30 January 2012\r\nAlexander Anderson\r\nSupport to the First Minister’s Private Office\r\nContributing to FM’s keynote speeches and new media\r\nSupport on Transport Issues\r\n8 October 2012\r\nMalcolm Fleming\r\nPolicy advice on Energy, Rural Affairs and the Environment portfolios\r\nPolicy advice on International Development portfolio\r\n25 July 2011\r\nJohn MacInnes\r\nLead on political research \r\nSupport for First Minister’s Questions \r\nSupport to the Communications Special Advisers\r\n3 June 2011\r\nAlex Bell\r\nHead of Policy Development \r\nPolicy advice on Culture (including Broadcasting) & External Affairs portfolio\r\nPolicy advice on Defence.\r\n26 May 2011\r\nEwan Crawford (p/t)\r\nSenior Special Adviser supporting Ministers on Government Strategy and Constitutional Issues\r\n13 February 2013\r\nColin McAllister\r\nDeputy Head of Policy Development\r\nEducation & Lifelong Learning portfolio overview\r\nFinance, Employment and Sustainable Growth portfolio overview\r\n3 October 2012\r\nDavid Hutchison\r\nPolicy advice on the Health & Wellbeing portfolio\r\nLead on FOI legislation\r\n8 June 2011\r\nJohn McFarlane\r\nPolicy advice on Justice portfolio\r\nPolicy advice on Parliamentary Business portfolio, including engaging with Parliamentary Liaison Officers\r\n26 May 2011\r\nDelancy Johansson\r\nPolicy advice on Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth portfolio (other than Energy) \r\nPolicy advice on the Council of Economic Advisers\r\n8 October 2012\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Total costs include salary, ERNIC and employer pension contributions. The level of the employer ERNIC and pension contributions is not a matter for the Scottish Government. Estimate based on current team of 13 Special Advisers being in post for the remainder of 2012-13.\r\n2. Salary, ERNIC, employer pension contributions and total costs figures have been converted into real terms (2012-13 prices) to adjust for inflation using HM Treasury deflators, published in December 2012. These were the latest available deflators at the time of calculation on 20 February 2013. It should be noted that the 2012-13 deflator is based on OBR forecast data from the UK Government Autumn Statement, December 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-02-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T15:39:21.253","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281767,"EventID":"S4O-01836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-21T16:29:49.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-18T12:06:45.48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what educational opportunities there are for people who have retired.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:29:49.02","MeetingDate":"2013-02-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281771,"EventID":"S4W-13214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-21T16:50:58.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T15:21:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many older people are registered as carers, broken down by age group.","AnswerText":"There is no national registration for Carers although some GP practices will keep local registers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:50:58.583","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281772,"EventID":"S4W-13215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-21T16:50:59.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T15:21:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what quantity of drugs has been seized in each prison in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe following table illustrates the number of suspected drug finds recorded in each year since 2008 broken down by establishment. SPS does not carry out analysis on substances found, and is not always advised of the outcomes of such analysis.\r\nEstablishment\r\n2012\r\n2011\r\n2010\r\n2009\r\n2008\r\nAberdeen\r\n77\r\n98\r\n108\r\n139\r\n89\r\nAddiewell\r\n465\r\n297\r\n275\r\n233\r\n0\r\nBarlinnie\r\n208\r\n225\r\n208\r\n272\r\n303\r\nCornton Vale\r\n52\r\n81\r\n119\r\n121\r\n117\r\nDumfries\r\n26\r\n26\r\n20\r\n14\r\n36\r\nEdinburgh\r\n208\r\n213\r\n255\r\n250\r\n316\r\nGlenochil\r\n114\r\n117\r\n134\r\n132\r\n133\r\nGreenock\r\n52\r\n77\r\n91\r\n64\r\n83\r\nInverness\r\n36\r\n6\r\n12\r\n21\r\n14\r\nKilmarnock\r\n252\r\n225\r\n194\r\n195\r\n298\r\nLow Moss\r\n90\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSPS Open Estate\r\n30\r\n26\r\n38\r\n54\r\n64\r\nPerth\r\n111\r\n106\r\n122\r\n137\r\n145\r\nPeterhead\r\n28\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\nPolmont\r\n64\r\n116\r\n89\r\n124\r\n135\r\nShotts\r\n136\r\n95\r\n121\r\n109\r\n113\r\nTotals\r\n1949\r\n1708\r\n1787\r\n1865\r\n1848\r\nHMP Addiewell opened December 2008\r\nHMP Low Moss Closed April 2007 – re-opening March 2012\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:50:59.41","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281773,"EventID":"S4W-13216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-21T16:50:59.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T15:21:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been (a) charged and (b) convicted for possession of crystal methamphetamine in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.\r\n","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the following tables and is based on drug possession offences that have an offence modifier for methamphetamines recorded.\r\nPersons proceeded against for drug possession1 with an offence modifier for methylamphetamine recorded, by approximate local authority area2, 2007-08 to 2011-12.\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nDundee City\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nGlasgow City\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nHighland\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\nMoray\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStirling\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nScotland\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n3\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.\r\n\r\nPersons with a charge proved for drug possession1 with an offence modifier for methylamphetamine recorded, by approximate local authority area2, 2007-08 to 2011-12.\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nDundee City\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nGlasgow City\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nHighland\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\nMoray\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStirling\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nScotland\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n3\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.\r\n1. Where main offence.\r\n2. Based on an approximate mapping of sheriff courts to local authority areas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:50:59.8","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281774,"EventID":"S4W-13217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-21T16:51:00.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T15:47:05.4","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many serious disrepair notices have been placed on buildings in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is a matter for local authorities. Buildings in a state of disrepair could have defective or dangerous building notices issued by individual local authorities, and limited information should be available on each authority’s online Building Standards Register.\r\nWe do not hold records going back to 1999. However, in the year 2010-11 the Building Standards Annual Return shows 96 notices were served on owners of defective buildings, and in 2011-12 there were 206 notices served.\r\nThe Annual Return also shows there were 187 dangerous buildings notices served on owners in 2010-11 and 212 notices were served in 2011-12.\r\nA breakdown by local authority is given in the following table. \r\nLocal Authority\r\nNo of defective notices issued 2010-11\r\nNo of defective notices issued 2011-12\r\nNo of dangerous notices issued 2010-11\r\nNo of dangerous notices issued 2011-12\r\nAberdeen City\r\n4\r\n3\r\n6\r\n7\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n15\r\n9\r\nAngus\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n5\r\n14\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n5\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n1\r\nDundee City\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n7\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n6\r\n15\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\nEast Lothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n2\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0\r\n157\r\n6\r\n0\r\nFalkirk\r\n0\r\n2\r\n5\r\n8\r\nFife\r\n0\r\n0\r\n8\r\n0\r\nGlasgow City\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n4\r\nHighland\r\n13\r\n3\r\n18\r\n2\r\nInverclyde\r\n2\r\n1\r\n4\r\n7\r\nMidlothian\r\n7\r\n3\r\n21\r\n10\r\nMoray\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n6\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n6\r\n10\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n24\r\n14\r\n17\r\n29\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n3\r\n3\r\n5\r\n0\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n25\r\n0\r\n10\r\n18\r\nScottish Borders\r\n17\r\n12\r\n9\r\n10\r\nShetland Islands\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n1\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n4\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n0\r\n1\r\n8\r\n14\r\nStirling\r\n0\r\n1\r\n3\r\n7\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\nWest Lothian\r\n1\r\n2\r\n18\r\n20\r\nScotland\r\n96\r\n206\r\n187\r\n212\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:51:00.157","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281775,"EventID":"S4W-13218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-21T16:51:00.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T15:47:05.4","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many compulsory purchase orders have been issued for buildings in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government holds information on those compulsory purchase orders submitted to Scottish Ministers as the confirming authority. We do not hold information on those orders instigated by a local authority but not submitted for confirmation or on the outcome of the order following confirmation by ministers.\r\nThe following table shows all compulsory purchase orders confirmed by the Scottish Ministers from 1999 to 2013 where the local authority was the acquiring authority.\r\n\r\nLocal authority\r\n1999\r\n2000\r\n2001\r\n2002\r\n2003\r\n2004\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\nAberdeen\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n3\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nAngus\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDundee\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Lothian\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEdinburgh\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEilean Siar\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFalkirk\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFife\r\n1\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nGlasgow\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHighland\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nInverclyde\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n3\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMidlothian \r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMoray\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOrkney\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nScottish Borders\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nShetland\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\nStirling \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWest Lothian\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nLocal authority\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\nAberdeen\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAngus\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDundee\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Lothian\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEdinburgh\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nEilean Siar\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFalkirk\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nFife\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nGlasgow\r\n\r\n1\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHighland\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nInverclyde\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMidlothian \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMoray\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOrkney\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nScottish Borders\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n2\r\n\r\nShetland\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStirling \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWest Lothian\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:51:00.5","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281776,"EventID":"S4W-13219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-21T16:51:00.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T15:47:05.4","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many buildings are at risk, broken down by local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"The table breaks down buildings on the register of Buildings at Risk by Category of Listing and Local Authority Area as at December 2012.\r\nLocal Authority\r\nA-Listed\r\nB-Listed\r\nC-Listed\r\nUnlisted in CA\r\nUnlisted\r\nTotal\r\nAberdeen City\r\n20\r\n4\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n25\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n22\r\n120\r\n61\r\n34\r\n45\r\n282\r\nAngus\r\n12\r\n28\r\n25\r\n9\r\n15\r\n89\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n29\r\n93\r\n42\r\n49\r\n38\r\n251\r\nAyrshire (East)\r\n6\r\n19\r\n13\r\n20\r\n9\r\n67\r\nAyrshire (North)\r\n3\r\n19\r\n10\r\n14\r\n0\r\n46\r\nAyrshire (South)\r\n13\r\n20\r\n15\r\n16\r\n7\r\n71\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\n42\r\n36\r\n20\r\n14\r\n0\r\n112\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0\r\n8\r\n5\r\n1\r\n3\r\n17\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n30\r\n34\r\n5\r\n8\r\n7\r\n84\r\nDunbartonshire (East)\r\n3\r\n10\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n14\r\nDunbartonshire (West)\r\n7\r\n6\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n15\r\nDundee City\r\n15\r\n33\r\n4\r\n7\r\n3\r\n62\r\nFalkirk\r\n3\r\n13\r\n5\r\n3\r\n2\r\n26\r\nFife\r\n17\r\n111\r\n54\r\n30\r\n14\r\n226\r\nGlasgow City\r\n44\r\n76\r\n22\r\n5\r\n5\r\n152\r\nHighland\r\n19\r\n62\r\n28\r\n14\r\n37\r\n160\r\nInverclyde\r\n4\r\n11\r\n0\r\n2\r\n3\r\n20\r\nLanarkshire (North)\r\n2\r\n16\r\n11\r\n3\r\n7\r\n39\r\nLanarkshire (South)\r\n18\r\n36\r\n12\r\n29\r\n10\r\n105\r\nLoch Lomond & TTNP\r\n4\r\n2\r\n11\r\n1\r\n6\r\n24\r\nLothian (East)\r\n20\r\n41\r\n14\r\n16\r\n0\r\n91\r\nLothian (Mid)\r\n11\r\n10\r\n9\r\n8\r\n5\r\n43\r\nLothian (West)\r\n3\r\n10\r\n13\r\n7\r\n5\r\n38\r\nMoray\r\n19\r\n29\r\n14\r\n10\r\n16\r\n88\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n3\r\n41\r\n23\r\n0\r\n14\r\n81\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n16\r\n53\r\n16\r\n10\r\n8\r\n103\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n4\r\n27\r\n5\r\n3\r\n3\r\n42\r\nRenfrewshire (East)\r\n5\r\n4\r\n0\r\n0\r\n6\r\n15\r\nScottish Borders\r\n25\r\n69\r\n45\r\n42\r\n11\r\n192\r\nShetland Islands\r\n4\r\n14\r\n9\r\n0\r\n1\r\n28\r\nStirling\r\n8\r\n20\r\n7\r\n6\r\n4\r\n45\r\nWestern Isles\r\n13\r\n29\r\n12\r\n12\r\n8\r\n74\r\nTotal\r\n444\r\n1104\r\n512\r\n373\r\n294\r\n2727\r\nThe Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland records only properties of architectural or historic merit throughout the country that are considered to be at risk or under threat. It was established in 1990 and is funded and managed by Historic Scotland. A Building at Risk (BAR) refers to a listed building, or an unlisted building within a conservation area, that meets one or several of the following criteria:\r\nVacant with no identified new use \r\nSuffering from neglect and/or poor maintenance \r\nSuffering from structural problems \r\nFire-damaged \r\nUnsecured \r\nOpen to the elements \r\nThreatened with demolition\r\nIndividual building entries are available online and can be viewed by the public at www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk. The aggregate data in the table are not available online. Interpreting the BAR data is not straightforward as it serves a variety of purposes for a variety of audiences. Specifically, for these purposes, there is a difference between a list entry and a listed building: list entries can include more than one building. For example, Great King Street in Edinburgh is covered by four list entries, but comprises many more listed buildings.\r\nThe Buildings at Risk Register is also used to derive the calculation of the National performance Indicator Number 42, the percentage of A-listed buildings on the Buildings at Risk Register, based on “entries”. As judged by this indicator, analysis over the period 2008 to 2013 shows a general improvement in the state of Scotland's Historic sites with 8.0% of A-list entries included in the register in 2013, compared to 8.2% in 2011 and 8.7% in 2009.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-07T16:51:00.877","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281781,"EventID":"S4W-13220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-22T13:37:06.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T16:17:58.253","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the review of Passengers’ View Scotland will be (a) concluded and (b) published.","AnswerText":"I have now concluded my consideration of the future of the Public Transport Users’ Committee for Scotland (PTUC) which operates under the name of Passenger Views Scotland (PVS) and the members have been informed of my decision to close the PTUC down from 1 April 2013.\r\nThe arms-length review of the PTUC featured in my considerations and was passed to the members of the body in January 2013 with the offer of a discussion with the author of the review. It is my intention to publish the review in March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:37:06.983","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281782,"EventID":"S4W-13221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-22T13:37:07.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T16:17:58.253","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the recommendations are of the review of Passengers’ View Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have now concluded my consideration of the future of the Public Transport Users’ Committee for Scotland (PTUC) which operates under the name of Passenger Views Scotland (PVS) and the members have been informed of my decision to close the PTUC down from 1 April 2013.\r\nThe report of the arms-length review of Passenger View Scotland (PVS), including recommendations made by the author of the report, will be published on the Transport Scotland website in March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:37:07.42","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281783,"EventID":"S4W-13222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-22T13:37:07.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T16:17:58.253","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the review of Passengers’ View Scotland has taken account of the Bus Passengers’ Platform and its statutory functions.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have now concluded my consideration of the future of the Public Transport Users’ Committee for Scotland (PTUC) which operates under the name of Passenger Views Scotland (PVS) and the members have been informed of my decision to close the PTUC down from 1 April 2013.\r\nThe arms-length review of PVS covered all of its functions including those undertaken by the Bus Passenger Platform.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:37:07.763","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281784,"EventID":"S4W-13224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-22T13:37:08.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T16:17:58.253","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions the Minister for Transport and Veterans will take in relation to the appointment of members of the board of Passengers’ View Scotland.","AnswerText":"I have now concluded my consideration of the future of the Public Transport Users’ Committee for Scotland (PTUC) which operates under the name of Passenger Views Scotland (PVS) and the members have been informed of my decision to close the PTUC down with effect from 1 April 2013.\r\nAll but one of the terms of appointment for the current members of Passengers’ View Scotland come to an end on 31 March 2013. The remaining member’s appointment will also come to an end due to the removal of functions from the PTUC on 1 April 2013. Thereafter no further action on appointments need be taken.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:37:08.137","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281785,"EventID":"S4W-13225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-22T13:37:08.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T17:49:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-06591 by Keith Brown on 30 April 2012, whether it has identified issues relating to the operation of private car parks that it can review.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government are aware that there are potential issues relating to private parking enforcement and dispute resolution. Officials are engaging with stakeholders to explore how these could best be overcome.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:37:08.51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281786,"EventID":"S4W-13226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-22T13:37:08.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T17:49:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that school places are available for children re-entering the country after a period living abroad.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have a legal responsibility to provide adequate and efficient education to those residing in their area. This would include the children of families taking up residence after a period of living abroad.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:37:08.807","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281787,"EventID":"S4W-13227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-22T13:37:09.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T17:49:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what public information is made available to promote energy efficiency schemes and how the public can distinguish between Scottish Government-supported initiatives and independent schemes.\r\n","AnswerText":"Schemes supported by the Scottish Government are required to display the Scottish Government logo prominently as a condition of grant.\r\nScottish Government’s home energy efficiency advice and schemes, such as the Energy Assistance Package and Universal Home Insulation Schemes are promoted under the banner of the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland Hotline. This is the single source of energy advice from the Scottish Government and the route to access all SG support. Since 2009-10, the Hotline and assistance available through it have been promoted in national public information campaigns incorporating TV, radio, press, direct mailing, digital, partnerships and localised promotions such as events and community liaison. Further information about schemes and details of how to get in touch/apply are available on the Scottish Government’s own website Greenerscotland.org and on Energy Saving Trust’s website, which is clearly co-branded with the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T13:37:09.103","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281788,"EventID":"S4W-13228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-22T15:33:16.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-22T12:50:46.803","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each local authority spends on school meals and what the average cost is per meal.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table shows gross revenue expenditure and average expenditure per meal by local authorities on school meal provision in financial year 2010-11.\r\nLocal Authority\r\nGross Expenditure £'000s\r\nCost Per School Meal (£:p)\r\nAberdeen City\r\n4,342\r\n2.69\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n4,863\r\n1.68\r\nAngus\r\n2,706\r\n2.38\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n3,947\r\n4.01\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n1,555\r\n2.16\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n5,532\r\n3.40\r\nDundee City\r\n3,057\r\n2.40\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n3,643\r\n2.83\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n3,954\r\n2.88\r\nEast Lothian\r\n2,655\r\n3.13\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n3,464\r\n3.38\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n4,680\r\n2.25\r\nEilean Siar\r\n1,926\r\n4.50\r\nFalkirk\r\n4,102\r\n1.96\r\nFife\r\n11,128\r\n3.30\r\nGlasgow City\r\n17,317\r\n2.72\r\nHighland\r\n9,513\r\n3.33\r\nInverclyde\r\n2,499\r\n2.63\r\nMidlothian\r\n3,449\r\n3.76\r\nMoray\r\n3,835\r\n3.29\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n6,035\r\n3.87\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n12,040\r\n3.56\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n1,447\r\n5.04\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n2,678\r\n1.92\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n2,582\r\n1.91\r\nScottish Borders\r\n2,993\r\n3.02\r\nShetland Islands\r\n2,309\r\n5.29\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n3,251\r\n2.24\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n9,322\r\n2.35\r\nStirling\r\n2,128\r\n2.39\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n3,761\r\n3.72\r\nWest Lothian\r\n4,685\r\n2.79\r\nScotland - average\r\n151,398\r\n2.83\r\nSource: Local Financial Returns (LFR 01).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-08T15:33:16.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281796,"EventID":"S4F-01198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T13:05:56.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T14:25:52.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime Minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T13:05:56.78","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281797,"EventID":"S4F-01200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T13:05:57.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T02:45:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what impact the reported 30-year high in North Sea oil investment will have on the Scottish economy.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T13:05:57.577","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281798,"EventID":"S4F-01203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T13:05:58.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T09:27:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the impact will be on the Scottish economy of the downgrading of the UK Government’s bond rating.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T13:05:58.793","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281799,"EventID":"S4F-01206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T13:05:59.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T10:22:17.457","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T13:05:59.87","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281800,"EventID":"S4F-01208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T13:06:00.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T10:42:46.41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to address concerns expressed by teachers in an EIS survey on readiness for the new national qualifications.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T13:06:00.617","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281801,"EventID":"S4F-01213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T13:06:02.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T11:20:24.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action is being taken to reduce the cost of NHS medical negligence claims.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T13:06:02.427","MeetingDate":"2013-02-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281802,"EventID":"S4T-00260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T13:06:27.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T11:38:13.207","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on addressing concerns regarding horsemeat in the food chain. \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T13:06:27.567","MeetingDate":"2013-02-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281803,"EventID":"S4T-00263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T13:06:28.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T11:55:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role it has in the production of Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s inspection reports into the care of older people.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T13:06:28.77","MeetingDate":"2013-02-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281804,"EventID":"S4W-13229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T15:21:12.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-22T15:05:55.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on (a) hospital and (b) GP appointments being overbooked.\r\n","AnswerText":"Organising appointments and scheduling admissions to hospital is an operational matter for NHS boards. It has always been common practice to slightly overbook outpatient clinics to take account of the small number of patients who may not turn up on the day. This ensures that the most efficient use of clinical resources and ensure that all patients are seen as swiftly as possible.\r\nAs independent contractors, GP practice partners are responsible for designing their own practice appointment systems to meet their service obligations. They are also responsible for ensuring that their reception staff are fully trained in prioritising appointment requests and making such bookings appropriately in accordance with practice procedures.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:21:12.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281805,"EventID":"S4W-13230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T15:21:12.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-22T15:05:55.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether foreign language interpreters are paid when a patient requiring the service does not attend.\r\n","AnswerText":"Under local arrangements for interpreting services NHS boards will agree a minimum fee to be paid to the interpreter in the event that the patient does not attend.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:21:12.86","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281806,"EventID":"S4W-13231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T15:21:13.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-22T15:05:55.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote choice for patients booking hospital outpatient appointments.\r\n","AnswerText":"Effective Patient Booking for NHS Scotland was issued by the Scottish Government in August 2012. This guidance promotes and identifies how NHS Boards should apply the principles of effective patient focussed booking practice consistently to offer appointment choice for patients throughout Scotland.\r\nIn addition, further guidance has also been provided to boards in the attached link:\r\nwww.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_33.pdf. which sets out some of the other key principles of patient choice including such areas as suitable alternative providers and reasonable offers of appointments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:21:13.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281807,"EventID":"S4W-13235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T15:21:13.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T02:11:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what organisations have received funding from the £300,000 it announced on 21 January 2013 for advice services dealing with requests for advice due to the UK Government’s welfare reforms; how much each has received; for what purpose in each case, and what regions will receive support from the fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"The organisations that have received funding from the £300,000 announced on 21 January operate across Scotland. This funding is intended to relieve immediate pressure on advice organisations that are experiencing increased demands on their services as a result of the UK Government’s welfare reforms. \r\nThe breakdown of funding that has been allocated is detailed in the following table.\r\nOrganisation\r\nAmount\r\nPurpose\r\nCAS\r\n£157,532\r\n\r\nRegional Seminars focusing on changes to the welfare system for CAB managers \r\nLocal Bureaux awareness raising sessions in relation to welfare benefits and changes to the welfare system \r\nCapability Scotland\r\n£9,018\r\n\r\nAdditional training and resources for frontline advice and support services in relation to welfare benefits\r\nOne Parent Families Scotland\r\n£19,000\r\n\r\nGeneral welfare reform and Universal Credit sessions for staff to help them advise lone parents. \r\nTraining for staff on the new Child Maintenance scheme.\r\nShelter Scotland\r\n£11,160\r\n\r\nAdditional training and resources for frontline advice and support services in relation to welfare benefits\r\nAge Scotland\r\n£5,700\r\n\r\nAdditional training and resources for frontline advice and support services in relation to welfare benefits\r\nMoney Advice Scotland\r\n£18,950\r\n\r\nUpskill debt advisers on the implications of welfare reform through regional seminars  \r\nEnable\r\n£8,856\r\n\r\nAdditional training and resources for frontline advice and support services in relation to welfare benefits\r\nChild Poverty Action Group\r\n£39,284\r\n\r\nProduce Universal Credit Handbooks for general advisers\r\nGeneral awareness training for national organisations in relation to welfare benefits and changes to the welfare system\r\nWelfare related training for front line staff\r\nChild Poverty Action Group\r\n£14,059  \r\nDelivery of relevant welfare benefits advice and training for front-line staff, specialising in children related issues.\r\nBarnardos\r\n£8,903\r\nProviding relevant welfare benefits advice and training for front-line staff, specialising in children related issues.\r\nChildren 1st\r\n£7,538\r\nProviding relevant welfare benefits advice and training for front-line staff, specialising in children related issues.\r\nTotal\r\n£300,000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:21:13.483","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281808,"EventID":"S4W-13236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T15:21:13.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T02:11:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the £1.7 million it announced on 21 January 2013 to provide support to advice services dealing with requests for advice due to the UK Government’s welfare reforms will be distributed; what criteria will be used to distribute it, and for what time period the fund will be available.","AnswerText":"On 21 January, I announced a £5.4 million package of support for advice services, of which £1.7 million will be distributed by the Scottish Legal Aid Board. This funding will be available in financial year 2013-14. We are working with stakeholders on the detailed arrangements for this funding, including the application process and criteria, and further information will be made widely available as soon as the arrangements have been finalised.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:21:13.827","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281809,"EventID":"S4W-13237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T15:21:14.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-24T14:51:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what company provides occupational health services to Scottish Government employees.","AnswerText":"Following a collaborative procurement exercise, Atos Healthcare has been awarded the contract to deliver Occupational Health Services to the Central Government sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:21:14.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281810,"EventID":"S4W-13238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T15:21:14.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T09:24:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has been given an estimate of the \"real investment/project costs\" required to address NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s maintenance backlog, as per page 13 of its Property Asset Management Strategy published in August 2011 and, if so, what that figure is.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has not provided Scottish Government with an estimate of the project cost to address back log maintenance identified in the Board’s Property and Asset Management Strategy.\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is responsible for developing its capital investment programme which is subject to Scottish Government agreement through the local delivery plan approval process. The plan would include projects which address backlog maintenance, through a combination of replacement, rationalisation and disposal of properties as well as refurbishment.\r\nIt is expected that NHS boards will focus on high and significant risk backlog maintenance. This will be assessed through updated NHS board property and asset management strategies which NHS boards will be submitting to Scottish Government shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:21:14.513","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281811,"EventID":"S4W-13239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T15:21:15.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T11:04:36.537","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to research by Professor Gordon Hughes of the University of Edinburgh that found that wind turbine efficiency drops by half after 15 years in service.\r\n","AnswerText":"We believe the analysis by Professor Hughes to be fundamentally flawed and based upon a fallacy that wind turbines that are already approaching 15 years of operation could be considered to “represent a relatively mature technology”. By definition turbines that are approaching 15 years of operation were deployed 15 years ago, precisely when the technology was still at early maturity.\r\nAcross the UK, projects in the tenth year of operation represent a maximum of 8.4% of all turbines, and the data behind the projects in the fifteenth year of operation, just 3.6%.\r\nAnalysis from independent sector experts Bloomberg New Energy Finance points to four main stages of evolution of turbine technology with earlier models seeing an acknowledged degradation in performance over time. The cause of this degradation varied but included grid incompatibly and mechanical issues such as gearbox problems. However, as the technology has evolved such failings have been addressed and overcome. Modern turbines increasingly use gearless direct drive mechanisms and have greater performance, efficiency and operational availability.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:21:15.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281812,"EventID":"S4W-13240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T15:21:16.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T11:04:36.537","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will adjust its energy policy in light of research by Professor Gordon Hughes of the University of Edinburgh, which found decreasing load factors on ageing wind turbines.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13239 on 19 March 2013, in which I stated that we believe the research to be fundamentally flawed. We therefore do not propose changing energy policy in light of this research.\r\nWhile wind will play a key role, the Scottish Government is committed to a mix of sources of electricity. Renewable energy supports 11,000 jobs in Scotland and last year renewable generation contributed a greater proportion of Scotland’s electricity than ever before.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:21:16.137","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281813,"EventID":"S4W-13242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T15:21:16.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T11:49:29.067","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what ways it does not yet comply with the EU directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting victims (2011/36/EU).","AnswerText":"Along with the other jurisdictions that comprise the UK the Scottish Government is required to be compliant with this Directive by 6 April 2013. I consider that Scotland is already broadly compliant with the requirements of the Directive, but the Scottish Government is considering whether any final measures may be required to transpose the obligations of this Directive into domestic legislation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:21:16.48","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281814,"EventID":"S4W-13243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T15:21:16.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T11:49:29.067","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what ways it does not yet comply with the EU directive on combating sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and pornography.","AnswerText":"Along with the other jurisdictions that comprise the UK, the Scottish Government is required to be compliant with this Directive by 18 December 2013. I consider that Scotland is already broadly compliant with the requirements of the Directive but the Scottish Government is currently considering whether any further measures may be required to transpose the obligations of this Directive into domestic legislation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:21:16.773","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281815,"EventID":"S4W-13244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T15:21:17.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:35:30.537","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12993 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 February 2013, for what reason copies of the document were provided to The Sun and BBC Scotland prior to it being made available to all members and on what date it provided copies to (a) The Sun, (b) BBC Scotland, (c) the Presiding Officer and (d) the Referendum Bill Committee.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12993 on 25 February 2013. BBC Scotland was provided with a copy of the document on 4 February 2013 under embargo until 5 February. The Sun was not provided with a copy of the document in advance of its publication. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T15:21:17.087","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281825,"EventID":"S4W-13246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T16:48:19.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T13:29:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that people in receipt of payment from the Independent Living Fund will not be disadvantaged when the fund is devolved in 2015.\r\n","AnswerText":"The UK Government has decided to close the Independent Living Fund (ILF) in March 2015. After this point, Westminster will devolve resources to the Scottish Government.\r\nThe Scottish Government intend to launch a consultation on the future use and administration of this resource, which will give people the opportunity to offer their views on how this can be achieved.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T16:48:19.87","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281826,"EventID":"S4W-13247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T16:48:20.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T13:29:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will increase payments from the Independent Living Fund in line with inflation when the fund is devolved in 2015.\r\n","AnswerText":"The UK Government has decided to close the ILF in March 2015. The UK Government has not given details of a final financial settlement in which resources will be devolved to the Scottish Government.\r\nThe Scottish Government will consult on the use and administration of this resource. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T16:48:20.463","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281827,"EventID":"S4W-13251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T16:48:20.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T13:38:32.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the lease held by the crofters on Raasay to manage fishing and shooting on the island was due to end.","AnswerText":"The lease for the Raasay sporting rights held by the Raasay Crofters Association expired on 28 November 2012 and a notice to quit was issued on 1 November 2011. However, as the First Minister announced on 28 February, the notice to quit has been revoked and the existing terms of the original lease have been rolled forward so that the lease will end on 1 March 2014. As I have stated to the community this will allow for consultation with the community on Raasay as to the future model of management of sporting rights that will optimise the community benefit to the islanders\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T16:48:20.79","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281828,"EventID":"S4W-13252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T16:48:21.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T13:38:32.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the decision was taken to put out to tender the lease to manage fishing and shooting on Raasay and whether authorisation was sought from ministers.","AnswerText":"Under normal estate management practice, sporting rights have been advertised on the open market at the end point of a current lease. The Raasay sporting rights were advertised for let during the weeks of 19 and 26 November 2012. It is not standard practice to consult ministers for low financial value leases such as this and they were therefore not consulted.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T16:48:21.12","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281829,"EventID":"S4W-13253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T16:48:21.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T13:38:32.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its officials told the crofters on Raasay about the consideration that would be given to tenders received for the lease to manage shooting and fishing on the island.","AnswerText":"Notice to Quit was issued to the Raasay Crofters Association on 1 November 2011. The duplicate Notice was signed by the Association on 25 November 2011 and returned as acknowledgement of receipt. No further contact was made by the Association throughout the year until receipt of their offer for the new lease on 14 December 2012.\r\nOn 10 January 2013 the Association called the Scottish Government to discuss its bid. The caller was informed that letters had been issued, the Association had been unsuccessful in its bid and that it was lowest of five offers received. Following receipt of the aforementioned letter, the Association telephoned again outlining its concerns. We asked the Association to make its representations in writing so we could address them fully. \r\nThe Particulars of Let attached to the tender clearly stated that the highest or any offer may not be accepted. Ministers were not involved in the award of the contract to South Ayrshire Stalking.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T16:48:21.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281830,"EventID":"S4W-13254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T16:48:22.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T13:38:32.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discretion it has to consider actions other than sale or lease for land that it owns.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have most of the freedoms of private landowners. In addition to selling or leasing, the Scottish Government can grant servitudes, way-leaves and licences over land it owns, for example for access, pipe-lines and cables. Normally the Scottish Government does not lease property it owns to third parties, but there are clear exceptions rooted in history such as the crofting estate and the residual lowland estate of small-holdings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T16:48:22.29","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281831,"EventID":"S4W-13255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T16:48:22.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T13:38:32.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it gave to its policies on (a) community empowerment and renewal, (b) the transfer of assets to community organisations, (c) the support of communities identified as fragile by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and (d) land reform, in deciding to award the lease to manage shooting and fishing on Raasay to a company not owned by the islanders.","AnswerText":"The original award decision taken by RPID on behalf of Ministers, but without ministerial involvement, was based on the highest rental value for the sporting rights, taking account of a basic quality test that the new leaseholder would be capable of managing the sport and providing benefit to the local community (holiday lets, trade to shops etc.), and their ability to meet the terms of the twenty-nine conditions laid down in the particulars of let.\r\nWhen I was alerted to the decision by the constituency member, Mr Dave Thompson MSP, I quickly concluded that insufficient consideration had been given to non-financial issues and wider Scottish Government policies, leading ultimately to the reversal of the original contract decision and the previous lease being extended for one year to facilitate the identification of a longer term solution. As discussed when I met the Crofters and wider community on Raasay on 1 March, the longer term future of the lease itself will be determined following a consultation with the community and taking account of these wider factors to determine what is in the best interests of the community.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T16:48:22.633","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281832,"EventID":"S4W-13256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T16:48:23.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T13:38:32.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what factors it assessed to decide whether best value was achieved in the decision to award the lease to manage shooting and fishing on Raasay to a company from Ayrshire and what weighting it gave to each factor considered.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13255 on 8 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T16:48:23.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281833,"EventID":"S4W-13257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T16:48:23.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T13:41:22.99","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the commitment made by the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department in 1999 to \"take account of the local community perspective when considering offers for sporting rights on the Scottish Ministers' Estates\" is still in force.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is standard practice for the principles behind the Estate’s Charter to be taken into account, when managing the Scottish Ministers’ estate, alongside other Scottish Government policies and the requirements of the Scottish Public Finance Manual.\r\nIn light of the concerns expressed by the community on Raasay, I have instructed officials that any future cases where a community faces a potential loss of historic sporting rights will be referred to Ministers, taking into account the requirements of the Scottish Public Finance Manual.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T16:48:23.77","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281834,"EventID":"S4W-13258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T16:48:24.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T14:05:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police traffic vehicles there are and how many there will be after the single police force comes into operation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the requested information. This is a matter for the current eight police forces up until 31 March 2013, and for the Police Service of Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority from the 1 April 2013 onwards.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T16:48:24.1","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281835,"EventID":"S4W-13259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T16:48:24.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T14:06:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to replace the services and data formerly provided by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.","AnswerText":"The Vehicle Operator Services Agency no longer provides on-street monitoring of bus services but, as part of visits to operators, ensures that effective punctuality processes are in place.\r\nTransport Scotland officials are in discussions with Bus Users UK about establishing arrangements in Scotland to conduct on-street monitoring.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T16:48:24.41","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281836,"EventID":"S4W-13260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T16:48:24.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T14:36:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a process will be in place for determining funding allocations to local authorities for flooding projects after 2015 and what organisations it plans to involve in this process.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in discussion with COSLA to agree the principles and process for a funding scheme for flooding projects after 2015. The next meeting between COSLA and Scottish Government officials will take place on 3 April 2013.\r\n\r\nAll funding allocations for the next round of flooding projects are, at present, dependent on decisions taken following the outcome of the UK Government's forthcoming Spending Review.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T16:48:24.787","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281837,"EventID":"S4W-13266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-25T16:48:25.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T15:54:30.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place to factor its crofting estate and related assets on Raasay; when any such factoring arrangements were last put out to competitive tender, and what plans there are to put such work out to tender again.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Rural Payments and Inspections Division does all the factoring of the Scottish Ministers’ crofting estate. This work has never been put out to tender and there are no plans to do so.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-11T16:48:25.113","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281848,"EventID":"S4W-13202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:23.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T13:13:48.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether spinal surgery is subject to a waiting times guarantee and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"Spinal treatment is one of a small number of exceptions to the Treatment Time Guarantee, which came into effect on 1 October 2012. This was because at the time of taking the legislation through Parliament it was clear that there was significant capacity issues around spinal services and that Boards would need more time to improve these services to fully comply with the legal guarantee. Boards are now actively working to put the necessary capacity in place to deliver the 12 weeks legal treatment time guarantee. The aim is to remove this exception within the next year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:23.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281849,"EventID":"S4W-13203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:24.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T13:13:48.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards provide access to spinal surgery.\r\n","AnswerText":"During the year 2011-2012 all boards with the exception of NHS Western Isles and NHS Orkney undertook spinal surgery.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:24.503","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281850,"EventID":"S4W-13204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:25.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T13:13:48.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government where NHS Ayrshire and Arran patients attend spinal surgery.\r\n","AnswerText":"During the year 2011-2012 most Ayrshire and Arran spinal surgery patients were seen in their local hospitals with some patients being treated in either the Southern General Hospital or Golden Jubilee National Hospital.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:25.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281851,"EventID":"S4W-13205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:25.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T13:13:48.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Golden Jubilee National Hospital has used non-NHS surgeons to carry out spinal surgery since 2007 and, if so, what the cost was.\r\n","AnswerText":"No, the Golden Jubilee National Hospital has only used NHS consultants to carry out spinal surgery.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:25.83","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281852,"EventID":"S4W-13206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:26.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T13:24:26.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12472 by Michael Matheson on 31 January 2013, whether the SDS Programme board has made a recommendation on the commencement of the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013.","AnswerText":"The SDS Programme Board has made a recommendation of 01 April 2014 as the target commencement date for the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013. I have approved this as the target commencement date for the Act.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:26.563","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281853,"EventID":"S4W-13207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:27.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T13:24:26.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what proportion of transitional costs for self-directed support has been spent on (a) staffing and (b) services.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. It is a matter for each local authority to decide how they will spend their transformation funding.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:27.297","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281854,"EventID":"S4W-13208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:28.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T13:24:26.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is less funding in 2014-15 to assist local authorities with the implementation of self-directed support.","AnswerText":"The transformation funding, provided on a short term basis, has been allocated over a three year period between 2012-2015. The higher level of funding in the year 2013-2014 was intended to take into account the likely commencement of the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:28.31","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281855,"EventID":"S4W-13209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:28.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T13:24:26.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12473 by Michael Matheson on 31 January 2013, whether it will publish (a) national and (b) local implementation plans for self-directed support.\r\n","AnswerText":"The national strategy for Self Directed Support was launched on 23 November 2010. It sets out a 10 year vision which aims to give people more choice and control over their health and social care and support.\r\nThe publication of local self-directed support implementation plans is a local authority matter and is a decision to be made at a local level. Information regarding local implementation plans has been provided to the Scottish Government via the local authority Self-directed Support “stock take” questionnaire.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:28.87","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281856,"EventID":"S4W-13210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:29.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T13:24:26.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12476 by Michael Matheson on 31 January 2013, for what reason there is no single common assessment for self-directed support across local authorities.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have a duty under section 12A of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to assess a person’s social care needs. Following the commencement of the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 local authorities will be required to offer the four self-directed support options to anyone assessed as eligible for social care.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:29.497","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281857,"EventID":"S4W-13211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:30.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T13:24:26.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12477 by Michael Matheson on 31 January 2013, whether the regulations will remove all existing charges for support services and what assessment has been made of the cost.","AnswerText":"Charges for support to carers will be waived when the Regulations under the Self-directed Support (Scotland) Act 2013 come into force on 1 April 2014. This means that from that date any existing charges being made now for support provided to carers by local authorities will cease.\r\nThe vast majority of local authorities do not currently seek a contribution from carers for direct support provided to carers. In most cases, carers benefit from services put in place for the cared-for person. The regulations will prevent the introduction of charges from 1 April 2014. As part of the consultation on the regulations we will be seeking further information on costs to supplement the information we have. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:30.073","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281858,"EventID":"S4W-13248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:30.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T13:29:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether everyone in Scotland directly affected by the Independent Living Fund will be invited to take part in its consultation on how the fund will operate when it is devolved in 2015.\r\n","AnswerText":"The UK Government has decided to close the ILF in March 2015. After this point, Westminster will devolve resources to the Scottish Government.\r\nAnybody with a view including those in receipt of an ILF award are invited to take part in the consultation, which amongst other formats will be available on the Scottish Government website.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:30.667","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281859,"EventID":"S4W-13249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:31.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T13:29:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its consultation on how the Independent Living Fund will operate when the fund is devolved in 2015 will consider whether it should add to the fund to enable it to be opened up to new claimants.\r\n","AnswerText":"The UK Government has decided to close the ILF in March 2015. After this point, Westminster will devolve resources to the Scottish Government.\r\nThe Scottish Government intends to launch a consultation on the future use and administration of this resource, which will give people the opportunity to offer their views on how it may be possible to open the fund up to new claimants.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:31.163","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281860,"EventID":"S4W-13250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:31.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T13:29:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether people in receipt of payment from the Independent Living Fund who are under 60 will continue to receive payments automatically if they are over 60 when the fund is devolved in 2015.\r\n","AnswerText":"The UK Government has decided to close the ILF in March 2015. After this point, Westminster will devolve resources to the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government will consult on the use and administration of this resource. No decisions on the use or administration of this resource will be made until all views from the consultation have been considered.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:31.553","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281861,"EventID":"S4W-13261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:31.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T15:53:26.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12656 by Nicola Sturgeon on 20 February 2013, which member states have responded to the Deputy First Minister’s letter.\r\n","AnswerText":"The decision to confirm that a member state had responded would be for the member state to decide.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:31.99","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281862,"EventID":"S4W-13262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:32.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T15:53:26.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it (a) sought and (b) received agreement from the European Commission for Vice-President Šefcovic's letter to the Deputy First Minister of 23 January 2013 to be published on its referendum blog.\r\n","AnswerText":"The European Commission was informed that the Scottish Government intended to publish the letter before it was released.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:32.443","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281863,"EventID":"S4W-13263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:32.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T15:53:26.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it (a) sought and (b) received agreement from the Secretary of State for Scotland for his letter to the Deputy First Minister of 15 January 2013 to be published on its referendum blog.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland was informed that the Scottish Government intended to publish the letter before it was released. The substance of the Secretary of State's response had been made available to the media the day before the Government received his letter, and did not accurately represent the Scottish Government’s proposals for preparatory discussions, as my earlier blog post of 0010 and that of 1806 on 15 January explained.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:32.817","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281864,"EventID":"S4W-13264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:33.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T15:53:26.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the First Minister’s speech to EU ambassadors on 12 February 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"No, as this was a private meeting between the First Minister and the EU ambassadors.\r\nThe Deputy First Minister made it clear that the Scottish Government is committed to continued membership of the European Union in her speech at a European Policy Centre Event in Brussels on 26 February 2013. The text of that speech can be found here:\r\nhttp://www.scotreferendum.com/2013/02/26/speech-to-european-policy-centre-in-brussels-26-february-2013/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:33.317","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281865,"EventID":"S4W-13274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:33.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T16:46:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the £20 million of funding announced on 18 February 2013 for shared equity schemes to assist first-time buyers on low to moderate incomes will be available from 1 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"Yes, the £20 million funding allocated to the Scottish Government’s Low Cost Initiative for First Time Buyers shared equity schemes will be available from 1 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:34.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281866,"EventID":"S4W-13275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:34.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T09:15:41.65","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish multiagency guidelines for frontline professionals in relation to female genital mutilation.\r\n","AnswerText":"Guidance on the legislation has already been produced and key agencies already have in place guidelines for their frontline staff. They provide information and training for staff with the aim of improving the identification and management of gender based violence including female genital mutilation. Therefore there are no plans to publish multiagency guidelines for frontline professionals.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:34.55","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281867,"EventID":"S4W-13276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:34.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T09:15:41.65","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish guidance specifically for midwives in relation to female genital mutilation\r\n","AnswerText":"Advice for midwives and other health professionals on specific issues such as Female Genital Mutilation is provided through their professional bodies. Therefore the Scottish Government does not plan to publish guidelines for midwives.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:34.923","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281868,"EventID":"S4W-13277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:35.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T10:59:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many arrests there have been at regulated football matches involving Scottish teams in each of the last three years, also broken down by charge.","AnswerText":"Information relating to arrests is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:35.283","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281869,"EventID":"S4W-13278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:35.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T10:59:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many convictions there have been under section (a) 1 and (b) 6 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"The available information as provided by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is as follows:-\r\n (a) Between 1 March 2012 and 31 December 2012 proceedings in relation to \r\n64 charges had been concluded with 54 charges convicted (84%) under section 1 of the Offensive Behaviour and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.\r\n (b) Between 1 March 2012 and 31 December 2012 proceedings in relation to 4 charges had been concluded with 1 charge convicted (25%) under section 6 of the Offensive Behaviour and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.\r\nThe figures provided have been taken from the COPFS management system, and should be regarded as provisional. COPFS uses a live operational case management system, specifically designed to receive criminal and death reports from the police and other specialist reporting agencies and to manage these cases for prosecution purposes. The information held on the system is structured for these operational needs, rather than for statistical reporting or research purposes. National Statistics on criminal proceedings and convictions will be available from the Criminal Proceedings database in November 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:35.627","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281870,"EventID":"S4W-13279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:36.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T10:59:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many charges have been brought under section (a) 1 and (b) 6 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"The available information as provided by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is as follows:-\r\n (a) Between 1 March 2012 and 31 December 2012 there were 64 charges reported to COPFS under section 1 of the Offensive Behaviour and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 in respect of cases which had completed by the latter date. An additional 154 charges were reported under section 1 in respect of cases which were not completed by 31 December 2012, giving a total of \r\n218 charges.\r\n (b) Between 1 March 2012 and 31 December 2012 there were 4 charges reported to COPFS under section 6 of the Offensive Behaviour and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 in respect of cases which had completed by the latter date. An additional 14 charges were reported under section 6 in respect of cases which were not completed by 31 December 2012, giving a total of 20 charges.\r\nThe figures provided have been taken from the COPFS management system, and should be regarded as provisional. COPFS uses a live operational case management system, specifically designed to receive criminal and death reports from the police and other specialist reporting agencies and to manage these cases for prosecution purposes. The information held on the system is structured for these operational needs, rather than for statistical reporting or research purposes. National Statistics on criminal proceedings and convictions will be available from the Criminal Proceedings database in November 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:36.033","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281871,"EventID":"S4W-13280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:36.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T10:59:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many convictions there have been for a breach of the peace relating to football in each of the last three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"There were 65, 46 and 39 convictions in 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively for a football related* breach of the peace\r\n*Football related convictions are only identifiable where a specific football aggravation has been recorded against an offence. Offence aggravations are codes which are used by the police to highlight particular circumstances relating to the incident, where this information is relevant to the reporting of the case. The figures above include 1 conviction for a breach of the peace where a football banning order aggravator was recorded in 2010-11.\r\nSource:  Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:36.453","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281872,"EventID":"S4W-13281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:36.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T10:59:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many football banning orders have been issued in each of the last three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"There were 33, 86 and 92 football banning orders issued in the calendar years 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively.\r\nSource: Scottish Football Banning Orders Authority, Football Co-ordination Unit for Scotland (FoCus).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:36.843","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281873,"EventID":"S4W-13283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:37.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T11:05:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the one-year reconviction frequency rate is following a/an (a) custodial sentence, (b) discharge from custody, (c) community service order, (d) probation order, (e) restriction of liberty order, (f) drug treatment and testing order, (g) monetary sentence and (h) other type of non-custodial sentence in each of the last five years, also broken down by local authority area.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is published as additional tables to the Reconviction Rates in Scotland: 2009-10 Offender Cohort statistical publication. These are available on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/ReconvictOffendDatasets/reconchar0809 \r\nand the relevant information is in the ‘disposals’ worksheet.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:37.217","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281874,"EventID":"S4W-13284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T13:51:37.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T11:42:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the University of Dundee research that found that bee colony collapses in the west of Scotland were at around 5% compared with 21% in the east and up to 30% in Fife.\r\n","AnswerText":"We are aware of the research recently reported from Dundee University on honey bee colony losses. Our colleagues at Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture have been working closely with Dundee University in this research. The Scottish Government contributed to funding for the Insect Pollinator Initiative of which this research forms one of the programmes. Bee colony deaths are caused by many factors and we are addressing some of these through the Honey Bee Health Strategy. As with any livestock, husbandry is a vital component of successful management and the overall health of bees is a major factor in sustaining vibrant colonies of honey bees. The Honey Bee Health Strategy is delivering outcomes by providing resources for education of beekeepers and making available good quality training facilities that will improve beekeepers knowledge and application of good husbandry practices.\r\nWe are aware of the losses quoted and in particular those from Fife. We understand that a significant bearing on some of the cases referred to in the research findings were related to specific apiary problems rather than to geographic location.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T13:51:37.577","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281881,"EventID":"S4W-13267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T16:43:35.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T16:27:41.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-12698 and S4W-12902 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 February 2013, what non-profit distributing programme forecast profile was used  in the (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14 draft budget for schools projects for (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15, broken down by (A) project, (B) amount of planned investment and (C) the anticipated start dates of the (1) procurement process and (2) construction.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13271 on 8 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T16:43:35.353","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281882,"EventID":"S4W-13269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T16:43:35.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T16:27:41.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-12698 and S4W-12903 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 February 2013, what non-profit distributing programme forecast profile was used in the (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14 draft budget for college projects for (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15, broken down by (A) project, (B) amount of planned investment and (C) the anticipated start dates of the (1) procurement process and (2) construction.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13271 on 8 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T16:43:35.76","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281883,"EventID":"S4W-13271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T16:43:36.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T16:27:41.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-12698, S4W-12909 and S4W-12910 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 February 2013, what non-profit distributing programme forecast profile was used in the (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14 draft budget for the delayed projects for (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15, broken down by (A) project, (B) amount of planned investment and (C) the anticipated start dates of the (1) procurement process and (2) construction.\r\n","AnswerText":"As set out in my response to question S4W-12698 the aggregate forecast for all Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) and hub projects, including colleges and schools, in a graph in the 2012-13 Draft Budget, was a high level estimate, and not based on agreed, detailed project milestones. As projects were subsequently developed, milestones have in many cases been refined in discussion with the relevant procuring authorities, and this was the basis for the aggregate forecast used in the graph for the 2013-14 Draft Budget.\r\nThe level of investment and milestones will continue to be estimates until projects have completed procurement, reached financial close and started construction. The most up to date estimated capital values and milestones for these projects are provided on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/IIP.\r\nIt should be noted that these NPD estimates were used for context, to provide an overall picture of capital investment, and did not feed into the detailed budget figures for either year that Parliament was scrutinising, as NPD projects are funded by Government through future revenue rather than current capital expenditure.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T16:43:36.257","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281884,"EventID":"S4W-13273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T16:43:36.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T16:27:41.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of college regionalisation has been on how (a) colleges progress capital projects and (b) (i) it, (ii) the Scottish Futures Trust and (iii) colleges progress procurement for capital projects.\r\n","AnswerText":"Regionalisation has had no impact on planned college estates projects or their progress. These continue to be delivered by individual colleges within their recently established regions.\r\nThe three NPD projects at Inverness College, City of Glasgow College and Kilmarnock College are currently in procurement and are expected to be approved within expected timescales.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T16:43:36.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281885,"EventID":"S4W-13285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T16:43:37.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T12:19:31.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12776 by Keith Brown on 20 February 2013, what the employment status was of the 35 employees made redundant; what work they did, and how many worked (a) onboard ship and (b) onshore.\r\n","AnswerText":"A voluntary severance package was made available to the employees of Cowal Ferries Ltd and employees of other companies in the David MacBrayne Group on a restricted basis. This allowed staff associated with the Cowal ferry service the opportunity to either take a redundancy package, or transfer to another position, where available, within the group.\r\nOf the 35 employees who received the severance package, 12 were vessel based, 10 were pier side employees and 13 were office based staff. All of these employees were full time permanent apart from 1 member of the office staff who was part time permanent.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T16:43:37.117","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281886,"EventID":"S4W-13287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T16:43:37.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T12:19:31.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Argyll Ferries Ltd achieved a reduction in agency staff costs from £1,470,000 to £59,000 between 31 March 2011 and 31 March 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"Argyll Ferries Ltd only commenced operation on 30 June 2011, therefore there were no agency staff costs for the financial year ended 31 March 2011.\r\nThe £1,470,000 number quoted in this question refers to the agency staff costs to Cowal Ferries Limited for the financial year to 31 March 2011. All Cowal Ferries Limited crew were provided by Caledonian MacBrayne Crewing (Guernsey) Ltd. Crewing costs are therefore accounted for as agency staff costs.\r\nArgyll Ferries Limited employ their crew directly and the agency staff costs figure of £59,000, for the financial year up to 31 March 2012, relates to the costs of bringing in agency crew to cover periods of absence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T16:43:37.567","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281887,"EventID":"S4W-13288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T16:43:37.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T14:13:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of all wind farm proposals under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 has been (a) withdrawn during scoping or pre-application, (b) refused permission and (c) approved by the Scottish Government since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"Of those wind farm proposals under section 36 of the Electricity Act on which clarity has been sought, since 2007:\r\n38.7% have yet to be determined.\r\n32.6% have been granted permission;\r\n28.7% have not received permission due to either being withdrawn during scoping and pre-application, being withdraw at the application stage or being refused permission. Of those applications which have been withdrawn, some will have been revised and reduced in size to under 50 megawatt and subsequently resubmitted to the Planning Authority for their consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T16:43:38.037","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281888,"EventID":"S4W-13289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T16:43:38.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T14:19:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what positive impacts the community payback order scheme has had on North East Fife.","AnswerText":"A total of 78,695 hours of Unpaid Work were completed by offenders in Fife in2011-12. That is 10,072 hours more than 2010-11.\r\nThis work contributed to a range of projects in the North East Fife area, including several large scale internal painting projects at community facilities in Cupar, St Monans, Anstruther and Tayport; upgrading and maintaining the historical Way of St Andrews Pilgrims Route; removal of rubbish from sections of the Fife Coastal Path, cycle ways and beaches across the region; and snow and ice clearing around public buildings and facilities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T16:43:38.49","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281889,"EventID":"S4W-13290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T16:43:38.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T15:10:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how the £50 million announced for the unscheduled care action plan will be spent in each year of the plan.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS boards are being asked to produce by June their own local plans in line with the national action plan, which is predicated on patients getting the right care, at the right time, in the right place. Once we have assessed the local plans and had discussions with boards we will determine those services where the funds will be invested.\r\nSeparately in line with an announcement made in January, boards are to be invited to bid for additional funds to support consultant appointments in emergency care and will be informed of this by the end of April.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T16:43:38.817","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281890,"EventID":"S4W-13291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T16:43:39.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T15:10:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board will receive in each year under the unscheduled care action plan.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13290 on 12 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nNHS boards are being asked to produce by June their own local plans in line with the national action plan, which is predicated on patients getting the right care, at the right time, in the right place. Once we have assessed the local plans and had discussions with boards we will determine those services where the funds will be invested, and boards will be informed of the funds allocated.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T16:43:39.127","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281891,"EventID":"S4W-13292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T16:43:39.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T15:10:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the unscheduled care action plan funding (a) is additional funding and (b) has already been budgeted.\r\n","AnswerText":"The NHS resource budget is increasing by £293 million, or 2.7%, in 2013-14. This means that territorial health boards will see an overall increase of 3.3% in funding in 2013-14 – that represents a real terms increase of 1.3%.\r\nThe Unscheduled Care Action Plan is the most significant programme of change to emergency health care services ever to take place in Scotland. To give the programme momentum and to make sure improvements are delivered quickly, there will be £50 million spent over the next three years specifically allocated to bring forward schemes and invest in changes in line with the unscheduled care action plan.\r\nThis priority commitment will be met from a combination of the additional Scottish Government money being allocated to health boards this year and from efficiency savings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T16:43:39.457","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281892,"EventID":"S4W-13293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T16:43:39.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T15:10:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional frontline staff will be employed in each year as a result of the unscheduled care action plan; how many will be (a) consultants, (b) doctors and (c) nurses, and in which NHS boards they will be employed.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13290 on 12 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nWe are asking NHS boards to produce by June their own local plans in line with the national action plan. This will inform how the funds will be allocated, including what additional medical, nursing and other clinical staff are to be employed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T16:43:39.813","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281893,"EventID":"S4W-13294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T16:43:40.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T15:15:08.49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, following publication of First Report - Macroeconomic Framework, what further reports the Fiscal Commission Working Group will publish and when.","AnswerText":"The Fiscal Commission Working Group published its first report on 11th February 2013. The Working Group will continue its work to oversee the development of a robust macroeconomic and fiscal framework.\r\nThe introduction from the chair of the Working Group states that, “going forward we will be advising on how Scotland can learn from the best examples of other countries and the latest research in areas such as efficient tax collection, regulation and economic policy.”\r\nUpdates on the ongoing work of the group are available on the Fiscal Commission Working Group webpage:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/Council-Economic-Advisers/FCWG\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T16:43:40.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281894,"EventID":"S4W-13295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-26T16:43:40.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T15:10:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new minor injuries units will be created and what hospitals it has identified as locations for co-located services under the unscheduled care action plan.","AnswerText":"The planning and provision of healthcare services is a matter for NHS boards, based on their assessment of what is in the best interests of local people, as informed by national policies and frameworks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-12T16:43:40.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281895,"EventID":"S4O-01862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:14.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:02:57.35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance is available to help companies grow and identify new markets.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:15.197","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281896,"EventID":"S4O-01863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:16.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:02:57.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth has had with the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities on the funding arrangements for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:16.553","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281897,"EventID":"S4O-01864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:18.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:02:58.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government since its credit rating was downgraded from AAA to AA1 regarding any impact on the Scottish economy.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:18.083","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281898,"EventID":"S4O-01865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:19.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T09:24:34.427","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Scotland Excel and what matters were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:19.22","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281899,"EventID":"S4O-01866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:20.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T17:13:58.647","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress the National Performance Framework has made in reducing inequality.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:20.703","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281900,"EventID":"S4O-01867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:22.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:02:58.787","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contribution Scotland’s offshore wind resources will make to meeting European Union renewable energy targets.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:22.293","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281901,"EventID":"S4O-01868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:23.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:02:59.02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on public sector severance payments in the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:23.76","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281902,"EventID":"S4O-01869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:25.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:02:59.237","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the reserves of oil and gas remaining in Scottish waters.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:25.087","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281903,"EventID":"S4O-01870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:26.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T09:03:22.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what savings the Strategic Forum will achieve in 2012-13.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:26.647","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281904,"EventID":"S4O-01871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:27.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:02:59.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is giving to the task force set up by South Lanarkshire Council in relation to the proposed closure of the Rolls-Royce plant in East Kilbride.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:27.99","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281905,"EventID":"S4O-01872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1841,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":120,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:29.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:03:00.063","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding a currency union between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:29.347","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281906,"EventID":"S4O-01873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:30.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:03:00.297","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth supports investment in large-scale public art projects as a means of generating jobs and boosting economic growth.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:30.64","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281907,"EventID":"S4O-01874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:31.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:03:00.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with COSLA in relation to constitutional protection for local government in an independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:31.843","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281908,"EventID":"S4O-01875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:32.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T10:43:58.317","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve employment opportunities for older people.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:32.98","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281909,"EventID":"S4O-01876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:33.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:03:00.877","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many years are included in local authority financial planning.","AnswerText":"The number of years included in local authority financial planning is a matter for individual councils, but the Scottish Government would encourage all public bodies to engage in long term financial planning as part of the management of their business.\r\nThe Scottish Government aims to provide local authorities with three year funding allocations in order to give them certainty in longer term financial planning. However, this is dependent on the Scottish Government receiving three year funding allocations from the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:33.497","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281910,"EventID":"S4O-01877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:34.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:03:01.077","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK credit rating being downgraded from AAA to AA1, whether it will continue to advocate adopting sterling in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The recent report by the Fiscal Commission Working Group highlighted that retaining Sterling would provide a strong overarching framework for Scotland and maintain the integrated market and business links between Scotland and the rest of the UK.\r\nThe decision to downgrade the UK’s credit rating confirms the failure of the UK Government’s economic strategy. This approach has only served to weaken the credibility of the UK Government, lead to even greater borrowing and a stagnant economy.\r\nIndependence would provide Scotland with the opportunity to take control of the economic levers needed to deliver a wealthier and fairer society.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:34.15","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281911,"EventID":"S4O-01879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:35.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T15:46:14.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to improve planning performance by planning authorities and its agencies.\r\n","AnswerText":"Improved performance is at the heart of the Scottish Government’s programme for modernising the planning system. We are working in collaboration with Convention Of Scottish Local Authorities, heads of planning, agencies and the development industry to drive forward a programme of improvements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:35.507","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281912,"EventID":"S4O-01880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:36.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:03:01.92","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has done of the reasons for the reported rise in economic inactivity in Scotland compared with the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"We have just seen the third set of monthly unemployment figures in a row to show a fall in unemployment in Scotland. The figures also show the largest annual fall in youth unemployment since 2006.\r\nThe very recent increases in economic inactivity in Scotland have been mainly amongst women, however, over the past five years the economic inactivity rate in Scotland has been lower than in the UK for 53 out of a total of 60 monthly releases of labour market statistics.\r\nThe Government recognises we must remain focussed on this issue, too many people are still looking for work, and the Scottish Government is taking action to address this by maintaining the most competitive business environment anywhere in the UK and investing in our infrastructure.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:36.647","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281913,"EventID":"S4O-01881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:37.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:03:02.187","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth last met the chief executive of Scottish Enterprise and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"I last met the chief executive and other members of the board of Scottish Enterprise on 16 January 2013 to discuss a range of issues important to the delivery of the Scottish Government’s economic strategy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:37.893","MeetingDate":"2013-03-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281914,"EventID":"S4O-01882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:39.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T17:01:11.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the housing benefit changes in April 2013 will be on the number of homeless people in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:39.033","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281915,"EventID":"S4O-01883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:40.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:10:51.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what difference being named a Fairtrade nation will make to the people of Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:40.187","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281916,"EventID":"S4O-01884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:41.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:10:52.703","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £50 million announced for the unscheduled care action plan will be allocated to hospitals in NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:41.42","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281917,"EventID":"S4O-01885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:42.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T15:11:50.787","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact closing Motherwell, Cumbernauld and Coatbridge Justice of the Peace courts could have on access to justice.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:42.527","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281918,"EventID":"S4O-01886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:44.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:10:53.2","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out a review of arrests made during the 1984-85 miners' strike.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:44.087","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281919,"EventID":"S4O-01887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:46.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:10:53.437","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many recent meetings it has had with the UK Government on the future structural funds programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:46.663","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281920,"EventID":"S4O-01888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:48.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T13:14:36.787","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to address the issues identified by the report of the Commission on Women Offenders.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:48.47","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281921,"EventID":"S4O-01889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:50","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:10:55.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in shifting coal freight from roads to rail and other forms of transport.","AnswerText":"Though coal freight transport mode is a commercial decision for industry, we have a strong record of investment, including reopening the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway line, connecting coalfields and power stations. We recently announced a £30 million fund to support industry spending on infrastructure to encourage growth in all rail freight.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:50.03","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281922,"EventID":"S4O-01890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:51.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:10:56.617","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in repairing sea defences on the east coast following the December 2012 storms.","AnswerText":"The storms of the night of 14 December 2012 were described by many as the worst they had experienced in a lifetime. On 8 February 2013 the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment announced an additional £1 million funding to be available from the emergency harbours fund to support emergency repairs work in fisheries harbours. A number of the requests from harbours such as Wick, Lossiemouth and Dunbar harbours have been agreed and work is underway utilising these additional funds.\r\nWe continue to engage with a number of other harbours who have yet to make a formal request.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:51.717","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281923,"EventID":"S4O-01891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T13:50:52.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:10:56.96","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what pupil-teacher ratio it considers sufficient for effective second language learning.\r\n","AnswerText":"The expectation is that the current maximum pupil-teacher ratios in schools will apply to second language learning.\r\nThis means that in Primary 1 the maximum ratio will be 25; in Primary 2 and 3 the maximum ratio will be 30, and in Primary 4 to 7, the maximum ratio will be 33.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T13:50:52.95","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281934,"EventID":"S4W-13232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:54.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T09:05:53.94","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the UK Government to discuss the Department of Work and Pensions' Work Programme.","AnswerText":"I met Chris Grayling, the then UK Government Minister for Employment on 10 January 2012. A range of topics in relation to employment and skills were discussed, including the Work Programme.\r\nAs part of a series of regular update meetings, Scottish Government officials discuss Work Programme progress as appropriate with those from the Department for Work and Pensions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:54.607","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281935,"EventID":"S4W-13233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:54.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T09:05:53.94","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions took place regarding the Department of Work and Pensions' Work Programme at the Scottish Employability Forum on 31 January 2013.","AnswerText":"The meeting of the Scottish Employability Forum (SEF) on 31 January 2013 was the first meeting of the group. The Work Programme providers for Scotland, Working Links and Ingeus, are now members of the SEF. Although there was no specific discussion of the Work Programme at the meeting, there was agreement of the need for better alignment of all employability services to ensure interventions do not compete or duplicate effort, and to make it easier for individuals and employers to navigate the system.\r\nThe remit of the group and minutes of the inaugural meeting are available on the Employability in Scotland website. \r\nhttp://www.employabilityinscotland.com/employability/scottish-employability-forum\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:54.917","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281936,"EventID":"S4W-13234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:55.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T09:05:53.94","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in the Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley constituency who are on the Department of Work and Pensions' Work Programme have (a) applied for and (b) been granted funding from the local authority Skills Development and Employability Service.","AnswerText":"East Ayrshire Council advises that only a small number less than five people have applied for access to provision available through the Skills Development and Employability Service. None have been granted funding.  \r\nThis is because the programme is part-funded through the European Social Fund (ESF). A key condition of ESF support is that is provides clear additionality to any other support in place which, as a result of the nature of the Work Programme design, East Ayrshire Council has been unable to do.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:55.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281937,"EventID":"S4W-13245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:55.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-25T12:49:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of decision 017/2013 by the Scottish Information Commissioner in relation to the provision of sea lice data for salmon farms.\r\n","AnswerText":"We note the judgement by the Scottish Information Commissioner in connection with decision 017/2013 and consider it is consistent with our current approach in this area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:55.51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281938,"EventID":"S4W-13296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:55.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:33:04.24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Aberdeen City has collected in business rates in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested, as returned to the Scottish Government by Aberdeen City Council, is set out in the following table. The figures provided represent the final audited amounts for each of the years in question.\r\nNon-domestic rates collected by Aberdeen City Council\r\nFinancial Year\r\nAmounted Collected\r\n£m\r\n2011-12\r\n162.7\r\n2010-11\r\n155.7\r\n2009-10\r\n137.6\r\n2008-09\r\n124.1\r\n2007-08\r\n138.5\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:55.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281939,"EventID":"S4W-13297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:56.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:33:04.24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Aberdeen City expects to collect in business rates in each of the next three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The amount of non-domestic rates income estimated to be collected at a local authority level in each of the next three years is a matter for individual councils to consider.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:56.26","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281940,"EventID":"S4W-13298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:56.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:33:04.24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of its education budget has been spent on children with special educational needs in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The term special educational needs does not apply in Scotland. In Scotland we have a broader, more inclusive system which refers to additional support needs. A child or young person can have an additional support need for any reason, short or long term. The 2012 national pupil census statistics indicate that 90% of pupils with additional support needs learn in mainstream classes, 3% of pupils learn in mainstream classes for some of their time, and 6.6% of pupils do not learn in mainstream classes, learning in special schools instead. Annex F of the Local Government Finance Statistics provides information on the expenditure on education for each of the last five years. This is available from:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/PubScottishLGFStats.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:56.587","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281941,"EventID":"S4W-13299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:56.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:33:04.24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been given special educational needs' statements in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The term special educational needs does not apply in Scotland. In Scotland we have a broader, more inclusive system which refers to additional support needs. A child or young person can have an additional support need for any reason, short or long term. Consequently, there are no Statements of Special Educational Need in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:56.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281942,"EventID":"S4W-13300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:57.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:33:04.24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many women have been prescribed anti-epilepsy drugs during pregnancy in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:57.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281943,"EventID":"S4W-13301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:57.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:33:04.24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been allocated to special educational needs' (a) support, (b) transport and (c) behavioural services in 2012-13.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides funding to all local authorities through revenue block grant funding. This funding supports education authorities in the delivery of their duties under the Additional Support for Learning Act to provide support for children and young people with additional support needs, including those with behavioural needs, and where appropriate associated transport costs. Education authorities prioritise their funding in light of their local priorities and circumstances. Consequently, this information is not held by the Scottish Government. Annex F of the Local Government Finance Statistics provides information on the expenditure on education for each of the last five years. This is available from:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/PubScottishLGFStats.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:57.587","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281944,"EventID":"S4W-13302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:57.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:51:28.223","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS boards ensure that relatives are informed if a patient is placed on the Liverpool Care Pathway and, if so, whether they employ a uniform approach.","AnswerText":"Living and Dying Well (2008) Scotland’s first national action plan for the provision of palliative and end of life care set out the vision for how palliative and end of life care should be provided in Scotland.\r\nThe plan recommends the implementation of an integrated pathway to support the delivery of the highest quality end of life care for individuals regardless of their underlying diagnosis. The Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) is one example of an pathway. Any organisation that cares for dying people should be able to demonstrate best practice in care of the dying and therefore the responsibility for its use lies with the organisation delivering the care.\r\nAcknowledging that a patient is dying and making the decision to use the LCP to support care in the last hours or days of life should be discussed by the clinical team, with the patient where it is possible and deemed appropriate and with the relative or carer, in accordance with GMC best practice guidance (GMC 2010).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:57.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281945,"EventID":"S4W-13303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:58.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:51:28.223","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consent  is required from a patient before being placed on the Liverpool Care Pathway.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Liverpool Care Pathway is a framework of good practice to support delivery of high quality care to an individual in their last days or hours of life. As such it is not a treatment and consent is not required. However, identifying that someone is in the last hours or days of life and agreeing a plan to support their care should be discussed with the patient where possible and where deemed appropriate with the relative or carer. The care provided should also be reviewed on a regular basis.\r\nFurther information about the Liverpool Care Pathway is available on the Scottish Governments website at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Quality-Improvement-Performance/Living-Dying-Well/Liverpool-Care-Pathway/FAQ.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:58.177","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281946,"EventID":"S4W-13304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:58.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:51:28.223","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consent is required from a person with the power of attorney on behalf of a patient before the patient is placed on the Liverpool Care Pathway.\r\n","AnswerText":"As stated in my answer to question S4W-13303 on 12 March 2013, because the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP), is a framework of good practice and not a treatment, written consent is not required before placing a patient on the LCP.\r\nHowever, identifying that someone is in the last hours or days of life and agreeing a plan to support their care should be where possible discussed with the patient and where deemed appropriate with the relative, carer or person with the power of attorney. The care provided should also be reviewed on a regular basis.\r\nFurther information on the Liverpool Care Pathway is available on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Quality-Improvement-Performance/Living-Dying-Well/Liverpool-Care-Pathway\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:58.46","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281947,"EventID":"S4W-13305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:58.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:51:28.223","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11030 by Alex Neil on 22 November 2012, for what reason it does not collate the information centrally.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government sets the strategic policy direction for the NHS in Scotland, however the responsibility for service delivery and patient care rests locally with health boards and healthcare professionals.\r\nAny organisation that cares for dying people should be able to demonstrate best practice in care of the dying including the last hours or days of life and in accordance with the actions set out in Living and Dying Well (2008), the Scottish Government’s national action plan for palliative and end of life care.\r\nThe responsibility for use of the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) lies with the organisation which is using it. It should be used as part of a continuous quality improvement programme within the governance of the organisation and it must be underpinned by a robust education and training programme.\r\nThe LCP, like any other end of life care tool, or an escalation of care tool, is itself the product of a review of good practice and is in place to enable the delivery of safe, standardised, effective patient-related outcome measures. The monitoring and governance of any best practice tool or technology is the responsibility of the organisation using it.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:58.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281948,"EventID":"S4W-13306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:58.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:52:48.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make some of its agricultural land at Knocknagael Farm in Inverness that is deemed surplus to its requirements available to meet local demand for allotments.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Bull Stud project aims to modernise the Scottish Government’s bull stud at Knocknagael. In the process of doing so an area of land within the current farm boundary has been identified as surplus to the stud’s future requirements. \r\nThe current planning application, which has yet to be approved by the local authority, seeks to develop the surplus land at Knocknagael for low density housing. This proposal was put together following full consideration of the best use of the site and formed the basis of the public consultation held on 19 September 2012 in Inverness.\r\nThe Scottish Government has already submitted a response to the next Highland Council Development Plan Consultation identifying that the surplus land would be suitable for the use of housing, allotments or other green space. We would expect Highland Council to consider the suitability of the land for allotments or a community growing area as part of their assessment of the current planning application.\r\nIf a local community group wishes to obtain some of this land for community use there may be a mechanism to do so – the (Rural) Community Right to Buy - should they meet the required criteria. For further information please see our website - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/Rural/rural-land/right-to-buy/Community.\r\nThrough the forthcoming Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill the Scottish Government wants Scotland to be successful and to empower local communities to do more for themselves. It is intended that the Bill will make it easier for communities to take over unused and underused public or private assets (including land) and to introduce measures to help communities deal more effectively with vacant and unused assets in their area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:58.99","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281949,"EventID":"S4W-13308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:59.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T17:28:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to help first-time home buyers in 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will continue to help first time buyers through its Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT) schemes. On 18 February 2013, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities announced the allocation of £20 million for 2013-14 to help first time buyers access home ownership through its LIFT shared equity schemes.\r\nHelp for first time buyers will also continue to be provided under other LIFT initiatives which include shared ownership and the new supply shared equity scheme. \r\nIn addition, a Scottish Government guarantee has facilitated the launch by Homes for Scotland of the MI New Home mortgage indemnity scheme, which enables credit-worthy borrowers to access a 95% loan to value mortgage for new build homes with a maximum value of £250,000. Three of Scotland’s biggest lenders and 22 housebuilders now support the scheme, creating new opportunities for first-time buyers and others throughout much of the country.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:59.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281950,"EventID":"S4W-13309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:59.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T17:28:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have taken part in its initiatives to help first-time home buyers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT) brings together a range of initiatives to help first time buyers access home ownership where this is affordable and sustainable for them. The schemes are the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme, the New Supply Shared Equity Scheme, the New Supply Shared Equity with Developers Scheme, and Shared Ownership. From 2007-2012, these schemes have helped over 7,000 people access home ownership.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:59.597","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281951,"EventID":"S4W-13310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:23:59.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T17:28:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the construction costs of the Forth Replacement Crossing.\r\n","AnswerText":"The cost of the Forth Replacement Crossing project to February 2013 is £372 million. The project remains on track for a total outturn cost of £1.45 to £1.6 billion.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:23:59.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281952,"EventID":"S4W-13321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:24:00.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many district heating schemes are active.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Energy Saving Trust in Scotland (EST) carried out a survey of district heating in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. The results of the survey indicate that there are 103 active district heating schemes in Scotland. These vary considerably in size and can be broadly categorised based on estimated heat production:\r\nEstimated heat production\r\nNumber\r\n10,000 MWh a year and above\r\n7\r\n1,000 MWh to 9,999 MWh a year\r\n14\r\n500 MWh to 999 MWh a year\r\n19\r\nLess than 500 MWh a year\r\n63\r\n\r\nThe largest number of district heating schemes is made up of small-scale networks in rural areas, mainly heat-only networks using woodfuel, typical examples of which are on farms and estates (case studies are available from the Usewoodfuel website www.usewoodfuel.co.uk/using-woodfuel/case-studies/woodfuel-in-practice-farms-and-estates.aspx). A small number of large systems, such as Aberdeen Heat and Power’s district heating network in Aberdeen supply many more properties. Aberdeen Heat and Power have three gas-fired CHP energy centres supplying around 1,200 flats in multi story blocks and eight public buildings (www.aberdeenheatandpower.co.uk).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:24:00.173","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281953,"EventID":"S4W-13322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:24:00.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for how many homes on average each district heating scheme provides electricity and heat.\r\n","AnswerText":"District heating schemes provide the infrastructure to supply heat from a range of sources. The source can be heat only or can be a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant which also generates electricity.\r\nThere is also a wide variety of district heating models, with the largest number being small-scale networks in rural areas, mainly heat only networks using woodfuel. A small number of large systems supply much larger numbers of properties, typically using heat from produced by gas-fired CHP plants.\r\nI would therefore suggest it is more helpful to refer to typical examples of the different models:\r\ntypical examples of smaller-scale district heating supply a few buildings up to a few hundred properties with heat. Many are woodfuelled heat only systems such as on farms and estates (case studies are available from the Usewoodfuel website  www.usewoodfuel.co.uk/using-woodfuel/case-studies/woodfuel-in-practice-farms-and-estates.aspx) or social housing schemes such as Albyn Housing’s Aviemore North scheme (www.usewoodfuel.co.uk/using-woodfuel/case-studies/starnewstar-albyn-housing-society-district-heating.aspx).\r\ntypical examples of large-scale district heating are networks supplied by gas-fired CHP such as Aberdeen Heat & Power’s district heating scheme (www.aberdeenheatandpower.co.uk) and the University of Edinburgh’s campus networks, or by Energy from Waste CHP in Shetland (www.sheap-ltd.co.uk).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:24:00.503","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281954,"EventID":"S4W-13325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:24:00.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many combined heat and power plants will be developed by 2020.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12934 on 5 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:24:00.847","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281955,"EventID":"S4W-13326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:24:01.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many district heating schemes will be developed by 2020.\r\n","AnswerText":"We do not currently have projections for the number of district heating that will be developed by 2020. We are considering how to set out projections for district heating, across the range of different district heating models, in our response to The Expert Commission on District Heating’s recommendation that “the Scottish Government should set stretching yet realistic targets for penetration of district heating in 2020”.\r\nWe will developing projections as part of our long term heat vision for Scotland. We published a draft outline heat vision in January 2012, including a heat hierarchy which sets a framework to guide heat policy development and decision making. As part of our wider heat strategy we have developed draft deployment options guidance and will publish a district heating action plan and Heat Generation Policy Statement (HGPS) later this year. The HGPS will present our understanding of how heat is delivered now, and set out scenarios for meeting our heat vision, highlighting the pros and cons for each.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:24:01.157","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281956,"EventID":"S4W-13327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:24:01.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to encourage the development of new combined heat and power plants for industrial and commercial use.\r\n","AnswerText":"Support is available for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) from a number of sources. Most are available to any organisation who wishes to develop Combined Heat and Power Plants (CHP), such as the main direct support mechanisms for renewable Combined Heat and Power (CHP): the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) and the UK Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive.\r\nThe Renewables Obligation (Scotland) gives 2 Renewables Obligation Certificates (SROCs) for every megawatt hour of electricity generated by biomass electricity generating plants with CHP. Following its recent consultation on changes to the Renewables Obligation (Scotland), the Scottish Government proposes to go further by setting an eligibility requirement for plants over 15 MW to meet good quality CHP standards to further drive uptake of CHP.\r\nIn the current Parliamentary session, finance for renewable CHP plants is also available through the £103 million Renewable Energy Investment Fund. Finance for both renewable and non-renewable CHP is available through the £5 million District Heating Loan Fund. The District Heating Loan Fund has limited grant funding available for technical feasibility studies. These schemes fund a range of renewable heat-only, CHP and district heating projects and are open to commercial and industrial organisations, large institutions and Universities.\r\nThe uptake of CHP depends largely upon the availability of markets for heat. The Scottish Government is working with local authorities to help them identify suitable locations and support planning for CHP and district heating through its Heat Mapping Programme. The heat maps help identify, plan for and maximise opportunities for local heat use and to support investment decisions on strategic heat infrastructure. The maps will not only benefit local authorities, but can also support feasibility work of developers or local communities.\r\nFeasibility support for the development of anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities by communities, industrial sites and the NHS is also available from Zero Waste Scotland. Zero Waste Scotland is also planning to offer financial support for AD development in remote and island communities in 2013-14.\r\nFrom April 2013, the new Resource Efficient Scotland programme will provide advice and support to businesses, third sector and public sector organisations to reduce overheads through implementation of energy, material resource and water efficiency improvement measures, and in doing so it will help cut carbon across public and private sector organisations. The programme will also provide a suite of sector-focused activities tailored to meet the specific needs of particular business and public sector across Scotland in order to deliver resource efficiency savings.\r\nScottish Further and Higher Education establishments have also been access specific funding schemes:\r\nSince 2008, Salix Finance have managed a £5 million revolving loans fund on behalf of the Scottish Government to fund low carbon investment projects in Scottish Further and Higher Education establishments.\r\nIn 2012, the Scottish Funding Council set up a Programme to fund a small number of large-scale carbon reduction projects in Scottish universities, with funding of up to £20 million over the next two years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:24:01.487","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281957,"EventID":"S4W-13328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:24:01.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what national incentives and subsidies are in place for large institutions that wish to develop their own combined heat and power plants.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13327 on 13 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:24:01.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281958,"EventID":"S4W-13329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:24:02.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the demand for (a) electricity and (b) heating was in the last year for which information is available.\r\n","AnswerText":"(a) Demand for electricity in Scotland in 2011, against which the renewable electricity target is measured, was 37,857 GWh.\r\n(b) The renewable heat target is measured against Scotland’s forecast 2020 \r\nnon-electrical heat demand, estimated to be 60,089 GWh. We are consulting with a wide range of key data providers and stakeholders, including DECC, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the Energy Saving Trust, the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and Scotia Gas Networks, to establish a robust method of annually monitoring heat demand in Scotland.\r\nThis approach will ensure that a wide evidence base is being considered and that the expertise and views of the entire sector are being utilised. Scottish Government will provide an update on this work in the Heat Generation Policy Statement which will be published before the end of 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:24:02.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281959,"EventID":"S4W-13330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:24:02.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the demand for (a) electricity and (b) heating is met by (i) biomass and (ii) combined heat and power plants.\r\n","AnswerText":"Figures for electricity and heat from biomass and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants are set out in the following table. It is important to note that figures for (i) biomass include some some of the electricity and heat generated by CHP plants including under (ii), as well as, for (a), electricity-only biomass plants and, for (b), heat-only “primary combustion” plants. Figures for (ii) Combined Heat and Power plants include both fossil fuel and renewable CHP, including biomass.\r\n(a-i) The renewable electricity generated from biomass and waste in 2011 is set out in Table 1. This includes electricity generated by both biomass CHP and biomass electricity plants:\r\nTable 1: Renewable electricity generated from biomass & waste in 2011\r\n\r\nElectricity generated (GWh)\r\nLandfill gas\r\n507\r\nSewage sludge digestion\r\n35\r\nOther biomass (inc. co-firing)*\r\n863\r\n*Note: Includes co-firing, plant biomass, animal biomass and biodegradable part of municipal solid waste.\r\nSource: DECC Energy Trends, December 2012\r\n(a-ii)\tIn 2011, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants in Scotand generated 2,864 GWh of electricity (Source: DECC Energy Trends, September 2012). \r\n(b-i)\tThe Energy Saving Trust in Scotland produce an annual report on renewable heat in Scotland for the Scottish Government. Table 2 shows the renewable heat generated from biomass and waste in 2011:\r\nTable 2: Renewable heat generated from biomass & waste in 2011\r\n\r\nHeat generated (GWh)\r\nBiomass (wood) primary combustion\r\n1,045\r\nBiomass (wood) CHP\r\n978\r\nWaste treatment\r\n128\r\nSource: Energy Saving Trust, Renewable Heat in Scotland 2011.\r\n(b-ii) In 2011, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants in Scotand generated 6,813 GWh of heat (Source: DECC Energy Trends, September 2012).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:24:02.577","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281960,"EventID":"S4W-13332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:24:02.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of homes are not connected to the electricity grid.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:24:02.89","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281961,"EventID":"S4W-13333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:24:03.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of homes are not connected to the national gas grid.\r\n","AnswerText":"Data from the Scottish Household Conditions Survey show that in 2011 there were an estimated 493,000 dwellings not connected to the national gas grid, 15.3% of all dwellings. Please see the follwing link:\r\nhttp://sh45inta/Publications/2012/12/4995/4.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:24:03.28","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281962,"EventID":"S4W-13334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:24:03.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of businesses are not connected to the national electricity grid.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:24:03.607","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281963,"EventID":"S4W-13335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:24:03.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of businesses are not connected to the national gas grid.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:24:03.933","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281964,"EventID":"S4W-13340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:24:04.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T11:22:59.453","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what national incentives and subsidies are in place for universities that wish to develop their own combined heat and power plants.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13327 on 13 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:24:04.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281965,"EventID":"S4W-13341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T14:24:04.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T12:31:36.1","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the (a) UK Government and (b) European Commission regarding the proposed European Regional Aid Guidelines for 2014 to 2020 with reference to the Shetland Isles.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has presented a case for eligibility of the entire Highlands and Islands region to the UK Government. This was a detailed argument detailed the difficulties faced by remote and sparsely populated regions and their ongoing need to be able to support business development; and was compiled with the assistance of Highlands and Islands Enterprise and input from Shetland Islands Council.\r\nThe UK Government have presented this argument as an integral part of the formal UK response to the Commission’s proposals. The Scottish Government will be replying separately to the Commission, again highlighting the potential impact on remote and island communities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T14:24:04.573","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281977,"EventID":"S4W-13307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T16:59:55.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T17:22:05.293","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the possibility of Scotland’s European Structural Funds budget being reduced as a result of a new allocation formula. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is particularly concerned with recent reports that Structural Funds allocations for Scotland may drop significantly more than in other parts of the UK.\r\nWe had anticipated that Structural Fund budgets would decline for Scotland, and stakeholders had reached similar assessments. However recent calculations by UK Government officials following the EU Budget negotiations suggest that Scotland faces a disproportionate drop.\r\nThese funds support jobs, growth and economic investment and the Scottish Government is pursuing a fairer allocation of Structural Funds with the UK Government and the Welsh and Northern Ireland administrations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T16:59:55.51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281978,"EventID":"S4W-13323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T16:59:55.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what average (a) amount of electricity is produced and (b) number of homes and businesses are heated by each district heating scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13322 on 13 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T16:59:55.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281979,"EventID":"S4W-13324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T16:59:56.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of Scotland's demand for (a) electricity and (b) heating district heating schemes meet.\r\n","AnswerText":"(a) The Scottish Government does not hold figures for the amount of electricity generated by Combined Heat and Power plants which supply district heating schemes.\r\n(b) The Energy Saving Trust in Scotland estimate that, in 2012, district heating schemes provided 103 GWh of heat. This is estimated on a different basis to total heat consumption in Scotland so it is not possible to provide an accurate percentage. We are consulting with a wide range of key data providers and stakeholders, including DECC, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the Energy Saving Trust, the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and Scotia Gas Networks, to establish a robust method of annually monitoring heat demand in Scotland.\r\nThis approach will ensure that a wide evidence base is being considered and that the expertise and views of the entire sector are being utilised. Scottish Government will provide an update on this work in the Heat Generation Policy Statement which will be published before the end of 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T16:59:56.273","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281980,"EventID":"S4W-13336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T16:59:56.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-26T16:59:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many combined heat and power plants there are and what each plant’s (a) daily and (b) annual output is. \r\n","AnswerText":"The most recent data published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows in 2011, there were 116 Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants in Scotland. The Scottish Government does not hold data on the output of individual plants.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T16:59:56.587","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281981,"EventID":"S4W-13342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T16:59:56.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T15:35:04.237","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were unemployed and what the unemployment rate was in each local authority area between (a) October 2010 and September 2011, (b) January and December 2011, (c) April 2011 and March 2012, (d) July 2011 and June 2012 and (e) October 2011 and September 2012, also broken down by gender.\r\n","AnswerText":"The preferred measure of unemployment at a local authority level is the modelled based unemployment estimates produced by the Office for National Statistics. However, these estimates do not provide a breakdown by gender. Therefore the estimates from the Annual Population Survey (APS) are provided. The latest APS data covers the period October 2011 to September 2012.\r\nCaution is advised when using the estimates provided in the following tables. The APS is a sample survey and some of the underlying samples are small therefore the confidence intervals for many of these estimates are relatively wide. Therefore care should be taken when making comparisons between areas and over time.\r\nMale unemployment (16+) by Scottish local authority, Oct 10-Sep 11 toOct 11-Sep 12\r\n \r\nOct10-Sep11\r\nJan11-Dec11\r\nApr11-Mar12\r\nJul11-Jun12\r\nOct11-Sep12\r\n \r\nlevel\r\nrate\r\nlevel\r\nrate\r\nlevel\r\nrate\r\nlevel\r\nrate\r\nlevel\r\nrate\r\nAberdeen City\r\n5,300\r\n7.9%\r\n5,100\r\n7.6%\r\n5,100\r\n7.4%\r\n4,400\r\n6.3%\r\n4,600\r\n6.6%\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n2,900\r\n3.9%\r\n3,100\r\n4.2%\r\n3,000\r\n4.0%\r\n3,300\r\n4.4%\r\n3,600\r\n4.8%\r\nAngus\r\n2,900\r\n10.1%\r\n2,600\r\n9.1%\r\n2,200\r\n7.5%\r\n1,900\r\n6.6%\r\n2,200\r\n7.8%\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n1,800\r\n8.0%\r\n1,900\r\n8.4%\r\n1,900\r\n8.2%\r\n1,900\r\n8.2%\r\n2,100\r\n9.1%\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n1,500\r\n11.1%\r\n1,700\r\n12.5%\r\n1,700\r\n13.0%\r\n2,000\r\n15.8%\r\n2,000\r\n15.6%\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n4,200\r\n11.4%\r\n4,100\r\n11.0%\r\n4,000\r\n11.0%\r\n4,200\r\n11.4%\r\n4,000\r\n11.0%\r\nDundee City\r\n3,700\r\n9.9%\r\n3,400\r\n9.3%\r\n3,200\r\n9.0%\r\n3,800\r\n10.6%\r\n3,300\r\n9.7%\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n4,100\r\n13.3%\r\n4,000\r\n12.7%\r\n3,900\r\n12.3%\r\n4,100\r\n13.1%\r\n4,300\r\n13.6%\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n2,000\r\n7.5%\r\n1,900\r\n6.9%\r\n2,200\r\n8.0%\r\n2,300\r\n8.3%\r\n2,000\r\n7.7%\r\nEast Lothian\r\n2,200\r\n9.0%\r\n2,300\r\n9.1%\r\n1,900\r\n7.5%\r\n1,500\r\n6.0%\r\n1,700\r\n6.9%\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n1,100\r\n4.7%\r\n1,300\r\n5.3%\r\n1,400\r\n6.3%\r\n1,300\r\n5.7%\r\n1,600\r\n7.0%\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n8,800\r\n6.3%\r\n9,900\r\n7.2%\r\n8,400\r\n6.1%\r\n8,300\r\n6.0%\r\n6,800\r\n4.9%\r\nEilean Siar\r\n*\r\n4.5%\r\n*\r\n7.5%\r\n*\r\n7.3%\r\n600\r\n10.1%\r\n500\r\n8.2%\r\nFalkirk\r\n3,600\r\n8.9%\r\n3,200\r\n7.8%\r\n3,200\r\n7.9%\r\n4,100\r\n10.2%\r\n3,700\r\n9.1%\r\nFife\r\n12,000\r\n12.3%\r\n9,700\r\n10.0%\r\n10,400\r\n10.7%\r\n10,000\r\n10.0%\r\n9,700\r\n9.9%\r\nGlasgow City\r\n20,000\r\n12.5%\r\n18,100\r\n11.1%\r\n16,800\r\n10.4%\r\n16,400\r\n10.5%\r\n19,300\r\n12.4%\r\nHighland\r\n3,000\r\n4.7%\r\n2,600\r\n4.0%\r\n1,700\r\n2.6%\r\n1,700\r\n2.6%\r\n2,600\r\n4.2%\r\nInverclyde\r\n2,600\r\n12.6%\r\n3,000\r\n15.0%\r\n3,100\r\n15.8%\r\n3,300\r\n16.7%\r\n3,200\r\n16.2%\r\nMidlothian\r\n2,100\r\n9.7%\r\n2,000\r\n9.1%\r\n1,800\r\n8.5%\r\n1,800\r\n8.3%\r\n1,700\r\n8.2%\r\nMoray\r\n900\r\n3.6%\r\n1,000\r\n3.9%\r\n1,000\r\n3.9%\r\n1,100\r\n4.5%\r\n1,000\r\n4.2%\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n4,700\r\n14.7%\r\n5,000\r\n15.6%\r\n5,300\r\n16.2%\r\n5,200\r\n16.1%\r\n4,400\r\n13.3%\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n9,000\r\n10.4%\r\n10,300\r\n11.9%\r\n10,800\r\n12.5%\r\n12,100\r\n13.9%\r\n12,100\r\n13.8%\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n*\r\n6.9%\r\n*\r\n7.9%\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n3.9%\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n2,000\r\n4.9%\r\n2,100\r\n5.2%\r\n2,600\r\n6.3%\r\n2,900\r\n7.0%\r\n3,100\r\n7.4%\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n4,000\r\n9.2%\r\n3,700\r\n8.3%\r\n3,100\r\n6.9%\r\n3,500\r\n7.8%\r\n3,900\r\n8.3%\r\nScottish Borders\r\n1,800\r\n6.4%\r\n1,800\r\n6.2%\r\n1,600\r\n5.7%\r\n1,900\r\n6.4%\r\n1,600\r\n5.6%\r\nShetland Islands\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n3,100\r\n11.5%\r\n3,200\r\n12.0%\r\n3,200\r\n12.0%\r\n3,400\r\n12.0%\r\n3,300\r\n11.3%\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n7,800\r\n9.7%\r\n7,200\r\n8.9%\r\n7,300\r\n9.0%\r\n7,100\r\n8.6%\r\n5,900\r\n7.2%\r\nStirling\r\n1,500\r\n6.7%\r\n1,500\r\n6.3%\r\n2,100\r\n9.0%\r\n2,200\r\n9.1%\r\n2,400\r\n10.0%\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n3,200\r\n13.5%\r\n2,900\r\n12.3%\r\n2,600\r\n11.1%\r\n2,800\r\n12.1%\r\n2,700\r\n11.9%\r\nWest Lothian\r\n3,300\r\n6.8%\r\n3,700\r\n7.7%\r\n2,600\r\n5.5%\r\n1,900\r\n3.9%\r\n2,100\r\n4.4%\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Levels rounded to nearest hundred, rates based on unrounded figures.\r\n2. Unemployment is as defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).\r\n3. * Indicates data unreliable as sample sizes are too small. All estimates should be treated with caution because of relatively wide confidence intervals.\r\n\r\nFemale unemployment (16+) by Scottish local authority, Oct'10-Sep'11 to Oct'11-Sep'12\r\n \r\nOct'10-Sep'11\r\nJan'11-Dec'11\r\nApr'11-Mar'12\r\nJul'11-Jun'12\r\nOct'11-Se","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T16:59:56.943","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281982,"EventID":"S4W-13345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-27T16:59:57.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:14:23.033","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent (a) meetings and (b) communications it has had with government officials from (i) Argentina, (ii) Brazil, (iii) China, (iv) Iceland, (v) Ireland, (vi) Qatar and (vii) Spain and on what issues.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, as part of its international engagement, has recently held numerous meetings and communications with government officials from other countries to discuss areas of mutual interest. These meetings and communications from both ministers and officials have been wide ranging and have taken place across the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-13T16:59:57.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281983,"EventID":"S4O-01859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T11:02:35.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T08:59:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what developments there have been since November 2012 regarding the external screening facility.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T11:02:35.657","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281984,"EventID":"S4O-01860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T11:02:36.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-21T15:27:16.93","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what work is being done to improve accessibility to the parliamentary campus for people with autistic spectrum disorder.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T11:02:36.747","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281985,"EventID":"S4O-01861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":1841,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":120,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T11:02:37.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-22T10:21:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it plans to upgrade the voting consoles in the chamber and, if so, when this will be carried out.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T11:02:37.387","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281986,"EventID":"S4O-01892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T11:02:38.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T12:16:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what its position is on members paying their staff the living wage.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T11:02:38.12","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281987,"EventID":"S4O-01893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T11:02:38.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T14:21:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how many oral questions have been (a) lodged for and (b) taken at SPCB Questions in the current parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T11:02:38.807","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":281988,"EventID":"S4O-01894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T11:02:39.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T15:58:04.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what recent discussions it has had with its catering contractor regarding the traceability of its meat supply chain.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T11:02:39.68","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282003,"EventID":"S4W-13346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:23.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:32:27.863","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11014 by Roseanna Cunningham on 21 November 2012, with what stakeholders it has engaged and what the (a) timescale and (b) process will be for developing an options paper on an environmental court.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to publishing an options paper in the lifetime of this current parliament. No decisions have been taken yet on the timetable however, once they are taken, the Scottish Government will fully engage with stakeholders on the matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:24.083","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282004,"EventID":"S4W-13347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:24.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:32:27.863","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project cost estimate of £653 million includes (a) all consequential costs for other works required to complete the project and (b) money spent in previous years.","AnswerText":"The total scheme cost estimate for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) element of AWPR/Balmedie-Tipperty project is £653 million at 2012 prices (excluding VAT) which includes costs associated with design preparation, land purchase, advance works, utility diversions, site supervision, detrunking costs, main works construction costs and risk. The total scheme cost estimate for the AWPR also includes previous expenditure on the project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:24.427","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282005,"EventID":"S4W-13348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:25.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:43:10.393","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its broadband policy supports cabinet upgrades in (a) rural, (b) semi-urban and (c) urban areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Step Change 2015 programme – which will deliver infrastructure capable of delivering next generation broadband by 2015 – is technology and supplier neutral. The extent to which the programme will involve upgrades to BT cabinets will depend on the detail of the contracts awarded under the Highlands and Islands and the Rest of Scotland Procurement exercises.\r\nThe focus of the Scottish Government’s broadband policy is to address the digital divide by extending the infrastructure needed to deliver next generation broadband to those areas where the market will currently not go. The focus of Step Change investment will therefore predominantly be in rural areas. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:25.02","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282006,"EventID":"S4W-13349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:25.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:40:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Scottish Water’s customer forum will be established.","AnswerText":"The Customer Forum was established in Autumn 2011 with the task of bringing the customers voice to the table in determining future service levels, investment priorities, and how much customers should pay for water and waste water services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:25.41","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282007,"EventID":"S4W-13350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:26.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:40:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how issues raised by Scottish Water’s customer forum will inform Scottish Water's work programme.","AnswerText":"The Customer Forum is already participating effectively in the on-going process of determining Scottish Water’s investment and service level priorities. The Forum is working with Scottish Water in scrutinising its customer research programme, analysing and interpreting the results. Key stakeholders across the industry – the Scottish Government, the Water Industry Commission, and Scottish Water itself - have acknowledged that the customer voice in decisions about water and wastewater service provision can be strengthened. The Forum will make sure that customers’ opinions are heard and taken into account in determining charges and spending priorities in the next price setting period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:26.173","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282008,"EventID":"S4W-13351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:26.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:40:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of Scottish Water’s operational budget is spent addressing flooding events.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Water. I have asked Scottish Water’s chief executive to write to you to provide these details.\r\nFor each regulatory period, the Scottish Ministers direct Scottish Water as to the improvements it must deliver. The improvements required for this period are available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/917/0088613.pdf.\r\nIn relation to customer service, which also includes measures in relation to sewer flooding, Scottish Water is required to improve its performance to deliver the upper quartile performance achieved by the industry in England and Wales by 2015. Further information on the basket of measures that describe customer service and the targets set is available on an information sheet provided by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland at: \r\nhttp://www.watercommission.co.uk/UserFiles/Documents/Updated%20Public%20Information%20Note%20OPA.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:26.813","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282009,"EventID":"S4W-13352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:27.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:40:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports residents at risk of pluvial flooding.","AnswerText":"Flood protection schemes are primarily a matter for local authorities, however the Scottish Government is committed to supporting work that helps protect the people of Scotland from the effects of flooding.\r\nThat is why we introduced the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 which sets out a more sustainable and modern approach to managing flood risk from all sources, including pluvial flood risk.\r\nThe first ever National Flood Risk Assessment for Scotland was published in December 2011 and is the first step in this new risk-based approach to managing the impacts of floods, where the focus of plans and actions to manage flooding are targeted on where the need and benefits are greatest. The next step is for SEPA to publish new flood risk and flood hazard maps in December 2013.\r\nI would recommend anyone affected by flooding to contact the Scottish Flood Forum. The Forum, which receives funding from the Scottish Government, provides  an invaluable source of advice and support. I also encourage any residents affected by flooding to apply for crisis loans through the Department for Work and Pensions.\r\nI am also in discussions with the Association of British Insurers about industry proposals for continuation of flood insurance for the most vulnerable properties once the Statement of Principles ceases this summer.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:27.173","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282010,"EventID":"S4W-13353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:27.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:40:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of Scottish Water’s operational budget is spent addressing pluvial flooding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13351 on 11 March 2013.\r\nScottish Water is named as a Responsible Authority under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. Amongst other duties, this requires it participate in efforts to assess and mitigate the risk of flood arising from the public sewerage network. Currently, six projects are underway in partnership with Local Authorities and SEPA in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Grangemouth, Aberdeen, Dundee and the Irvine coastline to understand better the performance of drainage and sewerage networks.\r\nAs I announced on 25 February, a package of investment worth some £250 million over the next five years for Glasgow has been informed by the excellent work undertaken by the Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership. This will relieve flooding at numerous locations across Glasgow and deliver significant improvements to the quality of the water in the River Clyde.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:27.86","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282011,"EventID":"S4W-13354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:28.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:51:17.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many households have been given support by the Home Owners' Support Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"325 households were helped by the Home Owners’ Support Fund in 2011-12.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:28.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282012,"EventID":"S4W-13355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:28.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:51:17.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its budget is for the Home Owners' Support Fund for (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerText":"£10 million has been allocated to the Home Owners’ Support Fund for each of the years 2013-14 and 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:28.56","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282013,"EventID":"S4W-13356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:28.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:51:17.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will establish a set of minimum physical, locational, service and management standards for temporary accommodation.\r\n","AnswerText":"Prior to considering establishment of minimum standards, the Scottish Government is assembling a clearer evidence base on standards in temporary accommodation, working closely with our local authority partners and organisations like Shelter Scotland.\r\nWe have invited Shelter and the other stakeholders to highlight concerns or evidence of poor quality standards of temporary accommodation in Scotland. I have also asked the joint Scottish Government/COSLA Homelessness Prevention Group to examine this issue, and discuss any action required. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:28.983","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282014,"EventID":"S4W-13357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:29.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:51:17.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the effectiveness and sufficiency of the policy that 25% of new housing units should be affordable housing.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s policy on the implementation of local affordable housing policies is set out in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) which makes it clear that authorities may seek a percentage contribution from developers for affordable housing where this is justified. SPP encourages authorities to be realistic, flexible and to consider viability in applying such policies. The Chief Planner wrote to all local authorities in March 2011 reminding them of this requirement in view of the current economic climate. SPP is currently under review, and a consultation draft will be published in Spring this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:29.28","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282015,"EventID":"S4W-13358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:29.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:51:17.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hits the Landlord Registration Scotland website has received in each year.","AnswerText":"No records are kept of the number of individual hits on the Landlord Registration Scotland website.\r\nHowever, a total of 211,339 applications for registration have been made on the website between inception of the system on 30 April 2006 and 31 January 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:29.7","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282016,"EventID":"S4W-13359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:30.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:51:17.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases the Private Rented Housing Panel has dealt with in each year.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Private Rented Housing Panel was launched on 3 September 2007 and deals with 2 types of cases, rent assessment and repairing standard cases. The figures for each are as follows.\r\nYear\r\nRent\r\nRepairs\r\n2007 (from 3 September)\r\n19\r\n28\r\n2008\r\n67\r\n115\r\n2009\r\n79\r\n124\r\n2010\r\n71\r\n194\r\n2011\r\n75\r\n229\r\n2012\r\n47\r\n232\r\n2013 (to 4 March)\r\n1\r\n37\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:30.06","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282017,"EventID":"S4W-13360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:30.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:53:32.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will (a) continue to support the implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence through outdoor learning and (b) implement the recommendations of the Learning for Sustainability report.\r\n","AnswerText":"Learning for Sustainability further strengthens the place of outdoor learning and sends a clear message about the value and importance of a holistic, whole school approach that encompasses sustainable development, global citizenship and outdoor learning.\r\nAll 31 recommendations have been accepted, almost all in full, and the Scottish Government will be working with partners including the Regional Centre for Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development, Education Scotland, the General Teaching Council for Scotland, educators and others to support implementation arrangements.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s response to the Learning for Sustainability report was published on 13 March 2013 and is available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Schools/curriculum/ACE\r\nEducation Scotland continues to provide strong support for the development of outdoor learning as an approach to learning within Curriculum for Excellence. In addition to guidance and high quality resources, Education Scotland has initiated a coherent and strategic career-long professional learning programme in partnership with local authorities and a wide range of stakeholders. A range of support is also provided on health and wellbeing and outdoor learning and making best use of Scotland’s National Parks.\r\nEducation Scotland will continue to promote outdoor learning as a key pedagogical approach in line with the recommendations for the Learning for Sustainability Report.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:30.34","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282018,"EventID":"S4W-13361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:30.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:53:32.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the revised Scottish planning policy will provide improved (a) statutory guidance on sustainable development (b) protection for peatlands and (c) protection for Scotland's natural and cultural heritage.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently reviewing the Scottish Planning Policy. From October to January officials carried out a process of pre-draft engagement, seeking stakeholders’ views on the priorities for change in the policy. These responses are being analysed and taken into account in the preparation of the consultation draft. The draft SPP will be published for consultation in the spring.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:30.62","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282019,"EventID":"S4W-13362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:30.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:53:32.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the review of the European Environmental Impact Assessment Directive maintains a high level of protection for the environment in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the continuous development of more efficient and effective EIA practice in Scotland. Officials across the Scottish Government recently hosted a series of seminars aimed at better understanding the European Commission's detailed proposals for amending this Directive, and the likely impact of those proposals in light of this objective. We are currently analysing the seminar findings and will publish a written summary in due course. We will use the seminar findings to inform our on-going engagement with UK and European partners including engagement with ministers and officials in Ireland, given their role in the Presidency of the European Council of Ministers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:30.887","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282020,"EventID":"S4W-13363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:31.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:53:32.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the number of personal bankruptcy cases (a) discharged by the Accountant in Bankruptcy and (b) in which the Accountant in Bankruptcy restricted the hours charged for work by trustees in the same year in the latest year for which information is available\r\n","AnswerText":"Between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012, the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) discharged 12,106 personal bankruptcy cases. For the same time period, AiB restricted the hours charged for work by trustees in 19 cases. When considering trustee accounts, AiB will disallow hours charged that are not appropriate and reduce the number of hours claimed if they appear excessive.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:31.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282021,"EventID":"S4W-13364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:31.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:53:32.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what process the Accountant in Bankruptcy uses when discharging bankruptcies to ensure that excessive hours are not charged for work.\r\n","AnswerText":"For those cases where the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) is trustee the remuneration claimed is determined in accordance with the Bankruptcy Fees etc. (Scotland) Regulations 2012.\r\nWhere a private trustee is in place, a breakdown of the hours incurred and a summary of the work carried out must be supplied to AiB for determination. This must take the format shown in the Statement of Insolvency Practice (Scotland) 9 which insolvency practitioners are required to comply with. This “time matrix” provides details of the categories of work carried out, the grade of staff that carried out the work and the hourly rate charged.\r\nWhilst AiB has no authority to alter the hourly rate charged, it will carefully examine each entry on the matrix and time sheets to ensure that the work carried out was necessary, the time claimed reasonable and the work was carried out by the appropriate grade of staff. Where fees are in excess of £15,000 over a 12 month period, an examination of their files is also carried out to substantiate the entries on the timesheets. When necessary, AiB will disallow hours that are not appropriate, amend the time matrix to ensure the appropriate hourly rate is claimed, and reduce the number of hours claimed if they appear excessive.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:31.417","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282022,"EventID":"S4W-13365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:32.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:55:23.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages supermarket owners to participate in local licensing forums.\r\n","AnswerText":"Section 10 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 places responsibility on the relevant local council to appoint the membership of each local licensing forum. The relevant council must ensure, so far as possible, that the membership of the forum is representative of persons within that local area who have an interest which is relevant to the forum’s general functions. I do not consider it appropriate for Scottish Ministers to intervene in this local matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:32.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282023,"EventID":"S4W-13366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:32.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T17:10:24.817","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken since June 2012 to (a) strengthen the licensing scheme for metal and (b) ban payment of cash in exchange for scrap metal, and what further action is planned.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has raised the level of turnover required for a meal dealer to be exempt from licensing from £100,000 to £1,000,000, there by drawing more dealers into the licensing scheme. The order making this change was laid before the Scottish Parliament on 26 November 2012 and came into force on 20 February 2013.\r\nA further consultation on changes to the licensing scheme for metal dealers will commence shortly. This will include proposals for the removal of the exemption system entirely and the banning of cash payments for scrap metal will commence shortly. We will welcome the views of interested parties on these matters.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:32.383","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282024,"EventID":"S4W-13367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:32.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:43:10.393","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions regarding street level cabinet exchanges it has had with broadband operators who have received public money to upgrade exchanges.\r\n","AnswerText":"BT is the only broadband operator to have received public money to upgrade exchanges, through the Scottish Government’s 2005 Broadband for Scotland Project.\r\n\r\nDiscussions regarding telephone exchanges and cabinets are likely to form part of the ongoing procurement exercises for the Step Change 2015 Programme. The programme, which is technology neutral, will deliver next generation broadband connectivity throughout Scotland by 2015 and is progressing through two procurements – for the Highlands and Islands, and the rest of Scotland. Detailed rollout plans in respect of both procurements will not be known until after the contracts are awarded.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:32.977","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282025,"EventID":"S4W-13368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:33.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-27T16:43:10.393","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Governement what assessment it has made of the willingness of broadband operators to upgrade cabinets in the context of its exchange upgrade programme.","AnswerText":"The willingness of broadband operators to upgrade cabinets will depend on the outcomes of ongoing discussions which are taking place in relation to the Scottish Government’s Step Change 2015 Programme. This programme is progressing through two procurement exercises and detailed rollout plans, including the technological solutions, in respect of both procurements, will not be known until after the contracts are awarded.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:33.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282026,"EventID":"S4W-13369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:34.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T09:57:12.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the Scottish morbidity record data for the last three years, broken down by acute hospital.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to list individual SMR records for reasons of patient confidentiality.\r\nThe Information Services Division (ISD) of NHS National Services Scotland collects patient level healthcare information on various Scottish Morbidity Record (SMR) schemes.\r\nThis data covers a wide range of NHS healthcare activity, including SMR00 (outpatient clinic attendance), SMR01 (acute hospital inpatient and day case activity), SMR02 (maternity hospital inpatient and day case activity). More information on ISD’s data collections is available on the ISD website at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/About-ISD/Data-Collection/.\r\nPublished aggregate data based on SMR returns is available on the ISD website at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/.\r\nOverall volumes of SMRs returned are available on the Hospital Records Data Monitoring - SMR Timeliness subtopic of ISD’s website at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Products-and-Services/Hospital-Records-Data-Monitoring/SMR-Timeliness/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:34.053","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282027,"EventID":"S4W-13370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:34.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T10:57:44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12215 by Kenny MacAskill on 8 February 2013, how many (a) High Court fines, (b) Sheriff Court fines, (c) Justice of the Peace Court fines, (d) District Court fines, (e) Stipendiary Magistrate Court fines and (f) fiscal direct penalties imposed for common assault since 2007 (a) have been paid (i) in full and (ii) in part and (b) are unpaid.\r\n","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:34.49","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282028,"EventID":"S4W-13371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:34.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T10:57:44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12215 by Kenny MacAskill on 8 February 2013, how many (a) High Court fines, (b) Sheriff Court fines, (c) Justice of the Peace Court fines, (d) District Court fines, (e) Stipendiary Magistrate Court fines and (f) fiscal direct penalties for drugs offences since 2007 (a) have been paid (i) in full and (ii) in part and (b) are unpaid.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:34.787","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282029,"EventID":"S4W-13372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:35.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T11:49:22.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what projects it has funded to tackle sectarianism in each of the last two years, broken down by (a) project, (b) amount awarded and (c) date of award.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government funding to tackle sectarianism in 2011-12 and 2012-13 is shown in the following table, broken down by organisation and project, amount awarded and date of award:\r\nOrganisation and Project\r\nFunding Amount (2011-12)\r\nDate of Award\r\nFunding Amount (2012-13)\r\nDate of Award\r\nCambridge University Technical Services – ‘Integrative Complexity’ Project\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£167,920\r\n06-08-2012\r\nChildren’s Parliament – ‘Me+Us’ Project\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£50,670\r\n12-06-2012\r\nCitizen’s Theatre – ‘Divided City’ Project\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£116,500\r\n15-08-2012\r\nCity of Edinburgh Council – ‘Community Research’ Project\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£6,600\r\n15-08-2012\r\nConforti Institute – ‘Lederach’s Peace Building Model’ Project\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£111,141\r\n02-07-2012\r\nFaith in Community Scotland – ‘Developing an Asset-based Approach to tackling sectarianism’ Project\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£69,793\r\n12-07-2012\r\nFestival of Spirituality and Peace – ‘Civic Cafes’ Project\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£9,000\r\n11-06-2012\r\nFootball Co-Ordination Unit Scotland (FoCUS)\r\n£1,022,035\r\n01-09-2011\r\n£797,703\r\n18-05-2012\r\nThe Iona Community – ‘Can you hear the bigots sing’ prisons’ Project and ‘Community Youth Work’ Project\r\n£42,000\r\n16-03-2011\r\n£42,000\r\n16-04-2012\r\nNil by Mouth – ‘Beyond Religion and Belief’ and ‘Champions for Change’ Projects\r\n£59,647\r\n16-03-2011\r\n£60,000\r\n11-04-2012\r\nOutward Bound Trust – ‘Community Unity’ Project\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£60,000\r\n15-08-2012\r\nA Place for Hope – ‘Community Mediation’ Project\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£50,000\r\n16-08-2012\r\nSACRO (Safeguarding Communities – Reducing Offending) – ‘Together Project’\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£100,000\r\n15-08-2012\r\nScottish Community Development Centre – ‘Proof of Concept’ Project with Community Links, Yipworld.com and Getting Better Together Ltd\r\n£36,700\r\n07-12-2011\r\n£107,537\r\n19-06-2012\r\nScottish Community Development Centre – ‘Community-led Action Research’ Project with, Fauldhouse Community Development Trust, Edinburgh and Lothian Regional Equality Council and Pilmeny Development Trust\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£59,000\r\n12-07-2012\r\nScottish Marriage Care – ‘Evaluate Models of Intervention’ Project\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£69,690\r\n22-10-2012\r\nScottish Sports Futures – ‘Stand Tall’ Project\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£84,000\r\n19-09-2012\r\nSense over Sectarianism – ‘Schools and Community Engagement through Education’ Project and ‘Small Grant Scheme’ Project\r\n£150,000\r\n16-03-2011\r\n£150,000\r\n11-04-2012\r\nShow Bigotry the Red Card – ‘Anti-Sectarian Educational Work’ Project\r\n£20,000\r\n16-03-2011\r\n£20,000\r\n11-04-2012\r\nVoluntary Action Fund – ‘Community Engagement and support’ Projects with Inverclyde Community Development Trust, Twechar Community Action and Central Scotland Regional Equality Council\r\n£29,271\r\n07-12-2012\r\n£110,682\r\n14-05-2012\r\nVoluntary Action Fund - Community Engagement and support’ Projects with Renton Community Development Trust,   Stewarty Council of Voluntary Services, Brora Community Learning Centre, Brag Enterprises, Engender, Scottish Women’s Convention, Edinburgh and Lothian’s Regional Equality Council and Scottish Women’s Library\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£138,198\r\n12-07-2012\r\nVoluntary Action Fund – Glasgow Scoping Project\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£25,000\r\n12-07-2012\r\nYouth Scotland – ‘Stand Up to Sectarianism’ Project.\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£55,045\r\n29-10-2012\r\nYouthLink Scotland – ‘Web Portal’ Project.\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n£87,780\r\n15-10-2012\r\n\r\nI also refer the member to the answers to questions S4W-13159 on 5 March 2013, S4W-08770 on 17 July 2012, and S4W-03239 on 25 November 2011.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:35.097","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282030,"EventID":"S4W-13375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:35.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T13:52:27.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the provision of IVF and other fertility treatments by each NHS board since 2008.","AnswerText":"The National Infertility Group was set up in April 2010 to address the inequity of access to infertility treatment across Scotland. This included considering the provision of current levels of infertility treatments in NHS boards. The group’s report, with final recommendations on future provision of IVF treatment across Scotland, is currently with Ministers for consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:35.707","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282031,"EventID":"S4W-13376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:35.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T13:52:27.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) advice and (b) reports on access to and provision of fertility treatment it has received from the National Infertility Group.","AnswerText":"The National Infertility Group was set up in April 2010 to address the inequity of access to infertility treatment across Scotland. The Group’s report, with final recommendations on future provision of IVF treatment across Scotland, is currently with Ministers for consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:35.987","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282032,"EventID":"S4W-13377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:37:36.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T13:52:27.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS boards provide access to three cycles of IVF treatment for couples.","AnswerText":"The following NHS boards allow eligible couples access to up to three cycles of IVF treatment:\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\nNHS Grampian\r\nNHS Highland\r\nNHS Orkney\r\nNHS Shetland\r\nNHS Tayside\r\nNHS Western Isles.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:37:36.533","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282033,"EventID":"S4W-13381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T14:45:06.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T14:28:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish the first in its series of analytical bulletins on oil and gas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish the first in a series of oil and gas analytical bulletins on 11 March 2013.\r\nThe bulletin demonstrates that Scotland is a major oil and gas producer, accounting for an estimated 78% of total UK hydrocarbon production in 2011. Scotland is also estimated to be the largest producer of hydrocarbons in the EU and accounted for approximately 64% of EU oil production in 2010.\r\nThe analysis shows that significant oil and gas reserves remain in the North Sea. Oil and Gas UK estimate that up to 24 billion barrels of oil and gas equivalent could still be recovered. These reserves are estimated to have a potential wholesale value of up to £1.5 trillion. This implies that – by wholesale value – more than half of the oil and gas reserves in the North Sea could still be extracted. \r\nNew internationally comparable analysis contained in the bulletin shows that Scotland is estimated to have the largest oil reserves in the EU, accounting for almost 60% of the EU total. The bulletin also estimates that Scotland has the second largest volume of proven gas reserves in the EU.\r\nScottish oil and gas production is estimated to have generated £10.6 billion in tax revenue during 2011-12. The sector is projected to remain a significant source of revenue in future years. The bulletin presents four potential scenarios for future North Sea tax revenue that take into account recent trends in investment and prices. The results suggest that oil and gas production in Scottish waters could generate between £41 and £57 billion in tax revenue over the six years to 2017-18. Taking the average of these scenarios suggests that oil and gas production in Scottish waters could generate approximately £48 billion in tax revenue over this period.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin is the first time all of this information has been estimated. It replaces the Government’s previous estimates of production and reserves and in doing so, the bulletin sets out a clear picture of the vast potential and importance of hydrocarbons in the North Sea. It is available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Business/Energy/OilGas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T14:45:06.167","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282041,"EventID":"S4W-13378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T16:58:41.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T14:18:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase public awareness of the dangers of exposure to ultraviolet light and help reduce the incidence of skin cancer.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the dangers of over-exposure to ultraviolet light.\r\nIn October 2012, we launched the R UV Ugly? Campaign in partnership with Cancer Research UK, to raise public awareness of the dangers of overexposure to ultraviolet light through sunbed use.\r\nScotland has also led the way in the UK by being the first country to introduce legislation for sun bed use to help reduce the incidence of skin cancer. The Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 (Sunbed) Regulations 2009 were brought into force on 1 December 2009. The Act bans operators from allowing the use of sunbeds by under 18s in commercial premises; prohibits the sale or hire of sunbeds to under 18s; requires operators to supervise the use of sunbeds; places a duty upon the operator of a sunbed premise to display a public information notice; and requires operators to provide customers with health information on the health risks associated with sunbed use.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T16:58:41.76","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282042,"EventID":"S4W-13379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T16:58:42.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T14:18:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to develop and publish updated referral guidelines for GPs on skin cancer as part of the Detect Cancer Early Initiative.","AnswerText":"The Detect Cancer Early Programme aims to increase the proportion of cancers detected at the early stage of disease. Although directed at lung, breast and colorectal cancers in the first instance, early diagnosis and high quality treatment and care for all patients with cancer is a top priority. It is anticipated that the programme will benefit other groups of people as general awareness raising initiatives are expected to result in earlier presentation, referral and assessment for all those with a possibility of cancer.\r\nColorectal, lung and breast cancer represent 45 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in Scotland per year. To allow the early stages of the programme to be appropriately managed and be the most effective, a decision was taken to focus on these three cancers initially. This will enable the greatest impact both in terms of patient numbers and in tackling cancer in areas of deprivation where survival has historically been poorest. It will be easier to demonstrate shifts in outcomes and in population attitudes by choosing the high incidence tumour types as the initial focus, it is anticipated that this will build the momentum for the programme that will then facilitate roll out to the rarer tumour types.\r\nThe original Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer were developed by a working group formed by the Scottish Executive Health Directorate and were published in April 2002. These guidelines include skin cancer. They were reviewed in 2006, with a revised publication issued in February 2007. In 2009 the Scottish Primary Care Cancer Group (SPCCG) developed a quick reference guide as an “aide memoire” to the full guidelines, this publication was supported by the Scottish Government.\r\nOnce the initial phase of the Detect Cancer Early Programme is completed, consideration will be given to which other cancers need to be tackled in a similar way. This includes review of the referral guidelines.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T16:58:42.043","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282043,"EventID":"S4W-13380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T16:58:42.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T14:18:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in the programme for developing national cancer quality performance indicators for specific cancer types.","AnswerText":"Under the auspices of the Scottish Cancer Taskforce, National Cancer Quality Performance Indicators (QPIs) are being developed to drive continuous quality improvement in cancer care across NHSScotland. An ambitious programme of work has been agreed, which will see QPIs developed for all main cancers by 2014.\r\nThe development of QPIs for breast, renal, prostate, hepatopancreatobiliary, upper gastro-intestinal, colorectal and lung cancers are complete and further tumour specific QPIs including those for ovarian cancer, lymphoma, brain/central nervous system cancer, bladder cancer, head and neck cancer, sarcoma, acute leukaemia and melanoma are being developed.\r\nOnce completed the QPIs are made available on Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s website at: \r\nhttp://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/programmes/cancer_care_improvement/cancer_qpis.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T16:58:42.323","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282044,"EventID":"S4W-13382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T16:58:42.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T14:38:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) West Lothian and (b) Fife Council will pay toward the cost of the Forth Replacement Crossing.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Forth Replacement Crossing will be fully funded through Scottish Government capital budgets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T16:58:42.587","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282045,"EventID":"S4W-13383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T16:58:43.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T14:38:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost per kilometre has been for the construction of new roads in each year since 1999.\r\n","AnswerText":"Schemes vary considerably in terms of their nature, location, complexity of design and the environmental constraints that governs that design. The average cost per kilometre for the construction of new roads in each year since 1999 is contained in the following table.\r\nThe 2008 figure reflects the cost of the M74 Completion which was a particularly complex project, largely comprising of elevated structures located in a geometrically constrained brownfield site. Despite these challenges, the M74 Project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.\r\nThe year noted is the year in which construction commenced on a scheme. \r\nYear\r\nAverage cost per Km/Lane\r\nNumber of Km's\r\n \r\n£M\r\n \r\n1999\r\n0.29\r\n3.00\r\n2000\r\n*\r\n \r\n2001\r\n0.48\r\n9.26\r\n2002\r\n1.44\r\n27.30\r\n2003\r\n2.29\r\n9.80\r\n2004\r\n*\r\n \r\n2005\r\n*\r\n \r\n2006\r\n1.26\r\n22.90\r\n2007\r\n1.50\r\n18.10\r\n2008\r\n18.54\r\n8.00\r\n2009\r\n1.94\r\n20.40\r\n2010\r\n2.85\r\n11.20\r\n2011\r\n*\r\n\r\n2012\r\n*\r\n\r\nNote*: No schemes commenced in these years.\r\nCosts for schemes which were predominantly junctions or interchanges have been excluded as these are not considered representative.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T16:58:43.29","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282046,"EventID":"S4W-13384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T16:58:43.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T15:12:51.893","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many representations it has received requesting a call-in of the decision by North Lanarkshire Council on 6 February 2013 to rationalise Abronhill and Cumbernauld high schools.","AnswerText":"The total number of representations made to the Scottish Ministers under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 (2010 Act) about North Lanarkshire Council’s proposals for Abronhill High School and Cumbernauld High School is almost 800. This figure includes a number of duplicate or multiple representations, the precise number of which is still being determined.\r\nHowever, the decision on whether to issue a call-in notice is not dependent on the number of representations made but where it appears to the Scottish Ministers that the education authority may have failed:\r\n(a) in a significant regard to comply with the requirements imposed on it by the 2010 Act so far as they are relevant in relation to the closure proposal, or\r\n(b) to take account of a material consideration relevant to its decision to implement the proposal.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T16:58:43.557","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282047,"EventID":"S4W-13385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-02-28T16:58:44.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T15:12:51.893","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) highest number and (b) average number of representations is that it has received requesting a call-in of a local authority decision under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of representations made to the Scottish Ministers under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 about school closure proposals varies significantly on a case by case basis. In many cases no representations have been made while in others there have been some hundreds of representations.\r\nThe highest number of individual representations made to the Scottish Ministers about a single school closure proposal is nearly 900.\r\nThe average number of representations made to the Scottish Ministers about a school closure proposal, based on the 75 school closure proposals considered to date, is estimated to be around 30.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-14T16:58:44.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282048,"EventID":"S4W-13387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:39.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T16:18:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that patients in Scotland with metastatic malignant melanoma have access to newly developed treatments available elsewhere in the UK.","AnswerText":"Scotland has its own robust and transparent appraisal process for newly licensed medicines through the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland. The processes of these bodies are independent from the Scottish Government.\r\nThe Access to New Medicines Review is currently examining every aspect of the processes for introducing new medicines within the NHS in Scotland to assess their effectiveness and to identify what further improvements can be made. The outcomes of the current review of Access to New Medicines will be published in the Spring.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:39.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282049,"EventID":"S4W-13388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:40.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T16:18:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it can confirm that the drug, ipilimumab, has been made available to patients with metastatic malignant melanoma in every country that has completed its regulatory review of the new treatment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information about which medicines are made available to patients with a particular condition, including metastatic malignant melanoma, in other countries. National advice from each UK country on ipilimumab is published on their respective websites.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:40.373","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282050,"EventID":"S4W-13389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:40.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T16:18:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether patients have accessed new treatments for metastatic malignant melanoma by means of the individual patient treatment request system.","AnswerText":"Information on which medicines have been accessed through the Individual Patient Treatment Request process is not collected centrally. This information can be sought from individual NHS boards.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:40.717","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282051,"EventID":"S4W-13390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:41.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T17:02:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients were treated with neurosurgery for a mental disorder in the last year for which information is available, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"In the 12 month period, 6 March 2012 to 3 March 2013, there were less than five Neurosurgery procedures undertaken. We are unable to disaggregate this information further due to the potential risk of disclosure and to help maintain patient confidentiality.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:41.047","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282052,"EventID":"S4W-13391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:41.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T17:20:03.04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what annual data reporting it requires of money advice services that it funds (a) directly and (b) indirectly.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not directly fund money advice services. We provide third tier funding to the Money Advice, Training, Resources, Information and Consultancy Services (MATRICS) project. The purpose of MATRICS is to ensure that there is a skilled money advice workforce which embeds the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers across the sector.\r\nIn accordance with the grant offer, MATRICS are required to submit a quarterly report summarising their performance against outcomes in the provision of training and support to enable money advisers to deliver a quality service.\r\nGrant funding is also provided to the Money Advice Trust (MAT) to support the National Debtline. MAT provide all funders including the Scottish Government with a quarterly report which includes data relating to number of calls answered, emails and most reported debt types.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not collate any statistical information from money advice agencies where funding has been provided indirectly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:41.373","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282053,"EventID":"S4W-13392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:41.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T17:20:03.04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it collects data from the money advice services that it funds regarding the prevalence of debt problems and, if so, what categories it uses for different types of debt.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not directly fund money advice services. We provide third tier funding to the Money Advice, Training, Resources, Information and Consultancy Services (MATRICS) project. The purpose of MATRICS is to provide ensure there is a skilled money advice workforce which embeds the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers across the sector. No data is collected through this project on the prevalence of debt.\r\nThe Scottish Government also provide funding to the Money Advice Trust (MAT) to support the National Debtline. Under the terms of this grant, MAT provides all funders including the Scottish Government with a quarterly report. The report provides a breakdown of the most reported debt types, which are: mortgages, rent, council tax, hire purchase, payday loans, telephone, water, catalogues and fuel debt.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:41.7","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282054,"EventID":"S4W-13393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:42.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T17:20:03.04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses the extent of and trends in payday loan debt.\r\n","AnswerText":"The area of consumer credit, including pay day lending is currently a reserved matter; therefore the Scottish Government does not have the powers to collect this information from pay day loan companies.\r\nWe currently rely on published data by the UK Government and its associated departments to assess the extent of and trends in payday loan debt. I acknowledge that the rise of payday lending is fairly recent and the actual amounts being loaned by the high-interest sector is difficult to gauge.\r\nThe Office of Fair Trading (OFT) estimates the market for payday loans to have been worth £2-2.2 billion, in 2011-2012 based on the information provided by payday lending companies in 2012.\r\nWe will continue to monitor the prevalence and issues relating to payday loans through external research and continued engagement with stakeholders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:42.06","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282055,"EventID":"S4W-13394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:42.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T17:20:03.04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its reasons were for discontinuing the money advice case management report and what information it no longer collects as a result.\r\n","AnswerText":"The collection of the money advice case management report ceased when the 2008 concordat with Convention Of Scottish Local Authorities was introduced. A statistical framework remained in place but in practice the collection of statistics proved difficult. The variability in the quality of returns led to the cessation of recording in 2011. Money advice agencies continue to collect their own statistics, which are suitable and appropriate for their needs in delivering debt advice in Scotland.\r\nOur focus is on supporting these organisations in the provision of money advice and encouraging these agencies to continue to raise the standard of debt advice across Scotland. We do this through third tier funding to the Money Advice, Training, Resources, Information and Consultancy Services (MATRICS) project which is a Citizens Advice Scotland and Money Advice Scotland partnership project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:42.637","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282056,"EventID":"S4W-13396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:42.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T17:20:03.04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will set out the detail of its plans for a financial health service.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government set out proposals for a Financial Health Service, to support the provision of fair and just processes for debt advice, debt relief and debt management in its consultation paper, published on 24 February 2012. This is the first time in a generation that the principles and concept of bankruptcy and other debt management solutions have been considered. Following our consultation and the Scottish Government response, published on 7 November 2012, legislation will be brought forward during 2013 to deliver our broad and ambitious agenda for reform, focussing on outcomes and improvements to the whole system. This will commence with changes to the Debt Arrangement Scheme regulations and our Bankruptcy Reform Bill, which we expect to introduce in the first half of this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:42.95","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282057,"EventID":"S4W-13397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:43.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T17:20:03.04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that all children receive financial education.","AnswerText":"Financial education is part of a wider focus on numeracy within Curriculum for Excellence. The expectation is that all teachers seek to develop young people’s numeracy skills in all areas and at all levels.\r\nSupport for financial education is provided by Education Scotland through a range of on-line teaching resources, professional development opportunities for teachers and through the Scottish Financial Education Forum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:43.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282058,"EventID":"S4W-13398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:43.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T10:01:06.13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to carry out a revaluation of the council tax bands.","AnswerText":"Ministers consider the council tax to be unfair and have committed to freezing the tax for the duration of this Parliament to support hard pressed households. The Scottish Government will consult with others to produce a fairer local tax based on ability to pay later in this Parliament.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:44.01","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282059,"EventID":"S4W-13399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:44.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T12:14:29.72","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what costs are associated with applying for a (a) continuing or (b) welfare power of attorney and what financial assistance is available to the (i) grantor and (ii) prospective attorney.","AnswerText":"Arrangements for powers of attorney are contained within the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. Powers of attorney are granted by individuals and must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before they can take effect. The cost of registering a continuing power, or a welfare power, or both, is £70. There is no requirement to use a solicitor to draw up the power of attorney, but if applicants choose to do so then professional fees will apply. Civil legal aid is not available for power of attorney applications. A grant of advice and assistance from a solicitor may be available subject to the Scottish Legal Aid Board’s statutory tests of financial eligibility. The solicitor acting will advise on eligibility and decide whether the power of attorney can be drawn up and registered with the Office of the Public Guardian within the available expenditure of £95. If this is insufficient, the solicitor can request an increase in authorised expenditure from the Scottish Legal Aid Board if required, to enable them to complete the work.\r\nThe applications for registration by the Office of the Public Guardian must be accompanied by a statutory certificate, signed by a practising solicitor, practising advocate, or a registered and licensed medical practitioner. The purpose of the certificate is to certify that the relevant professional person has interviewed the granter immediately before the document is signed, and is satisfied that the granter understands the nature and extent of the power, and that he or she has no reason to believe that the granter is acting under undue influence. There is no statutory charge for completion of this certificate, and any person who chooses to draw up their own power will wish to seek advice from the relevant professional person as to the fee charged.\r\nThe role of the attorney or attorneys in the application process is to agree to act as attorney if or when the granter loses capacity to make their own decisions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:44.697","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282060,"EventID":"S4W-13400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:45.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T12:14:29.72","Title":"","ItemText":" To ask the Scottish Government what legal aid criteria apply to relatives applying for a (a) continuing or (b) welfare power of attorney.\r\n","AnswerText":"Arrangements for powers of attorney are contained within the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. Individuals, while they have capacity, can grant a person or persons they trust powers to act as their continuing and/or welfare attorney in case capacity is lost at some future point. It is not the case that an individual’s relatives can apply on their behalf.\r\nCivil legal aid is not available for power of attorney applications. A grant of advice and assistance from a solicitor may be available subject to the Scottish Legal Aid Board’s statutory tests of financial eligibility. The solicitor acting will advise on eligibility and decide whether the power of attorney can be drawn up and registered with the Office of the Public Guardian within the available expenditure of £95. If this is insufficient, the solicitor can request an increase in authorised expenditure from the Scottish Legal Aid Board if required, to enable them to complete the work.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:45.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282061,"EventID":"S4W-13401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:45.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T12:14:37.937","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on developing a super-fast rail link between Perth and the central belt.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to develop a new rail link between Perth and the central belt.\r\nTransport Scotland is working closely with Network Rail to develop phase two of the Highland Main Line Improvements Project and phase one of the Aberdeen to Central Belt Rail Enhancements Scheme. Both schemes will consider potential infrastructure enhancements south of Perth which could support improved journey times.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:45.633","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282062,"EventID":"S4W-13402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:45.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T13:00:19.593","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions the Minister for Transport and Veterans has had with the business community in Glasgow on whether there is a need for a Glasgow Airport rail link.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Minister for Transport and Veterans has not met directly with members of the business community in Glasgow to discuss their perceived or actual need for a Glasgow Airport Rail Link. However, representatives of the business community were invited to a range of stakeholder consultation and workshop events as part of the ongoing Glasgow Airport Transport Appraisal Study, led by Glasgow Airport, with support from Glasgow City Council, Renfrewshire Council and Transport Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:45.99","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282063,"EventID":"S4W-13403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-01T13:49:46.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T13:12:41.453","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what procedures it has in place to ensure that it considers the purchase of items of Scottish historical interest that become available for sale.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides support and funding to the National Collections bodies, National Records Scotland and Historic Scotland, all of whom have procedures in place which allow them to identify items of Scottish historical interest for possible purchase.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government helps local museums and galleries to make purchases through funding for the National Fund for Acquisitions, which is administered by National Museums Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-15T13:49:46.38","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282078,"EventID":"S4F-01220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T13:24:02.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-02-28T15:23:18.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T13:24:02.063","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282079,"EventID":"S4F-01223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T13:24:03.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T09:46:09.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T13:24:03.47","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282080,"EventID":"S4F-01225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T13:24:05.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T10:51:45.277","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has to reform the school education system.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T13:24:05.043","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282081,"EventID":"S4F-01226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T13:24:05.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T10:55:44.277","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T13:24:05.543","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282082,"EventID":"S4F-01229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T13:24:08.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T11:16:38.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what consideration the Scottish Government has given to the introduction of legislation regarding the implementation of the relevant convention rights if the UK Government was to repeal the Human Rights Act 1998.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T13:24:08.117","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282083,"EventID":"S4F-01234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T13:24:12.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T11:28:11.223","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will clarify the current relationship between the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T13:24:12.297","MeetingDate":"2013-03-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282092,"EventID":"S4W-13404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T14:43:35.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T15:23:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children with a parent in prison are in (a) foster, (b) residential and (c) kinship care.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect this data.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T14:43:35.48","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282093,"EventID":"S4W-13405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T14:43:35.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T15:23:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what costs have been incurred in each year since 2007 as a result of children being taken into care following a parent being sent to prison.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect this data centrally and has made no estimate of these costs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T14:43:35.963","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282094,"EventID":"S4W-13406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T14:43:36.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T15:23:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance social workers are given regarding preparing social enquiry reports for courts in relation to children of convicted offenders in order to assist sentencing.","AnswerText":"Social Enquiry Reports were replaced in February 2011 by Criminal Justice Social Work Reports (CJSWRs). Practice guidance for report writers and managers was published in December 2010 and is available on the Scottish Government website at:\r\n http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/offender-management/offender/community/16910/Standards/GuidanceCJSWR.\r\nIn detailing an offenders’ personal and social circumstances, report writers are encouraged to include any caring responsibilities that the individual may have (including part-time or weekend contact) and whether any significant family relationships are at risk of breaking down as a consequence of any relevant sentencing option (paragraph 6.17.1).\r\nAdditionally, where a custodial sentence is possible, the guidance notes that report writers should consider the likely impact of such a sentence on the individual’s family, including any children, taking into account such variables as whether they are the sole breadwinner, if the family home may be in jeopardy, and if caring responsibilities could no longer be fulfilled (paragraph 6.25.1).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T14:43:36.26","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282095,"EventID":"S4W-13407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T14:43:36.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T15:23:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on reducing reoffending in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"A number of Ministerial portfolios including justice, housing, health and education make important contributions towards reducing reoffending. However, we do not hold an aggregate figure for those contributions.\r\nWithin justice, a number of budgets contribute to reducing reoffending including those of Community Justice Authorities (CJAs) and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS). This funding is used to provide a range of services delivered by Local Authority Criminal Justice Social Work, the SPS itself and Third Sector partner organisations.\r\nCJAs were established by the Management of Offenders etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 to help reduce reoffending. Their responsibilities include the co-ordination of work across partner organisations, the promotion of good practice with a view to reducing reoffending and the appropriate allocation of funding to relevant local authorities.\r\nFunding provided to CJAs over the last five years is provided in the following table.\r\nFinancial Year\r\n\r\nCommunity Justice Authority Budget (£)\r\n2008-09\r\n92,786,314\r\n2009-10\r\n95,726,923\r\n2010-11\r\n98,863,003\r\n2011-12\r\n97,934,246\r\n2012-13\r\n96,832,691\r\n\r\nThe Government has also established the Reducing Reoffending Change Fund which will issue £10 million in grant funding in 2012-2015, to support organisations that deliver mentoring services to offenders, providing practical, one to one support to help offenders rehabilitate themselves and to desist from crime.\r\nIt is not possible to extract from the overall SPS budget the amount dedicated to reducing reoffending.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T14:43:36.587","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282096,"EventID":"S4W-13408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T14:43:36.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T15:23:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12231 by Kenny MacAskill on 24 January 2013, from what countries the research comes that evaluates the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThere are a number of countries that, over many years, have contributed to the research evidence available in relation to the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes. The main contributors to what is known come from North America – the United States and Canada – and the United Kingdom and Germany. Whilst this list is not exhaustive, academics and practitioners from these countries have been seminal in progressing our understanding of the effectiveness of these types of programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T14:43:36.883","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282097,"EventID":"S4W-13409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T14:43:37.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T15:23:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12231 by Kenny MacAskill on 24 January 2013, whether (a) it or (b) the Scottish Prison Service plans to evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes in prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nSPS will over the next three years submit its rehabilitation programmes to the Scottish Advisory Panel for Offender Rehabilitation (SAPOR) for accreditation. A key element of the accreditation process is that SPS evidence how it will evaluate the effectiveness of these.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T14:43:37.163","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282098,"EventID":"S4W-13410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T14:43:37.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T15:23:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to set up a Scottish sentencing council.","AnswerText":"We are discussing with the Lord President arrangements for establishing, before the end of this Parliament, a Scottish Sentencing Council.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T14:43:37.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282099,"EventID":"S4W-13411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T14:43:37.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T15:23:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners have passed the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level 4 in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows.\r\nThe SPS Learning and Skills Providers and SPS staff both deliver qualifications under the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework.\r\nSPS does not collate information regarding how many prisoners have passed the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Level 4 delivered by SPS staff, however, SPS Learning and Skills providers do record this information.\r\nThe following table details the number of prisoners who have passed the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level 4, delivered by SPS Learning and Skills providers in each academic year (1 August-31 July) since 2007.\r\nNo of Prisoners who Passed SQA Level 4 – per Academic Year\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n(to date)\r\n871\r\n1,240\r\n1,053\r\n1,262\r\n1,084\r\n628\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T14:43:37.773","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282100,"EventID":"S4W-13412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T14:43:38.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T15:23:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many first-time offenders there have been in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the following table.\r\nNumber of individuals convicted during the period with no prior convictions in previous 10 years: 2006-07 to 2011-12\r\n2006-07\r\n18,939\r\n2007-08\r\n18,695\r\n2008-09\r\n17,304\r\n2009-10\r\n16,350\r\n2010-11\r\n15,053\r\n2011-12\r\n13,607\r\nSource: Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services criminal proceedings database.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Figures include criminal court convictions during past 10 years for crimes or common assault, breach of the peace, racially aggravated conduct or harassment, firearms offences or social security offences. Convictions outwith Scotland are excluded.\r\n2. The data presented in this publication are drawn from an administrative IT system. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the data, they are subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. While the figures shown have been checked as far as practicable, they should be regarded as approximate and not necessarily accurate to the last whole number shown in the tables. They are also updated and quality assured on an on-going basis, and the figures shown here may therefore differ slightly from those published previously.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T14:43:38.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282101,"EventID":"S4W-13413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T14:43:38.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T15:29:56.64","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many private residential housing developments have been designated as contaminated under the Environment Act 1995 in each year since 1999.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local authorities have the responsibility for identifying any land in their areas that meets the criteria of being contaminated land. Currently, contaminated land information of this kind is not held centrally. In the light of this, I will discuss the possibility of filling this information gap with Cllr Hagan of COSLA when next we meet.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T14:43:38.367","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282102,"EventID":"S4W-13414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T14:43:38.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T15:47:42.703","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12690 by Michael Matheson on 26 February 2013, who invites healthcare officials and stakeholders to join the Scottish Chronic Pain Steering Group.  \r\n","AnswerText":"Further to my previous responses of 29 January 2013 and 26 February 2013, regarding the National Chronic Pain Steering Group the group was convened by the Scottish Government and membership invited from healthcare professionals and relevant stakeholders with an interest in informing policy to improve services for people living with chronic pain in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T14:43:38.707","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282103,"EventID":"S4W-13415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T14:43:39.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T15:47:42.703","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12687 by Michael Matheson on 26 February 2013, to whom did it reimburse the £58,000 funding of Health Improvement Scotland’s budget for chronic pain.\r\n","AnswerText":"Funding of £58,000 is reimbursed by Healthcare Improvement Scotland to NHS Fife to reimburse staff costs for expert clinical advice to support the improvement of chronic pain services in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T14:43:39.223","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282104,"EventID":"S4T-00264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T12:53:13.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T10:58:12.603","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Qualifications Authority regarding contracts that the body has signed with foreign governments.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T12:53:13.887","MeetingDate":"2013-03-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282111,"EventID":"S4W-13416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:30.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T16:00:33.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it was consulted by Transport Scotland about new trunk road signage on the A9 at Longman roundabout at Inverness and, if so, what advice was given.\r\n","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is responsible for the management and maintenance of the trunk road network on behalf of Scottish Ministers and implements the policy of the Scottish Government in terms of bilingual signs. This policy is that bilingual signs should be installed on all trunk roads in the north west of Scotland, including the A82. Unfortunately, there are numerous technical challenges in implementing this infrastructure in the urban area of Inverness. A study and re-design of all trunk road signs in Inverness has been completed, however any implementation will be subject to available funding and competing priorities across the Scottish trunk road network.  A decision was taken not to include bilingual signs on the A82 approach to Longman as part of the recent improvement, for reasons of consistency and cost, however these signs will be replaced when funding levels allow.\r\nAs part of the advanced preparation works connected with the resurfacing of A9 Kessock Bridge, our operating company, Scotland TranServ, redesigned the layout of the Longman roundabout, including the introduction of traffic lights and a dedicated left-turn lane from Stadium Road. It was necessary to modify existing signing on the A9 to reflect these new arrangements. The most cost-effective method was to amend the existing signs by affixing plates. There are no new signs on the A9.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:30.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282112,"EventID":"S4W-13417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:30.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T16:00:33.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what direction it gives to Transport Scotland about the active promotion and use of Gaelic.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 enabled Bòrd na Gàidhlig (the Scottish Government’s principal Gaelic development body) to require public bodies to prepare Gaelic Language Plans. The Scottish Government’s Gaelic Language Plan was published in 2010.\r\nAs an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government Transport Scotland is covered by the provisions of the Gaelic Language Plan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:30.7","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282113,"EventID":"S4W-13418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:31.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T16:00:33.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update the Gaelic Language Plan regarding signage on trunk roads.\r\n","AnswerText":"The current Scottish Government Gaelic Language Plan is a five year plan which will be renewed in 2015. We are pleased that many commitments have been met and our policies continue to develop to support Gaelic. Road signage is one of these and we are now working to expand the use of the language in this area. We will begin initial renewal work of our plan later this year.\r\nIn the meantime, as an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland is covered by the provisions of the Gaelic Language Plan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:31.027","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282114,"EventID":"S4W-13419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:31.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T16:00:33.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what autonomy Transport Scotland has not to engage in the active promotion and use of Gaelic.\r\n","AnswerText":"As an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland is covered by the provisions of the Gaelic Language Plan which was published in 2010.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:31.323","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282115,"EventID":"S4W-13420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:31.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T16:00:33.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cairngorm National Park Authority will (a) complete and (b) publish its Gaelic Language Plan, and for what reason it has not yet been completed.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Cairngorms National Park Authority submitted a draft Gaelic Language Plan to Bòrd na Gàidhlig for approval in February 2011. A copy of the draft Plan is available on the Park’s website at:\r\nhttp://cairngorms.co.uk/park-authority/about-us/publications\r\nFollowing discussion with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the Park Authority submitted a revised draft for approval in January 2013. Once this is approved, and we anticipate a decision in the near future, the final version of the Plan will be published on the Park’s website.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:31.62","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282116,"EventID":"S4W-13421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:31.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T16:00:33.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what autonomy Cairngorm National Park Authority has regarding its use of Gaelic.\r\n","AnswerText":"Cairngorms National Park Authority recognises that Gaelic is an integral and important part of the culture of the National Park and encourages its partners to support the Gaelic language. The Park Authority’s commitment to promoting Gaelic is set out in its Gaelic Language Plan as required by the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.\r\nWhile the Park Authority has the ability to manage the use of the Gaelic language in relation to its own assets and resources, it has no authority to compel its partners, including private land owners, local authorities, public bodies and community groups, to take similar action.\r\nThrough its National Park Partnership Plan the Park seeks to deliver a broad range of agreed and co-ordinated action which supports the continued development of the Park and delivery of Scottish Government objectives.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:31.933","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282117,"EventID":"S4W-13422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:32.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T16:00:33.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action can be taken by people concerned that a public body might be disregarding its Gaelic language plan.  \r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to the question S4W-13423 on 15 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:32.23","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282118,"EventID":"S4W-13423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:32.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T16:00:33.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages public (a) bodies and (b) service providers to (i) promote and (ii) use Gaelic.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s priority for Gaelic is to secure an increase in the number of people learning, speaking and using the language in Scotland. Scottish public authorities have a vital role in this and their policies and programmes can significantly shape the future of Gaelic in Scotland.\r\nGaelic Language Plans are the principal mechanism used to encourage Scottish public authorities to use and promote Gaelic. Under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 Bòrd na Gàidhlig can notify a Scottish public authority to produce a Gaelic Language Plan. Gaelic Language Plan commitments are strongly linked to the priorities in the National Gaelic Language Plan which sets out how the Government, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Scottish public authorities should work together for the promotion of the language.\r\nAll public authorities with an approved Gaelic Language Plan are asked to submit an annual progress report to the Bòrd in relation to the key commitments in their plan.  In addition, the Bòrd commissions an independent assessment of progress towards achieving the core commitments in plans which are 3 years into their cycle. These two actions are the key measures of success which the Bòrd employs.\r\nThe implementation of a Gaelic Language Plan is the responsibility of the public authority and people who are concerned that the public authority may be disregarding its Gaelic Language Plan should raise this in the first instance with the public authority. If no resolution is reached, they may contact Bòrd na Gàidhlig who would take this into account as part of their monitoring arrangements.\r\nThere are measures in place should a Scottish public authority not pursue the terms of their Gaelic language plan. The Bòrd may submit a report to Scottish ministers setting out its reason for this conclusion. Thereafter Scottish Ministers may either lay a copy of the report before the Scottish Parliament or they may direct the authority in question to implement any or all of the measures in its Gaelic language plan by the date specified in the direction.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:32.523","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282119,"EventID":"S4W-13424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:32.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T16:00:33.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it measures the success of the Gaelic language plans of public (a) bodies and (b) service providers.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to the question S4W-13423 on 15 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:32.82","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282120,"EventID":"S4W-13425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:33.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T16:00:33.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what sanctions there are to deal with public (a) bodies and (b) service providers that do not pursue the terms of their Gaelic language plans. \r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to the question S4W-13423 on 15 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:33.117","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282121,"EventID":"S4W-13426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:33.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T16:00:33.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the most recent figure is for the number of pupils discontinuing Gaelic bi-lingual education (a) in the transition to secondary school, (b) at S2 and (c) from S3 to S6; what analysis it has made of the reasons for this, and whether it plans to take steps to reduce these numbers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wants to see an increase in the number of young people in Gaelic medium education and recognises that maintaining pupil continuity at key stages of schooling is a vital part of this.\r\nThe table below shows the most recent figures from 2012-13. This shows the number of pupils in Gaelic bilingual education at different stages.  \r\nP7\r\n\r\nS1\r\nS2\r\nS3\r\nS4\r\nS5\r\nS6\r\n263\r\n\r\n248\r\n253\r\n215\r\n222\r\n116\r\n50\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government has commissioned research into ‘Language Models in GM Pre-School, Primary and Secondary Education’. This was published in 2012 and further research has been commissioned by Bòrd na Gàidhlig  into parental attitudes in Gaelic medium education.\r\nIn addition, views from consultations and public meetings indicate there are a range of reasons for Gaelic medium pupils numbers declining at key stages. A number of steps are being taken to address this including teacher recruitment, preparation of resources, support from Gaelic medium teachers from Education Scotland, Scottish Qualifications Authority provision of Gaelic medium examinations and materials and promotion of Gaelic medium at all levels.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:33.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282122,"EventID":"S4W-13432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:33.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T16:00:33.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what subjects are taught in both Gaelic and English at (a) S1,  (b) S2 and (c) from S3 to S6, broken down by (i) local authority and (ii) school.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government would like to see an expansion of Gaelic medium education in secondary schools. In 2012-13 there were a total of twelve subjects taught through the medium of Gaelic in Scottish schools in both S1 and S2. In S3 and S4 there were eight subjects taught through the medium of Gaelic and in S5 this dropped to four and in S6 to two.\r\nIn total there are thirteen 13 subjects (including Gaelic as a subject) taught through the medium of Gaelic. These are: Gaelic, English, Religious Education, Geography, History, Home Economics, French, Personal and Social Education, Maths, Modern Studies, Physical Education, Science and Technology.\r\nSubjects presented by school and local authority area are set out in the following table.\r\nSecondary School\r\nArea\r\nGaelic\r\nEnglish\r\nRE\r\nGeog.\r\nHistory\r\nHome Ec\r\nFrench\r\nPSE\r\nMaths\r\n M. Studies\r\nPE\r\nScience\r\nTechnology\r\nHazelhead\r\nAberdeen\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOban\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDunoon\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIslay\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTiree\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTobermory\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Gillespie’s\r\nEdin.\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\nGrange\r\nE Ayrshire\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMeadowburn\r\nEast Dunbarton\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGlasgow\r\nGlasgow\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\nArdnamurchan\r\nHighland\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPlockton\r\nHighland\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTain\r\nHighland\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nKingussie\r\nHighland\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFarr\r\nHighland\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGairloch\r\nHighland\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMillburn\r\nHighland\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nInverness Royal Academy\r\nHighland\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDingwall\r\nHighland\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLochaber\r\nHighland\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMallaig\r\nHighland\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPortree\r\nHighland\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\nUllapool\r\nHighland\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGreenfaulds\r\nN Lanark\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\nPerth\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\nCalderglen\r\nSouth Lanark\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWallace High\r\nStirling\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCastlebay\r\nW. Isles\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLinaclete\r\nW. Isles\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLionel\r\nW. Isles\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nShawbost\r\nW. Isles\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\nSir E Scott, Tarbert\r\nW. Isles\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNicholson\r\nW. Isles\r\nx\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nx\r\nx\r\n\r\nSubjects presented by year are set out in the following table  (where numbers are less than 10, the data is not given for data protection reasons).\r\nSubject\r\nS1\r\nS2\r\nS3\r\nS4\r\nS5\r\nS6\r\nGàidhlig\r\n248\r\n253\r\n212\r\n217\r\n113\r\n42\r\nEnglish\r\n42\r\n28\r\n37\r\n43\r\n-\r\n-\r\nRE\r\n115\r\n101\r\n46\r\n53\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGeography\r\n129\r\n112\r\n29\r\n34\r\n-\r\n-\r\nHistory\r\n152\r\n140\r\n52\r\n40\r\n-\r\n-\r\nHome Economics\r\n70\r\n95\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nFrench\r\n59\r\n40\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nPSE\r\n115\r\n100\r\n74\r\n75\r\n-\r\n-\r\nMaths\r\n69\r\n28\r\n37\r\n43\r\n29\r\n-\r\nModern Studies\r\n88\r\n103\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nPE\r\n14\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nScience\r\n83\r\n76\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nTechnology\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:33.71","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282123,"EventID":"S4W-13434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:33.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-01T16:00:33.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the levels of (a) oral and (b) written Gaelic proficiency among its staff, broken down by (i) directorate, (ii) department and (iii) location, and what plans it has to increase these levels.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government completed a Gaelic Language Skills Audit of staff in 2010. Due to the personal data collected we are unable to supply full details of the information gathered however the audit concentrated on skills levels of staff rather than locality within the organisation. The audit was non-compulsory with 1100 respondents. 138 respondents (12.5%) felt they had some form of language competency.\r\nBuilding on interest in the language the Scottish Government has held a series of successful Gaelic awareness events for staff and staff are able to apply for funding from Directorate training budgets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:34.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282124,"EventID":"S4W-13436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:34.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-02T11:06:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12540 by Margaret Burgess on 28 February 2013, whether it will break down the estimates provided by parliamentary (a) constituency and (b) region and what information it has on the estimates broken down by DWP districts in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Impact assessments of the changes published by the Scottish Government and the Department for Work and Pensions provide analyses of numbers affected by local authority area within Scotland. The following table provides links to these published sources. Estimates are not available by constituency nor by DWP district.\r\nSummary information on recipients of housing benefit analysed by UK Parliamentary constituency and by local authority area can be obtained using a tabulation tool on the DWP website at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool\r\nHousing benefit change\r\nImplementation date\r\nSources of information on numbers affected in  local authority areas1\r\nChanges to local housing allowance rates for tenants in private rented sector.  \r\n       - Removing £15 excess.\r\n       - Restriction to 4 bedroom rate.\r\n       - Capping LHA rates by bedroom size.\r\n       - Basing LHA rates on 30th percentile rent.\r\nPhased in from 1 April 2011\r\n\r\nDWP Impact Assessment of the changes to Local Housing Allowance from April 2011\r\nDWP impact assessment of LHA changes:  Detailed tables\r\nLocal housing allowance rate for single people without dependants aged 25 – 34 restricted to the rate for a room with shared facilities.\r\nPhased in from \r\n1 April 2011\r\nImpact of limiting LHA to shared accommodation rate for single people aged 25 to 34 \r\nUnder occupation penalty for working age households in local authority or housing association housing.\r\n- penalty of 14% of rent for those assessed as under occupying by 1 room.\r\n- penalty of 25% of rent for those assessed as under occupying by 2 or more rooms.\r\nFrom 1 April 2013\r\nSee note 2.\r\nImpact of under occupancy penalty\r\n\r\nOverall cap on benefits, which will initially be implemented through a reduction in housing benefit.\r\nTo be phased in from 1 April 2013\r\nThe Benefit Cap - Assessment of impact in Scotland\r\nUprating local housing allowance rates by the lower of consumer price index or actual increase in the 30th percentile rate.\r\nApril 2011\r\nRestricting the uprating of local housing allowance rates to a maximum of 1% per year for two years from 2014-15.\r\nApril 2014\r\nSee note 3.Department for work & pensions tabulation tool\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Since some households may have been affected by more than one of the changes it is not possible to aggregate the estimates for the impact of each change to give the total number of households affected.\r\n2. This analysis was based on the position in 2011 which gave an estimated 94,000 households affected in Scotland. We currently estimate that around 105,000 households in Scotland will be affected. Thus, the local authority estimates in the analysis may slightly understate the number of households affected in each local authority area. \r\n3. This source, the DWP tabulation tool, provides information on numbers of housing benefit recipients by tenure by local authority and by parliamentary constituency. All recipients of local housing allowance (LHA) are potentially affected by these changes. The effect on households will depend on whether private landlords continue to rent to households on housing benefit at LHA rates restricted in this way.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:34.303","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282125,"EventID":"S4W-13438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:34.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T10:46:44.573","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that ferry service contracts deliver vessels that are able to operate reliably in the weather conditions that prevail on the routes.\r\n","AnswerText":"Each contract specifies the vessels to be deployed and contains detailed provisions for their maintenance and operation.\r\nThe provisions of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) contract require the operator, CalMac Ferries Ltd, to use the fleet funded by the Scottish Government and owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. These vessels are designed and constructed for the specific challenges of the CHFS network. An exemption was secured from the European Commission from the general rule that the use of specified vessels would normally be considered discriminatory against potential bidders for a contract who wish to deploy their own vessels.\r\nFor other ferry service contracts awarded by the Scottish Ministers, bidders can choose to use vessels put at their disposal by the Scottish Government or to propose their own vessel solutions. In those cases, or in cases where the Scottish Government is not offering vessels for use, the requirements for vessels are set out in the service specification issued to bidders. These requirements form part of the minimum requirements that every bid must meet. Compliance with the terms of the specification is assessed by the tender evaluation panel which includes or takes advice from maritime technical experts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:34.617","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282126,"EventID":"S4W-13439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:34.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T10:50:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to installing devices to block mobile phone signals in prisons.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe Scottish Prison Service is in the early stages of planning the implementation of the provisions of The Prisons (interference with Wireless Telegraphy) Act 2012 which received Royal Assent on 19 December 2012. The installation of any devices to block mobile phone signals in prisons will be considered as part of the implementation process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:34.927","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282127,"EventID":"S4W-13440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:35.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T10:50:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners have been found in possession of a mobile phone in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe number of incidents of mobile telephones recovered which can be linked to a prisoner by year is as follows: \r\n\r\n\r\n2012\r\n2011\r\n2010\r\n2009\r\n2008\r\nTotals\r\n343\r\n410\r\n523\r\n534\r\n547\r\n\r\nA specific criminal offence was brought in as part of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 and this made it an offence to have a mobile phone in prison with penalties available up to two years imprisonment. This offence was brought into force in December 2010.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:35.303","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282128,"EventID":"S4W-13452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:35.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T14:45:51.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its plans on reform of the common agricultural policy.\r\n","AnswerText":"Many key aspects of the CAP reforms are still very unclear.\r\nWe do not know the size of our CAP budget and the main regulations will not be agreed before the end of June 2013.\r\nThose key issues must be addressed before we can take decisions on what the final CAP will look like in Scotland.\r\nWe will take these decisions in consultation with the industry once the final budget and wider CAP framework is known.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:35.63","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282129,"EventID":"S4W-13453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:35.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T14:45:51.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has regarding how many payment regions there will be under the new area-based payment system for landowners, and what the criteria will be for setting up the boundaries for this\r\n","AnswerText":"Building on the work they did for the Brian Pack Inquiry, we have commissioned the James Hutton Institute to model a wide range of scenarios for payment regions in Scotland. They are due to present their findings to a Stakeholder conference in April 2013.\r\nThere are many criteria that can be used to define payment regions and those currently being considered include land quality and land classification criteria.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:35.957","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282130,"EventID":"S4W-13454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:36.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T14:45:51.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how quickly it plans to phase out the historic payment system for landowners.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is expected that the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) regulations, once they have been finalised, will grant a substantial degree of discretion over the speed and trajectory of the transition from the current Direct Payments system to an area based system. The Scottish Government has consistently stated that its ultimate decision on the speed of transition will depend on how well those who are disadvantaged by the current system, for example new entrants to farming, are catered for in the final CAP deal.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:36.3","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282131,"EventID":"S4W-13455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:36.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T14:45:51.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much common agricultural policy funding it will shift from Pillar 1 to 2 and whether it will (a) co-finance the funds transferred and (b) use its option to (i) support young farmers funding in Pillar 1 and (ii) top-up Less Favoured Areas farmers in Pillar 1 payments.\r\n","AnswerText":"At this stage the EU has not published details of Member States’ budget allocations under the Common Agricultural Policy and we have no firm indication yet of the timescale for finalising Scotland’s share of the UK allocation once it is known. We therefore do not yet know what our Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 budget allocations will be, and so it is not possible to make any decision on the transfer of funds between the two pillars at this stage. The same goes for decisions on co-financing any funds transferred, a young farmers scheme and Areas of Natural Constraint payments in Pillar 1.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:36.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282132,"EventID":"S4W-13458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:36.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T14:45:51.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use the small farmers scheme to deliver support to crofters.\r\n","AnswerText":"Support for small farmers and crofters under Pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will be a feature of the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. Consultation on the detail of the Programme is expected to commence in spring 2014, and the agricultural and crofting sectors will have the opportunity to present their views.\r\nWe will consider whether to use the Pillar 1 Small Farmer Scheme once the final outcome of the CAP negotiations is known. As the proposals stand the maximum payment under this scheme would be €1,000 per year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:36.97","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282133,"EventID":"S4W-13459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:37.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T14:45:51.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it is making to ensure that its IT systems can cope with the new area payments system for landowners.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have commenced a significant programme of work to re-engineer the business and IT processes which underpin the delivery of rural payments and inspections and to deliver CAP Reform. This is a long term programme of IT enabled business change, which will deliver significant improvements to the services which customers receive in the coming years. As part of this, a competitive tender was issued late last year to secure an IT delivery partner. During this year and through 2014, we will be engaging directly with our customers to get their views on what can be improved and how the new systems will operate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:37.313","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282134,"EventID":"S4W-13460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:37.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T14:45:51.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use its option to establish a coupled support scheme for beef and sheep production.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes coupled payments are an important way to try and address the continuing decline in livestock numbers and risk of land abandonment in Scotland. We continue to argue for the ability to use up to 15% of our direct payments ceiling for coupled payments.\r\nOur decision on the detailed design of coupled support schemes will be taken after the new Common Agricultural Policy regulations have been finalised and following stakeholder consultation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:37.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282135,"EventID":"S4W-13461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-04T17:07:37.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T15:17:01.58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of stroke patients was admitted to a stroke unit (a) on and (b) within one day of presentation at hospital in each of the last two years, broken down by (i) NHS board and (ii) hospital.\r\n","AnswerText":"There is currently a HEAT target in place to support improvements in stroke care.\r\nThe target is for 90% of all patients admitted with a diagnosis of stroke to be admitted to a stroke unit on the day of admission, or the day following presentation by March 2013.\r\nThe Scottish Stroke Care Audit 2012 National Report published on 10 July 2012 contains the information requested, broken down by NHS board and hospital, for 2010 and 2011. The report is available at the at:\r\nhttp://www.strokeaudit.scot.nhs.uk/index.htm.\r\nThe same information, in table format, is also available within “Chart 5 (2010)” and “Chart 5 (2011)” at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.strokeaudit.scot.nhs.uk/Downloads/2012_report/SSCA_2012_National_Report_tables_and_charts.xls).\r\nInformation for 2012 is due for publication on the Scottish Stroke Care Audit website in July 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-18T17:07:37.97","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282136,"EventID":"S4W-13441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T14:03:24.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T11:25:26.113","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will receive the report from Health Protection Scotland on the incidence of radioactive substances at DaIgety Bay and the effect on residents.\r\n","AnswerText":"Health Protection Scotland has no role in relation to the radioactive contamination at Dalgety Bay. However, in October 2012, the Health Protection Agency published its risk assessment and advice on the health risks at Dalgety Bay.\r\nA full risk assessment is expected to be published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in May 2013. In the meantime, protection measures at Dalgety Bay including signage and monthly monitoring are considered to provide an appropriate level of protection.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T14:03:24.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282137,"EventID":"S4W-13442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T14:03:25.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T11:31:58.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS boards regarding the number of unwanted pregnancies and how to reduce it.\r\n","AnswerText":"Achieving fewer unintended pregnancies is one of the five outcomes of the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework. As part of the performance management of the framework, officials in the sexual health and BBV team carry out annual visits to local areas to discuss with NHS boards, local authorities and third sector partners their delivery of the aims and outcomes of the framework.\r\nSuch discussions include examination of the rates of unintended pregnancies and how multi agency partners are working to reduce them.\r\nThe last Framework visits took place 2012 and will be repeated in 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T14:03:25.557","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282138,"EventID":"S4W-13443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T14:03:25.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T11:31:58.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings of the Review of Community Pharmacy Public Health Service for Smoking Cessation and Emergency Hormonal Contraception, whether it will update the nationally-funded provision of emergency hormonal contraception.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Community Pharmacy Public Health Service has improved access to emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) and complements the provision in other services where EHC is given out without prescription.\r\nAs part of the review, NHS boards and community pharmacists made some limited recommendations, however their overall view was that the service is working well and needs little adjustment. In particular, it provides a crucial service to more remote and rural communities.\r\nThere are currently no plans to update the service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T14:03:25.87","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282139,"EventID":"S4W-13445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T14:03:26.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T11:59:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it recognises the term \"owners of vacant crofts\" in respect of owner-occupier crofters, following the passing of the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.\r\n","AnswerText":"The term “owners of vacant crofts” is not recognised in crofting legislation. It is for the Crofting Commission, as crofting regulator, to appropriately apply crofting legislation in carrying out its functions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T14:03:26.227","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282140,"EventID":"S4W-13446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T14:03:26.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T11:59:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was first informed of the Crofting Commission’s position that there is no provision in the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 for the commission to issue a decrofting direction to an owner-occupier crofter who is residing in their owner-occupied croft.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Crofting Commission first intimated to Scottish Government officials that it had become aware of potential difficulties on 16 January 2013, but it had not yet received legal advice on the issue.\r\nThe Scottish Government was first informed of the Crofting Commission’s position that there was no provision in the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 to issue a decrofting direction to an owner-occupier crofter residing in their croft on 8 February 2013, when it confirmed receipt of its legal advice to that effect.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T14:03:26.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282141,"EventID":"S4W-13447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T14:03:27.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T11:59:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legal advice it took prior to the publication of the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill 2009 in respect of the ability of the Crofting Commission to issue a decrofting direction to an owner-occupier crofter who is residing in their owner-occupied croft.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government draws on legal advice as appropriate from its lawyers, from Counsel and from Law Officers and I can confirm that legal advice was received on the issue of decrofting. However, other than in exceptional circumstances, the content of any legal advice remains confidential.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T14:03:27.303","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282142,"EventID":"S4W-13448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T14:03:27.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T11:59:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it agreed to allow the suspension of decrofting applications by the Crofting Commission in respect of owner-occupier crofters residing in their owner-occupied croft.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government was not involved in the Crofting Commission’s decision to suspend decrofting applications in respect of owner-occupier crofters as this is a matter for the commission itself as crofting regulator.\r\nThe Crofting Commission took this decision following legal advice it had received on the validity of applications from owner-occupier crofters.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T14:03:27.727","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282143,"EventID":"S4W-13449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T14:03:28.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T11:59:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the financial consequences to crofters and other parties of the decision by the Crofting Commission to suspend decrofting applications in respect of owner-occupier crofters residing in their owner-occupied croft.\r\n","AnswerText":"The decision by the Crofting Commission to suspend decrofting applications in respect of owner-occupier crofters is a legal matter based on legal advice the Commission had received, rather than one of financial consequence. The Scottish Government was not involved in the decision to suspend decrofting applications and was therefore unable to assess the financial consequences for crofters in advance of the decision.\r\nSince becoming aware of this issue, the Scottish Government has acted promptly to seek information from key stakeholders on the potential extent of those owner-occupier crofters and is currently considering options to remedy the actual and potential difficulties faced by owner-occupier crofters and will keep the Parliament informed of any actions required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T14:03:28.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282144,"EventID":"S4W-13450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T14:03:28.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T11:59:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it issued an electronic copy of a document to the mailboxes of four parliamentary committees at 10.43pm on 27 February 2013 and whether it considers that this is consistent with the good practice guidance on announcements set out in the Scottish Ministerial Code.\r\n","AnswerText":"We took the view that Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland was a discussion paper dealing with the prospect of more powers following independence. We therefore followed the practice consistent with publication of a discussion paper, rather than that used prior to a policy announcement. The Government acknowledges the comments made by the Presiding Officer on this issue and is taking account of these points.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T14:03:28.66","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282145,"EventID":"S4W-13451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T14:03:29.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T11:59:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the group established to report on how best to implement the Leveson proposals, as announced by the First Minister on 29 November 2012 (Official Report, c.14119), is expected to report and what discussions the group has had on this matter with the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerText":"The report of the expert group established to consider the findings and recommendations made in the Part 1 of the Report of the Leveson Inquiry on An Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press in respect of press regulation has published on 15 March 2013 its report, which is available on the Scottish Government website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/leveson.\r\nI met the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Advocate General on Monday 4 March to discuss the Leveson proposals and it is intended that there should be a further meeting between representatives of the UK Government and party leaders in the Scottish Parliament.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T14:03:29.083","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282146,"EventID":"S4W-13462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T14:03:29.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T15:54:15.607","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made by NHS boards in developing local improvement plans to help deliver Quality Improvement Scotland standards for dealing with neurological diseases.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone with a neurological condition is able to access the care and support they need.\r\nThe National Neurological Advisory Group (NNAG), has been established with Scottish Government funding to support implementation of the clinical standards for neurological conditions and has reported that all boards now have improvement plans in place and are providing reports on progress.\r\nPrior to the establishment of the NNAG the Scottish Government provided NHS boards with funding of around £1.2 million over two years to assist them in developing local neurological improvement networks as the main vehicle for driving improvement within neurological services. Following the Health Improvement Scotland’s review in June 2012, as a first step in identifying progress, all NHS Boards were asked to provide an update on progress against their three year plans.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T14:03:29.427","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282147,"EventID":"S4W-13463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T14:03:29.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T16:09:11.483","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13126 by Keith Brown on 4 March 2013, what the average fuel consumption is of CalMac ferries travelling  between (a) the mainland and (i) Port Askaig and (ii) Port Ellen and (b) Port Ellen and Kennacraig.\r\n","AnswerText":"Fuel consumption information, particularly at this level of detail, is commercially sensitive.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T14:03:29.817","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282148,"EventID":"S4W-13464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T14:03:30.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T16:13:19.043","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on housebuilding costs in (a) island and (b) remote rural areas and how these compare with costs in less remote mainland areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government analyses the costs of subsidised affordable housing developments at local authority level, with a subdivision of the Highland council area. The most recent figures, shown in the following table, indicate that costs were above the Scotland average in the three Island authorities and a number of other rural authorities. The Scottish Government does not hold regional information on the costs of private housebuilding.\r\nShetland\r\naverage costs 22% above Scotland average\r\nArgyll & Bute\r\n18% above Scotland average\r\nOrkney\r\n15% above Scotland average\r\nEilean Siar\r\n7% above Scotland average\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\n5% above Scotland average\r\nHighland South (Lochaber and Skye & Lochalsh)\r\n3% above Scotland average\r\nMoray, Aberdeenshire\r\nlevel with Scotland average\r\nScottish Borders\r\n1% below Scotland average\r\nPerth & Kinross, Angus\r\n2% below Scotland average\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T14:03:30.16","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282149,"EventID":"S4W-13465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T14:03:30.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T10:53:53.2","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12852 by Nicola Sturgeon on 4 March 2013, when it was announced that the two schemes on the A9 would be brought forward and whether they have been affected by the additional £394 million of capital allocated in the 2012 Autumn Statement.","AnswerText":"The announcement to start construction of the Luncarty to Birnam scheme in 2017 was made on 31 January 2012. The announcement to start construction of the Kincraig to Dalraddy scheme in 2015-16 was made on 26 June 2012.\r\nThese two schemes were therefore not affected by the additional £394 million of capital allocated in the 2012 Autumn Statement. The update on the progress of dualling works on the A9 included in the answer to question S4W-12852 was provided as additional information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T14:03:30.503","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282164,"EventID":"S4W-13466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T17:07:33.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T13:31:58.357","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the UK Government consultation on the Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 will have in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Westminster Government consultation on this GB instrument may result in revocation of the Regulations as they apply in England but this would require agreement by both DEFRA and Department of Health Ministers. The Regulations would continue unchanged as they apply to Scotland (and Wales).\r\nThe Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 legally require all white and brown flour produced in Great Britain to be fortified with four specific minerals and vitamins (i.e. calcium, iron, thiamine and niacin) at specified levels. \r\nSince the majority of the current 56 mills in the UK are based in England, any change there is likely to have a direct effect on the other countries in the UK to whom they supply flour. Thus many bread and other flour based products on sale in Scotland may be affected by the outcome of the UK Government consultation and any subsequent actions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T17:07:33.407","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282165,"EventID":"S4W-13467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T17:07:33.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T13:31:58.357","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to (a) remove or (b) consult on the removal of the obligation to fortify flour with (i) iron, (ii) calcium, (iii) thiamine or (iv) niacin.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to remove or consult on the removal of the obligation to fortify flour. The Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 set a legal requirement for all white and brown flour produced in Great Britain to be fortified with the four quoted minerals and vitamins. Calcium is added for fortification purposes while the remaining three nutrients are added to restore the levels to that which is lost during the flour milling process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T17:07:33.86","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282166,"EventID":"S4W-13468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T17:07:34.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T14:09:39.137","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the John Muir Trust's proposal that wild land should be the subject of additional national designation.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are already protected areas with a landscape focus (National Scenic Areas and National Parks) which cover almost 20% of Scotland’s land area and Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) recognises that the most sensitive landscapes may have little or no capacity to accept new development. SPP also states that areas of wild land character in some of Scotland’s remoter upland, mountain and coastal areas are very sensitive to any form of development or intrusive human activity and that planning authorities should safeguard the character of these areas in development plans.\r\nI would also refer the member to the Members’ business debate on motion S4M-05602 on Conservation (Endangered Species and Wild Land) on 6 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T17:07:34.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282167,"EventID":"S4W-13471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-05T17:07:34.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T15:44:36.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will have considered the findings of the Review of NHS Pharmaceutical Care of Patients in the Community in Scotland and when (a) the review and (b) a strategy for pharmacy and medicines will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to consider Dr Wilson’s report on the Review of NHS Pharmaceutical Care of Patients in the Community in Scotland alongside other national policy initiatives which will inform the future of NHS pharmaceutical care in Scotland.\r\nSignificantly, the planned strategy for pharmacy and medicines will align with the aims of the Bill to integrate adult health and social care which we plan to introduce before the summer recess this year. It is our intention that the publication of Dr Wilson’s Report and our strategy for the future of pharmacy and medicines in Scotland will synchronise with the introduction of this Bill.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-19T17:07:34.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282182,"EventID":"S4O-01895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:50.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T10:35:25.867","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with the Scottish Police Federation to discuss the federation's position on the impact in Scotland of the Winsor review of police pay and conditions.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:50.28","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282183,"EventID":"S4O-01896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:50.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:04:13.287","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Police Force of Scotland has had regarding policing in rural communities.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:50.98","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282184,"EventID":"S4O-01897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:51.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:04:13.863","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of hours that prisoners are engaged in purposeful activity.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:51.573","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282185,"EventID":"S4O-01898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:51.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T15:56:22.107","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to HM Young Offenders Institution Polmont to implement recommendations arising from the full inspection carried out in October 2012.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:51.9","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282186,"EventID":"S4O-01899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:52.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:04:14.957","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual cost is of cancelled court cases.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:52.26","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282187,"EventID":"S4O-01900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:52.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:04:15.393","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to improve the quality and consistency of sentencing and enhance the availability of prisoner rehabilitation programmes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:52.587","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282188,"EventID":"S4O-01901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:52.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:04:15.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the effectiveness of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:52.917","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282189,"EventID":"S4O-01903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2487,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:53.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:04:16.517","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it will give to the potential implications of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill on the Scottish Courts Service proposals in Shaping Scotland’s Court Services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Court Service consultation on future court structures is separate from the courts reform work in that the SCS work is on the court estate and getting that right for the 21st Century. In developing its proposals, however, the Scottish Courts Service has taken account of the proposals regarding the Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill, and other potential reforms to court business – as is set out in Part 1 of the consultation document.\r\nWhile I cannot prejudge the outcome of the SCS consultation on future court structures and the decisions of the independent SCS board, I have recognised that we need to think radically about how we deliver services in the future.\r\nThe Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill will implement the Scottish Civil Courts Review led by Lord Gill. It will address Lord Gill’s criticisms that the Scottish civil courts are “slow, inefficient and expensive”. It is about making sure that the civil justice system is intelligible and coherent for people wanting to use it, that they get their disputes raised and dealt with quickly and appropriately, without unnecessary cost or delay.\r\nThe reforms to the civil courts set out in the Bill are in no way driven by financial pressures on the courts’ estate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:53.337","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282190,"EventID":"S4O-01905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:53.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:04:40.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the campaign to encourage consumers to buy local meat and poultry.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:53.697","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282191,"EventID":"S4O-01906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:54.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:04:42.223","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which minister has portfolio responsibility for the Rural Payments and Inspections Division.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:54.21","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282192,"EventID":"S4O-01907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:54.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T09:02:04.58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to integrate low-carbon behaviour change into the Second Report on Proposals and Policies.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:54.88","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282193,"EventID":"S4O-01908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:55.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T11:38:05.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the recent announcement of a school meals sourcing summit, when the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment will meet local authorities to discuss the sourcing and standard of food in schools.  \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:55.24","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282194,"EventID":"S4O-01909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:55.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:04:44.253","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Second Report on Proposals and Policies will contain marine issues that were not previously included.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:55.567","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282195,"EventID":"S4O-01910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:55.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:04:44.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the European Union regarding the labelling of products since the discovery of horsemeat in other meat products.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:55.957","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282196,"EventID":"S4O-01911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:56.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T10:31:15.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the EU Commission and the UK and Irish governments about convergence issues with regard to CAP reform and the impact on Scottish farmers.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:56.283","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":282197,"EventID":"S4O-01912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:56.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T10:57:35.603","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the suggestion that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency may remove the Fair-a-far and Dowie's Mill weirs on the River Almond.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:56.737","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282198,"EventID":"S4O-01913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:57.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T11:32:35.463","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment has had with his health counterparts to support the development of therapeutic horticulture.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:57.05","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282199,"EventID":"S4O-01914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:16:58.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:04:49.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill.\r\n","AnswerText":"Our whole Zero Waste approach recognises the value of materials and the need to waste less and recycle more. We are taking decisive action on several fronts.\r\nThe Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 are driving a step change in recycling and keeping materials out of landfill.\r\nWe are investing in food waste collection - with 18 local authorities now offering some separate collections and more on the way.\r\nAnd we are making it easier for businesses and public bodies to cut overheads and reduce waste by establishing Resource Efficient Scotland as a one-stop-shop for material and energy efficiency support.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:16:58.767","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282200,"EventID":"S4O-01915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:18:43.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:05:05.173","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has replied to the open letter from Doreen Lawrence and Dr Richard Stone regarding the review of the public sector equality duty and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"The First Minister replied on 20 December 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:18:43.57","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282201,"EventID":"S4O-01916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:18:43.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:05:05.78","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what further measures it will take to combat bullying in the NHS.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:18:43.96","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282202,"EventID":"S4O-01917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1841,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":120,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:18:44.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:05:06.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the 2 Sisters Food Group regarding the acquisition of VION Food Group's UK red meat and poultry businesses.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:18:44.427","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282203,"EventID":"S4O-01918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:18:44.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:05:07.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how civic society is engaging with the process involved in the lead-up to the independence referendum.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:18:44.863","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282204,"EventID":"S4O-01919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:18:45.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:05:09.54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the board of Creative Scotland and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:18:45.38","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282205,"EventID":"S4O-01920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:18:46.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:05:10.273","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to improve the standard of care for adults with congenital heart disease.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:18:46.267","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282206,"EventID":"S4O-01921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:18:47.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T13:23:54.81","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage the use of air source heat pumps.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:18:47.407","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282207,"EventID":"S4O-01922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:18:48.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:05:12.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the location for the energy skills academy.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:18:48.513","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282208,"EventID":"S4O-01923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:18:48.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T16:17:29.85","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what strategic assessment it has carried out of the security needs of and threats faced by an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The primary function of government is to ensure the security of its citizens and to protect them, their property and way of life against threats. An independent Scotland will have security arrangements that are proportionate, fit for purpose, and reflect a full strategic assessment of Scotland’s needs and the threats we may face.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:18:48.92","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282209,"EventID":"S4O-01924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:18:49.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:05:14.937","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will protect courses for adults with learning difficulties during college regionalisation.","AnswerText":"College Regionalisation is about delivering education more efficiently and effectively, it is not about cutting the provision of education. Thousands of students with learning disabilities are benefitting, and will continue to benefit, from the services that our colleges offer, including the benefits that flow from improved delivery.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:18:49.293","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282210,"EventID":"S4W-13472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:46:16.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T16:55:45.617","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many strip searches have taken place at (a) young offenders institutions and (b) secure units in each of the last five years, broken down by age of offender.\r\n","AnswerText":"In regards to (a) I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nSPS do not collect this information. Searches are carried out to prevent prisoners, visitors or staff bringing into the prison, or on to SPS premises, items that are unauthorised, prohibited or considered a threat to security or to good order and discipline.\r\nSearches are undertaken in compliance with SPS Searching Procedures and are designed to ensure they are carried out with proper regard for the individual's privacy and dignity. Any person subject to searching is provided with an explanation of the procedure prior to the search commencing and given the opportunity to raise any concerns. Non-invasive body searches of prisoners are carried out and supervised by staff of the same gender.\r\nIn regards to (b) The Scottish Government does not collect information on strip searches in secure units.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:46:17.043","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282211,"EventID":"S4W-13473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:46:17.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T16:55:45.617","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many inadmissible items have been found during strip searches at (a) young offenders institutions and (b) secure units in each of the last five years, broken down by type of item.","AnswerText":"In regards to (a) I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nSPS do not collect this information. Searches are carried out to prevent prisoners, visitors or staff bringing into the prison, or on to SPS premises, items that are unauthorised, prohibited or considered a threat to security or to good order and discipline.\r\nSearches are undertaken in compliance with SPS Searching Procedures and are designed to ensure they are carried out with proper regard for the individual's privacy and dignity. Any person subject to searching is provided with an explanation of the procedure prior to the search commencing and given the opportunity to raise any concerns. Non-invasive body searches of prisoners are carried out and supervised by staff of the same gender.\r\nIn regards to (b) The Scottish Government does not collect information on inadmissible items found during strip searches in secure units.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:46:17.4","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282212,"EventID":"S4W-13474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:46:17.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T16:44:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it will give to the recommendations in Age Scotland’s report, Driving Change: The case for investing in community transport.\r\n","AnswerText":"We recognise the valuable role community transport plays in providing transport services, particularly for older and disabled people who are unable to use scheduled bus services. We will carefully consider Age Scotland’s report and its recommendations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:46:17.76","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282213,"EventID":"S4W-13475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:46:18.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T16:44:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering action to expand community transport infrastructure.","AnswerText":"We have no plans for changing the current arrangements under which the main funding for community transport comes through local authorities’ block funding arrangements.\r\nCommunity transport organisations will be able to bid in partnership with local transport authorities for resources from the Bus Investment Fund, which we will introduce in April.\r\nWe will also provide grant funding of £45,000 to the Community Transport Association in 2013–14 towards building the capacity of the sector in Scotland. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:46:18.273","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282214,"EventID":"S4W-13476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:46:18.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T16:44:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering expanding the national concessionary travel scheme to include community transport services.","AnswerText":"The National Concessionary Travel scheme for older and disabled people already includes community transport services that are registered as local bus services. We amended bus registration legislation last year to allow flexibly routed \r\ndemand-responsive community transport services which are available to the general public to be registered as local bus services. These changes allow more community transport services to be included in the scheme. We have no plans to extend the scheme further to include other community transport services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:46:18.65","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282215,"EventID":"S4W-13477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:46:18.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T18:38:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the age limit is for IVF treatment in each NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"The age limit for IVF treatment in each NHS Board is currently as follows:\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran – 39 years inclusive\r\nNHS Borders - 39 years inclusive\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway – 39 years inclusive\r\nNHS Fife – up to 38th birthday\r\nNHS Forth Valley – 39 years inclusive\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – 39 years inclusive\r\nNHS Grampian – 39 years inclusive\r\nNHS Highland – 39 years inclusive\r\nNHS Lanarkshire – 39 years inclusive\r\nNHS Lothian – 39 years inclusive\r\nNHS Orkney – 39 years inclusive\r\nNHS Shetland – 39 years inclusive\r\nNHS Tayside – 39 years inclusive\r\nNHS Western Isles – 39 years inclusive.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:46:19.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282216,"EventID":"S4W-13479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:46:19.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T18:38:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the age limit for IVF treatment in light of the announcement that England and Wales will raise the age limit to 42.","AnswerText":"The National Infertility Group was set up in April 2010 to address the inequity of access to infertility treatment across Scotland. The group’s report, with final recommendations, including a recommendation on age, is currently with Ministers for consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:46:19.587","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282217,"EventID":"S4W-13482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:46:20.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T09:59:53.743","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many seals were shot under licence in the fourth reporting period in 2012.","AnswerText":"This information can be found on the Scottish Government web-site at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/Licensing/SealLicensing\r\nThe figures show that overall 5% fewer seals were shot under licence in 2012 than in 2011.\r\nInformation on seal licences issued for 2013 will be published on the web-site in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:46:20.193","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282218,"EventID":"S4W-13483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:46:20.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T10:03:19.727","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will assist working parents with the costs of childcare, in light of the report by the Daycare Trust that the cost of full-time nursery places has risen by 6% since 2011.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Daycare Trust’s report Childcare Costs Survey 2013 reported that “during the last 12 months, nursery costs have increased in all parts of Britain except from Scotland”.\r\nChanges in Childcare Costs in 12 Months December 2011 to December 2012\r\nRegion/Nation\r\nNursery 25 hours (under 2)\r\nNursery 25 hours and over\r\n(2 and over)\r\nEngland\r\n5.20%\r\n7.90%\r\nScotland\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nWales\r\n0%\r\n1.30%\r\nBritain change: average across regions and nations 2012-2013\r\n4.20%\r\n6.60%\r\nSource: Daycare Trust Childcare Costs Survey 2013\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government is taking action, through the Children and Young People Bill, to increase the level of funded early learning and childcare provision, from the current entitlement of 475 hours per year of pre-school education for three and four year olds to 600 hours of early learning and childcare for three and four year olds, and looked after two year olds, from 2014.\r\nThis will help improve outcomes for young children as well as providing support to parents with the cost of childcare.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:46:20.567","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282219,"EventID":"S4W-13484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5078,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:46:20.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T10:12:23.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when reconstruction will begin on the southern approach viaduct of the Kincardine Bridge.","AnswerText":"The scheme is in the current trunk road programme and will be taken forward at the earliest possible opportunity, when funding allows. Accordingly, it is not possible at this stage to provide any start dates for the specific aspects of the works required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:46:20.973","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282220,"EventID":"S4W-13485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5078,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:46:21.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T10:12:23.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when realignment will begin on the northern approach to the Kincardine Bridge.","AnswerText":"The scheme is in the current trunk road programme and will be taken forward at the earliest possible opportunity, when funding allows. Accordingly, it is not possible at this stage to provide any start dates for the specific aspects of the works required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:46:21.487","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282221,"EventID":"S4W-13486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5078,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:46:21.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T10:12:23.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when reconstruction will begin on the guardrails and footways of the Kincardine Bridge.","AnswerText":"The scheme is in the current trunk road programme and will be taken forward at the earliest possible opportunity, when funding allows. Accordingly, it is not possible at this stage to provide any start dates for the specific aspects of the works required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:46:21.847","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282222,"EventID":"S4O-01904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T13:47:01.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-04T12:04:16.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legal aid costs have been incurred in each of the last three years by family law cases being cancelled due to non-attendance.\r\n","AnswerText":"I am not able to provide information about legal aid costs that have been incurred for each of the past three years in family cases as a result of non-attendance. Non-attendance would refer to assisted persons, their legal representatives or both.\r\nIt would also refer not only to court appearances, but to other necessary steps to try to resolve the dispute, such as meetings with reporters to prepare bar reports, attendance at supervised contact sessions or at mediation.\r\nCosts are not recorded in a way that the Scottish Legal Aid Board would be able to extract this information. Every family account would need to be checked manually, which would run to thousands of individual accounts. In addition, if an account did record that a case had not progressed, it would be very unlikely that the exact reason for this – in this case non-attendance – would be recorded.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T13:47:01.513","MeetingDate":"2013-03-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282240,"EventID":"S4W-13487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T16:53:49.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T12:18:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government from which budgets the additional £6.3 million announced to support the Community Jobs Scotland scheme will come.","AnswerText":"The additional investment of £6.3 million for Community Jobs Scotland comes from the Opportunities for All budget.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T16:53:49.81","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282241,"EventID":"S4W-13488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T16:53:50.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T12:18:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it gave to the statement signed by the Scottish Government, COSLA, SOLACE (Scotland) and the SCVO in deciding to fund Community Jobs Scotland for one year only.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government did refer directly to the statement signed by the Scottish Government, COSLA, SOLACE (Scotland) and the SCVO, known as the Joint Statement on the Relationship at Local level between Government and the Third Sector.\r\nThe Scottish Government has decided to fund Community Jobs Scotland for one year only because we are currently commissioning an evaluation of the current phase of the programme and will use the results of this to help form a view to extending the programme in future years.\r\nThis decision has been made clear to key Community Jobs Scotland stakeholders including the third sector and local government who are represented on the Community Jobs Scotland Advisory Group which meets regularly to discuss all matters relating to Community Jobs Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T16:53:50.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282242,"EventID":"S4W-13489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T16:53:50.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T12:18:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons it decided not to fund the Community Jobs Scotland scheme for a three-year period.","AnswerText":"The reason the Scottish Government decided not to fund Community Jobs Scotland for a three year period is because we are currently commissioning an evaluation of the current phase of the programme and will use the results of this to help form a view to extending the programme in future years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T16:53:50.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282243,"EventID":"S4W-13497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T16:53:50.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T14:52:10.383","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much financial support it has provided to each organisation tackling homophobia in schools in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"We want all children and young people in Scotland to grow up in a society which is free from discrimination. To support this aim, the Scottish Government has provided financial support to the following organisations involved in tackling homophobia since 2007:\r\nYear\r\nStonewall Scotland\r\nEquality Network\r\nLGBT Youth Scotland\r\n2007-08 \r\n£121,938 \r\n£231,754\r\n£463,152\r\n2008-09\r\n£101,276\r\n£232,378\r\n£426,925\r\n2009-10\r\n£78,000\r\n£233,433\r\n£270,000\r\n2010-11\r\n£100,000\r\n£230,000\r\n£270,000\r\n2011-12\r\n£100,000\r\n£355,000\r\n£265,000\r\n2012-13\r\n£100,000\r\n£355,000\r\n£265,000\r\n\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government has provided the following funding to organisations to support education authorities and schools to prevent and tackle homophobia and homophobic bullying in schools:\r\nAmount\r\nOrganisation\r\nPurpose\r\n2007-08\r\n£32,320\r\nLearning and Teaching Scotland (now Education Scotland)\r\nto work with LGBT Youth Scotland on dissemination of research and preparation for good practice guidance\r\n£350,000\r\nrespectme\r\ncore fund the national anti-bullying service to work with adults to give them the practical skills and confidence to deal with all types of bullying behaviour, including homophobic bullying.\r\n£148,000\r\nChildline\r\nto provide confidential advice and information to children and young people affected by bullying, including homophobic bullying.\r\n2008-09\r\n£15,000\r\nStonewall Scotland\r\nto support the development of the FIT DVD anti-homophobic bullying resource.\r\n£40,680\r\nLearning and Teaching Scotland (now Education Scotland)\r\nto work with LGBT Youth Scotland for development of guidance and piloting of materials and production of  guidance.  The toolkit for teachers in dealing with homophobia and homophobic bullying in Scottish schools was published in 2008.\r\n£350,000\r\nrespectme\r\n(as above)\r\n£148,000\r\nChildline\r\n(as above)\r\n2009-10\r\n£350,000\r\nrespectme\r\n(as above)\r\n£160,000\r\nChildline\r\n(as above)\r\n2010-11\r\n£347,000\r\nrespectme\r\nCore funding as above and one-off funding to support national anti-bullying competition\r\n£160,000\r\nChildline\r\n(as above)\r\n2011-12\r\n£312,300\r\nrespectme\r\n(as above)\r\n£128,000\r\nChildline\r\n(as above)\r\n2012-13\r\n£312,300\r\nrespectme\r\n(as above)\r\n£128,000\r\nChildline\r\n(as above)\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T16:53:50.903","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282244,"EventID":"S4W-13498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T16:53:51.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T14:56:27.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on external legal advice and advocacy since May 2011.\r\n","AnswerText":"The total spent on external legal fees since May 2011 is £6,065,037.27 (exclusive of VAT). The total spent on Counsel fees since May 2011 is £2,352,906.94 (exclusive of VAT).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T16:53:51.26","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282245,"EventID":"S4W-13499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T16:53:51.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T15:53:55.29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has available due to capital underspend and whether it will consider using some of this money to keep the University Marine Biological Station Millport open. \r\n","AnswerText":"We are currently working to ensure that we spend in full our capital budget for this financial year. If any underspends emerge we will consider appropriate deployment recognising limited timescales. In relation to the University Marine Biology Station Millport, this is currently in the ownership of the University of London, and therefore not a fundable body.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T16:53:51.557","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282246,"EventID":"S4W-13500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T16:53:51.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T15:53:55.29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the University of St Andrews, (b) North Ayrshire Council and (c) the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland regarding the University Marine Biological Station Millport; when these discussions took place, and what the nature was of the discussions.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have held two constructive meetings (17 January and 20 February 2013) to discuss the future of Millport, which were attended by representatives from St Andrews, North Ayrshire Council, and the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland.\r\nDiscussions included the impact on local community and staff and what measures could be taken by the Scottish Government and other partners in the event of a decision to close the station. \r\nI also met with North Ayrshire Council Leader, Willie Gibson on 7 February 2013 to discuss the same issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T16:53:51.887","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282247,"EventID":"S4W-13501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T16:53:52.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T15:53:55.29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will work with the University Marine Biological Station Millport, the University of St Andrews and other stakeholders to develop a plan to invest in and develop the station.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with a range of stakeholders to explore options in the event of a decision by the University of London to close the station. However the University of St Andrews has indicated it will not be participating in any investment on development of the station.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T16:53:52.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282248,"EventID":"S4W-13504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T16:53:52.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T15:53:55.29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided to the Scottish Association for Marine Science in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"SAMS does not receive core grant-in-aid funding from the Scottish Government. One-off grants paid by Scottish Government for goods and services from SAMS are published in SAMS Annual Accounts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T16:53:52.54","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282249,"EventID":"S4W-13505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T16:53:52.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T15:53:55.29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what services will be transferred to the Scottish Association for Marine Science if the University Marine Biological Station Millport is closed. ","AnswerText":"Discussions on ensuring the future delivery of marine science provision within Scotland in the event of a decision by the University of London to close the station are on-going between stakeholders in marine science provision and the Scottish Funding Council.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T16:53:52.837","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282250,"EventID":"S4W-13506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T16:53:53.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T15:53:55.29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if the University Marine Biological Station Millport closes, where its work will be relocated and whether it will remain in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Discussions on ensuring the future delivery of marine science provision within Scotland in the event of a decision by the University of London to close the station are on-going between stakeholders in marine science provision and the Scottish Funding Council.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T16:53:53.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282251,"EventID":"S4W-13507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-06T16:53:53.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T15:53:55.29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will put in place to support the economy of Cumbrae if the University Marine Biological Station Millport closes and what discussion it has had with stakeholders on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to work closely with a wide range of organisations to increase economic activity, promote growth, and to protect and create employment opportunities across North Ayrshire, including in Cumbrae.\r\nI have held two constructive meetings (17 January and 20 February 2013) to discuss the future of Millport Station, which were well attended and included the owners, University of London, representatives from the Scottish higher education sector and those with local interests.\r\nDiscussions have been helpful and productive with a number of options identified for exploration at future meetings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-20T16:53:53.46","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282271,"EventID":"S4W-13480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:04.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T21:23:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on a recent report by Brodies LLP suggesting that challenges to planning decisions in Scotland are less successful than similar challenges in England.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers welcome the findings in the report by Brodies LLP that challenges to planning decisions in Scotland are less likely to be successful than similar challenges in England and Wales. This demonstrates that decisions taken by local planning authorities and by the Scottish Government are soundly based and well-reasoned and play an important part in delivering sustainable economic development.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:04.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282272,"EventID":"S4W-13481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:05.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-05T21:23:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that there is an adequate opportunity for (a) private individuals and (b) housing associations to review planning decisions under the terms of the Aarhus Convention.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is open to parties to seek review by the courts of planning decisions made by planning authorities or the Scottish Ministers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:05.093","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282273,"EventID":"S4W-13508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:05.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T16:05:48.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises benefit from public spending at (a) national and (b) local level.\r\n","AnswerText":"We are working with the Scottish business community to standardise the public procurement process and reduce bureaucracy to make it easier for Small and Medium Enterprises to access public sector contracts.\r\nAt a local level the Scottish Government has issued guidance on the use of community benefit clauses further information on how this is helping locally is available in the response to S4W-13509 on 18 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:05.42","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282274,"EventID":"S4W-13509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:05.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T16:05:48.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the guidance that it has issued since 2007 on public spending has led to increased (a) social and (b) community benefits.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Social Issues in Public Procurement guidance, October 2007, was followed up in February 2008 by publication of a detailed report and guidance on the use of community benefit clauses in public procurement. These clauses are now being used in a variety of projects across the public sector to deliver wider social benefits including targeted recruitment and training and opportunities for social enterprises and small and medium enterprises. Since initiating work in this area, a commitment to over 3500 targeted recruitment and training opportunities has been achieved in contracts across the wider public sector.\r\nTo facilitate contracts with supported businesses, the Scottish Government put in place a Supported Business Framework Agreement in September 2012 that can be used by the Scottish public sector.\r\nBy the end of January 2013, 17 public sector organisations had placed 31 contracts under the framework.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:05.78","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282275,"EventID":"S4W-13510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:06.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T16:05:48.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been awarded to the University of St Andrews to develop a cetacean-friendly seal scarer and when the scarer will be commercially available.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provided £94,000 to the Sea Mammal Research Unit at University of St. Andrews to support initial research into a range of possible new options for seal deterrence using sound. The research project yielded some promising results amidst a number of failures, as might be expected with experimental designs of this nature. It did not itself produce an effective deterrent.\r\nThe University subsequently developed a single prototype device using a sound that produced a “startle” response in seals. This prototype proved effective in initial limited captive trials and initial field tests, which were supported by Scottish Government funding of £110,000.\r\nThe final prototype device is the intellectual property of the University and it is for them to explore potential options for commercial development. The Scottish Government is not permitted to directly fund the commercial development of such a device. The University advises us that the device is expected to continue development and field testing for another 12 to 18 months before reaching the stage of commercial development.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:06.06","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282276,"EventID":"S4W-13511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:06.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T16:05:48.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish action plans for dealing with (a) chalara ash dieback, (b) dothistroma needle blight and (c) larch ramorum.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish its own, finalised Chalara action plan once the GB Chalara management plan is confirmed; this is expected at the end of March 2013.\r\nFinalised action plans for Dothistroma Needle Blight and Phytophthora ramorum on larch will be published by 31 March 2013.\r\nDraft action plans developed by the Scottish Tree Health Advisory Group, for Chalara fraxinea (ash dieback), dothistroma needle blight and Phytophthora ramourum in larch were presented at the Scottish Government Tree Health Stakeholder Summit held on 6 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:06.373","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282277,"EventID":"S4W-13512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:06.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T16:05:48.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) where and (b) when trials of fungicide application to combat dothistroma needle blight will be held.\r\n","AnswerText":"Seven potential sites for the aerial application of fungicide on the national forest estate have been identified, three in the North Highland Forest District and four in the Moray and Aberdeenshire Forest District. Approvals for the aerial application are currently being sought. Subject to the necessary experimental licenses being issued and subject to their conditions, either one or two of the seven potential sites (each of 5-20 hectares in extent) will be selected after further discussions with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage. The spraying operation is planned to take place this summer.\r\nWe will keep stakeholders informed of our plans, through the Scottish Tree Health Advisory Group, given their role in aiding our understanding of the challenges presented by Dothistroma needle blight and to assess potential risks to the wider ecosystems of any treatments used to control the spread of Dothistroma.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:06.683","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282278,"EventID":"S4W-13513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:06.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T16:05:48.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the most recent assessment is of the incidence of dothistroma needle blight in the national forest estate.\r\n","AnswerText":"Monitoring for the presence of Dothistroma needle blight has taken place annually on the national forest estate since 2006.  Following completion of the 2012 survey the presence of Dothistroma on pine species has now been confirmed on 12,600 hectares of woodland. By species this amounts to some 8,600 hectares of lodgepole pine, 3,800 hectares of Scots pine and 250 hectares of Corsican pine.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:07.01","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282279,"EventID":"S4W-13514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:07.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-06T16:05:48.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the second tranche of regulations implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government put in place new domestic legislation, the Welfare of Animals at time of killing (Scotland) Regulation 2012, to implement and enforce 1099/2009 from 1 January 2013, when the EU legislation came into effect.\r\nThe domestic legislation currently maintains existing national rules that go beyond the EU regulation in terms of protection of animal welfare at slaughter. However, we have previously stated that an amendment may be necessary in 2013 in light of consultation responses.\r\nAnalysis of the responses received to the consultation on the implementation of 1099/2009 in Scotland is underway. Until this process is complete, it would be premature to confirm if or when an amendment might be laid before Parliament.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:07.307","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282280,"EventID":"S4W-13515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:07.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T09:43:01.917","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government from which budget line the £30 million to create an additional 850 taught postgraduate places at universities announced on 27 February 2013 will be allocated; whether it is new money; whether it will be allocated directly to universities; whether prospective students will be liable to pay tuition fees, and how many of these places will be allocated to students from deprived or underrepresented backgrounds.\r\n","AnswerText":"The 850 taught post graduate places are additional funded places. The £30 million, which includes £6.2 million in 2013-14,  to create an additional 850 taught post graduate places at universities is contained within the Higher Education budget line. The additional places are possible because of the release of resources associated with de-regulation of places for students from the Rest of the United Kingdom.\r\nThe funding is allocated to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and SFC makes the allocations to the individual institutions.\r\nStudents taking up these additional funded places will not be liable to pay tuition fees. It is a matter for the institutions to allocate the places to individual students.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:07.65","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282281,"EventID":"S4W-13516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:08.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T09:43:01.917","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement of 27 February 2013 of £30 million to create an additional 850 taught postgraduate places at universities, which courses will be funded, broken down by (a) university and (b) number of places allocated to each course.","AnswerText":"The 850 taught post graduate places have been allocated over 18 institutions as set out in the following table:\r\nCourse Title\r\nNumber of Places\r\nUniversity of Aberdeen\r\n \r\nRenewable Energy\r\n5\r\nOil and Gas Engineering\r\n5\r\nSafety and Reliability Engineering for oil and Gas\r\n4\r\nSubsea Engineering\r\n4\r\nGeospatial Information Systems\r\n5\r\nInformation Technology Oil\r\n6\r\nClimate Change Law & Sustainable Development\r\n3\r\nEnergy Law\r\n3\r\nInternational Commercial Law\r\n6\r\nOil and Gas Law\r\n6\r\nPetroleum, Energy Economics and Finance\r\n3\r\nArt and Business\r\n3\r\nCreative Writing\r\n1\r\nVisual Culture\r\n1\r\nMusic\r\n1\r\nDrug Discovery and Development\r\n3\r\nHuman Nutrition\r\n6\r\nForestry \r\n6\r\nTotal \r\n71\r\nUniversity of Abertay\r\n \r\nFood and Drink Innovation \r\n20\r\nTotal \r\n20\r\nDundee University \r\n \r\nManagement Energy Sector \r\n15\r\nAugmentative and Alternative Communications \r\n7\r\nWater Hazards and Risk\r\n10\r\nGeotechnical Engineering \r\n7\r\nDesign and Construction of Zero Carbon and Ultra-Low Energy Buildings\r\n10\r\nTotal \r\n49\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh \r\n \r\nCarbon Management\r\n8\r\nCarbon Capture and Storage\r\n12\r\nEnvironmental Protection and Management\r\n6\r\nEcosystem Service\r\n4\r\nDrug Discovery and Translation\r\n10\r\nBiotechnology \r\n10\r\nScience, Technology and International Development\r\n5\r\nFinancial Maths\r\n4\r\nMathematical Sciences\r\n10\r\nBanking and Risk\r\n1\r\nAccounting and Finance\r\n1\r\nCarbon Finance\r\n1\r\nSustainability and Tourism Across Outdoor Environmental and Sustainability Education and Outdoor Education\r\n20\r\nTotal \r\n92\r\nEdinburgh Napier University\r\n \r\nComputing \r\n8\r\nBiotechnology for Environmental Sustainability\r\n16\r\nTotal \r\n24\r\nUniversity of Glasgow\r\n \r\nTheatre Practices\r\n5\r\nPlaywriting &  Dramaturgy\r\n5\r\nTextile and Dress Histories\r\nHistory of Collecting & Collections\r\nInternational Art Nouveau\r\nArt Politics and Transgression\r\n6 (across these courses )\r\nMaterial Culture & Artefact Studies\r\n4\r\nMammalian Biology\r\n10\r\nMedical Visualisation & Human Anatomy\r\n10\r\nAnimal Welfare, Sci, Ethics& Law\r\n5\r\nInformation Technology\r\nSoftware Development\r\n15 (across these courses)\r\nAeronautical Engineering\r\n5\r\nNanoscience / Nanotechnology\r\n10\r\nFinancial Risk Management\r\n10\r\nInvestment & Fund Management\r\n10\r\nTourism, Heritage & Sustainability\r\nEnvironment, Culture & Communication\r\n2 (across these courses)\r\nReal Estate\r\n25\r\nTotal \r\n122\r\nGlasgow Caledonian University\r\n \r\nBanking Finance and Risk Management\r\n5\r\nFinancial Services, Risk\r\n5\r\nRisk Management\r\n5\r\nGlobal Supply Chain and Logistics\r\n5\r\nOperations and Bus Management\r\n5\r\nInternational Banking Finance\r\n5\r\nInternational Fashion Marketing\r\n15\r\nFood Bioscience\r\n6\r\nTotal \r\n51\r\nGlasgow School of Art\r\n \r\nVisualisation\r\n10\r\nSound for the Moving Image\r\n3\r\nDesign innovation\r\n12\r\nFasion and Textiles\r\n5\r\nCurating*\r\n5*\r\nTotal \r\n30 increasing to 35*\r\nHeriot Watt University\r\n \r\nBrewing and Distilling \r\n10\r\nMarine Renewable Energy \r\nRenewable Energy Development \r\n10 (across these courses) \r\nReservoir Evaluation and Management \r\nPetroleum Geoscience \r\n10 (across these courses) \r\nOil and Gas Technology \r\n6\r\nQuantitative Financial Engineering \r\nQuantitative Finance and Mathematics\r\n10 (across these courses) \r\nCivil Engineering and Construction Management \r\n10\r\nAdvanced Mechanical Engineering \r\n6\r\nSmart Grid and Demand Management \r\n5\r\nPhotonic and Optolecteronic Devices\r\n3\r\nTotal \r\n70\r\nOpen University \r\n \r\nContinuing Professional Development in Practice\r\nManagement: Perspectives and Practice \r\n30 (across these courses) \r\nTotal \r\n30\r\nQuen Margaret University\r\n \r\nMSc Gastronomy and Beverage Studies\r\n12\r\nMA Creative Entrepreneurship\r\n15\r\nTotal \r\n27\r\nRobert Gordon University\r\n \r\nInstrumental Analytical Science\r\n15\r\nIT for Oil & Gas\r\n15\r\nInfo & Network Security\r\n10\r\nFashion Management\r\n10\r\nTotal \r\n50\r\nRoyal Conservatoire \r\n \r\nArts Practice and Entrepreneurship \r\n18 (starting with 6 in first year and increasing) \r\nGaelic Drama \r\n6 (starting in 2015-16)\r\nTotal\r\n24\r\nSt Andrews \r\n \r\nMuseum and Gallery Studies\r\n5 places for part time\r\nManaging in the Creative Industrie","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:08.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282282,"EventID":"S4W-13517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:08.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:07:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s adoption of a new watercourse management registration category (a) could result in significant environmental effects, (b) constitutes a qualifying plan or programme for the purposes of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 and (c) constitutes a qualifying plan or project for the purposes of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and (d) could affect the delivery of sustainable flood management, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"The recent heavy rainfall has highlighted that drainage of agricultural land presents several challenges in relation to environmental, economic and community interests. I believe that the procedural changes to the authorisation regime SEPA has made are a proportionate approach taking account of these interactions.\r\nSEPA’s decisions, and their discussion with stakeholders and partner organisations such as Scottish Natural Heritage, have been underpinned by risk assessment. I have kept the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee informed of this work, particularly through my letters of 25 February 2013 and 6 March 2013.\r\nSEPA uses registration for controlled activities under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 that it considers do not normally pose a significant risk individually, but may contribute to a significant cumulative risk. SEPA's assessment is that this activity satisfies its criteria for authorisation by registration. This change only applies to existing straightened rivers with particular characteristics and does not apply universally to all watercourses. In addition the registration does not permit any works to straighten rivers.\r\nSEPA does not consider that significant environmental effects could result by virtue of deciding to require prior authorisation in the form of a registration rather than a water use licence. Where it considers it necessary to protect the water environment, SEPA can and will refuse applications for authorisation by registration. Where it authorises the activity by registration, SEPA can and will impose such conditions as it considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of protection of the water environment.\r\nThe decision by SEPA to require prior authorisation for the activity by registration rather than by water use licence is procedural in nature. Such procedural changes do not affect the requirements for environmental impact assessment under any other legislation. \r\nSEPA's decision on the form of prior authorisation required for the activity does not constitute a plan or programme for the purposes of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. As such it does not require a strategic environmental assessment.\r\nThe Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 relate to England and Wales and the Scottish legislation transposing the Birds and Habitats Directives is the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994. SEPA does not believe the water use licence constitutes a plan or project under the 1994 Regulations. SEPA has advised the Scottish Government that it has considered the likely risk posed by the activity to European sites as well as to the ecological status of water bodies generally in making these procedural changes.\r\nIn terms of flood risk SEPA does not consider that its decision on the form of prior authorisation will affect the delivery of sustainable flood risk management or will affect flood risk in catchments. Where sediment has built up on the river bed, SEPA considers that the carrying out of the activity may in some circumstances reduce the frequency of flooding of the adjacent land. Straightening of rivers can contribute to elevated flood peaks in rivers further downstream. However, the activity only permits sediment management works in rivers that are already straightened. SEPA does not consider that this type of works is likely to have a significant effect on downstream flood risk.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:08.79","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282283,"EventID":"S4W-13520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:09.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:07:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that land drainage and watercourse management projects that may result in significant environmental effects are subject to the provisions of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13517 on 20 March 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:09.32","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282284,"EventID":"S4W-13521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:09.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:07:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact it considers that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s adoption of a new watercourse management registration category could have on the implementation of environmental impact assessments, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13517 on 20 March 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:09.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282285,"EventID":"S4W-13522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:10.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:07:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency regarding the implications of its adoption of a new watercourse management registration category for the implementation of the EU (a) birds, (b) habitats and (c) environmental impact assessment directive.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–13517 on 20 March 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:10.273","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282286,"EventID":"S4W-13523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:10.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:07:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of how the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s adoption of a new watercourse management registration category will affect flood risk in river catchments.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–13517 on 20 March 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:10.647","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282287,"EventID":"S4W-13535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:11.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:40:18.213","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements have been made to ensure that (a) Healthcare Improvement Scotland and (b) the Care Commission are provided with regular reports from NHS boards summarising feedback received from patients and the public.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Boards are required under the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 and secondary legislation to provide Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) with a copy of their annual summary of feedback, comments, concerns and complaints. The first such reports are due in the summer. In addition:\r\n(a) To help inform their work HIS gathers intelligence from the national Patient Experience Programme, NHS Board complaints, and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) investigation reports and also through inviting patients and the public to provide comments on their experiences directly to them. HIS is also currently working closely with the SPSO on the design of the new approach to reporting and learning from adverse events, which the First Minister announced to Parliament last November 2012.\r\n(b) A National Enquiry Line was established by the Care Inspectorate on 1 April 2011 which provides a central point to deal with general enquiries, concerns or complaints. The Care Inspectorate has also been strengthening the range of ways in which it receives and acts on information on services and in encouraging feedback on the quality of services provided. A new complaints process was introduced on 8 October 2012 with incremental changes being made until March 2013.\r\nBoth the NHS complaints process and the Care Inspectorate complaints process include provision for co-operation and joint working to resolve issues where this is appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:11.177","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282288,"EventID":"S4W-13537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T14:12:11.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T11:19:27.637","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has not yet published the responses to its consultation on Mental Health Strategy for Scotland: 2012-2015 and when it will do so.\r\n","AnswerText":"The consultation responses were made available publicly for anyone wishing to view them shortly after the consultation ended on 31 January 2012.\r\nArrangements can be made to view the responses by contacting the Scottish Government Library at Victoria Quay, Edinburgh on 0131 244 4556 or by emailing SELibrary@scotland.gsi.gov.uk to make an appointment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T14:12:11.613","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282294,"EventID":"S4W-13525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T16:52:16.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:39:59.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will seek EU assistance for the (a) construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and (b) (i) M8, (ii) M73 and (iii) M74 motorway improvements projects.\r\n","AnswerText":"We are working together with the European Investment Bank to secure funding support through the successful bidders which provides value for money for both schemes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T16:52:17.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282295,"EventID":"S4W-13526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T16:52:17.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:39:59.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the projected start date of the construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is two years after the resolution of the legal challenge to the project.\r\n","AnswerText":"Due to the protracted Practising Law Institute and legal challenges a road that should be relieving traffic from central Aberdeen now will unfortunately not be open until spring 2018. However, we ensured as much preparatory steps as possible were progressed during the legal challenges. As a result we were able to publish a Prior Information Notice on 19 October 2012 (only two days after the Supreme Court Judgment).\r\nDuring the current period between resolution of the legal challenge and construction start we are procuring the contract to undertake the works. This period of time for procurement is typical of similar projects such as the M80, M73 and M74.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T16:52:17.593","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282296,"EventID":"S4W-13527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T16:52:17.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:39:59.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12698 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 February 2013, when it will publish the timescale for the delivery of each of the 19 schools projects in Phase 3.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Schools for the Future Programme, of which these 19 schools are a part, will see the delivery of 67 new or refurbished schools across all parts of Scotland by March 2018. So far six schools have been completed, nine schools are currently under construction of which five are expected to open in August 2013.\r\nThe delivery timescales of all revenue funded schools through the Schools for the Future Programme are published within the “Pipeline of Revenue Funded Projects” on the Scottish Futures Trust website which is regularly updated and can be obtained via the following link:\r\nhttp://www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk/publications/pipeline-of-revenue-funded-projects-npd-and-hub-october-2012/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T16:52:17.95","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282297,"EventID":"S4W-13528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T16:52:18.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:39:59.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12698 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 February 2013, what funding has been made available for each school project that has been delayed by project-specific issues.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Schools for the Future Programme is a joint £1.25 billion programme with Scotland’s local authorities which will see the delivery of 67 new or refurbished schools across all parts of Scotland. The Scottish Government is contributing £800 million towards the programme and the local authorities £450 million. The precise amount of funding made available to each project is dependent of the final project costs but is calculated on the basis of 50% of eligible costs for a primary/additional support needs school and 67% of eligible costs for a secondary school.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T16:52:18.34","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282298,"EventID":"S4W-13529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T16:52:18.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:39:59.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12698 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 February 2013, whether any school projects will be delivered through the HUB initiative and, if so, which projects.","AnswerText":"All revenue funded HUB school projects delivered through the Schools for the Future Programme are published within the “Pipeline of Revenue Funded Projects” on the Scottish Futures Trust website which is regularly updated and can be obtained via the following link: \r\nhttp://www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk/publications/pipeline-of-revenue-funded-projects-npd-and-hub-october-2012/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T16:52:18.823","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282299,"EventID":"S4W-13530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T16:52:19.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:39:59.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12698 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 February 2013, if staggering the timing of procurement of the three colleges avoided them competing with each other in the market, for what reason the colleges will now move into construction around the same time.\r\n","AnswerText":"The staggered timing of procurement took account of potential market capacity constraints in the bidding process and the ability of contractors to participate in the bidding process for more than one project. There are no overall capacity constraints in the market for delivering the construction of these projects.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T16:52:19.183","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282300,"EventID":"S4W-13531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T16:52:19.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:39:59.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12698 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 February 2013, whether moving the colleges into construction around the same time might have a detrimental effect, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"There is no detrimental effect of the colleges moving into construction around the same time as overall capacity in the construction market to deliver these projects is not constrained. The projects differ in location and or size, and have attracted interest from different contractors and will ultimately be delivered by different contractors. The timing for delivery of the three colleges reflects the needs of the colleges and their students, as set out in their business cases.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T16:52:19.543","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282301,"EventID":"S4W-13532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T16:52:19.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:39:59.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12698 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 February 2013, how the staggered timing for college projects has been prioritised.\r\n","AnswerText":"Prioritisation was based on the previous development of the projects and the preparedness of their business cases for receiving approval.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T16:52:19.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282302,"EventID":"S4W-13533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T16:52:20.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T10:39:59.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12698 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 February 2013, which minister approved the decision to deliver the Borders Railway project using Network Rail’s Regulatory Asset Base and not the non-profit distributing model, and for what reason Network Rail’s Regulatory Asset Base was chosen as the preferred method.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Minister for Transport and Veterans approved the decision to deliver the Borders Railway using Network Rail’s Regulatory Asset Base.\r\nTransport Scotland cancelled the original non-profit distributing procurement competition in September 2011 following the withdrawal of two of the three bidders.\r\nNetwork Rail confirmed their willingness to take forward the delivery of the Borders Railway and that they would be able to deliver the project within budget, with significant on-going savings to the public purse.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T16:52:20.353","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282303,"EventID":"S4W-13539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T16:52:20.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T14:07:59.257","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gave to events that marked World Book Day 2013. \r\n","AnswerText":"World Book Day is one of a range of initiatives supported by partner bodies engaged in literacy work, in this case specifically Scottish Book Trust, supported by Education Scotland.\r\nI attended the Scottish Children’s Book Awards with Scottish Book Trust in Dundee on World Book Day this year where I presented the Review Competition Awards.\r\nFurther, the importance of World Book Day was promoted through social media channels in the PlayTalkRead campaign.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T16:52:20.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282304,"EventID":"S4W-13540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T16:52:21.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T14:14:43.553","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-00603 by Richard Lochhead on 26 January 2012 (Official Report, c. 5771), what issues will be discussed during its 2013 review of the role of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board.\r\n","AnswerText":"Decisions on the form and scope of the review of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board have yet to be taken. An assurance can be given that the key participants (NFUS, SLaE and Unite the Union) will be given an opportunity to present their views.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T16:52:21.103","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282305,"EventID":"S4W-13541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-07T16:52:21.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T14:54:14.743","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Estates Charter introduced by the Scottish Executive in 1999 remains in force.\r\n","AnswerText":"Yes. It is standard practice for the principles behind the Estates Charter to be taken into account when managing the Scottish Ministers’ estate, alongside other Scottish Government policies and the requirements of the Scottish Public Finance Manual.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-21T16:52:21.553","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282306,"EventID":"S4W-13542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:40.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13003 by Fergus Ewing on 5 March 2013, whether it will provide an estimate of the jobs delivered by each of the projects supported by the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund and whether it is on course to create the estimated 28,000 jobs.\r\n","AnswerText":"In the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan (N-RIP 2) an analysis was carried out to identify the potential direct job benefits arising from the development of all the sites identified. This illustrated that should all the sites be developed for their assumed set of uses Scotland would benefit from 5180 direct manufacturing jobs. This analysis does not include multiplier effects or jobs arising from research and development, installation processes and on-going operation and maintenance jobs. For further detail please refer to N-RIP 2 Report, Section 7.\r\nThe projects that have been supported and those under development indicate that this magnitude of direct manufacturing employment is achievable.\r\nThe 28,000 jobs is a longer term target. Scotland is already seeing significant progress with announcements from inward investors such as Gamesa, Samsung Heavy Industries, Areva of their intention to locate manufacturing in Scotland and announcements by Scottish companies of investments in the sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:40.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282307,"EventID":"S4W-13543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:40.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13003 by Fergus Ewing on 5 March 2013, how it will measure its success in delivering the estimated 28,000 jobs that the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund aims to help deliver.\r\n","AnswerText":"Projects supported by Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise develop a Monitoring and Evaluation framework, which follows Treasury Green Book approach. Overall at a programme level Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise monitor milestones that have been identified as forming the critical path to the realisation of the 28,000 jobs estimate. \r\nA number of key milestones relate to actions which are outwith the control of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, such as electricity market reform, consents for site development, grid connections and financing of offshore wind projects. Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise work with a range of stakeholders to articulate the need for progress on these issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:40.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282308,"EventID":"S4W-13544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:41.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13003 by Fergus Ewing on 5 March 2013, whether it will provide a breakdown of the sectors and nature of the estimated 28,000 jobs that the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund aims to help deliver.\r\n","AnswerText":"The figure of up to 28,000 jobs in offshore wind were estimated in the Creating an Industry report commissioned from independent consultants IPA Energy and Water Economics which provided the baseline data for Scotland's Offshore Wind Route Map. The report estimated job creation across a range of sectors from development through supply and installation to operation but did not attribute specific job numbers to individual tasks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:41.31","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282309,"EventID":"S4W-13545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:41.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13004 by Fergus Ewing on 5 March 2013, how it will assess the economic benefit of expenditure from the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"Assessment of the economic benefit of National Renewables Infrastructure Fund will follow standard Treasury Green Book guidance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:41.713","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282310,"EventID":"S4W-13546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:42.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13004 by Fergus Ewing on 5 March 2013, what proportion of the progress toward a cumulative benefit to gross value added of £7.1 billion it attributes to the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund.","AnswerText":"National Renewables Investment Fund forms part of a suite of support that Scottish Enterprise and Highland and Islands Enterprise have in place to assist the development of this new industry in Scotland. Investment in manufacturing sites is critical to securing the manufacturing element of this overall benefit to the economy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:42.027","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282311,"EventID":"S4W-13547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:42.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13005 by Fergus Ewing on 5 March 2013, how it assesses the economic impact of a project prior to receiving investment from the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund and what assessment it made for each project that the fund has supported.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise and Highland and Islands Enterprise follow Treasury Green Book guidance in assessing ex ante economic benefit of investments. Each project supported has been assessed accordingly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:42.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282312,"EventID":"S4W-13548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:42.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to S4W-12998 by Fergus Ewing on 5 March 2013, how much private sector investment has been leveraged into the projects supported by the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund at (a) Port of Dundee, (b) Port of Leith, (c) Rosyth, (d) Methil, (e) Hunterston, (f) Inchgreen, (g) Westway, (h) Kishorn, (i) Arnish, (j) Machrihanish, (k) Nigg, (l) Wick, (m) Scrabster and (n) Mallaig.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise are investing in project development at Dundee, Leith and Rosyth and in project delivery at Methil, Hunterston, Inchgreen and Westway.\r\nSimilarly Highlands and Islands Enterprise are investing in project development at Kishorn and Wick and project delivery at Arnish, Macrihanish, Nigg, Scrabster and Mallaig.\r\nLeverage at the project development stage is in the form of private sector involvement in masterplanning and site appraisal processes. At project delivery stage leverage arises from the appraisal of each individual project. Therefore, the amount of private sector investment at each site is as follows:\r\n\r\nSite Name\r\nInvestment Amount\r\nPort of Dundee\r\n£0\r\nPort of Leith\r\n£0\r\nRosyth\r\n£15,000\r\nMethil\r\n£0\r\nHunterston\r\n£0\r\nInchgreen\r\n£75,000\r\nWestway\r\n£800,000\r\nKishorn\r\n£135,420\r\nArnish\r\n£0\r\nMacrihanish\r\n£5.9 million\r\nNigg\r\n£9.231 million\r\nWick\r\n£0\r\nScrabster\r\n£7.8 million\r\nMallaig\r\n£364,250\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:42.633","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282313,"EventID":"S4W-13549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:42.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12998 by Fergus Ewing on 5 March 2013, how much private sector investment has been leveraged into the wider renewables industry through projects supported by the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund at (a) Port of Dundee, (b) Port of Leith, (c) Rosyth, (d) Methil, (e) Hunterston, (f) Inchgreen, (g) Westway, (h) Kishorn, (i) Arnish, (j) Machrihanish, (k) Nigg, (l) Wick, (m) Scrabster and (n) Mallaig.","AnswerText":"In terms of the wider picture of investment into the renewables industry more generally Scottish Renewables have recently published an assessment of investment into renewables in 2011. This is based on the capacity installed in each technology multiplied by estimates of capital cost per Mega Watt. Their analysis shows projects with a total capital cost of £757.2 million were commissioned in 2011. Similar analysis for the first nine months of 2012, shows that this exceeded over £1.3 billion.\r\nScottish Renewables also undertook more detailed assessment of investment into offshore wind and this research shows that £164.5 million has been invested in the Scottish economy by the six companies currently developing offshore wind projects in the Scottish Renewable Energy Zone with more than one third of this investment (£63.66 million) delivered in 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:42.947","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282314,"EventID":"S4W-13550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:43.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12998 by Fergus Ewing on 5 March 2013, what funding packages are in place for the ports not listed in the answer and how much private sector funding has been leveraged; how many jobs have been delivered, and what economic benefit has been assessed in each case.","AnswerText":"National Renewables Infrastructure Fund is available to all ports that meet the criteria for funding.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:43.273","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282315,"EventID":"S4W-13551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:43.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13001 by Fergus Ewing on 5 March 2013, how many expressions of interest were received for the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012 and have been received in 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"Through the development of the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan both Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise worked closely with the identified ports and therefore encouraged them to submit expressions of interest in the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund (NRIF).\r\nAs a result the majority of interest was noted in the first two years of the Fund, as shown below.\r\n2010: 27\r\n2011: 12\r\n2012: 3\r\n2013: 0\r\nThe call remains open for those ports keen to take advantage of the offshore renewables opportunity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:43.57","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282316,"EventID":"S4W-13552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:43.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications it has received for funding from the Renewable Energy Investment Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"Since launched in October 2012, there has been a good level of interest in REIF from a wide variety of sources with 95 enquiries received which have been, or are being, considered by the REIF delivery team covering all priority sectors; of these, some have been declined as being unsuitable, others are still at an early information enquiry stage. Several of these are expected to progress through to active and live projects during the course of the fund.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:43.883","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282317,"EventID":"S4W-13553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:44.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what annual spending was expected from the Renewable Energy Investment Fund when it was established.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Renewable Energy Investment Fund was capitalised with £103 million to be distributed over the current spending review period (2012 - 2015). That is still the intention. The annual spend will reflect the needs of industry and community developers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:44.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282318,"EventID":"S4W-13554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:44.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what projects the Renewable Energy Investment Fund has supported and what private sector support was leveraged for each.\r\n","AnswerText":"REIF has to date offered support to three deals alongside significant private sector investment. A strong pipeline of projects is under consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:44.49","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282319,"EventID":"S4W-13555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:44.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what economic assessment it has made of each project supported by the Renewable Energy Investment Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"All applications to REIF are assessed for their additional socio- economic impact through consideration of the scale and nature of benefits, (renewable energy generated/ electricity decarbonised, Gross Value Added/ jobs created, community benefits and private investment levered), the extent to which these benefits are additional, (i.e. would not be realised in the absence of REIF monies), supply chain benefits, the concentration of benefits within Scotland and the effect on existing economic activity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:44.803","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282320,"EventID":"S4W-13556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:45.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes there have been to the expected spending profile of the Renewable Energy Investment Fund as a result of the Budget (Scotland) (No.2) Bill, passed on 6 February 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The fund will disburse £103 million over the spending review period; with flexibility on the annual spend to reflect industry needs. The indicative allocation for 2012 -13 was £16 million, based on the prospect of a significant investment in the marine sector. Actual spend is anticipated to be some £1.8 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:45.1","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282321,"EventID":"S4W-13557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:45.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it determines that projects awarded support from the Renewable Energy Investment Fund deliver additionality.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13555 on 20 March 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:45.41","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282322,"EventID":"S4W-13558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:45.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the economic benefit gained by moving £15 million from the Renewable Energy Investment Fund to other projects as a result of the Budget (Scotland) (No.2) Bill passed on 6 February 2013 and what these projects are.","AnswerText":"The funding for renewable energy projects through the Renewable Energy Investment Fund has been re-profiled to reflect industry needs. In line with the overall economic strategy set out within the Draft Budget, the assessment was that the maximum benefit to the economy and jobs would be through redirecting any unused funding to alternative short term uses, such as the additional shovel ready projects announced in June and December 2012, whilst ensuring the funding will be available in the medium term when required for renewable projects. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:45.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282323,"EventID":"S4W-13559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:46.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has estimated the number of jobs that will be delivered by projects receiving support from the Renewable Energy Investment Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"Applications are considered on a project by project basis and net jobs are an important factor in the socio- economic assessments conducted for each project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:46.067","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282324,"EventID":"S4W-13560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:46.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T15:56:34.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it determined that delaying spending from the Renewable Energy Investment Fund will not harm efforts to develop renewable energy.\r\n","AnswerText":"The phasing of expenditure on the REIF will reflect the needs of industry and community developers. Scotland is enjoying record activity and investment in renewable energy. We exceeded our interim target to generate 31% of our energy requirement by 2011 by some 4%. Scottish renewables have shown that investment in Scotland’s renewable energy industry topped £900 million pounds in the first six months of 2012, putting it well on track to reach £1 billion over the course of the whole year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:46.38","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282325,"EventID":"S4W-13561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:46.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:50:45.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants are working on its workstreams supporting constitutional reform, also broken down by (a) grade and (b) workstream.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of their normal duties, civil servants provide support on relevant aspects of the Scottish Government’s work. Staff contribute to constitutional policy development from within their own subject areas as and when required.\r\nThe amount of time staff spend contributing to the workstreams varies widely from week to week, and we do not routinely record this information, as we have no business need for it. The most recent published information on this subject is in the form of a response to an FOI request available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/constitution/About/Workstreams.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:46.69","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282326,"EventID":"S4W-13563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:47.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:50:45.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants for whom it is not their full-time role are involved in its workstreams supporting constitutional reform.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of their normal duties, civil servants provide support on relevant aspects of the Scottish Government’s work. Staff contribute to constitutional policy development from within their own subject areas as and when required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:47.017","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282327,"EventID":"S4W-13564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:47.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:50:45.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many external advisors or experts it has consulted as part of its work on constitutional reform.  \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is consulting a wide range of experts as we develop our proposals for a prosperous, fairer, independent Scotland. These include the eminent members of the Fiscal Commission Working Group (including two Nobel prize-winners) and the Expert Working Group on Welfare. Further information can be found on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/Council-Economic-Advisers/FCWG and http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/welfarereform/EXPERTWORKINGGROUPONWELFARE/Membership.\r\nSince the initiation of the National Conversation on the future of Scotland, significant contributions have been received from experts, academics, journalists and think tanks on a range of subjects such as fiscal autonomy, energy and the environment, and Scotland in the world.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:47.33","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282328,"EventID":"S4W-13565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T13:45:47.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:50:45.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on hiring external advisors or consultants as part of its work on constitutional reform.\r\n","AnswerText":"A total of £65,257.38 has been spent on hiring external advisors as part of constitutional reform.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T13:45:47.657","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282334,"EventID":"S4W-13579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T15:39:01.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T11:17:23.057","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advisory or consultative bodies provide it with advice on issues relating to the financial services industry and what the membership of each body is.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Financial Services Advisory Board (FiSAB), supported by the Financial Services Implementation Group (FiSIG), provides the Scottish Government with advice on issues relating to the financial services industry.\r\nFiSAB is a partnership between the financial services industry, trade unions, the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Universities Scotland.\r\nDetails of the membership of both FiSAB and FiSIG are published on the Scottish Government website and can be accessed by following these links.\r\nFiSAB: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/finance/meetings/membership\r\nFiSIG: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/finance/fisigmeetings/membership\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T15:39:01.223","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282335,"EventID":"S4W-13580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T15:39:01.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T11:21:03.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many economic experts it is consulting on how much it would cost to provide state pensions in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Fiscal Commission Working Group have already considered pensions as part of their detailed report on a “Macroeconomic framework for an independent Scotland”, published last month, which shows that demographic changes in Scotland are projected to be similar to those in the UK as a whole.\r\nDetailed analysis shows that state pensions in an independent Scotland will be more affordable than they are in the UK. The official figures on spending for the last year show that only 38% of Scottish tax revenues were spent on social protection, which includes the state pension, compared with 42% for the UK as a whole.\r\nOfficials and independent advisers are assessing the operation of the state pension system in an independent Scotland and a report will be published in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T15:39:01.537","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282336,"EventID":"S4W-13581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T15:39:01.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T11:21:03.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which members of the Council of Economic Advisors it has asked to consider how much it would cost to provide state pensions in an independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13580 on 18 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T15:39:01.817","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282337,"EventID":"S4W-13582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T15:39:02.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T11:21:03.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the terms of reference are of the expert group considering how much it would cost to provide state pensions in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13580 on 18 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T15:39:02.097","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282338,"EventID":"S4W-13583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T15:39:02.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T11:21:03.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the letters of appointment of the expert group considering how much it would cost to provide state pensions in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13580 on 18 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T15:39:02.363","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282339,"EventID":"S4W-13584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T15:39:02.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T11:21:03.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the expert group considering how much it would cost to provide state pensions in an independent Scotland has met (a) ministers and (b) officials, and what future meetings are planned.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13580 on 18 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T15:39:02.66","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282340,"EventID":"S4W-13586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T15:39:02.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T11:21:03.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the (a) findings and (b) recommendations of the expert group considering how much it would cost to provide state pensions in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13580 on 18 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T15:39:02.94","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282341,"EventID":"S4W-13587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T15:39:03.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T11:21:03.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its website will have links to the work of the expert group considering how much it would cost to provide state pensions in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13580 on 18 March 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T15:39:03.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282342,"EventID":"S4W-13588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-08T15:39:03.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T14:14:38.67","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reinstate the recording of crimes of violence against public-facing workers in its annual crime survey.\r\n","AnswerText":"The content of the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) is regularly reviewed to ensure the survey continues to provide high quality evidence on a wide range of policy areas in a cost effective manner. Such questionnaire reviews also ensure that the survey is kept to a manageable length so that we do not place an excessive time burden on respondents. Fieldwork for the survey is now conducted every other year, rather than annually.\r\nThe SCJS questionnaire will be reviewed again prior to its 2014-15 run, when consideration may be given to including questions related to workplace violence. As part of the review process consideration will be given as to whether questions will remain or be removed from the survey and whether new questions will be added. Consequently, it cannot be guaranteed that any particular questions will be included in the future sweeps until the review process has been completed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-22T15:39:03.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282343,"EventID":"S4W-13589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T13:58:35.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T14:52:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed Bus Users Scotland will be a new body and, if so, what the set-up costs will be; whether it will be part of Bus Users UK, and what funding it will receive.\r\n","AnswerText":"Bus Users Scotland will be a separate Scottish operation within the legal, company framework provided by Bus Users UK. The funding and set-up costs are currently under consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T13:58:36.407","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282344,"EventID":"S4W-13590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T13:58:37.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T14:52:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish the review of Passengers' View Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Review of the Public Transport Users’ Committee for Scotland (PTUC) Operating under the name Passengers’ View Scotland (PVS) was published on the PVS website on 12 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T13:58:37.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282345,"EventID":"S4W-13592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T13:58:37.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T14:52:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether members will be appointed to the proposed Bus Users Scotland under the public appointments procedure and who they will be.","AnswerText":"Bus Users Scotland is an independent organisation and members will not be appointed under the public appointments procedures.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T13:58:37.903","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282346,"EventID":"S4W-13593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T13:58:38.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T14:52:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed Bus Users Scotland will have a statutory function similar to Passengers' View Scotland.","AnswerText":"No. The Scottish Government will grant fund Bus Users Scotland to perform functions similar to those previously performed by Passengers’ View Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T13:58:38.903","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282347,"EventID":"S4W-13594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T13:58:39.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T16:29:57.78","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it can provide for people with dental bills as a result of an accident rather than dental negligence.\r\n","AnswerText":"The charging arrangements for treatment provided under NHS general dental services are the same whether the treatment is required as a result of an accident or for other reasons.\r\nPatients are required to pay 80% of the cost of their NHS dental treatment up to a maximum per course of treatment of £384, unless they are in one of the groups entitled to free NHS dental treatment or help with the cost.\r\nHelp with the cost of NHS dental treatment for adults is mainly based on an assessment of the individual’s ability to pay. Those in receipt of certain benefits are automatically entitled to free NHS dental treatment while others on low incomes may be able to get either full or partial help with costs under the NHS Low Income Scheme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T13:58:39.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282348,"EventID":"S4W-13595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T13:58:40.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T16:29:57.78","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether individual circumstances are considered when awarding NHS funding for restorative dental treatment.","AnswerText":"Restorative treatment provided under NHS general dental services (GDS) will fall within the same charging arrangement as any other treatment provided under GDS.\r\nPatients are required to pay 80% of the cost of their NHS dental treatment up to a maximum per course of treatment of £384, unless they are in one of the groups entitled to free NHS dental treatment or help with the cost.\r\nHelp with the cost of NHS dental treatment for adults is mainly based on an assessment of the individual’s ability to pay. Those in receipt of certain benefits are automatically entitled to free NHS dental treatment while others on low incomes may be able to get either full or partial help with costs under the NHS Low Income Scheme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T13:58:40.417","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282349,"EventID":"S4W-13596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T13:58:41.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T16:29:57.78","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve the (a) cost and (b) accessibility of dental care.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS dental examinations are free to all in Scotland. Fees for treatment and therefore patient charges have been maintained at the same level for over two and half years.\r\nPatients are required to pay 80% of the cost of their NHS dental treatment up to a maximum per course of treatment of £384, unless they are in one of the groups entitled to free NHS dental treatment or help with the cost. The percentage of fees paid by patients has remained unchanged since 1993 whilst the maximum charge has remained unchanged since 2005.\r\nHelp with the cost of NHS dental treatment for adults is mainly based on an assessment of the individual’s ability to pay. Those in receipt of certain benefits are automatically entitled to free NHS dental treatment while others on low incomes may be able to get either full or partial help with costs under the NHS Low Income Scheme.\r\nOver the years the Scottish Government has introduced a range of measures to help improve access to the general dental services, including the opening of the Aberdeen Dental School in 2009, increasing the number of dental therapist being trained and the Scottish Dental Access Initiative (SDAI). Since the SDAI was first introduced in 1997 it has been revised several times, most recently in December 2012 to take account of improvements in access to the General Dentistry Services (GDS) in many areas. From that date grants have been targeted at specific areas still experiencing access problems. In areas which continue to experience gaps in GDS provision, and which can not be filled by an independent dentist, NHS boards can establish a directly employed salaried dental service.\r\nSince 2007, there are nearly 500 more dentist providing NHS general dental services across Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T13:58:41.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282350,"EventID":"S4W-13597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T13:58:41.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T09:19:18.567","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work has been carried out by the National Infertility Group. \r\n","AnswerText":"The National Infertility Group was set up in April 2010 to address the inequity of access to infertility treatment across Scotland. The Group’s report, with final recommendations on future provision of IVF treatment across Scotland, is currently with Ministers for consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T13:58:41.71","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282351,"EventID":"S4W-13598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T13:58:42.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T09:19:18.567","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) upper and (b) lower age limit is for access to IVF treatment, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"For information on the upper age limit for IVF treatment, by NHS Board, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13477 on 15 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nThere is no lower age limit for access to IVF treatment in any NHS board in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T13:58:42.38","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282352,"EventID":"S4W-13599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T13:58:43.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T09:19:18.567","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many couples were on a waiting list for IVF treatment on 1 January (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010, (d) 2011, (e) 2012 and (f) 2013, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not currently collected centrally.\r\nThe National Infertility Group was set up in April 2010 to address the inequity of access to infertility treatment across Scotland. The Group’s report, with final recommendations, including a recommendation on data collection, is currently with Ministers for consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T13:58:43.037","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282353,"EventID":"S4W-13600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T13:58:43.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T16:44:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13035 by Alex Neil on 7 March 2013, for what reason this information is not held centrally; what impact not holding the information in this manner has on how it assesses whether the NHS is meeting its equalities obligations, and whether it will provide the information requested and confirm what specific equality duties are recorded in each NHS board's workforce plan.\r\n","AnswerText":"Under the Equality Act 2010, all NHS boards are legally required to hold and publish the information requested in S4W-13035. It is the responsibility of the individual NHS boards to publish the outcomes individually in a manner that is readily accessible to the public and it is their responsibility to monitor and identify measurable outputs and align reporting structures with existing board governance and performance systems.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T13:58:43.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282354,"EventID":"S4W-13601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T13:58:43.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-10T10:36:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, when it will issue new guidance to ensure standardised assessments across the country following the implementation of the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013.","AnswerText":"The Act does not affect the assessment duty to meet a person's needs, as set out in Section 12A of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. The guidance will however contain a strong steer on the need for the processes surrounding assessment to be outcome focused and to be conducted in line with the principles of collaboration, informed choice and involvement contained in Section 1 of the (SDS) 2013 Act. The Scottish Government will conduct a consultation on the guidance in Spring 2013. The target date for publication of the final version of the guidance will be determined in due course however it will be published prior to the commencement date for the 2013 Act.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T13:58:43.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282364,"EventID":"S4T-00279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T12:37:14.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T11:12:20.61","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported decline in the number of college students.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T12:37:14.67","MeetingDate":"2013-03-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282365,"EventID":"S4T-00280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T12:37:15.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T11:23:35.913","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scottish Water regarding the decision to curtail the activities of Scottish Water Horizons.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T12:37:15.42","MeetingDate":"2013-03-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282366,"EventID":"S4F-01240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T12:36:31.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T14:54:55.553","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime Minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T12:36:31.883","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282367,"EventID":"S4F-01241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T12:36:32.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T09:49:49.093","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T12:36:32.35","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282368,"EventID":"S4F-01243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T12:36:33.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T10:02:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what actions the Scottish Government will take to assist growth in the business sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T12:36:33.037","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282369,"EventID":"S4F-01244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T12:36:33.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T10:22:18.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T12:36:33.397","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282370,"EventID":"S4F-01248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T12:36:34.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T10:42:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government seeks to ensure that all relevant medical information is available to support patients who appeal to the disability benefits tribunal system.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T12:36:34.877","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282371,"EventID":"S4F-01257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-11T12:36:38.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T11:49:41.433","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to tackle contraband in prisons.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-25T12:36:38.903","MeetingDate":"2013-03-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282383,"EventID":"S4W-13615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T13:21:29.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T12:52:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what strategic policing priorities it will set for the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and the Police Service of Scotland will deliver the statutory policing principles set out in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. The SPA is the national body responsible for the governance of policing in Scotland. It will allocate resources to the Chief Constable and hold him to account for the policing of Scotland and the delivery of statutory functions, in turn accounting to Scottish Ministers for policing and the functions the SPA is directly responsible for, including the Forensic Service and Independent Custody Visiting.\r\nThe priorities are intended to clearly incorporate the contribution which policing can make to achieve the Scottish Government’s purpose and national outcomes, and the related priorities within the Strategy for Justice. Consistent with our wider ambition for public services, these are strongly underpinned by the four pillars of public service reform – prevention, performance, people and partnership.\r\nThey are intended to set clear national priorities but also to empower local commanders to work with partners in the public, private and third sectors, and local communities within the Community Planning framework to deliver greater integration of services at a local level driven by better partnership, collaboration and effective local delivery.\r\nWe expect that further specific and measurable deliverables relating to Scottish Government’s national outcomes will be included in the Strategic Plan which the SPA will draft on the basis of the strategic priorities.\r\nThe strategic priorities are: \r\nMake communities safer and reduce harm by tackling and investigating crime and demonstrating pioneering approaches to prevention and collaboration at a national and local level.\r\nActively support a decisive shift towards prevention by promoting evidence based practice and effective partnerships to make the most of collective resource, knowledge and expertise, especially around reducing violence and reoffending, substance misuse, promoting better outcomes for young people who offend and protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults.\r\n\r\nNational outcome 4:\tOur young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.\r\nNational outcome 5:\tOur children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed.\r\nNational outcome 6:\tWe live longer, healthier lives.\r\nNational outcome 8:\tWe have improved the life chances for children, young people and families at risk.\r\nNational outcome 9:\tWe live our lives safe from crime, disorder and danger\r\nStrengthen Scotland’s reputation as a successful and safe country by demonstrating excellence in effectively planning for and responding to major events and threats.\r\nWork across national, international and organisational boundaries to ensure the Commonwealth Games and other important events are safe and secure; contribute effectively to multi agency arrangements to deal with emergencies; and minimise threats to our communities arising from extremism and serious organised crime.\r\nNational outcome 1:\tWe live in a Scotland that is the most attractive place for doing business in Europe.\r\nNational outcome 9:\tWe live our lives safe from crime, disorder and danger.\r\nNational outcome 11:\tWe have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others.\r\nProvide an efficient, effective service focused on protecting frontline services, delivering the benefits of police reform and promoting continuous improvement.\r\nDeliver the three benefits of reform and work with others to ensure that the criminal justice system is fair and accessible, using science, technology and innovation to support the delivery of an effective and efficient police service.\r\nNational outcome 14: \tWe reduce the local and global environmental impact of our consumption and production.\r\nNational outcome 16: \tOur public services are high quality, continually","AnswerDate":"2013-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T13:21:29.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282384,"EventID":"S4W-13577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T14:11:08.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T10:03:00.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on reform of the Local Government Pension Scheme.\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerText":"A Tri-partite group comprising of representatives from the Convention Of Scottish Local Authorities, the trades unions and the Scottish Government was convened in October 2012 and is supporting negotiations to reform the Local Government Pension Scheme.\r\nNegotiations on scheme design are scheduled to complete by August 2013 when the focus will then shift to scheme governance and development of Scottish scheme regulations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T14:11:08.487","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282385,"EventID":"S4W-13578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T14:11:08.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-08T10:03:00.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will implement revisions to the Local Government Pension Scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"The UK Public Service Pensions Bill, which is expected to receive Royal Assent in May 2013 will require the main public service pension schemes, including the Local Government Pension Scheme, to be reformed by 1 April 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T14:11:08.783","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282386,"EventID":"S4W-13602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T14:11:09.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T16:21:44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Protocol is not included in its Guidance on Joint Investigative Interviewing of Child Witnesses in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The National Strategic Group for Joint Investigative Interviews with Children was established in 2007. It took forward work to revise guidance; progress the roll-out of visual recording equipment; and consider the training requirements of professionals undertaking joint investigative interviews with child witnesses. The membership of the Group included representatives of the police, social work, Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration, Faculty of Advocates, the Law Society of Scotland, Scottish Legal Aid Board, Scottish Court service, Crown Office and the Joint Investigative Interviews Tutors Forum.\r\nThe Group considered that the phased or “step-wise” model, set out in the revised guidance, promotes the use of open-ended prompts, as does the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development protocol. They concluded that the protocol was an issue for training rather than the guidance itself. Paragraph 81 of the revised guidance provides a clear link between the guidelines in the guidance and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development protocol.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T14:11:09.08","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282387,"EventID":"S4W-13603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T14:11:09.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T16:33:29.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it deals with complaints regarding the operational procedures of British Transport Police in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The operation and governance of the British Transport Police is not devolved to the Scottish Government. In the first instance complaints should be directed to the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police.\r\nHowever, should the complainant remain dissatisfied they can refer the matter to the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland (PCCS) who has responsibility to oversee complaints handling procedures for police bodies, including the British Transport Police and British Transport Police Authority, in respect of their Scottish operations.\r\nThe PCCS can be contacted via their website :www.pcc-scotland.org, or by writing to PCCS at Hamilton House, Hamilton Business Park, Caird Park, Hamilton,ML3 0QA.\r\nFrom 1 April 2013 the PCCS will become the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner. It will continue to have responsibility to oversee complaints against the police where it is felt the matter remains unsolved following investigation by the Chief Constable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T14:11:09.373","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282388,"EventID":"S4W-13604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T14:11:09.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T08:36:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in establishing marine protected areas.","AnswerText":"The Report to Parliament on progress on identifying an MPA network was laid in Parliament on 14 December 2012, and was accompanied by Scottish Natural Heritage(SNH) and Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s (JNCC) detailed scientific network advice. All of these documents, as well as a newsletter to update stakeholders and the public, are available on the Marine Scotland website:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-environment/mpanetwork.\r\nIn summary, SNH and JNCC have identified a total of 33 MPA proposals. Four MPA search locations, Southern Trench, Eye Peninsula to Butt of Lewis, Shiant East Bank and Skye to Mull are undergoing further research and analysis before SNH provides its formal advice to Scottish Ministers. These four have the potential to make a significant contribution to the network by representing key habitats for basking sharks, whales and dolphins and are not substitutes for any of existing 33 MPA proposals. Of the 41 MPA search features, 38 will be accounted for within the evolving Scottish MPA network, the exceptions at this time being basking shark, common skate and white-beaked dolphin.\r\nSince the Report was published (above link) we have been working on the following core tasks in readiness for a public consultation:\r\nThe Management Handbook which provides a general approach and principles to the potential management is nearly complete and has been consulted upon with stakeholders;\r\nManagement Options, as well as a suite of site documentation, are being developed by SNH and JNCC for each proposal in conjunction with Marine Scotland to inform discussions with marine interests on management of individual sites and form part of the consultation documentation;\r\nA Sustainability Appraisal has begun, and we are currently gathering data and evidence to generate strategic environmental and socioeconomic impact assessments for each MPA proposal as well as an overall cumulative assessment;\r\nFurther analysis of Harbour Porpoise data is ongoing, and results are expected in late 2013 and, if appropriate the Scottish Government expects to receive Special Area of Conservation proposals under the EU Habitats Directive from the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies in late 2014.\r\nThe Scottish Government expects to begin receive recommendations for possible Special Protection Areas under the EU Wild Birds Directive from the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies in late 2013. The aim will be to complete classification of as many of these proposals by end of 2015 as possible.\r\nThe aim of the project is to deliver a well managed network by 2016 and we are working hard to achieve this ambitious target.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T14:11:09.733","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282389,"EventID":"S4W-13605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T14:11:10.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T09:58:30.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the condition rating was for each school in the (a) Moray and (b) Argyll and Bute Council area in (i) 2011 and (ii) 2012.","AnswerText":"This information is published on the Scottish Government website as supplementary data to the Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland publication. \r\nData for 2012 is available in table 9 of the following link: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/schoolestatestats/schestate2012\r\nData for 2011 is available in table 9 of the following link: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/schestate2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T14:11:10.093","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282390,"EventID":"S4W-13606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T14:11:10.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T10:38:51.787","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13345 by Humza Yousaf on 7 March 2013, how many meetings ministers and officials have had with government officials from (a) Argentina, (b) Brazil, (c) China, (d) Iceland, (e) Ireland, (f) Qatar and (g) Spain in the last two years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the number of meetings between Scottish Government ministers and officials and government officials of (i) Argentina, (ii) Brazil, (iii) China, (iv) Iceland, (v) Ireland, (vi) Qatar or (vii) Spain in the last two years could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. This is due to the high number of potential meetings across Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T14:11:10.42","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282391,"EventID":"S4W-13607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T14:11:10.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T10:38:51.787","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13345 by Humza Yousaf on 7 March 2013, how many communications ministers and officials have had with government officials from (a) Argentina, (b) Brazil, (c) China, (d) Iceland, (e) Ireland, (f) Qatar and (g) Spain in the last two years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the number of communications between Scottish Government ministers and officials and government officials of (i) Argentina, (ii) Brazil, (iii) China, (iv) Iceland, (v) Ireland, (vi) Qatar or (vii) Spain in the last two years could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. This is due to the high number of potential communications across Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T14:11:10.78","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282392,"EventID":"S4W-13608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T14:11:11.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T11:28:59.063","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many operations were cancelled in each NHS board in the Highlands and Islands in each of the last five years due to equipment not being sterilised properly, broken down by specialism; what the cost was to each board, and how much of the cost was for reimbursement of travel and accommodation.\r\n","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T14:11:11.357","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282393,"EventID":"S4W-13610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T14:11:11.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T11:30:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how an independent Scotland’s per capita GDP would compare with that of other countries.\r\n","AnswerText":"Estimates of Scotland's International Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per Capita ranking in 2011 were published on 11 March 2013 and are available at;\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/Publications/GDP-Per-Capita\r\nWhen an illustrative geographic share of North Sea (extra region) output is included in Scottish GDP, it is estimated that Scotland would be ranked 8th against the 34 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries, with regards to GDP per capita in 2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T14:11:11.713","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282394,"EventID":"S4W-13611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T14:11:12.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the provision of frequency-modulated (FM) amplification technology to children in mainstream education.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Sensory Centre, who are funded by the Scottish Government, published a Review of assistive technology and environmental aids to pupils with a sensory impairment in Scotland in November 2012. This Review includes information on the provision of frequency-modulated (FM) amplification technology for children in mainstream education.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T14:11:12.153","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282395,"EventID":"S4W-13612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T14:11:12.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) NHS boards and (b) local authorities regarding the provision of frequency-modulated (FM) amplification technology for children in mainstream education.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no direct discussions with NHS boards or local authorities regarding the provision of frequency-modulated (FM) amplification technology for children in mainstream education.\r\nHowever, the Scottish Sensory Centre, who are funded by the Scottish Government, published a Review of assistive technology and environmental aids to pupils with a sensory impairment in Scotland in November 2012. The Review included interviews with 18 local authorities. All but one reported that they used frequency-modulated (FM) amplification technology.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T14:11:12.493","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282396,"EventID":"S4W-13613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T14:11:12.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has given to education authorities on the use of frequency-modulated (FM) amplification technology.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not provided any advice to education authorities on the use of frequency-modulated (FM) amplification technology. Responsibility for the design, construction and maintenance of schools rest with local authorities.\r\nHowever, following consideration of a Review of assistive technology and environmental aids to pupils with a sensory impairment in Scotland, published in November 2012 by the Scottish Sensory Centre. The Scottish Government will instruct that over the next two financial years, the Scottish Sensory Centre will:\r\nEstablish a national hearing impairment technology group in order to bring together local authority staff and other specialists to share knowledge and expertise.\r\nDevelop their expertise in this area in order to establish themselves as a source of advice and support for local authorities on the use of assistive technology and environmental aids to pupils with a sensory impairment in Scotland.\r\nAssistive technology such as frequency-modulated (FM) amplification can be an important element of the additional support a pupil with a hearing impairment received in order to access learning. By increasing their capacity in this area, the Scottish Sensory Centre will help ensure that pupils across Scotland with a hearing impairment can benefit from the latest technological developments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T14:11:12.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282397,"EventID":"S4W-13614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T14:11:13.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been provided with frequency-modulated (FM) amplification technology in (a) primary and (b) secondary school in each year since 1999, broken down by (i) local authority and (ii) NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T14:11:13.353","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282422,"EventID":"S4W-13618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T16:59:51.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T14:15:55.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what mechanism it would employ in order to designate a national tree.","AnswerText":"At present, there is no legal or established process for designating a national tree. However, the Public Petitions Committee recently asked Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage for their views on designating Scots pine as a national tree. A joint submission was made by both organisations to the committee to set out a number of factors that might be considered regarding the selection of a national tree. Depending on the response from the Public Petitions Committee and any committee recommendations, we will consider whether to move forward with adopting a national tree and what consultation would be appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T16:59:51.113","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282423,"EventID":"S4W-13619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T16:59:51.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T14:15:55.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it would undertake prior to designating a national tree.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13618 on 20 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T16:59:51.567","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282424,"EventID":"S4W-13620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T16:59:51.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T14:15:55.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government with whom it would consult prior to designating a particular species of tree as Scotland’s national tree.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13618 on 20 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T16:59:51.973","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282425,"EventID":"S4W-13621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T16:59:52.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T14:15:55.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Public Petitions Committee regarding the possible designation of a particular species of tree as Scotland’s national tree.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13618 on 20 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T16:59:52.783","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282426,"EventID":"S4W-13622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-12T16:59:53.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T14:25:01.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police support staff there were in (a) each police force, (b) the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency and (c) the Scottish Police Services Authority on 31 December 2012.","AnswerText":"Police staff play a critical role in the success of Scottish policing, and supporting the delivery of crucial frontline services, and will continue to do so in the future. The number of police support staff (full time equivalent) on 31 December 2012 is given in the following table.\r\nNumber of police support staff (FTE) on 31 December 2012\r\nPolice Authority\r\nNumber of Support Staff\r\nCentral\r\n312\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n220\r\nFife\r\n381\r\nGrampian\r\n637\r\nLothian and Borders\r\n1,034\r\nNorthern\r\n314\r\nStrathclyde\r\n2,280\r\nTayside\r\n459\r\nSPSA\r\n1,111\r\nSCDEA\r\n138\r\nScotland\r\n6,885\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Figures are expressed in terms of full-time equivalent (FTE) police support staff, rounded to the nearest whole number.\r\n2. Scotland totals may not equal the sum of the parts due to rounding.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-26T16:59:53.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282443,"EventID":"S4O-01925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:14.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:03:05.963","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent progress has been made on rolling out insulin pumps to people with diabetes.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:14.217","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282444,"EventID":"S4O-01926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:14.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:03:06.57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what importance it places on the delivery of health services in rural locations.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:14.84","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282445,"EventID":"S4O-01927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:15.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T15:32:04.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that people with acquired brain injuries receive appropriate treatment.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:15.153","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282446,"EventID":"S4O-01928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:15.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:03:09.583","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the health benefits of access to green space.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:15.637","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282447,"EventID":"S4O-01929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:15.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:03:10.44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the provision of healthcare in remote and rural areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:15.933","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282448,"EventID":"S4O-01930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:16.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:03:10.83","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many adults in the NHS Orkney area are on a waiting list to be registered with a NHS dentist.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:16.323","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282449,"EventID":"S4O-01931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:16.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:03:12.483","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Fife and what matters were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:16.773","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282450,"EventID":"S4O-01933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:17.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:03:13.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage the use of so-called talking therapies across the NHS.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:17.15","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282451,"EventID":"S4O-01934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:17.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:03:14.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to improve services for people with neurological conditions and their carers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:17.6","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282452,"EventID":"S4O-01935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:18.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:03:14.607","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will launch its consultation on the use and administration of the resource that it will receive as a result of the UK Government's decision to close the Independent Living Fund in 2015.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:18.1","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282453,"EventID":"S4O-01936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:18.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:03:15.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:18.46","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282454,"EventID":"S4O-01937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:18.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:03:16.43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on how NHS boards apply the Liverpool Care Pathway.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:18.833","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282455,"EventID":"S4O-01938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:19.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:03:16.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action the Scottish Ambulance Service takes to meet patients' travel and emergency needs in Caithness.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:19.177","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282456,"EventID":"S4O-01939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:19.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:03:17.057","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scotland route of the Queen's Baton Relay will be announced.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:19.583","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282457,"EventID":"S4O-01940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:19.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:03:17.303","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made since 2007 on delivering healthcare to rural and remote areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:19.91","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282458,"EventID":"S4O-01941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:20.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T12:39:40.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the chief executive of NHS Lanarkshire and what issues were discussed. \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:20.207","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282459,"EventID":"S4O-01942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:20.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T18:18:23.077","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to NHS Lanarkshire to help reduce waiting times at accident and emergency departments.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Government Performance Support Team currently provides the Health board with detailed weekly analytical reports to:\r\nHelp the board understand, forecast and manage the increases in demand; to identify specific points of pressure across the whole service, not just A&E; and to support decision-making and prioritise actions for improvement. \r\nWe are also supporting NHS Lanarkshire in undertaking day of care audits and the findings have identified areas where the board will focus on improving flow and active management of length of stay.\r\n NHS Lanarkshire received £225,780 from the £3 million winter surge capacity fund. These funds were used across whole system pressures and included additional A&E staff and additional surgical beds.\r\n Transformational change is required, and the Government is investing £50 million to achieve that over the next three years, including doubling our winter planning fund to £6 million this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:20.893","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282460,"EventID":"S4O-01943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:21.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T16:03:30.077","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on improving mental health services for prisoners.\r\n","AnswerText":"Responsibility for providing mental health services in prisons transferred to the NHS in November 2012.\r\nNHS chief executives established the National Prisoner Healthcare Network to support delivery of a high quality, safe, effective and consistent service to prisoners, hosted by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Mental health is a priority for the network. A sub-group focusing on mental health will report its recommendations for service development to the network in April.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:21.533","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282461,"EventID":"S4O-01944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:22.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T09:56:27.877","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to increase the number of people willing to be organ donors.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have implemented a range of measures to increase the donation rate in Scotland.\r\nWe have improved the donation infrastructure across the country, removing some of the barriers to organ donation. We have appointed seven additional Specialist Nurses in Organ Donation and now have clinical leads in organ donation in every intensive care unit in Scotland. We continue to run high profile awareness raising campaigns every year and last year this included the launch of a new Organ Donation Scotland website, which made it easier for Scots to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register on line.\r\nAs a result of these and other efforts we have seen a 65% increase in the donation rate in Scotland since 2007/08, and a 26% increase in the number of transplants over the same period. 41% of the Scottish population are now on the NHS Organ Donor Register, the highest proportion in any UK country.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:22.22","MeetingDate":"2013-03-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282462,"EventID":"S4O-01945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:23.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T09:19:58.69","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the UK Government has indicated by what mechanism criminals will be repatriated to Scotland if the UK opts out of the European Arrest Warrant.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:23.077","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282463,"EventID":"S4O-01946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:23.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T11:54:39.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the rates of income tax would be in an independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:23.717","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282464,"EventID":"S4O-01947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:24.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T10:02:32.003","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to help tenants and social landlords affected by the so-called bedroom tax.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:24.387","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282465,"EventID":"S4O-01948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1742,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:25.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T08:56:48.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent contact it has had with social landlords about the impact of the so-called bedroom tax.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:25.057","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282466,"EventID":"S4O-01949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:25.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T16:15:04.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the future of air services from Skye.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:25.73","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282467,"EventID":"S4O-01950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:26.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T15:50:21.32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote engineering as a career choice for men and women.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:26.417","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282468,"EventID":"S4O-01951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:27.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:05:11.457","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will strengthen the shift toward sustainable and renewable energy use in the manufacturing sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:27.15","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282469,"EventID":"S4O-01952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:28.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:05:11.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on resolving the issues facing the coal industry.\r\n","AnswerText":"Over the last year, myself and my officials have been working closely with the coal industry, local councils, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, UK counterparts and other key interested parties to explore solutions to a number of key issues affecting the coal industry including:\r\nThe UK Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme; were our intervention has significantly reduced the future liabilities of coal operators in Scotland.\r\nWe will continue to work closely with our public partners, coal industry operators and key stakeholders to support and facilitate discussions on key issues affecting this important industry sector going forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:28.147","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282470,"EventID":"S4O-01953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:29.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:05:12.033","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to extend the high speed rail link from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Perth.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have no plans to extend high speed rail lines to Perth.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:29.317","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282471,"EventID":"S4O-01954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2487,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:07:29.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-11T12:05:12.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking with regard to the environmental impact of the test firing of depleted uranium munitions by the MOD at the Dundrennan range on the Solway coast.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is strongly opposed to the testing by the MoD of depleted uranium shells in Scotland.\r\nThe OSPAR Convention (the Convention for the protection of the marine environment of the North East Atlantic) of which the UK is a signatory, prohibits the dumping of low and intermediate level radioactive substances including waste within the marine environment. It is for UK Government and MoD to ensure that the requirements of the OSPAR Convention are being met. However, I am writing to the UK Government asking for confirmation that the testing of these shells is not in breach of the OSPAR Convention.\r\nThe Scottish Environment Protection Agency continues to liaise with the MoD on the environmental aspects of its activities on the Dundrennan range, including the environmental implications of any future testing of depleted uranium munitions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:07:29.973","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282472,"EventID":"S4W-13624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5078,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:21.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T16:51:49.687","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, when it will consider extending the restored Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway line to encompass Dunfermline and Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"When considering the re-opening of former rail lines, it is necessary for the Scottish Government to take a strategic view and fully consider the impact of the whole network. Determining the potential benefits to new passengers against the negative impact on existing passengers, while robustly assessing the value for money and affordability are essential. The long-term demand, the operational and engineering feasibilities, subsidy implications to the Scottish Government and initial capital costs must all be considered in detail. As such, proposals to reopen former lines will require a transport appraisal.\r\nI understand that South East Scotland transport(SEStran) had undertaken a study into rail options for this corridor. However, it did not follow the Government's Strategic Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) which requires promoters to cover a range of transport alternatives, not just rail. Should SEStran undertake a comprehensive STAG appraisal on the transport needs for the area, Transport Scotland would be happy to offer advice in developing a business case. \r\nIn the meantime, the Scottish Government has no plans to extend the Stirling – Alloa – Kincardine railway line to Dunfermline and Edinburgh.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:22.133","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282473,"EventID":"S4W-13625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:22.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T17:12:43.32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12525 by Michael Matheson on 1 February 2013, how many of the 558 insulin pumps have been distributed to NHS boards, also broken down by board, and how many are still held by NHS National Procurement.\r\n","AnswerText":"We expect all NHS Boards allocation of insulin pumps to be distributed by 31 March 2013. NHS National Procurement will have no insulin pumps.\r\nThe following table details the allocation of insulin pumps per NHS Board.\r\nNHS Board\r\nTotal Number of Pumps Required\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n65\r\nNHS Borders\r\n24\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n33\r\nNHS Fife\r\n20\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n35\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n56\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n149\r\nNHS Highland\r\n30\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n48\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n52\r\nNHS Orkney*\r\n2\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n6\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n38\r\nNHS Western Isles**\r\n0\r\nScotland\r\n558\r\n*NHS Orkney and NHS Shetland have figures estimated by NHS Grampian as NHS Grampian delivers the insulin pump service.\r\n**NHS Western Isles have their insulin pump service delivered through NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Their pump figures are therefore contained in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde figures.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:22.65","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282474,"EventID":"S4W-13628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:22.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T17:12:43.32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12525 by Michael Matheson on 1 February 2013, what information it has on how many of the 558 insulin pumps are in use.","AnswerText":"This level of detail is not collected centrally.\r\nWe expect each NHS Board to allocate and monitor the use of their insulin pumps and to work towards meeting the targets set out in the CEL 04 (2012).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:22.993","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282475,"EventID":"S4W-13629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:23.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T17:12:43.32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12525 by Michael Matheson on 1 February 2013, what the (a) criteria are and (b) protocol is for NHS boards seeking to access the 558 insulin pumps.\r\n","AnswerText":"All boards were allocated insulin pumps and associated consumables, based on their individual board requests.\r\nThe National Procurement Insulin Pump and Consumables framework has three suppliers from which insulin pumps and consumables can be purchased. The suppliers were advised of the allocation of insulin pumps and consumables for each board and these became available for use on receipt of a bulk purchase order from boards via National Procurement, independently of Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:23.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282476,"EventID":"S4W-13630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:23.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T17:12:43.32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12525 by Michael Matheson on 1 February 2013, whether the 558 insulin pumps are available through the procurement framework provided by NHS National Procurement.\r\n","AnswerText":"The 558 insulin pumps and associated consumables were all purchased from the NHS National Procurement Insulin Pump and Consumables framework agreement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:23.647","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282477,"EventID":"S4W-13631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:23.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T18:28:44.727","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-00603 by Richard Lochhead on 26 January 2012 (Official Report, c. 5771), when it will conduct its review of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board.\r\n","AnswerText":"Decisions on the form and scope of the review of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board have yet to be taken, but it is envisaged that towards the end of the year the consultation will be launched.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:23.977","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282478,"EventID":"S4W-13632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:24.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T16:53:07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the supplementary to question S4O-01815 by Nicola Sturgeon on 20 February 2013, what progress it has made on agreeing the new targets for 2012-13 for the business rates incentivisation scheme (Official Report, c. 16757).\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is actively working jointly with COSLA and local government to review the Business Rates Incentivisation Scheme (BRIS) targets for 2012-13 taking into account the latest business rates returns, which show that appeals losses are likely to be lower than expected.\r\nAppeals losses are likely to have been delayed due to a significant court action that was concluded during 2012-13 and are therefore likely to be higher than expected in 2013-14. This change in estimated business rates income has not been as a consequence of local authority efforts to increase economic activity and therefore should not trigger any retention of additional income. Agreed revisions to the BRIS targets will be published in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:24.38","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282479,"EventID":"S4W-13633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:24.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T16:53:07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the supplementary to question S4O-01815 by Nicola Sturgeon on 20 February 2013, whether it will publish its calculations of the extra income collected following the “apparent delay in settling business rates appeal cases” (Official Report, c. 16757).\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish full details of the final outturn income actually collected by local authorities in the annual Non Domestic Rating White Paper Account which is laid before Parliament.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:24.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282480,"EventID":"S4W-13634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:25.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T16:53:07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it had provisional calculations as to how much local authorities could have gained from maximising business rates income under the business rates incentivisation scheme targets in place before the current review.","AnswerText":"The amount of money local authorities could have gained from maximising business rates income is a matter for each individual local authority and that position remains irrespective of the review of the 2012-13 business rates incentivisation scheme targets.\r\nThe current review of the targets has nothing to do with the actions of local authorities in terms of delivery of economic growth, but is an administrative review, as part of the agreed process, of the lower than predicted loss of income from successful revaluation appeals and increased cost of providing mandatory business rates relief.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:25.067","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282481,"EventID":"S4W-13635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:25.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T08:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many kinship carers there are, also broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Data on the number of kinship carers of looked after children is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:25.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282482,"EventID":"S4W-13636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:26.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T10:24:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which hospitals in England have treated people resident in Scotland in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"A copy of this information has been placed with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib number 54797).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:26.067","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282483,"EventID":"S4W-13637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:26.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T10:24:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what category of treatments people resident in Scotland have received in hospitals in England in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"A copy of this information has been placed with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib number 54798).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:26.41","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282484,"EventID":"S4W-13638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:26.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T10:24:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people resident in Scotland have been treated in the independent health sector in England in each year since 1999 and at what cost.\r\n","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not available centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:26.707","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282485,"EventID":"S4W-13639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:27.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T10:24:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on the NHS of Scottish independence.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHSScotland is already operationally independent, and the Scottish Government’s White Paper for independence, including in relation to Health, will be published in the autumn of this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:27.017","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282486,"EventID":"S4W-13640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:27.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T10:32:58.797","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has achieved its aim of providing 600 hours of free nursery education per year to each family. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Children and Young People Bill, which includes proposals to increase the current level of 475 hours of funded pre-school education per annum for three and four year olds, to a minimum of 600 hours of funded early learning and childcare for three and four year olds, and two year olds who are looked after, is currently being developed.\r\nIn addition to increasing the number of hours of funded provision, the Bill will also increase the level of flexibility in terms of how the entitlement can be accessed.\r\nThe aim is for the legislative proposals relating to increasing the level and flexibility of funded early learning and childcare to be delivered from 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:27.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282487,"EventID":"S4W-13641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T14:21:27.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T10:53:48.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-13242 and S4W-13243 by Kenny MacAskill on 6 March 2013, whether it will publish information on any final measures required to transpose the obligations of the EU directives into domestic legislation and, if so, when.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government regularly provides to the Justice Committee a high level update on EU directives. This generally includes an assessment of actions that the Scottish Government might be required to take in order to comply with individual directives. We consider that secondary legislation under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1975 will be required in order to transpose fully the directives mentioned in his earlier questions. The secondary legislation will set out the specific measures being taken to transpose the obligations into domestic law.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T14:21:27.72","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282503,"EventID":"S4W-13616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T17:16:17.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T14:08:17.5","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how many cystic fibrosis patients with the G551D mutation are not being prescribed Ivacaftor (Kalydeco).\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS boards have been advised that clinicians should progress applications for Ivacaftor for patients suffering from cystic fibrosis who have not had a lung transplant and who have the G551D gene mutation on the basis that the costs of associated with the medicine following a successful application will be met through the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund.\r\nClinicians are best placed to determine if their patients would benefit from this medicine.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T17:16:17.327","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282504,"EventID":"S4W-13617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T17:16:17.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T14:08:17.5","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many successful requests for Ivacaftor (Kalydeco) have been funded by the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on how many successful requests have been made for Ivacaftor.\r\nNHS boards have been advised that clinicians should progress applications for Ivacaftor for patients suffering from cystic fibrosis who have not had a lung transplant and who have the G551D gene mutation on the basis that the costs associated with the medicine following a successful application will be met through the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund.\r\nClinicians are best placed to determine if their patients would benefit from this medicine.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T17:16:17.7","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282505,"EventID":"S4W-13623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T17:16:17.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-12T15:16:43.323","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work Scottish Water has carried out in cooperation with communities to develop water turbines.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Water has had informal discussions with a number of community councils, including West Linton and Kinlochbervie, regarding the potential of developing hydro schemes near villages. None of these has been developed to date due to the schemes not being commercially viable.\r\nScottish Water Horizons is exploring the potential for the generation of renewable energy, including hydro power across the Scottish Water estate. I recently visited a Hydro Scheme near Denny which is harnessing the energy from water running in water mains, a UK first. These types of Schemes use Scottish Water assets to generate electricity which is then supplied to the grid.\r\nThe viability of each project is closely assessed before proceeding. All electricity generated is used to reduce Scottish Water’s overall power consumption therefore reducing its power bill.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T17:16:17.997","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282506,"EventID":"S4W-13642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T17:16:18.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T13:35:18.583","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what procedures must be followed by a local authority proposing to close a care home.\r\n","AnswerText":"We would expect local authorities to follow national guidance, Good Practice Guidance on the Closure of a Care Home, which the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities issued on managing care home closures. This guidance was developed by the National Contingency Planning Group for Adult Care and includes protocols for the handling of care and support to individual residents and their carers throughout the process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T17:16:18.34","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282507,"EventID":"S4W-13643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T17:16:18.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T13:35:18.583","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether local authority care homes should not be closed for financial reasons alone.\r\n","AnswerText":"Alex Neil: The statutory responsibility for delivering or commissioning services at a local level, including care home provision, lies with local authorities and NHS boards. It is for each local authority to decide how their funding is allocated ensuring that local needs and statutory obligations have been fulfilled.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T17:16:18.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282508,"EventID":"S4W-13644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T17:16:19.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T13:35:18.583","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that older residents in care homes are not moved into poorer-quality accommodation if the home is closed.\r\n","AnswerText":"The local authority has a duty to act in the best interests of the care home residents by ensuring that their care needs continue to be met in an appropriate setting.\r\nAcross Scotland, local authorities commission the majority of care places from the independent sector and in conjunction with the Care Inspectorate work closely with providers to improve the quality of care standards in all homes, local authority or independent.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T17:16:19.073","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282509,"EventID":"S4W-13645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T17:16:19.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T13:35:18.583","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Argyll and Bute Council's proposal to close the Struan Lodge care home in Dunoon and whether it considers that there should be a temporary suspension on admissions to the home until its future is confirmed.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13643 on 25 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T17:16:19.4","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282510,"EventID":"S4W-13646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T17:16:19.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T13:35:18.583","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the mortality rate of older people who are moved from one care home to another and whether it considers that local authorities should take account of this before moving residents. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold any information on the mortality rate of older people who are moved from one care home to another.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T17:16:19.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282511,"EventID":"S4W-13653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T17:16:20.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T14:59:07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual cost has been of paying expenses and other costs to witnesses and jurors for attending court since 2007, broken down by type of court.\r\n","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T17:16:20.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282512,"EventID":"S4W-13654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T17:16:20.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T14:59:07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) jurors and (b) witnesses are entitled to in (i) expenses and (ii) compensation for lost wages for attending court.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T17:16:20.883","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282513,"EventID":"S4W-13655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T17:16:21.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T15:17:32.103","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of its staff will be affected by contract changes resulting from proposed UK Government policy on pensions and terms and conditions; whether it is taking action to deal with any such impact, and, if so, what action.","AnswerText":"Civil Service pensions is a reserved matter. All employees of the Scottish Government who have chosen to be members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, are affected by changes to the pension scheme. The Scottish Government opposes the increase in public sector workers’ pension contributions and we have made our position clear to the UK Government. However, had the Scottish Government not implemented pension contribution increases, it would have faced a significant reduction in funding allocation from the UK Government.\r\nTerms and conditions of the Senior Civil Service (SCS) is a reserved matter. The Scottish Government currently has 204 members of the SCS (as at November 2012). The Scottish Government is considering changes to SCS terms and conditions which are proposed under the UK Government’s Civil Service Reform Plan and the impact they will have on SCS staff.\r\nThe Scottish Government has delegated authority over the terms and conditions of employment of its staff below Senior Civil Service level and so will not be implementing the changes proposed as part of the Civil Service Reform Plan. Instead, we are working with the Civil Service trade unions to ensure that the Scottish Government provides a modern and flexible employment package which is affordable, fair and meets the business needs of the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T17:16:21.227","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282514,"EventID":"S4W-13657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T17:16:21.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T15:17:32.103","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how many of its staff will be affected by contract changes resulting from proposed UK Government policy on pensions and terms and conditions; whether it is taking action to deal with any such impact, and, if so, what action.\r\n","AnswerText":"SPCB staff are automatically enrolled into the Civil Service pension arrangements on appointment. Of the total head count of 470 SPCB staff as at 31 March 2013, 10 SPCB staff have opted out of the Civil Service pension arrangements. As a result 460 SPCB staff will be affected by contract changes resulting from proposed UK Government policy on pensions and terms and conditions.\r\nCivil Service pensions are set out by statute under the Superannuation Act 1972 and managed by the Cabinet Office on behalf of the Minister for the Civil Service therefore the SPCB has no influence over policy changes made to the Civil Service pension arrangements. \r\nThe SPCB has recently agreed a two year pay deal for its staff of a 1% pay rise from 1 April 2013 and a further 2% from 1 April 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T17:16:21.523","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282515,"EventID":"S4W-13659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-13T17:16:21.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T15:59:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13385 by Michael Russell on 13 March 2013, how many requests for call-in there have been in each of the 75 school closure proposals considered under the terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.","AnswerText":"Under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 the number of representations made for the 75 school closure proposals considered by the Scottish Minister are as follows: \r\nLocal Authority\r\nSchool\r\nNumber of representations\r\nEast Ayrshire Council\r\nCrossroads Primary School\r\n6\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\nGlentrool Primary School\r\n0\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\nStonydyke Primary School\r\n0\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\nSt Mark's Primary School\r\n0\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\nSt Joan of Arc School\r\n1\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\nSt Aiden's School\r\n0\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\nSt Vincent's Primary School\r\n0\r\nHighland Council\r\nCaol Primary School\r\n3\r\nHighland Council\r\nAchintore Primary School\r\n0\r\nHighland Council\r\nAchnasheen Primary School\r\n0\r\nHighland Council\r\nBorrodale Primary School\r\n0\r\nHighland Council\r\nGlen Borrodale Primary School\r\n0\r\nHighland Council\r\nAchaphubuil Primary School\r\n0\r\nHighland Council\r\nFort William Primary School\r\n0\r\nHighland Council\r\nFort William RC Primary School\r\n3\r\nHighland Council\r\nLochyside RC Primary School\r\n3\r\nScottish Borders Council\r\nRoberton Primary School\r\n1\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nBalallan Primary School\r\n4\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nBragar Primary School\r\n30\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nCarloway Primary School\r\n167\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nCross Primary School\r\n7\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nDaliburgh (Secondary Provision)\r\n0\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nLionel School (Secondary Provision)\r\n876\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nSandwick Hill Primary School\r\n234\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nScalpay Primary School\r\n2\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nShawbost (Secondary Provision)\r\n30\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nShelibost Primary School\r\n79\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nStoneybridge Primary School\r\n0\r\nMoray Council\r\nCabrach Primary School\r\n0\r\nNorth Ayrshire Council\r\nBroomlands Primary School\r\n0\r\nNorth Ayrshire Council\r\nFencedyke Primary School\r\n0\r\nNorth Ayrshire Council\r\nTowerlands Primary School\r\n0\r\nNorth Ayrshire Council\r\nJohn Galt Primary School\r\n0\r\nShetland Islands Council\r\nScalloway Junior High School\r\n45\r\nStirling Council\r\nInversnaid Primary School \r\n2\r\nStirling Council\r\nLochearnhead Primary School\r\n0\r\nAberdeen City Council\r\nRaeden Nursery School\r\n0\r\nAberdeen City Council\r\nHazelwood School\r\n0\r\nAberdeen City Council\r\nWoodlands School\r\n0\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\nHigh School Yards Nursery School\r\n7\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\nPrincess Elizabeth Nursery School \r\n3\r\nFife Council\r\nDunearn Primary School\r\n1\r\nNorth Lanarkshire Council\r\nAbronhill Nursery\r\n28\r\nOrkney Islands Council\r\nEgilsay Primary School \r\n0\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar \r\nPaible School (S1-2 Provision) \r\n0\r\nAberdeenshire Council\r\nClatt Primary School\r\n9\r\nAberdeenshire Council\r\nLogie Coldstone Primary School\r\n17\r\nSouth Ayrshire Council\r\nPinwherry Primary School\r\n0\r\nSouth Ayrshire Council\r\nSt Ann's Primary School\r\n1\r\nEast Renfrewshire Council\r\nAuchenback Primary School\r\n1\r\nEast Renfrewshire Council\r\nRobslee Primary School\r\n67\r\nShetland Islands Council\r\nUyeasound Primary School\r\n6\r\nShetland Islands Council\r\nBurravoe Primary School\r\n65\r\nAngus Council\r\nMuirfield Primary School\r\n50\r\nAngus Council\r\nTimmergreens Primary School\r\n50\r\nClackmannanhire Council\r\nTower Nursery School\r\n3\r\nClackmannanhire Council\r\nSt John's Primary School\r\n0\r\nClackmannanhire Council\r\nClaremont Primary School\r\n0\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\nSt Raymond's School\r\n1\r\nNorth Ayrshire Council\r\nGarnock Academy \r\n0\r\nNorth Ayrshire Council\r\nGlengarnock Primary School\r\n0\r\nNorth Ayrshire Council\r\nMoorpark Primary School\r\n0\r\nSouth Lanarkshire Council\r\nKittoch ASN\r\n0\r\nSouth Lanarkshire Council\r\nRidgepark ASN\r\n0\r\nPerth and Kinross Council\r\nStrone of Cally Primary School\r\n0\r\nArgyll and Bute Council\r\nSt Kieran’s Primary School\r\n0\r\nArgyll and Bute Council\r\nArdchonnol Primary School\r\n0\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\nTollcross Primary School (GME Provision)\r\n6\r\nHighland Council\r\nHillhead Primary School\r\n169\r\nHighland Council\r\nWick North Primary School\r\n181\r\nHighland Council\r\nPulteneytown Academy Primary School\r\n0\r\nHighland Council\r\nWick South Prmary","AnswerDate":"2013-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-27T17:16:21.82","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282527,"EventID":"S4W-13678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T11:19:05.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T10:36:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the (a) priorities and (b) objectives for the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be set.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have yesterday laid before Parliament the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2013 (www.scotland.gov.uk/FireFramework2013), setting out the priorities and objectives for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) which takes on its full range of functions from 1 April 2013. The Framework is structured around the aims of fire reform, namely protecting and improving local services and reducing duplication; creating more equal access to specialist support and national capacity; and strengthening the connection between fire and rescue services and communities.\r\nIt is now for the SFRS to set out in its first Strategic Plan how it will deliver the priorities identified in the Fire and Rescue Framework.\r\nThe Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Framework and Appointed Day for Strategic Plan) Order 2013, which will bring the Fire and Rescue Framework into effect, also sets the appointed day by which the SFRS must use its best endeavours to achieve Ministerial sign off of its strategic plan. That day is 1 October 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T11:19:05.333","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282534,"EventID":"S4W-13566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:06.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:35:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has taken to standardise the definition of “looked-after children”.\r\n","AnswerText":"The definition of “looked after children” that the Scottish Government adheres to is as provided in Section 17(6) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995:\r\n“Any reference in this chapter of this part to a child who is “looked after” by a local authority, is to a child: \r\n(a) For whom they are providing accommodation under section 25 of this Act;\r\n(b) Who is subject to a supervision requirements and in respect of whom they are the relevant local authority;\r\n(c) Who is subject to an order made, or authorisation or warrant granted, by virtue of Chapter 2, 3 or 4 of this Part of the Act, being an order, authorisation or warrant in accordance with which they have responsibilities as respects the child;\r\n(d) Who is subject to an order in accordance with which, by virtue of regulations made under section 33(1) of this Act, they have such responsibilities; or\r\n(e) In respect of whom a permanence order has, on an application by them under section 80 of the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 4), been made and has not ceased to have effect.”\r\nThis definition will be amended by Schedule 5 of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011. This Act introduces Compulsory Supervision Orders and Interim Compulsory Supervision Orders. The new definition will substitute the reference to supervision requirements in paragraph (b) with the new orders and paragraph (c) will be repealed.\r\nThe amendments will come into force on 24 June 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:07.22","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282535,"EventID":"S4W-13567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:07.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:35:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many (a) premature deaths and (b) suicides there have been among (i) people with learning difficulties and (ii) care leavers in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nWith regards to the deaths of care leavers, we are in the early stages of exploring ways to improve data collection for recording and investigating incidences so that findings can be used to make further improvements to support services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:07.66","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282536,"EventID":"S4W-13568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:08.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:35:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has taken to improve the (a) employment and training prospects and (b) health and wellbeing of (i) care leavers and (ii) people with learning difficulties since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that vulnerable groups of people are given the support they need to overcome barriers, enabling them to reach their full potential.\r\nTo support young people into work, we have: \r\nmade a specific commitment to all 16 to 19 year olds seeking a place in education or training through Opportunities for All, supported by £30 million new investment;\r\nupdated our Post 16 Transitions Policy and Practice Framework which includes specific guidance on how to support the transitions of young people with additional support needs from school into post-school education and employment;\r\nprovided £1.5 million over three financial years in support of an Employer Recruitment Incentive for 1,000 young people within disadvantaged groups;\r\nextended the Community Jobs Scotland programme to help vulnerable young people by increasing the age criteria from 16-19 to 16-24.\r\npublished our Supported Employment Framework In 2010, “A Working Life for All Disabled People” to support a disabled person’s transition to employment;\r\narranged an action forum hosted by the Minister for Youth Employment in April focusing on young people with additional support needs;\r\nallocated £2.7 million to develop a new strategy document to help to close the inequality gap that people with learning disabilities continue to face on a daily basis; and introduced the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2009 which places education authorities under a duty to identify, plan and review the support they provide for pupils in their area.\r\nIn relation to health and wellbeing, work taken forward since 2007 includes:\r\npublishing “Equally Well” in June 2008, which made recommendations to improve health and life outcomes for particularly vulnerable groups. The Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities has been reconvened to review new evidence, look at lessons learned and highlight new areas for attention;\r\nhosting a learning disability health inequalities network where all NHS boards come together to work together on addressing the health inequalities that people with learning disabilities face. £500,000 of Scottish Government funding was allocated to assist NHS boards to tackle this;\r\nissuing a letter to health board chief executives setting out their responsibilities in relation to looked after children and asking them to appoint a director who will have responsibility for the health needs of all looked after children, young people and care leavers in their area (CEL 16 (2009)); and\r\nconvening a short life working group to develop a set of national recommendations for the health assessment of looked after children, young people and care leavers. This group will report in autumn 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:08.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282537,"EventID":"S4W-13569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:08.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:35:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to extend the Employer Recruitment Incentive for Targeted Young People to include (a) 20 to 24-year-olds and (b) people with learning difficulties.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Employer Recruitment Incentive for targeted young people is currently available to all young people 16-24 years who meet the eligibility criteria. The Community Jobs Scotland programme has recently been refined to help vulnerable young people who face additional barriers to entering into employment by increasing the age criteria for these young people from 16-19 to 16-24 years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:08.767","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282538,"EventID":"S4W-13570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:09.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:35:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages employers to recruit (a) people with learning difficulties and (b) care leavers through the modern apprenticeship programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting all young people with additional support needs who want to work, and it is our ambition that with the right support, they are able to find work in mainstream employment, taking account of their specific needs, and in line with their skills.\r\nIn support of this, the Scottish Government has: \r\nMade a specific commitment to all 16 – 19 year olds seeking a place in education or training through Opportunities for All. This is supported by £30 million new investment;\r\nUpdated our Post 16 Transitions Policy and Practice Framework which includes specific guidance on how to support the transitions of young people with additional support needs from school into post-school education and employment; \r\nProvided £1.5 million over three financial years in support of an Employer Recruitment Incentive for 1000 young people within disadvantaged groups, this incentive is available to Modern Apprenticeships;\r\nExtended the Community Jobs Scotland programme to help vulnerable young people who face additional barriers to entering into employment by increasing the age criteria for these young people from 16-19 to 16-24;\r\nPublished our Supported Employment Framework In 2010, “A Working Life for All Disabled People”. The aim of the Framework is to provide the mechanisms necessary to support a disabled persons move to paid employment in the open labour market in a systematic and effective way; and\r\nHeld a series of regional youth employment action forums in Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Lothians, Dumfries and Galloway and West of Scotland. We now plan to hold an action forum to focus on young people with additional support needs. The format for the event has been decided and officials are working towards delivery of the event at the end of April.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:09.077","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282539,"EventID":"S4W-13571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:09.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:35:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Procurement Reform Bill will have community benefit clauses regarding (a) young people with learning difficulties and (b) care leavers.\r\n","AnswerText":"In the Procurement Reform Bill we propose to introduce a requirement that public sector bodies consider community benefits clauses in all new major public contracts. It will be for individual public bodies to decide what those clauses will contain and who they will target based upon the particular circumstances of each contract. Where appropriate it will be open to public bodies to consider targeting young people with learning difficulties and care leavers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:09.437","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282540,"EventID":"S4W-13572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:09.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:35:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it helps (a) people with complex needs and (b) care leavers moving from (i) further and (ii) higher education into (A) employment and (B) continuing education.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting all young people with additional support needs who want to work, and it is our ambition that with the right support, they are able to find work in mainstream employment, taking account of their specific needs, and in line with their skills.\r\nFurther information on support offered by Scottish Government was provided in the answer to question S4W-12832 on 27 February 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:09.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282541,"EventID":"S4W-13573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:10.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:35:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been (a) committed to and (b) spent by the Employer Recruitment Incentive for Targeted Young People.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed £1.5 million over three financial years in support of the Employer Recruitment Incentive for 1000 young people within disadvantaged groups. The incentive amounts to £1500 per young person with up to £500 available for additional employability support.\r\n80 young people will be supported in 2012-13; 460 in 2013-14; and 460 in 2014-15. \r\nAs at the end of February 2013, 82 individuals had been supported through the incentive.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:10.153","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282542,"EventID":"S4W-13574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:10.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:35:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) people with learning difficulties and (b) care leavers have been in employment in each year since 2007. \r\n","AnswerText":"No data is held centrally regarding the employment status of all care leavers.\r\nThe Annual Population Survey (APS) provides estimates of employment across Scotland; however the only data available for those with learning difficulties covers those who have any learning difficulties or disabilities. The latest APS data covers the period from January to December 2012.\r\nNumber of people aged 16+ with learning difficulties or disabilities in employment, Scotland\r\nYear\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\nIn employment\r\n8,000\r\n9,000\r\n10,000\r\n11,000\r\n11,000\r\n9,000\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes: \r\n1. Level rounded to nearest thousand.\r\n2. The sub-group of interest here is relatively small therefore this estimate is not as reliable as those for the total population aged 16+.\r\n3. Learning difficulties and disabilities includes conditions such as dyslexia or dyscalculia; mental impairments or mental handicap. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:10.467","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282543,"EventID":"S4W-13575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:10.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:35:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) care leavers, (b) former offenders and (c) young carers have been assisted by the Employer Recruitment Incentive for Targeted Young People.\r\n","AnswerText":"At the end of Period 11 (February 2013), 82 young people have been supported through the targeted Employer Recruitment Incentive. Skill Development Scotland are unable to share a disaggregated figure as the overall number of individuals supported is small.\r\nThe Scottish Government has committed to supporting 1000 young people over three years within disadvantaged groups; 80 young people in 2012-13; 460 in \r\n2013-14; and 460 in 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:10.78","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282544,"EventID":"S4W-13576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:11.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-07T16:35:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will expand the Make Young People Your Business campaign to promote the merits of employing (a) care leavers and (b) people with learning difficulties.\r\n","AnswerText":"Our Make Young People Your Business campaign is at the heart of our efforts to help all young people into employment, including care leavers and young people with learning difficulties.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:11.073","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282545,"EventID":"S4W-13660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:11.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T16:32:53.773","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when CalMac Ferries Ltd will stop paying Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd a single harbour access charge (HAC) and start paying berthing dues and harbour charges; what HAC CalMac Ferries Ltd pays; what the increase in costs to the company will be as a result of the change, and whether the Scottish Government will compensate the company for the increase.","AnswerText":"CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) will cease paying a Harbour Access Charge to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) on 30 September 2013 on the expiry of the existing Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services agreements. A new charging agreement will commence on 1 October 2013.\r\nCFL currently pay approximately £1,918,080 per year as a Harbour Access Charge.\r\nCosts of the new agreement are still being finalised between CFL and CMAL but will reflect the costs to CMAL to maintain, operate and provide the necessary capital investment to improve the harbour facilities. The final sum will be broadly in line with CMAL’s published tariff.\r\nThe terms of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract between CFL and Transport Scotland state that: “in the event that the Operator receives notice that the dues payable at any Ports shall increase during any Service Year and such increase has not been allowed for in the Base Case of that Service Year either Party shall be entitled to require a Revised Costs Base Case Recalculation for the then current and subsequent Service Years.” Given that, and subject to agreement between Transport Scotland and CFL, it is anticipated that Transport Scotland will recompense CFL should there be any increase in costs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:11.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282546,"EventID":"S4W-13661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:11.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T16:32:53.773","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12378 by Keith Brown on 29 January 2013, whether all staff who received redundancy payments had employment contracts with Argyll Ferries Ltd when the payments were made and, if not, for what reason the payments were not made by the employing company.","AnswerText":"Not all staff who received a voluntary severance package had employment contracts with Argyll Ferries Ltd.\r\nThe reasons for this were set out in the answer to question S4W-13285 on 6 March 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:11.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282547,"EventID":"S4W-13662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:12.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T16:32:53.773","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-08882 by Keith Brown on 15 August 2012, what provisions are in the contract with Argyll Ferries Ltd to ensure that the service operates with reasonable reliability in the weather prevailing.","AnswerText":"Argyll Ferries Ltd shall provide the services in accordance with the published timetable except in the event of a Relief Event. There are a number of Relief Events specified in the contract to ensure that the services only operate when it is safe to do so. Cancellations or disruption due to adverse weather, tidal conditions or any other safety factor, outwith Argyll Ferries Ltd’s reasonable control, are permissible Relief Events.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:12.043","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282548,"EventID":"S4W-13663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:12.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T16:40:35.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many traffic accidents there have been on the A92 between Dunfermline and Dundee in each year since 2002, broken down by (a) severity and (b) location.","AnswerText":"The number of personal injury accidents on the entire length of the A92 between Dunfermline and Dundee (NB not numbers of casualties) is shown in the following tables.\r\nA92 Single Carriageway Accidents by Year/Severity\r\n\r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTotal\r\n2002\r\n1\r\n13\r\n43\r\n57\r\n2003\r\n1\r\n9\r\n30\r\n40\r\n2004\r\n2\r\n13\r\n36\r\n51\r\n2005\r\n2\r\n6\r\n34\r\n42\r\n2006\r\n1\r\n9\r\n33\r\n43\r\n2007\r\n0\r\n5\r\n21\r\n26\r\n2008\r\n0\r\n4\r\n25\r\n29\r\n2009\r\n0\r\n7\r\n28\r\n35\r\n2010\r\n3\r\n5\r\n40\r\n48\r\n2011\r\n0\r\n5\r\n18\r\n23\r\n2012*\r\n0\r\n1\r\n4\r\n5\r\n2013**\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\nTotal\r\n11\r\n77\r\n312\r\n400\r\nA92 Dual Carriageway Accidents by Year/Severity\r\n\r\nFatal\r\nSerious\r\nSlight\r\nTotal\r\n2002\r\n1\r\n4\r\n26\r\n31\r\n2003\r\n2\r\n7\r\n27\r\n36\r\n2004\r\n1\r\n4\r\n17\r\n22\r\n2005\r\n1\r\n11\r\n29\r\n41\r\n2006\r\n1\r\n4\r\n30\r\n35\r\n2007\r\n1\r\n6\r\n31\r\n38\r\n2008\r\n1\r\n5\r\n19\r\n25\r\n2009\r\n0\r\n3\r\n18\r\n21\r\n2010\r\n1\r\n2\r\n22\r\n25\r\n2011\r\n0\r\n1\r\n28\r\n29\r\n2012*\r\n0\r\n0\r\n5\r\n5\r\n2013**\r\n0\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n9\r\n47\r\n252\r\n308\r\n* 2012 - These statistics are not fully complete for all police forces and are subject to change on submission of further datasets however, the fatal accident figure is accurate.\r\n** 2013 - Please note that 2013 records are not yet held on our accident manager system however, we hold a separate record of the fatal accident that occurred on 11 March 2013.\r\nThe figures quoted may differ slightly from those published elsewhere due to being extracted on a different date and the database may have changed between the two dates, e.g. due to late returns or corrections.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:12.387","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282549,"EventID":"S4W-13664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:12.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T16:41:10.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings in the research published by gastroenterologists at Wake Forest Institute in the United States, Identification of Unique Gene Expression Profile in Children with Regressive Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Ileocolitis, what steps it will take to (a) offer NHS examinations and treatment in schools to children with autism and (b) investigate the cause of the reported intestinal disease.\r\n","AnswerText":"The research referred to was a small preliminary study that the authors themselves suggest requires replication on a larger scale. It would therefore be inappropriate at this time for the Scottish Government to issue a statement. We must consider the totality of the evidence when we consider changes in priority or the provision of services.\r\nThe Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Government has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health and healthcare needs in Scotland. CSO responds primarily to requests for funding research proposals initiated by the research community in Scotland. CSO would welcome research proposals in this area which would be subject to the usual peer and committee review.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:12.68","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":282550,"EventID":"S4W-13666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:12.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T17:08:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its analysis of responses to the consultation, Supporting Business – Promoting Growth.","AnswerText":"Responses to the business rates consultation Supporting Business – Promoting Growth will be published shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:13.01","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282551,"EventID":"S4W-13667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:13.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T17:08:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much is raised annually by the (a) large business supplement and (b) public health levy.\r\n","AnswerText":"Mid-year estimates of the income raised in 2012-13 from the large business supplement and public health supplement are estimated to be £38.8 million and £25.9 million respectively.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:13.29","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282552,"EventID":"S4W-13669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:13.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T17:08:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons it postponed the 2015 revaluation of properties for non-domestic rates until 2017.","AnswerText":"The UK Government announced in October 2012 that it would postpone the 2015 business rates revaluation for commercial properties in England until 2017.\r\nIf the Scottish Government did proceed with the 2015 revaluation it is likely that our ability to maintain business rate parity with the rate of the UK would be jeopardised.\r\nThe time between now and 2017 will be used to have a thorough and comprehensive review of the business system. Any changes to the rating system resulting from the recent consultation “Supporting Business - Promoting growth” will be put in place in time for the next revaluation, but where early actions are identified and affordable these can be implemented much sooner.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:13.57","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282553,"EventID":"S4W-13670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:13.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T17:08:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses have received support from the business rates deferral scheme.","AnswerText":"A rates deferral scheme was introduced in 2012-13 to allow businesses the flexibility to defer the annual inflationary rise in bills over a three year period should they choose to do so.\r\nData on the number of businesses that have deferred rates under the 2012-13 business rates deferral scheme is not held centrally. However, an estimated £10.9 million was deferred from 2012-13 bills, which will be paid back over the next two financial years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:13.85","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282554,"EventID":"S4W-13671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:14.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T17:08:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures the (a) traceability and (b) quality of hospital food.\r\n","AnswerText":"The European Commission Regulation 178/2002 requires all food businesses to maintain a system of traceability. They are required to be able to identify the food business that they received a food product from, and the food businesses they supplied a food product to. There is no requirement for internal traceability within a food business or for traceability to the final consumer.\r\nThe Scottish Government lead in introducing national standards for food, fluid and nutrition in hospitals and has introduced malnutrition screening of all patients and nutrition champions in every NHS board and the development of a toolkit to assist all staff dealing with food, fluid and nutrition from catering staff to senior charge nurses.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:14.163","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282555,"EventID":"S4W-13672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:14.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T17:08:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what tests have been conducted on hospital food following the identification of horse DNA in other meat products.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency does not hold data on sampling at hospitals. However, there has been significant sampling throughout the food chain, and this will include foods that are supplied to hospitals.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:14.443","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282556,"EventID":"S4W-13673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:14.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T17:08:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether incidents of contamination of hospital food have been reported since 2011.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency does not maintain records relating to the customers of products that have been withdrawn due to contamination.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:14.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282557,"EventID":"S4W-13674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:15.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T17:08:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on employment, what contact it has had with the administrators of HMV regarding the firm going into administration and what support it is providing to affected staff.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, through Skills Development Scotland, coordinates local response teams under the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) initiative, to provide tailored help and support for people facing redundancy.\r\nOn 15 January 2013, HMV went into administration and Deloitte were appointed as administrators to manage the affairs, business and property of HMV.\r\nSubsequently, the National PACE Team contacted Deloitte to offer PACE support but were told on 21 January 2013 that no store closures were planned except for the Perth store and no contact should be made to offer PACE support other than for the employees of the Perth store.\r\nOn 7 February 2013, the National PACE Team received details of 11 stores in Scotland which were due to close and the National PACE Team instructed the local PACE Chairs to make contact to offer PACE support for the affected employees. On 22 February 2013 the National PACE Team were notified of a further two stores to be closed and PACE support was also offered to employees in these stores.\r\nPACE support was provided to 222 affected employees through the distribution of PACE Guides and the offer of PACE Presentations which were taken up by managers in eight of the stores being closed.\r\nIt is a matter for employers or administrators to accept the offer of PACE support and we will therefore continue our work to improve further our links with employers and insolvency practitioners.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:15.1","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282558,"EventID":"S4W-13676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:15.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T10:26:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it determines which fuel storage sites are subject to the provisions of the Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006.\r\n","AnswerText":"Regulations 4 to 6 of the Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 set out the criteria to determine which oil storage facilities are subject to the provisions of the Regulations. The Regulations can be found at the following link: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2006/133/contents/made.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:15.38","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282559,"EventID":"S4W-13677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:15.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T10:26:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons the SSE power station on South Uist is subject to the provisions of the Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 but the Shore Street fuel depot in Kirkwall is not.\r\n","AnswerText":"The oil stored at the SSE Power Station Loch Carnan is used on site, and as such is subject to the requirements of the Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006.\r\nThe Kirkwall Fuel Depot is an oil storage facility used for the onward distribution of oil, and such installations are exempt from the Regulations.\r\nA guidance note, Model Code of Safe Practice Part 2: Design, construction and operation of petroleum distribution installations (3rd edition) by the Energy Institute http://www.energyinst.org.uk/ is specifically focused at distribution installations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:15.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282560,"EventID":"S4W-13679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:16.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T10:37:07.397","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12468 by Michael Matheson on 31 January 2013, when the Parliament was informed of the establishment of a residential pain service, as reported in the Daily Express on 21 January 2013.","AnswerText":"Both the Cabinet Secretary and myself have indicated that an intensive pain management service should be developed and delivered within Scotland. I would be pleased to keep the member and Parliament updated on the progress of this work as it is further developed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:16.083","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282561,"EventID":"S4W-13680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:16.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T10:37:07.397","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12470 by Michael Matheson on 31 January 2013, how much has been set aside in the 2013-14 budget for a chronic pain residential service.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary and I have commissioned a project to determine the scope and budget of developing an intensive pain management services in Scotland. Budgets to fund this service will be decided and allocated once this exercise has been completed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:16.613","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282562,"EventID":"S4W-13681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:17.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T10:37:07.397","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12469 by Michael Matheson on 31 January 2013, what options are being considered.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13679 on 28 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:17.47","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282563,"EventID":"S4W-13682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:18.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T10:43:10.647","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12565 by Alex Neil on 27 February 2013, whether incidents of bullying and harassment were raised at the annual board reviews of (a) NHS 24 and (b) the Scottish Ambulance Service.\r\n","AnswerText":"No incidences of bullying and harassment were raised at the NHS 24 and Scottish Ambulance Service Annual Reviews.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:18.033","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282564,"EventID":"S4W-13683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:18.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T10:43:10.647","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12567 by Alex Neil on 27 February 2013, how many compromise agreements have been used by each NHS board and how many contained confidentiality clauses.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. As I said in my reply to S4W-12567, the use of confidentiality clauses in compromise agreements is entirely an issue between individual NHS boards and their employees.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:18.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282565,"EventID":"S4W-13684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:19.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T10:43:50.867","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12564 by Alex Neil on 27 February 2013, whether the hotline will cover all of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The National Confidential Alert Line, which will operate as a Freephone service, will be available to all NHS staff in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:19.063","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282566,"EventID":"S4W-13685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T14:13:19.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T10:43:50.867","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12564 by Alex Neil on 27 February 2013, how long the pilot whistleblowers’ hotline will last; how it will be evaluated; whether it will be independent of government, and when the substantive service will be in place.\r\n","AnswerText":"The National Confidential Alert Line will run as a pilot from 2 April 2013 until 31 March 2014. The contract allows for a three month extension.\r\nThe Alert Line service, which will be provided by Public Concern at Work (PCaW), will be independent of government. The principles for operation state that PCaW will encourage callers to raise their concerns with their employer in the first instance. PCaW will also support callers to pursue their case with the appropriate regulator when they consider this to be the most suitable course of action.\r\nPCaW will provide 6 and 12 month evaluation reports. These will include a breakdown of calls received by type and NHS board (where the caller is prepared to share this), a review of the trends identified in call patterns and recommendations for next steps. Should the evaluation demonstrate that the Alert Line is considered to be a valuable addition to the support available to NHS staff in Scotland, my intention would be to make the service permanent.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T14:13:19.56","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282570,"EventID":"S4W-13686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T16:56:37.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T12:38:11.02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13368 by Nicola Sturgeon on 11 March 2013, when it will award the procurement contracts relating to its Step Change 2015 programme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Step Change 2015 Programme is being taken forward through two procurement exercises, one covering the Highlands and Islands, which is led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and the other covering the rest of Scotland, led by Scottish Government.\r\nHIE awarded the contract for the Highlands and Islands procurement to BT on 26 March 2013. The Scottish Government remains on schedule to award the rest of Scotland contract, as planned, by the end of June 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T16:56:37.573","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282571,"EventID":"S4W-13687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T16:56:37.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T14:02:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the (a) Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and (b) Forth Replacement Crossing should be considered  a national transport project.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is vital to the North east economy creating about 14,000 new jobs and bringing an additional £6 billion to the local economy over the next three decades. When completed it will form part of Scotland’s trunk road network connecting major cities, towns, ports and airports.\r\nThe critical importance of the Forth Replacement Crossing is recognised by its inclusion within the current National Planning Framework for Scotland, which is used to designate certain projects as national developments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T16:56:37.933","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282572,"EventID":"S4W-13688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T16:56:38.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T14:02:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the economic impact of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will be (a) nationally and (b) in North East Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) will provide substantial benefits nationally and across the whole of the North East and will provide a boost to the economy; increase business and tourism opportunities; improve safety; cut congestion as well as increasing opportunities for improvements in public transport facilities.\r\nNationally, the wider economic benefits are assessed as being around £3.5 billion over the 30 year period and it is estimated that 600 jobs will also be created as a result of the project.\r\nIn the North East of Scotland, over 14,000 jobs are expected to be generated over the first 30 years after the scheme opening and it is anticipated that the AWPR project will generate over £6 billion additional income, reducing costs to businesses and providing opportunities for increased sales through greater connectivity of Scotland’s infrastructure.\r\nConstruction work will create up to 900 jobs directly with the potential to generate many more for the local supply chain and subcontracts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T16:56:38.26","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282573,"EventID":"S4W-13690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T16:56:38.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T14:02:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the economic impact of the Forth Replacement Crossing will be (a) nationally and (b) in (i) Mid Scotland and Fife and (ii) Lothian.\r\n","AnswerText":"A survey of the business community in Fife, Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Forth Valley has shown that the potential for future traffic delays and disruption caused by major maintenance works on the existing Forth Road Bridge, which would require intrusive traffic management over a sustained period, could potentially result in economic output falling by around £1 billion, a drop in turnover in excess of £1.3 billion and the loss of around 3,200 jobs.\r\nAt its peak the project will directly support 1,200 jobs and the Chambers of Commerce estimate that the Forth Replacement Crossing will deliver economic benefits worth around £6 billion to Scotland’s economy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T16:56:38.587","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282574,"EventID":"S4W-13692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T16:56:38.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T14:02:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has sought funding from local authorities in North East Scotland to assist with the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route but not from authorities in (a) Mid Scotland and Fife and (b) Lothian for the Forth Replacement Crossing.\r\n","AnswerText":"The funding arrangements were agreed in 2003 following the decision by the then Scottish Executive to promote the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route as a trunk road in partnership with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils. These arrangements recognise the relative local and national benefits of this vital scheme for the North East.\r\nSimilar joint funding arrangements were successfully used on the recently completed M74 through Glasgow where local authority partners contributed towards the project.\r\nThe Forth Replacement Crossing is a vital strategic transport link for Scotland as a whole, including the North East and this Scottish Government is committed to delivering this major project to time and budget.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T16:56:38.917","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282575,"EventID":"S4W-13693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T16:56:39.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T14:36:30.023","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the (a) European Commission and (b) the UK Government on proposals for a fourth railway package.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made no direct representations to the European Commission on this matter. However, a number of representations have been made to the UK Government across each key theme of the Fourth Railway Package confirming the need to ensure that any proposals implemented are consistent with the Scottish Ministers' ambitions for rail, including both existing and planned rail industry reform initiatives.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T16:56:39.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282576,"EventID":"S4W-13698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T16:56:39.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T14:45:43.053","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the level of support offered to Diploma in Legal Practice students.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is carrying out a review of postgraduate student support arrangements in Scotland including the support provided for Diploma in Legal Practice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T16:56:39.617","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282577,"EventID":"S4W-13703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T16:56:39.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T14:49:28.337","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many inspections have been carried out on meat products by (a) the Food Standards Agency, (b) the Meat Hygiene Service and (c) local authority inspectors to determine whether horsemeat was present in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the former Meat Hygiene Service have not carried out any specific sampling or inspections of meat products for horse DNA in each year since 2007. Prior to the recent horsemeat incident local authorities had not done so either.\r\nLocal authority authenticity checks of meat products formed part of their food standards inspections during the period 2007-2012. However, there was no reason to suspect that undeclared horsemeat had entered the food chain, therefore, no specific checks were routinely undertaken to identify the presence of horse DNA.\r\nOn the 23 January Scottish Ministers asked the FSA to work with Local Authorities to carry out focused food standards inspections of approved processed meat manufacturers. Scotland was the first part of the UK to initiate this work, which is in addition to the actions set out in the FSA’s plan and the European Commission’s testing programme. All the focused inspections are now complete and no issues relating to horse DNA have been reported (as at 20 March).\r\nAlso in response to the recent horsemeat issue, the Food Standards Agency published an action plan which included a UK Authenticity Surveillance Programme. Under this programme significant authenticity sampling for horse DNA has been undertaken by local authorities in Scotland since 15 January 2013.\r\nPhase 1 of the authenticity sampling was reported 8 March. The results showed that 217 of the 224 samples taken across UK in Phase 1 were negative for horse DNA at or above the 1% threshold. Seven samples are awaiting further verification and the FSA will publish details as soon as further information is received.\r\nIn Scotland, 15 out of 16 samples taken in Phase 1 were negative and the only positive test related to a product that had already been withdrawn.\r\nResults for Phase 2 will be published in due course and analysis of Phase 3 samples is still on-going.\r\nAd hoc authenticity tests\r\nIn addition, informal ad hoc authenticity tests for horse DNA have been carried out by local authorities and the results of this testing will be published in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T16:56:39.947","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282578,"EventID":"S4W-13704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T16:56:40.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T14:49:28.337","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13041 by Richard Lochhead on 11 March 2013, when the report on bee health will be published.","AnswerText":"The results from the first Scotland-wide honey bee health survey are currently being prepared and will be available during May 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T16:56:40.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282579,"EventID":"S4W-13706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T16:56:41.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T14:52:01.133","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be of the European Commission’s proposals for a fourth railway package on the (a) tendering process for Scotland’s railways and (b) planned retendering of the ScotRail franchise.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently considering the potential impact of the European Commission’s proposals within the Fourth Railway Package on the ScotRail refranchising programme, Network Rail's management of the rail infrastructure in Scotland and the relationship between them. Representations have been made to the UK government on this matter to ensure that any proposals implemented are consistent with the Scottish Ministers' ambitions for rail, including both existing and planned rail industry reform initiatives.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T16:56:41.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282580,"EventID":"S4W-13709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T16:56:41.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T15:49:12.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) investigations, (b) arrests and (c) convictions there have been for the offence of vicarious liability under the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011.\r\n","AnswerText":"Since the vicarious liability provisions in the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 came into force on 1 January 2012 there have been no arrests, prosecutions or convictions of people for vicarious liability for relevant offences. Vicarious liability is not in itself an offence, but rather a land owner or manager may be held to be vicariously liable for relevant offences as set out in Section 18, Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). The relevant offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 are those in:\r\nSection 1(1), (5) or (5B)\r\nSection 5(1) (a) or (b)\r\nSection 15A (1)\r\nThese offences are in relation to the intentional or reckless killing, injuring of a wild bird or the damage to, or destruction of a nest or egg(s); the prohibition of certain methods of killing wild birds (e.g. by the use of traps or poisons); and the possession of certain prescribed pesticides.\r\nVicarious liability can be considered in relation to all relevant offences that are investigated or prosecuted. When any investigation for a relevant offence is ongoing, the possibility of an arrest or prosecution under the vicarious liability provisions will be considered.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T16:56:41.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282581,"EventID":"S4W-13710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T16:56:42.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T15:49:12.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many poisoned baits have been discovered and how many (a) birds and (b) other animals have been poisoned in this way since 2008, broken down by (i) year and (ii) species. \r\n","AnswerText":"The available information on poisoned baits and the poisoning of birds and other animals is shown in the following table.\r\n \r\nScience and Advice for Scottish Agriculture, SASA, collate and publish data on animal poisonings information on a quarterly and annual basis on their website.\r\n \r\nBirds confirmed as victims of poisoning abuse, 2008-2012:\r\n \r\nYear\r\nGolden Eagle\r\nSea Eagle\r\nBuzzard\r\nRed Kite\r\nPeregrine Falcon\r\nSparrow-hawk\r\nTawny Owl\r\nRaven\r\nCrow\r\nMagpie\r\nAll Birds\r\n2008\r\n0\r\n1\r\n14\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0\r\n20\r\n2009\r\n2\r\n1\r\n22\r\n4\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n5\r\n1\r\n1\r\n37\r\n2010\r\n4\r\n1\r\n13\r\n7\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n29\r\n2011\r\n1\r\n0\r\n7\r\n4\r\n2\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n0\r\n20\r\n2012\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\nTotal\r\n8\r\n3\r\n58\r\n17\r\n4\r\n3\r\n1\r\n11\r\n4\r\n1\r\n110\r\n \r\nOther animals confirmed as victims of poisoning abuse, 2008-2012:\r\nYear\r\nDog\r\nCat\r\nStoat\r\nAll Animals\r\n2008\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n4\r\n2009\r\n0\r\n5\r\n0\r\n5\r\n2010\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2011\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n3\r\n2012\r\n2\r\n2\r\n0\r\n4\r\nTotal\r\n4\r\n11\r\n1\r\n16\r\nPoisoned bait abuse incidents and number of baits recovered, 2008-2012\r\nYear\r\nIncidents\r\nNumber of baits\r\n2008\r\n8\r\n22\r\n2009\r\n11\r\n23\r\n2010\r\n12\r\n15\r\n2011\r\n4\r\n5\r\n2012\r\n3\r\n5\r\nTotal\r\n38\r\n70\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T16:56:42.037","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282582,"EventID":"S4W-13711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T16:56:42.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T15:57:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for the award of the new rail franchise for sleeper services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The timetable for the award of the new rail franchise for the Caledonian Sleeper Service and further information can be found at: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/rail/scottish-franchise-renewal-programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T16:56:42.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282583,"EventID":"S4W-13712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-14T16:56:42.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T16:01:15.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on seconding civil servants to work on a bid for any proposal for a mutualised company to run the ScotRail franchise.\r\n","AnswerText":"In the interests of running an open and transparent procurement of the ScotRail Franchise renewal, the Scottish Government would not second civil servants to work on any bids for the franchise.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-03-28T16:56:42.69","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282584,"EventID":"S4W-13728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T12:23:38.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T12:08:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress Historic Scotland has made on designating Historic Marine Protected Areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"Following work to record the remains of a historic wreck site discovered by scallop divers close to the harbour of Drumbeg, Sutherland, Historic Scotland has today designated Scotland’s first Historic Marine Protected Area (MPA) under the urgent designation procedures in the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. This is the first time that the new MPA powers have been used. Public consultation will follow shortly on a proposal to make this designation more permanent.\r\nAs part of this first round of consultation, Historic Scotland will also be inviting views on proposals to designate six further Historic MPAs during 2013, to protect seven historic shipwrecks ranging from a 17th century Scottish warship off Duart Point, Mull, to the Campania, a Clydebuilt former Blue-Riband winning Cunard liner, which performed valuable service as a converted aircraft carrier during WW1. Their designation as Historic MPAs will allow the Scottish Government to replace existing statutory protection for these sites under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. This will align marine heritage protection in Scotland with the Scottish Government’s new marine planning system and its overall approach to protection of our outstanding marine environment. The change in designation will not only help to protect these sites from harm, but will also help to streamline the consent arrangements and provide new opportunities for responsible access by scuba divers and others who will be more easily able to enjoy and appreciate these highly important sites.\r\nOnce these initial designations are in place, Historic Scotland will be visiting Orkney to consider the need for a historic MPA to protect what remains under water relating to the key wartime naval anchorage of Scapa Flow in advance of the centenary of WW1. A small number of other high priority, currently undesignated sites around the Scottish coast may also be considered between now and 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T12:23:38.957","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282585,"EventID":"S4W-13713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T13:44:10.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T16:12:12.35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the UK Government, (b) Dart Energy and (c) REACH Coal Seam Gas about the environmental impact of Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence (i) 133, (ii) 159, (iii) 161 and (iv) 163 and when.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no specific discussions with the UK Government on the environmental impacts of unconventional gases. The Government is advised on environmental matters by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) who sits on a UK wide unconventional gas regulatory group. SEPA’s position is set out in their document, Regulatory Guidance for Coal Bed Methane and Shale Gas, which is available at:\r\nhttp://www.sepa.org.uk/customer_information/energy_industry/unconventional_gas/regulatory_roles.aspx.\r\nThe Scottish Government has had no specific discussions on environmental impacts with Dart Energy and REACH Coal seam Gas. The companies have engaged with SEPA in relation to obtaining the required environmental licences or permits. These would be required before any exploration or production works can occur within the Petroleum Development Licences 133, 159, 161 and 163. Such work would also require planning permission, for which SEPA is a statutory consultee and would specifically require SEPA authorisation under the Water Environment (controlled activities) (Scotland) Regulation 2011 (CAR).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T13:44:10.933","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282586,"EventID":"S4W-13714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T13:44:11.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T16:12:12.35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the UK Government, (b) Dart Energy and (c) REACH Coal Seam Gas about the environmental impact of field development plans from 1997, 2006 and 2012 in relation to Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence (i) 133, (ii) 159, (iii) 161 and (iv) 163 and when.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13713 on 15 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T13:44:11.323","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282587,"EventID":"S4W-13715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T13:44:11.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T16:12:12.35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government about how environmental impacts are assessed under the licensing, planning and regulatory framework for onshore unconventional gas extraction.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13713 on 15 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T13:44:11.697","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282588,"EventID":"S4W-13717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T13:44:12.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T16:12:12.35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on any changes to how environmental impacts will be assessed in Scotland under the UK Office for Unconventional Gas.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13713 on 15 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T13:44:12.057","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282589,"EventID":"S4W-13718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T13:44:12.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T16:27:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many care homes in each local authority area have received an inspection report rating of three or less in each of the last six years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 54841).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T13:44:12.4","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282590,"EventID":"S4W-13719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T13:44:12.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T16:27:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether local authorities and lead agencies for care of older people can pay up to 80% more for a placement in a local authority care home than for one in the independent sector and, if so, for what reason.","AnswerText":"The cost of providing care in a local authority care home is a matter for each individual local authority. Section 22 of the National Assistance Act 1948 requires local authorities to set fees in their homes at the full cost of providing the care.\r\nThe level of payment for an older person funded by a local authority in a care home in the independent sector is agreed between Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the independent sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T13:44:12.993","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282591,"EventID":"S4W-13723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T13:44:13.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T10:43:32.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it modelled the (a) future profitability and (b) operating costs of extraction for each of the scenarios in the March 2013 Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin provides forecasts for oil and gas tax revenue from the “Scottish” portion of the UK Continental Shelf under five scenarios. Further information on the assumptions used in each scenario are provided in the Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin which is available from http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0041/00416072.pdf\r\nThe analysis was undertaken using projections for future production on the UK Continental Shelf. This was complemented by field level analysis using in-house datasets developed by the Scottish Government and subscriptions to commercial models providing field level information on production, costs, profitability and tax revenue.\r\nScenario 1 in the Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin is based on the assumptions about future production and prices published in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) December 2012 Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The assumptions about operating costs and profitability in scenario 1 are consistent with those used by the OBR.\r\nThe other four scenarios presented in the Bulletin use a range of estimates about future operating costs, capital expenditure and profitability to reflect the impact that different assumptions about future prices and production levels are expected to have on costs in the oil and gas industry. The scenarios assume that as oil prices and production rise, there is a corresponding increase in operation and capital costs. The rise in costs serve to dampen profits and tax revenues relative to that which would have been the case in the absence of these additional cost pressures.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T13:44:13.523","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282592,"EventID":"S4W-13724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T13:44:13.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T10:43:32.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it modelled extraction rates and operating or other costs for individual field production for all scenarios in the March 2013 Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin and, if so, what field-extraction model it used.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question, S4W-13723 on 18 April 2013. All answer are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T13:44:13.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282593,"EventID":"S4W-13725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T13:44:14.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T10:43:32.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what decommissioning costs it assumed in each of the scenarios in the March 2013 Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin.\r\n","AnswerText":"Decommissioning costs are assumed to be consistent across each scenario and are based on the assumptions for future decommissioning expenditure factored into the OBR’s forecasts for oil and gas tax revenue published in the December 2012 Economic and Fiscal Outlook.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T13:44:14.193","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282594,"EventID":"S4W-13726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T13:44:14.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T10:43:32.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to Scenario 4 in the March 2013 Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin, what (a) assumptions were made and (b) statistical model was used regarding the increasing operating costs and lower profitability that could result.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question, S4W-13723 on 18 April 2103. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T13:44:14.503","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282595,"EventID":"S4W-13727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T13:44:14.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T10:43:32.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effect of higher oil and gas prices on tax revenues in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Box 8.02 of the Fiscal Commission Working Group’s First Report provides an assessment of the impact that higher oil and gas prices would have on Scottish tax revenues. The report estimates that a temporary increase of £10 in the price of oil would increase Scottish North Sea revenues by an estimated £2.2 billion. Whilst there are estimated to be reductions in some onshore taxes these are of a relatively smaller magnitude. Consequently, the net impact on Scotland’s public finances would be to reduce borrowing by an estimated £1.9 billion over two years. For the UK as a whole, the report concludes that higher oil prices would increase borrowing, as higher offshore receipts are estimated to be more than offset by a reduction in onshore tax revenues.\r\nThe Fiscal Commission Working Group’s First Report is available from http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0041/00414291.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T13:44:14.847","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282600,"EventID":"S4W-13651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T15:51:13.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-13T13:57:57.957","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the new police and fire and rescue services will finance road safety partnerships.","AnswerText":"The Northern Constabulary and the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service have supported a number of road safety initiatives over the years with a view to raising awareness and improving safety for road users. They are both part of the Northern Safety Camera Partnership and play a key role in service delivery and this is set to continue when the new force and service are created. They do not currently contribute financially to the running of the partnership, which will continue to be fully funded by the Scottish Government through the Scottish Safety Camera Programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T15:51:13.787","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282601,"EventID":"S4W-13729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T15:51:14.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T13:03:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the (a) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, (b) Scotland Act 1998 and (c) Human Rights Act 1998 are applied in judging petitions to the nobile officium.\r\n","AnswerText":"The application of statute in court proceedings is a matter for the judicial authorities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T15:51:14.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282602,"EventID":"S4W-13730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T15:51:15.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T14:24:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the opening of the M74 motorway extension has had on traffic flow on the M8 motorway and what the traffic flow is on the extension.","AnswerText":"Following the opening of the M74 Completion scheme, the average two-way daily flows along the M8 motorway, between Charing Cross and Ballieston, have reduced by around 18-20,000 vehicles per day. Across the Kingston Bridge the average two-way daily flows have reduced by around 11,000 vehicles per day.\r\nAlong the M8 west of the M77 the average two-way flows have increased, for example by around 10,000 vehicles per day between Junctions 25 and 25A, reducing to around 2,000 vehicles per day between Junctions 26 and 27.\r\nOn the M74 Completion scheme itself, traffic flows of between 34,000 and 37,000 vehicles per day in each direction have been observed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T15:51:15.223","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282603,"EventID":"S4W-13731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T15:51:15.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T15:01:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to assess MSPs' satisfaction with its answers to parliamentary questions.\r\n","AnswerText":"In the event of a member being dissatisfied with an answer received from the Scottish Government, it is open to the member concerned to pursue the matter by lodging a further question, via correspondence or by lodging a motion for debate.\r\nThe Scottish Ministerial Code makes clear that ministers have a duty to hold the Parliament to account, and be held to account, for the policies, decisions and actions taken within their field of responsibility. In addition, the Code requires ministers to provide accurate and truthful information to the Parliament. These principles are respected in terms of all answers given to parliamentary questions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T15:51:15.55","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282604,"EventID":"S4W-13732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T15:51:15.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T15:01:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) support and (b) advice it gives to local authorities on facilitating travel for pupils who want to attend primary and secondary Gaelic-medium school.\r\n","AnswerText":"Transportation to schools for pupils is a matter for the local authorities, and the Scottish Government has no locus to intervene.\r\nHowever, some local authorities do include an element for transportation in their bids from the Gaelic Specific Grant Scheme under the Gaelic Education (Scotland) Regulations 1986.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T15:51:15.88","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282605,"EventID":"S4W-13733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T15:51:16.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T15:01:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will (a) use and (b) actively promote Gaelic in the forthcoming independence referendum.\r\n","AnswerText":"In line with standard practice for elections and referendums, the referendum ballot paper will be provided in English. Counting officers may choose to display a translation of the ballot paper at polling stations if they consider this appropriate and this could, of course, include Gaelic. Voter information will also be available in other languages on request, again including Gaelic. In addition, the Electoral Commission, which will be responsible for ensuring that voters know how to register and how to vote in the referendum, is expected to produce this information in other languages, including Gaelic.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T15:51:16.19","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282606,"EventID":"S4W-13734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T15:51:16.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T15:01:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it compares progress in the (a) use and (b) active promotion of Gaelic with that achieved by Welsh and Irish language authorities.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not directly compare progress made with Gaelic against any other language.\r\nAll indigenous languages have unique circumstances and face unique challenges which need to be addressed in a manner that suits the specific language. However, we continue to work closely with other administrations to identify and share best practice to the benefit of all our languages.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T15:51:16.52","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282607,"EventID":"S4W-13735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T15:51:17.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T15:01:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the recruitment of teachers for Gaelic-medium education.","AnswerText":"There are currently 343 teachers teaching through the medium of Gaelic in all levels from Nursery through to Secondary. In 2012 we saw 24 probationers graduate which was the largest number of Gaelic Medium Teachers ever to come through training in a single year.\r\nHowever, we are aware that the recruitment of teachers to the Gaelic sector remains a challenge. To help address this challenge Bòrd na Gaidhlig has set up the Gaelic Teachers Recruitment and Retention Group which is made up of representatives from the Scottish Government, all the Teacher Education Institutions and a number of local authorities who provide GME. The Group seeks to identify recruitment, promotion and retention opportunities in the sector whilst seeking to remove any barriers to individuals who wish to teach. The Group is making good progress and a new Gaelic Teacher Immersion Course is being developed through its work. The aim of this course will be to enable teachers to transfer to Gaelic Medium teaching.\r\nIn addition the Scottish Government has written to the Scottish Funding Council asking it to support initiatives which could improve effectiveness and widen access to Gaelic teacher education. In response to this request the Council have agreed to support The University of the Highlands and Islands with the funding of 20 additional student places for Gaelic Teacher Training.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T15:51:17.237","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282608,"EventID":"S4W-13736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-15T15:51:18.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T15:01:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what regard it has had to Gaelic in relation to the provision of additional pre-school hours. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Children and Young People Bill, currently being developed, includes provisions to increase the current entitlement to 475 hours per year of funded pre-school education for 3 and 4 year olds, to a minimum of 600 hours per year of funded early learning and childcare for 3 and 4 year olds, as well as 2 year olds who are looked after or subject to a kinship care order, from 2014.\r\nWe expect that providers of Gaelic medium early learning and childcare will have an important role to play in delivering the entitlement to those eligible children whose parents wish to make use of this type of provision.\r\nScottish Ministers aim to see the expansion of Gaelic medium education at all levels and see Gaelic early years as playing a key role. Gaelic early years are also a key priority area listed in the National Plan for Gaelic. In view of this, and the forthcoming expansion of the funded early learning and childcare hours set out above, we are working closely with local authorities and Bord na Gaidhlig to expand this sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-15T15:51:18.173","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282615,"EventID":"S4T-00283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T13:07:52.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T10:33:05","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will respond to the report of the Expert Group on the Leveson Report in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T13:07:52.6","MeetingDate":"2013-03-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282616,"EventID":"S4T-00293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T13:07:55.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T11:49:10.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on recent reports expressing concern at the police handling of unauthorised protests.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T13:07:55.97","MeetingDate":"2013-03-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282617,"EventID":"S4F-01261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T13:06:52.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T14:43:16.96","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T13:06:52.45","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282618,"EventID":"S4F-01265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T13:06:54.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T09:28:39.42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on whether whistleblowing arrangements for NHS staff are adequate.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T13:06:54.197","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282619,"EventID":"S4F-01266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T13:06:54.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T09:42:15.113","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T13:06:54.523","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282620,"EventID":"S4F-01268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T13:06:55.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T10:29:01.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what impact reported reductions in the number of medical secretaries are having on patient care.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T13:06:55.193","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282621,"EventID":"S4F-01274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T13:06:57.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T11:00:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the 2013 UK Budget.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T13:06:57.16","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282622,"EventID":"S4F-01275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T13:06:57.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T11:00:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is using its International Development Fund to support Malawi.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T13:06:57.457","MeetingDate":"2013-03-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282634,"EventID":"S4W-13720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:35.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T16:47:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13200 by Michael Matheson on 5 March 2013, what its position is on the availability of the emergency contraceptive (a) ulipristal acetate and (b) levonorgestrel.\r\n","AnswerText":"Ulipristal acetate (known as ellaOne) is licensed as an emergency hormonal contraception. For this indication, it is a prescription only medicine.\r\nLevonogestrel (known as levonelle) is available from community pharmacies, sexual health services and GPs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:35.483","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282635,"EventID":"S4W-13721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:35.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T16:47:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13200 by Michael Matheson on 5 March 2013, what guidance it issues to NHS boards regarding the emergency contraceptive (a) ulipristal acetate and (b) levonorgestrel and whether it plans to review this.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS boards are expected to provide high quality sexual health services that are appropriate to the needs of their population and to the individual. This includes ensuring that the full range of contraceptive methods, including emergency contraception, is accessible to those who require them.\r\nScottish Government does not provide specific guidance on how emergency contraception should be provided except in the case of schools, where policy states that emergency hormonal contraception should not be made available.\r\nThere are no plans to review this guidance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:35.84","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282636,"EventID":"S4W-13722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:36.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-14T16:47:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13200 by Michael Matheson on 5 March 2013, how many courses of the emergency contraceptive (a) ulipristal acetate and (b) levonorgestrel have been dispensed in each year since 2010-11, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The number of courses of treatment dispensed for a) ulipristal acetate and b) levonorgestrel since 2010-11 are as follows;\r\nLevonorgestrel\r\n2010-2011\r\n2011-2012\r\n2012-2013\r\n\r\nQuantity Dispensed\r\nQuantity Dispensed\r\nQuantity Dispensed\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n5851\r\n5856\r\n4307\r\nNHS Borders\r\n1116\r\n1086\r\n774\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n1516\r\n1509\r\n1136\r\nNHS Fife\r\n5410\r\n5643\r\n4195\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n4242\r\n4632\r\n3432\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n8152\r\n9626\r\n7305\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n25283\r\n27847\r\n20982\r\nNHS Highland\r\n3848\r\n3784\r\n2743\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n8208\r\n8808\r\n6666\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n19315\r\n20355\r\n14671\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n121\r\n145\r\n114\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n219\r\n310\r\n197\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n5700\r\n6080\r\n4354\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n97\r\n159\r\n114\r\nIncludes the Drugs Levonelle 1500® (over the counter) and Levonelle One Step® (Prescription only), a course of treatment is one tablet.\r\nNote 1: Data regarding the Financial Year 2012-13 is up to and including December 2012.\r\n\r\nUlipristal Acetate\r\n2010-2011\r\n2011-2012\r\n2012-2013\r\n\r\nQuantity Dispensed\r\nQuantity Dispensed\r\nQuantity Dispensed\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n35\r\n53\r\n75\r\nNHS Borders\r\n18\r\n53\r\n109\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n8\r\n28\r\n26\r\nNHS Fife\r\n36\r\n65\r\n87\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n20\r\n52\r\n52\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n51\r\n61\r\n69\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n59\r\n101\r\n99\r\nNHS Highland\r\n78\r\n186\r\n377\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n24\r\n34\r\n61\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n133\r\n285\r\n252\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n14\r\n17\r\n28\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n63\r\n116\r\n110\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n*\r\n18\r\n17\r\nIncludes the drugs Ellaone® and Ulipristal Acetate, a course of treatment is one tablet.\r\nNote 1: Data regarding the Financial Year 2012-13 is up to and including December 2012\r\n*these data are suppressed due to Disclosure Control.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:36.2","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282637,"EventID":"S4W-13737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:36.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-15T15:48:55.19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether community councils within the catchment areas of affected schools are subject to consultation under the provisions of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 and are considered to be bodies that must be consulted as part of that consultation procedure.","AnswerText":"Schedule two of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act sets out the list of relevant consultees for all relevant proposals listed under Schedule one of the 2010 Act.\r\nIn instances where a local authority is consulting on the following relevant proposals on “Closure, Establishment, Relocation, Admission arrangements, Transfer from primary to secondary school and Discontinuance of a further education centre”, the community council (if any) is included under the list of relevant consultees.\r\nUnder Schedule two of the 2010 Act a “community council” is one established by a local authority under Part IV of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c.65).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:36.56","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282638,"EventID":"S4W-13739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:37.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T09:24:29.073","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reduction in vehicle traffic Transport Scotland anticipated on the Dunoon Gourock ferry route as a result of the service becoming passenger only and what reduction there has been.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers’ clear stated preference in the tendering of the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service was for a vehicle-carrying service on the town centre route. Consequently, any evaluation of the impact of this not being achieved would have been contradictory and sent mixed messages to potential bidders. Transport Scotland therefore made no estimate of the anticipated change in vehicular traffic.\r\nIn the event, all the bids received proposed a passenger-only service. As a result, there is currently no vehicle traffic on the ferry service between Gourock railway station and Dunoon town centre.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:37.073","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282639,"EventID":"S4W-13740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:37.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T09:24:29.073","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of the reported decrease in the number of visitors to Dunoon via the passenger-only ferry service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government are encouraging Argyll Ferries Limited to continue to engage with local tourism and marketing groups on destination marketing for Dunoon and Cowal to improve visitor numbers to the region.\r\nThe Scottish Government announced on 3 April 2013 a new arrangement whereby dedicated replacement buses will now run between Argyll Ferries’ terminals at each town centre, when both its ships are off for prolonged periods, using Western Ferries’ service. This ensures that visitors are transported to their destination as smoothly as possible, in all but the most severe of weathers, to and from the Cowal peninsula. A copy of the press release can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/New-ticketing-agreement-for-Gourock-Dunoon-ferry-services\r\nMinisters are committed to finding long-term solutions to ensure that Cowal has the ferry services that it needs. We are working with Argyll and Bute Council, Inverclyde Council and the Dunoon Gourock Ferry Action Group on a study into the feasibility of a future passenger and vehicle service, with a subsidy for passengers but not vehicles, on the route between Gourock railway station and Dunoon town centre. The results are due in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we are continuing to search for alternative vessels that can be deployed on the route, under the terms of the current contract, pending the implementation of these long-term solutions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:37.51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282640,"EventID":"S4W-13741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:37.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T09:24:29.073","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that vehicle ferry prices across the Firth of Clyde are not at a level detrimental to the Cowal economy.","AnswerText":"Western Ferries, who provide a vehicle ferry service between McInroy’s Point (Gourock) and Hunter’s Quay (Dunoon), operate an unsubsidised, commercial service and therefore the Scottish Government has no current role in regulating their fares. Existing competition legislation, which is currently a reserved matter, exists to protect users from any potential abuse of a monopoly market position. Western Ferries have been the sole provider of vehicle ferry services between Gourock and the Cowal peninsula since 30 June 2011. During that time, the company has increased its fares broadly in line with inflation. Western Ferries recently announced that its fares increases for 2013-14 are again in line with the general level of inflation.\r\nIt is the stated preference of the Scottish Ministers that the ferry service on the route between Gourock railway station and Dunoon town centre should carry both vehicles and passengers. Under the rules set for this route by the European Commission in its 2009 Decision on State aid for Scottish ferry services, any public subsidy can only be paid in respect of passengers. It would therefore be for the operator of a vehicle ferry service on this route to determine the fares to be charged.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:37.87","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282641,"EventID":"S4W-13743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:38.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T11:52:05","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civilian staff are employed by each police force, broken down by department.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13622 on 22 March 2013 for the latest figures of civilian staff employed by each police force in Scotland as at 31 December 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not hold the information requested on the breakdown of civilian staff by department for each force.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:38.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282642,"EventID":"S4W-13744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:38.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T13:34:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many non-EU students started studying at a university in Scotland in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13.","AnswerText":"The total numbers of non-EU undergraduate and postgraduate entrants to Scottish universities were:\r\n(a) 15,730 in 2010-11\r\n(b) 16,085 in 2011-12\r\n(c) the number for 2012-13 will not be available until March 2014.\r\nIn 2010-11 there were 12,680 Scottish-domiciled students studying at UK universities outwith Scotland, while 214,315 Scottish-domiciled students studied at Scottish universities. In 2011-12 there were 12,050 Scottish-domiciled students studying at UK universities outwith Scotland, compared to 205,130 Scots who studied within Scotland.\r\nSource: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).\r\nNote: all numbers are rounded to the nearest 5.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:38.603","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282643,"EventID":"S4W-13745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:39.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T13:34:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact recent changes to international student visas have had on Scotland’s universities.\r\n","AnswerText":"The impact of the negative message that the UK Government’s student visa policies send to other countries is a significant concern for the Higher Education Sector (HEI). There is evidence that student numbers from countries which normally send high numbers of students to Scotland have decreased in recent years, which may reflect the changes to student visa rules implemented since 2010.\r\nHigher Education Statistics Agency statistics show that the number of students from India in Scottish HEIs decreased from 3290 in 2010-11 to 2445 in 2011-12 – a reduction of 25.8%; and the number of students from Pakistan in Scottish HEIs decreased from 860 in 2010-11 to 645 in 2011-12 – a reduction of 24.9%. However, largely due to an increase in students from China, the overall non-EU student numbers at Scottish HEIs has increased from 27,880 in 2010-11 to 28,500 in \r\n2011-12.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:39.023","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282644,"EventID":"S4W-13746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:39.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T13:34:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the financial value is of non-EU students to Scotland’s universities.","AnswerText":"Scottish higher education institutions received an overall income of £337 million from non-EU student course fees in 2011-12. This figure represents 11.8% of the total income of Scottish HEIs in that year (Higher Education Statistics Agency).\r\nThis income does not include other sources of income from non-EU students, such as accommodation fees or the course fees of non-EU students studying at a Scottish HEI campus located outside Scotland, for which the Scottish Government does not hold data.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:39.353","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282645,"EventID":"S4W-13747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:39.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T13:34:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact non-EU students have on the Scottish economy.","AnswerText":"In addition to fee income, international students also contribute to the Scottish economy through other expenditure (including accommodation and other day-to-day expenses) incurred during their studies in Scotland. According to a 2011 analysis carried out by London Economics, this expenditure is estimated at around £441 million per year.\r\nInternational students also make an important contribution to the cultural diversity of our universities which enriches the intellectual environment for all students and encourages a global perspective and increased mobility among Scottish students and graduates. The international standing of our universities also reflects the ability to attract world-class researchers and staff from all parts of the international community.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:39.693","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282646,"EventID":"S4W-13748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:40.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T13:34:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the implications are for the education sector of a significant decrease in the number of non-EU students.","AnswerText":"International students bring a variety of benefits to the education sector. A reduction in international students would impact on an important source of funding for Scotland’s Universities. Equally important however is the potential reduction in cultural diversity which enriches the intellectual environment for all students and encourages a global perspective and increased mobility among Scottish students and graduates. The international standing of our universities also reflects the ability to attract world-class researchers and staff from all parts of the international community. And finally, as international students are not eligible to take up Scottish Government funded university places, there is of course no impact on the places available to Scottish-domiciled and EU students.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:40.037","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282647,"EventID":"S4W-13749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:40.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T14:32:03.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is setting aside finance to allow local authorities and roads authorities to repair potholes in the country's roads.","AnswerText":"As part of the 2013-14 Local Government finance settlement, Scottish Government is providing local government in Scotland with over £10.3 billion. The vast majority of the funding, including that for roads maintenance, is being provided by means of a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives.\r\nFurthermore, a National Road Maintenance Review was delivered in July 2012. This involved all 33 roads authorities in Scotland. The review set out how road authorities can work in collaboration to make road maintenance more efficient, ensuring Scotland’s roads remain a key facilitator of economic growth. Further information is available at:\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/maintenance/roads-maintenance-review \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:40.367","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282648,"EventID":"S4W-13750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:40.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T14:42:59.393","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for littering offences in each year since 2007, broken down by (i) type of offence and (ii) local authority area.\r\n","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the following tables. All offences were prosecuted under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 87(1). Further details regarding type of offence is not held centrally.\r\nPeople Proceeded against in Scottish Courts for Littering Offences1\r\nLocal Authority2\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nAberdeen City\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nAngus\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n2\r\n3\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\nDundee City\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n7\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEast Lothian\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n14\r\n1\r\n4\r\n3\r\n0\r\nEilean Siar\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFalkirk\r\n4\r\n7\r\n4\r\n4\r\n11\r\nGlasgow City\r\n1\r\n18\r\n7\r\n9\r\n1\r\nHighland\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nInverclyde\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n5\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n23\r\n11\r\n3\r\n5\r\n1\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nScottish Borders\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n10\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n15\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nStirling\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nWest Lothian\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nScotland\r\n93\r\n47\r\n25\r\n27\r\n21\r\n\r\nPeople Convicted in Scottish Courts of Littering Offences1\r\nLocal authority2\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nAngus\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n2\r\n3\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\nDundee City\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n7\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n14\r\n1\r\n3\r\n2\r\n0\r\nEilean Siar\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFalkirk\r\n4\r\n6\r\n4\r\n4\r\n11\r\nGlasgow City\r\n1\r\n18\r\n7\r\n7\r\n1\r\nHighland\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nInverclyde\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n5\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n23\r\n11\r\n3\r\n4\r\n1\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nScottish Borders\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n10\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n12\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nStirling\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nWest Lothian\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nScotland\r\n89\r\n46\r\n23\r\n22\r\n19\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Where main offence.\r\n2. Based on an approximate mapping of sheriff courts to local authority areas. Some sheriff courts will deal with cases from more than one local authority area. Some local authority areas, including East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Midlothian and North Ayrshire, do not contain a sheriff court.\r\nSource: Scottish Government Court Proceedings data.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:40.693","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282649,"EventID":"S4W-13751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T15:23:41.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T14:42:59.393","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) fixed penalty notices and (b) custodial sentences have been issued for littering offences in each year since 2007, broken down by (i) type of offence and (ii) local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of fixed penalty notices issued by designated local authority officers and the police are not held centrally.\r\nHowever, information on other direct measures issued can be found in the answer to question S4W-12141 on 21 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nThere were no custodial sentences issued for littering offences.\r\nSource: Scottish Government Court Proceedings data.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T15:23:41.02","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282653,"EventID":"S4W-13752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T16:54:51.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:13:02.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the reduction in reimbursement for the concessionary travel scheme will have on bus routes and fares.","AnswerText":"We expect reimbursement under the concessionary travel scheme to increase from £187 million in 2013-14 to £192 million in 2014-15.\r\nThe rate per journey at which this budget is paid out to operators (the so-called reimbursement rate) is reducing in line with independent research. The aim is to meet the legal requirement that operators should on average be no better or worse off as a result of their participation in the scheme.\r\nIt is not possible to predict precisely what impact this combination of an increasing budget and a reducing reimbursement rate will have on bus routes and fares. Routes and fares are a matter for operators’ commercial judgment, taking account of many other factors, such as fuel and staff costs and likely patronage.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T16:54:51.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282654,"EventID":"S4W-13753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T16:54:52.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:20:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of over 65-year-olds was screened for cognitive impairment within 24 hours of admission to hospital in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) hospital.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T16:54:52.103","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282655,"EventID":"S4W-13754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T16:54:52.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:20:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of over 65-year-olds received a nutritional risk assessment within 24 hours of admission to hospital in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) hospital.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not centrally held.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T16:54:52.43","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282656,"EventID":"S4W-13755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T16:54:52.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:20:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of over 65-year-olds received a risk falls assessment within 24 hours of admission to hospital in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) hospital.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not centrally held.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T16:54:52.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282657,"EventID":"S4W-13756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T16:54:53.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:20:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of over 65-year-olds was assessed for the risk of developing pressure ulcers within six hours of admission to hospital in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) hospital.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not centrally held.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T16:54:53.057","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282658,"EventID":"S4W-13757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T16:54:53.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:20:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which hospitals have or have access to an older people's (a) dietician, (b) tissue viability, (c) psychiatric or dementia liaison and (d) falls prevention service at (A) weekends and (B) out of office hours and which do not.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not centrally held. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T16:54:53.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282659,"EventID":"S4W-13759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T16:54:53.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:20:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which hospitals have an older people's (a) dietician, (b) tissue viability, (c) psychiatric or dementia liaison and (d) falls prevention service.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not centrally held.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T16:54:53.647","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282660,"EventID":"S4W-13760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T16:54:53.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:20:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of older patients referred to the (a) dietician, (b) tissue viability, (c) psychiatric/dementia liaison and (d) falls prevention service was seen within 24 hours in each of the last three years, broken down by (i) NHS board and (ii) hospital.","AnswerText":"This information is not centrally held.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T16:54:53.943","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282661,"EventID":"S4W-13761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T16:54:54.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:20:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) speech and language therapists and (b) physiotherapists are based in each hospital and how many older patients have been referred to them in each of the last three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"\r\nAlex Neil: The information requested is not centrally held, however the number of speech and language therapists and physiotherapists by NHS Board as at December 2012 is as follows:\r\nNHS Board\r\nSpeech and Language Therapists\r\nPhysiotherapists\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n59\r\n201.1\r\nBorders\r\n20.2\r\n58.7\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n34.1\r\n71.1\r\nFife\r\n62.7\r\n174.8\r\nForth Valley\r\n61.6\r\n109.9\r\nGrampian\r\n109.4\r\n241.7\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n244.7\r\n705.7\r\nHighland\r\n35.2\r\n158.8\r\nLanarkshire\r\n106\r\n227.9\r\nLothian\r\n132.5\r\n426.4\r\nOrkney\r\n3.1\r\n11.8\r\nShetland\r\n3.9\r\n10.5\r\nTayside \r\n79.5\r\n190.9\r\nWestern Isles\r\n10.1\r\n15.2\r\nTotal\r\n942\r\n2779.2\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T16:54:54.24","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282662,"EventID":"S4W-13762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T16:54:54.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:20:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding NHS boards have allocated to purchase specialist pressure-relieving equipment to reduce the risk of older patients developing pressure ulcers in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) hospital.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not centrally held.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T16:54:54.553","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282663,"EventID":"S4W-13763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T16:54:54.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:20:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS Lothian has established a new older people mental health liaison team as referenced on page 13 of Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s report, Announced Inspection Report - care for older people in acute hospitals: Western General.","AnswerText":"A new older people's mental health liaison service, called the Bridging Team, has been set up in NHS Lothian, and currently covers the main general hospital sites of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital and Liberton hospital. This service commenced on 7 January 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T16:54:54.85","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282664,"EventID":"S4W-13764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T16:54:55.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:20:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients over the age of 65 have developed a pressure ulcer while in hospital in each of the last three years broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) hospital.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not centrally held.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T16:54:55.147","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282665,"EventID":"S4W-13765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-18T16:54:55.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:20:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which hospitals have systems in place to monitor the number of bed moves made by dementia patients assessed as having cognitive impairment.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-16T16:54:55.567","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282685,"EventID":"S4W-13773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T14:23:13.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T11:02:57.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help businesses in the Western Isles following the withdrawal of the road equivalent tariff and in light of recent job losses at Carranoch Shellfish on the Isle of Lewis.","AnswerText":"Following the removal of RET for commercial vehicles in 2012, transitional arrangements were put in place to alleviate the impact of commercial fares returning to non-RET levels. These transitional arrangements required funding of £2.5 million in 2012-13 and £2 million for 2013-14.\r\nAdditional concessions have also been introduced to assist businesses, including extending the length of vehicle eligible to receive RET from 5 million to 6 million, ensuring that small commercial vehicles receive RET; and offering vehicles carrying hay and livestock free empty return journeys, other than a charge to cover pier dues.\r\nSpecifically in relation to the shellfish sector, in spring 2012, an additional concession was provided for commercial vehicles carrying live shellfish. Those vehicles are also provided with free empty return journeys, other than a charge to cover pier dues.\r\nTo provide additional clarity for businesses and hauliers, a study was undertaken to assess the socio-economic impact of the removal of RET for commercial vehicles. The final report will be published soon. Once we have considered the findings of this study, we intend to undertake a comprehensive review of commercial vehicle fares to develop an overarching policy for freight fares.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T14:23:13.663","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282686,"EventID":"S4W-13774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T14:23:14.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T11:17:26.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of the impact on communities of illegal money lending.\r\n","AnswerText":"Illegal money lending is a blight on our communities, in particular for those areas that are most deprived and for individuals who are vulnerable. The actions of illegal lenders can lead to fear and distress as well as significant financial loss for those least able to afford it.\r\nIt is an offence under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 to offer consumer credit without an appropriate licence. Consumer credit legislation is a reserved matter which is the responsibility of the UK Government. The UK Office of Fair Trading is currently responsible for regulating the licensing of credit providers. The UK Department of Business Innovation and Skills provides direct funding for national advice and support services for the victims of illegal money lending, including the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit. The Scottish Government does not provide direct funding to the Unit, which was established by UK Ministers.\r\nIn 2010, the UK Department of Business Innovation and Skills published “Interim Evaluation of National Illegal Money Lending Projects”, which included an assessment of illegal money lending across the UK, including Scotland, types of lenders and users and key drivers which lead people to use illegal lenders. It is estimated by the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit that there are over 200 illegal money lenders operating across Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s criminal proceedings database shows that since 2002-03, a total of 28 people have been proceeded against where the main charge was under sections 39 and 46 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Offences under this legislation relate to, amongst others, offences of illegal money lending. There have been 15 successful prosecutions under the relevant legislation since 2002-03. Information on the reports and specific charges laid is not held centrally.\r\nIllegal money lending may be associated with other types of criminal activity, including, for example assault and intimidation. Where such crimes are reported and subject to prosecution they will be recorded as part of general criminal prosecution statistics, but may not be identified specifically as being linked with illegal lending. Assets from illegal money lending can also be confiscated under Proceeds of Crime legislation, although figures on this are not recorded separately.\r\nIt is acknowledged that there are particular challenges in recording and reporting instances of illegal money lending and that the numbers of reports and charges do not reflect the impact of this crime on our communities. Victims are often reluctant to come forward and to report illegal lenders.\r\nAlthough Consumer Credit legislation is a reserved matter, a range of organisations in Scotland have a role in responding to illegal money lending and assisting the victims and potential victims.\r\nIn March 2013, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities launched its “Stop Loan Sharks” campaign, encouraging people to report suspected loan sharks. The campaign has the support of the police, Citizens Advice Scotland and the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit. The Scottish Government also supports the aims of the campaign.\r\nThe Scottish Government provides block grant funding to local authorities for the full range of their responsibilities, including responsibilities relating to consumer protection and advice.\r\nThe Scottish Government has also provided funding to maintain a thousand extra police officers overall compared with 2007. Government funding supports the full range of work by the Police, including activity relating to financial crime. From 1 April 2013, the Scottish Police Authority has overall responsibility for administering the budget for the Police Service of Scotland. The Chief Constable is responsible for the day to day administration of the Police Service, including the allocation and deployment of resources received from the Authority.\r\nThe Scottish Government also funds a number of organisations that provide direct support and assistance to p","AnswerDate":"2013-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T14:23:15.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282687,"EventID":"S4W-13775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T14:23:16.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T11:17:26.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an assessment of the suitability of measures that aim to tackle illegal money lending.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13774 on 11 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T14:23:16.317","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282688,"EventID":"S4W-13776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T14:23:17.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T11:17:26.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it collects statistics on the number of (a) reports, (b) charges laid and (c) convictions of people believed to be illegally lending money and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13774 on 11 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T14:23:17.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282689,"EventID":"S4W-13777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T14:23:18.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T11:17:26.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether available statistics provide enough detail for it to assess the impact of illegal money lending on communities in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13774 on 11 April 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T14:23:18.797","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282690,"EventID":"S4W-13778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T14:23:19.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T11:17:26.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has given (a) directly and (b) indirectly to police forces to tackle illegal money lending.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13774 on 11 April 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T14:23:19.95","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282691,"EventID":"S4W-13779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T14:23:21.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T11:17:26.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it will provide to the Police Service of Scotland to enable it to tackle illegal money lending.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13774 on 11 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T14:23:21.527","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282692,"EventID":"S4W-13780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T14:23:22.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T11:17:26.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it funds the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit and, if so, how much it has given to the unit in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13774 on 11 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T14:23:22.54","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282693,"EventID":"S4W-13781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T14:23:23.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T11:17:26.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to victims of illegal money lending.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13774 on 11 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T14:23:23.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282694,"EventID":"S4W-13782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T14:23:25.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T11:39:18.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many convictions for domestic abuse have been for a repeat of the same offence in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the number of individuals convicted of an offence with a domestic abuse aggravator along with the number of those individuals with at least one previous conviction (also with a domestic abuse aggravator) is recorded in the following table.\r\nFinancial Year\r\nIndividuals convicted of a crime/offence with a domestic abuse aggravator\r\nIndividuals with at least one previous conviction recorded\r\n(with a domestic abuse aggravator)\r\n2011-12\r\n8,247\r\n2,549\r\n2010-11\r\n8,089\r\n2,193\r\n2009-10\r\n8,405\r\n2,026\r\n2008-09\r\n6,760\r\n1,504\r\n2007-08\r\n5,458\r\n1,109\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.\r\nOffence aggravations are codes that highlight particular circumstances relating to the specific incident as opposed to the actual charge. Recording of offence aggravators has been improving over time and it is deemed that recording has only reached a sufficient level of consistency in the past three years from 2009-10.\r\nAny apparent increase in the number of previous offences is likely to be the product of improved recording and an increase in the counting base. Therefore, any comparisons of aggravator information made over time should be made with caution and in particular the number of individuals with at least one previous conviction is not comparable year on year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T14:23:25.253","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282695,"EventID":"S4W-13786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T14:23:26.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:22:13.313","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of properties there are in each council tax band.\r\n","AnswerText":"The total number of dwellings on the council tax valuation list on 3 September 2012:\r\nCouncil tax band\r\nNumber of dwellings\r\n% of total dwellings in each council tax band\r\nBand A\r\n        550,385 \r\n22%\r\nBand B\r\n        593,848 \r\n24%\r\nBand C\r\n        403,321 \r\n16%\r\nBand D\r\n        326,523 \r\n13%\r\nBand E\r\n        329,319 \r\n13%\r\nBand F\r\n        182,560 \r\n7%\r\nBand G\r\n        116,298 \r\n5%\r\nBand H\r\n12,788\r\n1%\r\nTotal Dwellings\r\n2,515,042\r\n100%\r\nSource: As reported by local authorities on statistical return (CTAXBASE) 2012\r\nNote: Includes dwellings exempt from council tax\r\nThe data in the above table includes dwellings exempt from council tax. Data on the number of chargeable dwellings (total dwellings less dwellings exempt from council tax) by council tax band are published in the Scottish Local Government Finance Statistics annual publication (table 2.5).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T14:23:26.487","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282696,"EventID":"S4W-13787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T14:23:28.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:33:44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the First Minister's announcement on 29 November 2012 (Official Report, c. 14128), when the NHS confidential alert line pilot will be (a) launched and (b) advertised to staff.\r\n","AnswerText":"The service commenced on 2 April 2013. Publicity materials were sent to NHS boards on 20 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T14:23:28.657","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282697,"EventID":"S4W-13789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T14:23:29.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:33:44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated for the (a) establishment and (b) running of the NHS confidential alert line pilot announced by the First Minister on 29 November 2012 (Official Report, c. 14128).\r\n","AnswerText":"The cost of the contract to establish and provide the Confidential Alert Line service in the pilot year is £32,000, this includes the cost of marketing materials. There is also likely to be, as yet unknown, an increase in the funding to Healthcare Improvement Scotland to cover the cost of investigating cases referred by the Alert Line.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T14:23:29.577","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282698,"EventID":"S4W-13790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T14:23:30.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:33:44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what staff it has allocated to the NHS confidential alert line pilot announced by the First Minister on 29 November 2012 (Official Report, c. 14128), and what pay grade these staff hold.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not allocated any staff to the Confidential Alert Line. The contract to provide this service was awarded to Public Concern at Work, as an external organisation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T14:23:30.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282712,"EventID":"S4W-13766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:05:57.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:40:55.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the constituency question from Rhoda Grant by Alex Salmond on 21 February 2013 (Official Report, c. 16863), what the \"difficulties relating to upholding the Scottish public finance principles and best value\" were and how they were overcome.","AnswerText":"Officials had originally taken a relatively narrow view of the Scottish Public Finance Manual principles in awarding the Raasay lease for sporting rights to the highest rental value, taking account of a basic quality test that the new leaseholder would be capable of managing the sport and providing benefit to the local community, and their ability to meet the terms of the twenty nine conditions laid down in the particulars of let. Following the award of contract to South Ayrshire Stalking, Ministers were notified of the concerns of the community of Raasay and reviewed the decision. On the basis of the information presented to Ministers, we concluded that insufficient consideration had been given to non-financial issues and that wider community benefits, consistent with the broader principles of best value should have been taken into account.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:05:57.607","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282713,"EventID":"S4W-13767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:05:57.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:40:55.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether ministers were informed that its Rural Payments and Inspections Division had written to Raasay Crofters Association on 1 November 2011 with a notice to quit the lease for the sporting rights on Raasay.","AnswerText":"On 1 November 2011, the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division served Raasay Crofters Association notice that their lease for Raasay sporting rights would end on 28 November 2012. There is a long standing precedent for decisions on award of leases across Scottish Ministers estates being taken by officials, as most of these leases are of low financial value. Ministers were not informed of the notice to quit being issued or the advertisement of the contract. Ministers were first made aware of the decision having been taken to award the contract for the Raasay sporting rights (on 8 January) to South Ayrshire Stalking when Dave Thompson MSP verbally informed the Minister for Environment and Climate Change of the community’s concerns of the outcome on 14 January. This was closely followed by correspondence from Jamie McGrigor MSP.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:05:57.933","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282714,"EventID":"S4W-13768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:05:58.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:40:55.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers became aware that the Rural Payments and Inspections Division intended to write to Raasay Crofters Association with a notice to quit the lease for the sporting rights on Raasay.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer to question SW4-13767 on 15 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:05:58.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282715,"EventID":"S4W-13769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:05:58.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T15:40:55.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions took place between its Rural Payments and Inspections Division and Raasay Crofters Association between 1 November 2011 and 14 December 2012.","AnswerText":"On 1 November 2011, the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division served Raasay Crofters Association notice that their lease for sporting rights would end on 28 November 2012. During the period from 1 November to \r\n14 December 2012, a representative of the Raasay Crofters’ Association discussed the proposed advertising approach and timescales with an official in Rural Payments and Inspections Division. Another official sent the Raasay Crofters’ Association a copy of the particulars of let following a telephone call to request these details. There is no record of any further communication.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:05:58.54","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282716,"EventID":"S4W-13770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:05:58.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T10:52:08.217","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of 16 to 64-year-olds have received job-related training in each of the last (a) three months and (b) four years, broken down (i) gender and (ii) local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Annual Population Survey provides the official source of local area labour market information. Data on those receiving job related training in the last four years is not held centrally.\r\nPeople aged 16-64 in employment receiving job-related training in the last 3 months by gender, Scotland, 2011\r\n \r\nLevel\r\nRate\r\nFemale\r\n      333,200 \r\n30.6%\r\nMale\r\n      311,700 \r\n25.9%\r\nAll\r\n      644,900 \r\n28.1%\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, Jan-Dec 2011, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes\r\n1.  Levels rounded to nearest hundred\r\n2.  Rates based on unrounded data\r\n3.  Excludes full time students\r\n\r\nPeople aged 16-64 in employment receiving job-related training in the last 3 months by local authority area of residence, Scotland, 2011\r\n \r\nLevel\r\nRate\r\nAberdeen City\r\n      33,300 \r\n31.6%\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n      34,000 \r\n27.8%\r\nAngus\r\n      15,100 \r\n31.9%\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n       9,500 \r\n26.7%\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n       5,800 \r\n27.8%\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n      10,400 \r\n17.6%\r\nDundee City\r\n      17,200 \r\n29.5%\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n      13,600 \r\n27.4%\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n      12,700 \r\n27.6%\r\nEast Lothian\r\n      12,300 \r\n29.1%\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n      10,600 \r\n27.7%\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n      77,100 \r\n33.2%\r\nEilean Siar\r\n       3,300 \r\n35.2%\r\nFalkirk\r\n      13,800 \r\n20.3%\r\nFife\r\n      52,900 \r\n33.6%\r\nGlasgow City\r\n      69,200 \r\n28.1%\r\nHighland\r\n      28,100 \r\n26.7%\r\nInverclyde\r\n       8,800 \r\n26.6%\r\nMidlothian\r\n      11,000 \r\n29.5%\r\nMoray\r\n      15,700 \r\n37.6%\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n      13,000 \r\n25.6%\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n      27,500 \r\n19.8%\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n       3,400 \r\n35.3%\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n      14,000 \r\n21.0%\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n      19,900 \r\n28.2%\r\nScottish Borders\r\n      13,300 \r\n27.2%\r\nShetland Islands\r\n       3,500 \r\n31.3%\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n      11,900 \r\n27.5%\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n      44,900 \r\n32.0%\r\nStirling\r\n       9,200 \r\n24.1%\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n      10,000 \r\n25.5%\r\nWest Lothian\r\n      20,000 \r\n25.6%\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, Jan-Dec 2011, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes\r\n1.  Levels rounded to nearest hundred\r\n2.  Rates based on unrounded data\r\n3.  Excludes full time students\r\nEstimates for 2012 are scheduled for publication on 8 May 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:05:58.837","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282717,"EventID":"S4W-13771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:05:59.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T10:52:08.217","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of 16 to 64-year-olds have been employed in each local authority area in each of the last four years, also broken down by (a) gender and (b) qualification level.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Annual Population Survey (APS) provides the official source for local labour market information. The information requested is available from the Local Area Labour Markets in Scotland: Statistics from the Annual Population Survey 2011 publication:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/07/9077/0 \r\nEstimates of employment by local authority and gender are provided within Tables 1.2 and 1.3 of the Local Authority Tables:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/Local-Authority-Tables \r\nEmployment rates by highest qualification and local authority are provided in Table S3.3 within the Supplementary Local Authority Tables:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/Publications/Supplementary-LA-Tables \r\nEstimates for 2012 are scheduled for publication on 8 May 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:05:59.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282718,"EventID":"S4W-13783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:05:59.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:14:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many local authorities offer Junior Individual Savings Accounts to looked-after young people in their area.","AnswerText":"As of 10 April 2013, 21 Scottish local authorities have registered with The Share Foundation, confirming that they wish to offer Junior Individual Savings Accounts to looked after children in their area. The list is available at:\r\nwww.sharefound.org.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to liaise with local authorities, the UK Government and The Share Foundation to ensure that all eligible looked after children in Scotland benefit from this scheme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:05:59.51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282719,"EventID":"S4W-13784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:05:59.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:14:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many looked-after children in each local authority area have set up Junior Individual Savings Accounts.","AnswerText":"As of 10 April 2013, a total of 225 children, have had Junior Investment Savings Accounts set up, with an initial contribution of £200 each from the UK Government. These children are looked after by the 3 Scottish local authorities who have provided data to enable the accounts to be set up. The list of authorities who have provided data is available at:\r\nwww.sharefound.org.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:05:59.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282720,"EventID":"S4W-13785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:00.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:14:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to promote the registration of local authorities for the UK Junior Individual Savings Accounts for children in care scheme.","AnswerText":"In December 2012, the Scottish Government issued guidance to local authorities promoting registration in the Junior Individual Savings Accounts scheme for looked after children.\r\n\r\nThat guidance stated that participation in the scheme is regarded as a core function of a local authority’s corporate parenting responsibilities. As such we would expect them to comply with the necessary requirements to invest for looked after children within their care.\r\nWe will continue to liaise with Scottish local authorities, the UK Government and The Share Foundation to ensure that all eligible looked after children in Scotland benefit from this scheme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:00.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282721,"EventID":"S4W-13791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:00.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:37:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support local authorities in servicing their debts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides, as part of the Local Government Settlement, revenue funding for local authority debt charges. This is based on a notional amount of capital expenditure each year, and supports local authority borrowing prior to 31 March 2011. From 2011-12, following agreement with COSLA, this type of support has been replaced with direct capital grant, which is beneficial to both central and local government as this form of support does not require local authorities to borrow and does not incur interest debt costs.\r\nFrom 1 April 2004 a local authority has been under a statutory duty to determine the amount it can afford to allocate to capital expenditure. In making that determination an authority has a duty to observe the “Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities”. The Code requires the capital investment plans of a local authority to be affordable, prudent and sustainable. Decisions on the capital investment, and the financial plans to ensure adequate budget provision is made to meet the costs of that investment, are therefore a matter for each local authority.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:00.68","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282722,"EventID":"S4W-13792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:00.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:37:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has undertaken of the sustainability of local authority debt.","AnswerText":"In line with their statutory duty and the Prudential Code, decisions on the capital investment, and the financial plans to ensure adequate budget provision is made to meet the costs of that investment, are a matter for each local authority.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:01.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282723,"EventID":"S4W-13793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:01.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:37:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recommendations in the Accounts Commission report, Major capital investment in councils.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes this report by the Accounts Commission which sets out some valuable messages. It is, of course, up to councils to ensure they spend capital budgets effectively and in line with local needs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:01.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282724,"EventID":"S4W-13794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:01.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:37:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to local authorities to implement the findings of the Accounts Commission report, Major capital investment in councils.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with local government to get maximum benefit to the economy from our combined investment. The Scottish Futures Trust has a particular role in supporting local authorities to deliver capital investment, such as schools and other community projects, efficiently and effectively.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:01.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282725,"EventID":"S4W-13795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:02.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:37:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support capacity building in (a) financial, (b) project management and (c) business planning skills in local authorities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13794 on 3 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:02.037","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282726,"EventID":"S4W-13796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:02.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:37:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities to assist them in producing estimates of timing and cost at the initial approval stage of major capital projects.\r\n","AnswerText":"A local authority has a statutory duty to observe the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), “Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities”. The Prudential Code recognises that in making decisions the authority must have explicit regard to option appraisal, asset management planning, strategic planning for authority and achievability of the forward plan. All of these represent elements of good practice for which guidance has already been provided by CIPFA and other authoritative sources.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:02.333","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282727,"EventID":"S4W-13797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:02.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:37:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings in the Accounts Commission report, Major capital investment in councils, whether it will update its guidance to local authorities on producing estimates of timing and cost at the initial approval stage of major capital projects.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13796 on 3 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. In addition the Scottish Government will encourage local authorities to follow the guidance available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:02.66","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282728,"EventID":"S4W-13798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:02.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:37:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities to inform (a) good governance, (b) reporting and (c) monitoring structures for the management of capital investment projects.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13796 on 3 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:02.973","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282729,"EventID":"S4W-13799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:03.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:37:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has provided to local authorities to support the financing of their borrowing in each year since 2007-08 and how it has been delivered.","AnswerText":"The vast majority of the funding provided to local government by the Scottish Government, including the funding for servicing outstanding historic revenue debt in the form of loan charge support, is provided by means of a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives.\r\nThe following table provides the amount of outstanding loan charge support taken into account within the local government finance settlements since 2007-08.\r\nYear\r\n£m\r\n2007-08\r\n916.6\r\n2008-09\r\n881.4\r\n2009-10\r\n865.1\r\n2010-11\r\n855.3\r\n2011-12\r\n755.9\r\n2012-13\r\n726.7\r\nFrom 2011-12 this type of loan charge support for capital investment from the Scottish Government was replaced with direct capital grant.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:03.41","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282730,"EventID":"S4W-13800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:03.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:37:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities to inform the development of business cases during major capital projects.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13796 on 3 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:03.72","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282731,"EventID":"S4W-13801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:04.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T12:37:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage local authorities and other public bodies to work together to deliver major capital projects.","AnswerText":"We have facilitated Community Planning Partnerships as key fora for public bodies to work together. We have also developed the hub programme, where Community Planning partners team up with a private sector development partner to form a joint venture delivery company the hubCo to deliver best value in procurement of community infrastructure.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:04.033","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282732,"EventID":"S4W-13809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:04.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:41:24.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S4W-13580 by Nicola Sturgeon on 18 March 2013, whether it will provide the names of the independent advisers who are assessing the operation of the state pension system in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Work undertaken by the Scottish Government on the state pension system in an independent Scotland is being led by officials who are seeking external advice from independent advisors where necessary.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:04.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282733,"EventID":"S4W-13810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:04.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:45:39.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that student applicants with additional support requirements are not affected by reductions in college courses.\r\n","AnswerText":"College regionalisation and reform is about delivering education more efficiently and effectively while maintaining student numbers. Thousands of students with learning disabilities are benefitting, and will continue to benefit, from the improved services that our colleges offer. We expect colleges to treat all applicants fairly and to adhere fully to their legal obligations.\r\nWe also maintain regular dialogue with the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability to ensure that we are doing all we can to support this group of learners. I have asked the Scottish Funding Council to work with the Consortium, and with ENABLE Scotland, to help colleges deliver programmes in a way that best supports into work students with a learning disability. This will include developing good practice guidance based on lessons learnt from Project Search and on extending the Transitions to Employment project, and will be funded as part of the additional £61 million announced on 6 February 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:04.64","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282734,"EventID":"S4W-13811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:04.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:45:39.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that reductions in college courses do not negatively impact on young people with autism spectrum disorders.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13810 on 16 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:04.983","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282735,"EventID":"S4W-13812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:05.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:45:39.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning has had with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing on the role of college education in relation to health inequalities.\r\n","AnswerText":"I regularly meet all Cabinet Secretaries, including the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, to discuss the relationship between portfolios and to ensure that the government of Scotland continues to be delivered in an integrated and co-ordinated manner.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:05.327","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282736,"EventID":"S4W-13813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:05.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:45:39.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reductions there have been in the provision of Access and Progression courses at Forth Valley College and in similar courses at other colleges.\r\n","AnswerText":"Details of individual courses offered at any particular moment in time by Forth Valley College, or any other college, are not collected centrally. In constructing their prospectus, colleges are expected to use their judgment and expertise in identifying courses which best equip the learner for a job, either directly or through progression to a higher level of study. The Government is continuing to support the college sector by maintaining the number of full-time equivalent student places it funds.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:05.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282737,"EventID":"S4W-13814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:05.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:46:03.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the difference is between the 98% four-hour waiting time standard for accident and emergency and the new guidance of 95%.","AnswerText":"The 98% four hour accident and emergency treatment HEAT Standard is being maintained. Some boards are already meeting this standard but we want this to be replicated across Scotland. Through the three year unscheduled care action plan we are going to be reshaping and enhancing services to ensure that this standard is met sustainably in future, and all year round.\r\nTo get there, from a performance of 90.3% in December 2012, we are putting in place an interim additional HEAT Target of 95% performance by all boards by the year ending September 2014. This will be the first Milestone to measure progress against the planned return to the Standard performance of 98%. Boards at or above 95% will be expected to demonstrate progress towards the 98% target over the same period, and boards at 98% will be expected to demonstrate that they will be able to sustain that position. The Scottish Government wrote to all boards on 25 February, to inform them that this new target would begin in April (as part of the new HEAT year of 2013-14).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:06","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282738,"EventID":"S4W-13815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:06.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:46:03.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when all NHS boards will be expected to meet either the waiting time standard or the new guidance.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13814 on 15 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:06.34","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282739,"EventID":"S4W-13816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:06.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:46:52.94","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the care homes in Scotland run by Castlebeck now that it has gone into administration.\r\n","AnswerText":"The National Contingency Planning Group for Social Care Services, which was established to look at the overall preparedness of statutory agencies in addressing unforeseen circumstances that could lead to the disruption of social care provision in Scotland, continues to monitor the situation in the four residential care homes run by Castlebeck in Scotland with the aim of ensuring continuity of care for all residents.\r\nThe group’s membership includes Scottish Government, COSLA, Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Scotland Excel, NHS Scotland and the Association of Directors of Social Work.\r\nThe group is encouraged that the administrators are committed to the continuity of care and are actively looking to find buyers to maintain the services. Work is ongoing with the administrators to ensure a smooth transition to new providers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:06.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282740,"EventID":"S4W-13817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:06.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:46:52.94","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what inspections the Care Inspectorate has recently carried out or will carry out on care homes run by Castlebeck.","AnswerText":"Castlebeck Care Group runs three care home services in Scotland for people with learning disabilities and complex needs which are regulated by the Care Inspectorate. The dates when these services were last inspected are as follows:\r\nEllen Mhor, Dundee - last inspected on 2510-12\r\nTrinity House, Lockerbie - last inspected on 19-10-12\r\nRanaich House, Dunblane - last inspected on 5-10-12\r\nCastlebeck also runs Monroe House, an independent hospital in Dundee, which is regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate and Healthcare Improvement Scotland have been working closely with Castlebeck since it went into administration in March. All Castlebeck services have been visited and the regulators have held a meeting with the Administrators and Castlebeck to agree necessary actions to ensure that standards of care are maintained.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:07.013","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282741,"EventID":"S4W-13818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:07.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:47:06.673","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that all guns in Scotland are licensed appropriately.","AnswerText":"Firearms legislation is a reserved matter. At an operational level, police firearms departments are responsible for ensuring that only legitimate users with good reason to possess a firearm, and suitable security arrangements in place, are granted a firearm or shotgun certificate. The Scottish Government is responsible for issuing licences to shooting clubs and museums, as well as authorities for individuals to possess “specially dangerous” weapons as defined by section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968.\r\nThe Scottish Government remains committed to introducing a system of licensing for air weapons, using the powers granted under the Scotland Act 2012. A public consultation on this issue concluded on 15 March 2013, and we will seek to introduce legislation at the earliest opportunity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:07.34","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282742,"EventID":"S4W-13819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:07.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:47:36.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for selling tobacco by unregistered sales outlets.","AnswerText":"Under the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010, The Sale of Tobacco (Register of Tobacco Retailers) Regulations 2010 came into force on 1 April 2011. There were no prosecutions or convictions under Section 20 of the Act recorded in the available data to 2011-12. \r\nInformation for 2012-13 will not be available until the publication of the Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2012-13 Statistical Bulletin. This is due to be published in November 2013.\r\nThe dates of all Scottish Government Official and National Statistics publications are pre-announced, and the up to date list of future publications can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Search/Forthcoming.\r\nSource: Scottish Government Court Proceedings data\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:07.683","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282743,"EventID":"S4W-13820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:08.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:47:36.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been in each of the last five years for (i) the illegal sale of and (ii) selling illicit tobacco.\r\n","AnswerText":"The available information on the number of people proceeded against for offences which relate specifically to the illegal sale of tobacco is given in the following table.\r\nSelling illicit tobacco is dealt with under HM Revenue and Customs and Trading Standards legislation and regulations and cannot be separately identified from other types of these offences from the information held centrally.\r\nPeople proceeded against for offences related to illegal sale of tobacco, 2007-08 to 2011-12\r\nMain Offence\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nSelling loose cigarettes\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nProceeded against\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nConvicted\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNot displaying notice cigarettes sold to 16 and over\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nProceeded against\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nConvicted\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nOffences involving tobacco and persons under 18\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nProceeded against\r\n11\r\n15\r\n32\r\n17\r\n17\r\nConvicted\r\n9\r\n12\r\n25\r\n12\r\n10\r\nAll offences\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nProceeded against\r\n11\r\n16\r\n32\r\n18\r\n17\r\nConvicted\r\n9\r\n13\r\n25\r\n13\r\n10\r\nSource: Scottish Government Court Proceedings Database.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:08.027","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282744,"EventID":"S4W-13821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:08.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:47:36.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been confiscated by the courts in each of the last five years following convictions for (i) the illegal sale of and (ii) selling illicit tobacco.\r\n","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:08.387","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282745,"EventID":"S4W-13822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:08.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:49:02.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes there have been in the (a) consumption and (b) price of alcohol since 2005.","AnswerText":"Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy: Second Annual Report includes trends in self-report consumption, alcohol sales (generally accepted to be a more robust measure of total population consumption than self-report survey data) and the average price of alcohol for the longest time series currently available. The report was published by NHS Health Scotland in December 2012 and is available at: http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/20107-MESASCombinedReportNov2012.pdf.\r\nSelf-reported consumption data for 2011 is available from the Scottish Health Survey http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0040/00402630.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:08.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282746,"EventID":"S4W-13824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:09.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:49:02.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the changes in the price of alcohol since 2005 compare with the changes in (a) rates of violent crime, (b) other offences associated with alcohol and (c) alcohol-related hospital (i) admissions and (ii) discharges.","AnswerText":"Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy: Second Annual Report, published by NHS Health Scotland in December 2012, includes detailed information on the average price and price distribution of alcohol sold in Scotland. The report is available at:\r\nhttp://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/20107-MESASCombinedReportNov2012.pdf.\r\nA bulletin presenting statistics on crimes and offences, including offences associated with alcohol use, recorded in Scotland from 2002-3 to 2011-12 can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/06/1698.\r\nAlcohol-related hospital discharge statistics are published annually by Information Services Division (ISD) of NHS National Services Scotland. The latest figures can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Drugs-and-Alcohol-Misuse/Publications/2012-05-29/2012-05-29-AlcoholHospitalStats2012-Report.pdf and include data covering the last five years (data covering earlier years is also available on the ISD website). It should be noted that ISD do not hold separate admission and discharge datasets. As further diagnostic information may become available during the course of a hospital stay, the use of discharge data provides a more complete and accurate picture of a patient’s condition.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:09.32","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282747,"EventID":"S4W-13825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:09.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:49:02.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on any difference in alcohol consumption between Scotland and England since the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012 came into force.\r\n","AnswerText":"Alcohol sales data is generally accepted, including by the World Health Organisation, to be a more robust measure of total population consumption than self-report survey. The most recent alcohol sales data (2011) for Scotland and England and Wales was published by NHS Health Scotland in August 2012 and can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/20287-MESAS%202012%20Update.pdf. These data suggest that in 2011 Scots drank around a fifth more alcohol per adult than our counterparts England and Wales.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:09.68","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282748,"EventID":"S4W-13826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:09.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:49:02.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reduction in alcohol consumption the University of Sheffield econometric model predicted would result from ending discounting alone.\r\n","AnswerText":"The most recent update of the University of Sheffield alcohol pricing model was published in January 2012 and can be accessed at: http://www.shef.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.156503!/file/scotlandjan.pdf. This estimated that a total ban on off-trade discounting would result in a decrease in overall consumption of 3%. A total ban is assumed to prohibit all forms of price-based promotion, including straight discounting from list price in addition to quantity discounts.\r\nThe ban implemented in the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act 2010, which came into force in October 2011, relates to a quantity discount ban only (for example, buy 3 for the price of 2, 3 bottles of wine for £10 etc.). Due to unavailability of data, it is not possible for the University of Sheffield to estimate the impact on consumption of the quantity discount ban alone.\r\nNHS Health Scotland is due to publish a detailed analysis of the impact of the quantity discount ban on consumption in Scotland in the coming months.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:10.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282749,"EventID":"S4W-13827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:10.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:49:02.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many alcohol licences have been issued in each of the last seven years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Publications showing the number of liquor licence applications granted can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PubLiquor. \r\nApplications for 2010-11 and 2011-12 are granted under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, which came fully into force in September 2009. No data were collected in 2008 and 2009 during the transition to the new legislation.\r\nPrior to this, licences were issued under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976. Due to differences in how licences are administered under the current arrangements compared with the previous, the figures from 2011-12 and 2010-11 cannot be compared directly with those from earlier years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:10.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282750,"EventID":"S4W-13828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:10.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:49:02.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prosecutions there have been for (a) selling alcohol to a person under 18, (b) selling alcohol to someone who is already intoxicated and (c) purchasing and supplying alcohol to a person under the age of eighteen in each of the last three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the following table:\r\nPeople proceeded against in Scottish Courts for specific alcohol offences1\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nSale of drink to person under 18\r\n143\r\n109\r\n52\r\nSale of alcohol to drunk person2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\nPurchasing excisable liquor for consumption by person under 18\r\n156\r\n98\r\n64\r\n1. Where main charge.\r\n2. Prosecuted under Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 Section 76 and  Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 Section 113(1)\r\nSource: Scottish Government Courts Proceedings data\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:10.71","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282751,"EventID":"S4W-13829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:11.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:49:02.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in how many cases of testing for alcohol by the police levels have been found to be below 80mg per 100ml of blood but above 50mg or the equivalent levels for urine tests in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. Transport Scotland publishes its Reported Road Casualties report annually. This report includes estimates of drink driving accidents, accident costs, and an estimate of under-counting of road casualties. The report provides estimates where the driver of the vehicle was over the current legal drink driving limit (80 milligrams (mg) of alcohol in every 100 millilitres of blood). This information is accessible and can be found in The Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2010 report. Table 22 (page 125) provides the information requested. The link to this document is:\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j199237-00.htm.\r\nIf the Scottish Parliament agrees to approve regulations to lower the drink drive limit, \r\nThe Reported Road Casualties report will report estimates of drink driving accidents where the driver of the vehicle was over the new lower limit.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:11.053","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282752,"EventID":"S4W-13830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:11.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:50:10.05","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it will issue to GPs following the publication of the research, Effectiveness of screening and brief alcohol intervention in primary care (SIPS trial): pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has issued National Guidance for 2013-14 on delivery of the current HEAT Standard for Alcohol Brief Interventions (ABI), which includes delivery in primary care. The HEAT Standard is based on SIGN and NICE guidelines and so in line with clinical guidance and a wealth of international evidence that alcohol brief interventions are effective in reducing consumption.\r\nThe findings of the SIPS trial study in England are of interest and confirm that primary care is an environment where people will consent and are willing to receive feedback, written information and advice about their drinking behaviour. Such a process is already established in many areas throughout Scotland as a result of the national ABI programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:11.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282753,"EventID":"S4W-13842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-19T17:06:11.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T15:22:45.807","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many gun licences were withdrawn on review in each the last three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the number of gun licences withdrawn on review is not available. Information on the number of firearm and shotgun certificates both refused and revoked is available from the Firearm Certificates Statistics, Scotland statistical bulletin series, which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PubFirearmCertificates.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-17T17:06:11.787","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282754,"EventID":"S4O-01955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:46.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T11:13:30.087","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional support will be provided to cities, such as Stirling, in order to ensure that adequate infrastructure is in place for the year of the homecoming.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:46.763","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282755,"EventID":"S4O-01956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:47.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:02:24.967","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government to provide an update on the progress to retender the franchise to operate rail passenger services in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:47.213","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282756,"EventID":"S4O-01957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:47.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:02:25.183","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve road and rail journey times from Dumfries to Glasgow and Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:47.557","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282757,"EventID":"S4O-01958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2487,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:47.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:02:25.467","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on the delivery of next generation broadband for the South of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:47.87","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282758,"EventID":"S4O-01959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:48.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:02:25.713","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how successful this year's Scottish Communities League Cup has been at promoting its values of Respect, Responsibility and Tolerance.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:48.213","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282759,"EventID":"S4O-01960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:48.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T10:24:29.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that fares on public transport do not become so expensive that people are priced back into their cars.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:48.54","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282760,"EventID":"S4O-01961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:48.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T09:22:39.073","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities last met hub North Scotland Ltd and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:48.9","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282761,"EventID":"S4O-01962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:49.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T18:25:21.72","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards introducing Wi-Fi on all Caledonian MacBrayne ferries that serve the Inner and Outer Hebrides.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:49.273","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282762,"EventID":"S4O-01963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:49.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:39:50.127","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional investment it will provide to Glasgow City Council in order to further regenerate the most deprived areas of the city by summer 2014.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of the Council and the Community Planning Partnership to deliver local economic development and local regeneration, based on their understanding of local needs and circumstances, from their local government settlement.\r\nIn 2013-14 Glasgow City Council will receive £1,240 million in revenue funding and £105.8 million capital funding.\r\nThey also receive funding for transport, education and housing projects, including £4.5 million from the People and Communities Fund by 2015. Additional support also includes £20 million to Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company for 2013-14.\r\nThe Scottish Government remains committed to the regeneration of all of Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas and strengthening of local communities.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:49.587","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282763,"EventID":"S4O-01964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:49.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:02:26.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it has taken to ensure that blacklisting is not taking place on publicly funded infrastructure projects.","AnswerText":"We are not aware of any evidence to suggest that blacklisting is taking place on publicly funded infrastructure projects in Scotland.\r\nWe are totally opposed to blacklisting or the compiling of a blacklist and are developing guidance for public bodies on addressing the issue in future procurement processes and public contracts.\r\nWe are also considering what measures we can include in the forthcoming Procurement Reform Bill to deal with inappropriate conduct, such as blacklisting, by companies bidding for public contracts in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:49.897","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282764,"EventID":"S4O-01965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:50.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T11:19:01.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to directly promote, sustain and develop the unique culture of the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:50.21","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282765,"EventID":"S4O-01967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:50.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:02:43.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage more women to enter the computer games industry.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:50.6","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282766,"EventID":"S4O-01968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:50.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:02:43.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the call from the National Union of Journalists for a moratorium on job cuts at BBC Scotland and its decision to bring forward redundancies before the end of the financial year.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:50.927","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282767,"EventID":"S4O-01969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:51.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T11:35:28.25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote the use of new fairtrade products in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:51.287","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282768,"EventID":"S4O-01971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:51.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T16:35:49.74","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote film making in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:51.6","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282769,"EventID":"S4O-01972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:51.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:02:44.513","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Creative Scotland concerning film and television production.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:51.927","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282770,"EventID":"S4O-01973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:52.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:02:44.857","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for Book Week Scotland 2013, following the successful launch of Book Week Scotland in 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:52.253","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":282771,"EventID":"S4O-01974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:52.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T17:04:44.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to organisations that use drama to raise awareness of social issues.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:52.567","MeetingDate":"2013-03-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282772,"EventID":"S4O-01975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:52.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T11:51:50.913","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Fife and what matters were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:52.877","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282773,"EventID":"S4O-01976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:53.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T15:16:56.867","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the possible impact on jobs and communities, what its position is on banks closing agencies and branches throughout the country.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:53.207","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282774,"EventID":"S4O-01977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:53.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:03:02.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the continuing use of Neonicotinoids.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:53.517","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282775,"EventID":"S4O-01978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:53.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:45:39.41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the findings of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland's report, When parents are detained.    \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:53.847","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282776,"EventID":"S4O-01979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:54.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:03:02.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages supermarkets to stock local produce.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:54.173","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282777,"EventID":"S4O-01980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:54.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:03:02.857","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of its consultation on the Maintenance of Land on Private Housing Estates, which closed on the 11th June 2011.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:54.483","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282778,"EventID":"S4O-01981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:54.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:03:03.093","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will conduct a review of Health Improvement Scotland in light of reports that a fourth person has resigned from the organisation following the unpublished inspection into older people’s care at Ninewells Hospital.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:54.797","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282779,"EventID":"S4O-01982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:55.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:03:03.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met with CashBack partners and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:55.093","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282780,"EventID":"S4O-01983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:55.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:03:03.733","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances a local authority with a part share in a PPP/PFI project can purchase the shares of the other partners.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local authorities may invest money with the consent of Scottish Ministers, but do not generally hold shares in PPP/PFI projects. Under the Scottish Hub initiative a local authority, with other public sector partners and a developer, will collectively own a HubCo, which is a body set up to deliver new community infrastructure using the Design, Build, Finance and Maintain model. Participants may acquire or dispose of shareholdings in accordance with the specific rules governing HubCo arrangements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:55.42","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282781,"EventID":"S4O-01984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-20T15:23:55.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-18T12:03:03.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it last met representatives of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to discuss the future of Lightburn Hospital.","AnswerText":"Both ministers and government officials meet regularly with representatives of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to discuss matters of importance to local people.\r\nThe member has recently written to me about Lightburn Hospital and I have confirmed in response, that I am happy to meet with him.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-18T15:23:55.763","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282785,"EventID":"S4W-13876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T13:39:24.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T13:02:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government if there are any plans to extend the duration of the public inquiry into the Clostridium difficile outbreak at the Vale of Leven hospital.","AnswerText":"Lord MacLean, Chairman of the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry requested a further extension to the duration of the Inquiry which was due to report by 31 May 2013. Members will be aware that Lord MacLean has been unwell and, whilst the Inquiry Team have continued to make progress, Lord MacLean has requested extra time to allow him to fully engage in the work of the Inquiry.\r\nUnder these circumstances, I have agreed to a further extension and Lord MacLean will now endeavour to publish his final report in Autumn 2013. I have also requested that Lord MacLean update me in August 2013 with a specific date by which he will report and I will update Parliament at that time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T13:39:25.153","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282802,"EventID":"S4W-13843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:46.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T16:14:07.937","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact a partial ban on neonicotinoid pesticides would have on arable crops.\r\n","AnswerText":"The European Commission proposals will restrict from 1 December 2013, the use of three neonicotinoid insecticides (imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin) on crops with flowers attractive to bees.\r\nIn Scotland the main effect of this will be that farmers will not be able to purchase and grow winter and spring oilseed rape seeds treated with any of these three neonicotinoids.\r\nInstead farmers will need to apply foliar sprays of other insecticides to oilseed rape crops growing from untreated seeds. Foliar sprays are less efficient than seed treatments with neonicotinoids at controlling insect pests and so some crop damage by insect pests is likely.\r\nHowever, it is difficult to estimate the likely loss of crop yield because of insect pest damage, as the impact depends on how well a crop establishes and grows. In addition insect pests such as aphids transmit diseases such as turnip yellows virus which can further diminish the oilseed rape yield, perhaps by 15-25%.\r\nThe restrictions will not affect Scottish production of winter wheat and winter barley from neonicotinoid treated seed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:47.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282803,"EventID":"S4W-13844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:47.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T16:14:07.937","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it is carrying out on the (a) benefits and (b) risks to pollinators of the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.\r\n","AnswerText":"Together with other funders, the Scottish Government contributed £500,000 towards the Insect Pollinators Initiative (IPI).\r\nThe IPI supports nine research projects to help identify the main threats to bees and other insect pollinators and gain a better understanding of the complex relationships between biological and environmental factors which affect the health and lifespan of pollinators.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:47.753","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282804,"EventID":"S4W-13845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:48.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T16:14:07.937","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is of the size of the bee population.\r\n","AnswerText":"Currently there are 1,014 active Scottish beekeepers with 8,769 colonies registered on BeeBase. All beekeepers in Scotland are encouraged to sign-up to this database to enable effective communications throughout the country.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also aware of the difficulties facing beekeepers at this time and is consulting with their stakeholders on the way forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:48.533","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282805,"EventID":"S4W-13849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:49.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T16:39:42.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered introducing in Scotland the service pupil premium available to service families in England.","AnswerText":"There are currently no plans in Scotland to implement the pupil premium available to service families in England. The Scottish Government has a strong legislative and policy framework to address the wide ranging causes of educational disadvantage.\r\nThe principle of additional support needs which underpins the system for supporting children and young people in their school education in Scotland is much broader than the focus on special educational needs in place in England. The current legislation and updated Code of Practice supporting children's learning recognises that children or young people may require additional support, long or short term, for a variety of reasons including if they have experienced a bereavement, have interrupted learning (for example if their family is subject to regular moves).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:49.407","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282806,"EventID":"S4W-13850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:49.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T16:39:42.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Ministry of Defence support funding to state schools taking children of service personnel applies in Scotland.","AnswerText":"This fund is available across the UK.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:49.797","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282807,"EventID":"S4W-13851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:50.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T16:39:42.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the regulations on class size permit exemptions in relation to the admission of the children of service personnel.\r\n","AnswerText":"The regulations on class sizes, which relate to P1, P2 and P3 classes only, include “excepted pupils”’ provisions. The effect of these provisions is that in certain circumstances a child may be admitted to a class but not be counted within the total number of pupils in the class. Details of these provisions are set out in the Schedule to the Education (Lower Primary Class Sizes) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 which can be viewed at:\r\nhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/1080/schedule/made.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:50.157","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282808,"EventID":"S4W-13852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:50.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T16:39:42.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many communities in Scotland have signed up to the armed forces community covenant.\r\n","AnswerText":"Community covenants are in place across all 32 local authority areas in Scotland, the first in Glasgow on 2 November 2011 while the last was signed in Aberdeenshire on 28 February 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:50.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282809,"EventID":"S4W-13853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:50.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T16:39:42.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether communities signed up to the armed forces community covenant allow applications for schools from military personnel using a British Forces Post Office number as an address.\r\n","AnswerText":"Under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 local authorities have a duty to provide adequate and efficient provision of school education for all children residing in their local area. It is for local authorities to determine how they accommodate a request for a school place for a child of a Service family.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:50.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282810,"EventID":"S4W-13854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:51.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T16:39:42.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the UK Government scheme to provide education scholarships for the children of military personnel who have died in service applies in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Military Scholarships applies to all bereaved children across the UK (of personnel who have died in service) to enable them to complete further and higher education studies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:51.297","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282811,"EventID":"S4W-13855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:51.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T16:41:50.807","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to meet the guiding principle, Respect for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, set out in its document, Working with China.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to engaging with the Chinese Government on the issue of human rights as part of our overall engagement. Throughout the course of bilateral contact, Ministers and officials take the opportunity to raise human rights issues, where appropriate.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to share our experiences and values in our dealings with China across a number of sectors including business, education, culture and research. For example, there are opportunities to work together on climate change and its environmental, social and economic consequences.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:51.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282812,"EventID":"S4W-13858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:52.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T09:16:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what assessment it has made of the (a) impact on the work of and (b) possible additional costs to the Scottish Information Commissioner resulting from changes to EU data protection laws.\r\n","AnswerText":"EU data protection laws will impact on all Scottish organisations and guidance on this will issue from the UK Information Commissioner’s Office which has responsibility for data protection. The changes will only impact on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s regulatory function in relation to whether personal data is exempt under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. There will therefore be limited impact and the Scottish Information Commissioner has advised that there will be no additional costs to her office as a result of these changes. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:52.123","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Liam McArthur ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282813,"EventID":"S4W-13861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:52.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T10:44:19.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13054 by Derek Mackay on 5 March 2013, how many planning appeals in the (a) energy, (b) retail, (c) commercial property, (d) housing, (e) environmental waste management and (f) hotel, leisure and recreation sector ministers considered between May 1997 and May 2011 and with what outcome.","AnswerText":"Planning appeal decisions in the period May 1997 to May 2011 are set out by sector in the following table:\r\n\r\nNumber of appeal decisions\r\nNumber of appeals allowed\r\nEnergy\r\n99\r\n53\r\nRetail\r\n275\r\n133\r\nCommercial property\r\n665\r\n266\r\nHousing\r\n4240\r\n1175\r\nEnvironmental waste management\r\n55\r\n31\r\nHotel, leisure and recreation\r\n455\r\n212\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:52.513","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282814,"EventID":"S4W-13862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:52.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T10:44:19.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13054 by Derek Mackay on 5 March 2013, how many of the energy sector appeals were for wind applications greater than 50 MW and how many were for single turbine or other developments of less than 50 MW.\r\n","AnswerText":"There were no planning appeals for developments in excess of 50 megawatts. Any proposal to construct or operate a power generation scheme with a capacity in excess of 50 megawatts requires Scottish Ministers' consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, and is not the subject of a planning application. All appeals therefore related to developments of less than 50 megawatts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:52.933","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282815,"EventID":"S4W-13863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:53.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T10:44:19.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13054 by Derek Mackay on 5 March 2013, what estimates it has made of the impact on employment opportunities arising from these decisions and whether it considers that the planning appeals system encourages or discourages sustainable development and employment creation. \r\n","AnswerText":"Planning has an essential role to play in ensuring that we create the Scotland that we want, that we promote and strengthen our economy and build resilient communities. It should act as an enabler of sustainable development of the right type and in the right location. Decisions made by the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) play an important part in this process. When making decisions on planning appeals reporters from DPEA will consider the economic benefits of a proposal along with other material considerations. No estimates have been made of the employment opportunities arising from decisions made by DPEA.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:53.293","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282816,"EventID":"S4W-13864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:53.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T10:44:19.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13054 by Derek Mackay on 5 March 2013, what analysis  it has made of the contribution of the planning system to its (a) renewable energy generation and (b) economic growth targets. \r\n","AnswerText":"There is wide recognition that supportive national planning policies are making significant contributions to the achievement of renewable energy targets. National Planning Framework (NPF) 2, Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) and development plans fully support our renewables targets and support sustainable economic growth. Ways in which this support can be strengthened are matters we are considering as part of the NPF and SPP reviews.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:53.62","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282817,"EventID":"S4W-13865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:53.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T10:44:19.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13054 by Derek Mackay on 5 March 2013, what analysis it has made of the contribution of the planning system to the zero waste strategy and its target to divert waste from landfill.","AnswerText":"National Planning Framework 2, Scottish Planning Policy and development plans support Scotland’s Zero Waste Plan target of no more than 5% of waste going to landfill by 2025. Along with other policy drivers such as landfill tax, development management, decisions are securing new waste infrastructure to encourage reduction, recycling, reuse and the recovery of energy from waste that would otherwise be landfilled.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:53.917","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282818,"EventID":"S4W-13866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:54.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T10:44:19.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13054 by Derek Mackay on 5 March 2013, how much future waste it has calculated should be diverted from landfill to incineration in order to avoid EU penalty and in which local authority areas it is encouraging these modal shifts.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government met the 2013 EU Landfill Directive target two years early and is on track to meet the 2020 target. The Scottish Governments Zero Waste plan focuses on maximising the value of all material resources for our economy. This means seeking waste prevention, reuse and recycling opportunities ahead of incineration. \r\nTaking the Zero Waste plan 70% recycling target into consideration, the Scottish Government produces annual estimates of the operational shortfall in capacity to treat Scotland’s residual waste (waste that is not recycled). The current estimate indicates a shortfall of around 1.7 million tonnes. These figures are produced to help planning authorities and industry understand Scotland’s needs and investment opportunities. After the material is mechanical sorting to remove any possible recyclable material remaining, treatment options include the production of waste derived fuels for export to continental fuel markets, biological stabilisation of materials for use in land restoration and energy production (anaerobic digestion and combustion).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:54.447","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282819,"EventID":"S4W-13867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:54.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T10:44:19.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13054 by Derek Mackay on 5 March 2013, what contribution it expects energy from waste schemes to make to its (a) renewable energy, (b) zero waste and (c) sustainable development targets.","AnswerText":"In 2010, the Sustainable Development Commission reported that energy from waste could contribute around 3% of Scotland’s total heat and electricity demand. The study focused on the use of combustion and anaerobic digestion with biogas capture and the main technologies that could contribute to these outputs. It emphasised that the greatest output could be achieved if thermal output is used for heat, as this would be more than 80% efficient. Thermal only output could equate to around 6% of Scotland’s existing heat demand.\r\nThese opportunities need to be set against the Scottish Government’s policy of continually reducing Scotland’s residual waste and minimising the need for residual waste treatment through waste prevention, reuse and increased rates of recycling.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:54.867","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282820,"EventID":"S4W-13869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T14:08:55.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T13:16:39.947","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13239 by Fergus Ewing on 19 March 2013, what evidence it has to support the assertion that (a) the research carried out was fundamentally flawed and (b) modern turbines are more efficient.\r\n","AnswerText":"In our view, the fundamental flaw in the report is its contention that a 15 year old wind turbine can be described as “mature”. A turbine that has been operating for 15 years must clearly have been developed and installed at a time when the technology was still very much immature.\r\nThere is a wealth of information on the subject of wind turbine efficiency, available not only from the industry itself but also from credible independent commentators such as Bloomberg New Energy Finance (NEF). Analysis by Bloomberg NEF provides evidence that global capacity factors for onshore wind turbines have increased by 13 percentage points from a value of 21% in 1984 to 34% in 2011. Efficiency improvements such as better wind to power conversion especially at low wind speeds, better fluid dynamic modelling to inform device placement and more reliable machines have all contributed to the increased output from modern and thus genuinely mature devices.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T14:08:55.133","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282822,"EventID":"S4W-13856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T16:40:04.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T19:43:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13213 by John Swinney on 22 February 2013,  whether it will provide the salary level for each special adviser.\r\n","AnswerText":"Individual salary information is considered personal information and release would be considered a breach of data protection principles.\r\nThe current Special Adviser Pay Bands and Ranges and the number of Special Advisers within each Pay Band are:\r\nPay Band\r\nCurrent Pay Range\r\nNumber of Special Advisers\r\n1\r\n£39,445 –  £52,904\r\n6\r\n2\r\n£51,041 - £67,709\r\n3\r\n3\r\n£65,017 - £83,963\r\n4\r\n3 (premium)\r\n£83,549 - £100,942\r\n0\r\n4\r\n£86,965 - £104,462\r\n0\r\n\r\nAs stated in the previous answer, the estimated cost of employing Special Advisers for the financial year 2012-13 is £922,6781 – a real terms decrease of £60,389 from the 12-month cost of the 2006-07 Special Adviser team which, when up-rated to 2012-13 prices, cost £983,0672. Costs for 2013-14 are estimated to fall further to £912,956 in nominal terms (£895,0553 in 2012-13 prices) – a real terms decrease of £88,012 below 2006-07 levels.\r\nNotes: \r\n1. Total costs include salary, ERNIC and employer pension contributions. The level of the employer ERNIC and pension contributions is not a matter for the Scottish Government. Estimate based on current team of 13 Special Advisers being in post for the remainder of 2012-13. \r\n2. Salary, ERNIC, employer pension contributions and total costs figures have been converted into real terms (2012-13 prices) to adjust for inflation using HM Treasury deflators, published in December 2012. These were the latest available deflators at the time of calculation on 20 February 2013. It should be noted that the 2012-13 deflator is based on OBR forecast data from the UK Government Autumn Statement, December 2012. \r\n3. See 2 for details on uprating.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T16:40:04.303","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282823,"EventID":"S4W-13860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T16:40:04.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T10:31:17.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in each year since 2007, with no prior convictions in the previous 10 years, have been given alternatives to prosecution, broken down by alternative.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the following table. No information on non-court disposals is held for years before 2008-09.\r\nDisposals received by individuals with no previous court convictions in past 10 years,\r\n2008-09 to 2011-12\r\nDisposal types\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nPolice Disposals\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nAnti-social behaviour Fixed Penalty Notice\r\n23,999\r\n29,461\r\n25,758\r\n24,798\r\nPolice Formal Adult Warning\r\n5,240\r\n5,827\r\n5,283\r\n5,802\r\nPolice Restorative Justice\r\n2,299\r\n2,171\r\n1,658\r\n942\r\nOther Police Warning\r\n70\r\n84\r\n212\r\n2,021\r\nWarning Letter (police/children's report)\r\n2,460\r\n2,032\r\n1,897\r\n1,707\r\nCOPFS Disposal\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nFiscal Fine\r\n14,299\r\n13,936\r\n13,977\r\n16,322\r\nFiscal Fixed Penalty Notice (Road Traffic Offences)\r\n12,353\r\n12,443\r\n13,302\r\n13,858\r\nFiscal Combined Fine and Compensation\r\n507\r\n766\r\n836\r\n1,043\r\nFiscal Compensation\r\n1,014\r\n1,088\r\n1,015\r\n639\r\nFiscal Fixed Penalties (Pre-SJR codes)\r\n1,541\r\n214\r\n57\r\n25\r\n1. People who are given more than one disposal in a single financial year will appear on more than one row but will be counted in each disposal once.  For example, a person who receives three non-court disposals in 2011-12, two of which are Anti-social Behaviour Fixed Penalty Notices (ASBFPN) and one Police Formal Adult Warning will appear once in the row for ASBFPN and once in Police Formal Adult Warnings.\r\n2. Information on the number of people with no previous convictions marked for social work diversion has not been included as the information cannot be extracted from the database.\r\n3. Number of pre-Summary Justice Reform procurator fiscal fixed penalty codes. It is known that this category contains both fiscal fines and fixed penalties, however it is not possible to separate the numbers of each.\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T16:40:04.63","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282824,"EventID":"S4W-13868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T16:40:04.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T11:05:13.397","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13580 by Nicola Sturgeon on 18 March 2013, in which paragraph of the Fiscal Commission Working Group’s report the \"detailed analysis\" is.\r\n","AnswerText":"The latest Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland report confirms that spending on social protection in Scotland, which includes pension expenditure, accounts for 38% of tax revenue, compared to 42% in the UK as a whole.\r\nIn chapter four of the Fiscal Commission Working Group (FCWG) report is an examination of the demographic pressures that Scotland and the rest of the UK both face. Chapter eight provides detail of Scotland’s fiscal performance and discusses the potential impact of long term demographic patterns in relation to public finances.\r\nAs highlighted in the FCWG report, an independent Scotland would have flexibility to respond to such long term challenges with policies designed to best target the needs of the Scottish economy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T16:40:04.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282825,"EventID":"S4W-13872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T16:40:05.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T12:14:12.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve protection from assault for shopworkers.","AnswerText":"Everyone should have protection under criminal law and that is why the Scottish common law of assault provides legal protections to everyone, including public facing workers, as they go about their daily lives. Anyone committing an assault (including those on public facing workers) can be dealt with by prosecutors and the courts using the full force of the law. The maximum penalty for common law assault is up to life imprisonment.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also working to reduce the underlying causes of violence and assault. We have been working with the Violence Reduction Unit since 2008 and continue to invest in initiatives such as No Knives Better Lives, Medics Against Violence and Mentors in Violence Prevention.\r\nWe fund the Scottish Business Crime Centre and are working in partnership with them to raise awareness through the creation and distribution of the Violence Reduction Handbook. The Scottish Government also funds the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives. The centre provides a wide range of advice on workplace health, safety and wellbeing which is accessible free of charge to employers and employees.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T16:40:05.193","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282826,"EventID":"S4W-13874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-21T16:40:05.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T12:14:12.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hours per week on average convicted prisoners are held in lockdown in their cells, also broken down by prison.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The standard regime in Scottish prisons is for prisoners to be locked in their cells on a Monday to Friday basis from 9pm to 7am and at the weekends from 6pm to 8am. During the day, dependent on each prisons daily routine, prisoners may be locked in their cells for up to one hour during patrol periods, where the residential staff group are on an authorised meal break.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-19T16:40:05.88","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282841,"EventID":"S4W-13840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:36.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T14:59:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in the event that the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill is enacted, whether it considers that criminal courts should take account of the possible loss of the right to vote in the referendum when sentencing and, if so, how it will ensure that they do.","AnswerText":"The independence of the judiciary is essential to the rule of law and a fundamental guarantee of a fair trial in any modern civilised country. That is why section 1 of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008 provides that Scottish Ministers must not seek to influence judicial decisions. Judges are best placed to decide on an appropriate sentence for each offender before them as they hear all the facts and circumstances of individual cases. Judges will then make their sentencing decisions taking into account all relevant matters and within the overall legal framework provided by Parliament.\r\nSubject to the Scottish Parliament’s approval of the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill, a judge passing a custodial sentence on an individual in the run-up to the referendum will do so in the full knowledge of the implication that the person will not get the chance to vote in the referendum. That is one of the many factors judges will take into account in reaching their view about a sentence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:36.29","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282842,"EventID":"S4W-13877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:36.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T16:08:40.53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which stakeholders have been engaged as implementing partners following the Review of Higher Education Governance in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Committee of Scottish Chairs is developing a Code of Good Governance for higher education institutions.\r\nThe Scottish Funding Council is convening a University Sector Advisory Forum with a membership covering the broad range of stakeholder interests across the sector, including staff, unions and student representatives. A key initial focus of the advisory forum will be the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Review of Higher Education Governance in Scotland.\r\nEarly discussions have also been held with the Scottish Funding Council in relation to the recommendation regarding avoiding the bureaucratisation of higher education.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:36.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282843,"EventID":"S4W-13878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:37.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T16:08:40.53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which recommendations from the Review of Higher Education Governance in Scotland will be (a) taken forward by (i) stakeholders as implementing partners and (ii) the sector itself, (b) have been included in the Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill and (c) will be included in future legislation.","AnswerText":"In terms of recommendations being taken forward by stakeholders as implementing partners, the Committee of Scottish Chairs is developing the Code of Good Governance for higher education institutions and has set up a steering group to draft the code, which will then be subject to consultation.\r\nEarly discussions have been held with the Scottish Funding Council in relation to the recommendation regarding avoiding the bureaucratisation of higher education. \r\nThe Scottish Funding Council is also convening a University Sector Advisory Forum with a membership covering the broad range of interests across the sector, including staff and student representatives. An initial focus of the Forum will be the implementation of the Review recommendations and the new Governance code. This is a key part of our plans to engage the sector in the process of implementing the review proposals by agreement and to reflect existing good practice.\r\nThe Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill introduces a provision for higher education institutions to comply with the principles of good governance. The scope of future legislation will be determined by the extent to which the Von Prondzynski recommendations are implemented by key sector stakeholders and by the sector itself.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:37.507","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282844,"EventID":"S4W-13881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:37.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T16:08:40.53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress the Scottish Funding Council has made on establishing an advisory forum as recommended by the Review of Higher Education Governance in Scotland and who the members of the forum are.\r\n","AnswerText":"The advisory forum is being convened on behalf of the Scottish Government by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). The SFC has issued draft terms of reference and membership invitations to a broad range of stakeholder interests across the sector, including staff, unions and student representatives. The aim is to hold the first meeting of the advisory forum in May or June this year, subject to the availability of forum members.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:37.927","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282845,"EventID":"S4W-13882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:38.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T16:08:40.53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on implementing the recommendation of the Review of Higher Education Governance in Scotland on (a) the role of the Privy Council, (b) academic freedom and institutional autonomy, (c) the role of governance, (d) the appointment and role of principals, (e) remuneration of principals and senior management, (f) the role, composition and appointment of governing bodies, (g) membership of governing bodies, (h) the composition of the academic board and appointment of members, (i) whistleblowing and (j) avoiding bureaucratisation.\r\n","AnswerText":"We expect the majority of these recommendations to be covered in the new Code of Good Governance currently being developed by the Committee of Scottish Chairs.\r\nIn addition, an initial focus of the University Sector Advisory Forum, being set up by the Scottish Funding Council, is to consider the implementation of the Review recommendations, providing the opportunity for sector stakeholders to engage in the process of implementing proposals by agreement and to reflect existing good practice.\r\nThe role of the Privy Council is a consideration for future legislation, the scope of which will be determined by the range of recommendations that are implemented by key sector stakeholders and by the sector itself.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:38.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282846,"EventID":"S4W-13884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:38.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T16:08:40.53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress the Scottish Funding Council has made on investigating how the principles of the Hutton Review of Fair Pay in the Public Sector are being or should be applied to universities in Scotland.","AnswerText":"We expect this recommendation to be addressed in the new Code of Good Governance currently being developed by Committee of Scottish Chairs. Discussions will be held with the Scottish Funding Council after the new Code is published to ensure this recommendation is appropriately addressed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:38.677","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282847,"EventID":"S4W-13885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:38.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T16:08:40.53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress (a) it, (b) the Scottish Funding Council and (c) other stakeholders has/have made on implementing the recommendations from the Review of Higher Education Governance in Scotland that governors should be fully briefed and trained and that each governing body should be required to report annually on the details of training available to and availed of by governors.\r\n","AnswerText":"We expect this recommendation to be addressed in the new Code of Good Governance currently being developed by the Committee of Scottish Chairs. Discussions will be held with the Scottish Funding Council after the new Code is published to ensure this recommendation is appropriately addressed and that annual reporting is introduced.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:39.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282848,"EventID":"S4W-13886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:39.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T16:08:40.53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what instructions it has given to the Scottish Funding Council and what progress has been made on establishing a Scottish centre for higher education research.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have had initial discussions with the Scottish Funding Council on this recommendation and intend to discuss it further with the broad stakeholder interests in the new University Sector Advisory Forum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:39.3","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282849,"EventID":"S4W-13887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:39.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T17:17:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13559 by Fergus Ewing on 20 March 2013, what net jobs assessment was made for each project receiving support from the Renewable Energy Infrastructure Fund.","AnswerText":"Applications are considered on a project by project basis and net jobs are an important factor in the socio assessment made for each project. A proportionate and appropriate assessment is undertaken for each project \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:39.61","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282850,"EventID":"S4W-13888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:40","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T17:17:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13555 by Fergus Ewing on 20 March 2013, what the result was of the economic assessment for each project supported.","AnswerText":"Applications are assessed for their additional socio economic impact through consideration of the scale and nature of the benefits, the extent to which these benefits are additional, the supply chain benefits, the concentration of benefits with Scottish businesses and people and the effect on existing economic activity.\r\nOver the decade to 2020, renewables in Scotland could provide up to 40,000 jobs and £30 billion investment to the Scottish economy. Renewable Energy Investment Fund investment will support the creation of that economic benefit to Scotland \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:40.017","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282851,"EventID":"S4W-13889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:40.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T17:17:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13554 by Fergus Ewing on 20 March 2013, whether it will name the three projects given support and state the amount of private sector investment leveraged into each.","AnswerText":"Details of investments by the Renewable Energy Investment Fund will be announced following financial closure and in accordance with the individual legal and commercial agreements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:40.407","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282852,"EventID":"S4W-13890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:40.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T17:17:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13547 by Fergus Ewing on 20 March 2013, whether it will publish the assessed economic impact for each project supported by the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund.","AnswerText":"The Economic Impact Assessment for each of the approved projects is held by either Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise, with provision made for the protection of commercially sensitive information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:40.767","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282853,"EventID":"S4W-13891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:41.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T17:17:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-13550 and S4W-12998 by Fergus Ewing on 20 and 5 March 2013 respectively, whether it will publish the funding packages and name the \"other ports\".\r\n","AnswerText":"The \"other ports\" being referred to in the response to S4W-12998 were Westway, Inchgreen and Hunterston. Details of the funding package and private sector investment leveraged have previously been provided in response to question S4W-13548 on 9 April 2013.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:41.217","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282854,"EventID":"S4W-13892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:41.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T17:17:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13549 by Fergus Ewing on 20 March 2013, what private sector investment was leveraged into each of the projects.\r\n","AnswerText":"The private sector investment leveraged into each project has been provided in my earlier response to question S4W-13548 on 9 April 2013.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:41.64","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282855,"EventID":"S4W-13893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:42.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T16:24:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in how many cases of death or injury resulting from an alcohol-related road traffic accident the driver had a blood alcohol content of between 50 and 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"This data is not currently collected by the Scottish Government.\r\nEstimates of the number of lives that could be saved by reducing the drink drive limit were published in the Scottish Government’s Reducing the Drink Driving Limit in Scotland consultation document which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/09/3556. In 2010, the independent North Review Committee, estimated that a reduction in the limit from 80 mg/100 ml to 50 mg/100 ml would save a number of lives across the UK. Applying these estimates to Scotland it is estimated that between 3 and 17 Scottish lives each year might be saved through a lower limit.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:42.123","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282856,"EventID":"S4W-13894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:42.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-22T11:26:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its officials attend the Crofting Commission board meetings in any capacity and, if so, on what dates they have done so in (a) 2012 and (b) 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials attended the Crofting Commission board meetings on 3 April 2012, 17 May 2012 and 2 November 2012 in an advisory sponsorship capacity; on 6 September 2012 to inform the Crofting Commission on crofting grant schemes administered by the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division; and on 6 March 2013 to discuss the issue of decrofting by owner-occupier crofters and other general sponsorship issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:42.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282857,"EventID":"S4W-13895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:43.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-22T12:50:47.093","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a ban on the use of neonicotinoid products.\r\n","AnswerText":"Following the meeting of the EU Appeal Committee on 29 April 2013, we expect that the European Commission will formally adopt restrictions on the use of neonicotinoids which will take effect on 1 December 2013, and which the Scottish Government will implement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:43.027","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282858,"EventID":"S4W-13896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:43.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-22T12:50:47.093","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to encourage the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to support the European Commission's proposed ban on neonicotinoid products.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13895 on 13 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:43.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282859,"EventID":"S4W-13897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:44.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-22T12:51:39.827","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of each helpline it supports that is operated by a private company, showing for each the operating company; the average time spent (a) on hold and (b) per call, and the average cost of a call from a (i) landline and (ii) mobile telephone.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government Central Enquiry line which provides the first point of contact to the public is operated internally. Other information requested for private companies operating any helplines supported by the Scottish Government is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:44.09","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282860,"EventID":"S4W-13898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:44.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-22T12:59:55.363","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of Scotland is covered by high-definition weather radar; how the coverage in rural areas compares with the rest of the country, and whether it is increasing the coverage in rural areas to assist in flood prevention measures.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Met Office’s UK weather radar network consists of 15 operational weather radars, including four in Scotland. This network provides real-time information to help monitor and forecast heavy rainfall, supplemented by additional data exchange with the Irish Met Service and the Jersey Met Service. \r\nAlthough the data is also used by Government and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), including support to the Scottish Flood Forecasting Service, its principal purpose is for the Public Weather Service. In mountainous areas, the effective range of weather radar is impacted by the terrain. Therefore whilst increasing the number of radars in Scotland will deliver improvements, these would be on a more localised scale in terms of resolution and quality.\r\nIn their Flood Warning Strategy 2012-2016, SEPA has committed to review the current weather radar network and its suitability for flood warning provision and make recommendations for improvements (including new and temporary installations).\r\nAll of the existing radar systems in the UK network are currently being replaced with state of the art technology in order to improve accuracy of rainfall estimates which will assist in weather forecasting and also flood forecasting and warning. The project is due for completion by autumn 2014. The Scottish Government has no specific plans to enhance coverage in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:44.463","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282861,"EventID":"S4W-13900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:44.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-22T13:54:36.913","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consult on each of the proposed marine protected areas in summer 2013 and whether it considers that the list constitutes an ecologically coherent network.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following answer was corrected on 8 April 2013.\r\nThe Report to Parliament on progress on identifying an MPA network was laid in Parliament on 14 December 2012, and was accompanied by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s (JNCC) detailed scientific network advice. \r\nBoth of these documents, which can be found already on the Marine Scotland website, provide information on:\r\nThe contribution and role of Marine Scotland, SNH and the JNCC in identifying the current MPA proposals;\r\nHow a science-based approach has been used to identify sites for an ecologically coherent network of MPAs. This included work by the SNH and JNCC to identify locations that contained MPA search features and which were considered to be least damaged and more natural locations which in part relied upon information on economic uses of our seas and, the extent to which the SNH and JNCC, as the Scottish Government’s scientific advisers, consider the list of MPA proposals and search locations to constitute an ecologically coherent network. \r\nStakeholders have been involved in every step of the process, since the Marine (Scotland) Act included provision for developing MPAs in 2010, and will continue to be engaged throughout the development of the MPA network. This engagement has ranged from five national workshops (details of which can be found on the Marine Scotland website), regular sectoral bilaterals, ad hoc meetings, through to group meetings, such as the Marine Strategy Forum or Regional Advisory Councils. \r\nThe SNH and JNCC advised on 14 December 2012 that 33 of the MPA search locations be progressed to MPA proposals and reported upon (details of which can be found on the Marine Scotland website). Since then Marine Scotland has had a combination of 15 meetings, visits and bilaterals with regional, national and international stakeholders. \r\nIt has not yet been decided if the summer 2013 consultation will propose the designation of all 33 MPA proposals. Information is still being collected to enable Scottish Ministers to decide whether each of the 33 MPA proposals that were reported on in December 2012 will be consulted upon in summer 2013.\r\nLinks to all of the Scottish Government and Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCB) reports on MPAs, MPA workshop reports, as well as an MPA newsletter to update stakeholders and the public and other useful information, are publically available on the MPA section of the Marine Scotland website:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-environment/mpanetwork.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:44.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282862,"EventID":"S4W-13902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:45.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-22T13:54:36.913","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings of marine stakeholders have been held to discuss the proposed list of marine protected areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13900 on 4 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:45.197","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282863,"EventID":"S4W-13903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:45.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-22T13:54:36.913","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether stakeholders have been included in discussions about the consultation of proposed marine protected areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13900 on 4 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:45.57","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282864,"EventID":"S4W-13904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:45.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-22T13:54:36.913","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how (a) science-based and (b) non-science-based evidence has been used to identify sites for an ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13900 on 4 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:45.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282865,"EventID":"S4W-13906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-22T14:45:46.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-22T13:54:36.913","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contribution (a) Marine Scotland, (b) Scottish Natural Heritage and (c) the Joint Nature Conservation Committee made to the list of proposed marine protected areas.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13900 on 4 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-22T14:45:46.333","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282868,"EventID":"S4W-13802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T13:51:22.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:23:55.51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many inspectors at the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate have regulation of care qualifications.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Regulation of Care Award is a qualification required by inspectors regulating social care services. Inspectors working in the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate are required to hold appropriate qualifications, but the Regulation of Care Award is not a requirement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T13:51:22.577","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282869,"EventID":"S4W-13803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T13:51:23.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:23:55.51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many vacancies have arisen in the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate in each of the last 12 months and whether they were advertised externally.","AnswerText":"Since 1st April 2012, Healthcare Improvement Scotland has advertised 14 roles within the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate on Permanent, Fixed Term and Secondment terms. The 14 roles were advertised via eight separate recruitment campaigns throughout the year, three of which were advertised internally and five which were advertised internally and externally at the same time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T13:51:23.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282870,"EventID":"S4W-13804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T13:51:23.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:23:55.51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Healthcare Environment Inspectorate reports have been subject to amendment prior to publication.\r\n","AnswerText":"A key function of any inspection report is to give public assurance on the quality of care provided. The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate has a robust quality assurance process to ensure reports are accurate; therefore all reports will be subject to amendment during that quality assurance process to ensure the final published report is factually accurate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T13:51:23.903","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282871,"EventID":"S4W-13805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T13:51:24.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:23:55.51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what power it has under the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 to direct Healthcare Improvement Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"These details can be found in Part 6 Health Care: Scrutiny and Improvement of the Public Services Reform Act 2010, a link to which is as follows:\r\nhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2010/8/contents \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T13:51:24.433","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282872,"EventID":"S4W-13806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T13:51:25.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:23:55.51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that there is a conflict of interest for an employee of a public body such as Healthcare Improvement Scotland to have a family member on its board.","AnswerText":"All members of NHS boards are expected to carry out their responsibilities in line with the board member’s Code of Conduct surrounding any potential conflicts of interest and any conflict of interests would be recorded on the Register of Interests. Further details on these can be found on the Healthcare Improvement Scotland website via the following link:\r\nhttp://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/about_us/our_board.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T13:51:25.057","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282873,"EventID":"S4W-13807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T13:51:25.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:23:55.51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate should be independent of government.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate, which has been part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland since 2011, is independent of the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T13:51:25.573","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282874,"EventID":"S4W-13808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T13:51:26.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-19T13:23:55.51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it decided to appoint Dr Frances Elliot to its Directorate for Chief Medical Officer and Public Health.\r\n","AnswerText":"Following initial discussions in late 2012 and early 2013 about the need to strengthen national senior clinical capacity within Scottish Government to drive the priority agenda around Health and Social Care Integration, unscheduled care, primary care and improving services for people with multiple and long term conditions, it was agreed that additional senior medical capacity was required to support the Chief Medical Officer with specific expertise and national recognition in these areas. Dr Frances Elliot was identified in mid-January 2013 as having this unique set of appropriate skills and experiences.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T13:51:26.103","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282875,"EventID":"S4W-13907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T13:51:26.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-22T16:03:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made since January 2013 on establishing a welfare reform mitigation fund for advice services and how it will ensure that the fund provides support for client groups with particular needs.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has announced £7.9 million of funding for advice services to deal with the impact of welfare reform.\r\nOn 25 April 2013 it was announced that the Scottish Legal Aid Board would distribute £5.1 million of Scottish Government funding as part of a single programme also incorporating £2.35 million funding from the Money Advice Service. The Scottish Government funded elements of this programme are expected to open for applications on 13 May 2013, when full details of the criteria will be published.\r\nIn addition, we have allocated £2.5 million to Citizens Advice Scotland up to March 2015 and have invested £300,000 in a number of other projects in 2012-13.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T13:51:26.633","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282876,"EventID":"S4W-13909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T13:51:27.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T10:37:00.74","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines it has issued on generic prescribing.\r\n","AnswerText":"The long standing advice from the Scottish Government, and the Scottish Executive before it, is that generic drugs should be prescribed wherever clinically appropriate. Generic prescribing is supported by the medical profession.\r\nAt health board level, generic prescribing is promoted by Prescribing Advisers through a range of initiatives to improve cost-effective prescribing. In recent years, the focus has been to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of all prescribing through the work of the NHSScotland Efficiency and Productivity Programme national Prescribing Workstream.\r\nThe Prescribing Workstream has been working with NHS boards on initiatives such as compliance with twelve National Therapeutic Indicators and the use of local Joint Formularies to promote and monitor performance on quality and cost-effective prescribing. Further information and guidance on the National Therapeutic Indicators can be found at http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/pca/PCA2012(M)08.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T13:51:27.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282877,"EventID":"S4W-13910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T13:51:27.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T10:37:00.74","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prescribing support staff are employed by each NHS board and how much each board has spent on employing such staff in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T13:51:27.46","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282878,"EventID":"S4W-13911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T13:51:27.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T10:37:00.74","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money the NHS has saved in each of the last five years through generic prescribing.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.\r\nDue to the complexities of prescribing it is not possible to accurately determine the amount of savings generated from generic prescribing alone. Generic drugs overall are much less expensive to the NHS than branded drugs and savings arise through prescribing generic drugs (as opposed to branded drugs) and from branded drugs coming off patent.\r\nThe latest annual prescribing statistics show that there has been an increase in generic prescribing from 77.1% in 2002-03 to 82.7% in 2011-12. The percentage of generic prescribing has remained constant at around 82% since 2007-08. Further information on the latest generic prescribing statistics can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Prescribing-and-Medicines/Publications/2012-12-18/2012-12-18-PrescribingGeneral-Summary.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T13:51:27.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282879,"EventID":"S4W-13912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T13:51:28.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T11:12:39.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that changes proposed in the ownership or management of the national forest estate in England will have implications for Scotland.","AnswerText":"In its policy statement on forestry and woodlands, published in January, Defra said that it plans to establish a new, operationally-independent management body for the public forest estate in England. While these do not have direct impacts on delivery of the Scottish Government’s forestry policy, there may be some administrative and indirect impacts arising from the delays in England. While we are keeping in close touch with developments south of the border, it is still too early to say how the changes in England will affect the Forestry Commission as a whole (including the common services provided from Edinburgh). Forestry Commission Scotland will continue to look for opportunities to work with other parts of the Commission, where this represents the most efficient and effective means of delivery.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T13:51:28.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282890,"EventID":"S4T-00296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T12:27:21.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T07:13:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to assist people without power in Arran, Kintyre and elsewhere following the recent severe weather.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T12:27:21.883","MeetingDate":"2013-03-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282891,"EventID":"S4T-00299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T12:27:23.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T11:04:15.5","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the audit of college waiting lists.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T12:27:23.867","MeetingDate":"2013-03-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282892,"EventID":"S4F-01283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T12:28:41.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-21T13:38:16.58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T12:28:41.763","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282893,"EventID":"S4F-01285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T12:28:42.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T10:17:26.84","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T12:28:42.373","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282894,"EventID":"S4F-01286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T12:28:42.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T10:26:03.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on reports that junior doctors are regularly working up to 100 hours per week.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T12:28:42.81","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282895,"EventID":"S4F-01288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T12:28:43.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T10:43:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what recent analysis the Scottish Government has carried out of the impact of the UK Government's welfare reforms on the people of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T12:28:43.73","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282896,"EventID":"S4F-01293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T12:28:45.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T11:07:31.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T12:28:45.43","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282897,"EventID":"S4F-01295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-25T12:28:46.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T11:33:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what impact Police Scotland will have on policing in communities.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-23T12:28:46.023","MeetingDate":"2013-03-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282904,"EventID":"S4W-13929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T11:03:01.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T10:57:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when its new tobacco control strategy will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s new Tobacco Control Strategy, Creating a Tobacco-free Generation, is being published on 27 March 2013. The strategy sets out a five year plan for action across the key themes of health inequalities, prevention, protection and cessation. In addition, following a UK-wide consultation, the strategy also announces the Scottish Government’s support for the introduction of the standardised packaging of tobacco products.\r\nThe strategy will be available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/tobacco.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T11:03:02.13","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282927,"EventID":"S4W-13924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:51.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T14:35:22.333","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Deputy First Minister’s reported assertion that welfare spending in Scotland will be reduced by £4.5 billion was calculated.","AnswerText":"The methodology applied to the examination of the reduction to the Scottish welfare bill over the five years to 2014-15 is set out in the report UK Government cuts to welfare expenditure in Scotland which is available at;\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0041/00417011.pdf. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:52.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282928,"EventID":"S4W-13925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:52.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T18:44:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many apprenticeships have been created in the Stirling constituency in each of the last three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the chief executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:52.877","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282929,"EventID":"S4W-13926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:53.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T10:18:29.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scottish Public Finance Manual stating that “aggressive tax management in the public sector would be inconsistent with attempts to discourage tax avoidance and evasion in the private sector.  Public sector organisations should therefore, as a general rule, avoid tax management arrangements that have the primary objective of reducing tax liabilities”, what guidance it provides to public bodies considering offering contracts to companies that use tax avoidance schemes.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2012 permits public bodies to exclude bidders who have a relevant criminal conviction or have failed to fulfil obligations relating to the payment of taxes.\r\nCompanies are asked to disclose this information when completing the Scottish Government’s standard Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (SPQQ) which is available for use across the public sector. If the bidding company has not fulfilled its tax obligations, it will be asked to demonstrate any remedial action taken and any information provided by the company may be taken into account by the public body when deciding whether to exclude that company from the bidding process. The SPQQ makes clear that failure to disclose the relevant information or serious misrepresentation in relation to the information disclosed will result in exclusion from the procurement process or the termination of any subsequent contract.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:53.22","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282930,"EventID":"S4W-13927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:53.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T10:18:29.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on companies benefiting from public contracts when they are subject to legal action regarding the use of tax avoidance schemes.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2012 requires public bodies to exclude a company from bidding where it has been convicted of one of the criminal offences laid out in the Regulations. The Regulations also permit exclusion, where it is reasonable and proportionate to do so, if a company meets any of the specified criteria set out in the legislation. One such criterion is where a company has not fulfilled its obligations relating to the payment of taxes.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s standard Pre-Qualification Questionnaire requires companies bidding for public contracts to disclose if they have failed to comply with their statutory obligations relating to the payment of taxes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:53.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282931,"EventID":"S4W-13928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:53.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T10:51:35.57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proposals were submitted for national development status in the National Planning Framework 3.","AnswerText":"The proposals will be published on the Scottish Government’s website, alongside the National Planning Framework 3 Main Issues Report.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:53.89","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282932,"EventID":"S4W-13930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:54.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government from which countries it consulted regulators and governments in preparing its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland, and whether it will publish any evidence received.\r\n","AnswerText":"We consulted regulators and governments in the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Australia. The evidence gathered from these consultations underpins the work of the published paper.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:54.217","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282933,"EventID":"S4W-13931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:54.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which UK regulators it consulted in preparing its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland and whether it will publish any evidence received.\r\n","AnswerText":"We consulted Ofgem, Ofcom, the Office of the Rail Regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Office of Fair Trading and the Competition Commission. We also consulted the Scottish Regulator WICS. The evidence from these consultations underpins the work of the published paper.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:54.513","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282934,"EventID":"S4W-13932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:54.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which companies operating in Scotland and regulated by a UK-wide regulator it consulted in preparing its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland, and whether it will publish any evidence received.\r\n","AnswerText":"We did not consult with individual companies. However, we met with representatives from the Federation of Small Businesses, and the Confederation of British Industry. Any evidence received underpinned the published paper.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:54.793","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282935,"EventID":"S4W-13933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:55.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which parcel delivery companies it consulted in preparing its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland; what evidence it received, and what views were expressed about the ability of a separate Scottish regulator to reduce delivery charges in the Highland and Islands.\r\n","AnswerText":"Consultations with parcel delivery companies did not take place prior to the publication of the paper. However, work on combined economic regulation is on-going, and this will include engagement with key stakeholders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:55.077","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282936,"EventID":"S4W-13934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:55.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which countries it assessed for inclusion in Figure A2 of its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland, and how it selected those that were published.\r\n","AnswerText":"A range of countries were considered for comparison in figure A2, based on population size and the country’s chosen model of economic and competition regulation. Full details are set out in Annex A of the report. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:55.34","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282937,"EventID":"S4W-13935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:55.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the (a) operating expenditure and (b) staff numbers of regulators in countries not included in Figure A2 of its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"We gathered information on staffing numbers and operating expenditure for regulators in the countries we included in figure A2 of the report. We do not have this information for regulators in countries that were not included.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:55.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282938,"EventID":"S4W-13937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:55.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which \"regulatory experts across the UK\" it consulted in preparing its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland, as noted on page 8 of the report.\r\n","AnswerText":"We consulted Ofgem, Ofcom, the Office of the Rail Regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Office of Fair Trading, the Competition Commission, and the Scottish Regulator WICS. We also consulted  Ewan Sutherland, a telecoms consultant, and Gordon Downie, head of Energy and Natural Resources at Shepherd and Wedderburn.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:55.963","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282939,"EventID":"S4W-13938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:56.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which regulatory contacts in (a) the Netherlands, (b) Australia and (c) New Zealand it consulted in preparing its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland, as noted on page 8 of the report.\r\n","AnswerText":"We consulted with (a) The Netherlands Competition Authority (b) the New Zealand Commerce Commission and (c) the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:56.247","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282940,"EventID":"S4W-13939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:56.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in preparing its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland, what discussions it had with the (a) Civil Aviation Authority and (b) New Zealand Commerce Commission.\r\n","AnswerText":"We spoke with the Civil Aviation Authority on 7 January 2013, and the New Zealand Commerce Comission on 22 January 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:56.527","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282941,"EventID":"S4W-13941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:56.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will conclude the further work on health and safety regulation discussed on page 10 of its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish a range of material to inform the choice that the people of Scotland will make in September 2014, including a White Paper in the autumn of this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:56.807","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282942,"EventID":"S4W-13942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:57.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will conclude the further work to identify the best option for the function of competition appeals discussed on page 11 of its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish a range of material to inform the choice that the people of Scotland will make in September 2014, including a White Paper in the autumn of this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:57.087","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282943,"EventID":"S4W-13943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:57.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the dialogue with the governments and regulators of Australia and New Zealand referred to on page 12 of its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"The dialogue from these consultations underpins the work of the published paper.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:57.37","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282944,"EventID":"S4W-13944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:57.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in preparing its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland, what discussions it had with the Chair Designate of the UK’s new Competition and Markets Authority on the issues of regulation.\r\n","AnswerText":"None.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:57.65","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282945,"EventID":"S4W-13945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:57.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown by regulator of the around 150 staff based in Scotland, referred to on page 17 of its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is available from the relevant regulatory bodies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:57.977","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282946,"EventID":"S4W-13946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:58.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for the further stages of the work on economic regulation and competition discussed on page 18 of its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"Work on economic and competition regulation is ongoing, including continued engagement with key stakeholders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:58.257","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282947,"EventID":"S4W-13947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:58.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in preparing its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland, with what countries it had discussions, as noted on page 18 of the report.\r\n","AnswerText":"We consulted The Netherlands, New Zealand, and Australia.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:58.553","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282948,"EventID":"S4W-13948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:58.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out the calculation referred to in the footnote on page 24 of its report, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland, showing which numbers from Figure A2 were used.","AnswerText":"The calculation referred to in the footnote on page 24 draws from the figures on operating expenditure per head included in Figure A2 on page 20.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:58.867","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282949,"EventID":"S4W-13949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:59.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the figures used in its report, UK Government cuts to welfare expenditure in Scotland, have been reviewed and verified by the Expert Working Group on Welfare and Constitutional Reform.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Expert Working Group on Welfare operates independently of the Scottish Government, and in fulfilling its remit makes its own decisions about which aspects of the Scottish Government’s calculations it will comment on in its final report. It will report to Ministers in May.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:59.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282950,"EventID":"S4W-13950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:59.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the report, UK Government cuts to welfare expenditure in Scotland, whether the Expert Working Group on Welfare and Constitutional Reform will report earlier than planned.\r\n","AnswerText":"Nicola Sturgeon:I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13949 on 22 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:59.473","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282951,"EventID":"S4W-13951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:57:59.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Expert Working Group on Welfare and Constitutional Reform will use the figures published in the report, UK Government cuts to welfare expenditure in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13949 on 22 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:57:59.787","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282952,"EventID":"S4W-13952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T13:58:00.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T11:17:49.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will finalise its funding provision for recruitment incentives for young people.","AnswerText":"The funding provision for recruitment incentives for young people for 2013-2014 has been finalised as follows:\r\nYouth Employment Scotland - £25 million (SG £15 million, ESF £10 million)\r\nTargeted Employer Recruitment Incentive - £690,000\r\nCommonwealth Games Legacy Employer Recruitment Incentive - £750,000.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T13:58:00.067","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282966,"EventID":"S4W-13857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:23.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-20T09:09:37.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13438 by Keith Brown on 18 March 2013, where in the contract for the Dunoon-Gourock service the specification is set out regarding the requirement for vessels to be able to operate reliably in the weather conditions on the route.\r\n","AnswerText":"In my reply to question S4W-13438, I explained that each contract specifies the vessels to be deployed and contains detailed provisions for their maintenance and operation.\r\nIn the case of the contract between the Scottish Ministers and Argyll Ferries Ltd for the provision of the Gourock-Dunoon Ferry Service: \r\nPart 1, Section 2 (page 47-48) of the Schedule to the contract includes the specification of the vessels (the MV AliCat and MV Banrion Chonamara, \trenamed the MV Argyll Flyer).\r\nPart 2, Section 2 (page 51-52) of the Schedule to the contract sets out requirements regarding the vessels.\r\nPart 2, Section 5 (page 57) of the Schedule to the contract sets out \toperational undertakings applying to the contract which include maintenance and operation of the vessels.\r\nA copy of the contract can be found at;\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/water/ferries/subsidised/gourock-dunoon.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:23.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282967,"EventID":"S4W-13953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:23.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T12:31:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12627 by Kenny MacAskill on 26 February 2013, what the figure is for 15 to 17-year-old prisoners.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following answer was corrected on 23 September 2013\r\n I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The Scottish Prison Service does not collect information on the amount of hours and the average amount of time 16 and 17 year olds spend on purposeful activity, however, we are taking steps to rectify this. We do not currently have any 15 year old children in custody.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:23.957","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282968,"EventID":"S4W-13954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:24.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T12:31:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12627 by Kenny MacAskill on 26 February 2013, what targets it (a) has set or (b) plans to introduce for prisoners (i) across the prison estate, (ii) in HMYOI Polmont and (iii) aged 15 to 17-years-old and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“In relation to targets, as I advised in response to question S4W-12628 on 26 February 2013, the delivery of purposeful activity in the Scottish Prison Service is currently monitored through a Key Performance Indicator (KPI). KPIs are performance measures set by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in the SPS Delivery Plan. Targets are not set for these measures and performance is evaluated by comparing current performance against past performance, the general emphasis is towards continuous improvement, where that is possible or desirable, rather than specific targets.\r\nThe Organisational Review of the Scottish Prison Service that I commissioned in late 2012 will deliver its recommendations for the future form and function of the organisation during the summer of 2013. Recommendations will also be made for a revised performance management approach, including addressing the issues raised by way of the Justice Committee’s Inquiry into purposeful activity in prisons and towards re-focussing purposeful activity in our prisons and young offender institutions.\r\nAll 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:24.957","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282969,"EventID":"S4W-13955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:25.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:19:06.927","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to (a) people and  (b) the families of people who have served a prison sentence and whose conviction is subsequently overturned.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local authorities have a statutory duty under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to provide voluntary throughcare which consists of advice guidance and assistance to people who request such a service within 12 months of their release from custody, including those released following an appeal against conviction and/or sentence.\r\nFurther to this, the Miscarriage of Justice Organisation for Scotland, (MOJOS), has received Scottish Government funding under Section 10 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 since 1 April 2005. The funding for 2013-14 is £62,700.\r\nThe grant funds MOJOS to provide a one-stop service to assist clients and their families to gain access to benefits, housing, health services, and to provide access to counselling, reintegration and financial advice. Priority is given to supporting individuals who have had their case referred to the High Court by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission; individuals released by the High Court following such a referral; and individuals coming from other UK jurisdictions in similar circumstances who intend to settle in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:25.41","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282970,"EventID":"S4W-13956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:25.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:19:34.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the NHS National Confidential Alert Line will be operational.\r\n","AnswerText":"The National Confidential Alert Line for NHSScotland staff has been operating as a Freephone service since 2 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:25.767","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282971,"EventID":"S4W-13957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:26.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:19:34.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that NHS staff are aware of the new NHS National Confidential Alert Line.","AnswerText":"NHS boards have been provided with posters and business cards marketing the National Confidential Alert Line. The intention is that every member of staff should receive a business card.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:26.313","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282972,"EventID":"S4W-13958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:26.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:19:34.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish details of the issues raised by people using the NHS National Confidential Alert Line in a way that ensures anonymity. \r\n","AnswerText":"We have no plans to publish details of the issues raised by people using the NHS National Confidential Alert Line.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:26.797","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282973,"EventID":"S4W-13959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:27.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:19:53.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish an analysis of the calls made to the NHS National Confidential Alert Line broken down by subject matter and, if so, whether this will include a breakdown of the (a) number of calls made to and (b) action taken by each NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have no plans to publish an analysis of the calls made to the NHS National Confidential Alert Line.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:27.157","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282974,"EventID":"S4W-13960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:27.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:19:53.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that no so-called gagging clauses are applied in agreements with NHS staff where these might impact on patient safety or the integrity of NHS systems.\r\n","AnswerText":"I wrote to NHS boards on 22 February 2013 reminding them that they should frequently review their behaviours and practices to ensure they have a culture which actively encourages and supports members of staff to raise concerns. I stressed that I expect them to ensure that confidentiality clauses and non-derogatory statement clauses are not used to suppress the reporting of concerns about practice in the NHS in Scotland.\r\nThe Central Legal Office has recently carried out a review of the confidentiality clause and has developed a revised draft which explicitly makes clear that an individual's right to make “protected disclosures” is protected. The revised clause is currently being finalised and will be compulsory for use across all NHS boards.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:27.5","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282975,"EventID":"S4W-13966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:27.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:34:02.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update its guidance on setting local speed limits in Scotland, in light of the publication of Department for Transport Circular 01/2013, Setting Local Speed Limits.","AnswerText":"In its recent Circular 01/2013, the Department for Transport encouraged Traffic Authorities to “...consider the introduction of more 20mph limits and zones, over time.”\r\nPublished in 2009, Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 already includes a commitment to “..encourage local authorities to consider 20mph zones in all residential areas”; and Transport Scotland has been working with the City of Edinburgh Council to pilot such a zone without the inclusion of physical, traffic calming measures. \r\nThe introduction of 20mph speed limits and zones will generally be a matter for local authorities in their management of the local roads network. Once the Edinburgh pilot reports, we will share any emerging good practice with all Road Authorities in Scotland. However, we have no plans at present to update the previous Scottish Executive Circular ETLLD 1/2006.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:27.873","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282976,"EventID":"S4W-13967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:28.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:34:02.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the guidance in Department for Transport Circular 01/2013, Setting Local Speed Limits that for “residential streets and other town and city streets with high pedestrian and cyclist movement, local traffic authorities should consider the use of 20 mph schemes”.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13966 on 19 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:28.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282977,"EventID":"S4W-13968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:28.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:34:02.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on making greater use of 20 mph speed limits without requiring the use of traffic calming.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13966 on 19 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:28.467","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282978,"EventID":"S4W-13969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:28.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:58:09.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce the attenuated live nasal influenza vaccine for children.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have considered and accepted the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to extend the influenza vaccination programme to include children aged between two and 17 years. The vaccination of children with the attenuated live nasal influenza vaccine will be partially introduced from autumn 2013 and will be fully rolled out by the end of 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:28.78","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282979,"EventID":"S4W-13970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:29.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:58:44.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) benefits and (b) risks are of introducing the attenuated live nasal influenza vaccine for children.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) carried out a comprehensive review of the evidence associated with the introduction of the attenuated live nasal vaccine, Fluenz. This review considered the health burden of flu on the population, the impact and cost effectiveness, the efficacy and safety of the vaccine and public attitudes.\r\nThe biggest benefit will be protecting very young infants, older people and those in at risk groups such as those with asthma, multiple sclerosis or heart disease. Even with a moderate vaccination uptake there could be around a 40 per cent drop in the number of people affected. That would mean at least 11,000 fewer hospitalisations as a result of flu and around 2,000 fewer deaths a year. Fluenz has been available for around a decade in America and has an excellent safety profile. As with all medicines, the safety of the flu vaccine will be monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), a government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work are acceptably safe.\r\nThe Scottish Government recognises that vaccinations, as with all medicines, may carry a risk of side-effects. However, these side-effects are generally uncommon and are out-weighed by the very real benefits to the vast majority of people vaccinated. The flu vaccine contains live, but weakened, forms of flu virus which do not cause flu in those vaccinated. The most common side effect of vaccination is a runny nose for a short time.\r\nThere are around 860,000 children in Scotland in this age group and most will be offered Fluenz. However, it is not suitable for a small number of children who have certain conditions (such as conditions that can weaken their immune system or having a severe egg allergy). These children will be offered alternative flu vaccines.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:29.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282980,"EventID":"S4W-13971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:29.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:58:44.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many neural tube abnormalities would be prevented by the introduction of mandatory folic acid in bread or flour, as recommended by the Food Standards Agency in Scotland.","AnswerText":"It has been estimated that there are between 700 and 900 pregnancies affected by neural tube defects (NTD) each year in the UK. Modelling work by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) showed that, across the UK, between 77 and 162 NTD-affected pregnancies could be prevented annually if mandatory fortification of flour were to be introduced at a level of 300µg of folic acid per 100g flour (excluding wholemeal). These estimates assume that no other foods are fortified voluntarily. SACN’s full report “Folate and Disease Prevention” is available online at:\r\nhttp://www.sacn.gov.uk/pdfs/folate_and_disease_prevention_report.pdf.\r\nThe Scottish Government is considering the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid with the other UK administrations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:29.513","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282981,"EventID":"S4W-13972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:29.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:58:44.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the use of industrial trans fats in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to keep the use of industrial trans fatty acids in Scotland under review, using the latest evidence to inform policy.\r\nThe most recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey shows that consumption of total trans fatty acids is considerably below the maximum level of 2.0% of food energy recommended by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition for all age groups and is currently estimated to be, on average, 0.8%.\r\nWith low income consumers in mind, the Food Standards Agency in Scotland (FSAS) is currently investigating whether takeaway foods, purchased in the most deprived areas of Glasgow, contain high levels of trans fatty acids. The survey report is currently under peer review and will be published later this Spring.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:29.87","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282982,"EventID":"S4W-13973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:30.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:58:44.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has ensured that school meals contain no industrial trans fats.","AnswerText":"The Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008 set strict food and nutrient standards for the provision of school food that, as far as possible, mitigates against the presence of industrially produced trans fatty acids  in school meals and food served throughout the school day.\r\nThe regulations specify strict criteria and limits in relation to the inclusion of processed foods, including products that are deep fried in the manufacturing process.\r\nThe regulations specify that only oils and fat spreads high in polyunsaturated and/or monounsaturated fats can be used in food preparation. Such oils and fats are low in trans fatty acids.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to keep the use of industrial trans fatty acids in Scotland under review, using the latest evidence to inform policy decisions. The member may wish to refer to the answer to question S4W-13972 on 18 April 2013 for further information on this issue.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:30.2","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282983,"EventID":"S4W-13974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-26T17:03:30.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:58:56.52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what account is taken of the presence on-site of a NHS hospice when collating (a) predicted and (b) actual hospital standardised mortality ratio data.\r\n","AnswerText":"On site hospice or palliative care is not adjusted for in the Hospital Standardised Mortality Rate (HSMR) model. The presence of patients admitted for palliative care is accounted for to a limited extent by the categorisation of diagnostic codes used in the HSMR methodology.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-24T17:03:30.76","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282997,"EventID":"S4W-13975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T14:06:38.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:59:24.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government with which (a) hospitals and (b) NHS boards it has had discussions in the last two years about hospital standardised mortality ratio data and what the outcomes were.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government commissions Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the Information Services Division to review Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio data on its behalf, to provide feedback on their findings, and to escalate to the Scottish Government any matters of concern. \r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13099 on 12 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T14:06:38.173","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282998,"EventID":"S4W-13976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T14:06:38.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:59:24.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government with which (a) NHS boards and (b) hospitals it has had discussions in the last two years on the levels of readmissions and what the outcomes were.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has only been in regular contact with NHS Highland regarding high levels of surgical and medical readmissions reported by the board’s Belford Hospital site over the last 2 years.\r\nThe board’s re-admission rates were being artificially inflated by day attenders, returning to Belford Hospital’s Combined Assessment Unit (CAU) for review within 28 days. This increase was attributed to the Board’s coding processes around readmissions, as internal audits of CAU performance did not highlight an increase in the genuine rate of re-admissions.\r\nThe Scottish Government has been working with the board and Information Services Division (ISD) to improve the accuracy of coding processes around readmissions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T14:06:38.72","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":282999,"EventID":"S4W-13977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T14:06:39.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:59:24.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what basis doctors in training at levels ST (a) 1 to 6, (b) 7 and (c) 8 are distributed between NHS boards and whether this takes into account the number of doctors in Foundation Years 1 and 2.\r\n","AnswerText":"Doctors in training at levels ST (a) 1 to 6, (b) 7 and (c) 8 are broadly distributed amongst NHS Boards on the basis of population in the 4 NES Deaneries. The current allocation of trainees across the 4 Deaneries is roughly in the proportions of 50% West, 25% South East, 15% North and 10% East. The distribution does not take into account the number of doctors in Foundation Years 1 and 2.\r\nThis overall pattern of distribution of trainees will vary within different specialties, and at different stages and levels of training, reflecting the distribution of training opportunities, and the varying time taken by trainees to complete training.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T14:06:39.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283000,"EventID":"S4W-13978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T14:06:39.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:59:44.567","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) outpatients and (b) inpatients have been removed from waiting lists using waiting times code (i) 20, (ii) 21, (iii) 37, (iv) 38, (v) 40, (vi) 41 and (vii) 42 in (A) March, (B) June and (C) December in each year since 2008, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have arranged for the information requested to be placed with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number: 54884).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T14:06:39.47","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283001,"EventID":"S4W-13980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T14:06:39.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T08:44:11.657","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the duration is of the contract with (a) Lloyds Banking Group and (b) RBS Group for the provision of ferries used on the Stornoway and Northlink routes respectively and whether it will publish the contracts on its website.","AnswerText":"The tripartite agreement between Scottish Ministers, RBS and Serco for the ropax ferries used on the Northern Isles ferry services was signed in 2012 and ends in 2018.\r\nThe new vessel to be used on the Ullapool – Stornoway service will involve an agreement between Scottish Ministers, Lloyds Banking Group, CMAL and the ferry operator. This agreement will run for eight years from vessel delivery, which is expected in 2014.\r\nDue to the commercially sensitive nature of these multi-party agreements and the interest of the other parties involved, we have no plans to publish these documents on the Scottish Government website.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T14:06:39.843","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283002,"EventID":"S4W-13981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T14:06:40.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T09:57:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what systems are in place to monitor the private health sector to ensure that operations in private hospitals are carried out (a) safely and (b) to a high standard.","AnswerText":"The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate is currently undertaking a series of inspections of private healthcare providers and this includes private hospitals who undertake surgical procedures. Independent Healthcare providers are inspected against a number of quality themes and this includes the quality of care and support and how the service provider meets the needs of the individual in its care.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T14:06:40.36","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283003,"EventID":"S4W-13982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T14:06:40.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T10:10:20.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hectares of land there are at its farm at Knocknagael and to what agricultural use the land is put.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government Stud Farm Knocknagael (which includes Balrobert) is 259.55Ha, used for arable cropping, production of winter fodder and grazing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T14:06:40.703","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283004,"EventID":"S4W-13983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T14:06:41.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T10:10:20.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hectares of its farm at Knocknagael it plans to dispose of; for what reason, and to what agricultural use the remaining land will be put.","AnswerText":"As part of the modernisation of the Stud Farm, 20.3ha (50.15acres) of agricultural land has been identified as surplus to requirements of the modernised Scottish Government Stud Farm Knocknagael. Although this land is currently being used for agriculture production, this production is not necessary to support the running of the improved facility.\r\nIn order to derive best value to the taxpayer, it is Government policy that surplus assets should be identified and released subject to value for money requirements in order to generate capital receipts. This surplus land has been identified as suitable for housing and green space, particularly so given the surrounding land uses and the topography of the area.\r\nThe remaining land at the Scottish Government Stud Farm Knocknagael will continue to support the facility through arable cropping, production of winter fodder and grazing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T14:06:41.31","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283005,"EventID":"S4W-13984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T14:06:41.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T10:10:20.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people it has employed at its farm at Knocknagael; how many dwelling houses there have been at the farm; how many dwelling houses it owned at the farm; how many dwelling houses have been owned and occupied by its employees, and what the nature of the occupancy was, in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"We are unable to provide information relating to staff or information relating to the occupation of dwelling houses at Knocknagael and Balrobert. Due to the sensitive nature of the information involved it may be possible to identify individuals, even if the information were grouped by directorate/division, because of the very small numbers. This detail is therefore withheld under paragraph 38 1 (b) (personal information) of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act.\r\nThere were seven dwellings at Knocknagael and two at Balrobert. One of the dwellings was a small bothy and is now used as a workshop for one of the dwelling houses, another dwelling has been sold to an individual. The remaining cottages and the farmhouse are owned by Scottish Ministers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T14:06:41.577","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283006,"EventID":"S4W-13985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T14:06:41.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T10:10:20.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hectares were there at its farm at Beechwood in Inverness and to what agricultural use the land was put.\r\n","AnswerText":"The total area of Beechwood was 86.773 ha or thereby. 83.57has of this was in agricultural use, utilised for arable cropping, winter fodder production and grazing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T14:06:41.873","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283007,"EventID":"S4W-13986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T14:06:42.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T10:10:20.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hectares of its farm at Beechwood in Inverness it has disposed of.\r\n","AnswerText":"All of the land was sold (86.773ha or thereby) in 2008-2009.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T14:06:42.2","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283008,"EventID":"S4W-13987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T14:06:42.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T10:10:20.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people it has employed at its farm at Beechwood in Inverness; how many dwelling houses there have been at the farm; how many dwelling houses it owned at the farm; how many dwelling houses have been owned and occupied by its employees, and what the nature of the occupancy was, in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"We are unable to provide information relating to staff or their occupation of dwelling houses at Beechwood. Due to the sensitive nature of the information involved it may be possible to identify individuals, even if the information was grouped by directorate/division, because of the very small numbers. This detail is therefore withheld under paragraph 38 1 (b) (personal information) of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act.\r\nThere were six dwelling houses at the Beechwood farm. By 2006, two cottages had been converted into one house and this house and another cottage had been sold to individuals. The remaining two cottages and the farmhouse were owned by Scottish Ministers and these were sold to HIE in 2008-2009. Following the sale, the Scottish Government retained the use of one of the cottages until September 2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T14:06:42.573","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283009,"EventID":"S4W-13988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T14:06:42.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T10:10:20.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many employees at its farm at (a) Beechwood and (b) Knocknagael have (i) retired, (ii)  resigned or (iii) been made redundant in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"Due to the sensitive nature of the information involved it may be possible to identify individuals, even if the information were grouping by directorate/division, because of the very small numbers. The information is therefore withheld under paragraph 38 1 (b) (personal information) of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act.\r\nWe can confirm that the Scottish Government have a no compulsory redundancy policy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T14:06:42.87","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283010,"EventID":"S4W-13989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T14:06:43.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T11:10:37.93","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it plans to make to the (a) European Commission and (b) UK Government regarding structural funds for the Highlands and Islands in 2014-20.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been working with the UK Government, European Commission and Scottish stakeholders for over a year on determining how structural funds should best be spent to have a real and lasting impact on the development of Scotland's regions. Over the next six months, we will be working directly with both UK Government and the Commission in finalising and getting sign off for these plans, ensuring that we can start investments throughout Scotland as early as possible.\r\nThe Scottish Government has been successful, in negotiations with the UK government, in securing a fair allocation of structural funds for Scotland. The 5% reduction in funding announced on 26 March is in stark contrast to the more than 30% reduction which was previously signalled by the UK Government.\r\nThis settlement is particularly beneficial for the Highlands and Islands, a region which is still developing its economy and which as a result has been accorded transition status for the 2014-20. The ability to very nearly maintain current levels of spending will mean we can keep supporting substantial investments in the Highlands and Islands aimed at bringing growth and jobs to the region.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T14:06:43.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283020,"EventID":"S4W-13913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:44.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T11:42:37.617","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the pollution of the Inverinian Burn and the River Lyon arising from construction of the Inverinian Hydro Scheme, what discussions it has had with (a) local planning authorities, (b) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and (c) Scottish Natural Heritage to ensure that planning and energy consents are issued, monitored and enforced to prevent similar incidents arising.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government liaises closely with planning authorities and holds regular discussions with key agencies including SNH and SEPA on policy, practice and regulatory functions in relation to the environmental impacts of development.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:45.09","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283021,"EventID":"S4W-13914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:46.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T11:42:37.617","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the conditions attached to the planning consent for the Inverinian Hydro Scheme were adequate to protect the natural environment and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"It is a matter for the planning authority to ensure that planning conditions are adequate. Conditions should meet the six tests set out in Circular 4/1998 on the Use of Planning Conditions in Planning Permissions, in that they are necessary, relevant to planning, relevant to the development to be permitted, enforceable, precise, and reasonable in all other respects.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:46.183","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283022,"EventID":"S4W-13915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:46.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T11:42:37.617","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the environmental and habitats regulations assessments carried out for the purpose of assisting the consent process for the Inverinian Hydro Scheme were carried out appropriately and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is a matter for the planning authority to satisfy themselves that all assessments have been undertaken appropriately and in accordance with all relevant legislation, taking into account advice from the statutory consultation bodies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:46.777","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283023,"EventID":"S4W-13920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:47.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T14:14:22.917","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what remediation works, required by the habitats regulations assessment, will be carried out as a result of the pollution of the Inverinian Burn and the River Lyon that arose from the construction of the Inverinian Hydro Scheme.","AnswerText":"Remediation has not been pursued as it would not have been practical and possibly even detrimental to attempt to remove silt from freshwater pearl mussel beds.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:47.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283024,"EventID":"S4W-13921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:47.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T14:14:22.917","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the cost of any remediation works required as result of the pollution of the Inverinian Burn and the River Lyon arising from construction of the Inverinian Hydro Scheme is recovered from those responsible for the pollution.\r\n","AnswerText":"The recovery of the costs of remediation from those responsible was a matter for SEPA in consultation with SNH. In the event, remediation has not been pursued as it would not have been practical and possibly even detrimental to attempt to remove silt from freshwater pearl mussel beds. Consequently there are no costs to bear.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:47.807","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283025,"EventID":"S4W-13922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:48.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T14:14:22.917","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether it will be possible to prevent a similar incident arising to that which caused the pollution of the Inverinian Burn and the River Lyon during the construction of the Inverinian Hydro Scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"Preventative measures are set out in A Guide to Hydro Power Construction Good Practice http://www.scottishrenewables.com/publications/hydro-construction-guide-good-practice/: a joint publication by Scottish Renewables, SEPA, SNH and the Scottish Government. The Guide also outlines the need for planning permission and water environment Controlled Activities Regulations (CAR) authorisations for hydropower schemes and signposts businesses to pollution prevention guidelines relevant to construction.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:48.307","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283026,"EventID":"S4W-13923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:48.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-25T14:14:22.917","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the pollution of the Inverinian Burn and the River Lyon arising from construction of the Inverinian Hydro Scheme and the destruction of protected freshwater pearl mussels, what it is doing to protect such colonies.","AnswerText":"Freshwater pearl mussels are listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and, as such, are fully protected in Scotland. From 1998, it has been an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure, take or disturb freshwater pearl mussels or to damage their habitat; to possess mussels or pearls collected since 1998; or to sell, or advertise for sale, freshwater pearl mussels or their pearls unless done under licence from the Scottish Government.\r\nFreshwater pearl mussels are also a priority species for the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime. Scottish Police wildlife crime officers and officers attached to the National Wildlife Crime Unit have been working with fishery bailiffs and others involved with rivers that hold the species to raise awareness of the need to protect the mussels from theft and damage.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:48.85","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283027,"EventID":"S4W-13990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:49.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T13:22:07.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked the researchers at the University of Sheffield what the reason is for a 1% reduction in alcohol consumption resulting from the ban on alcohol discounting rather than the 3.8% that they predicted and what implications this has for the expected reduction following the introduction of a minimum unit price.\r\n","AnswerText":"The most recent update of the University of Sheffield alcohol pricing model was published in January 2012 and can be accessed at: http://www.shef.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.156503!/file/scotlandjan.pdf. This estimated that a total ban on off-trade discounting would result in a decrease in overall consumption of 3%. A total ban is assumed to prohibit all forms of price-based promotion, including straight discounting from list price in addition to quantity discounts.\r\nThe ban implemented in the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act 2010 relates to a quantity discount ban only. Due to unavailability of data, it is not possible for the University of Sheffield to estimate the impact on consumption of the quantity discount ban alone. \r\nThe question does not state the source for the 1% figure quoted, however it is possible that this is taken from A Preliminary descriptive analysis of the impact of the quantity discount ban on off-trade alcohol sales in Scotland, published by NHS Health Scotland in June 2012: http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/5923.aspx. In this report 1% is the difference in the fall in sales between Scotland and England & Wales in the 33 weeks following the implementation of the ban. However, the report does not attribute the 1% to be the overall impact of the ban. The authors conclude that a longer time series of data and more detailed analyses are required to provide a robust evaluation of the quantity discount ban’s specific impact on alcohol sales in Scotland.\r\nNHS Health Scotland is due to publish this detailed analysis in the coming months. It should be noted however, that as the Sheffield model estimates the impact of a total discount ban while Health Scotland look at the impact of the discount ban, direct comparisons between estimates remain invalid.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:49.383","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283028,"EventID":"S4W-13991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:49.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T13:29:34.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that prisoners serving sentences of (a) five months or fewer, (b) six to 11 months, (c) one to two years and (d) more than two years retain any GP registration that they have at their home address.\r\n","AnswerText":"All prisoners with sentences of five months or fewer retain any registration they hold with their community General Practice and are registered as temporary residents with the prison healthcare centre.\r\n\r\nAll prisoners with a sentence of six months or more are registered permanently with the prison health centre and de-registered from their community General Practice. This allows the prisoner’s clinical record to flow in and out of the community as well as the prison estate providing continuity of healthcare, access to any emergency care summary and reduces clinical risk to the prisoner by maintaining a complete, accurate and up to date record of the prisoner’s health. Upon release prisoners are required to re-register with their community General Practice.\r\n\r\nThe process of re-registration is encouraged and assisted by prison healthcare staff and others involved in the prisoner’s liberation and through care planning. Guidance has been issued by Practitioner Services Division, National Services Scotland to General Practices on the re-registration of liberated prisoners.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:49.727","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283029,"EventID":"S4W-13992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:50.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T14:11:58.763","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what it is doing to make (a) chamber and (b) committee business (i) in and (ii) outside of Parliament more accessible.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) is aware of its responsibility to ensure that the Parliament is accessible and that provision is put in place to enable everyone to engage in committee and chamber business. To meet this commitment both chamber and committee business is made accessible to people who attend parliamentary business and to those who wish to view business outside of the Parliament. \r\n \r\nFor people who are interested in attending chamber or committee business, the SPCB makes information available about making a visit to the building on the Parliament website, for example it provides detail on how to get to the building; the physical layout of the building; how to book tickets to observe chamber or committee meetings; and the type of facilities available. A wide range of information leaflets can be downloaded from the Parliament website and are also available in other languages and alternative formats including audio and BSL. In addition, the SPCB has produced an accessibility guide to assist disabled people with their visit to the Parliament. Disabled visitors are encouraged to advise staff of any additional assistance they might require when they wish to attend a meeting of the Parliament. There are also procedures in place to ensure that staff check whether there are any additional requirements so that provision can be made in advance of their visit to the Parliament.\r\n \r\nPeople who wish to attend chamber business can watch from the gallery of the chamber. The gallery is accessible to everyone with seating for wheelchairs users; an induction loop and infra red system for people who are hard of hearing; and TV screens for people who find it difficult to view the chamber from the gallery. Headsets and receivers are available from the front desk which enhances the level of sound when listening to proceedings and if someone prefers not to attend the gallery, there is the option to watch the proceedings from the main hall. Where business is specifically relevant to for example deaf people, provision is made by way of BSL interpreters.\r\n \r\nSimilarly, provision is made available for the committee rooms which have loop systems and TV screens and additional communication support can be provided where it is required. \r\n \r\nFor anyone who wishes to engage with chamber and committee business outside of the Parliament, the SPCB films and webcasts all chamber and committee business which is archived on the website, allowing viewers to watch and listen to past meetings for a month online. Since 2012 all videos are available on the Parliament’s You Tube channel which allows viewers to subscribe and re-use the videos sharing them on other websites and social media channels. A daily business video round up of Parliament proceedings is produced on Parliament business days and a range of promotional videos are made throughout the year which provide viewers with information about the Parliament and its work. \r\n \r\nThe SPCB makes available information about current, forthcoming and previous chamber and committee business on the Parliament’s website. This includes access to all key publications and reports from 1999 onwards. Each committee has a dedicated set of webpages which includes details of all current and previous business, and published reports. To enhance the accessibility of this information the home page is updated daily with news and details of forthcoming business, with links to more detailed information.\r\n \r\nWhen a committee meets formally outside Parliament, accessibility is one of the most important features in deciding the choice of venue for the meeting. The venue must be suitable for wheelchair access to both the building and the room where the meeting is taking place, and there should be the availability of an induction loop, suitable lighting and accessible toilets. As with meetings held in the Parliament, the same procedures are applied when booking tickets for the meeting to check whether any access r","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:50.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Linda Fabiani","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283030,"EventID":"S4W-13993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:50.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T14:21:36.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out a comparative analysis of current energy provision and energy provision in an independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"We do not expect either Scotland’s energy needs or their provision to be affected in the event of a vote for independence. We intend that a single Great Britain market for energy will remain in place, and that this is an outcome which will best serve mutual interests across the UK.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:50.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283031,"EventID":"S4W-13994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:50.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T14:21:36.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of energy provision will come from renewables in 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not made any forecast of this kind. However, we remain firmly on course to meet our renewable energy targets. Electricity generation from renewables in Scotland was at a record high in 2012, providing an estimated 38.7% of gross annual electricity demand. We are also making good progress towards our renewable heat target, with 3.8% of heat demand in Scotland coming from renewables in 2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:50.707","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283032,"EventID":"S4W-13995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:51.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T14:21:36.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made a forecast of how much renewable energy England would purchase from an independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"The amount of renewable energy purchased from Scottish generators in the event of a vote for independence will, as now, be determined by a regulated market which is aimed at ensuring secure and sustainable supplies of power at an affordable cost to consumers. There is no question that renewable energy generated in Scotland will continue to prove vital in meeting renewable obligations across the UK. By way of example, Scottish generators in 2011-12 produced almost four times as many Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) than would have been required to meet the size of the supplier obligations in Scotland. The majority of these Scottish ROCs will have been used to comply with the renewables obligation covering England and Wales.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:51.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283033,"EventID":"S4W-13996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:51.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T14:21:36.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the expected energy output is of tidal turbines in the next five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not set electricity targets in terms of the output of specific technologies. We expect and want a wide range of renewable technologies to be developed to ensure we have a balanced electricity mix.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:51.363","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283034,"EventID":"S4W-13997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:51.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T14:21:36.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent Scotland would be a net importer of energy, and, if so, what form of energy.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scotland has long been a net exporter of electricity, with net exports of between 14% and 26% of total generation in each year from 2000 to 2011. We would expect this to remain the case in the event of a vote for independence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:51.69","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283035,"EventID":"S4W-13998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:51.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T14:21:36.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that having more than 15 to 20% of energy supplied to the national grid from wind farms would create instability in the system.","AnswerText":"Evidence provided by National Grid to the recent Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee inquiry into the Scottish Government’s renewable energy targets suggests that higher levels of penetration will not present an insurmountable challenge to grid system operation.\r\nThis view is consistent with the findings a review by the UK Energy Research Centre of over 200 studies into the impacts of renewables generation on the electricity network, available online at: \r\nhttp://www.ukerc.ac.uk/Downloads/PDF/06/0604Intermittency/0604IntermittencyReport.pdf \r\nIn addition, we consider that advances in grid technology and management techniques, together with increased interconnection and developments in energy storage will allow for greater levels of generation from wind and other sources of renewable energy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:51.987","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283036,"EventID":"S4W-13999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:52.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T14:21:36.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent Scotland would need to import energy from England and, if so, what form of energy.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scotland has long been a net exporter of electricity, with net exports of between 14% and 26% of total generation in each year from 2000 to 2011. We would expect this to remain the case in the event of a vote for independence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:52.283","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283037,"EventID":"S4W-14000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-27T16:57:52.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T14:21:36.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the efficacy of renewable energy and what contingency plans it has in case of a shortfall in energy from renewables.","AnswerText":"Renewable energy now provides more than a third of Scotland’s gross annual electricity demand. Our draft Electricity Generation Policy Statement sets out our approach to deliver the equivalent of at least 100% of gross electricity consumption from renewables by 2020 as part of a wider, balanced electricity mix incorporating a minimum of 2.5 GW of thermal generation progressively fitted with Carbon Capture and Storage.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-25T16:57:52.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283038,"EventID":"S4W-14004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:05.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T15:46:18.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many visitors there have been to (a) Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, (b) Pentland Hills Regional Park, (c) Edinburgh Castle, (d) the National Museum of Scotland, (e) the National Gallery of Scotland, (f) Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and (g) the Burrell Collection in each year since 1999 and (i) Cairngorms National Park and (ii) Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park in each year since 2002.\r\n","AnswerText":"The visitor figures for the following organisations - Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park; Edinburgh Castle; National Museum of Scotland; National Gallery of Scotland; Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Burrell Collection, for the years requested, can be found in the following table:\r\nOrganisation\r\n1999-2000\r\n2000-2001\r\n2001-2002\r\n2002-2003\r\nClyde Muirshiel Regional Park\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n1,332,250\r\nEdinburgh Castle\r\n1,209,962\r\n1,203,203\r\n1,126,680\r\n1,148,139\r\nNational Museum of Scotland\r\n854,300\r\n1,111,426\r\n1,252,167\r\n1,333,621\r\nNational Galleries of Scotland\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nScottish National Gallery (incorporating RSA)\r\n454,643\r\n443,834\r\n480,008\r\n368,754\r\nScottish National Portrait Gallery*\r\n177,920\r\n179,904\r\n180,306\r\n186,548\r\nScottish National Gallery of Modern Art (1 and 2)\r\n346,124\r\n443,836\r\n269,430\r\n300,779\r\nKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum**\r\n1,051,050\r\n1,003,169\r\n1,031,138\r\n955,671\r\nBurrell Collection\r\n285,089\r\n294,434\r\n323,279\r\n236,609\r\n\r\nOrganisation\r\n2003-2004\r\n2004-2005\r\n2005-2006\r\n2006-2007\r\nClyde Muirshiel Regional Park\r\n1,500,000\r\n1,500,000\r\n1,500,000\r\n1,500,000\r\nEdinburgh Castle\r\n1,131,880\r\n1,226,311\r\n1,176,159\r\n1,213,571\r\nNational Museum of Scotland\r\n1,298,733\r\n1,455,814\r\n1,586,906\r\n1,421,903\r\nNational Galleries of Scotland\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nScottish National Gallery (incorporating RSA)\r\n692,090\r\n768,322\r\n755,304\r\n938,168\r\nScottish National Portrait Gallery*\r\n163,407\r\n169,065\r\n172,357\r\n196,310\r\nScottish National Gallery of Modern Art (1 and 2)\r\n315,370\r\n301,756\r\n363,232\r\n342,893\r\nKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum**\r\n370,428\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1,867,192\r\nBurrell Collection\r\n217,084\r\n310,276\r\n228,007\r\n203,903\r\n\r\nOrganisation\r\n2007-2008\r\n2008-2009\r\n2009-2010\r\n2010-2011\r\nClyde Muirshiel Regional Park\r\n1,500,000\r\n1,400,000\r\n1,450,000\r\n1,500,000\r\nEdinburgh Castle\r\n1,249,326\r\n1,119,752\r\n1,196,608\r\n1,197,941\r\nNational Museum of Scotland\r\n1,471,079\r\n1,154,386\r\n1,264,994\r\n1,318,147\r\nNational Galleries of Scotland\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nScottish National Gallery (incorporating RSA)\r\n947,242\r\n836,527\r\n913,314\r\n979,012\r\nScottish National Portrait Gallery*\r\n216,187\r\n219,111\r\n17,139\r\n0\r\nScottish National Gallery of Modern Art (1 and 2)\r\n305,430\r\n295,506\r\n290,751\r\n296,416\r\nKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum**\r\n2,232,475\r\n1,445,098\r\n1,368,096\r\n1,070,521\r\nBurrell Collection\r\n192,551\r\n202,750\r\n203,153\r\n187,756\r\n\r\nOrganisation\r\n2011-2012\r\n2012-2013\r\nClyde Muirshiel Regional Park\r\n1,500,000\r\n1,500,000\r\nEdinburgh Castle\r\n1,314,975\r\n1,240,940\r\nNational Museum of Scotland\r\n2,478,406\r\n2,471,762\r\nNational Galleries of Scotland\r\n \r\n \r\nScottish National Gallery (incorporating RSA)\r\n897,014\r\n804,914\r\nScottish National Portrait Gallery*\r\n164,757\r\n214,959\r\nScottish National Gallery of Modern Art (1 and 2)\r\n315,292\r\n233,672\r\nKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum**\r\n981,787\r\n1,037,594\r\nBurrell Collection\r\n192,762\r\n182,983\r\nNotes:\r\n*SNPG closed for refurbishment April 2009 - November 2011\r\n**Kelvingrove closed for refurbishment 2003 - July 2006.\r\nPentland Hills Regional Park\r\nRather than annual visitor numbers, The Park have numbers from periodic visitor surveys, the most recent of which dates back to 2006. Previous surveys were carried out in 1999 and 1993. The results of the 2006 survey estimated between 470,000 and 570,000 visitors annually.\r\nCairngorms National Park\r\nThe park estimates that they have had 14.53 million visitors over the period 2003-2013.\r\nLoch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park\r\nThe Park estimate that they receive 4 million visitors per annum, which would equate to 40 million visitors over the 10 years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:06.13","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283039,"EventID":"S4W-14005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:06.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T15:46:18.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in (a) Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, (b) Pentland Hills Regional Park, (c) Edinburgh Castle, (d) the National Museum of Scotland, (e) the National Gallery of Scotland, (f) Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and (g) the Burrell Collection in each year since 1999 and (i) Cairngorms National Park and (ii) Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park in each year since 2002.\r\n","AnswerText":"The level of investment in the following organisations – Edinburgh Castle; National Museum of Scotland; National Galleries of Scotland and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, for the years requested, can be found in the following table:\r\nOrganisation\r\n2000-2001\r\n2001-2002\r\n2002-2003\r\n2003-2004\r\n2004-2005\r\nEdinburgh Castle*\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nCapital\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n£273,034\r\nMaintenance\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n£643,041\r\nNational Museum of Scotland\r\n£13,300,000\r\n£16,100,000\r\n£16,600,000\r\n£18,100,000\r\n£21,000,000\r\nNational Galleries of Scotland\r\n£11,600,000\r\n£18,200,000\r\n£15,300,000\r\n£11,900,000\r\n£18,100,000\r\nKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum\r\n \r\n \r\n£3,000,000\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\nOrganisation\r\n2005-2006\r\n2006-2007\r\n2007-2008\r\n2008-2009\r\n2009-2010\r\nEdinburgh Castle*\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nCapital\r\n£322,358\r\n£844,556\r\n£1,841,279\r\n£446,914\r\n£60,177\r\nMaintenance\r\n£593,689\r\n£602,029\r\n£485,083\r\n£523,918\r\n£489,379\r\nNational Museum of Scotland\r\n£24,000,000\r\n£23,800,000\r\n£24,700,000\r\n£26,800,000\r\n£26,500,000\r\nNational Galleries of Scotland\r\n£12,100,000\r\n£12,400,000\r\n£12,700,000\r\n£21,000,000\r\n£21,000,000\r\nKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\nOrganisation\r\n2010-2011\r\n2011-2012\r\n2012-2013\r\nEdinburgh Castle*\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nCapital\r\n£108,719\r\n£253,364\r\n£119,005\r\nMaintenance\r\n£419,646\r\n£530,827\r\n£444,981\r\nNational Museum of Scotland\r\n£27,700,000\r\n£22,700,000\r\n£22,600,000\r\nNational Galleries of Scotland\r\n£24,200,000\r\n£14,200,000\r\n£13,300,000\r\nKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\nNote: *Edinburgh Castle - Due to a change in accounting heads it has only been possible to provide comparable information from 2004-2005.\r\nThe Scottish Government has not provided any investment in the Burrell Collection in the years stated.\r\nThe level of investment in the Cairngorms National Park Authority and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, for the years requested, can be found in the following table:\r\nOrganisation\r\n2003-2004\r\n2004-2005\r\n2005-2006\r\n2006-2007\r\n2007-2008\r\nCairngorms National Park\r\n£1,926,000\r\n£3,111,000\r\n£4,188,000\r\n£4,446,000\r\n£4,548,000\r\nLoch Lomond and Trossachs\r\n£5,232,000\r\n£5,667,000\r\n£5,778,000\r\n£7,068,000\r\n£6,673,000\r\n\r\nOrganisation\r\n2008-2009\r\n2009-2010\r\n2010-2011\r\n2011-2012\r\n2012-2013\r\nCairngorms National Park\r\n£4,546,000\r\n£4,805,000\r\n£5,357,000\r\n£5,153,000\r\n£6,282,000\r\nLoch Lomond and Trossachs\r\n£6,940,000\r\n£7,376,000\r\n£7,802,000\r\n£7,189,000\r\n£9,511,000\r\n\r\nRegional Parks do not receive direct funding from the Scottish Government. However, they do receive financial support in the form of grants paid via other public bodies/public sector organisations. Further information on this is provided in the background note.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:06.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283040,"EventID":"S4W-14006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:07.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T17:31:17.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on fish stocks being fed meals derived from pork and poultry products.","AnswerText":"Aquaculture is a key food production sector for Scotland. The Scottish Government is supportive of industry’s use of sustainable sources of raw materials in fish feed which optimise fish welfare and maintains the high quality of its products. The farmed salmon sector in Scotland does not currently use poultry or porcine derived products as raw ingredients in the feed fed to its fish.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:07.22","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283041,"EventID":"S4W-14007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:07.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T17:31:17.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to restrict sales of caffeinated energy drinks to children.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has no plans to restrict the sales of caffeinated energy drinks to children. The FSA is not aware of any evidence of a direct long term link between caffeine consumption and altered behaviour to support legislation in this area.\r\nThe FSA will continue to monitor any new emerging scientific evidence in this area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:07.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283042,"EventID":"S4W-14008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:08.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T17:31:17.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) manufacturers and (b) retailers about the potential impact on child health of caffeinated energy drinks.\r\n","AnswerText":"As the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is not aware of a direct, long term link between caffeine consumption and altered behaviour in children or adverse long term effects, it has not specifically engaged with manufacturers or retailers on this topic. However, the FSA has discussed changes in food labelling requirements for caffeinated products with manufacturers and retailers.\r\nThe British Soft Drinks Association Code of Practice on High Caffeine Content Soft Drink recommends additional labelling on high caffeine energy drinks and recommends that such drinks should not be advertised, marketed or promoted to those under the age of 16.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:08.797","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283043,"EventID":"S4W-14009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:09.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T17:31:17.813","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has sought since 2011 about the potential impact on child health of caffeinated energy drinks.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency has not sought specific advice since 2011 about the potential impact on child health of caffeinated energy drinks. Previous scientific advice was that there is no evidence of a direct, long term link between caffeine consumption and adverse long term effects.\r\nWe are aware that the European Food Safety Authority is currently reviewing the existing scientific data on the potential link between caffeine intakes from all sources and possible adverse health effects in specific population groups including children. This work is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.\r\nThe Food Standards Agency will continue to monitor developments in this area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:09.95","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283044,"EventID":"S4W-14011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:10.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T08:26:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances the Scottish Ambulance Service charges patients for journeys.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully funds the Scottish Ambulance Service to deliver its core responsibilities in support of NHSScotland. These responsibilities include the Accident & Emergency (999) Service, the Air Ambulance Service and the Patient Transport Service. This means transporting patients to, from, and between NHS Healthcare facilities and providing the clinical care and support required on that journey.\r\nThe Scottish Ambulance Service is permitted to generate income by operating in a private capacity as long as this does not impact adversely on the delivery of their core responsibilities. Under these circumstances they would therefore be providing care and / or undertaking journeys that do not fall within their core NHS responsibilities. Examples of when this could happen include:\r\nJourneys between two private residences or facilities, for example from a private residence to a Nursing Home or between two Nursing Homes.\r\nIf the journey was to provide a service for an NHS Trust in England, for example transporting a non-Scottish resident home or to an English healthcare facility.\r\nProviding medical cover at a private event, for example football matches, music festivals and other privately organised events.\r\nUnder these examples there are likely to be very few occasions where a patient is charged by the Scottish Ambulance Service, rather the cost is likely to be charged to a local authority, an NHS Trust in England or the organisation running the private event. However patients, or their families or carers, are free to ask the Scottish Ambulance Service to undertake journeys in a private capacity should they wish to do so.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:10.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283045,"EventID":"S4W-14012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:11.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T08:26:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of reports that the Scottish Ambulance Service may charge a pregnant woman £30 for a journey in the case of false labour.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service have assured me that they would not charge any pregnant woman for a journey in the case of false labour. Should any member have evidence of this happening, I would welcome the details in order that this can be fully investigated.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:11.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283046,"EventID":"S4W-14028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:11.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T11:43:30.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Third Sector budget was reduced in the 2012-13 Spring Budget Revision.\r\n","AnswerText":"The purpose of the Spring Budget Revision is to amend the Budget (Scotland) Act 2012, which authorises the Scottish Government’s spending plans for the financial year 2012-13.\r\nThere was a delay completing the procurement of fund management arrangements for the successor to the Enterprise Growth Fund resulting in an underspend of £5 million. The project is now in progress with budget allocation expected to be fully committed going forward.\r\nThere was also a transfer of £1 million to the Justice budget for the Reducing Re-Offending Change Fund.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:11.917","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283047,"EventID":"S4W-14029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:12.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T11:43:54.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to persuade children to choose nutritious foods during school lunch breaks.","AnswerText":"The “Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008” (the Regs) set high standards that all food and drink provided in schools must meet. This ensures that pupils are offered healthy, balanced and nutritious food during lunch break and at other times of the school day, allowing them to try new foods and develop healthy eating habits from a young age.\r\nThe Health and Wellbeing experiences and outcomes within Curriculum for Excellence are part of a package of measures aimed at educating children and young people about health and wellbeing in its widest sense. This helps to ensure that our children and young people are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to make better food choices both at school and home.\r\nWe are also taking action to further encourage and support children and young people to make healthier choices when they choose to buy their lunch outwith school. The Scottish Government has set up a working group to develop a new Beyond the School Gate toolkit by the end of the summer to give local authorities and other key stakeholders guidance on what they can do to promote a healthier food environment around schools.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:12.557","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283048,"EventID":"S4W-14037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:12.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T11:43:30.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be of changes to the Third Sector budget in the 2012-13 Spring Budget Revision.\r\n","AnswerText":"The £1 million transfer to the Justice budget for the Reducing Re-Offending Change Fund was a planned reallocation of funds. The Reducing Reoffending Change Fund has two key aims:\r\nTo provide offenders with substantial one-to-one support through evidence- based mentoring schemes\r\nTo promote strong, equal partnership working between third and public sector organisations.\r\nThe £5 million transfer was redeployed to other purposes within the overall Scottish Government budget.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:12.963","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283049,"EventID":"S4W-14038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:13.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T11:43:30.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how the (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13 Third Sector budget was spent, including amounts received by each organisation funded.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table breaks down funding for third sector intermediaries (largely grant funding), third sector funds (spend), business support contracts and support for third sector events and initiatives, which represents the major part of the third sector budget. Individual recipient awards for a number of third sector funds have already been published. Some funds were specific one-off commitments such as the Scottish Investment Fund.\r\nThe table captures the major part of the third sector budget, but does not comprise a comprehensive list of every direct payment.\r\nThe table does include funding which has been transferred to other Scottish Government Directorates under the Autumn and Spring Budget Review process to support third sector purposes.\r\n \r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\nTotals\r\nThird Sector Intermediaries and Related Activities\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nScottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)\r\n£1,189,374.00\r\n£1,210,000.00\r\n£1,476,211.00\r\n£3,875,585.00\r\nAssociation of Chief Officers of Voluntary Organistions (ACOSVO)\r\n£99,000.00\r\n£60,000.00\r\n£120,000.00\r\n£279,000.00\r\nVolunteer Development Scotland\r\n£1,428,475.00\r\n£909,890.00\r\n£914,580.00\r\n£3,252,945.00\r\nDevelopment Trusts Association Scotland\r\n£85,000.00\r\n£150,000.00\r\n£150,000.00\r\n£385,000.00\r\nVoluntary Action Scotland\r\n£104,500.00\r\n£265,500.00\r\n£272,823.00\r\n£642,823.00\r\nSenscot\r\n£106,457.00\r\n \r\n£17,795.00\r\n£124,252.00\r\nScottish Social Enterprise Coalition\r\n£135,300.00\r\n \r\n \r\n£135,300.00\r\nSocial Firms Scotland\r\n£84,600.00\r\n \r\n£16,339.00\r\n£100,939.00\r\nSupporting Social Enterprise Alliance (Senscot, Social Enterprise Scotland, Social Firms Scotland)\r\n \r\n£445,000.00\r\n£330,000.00\r\n£775,000.00\r\nThird Sector Interfaces\r\n£6,074,396.00\r\n£8,010,000.00\r\n£8,236,866.00\r\n£22,321,262.00\r\nSocial Enterprise Academy\r\n£285,000.00\r\n£280,000.00\r\n£320,000.00\r\n£885,000.00\r\nScottish Community Alliance\r\n \r\n \r\n£50,000.00\r\n£50,000.00\r\nQuality Scotland\r\n \r\n \r\n£30,350.00\r\n£30,350.00\r\nProject Scotland\r\n \r\n£2,880.00\r\n \r\n£2,880.00\r\nVolunteer Development East Lothian\r\n \r\n£31,916.00\r\n \r\n£31,916.00\r\nEvaluation Support Scotland\r\n£80,000.00\r\n£80,000.00\r\n£158,000.00\r\n£318,000.00\r\nInternational Network of Street Papers\r\n£10,000.00\r\n£10,000.00\r\n \r\n£20,000.00\r\nBarnardos/Voluntary Action Scotland/Improvement Sevice - Getting it Right for Every Child - National Project\r\n \r\n \r\n£25,000.00\r\n£25,000.00\r\nRoyal College of General Practitioners Scotland with Assist Social Capital/International Futures Form\r\n \r\n \r\n£74,722.00\r\n£74,722.00\r\nCouncil for Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations (CEMVO)\r\n£90,623.00\r\n \r\n \r\n£90,623.00\r\nFirstport\r\n£178,000.00\r\n \r\n \r\n£178,000.00\r\nThird Sector Funds\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nScottish Investment Fund\r\n£14,800,000.00\r\n£3,000,000.00\r\n \r\n£17,800,000.00\r\nSocial Investment Scotland\r\n£386,500.00\r\n£385,000.00\r\n£385,000.00\r\n£1,156,500.00\r\nThird Sector Enterprise Fund\r\n£6,326,713.00\r\n \r\n \r\n£6,326,713.00\r\nThird Sector Credit Union Fund\r\n£81,403.00\r\n \r\n \r\n£81,403.00\r\nSocial Entrepreneurs Fund\r\n£562,000.00\r\n£500,000.00\r\n£500,000.00\r\n£1,562,000.00\r\nThird Sector Enterprise Growth Fund\r\n \r\n£6,332,092.00\r\n£85,592.00\r\n£6,417,684.00\r\nVoluntary Action Fund\r\n£1,248,000.00\r\n£1,260,000.00\r\n£1,250,000.00\r\n£3,758,000.00\r\nInternational Social Enterprise Programme\r\n \r\n \r\n£90,000.00\r\n£90,000.00\r\nCommunity Jobs Scotland Fund\r\n \r\n \r\n£511,000.00\r\n£511,000.00\r\nBusiness Support Contracts\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nPWC PSP Contract\r\n£122,617.00\r\n£105,019.00\r\n \r\n£227,636.00\r\nProvision of Support to Equalities Focussed Third Sector Organisations\r\n£47,250.00\r\n \r\n \r\n£47,250.00\r\nReady for Business (2)\r\n \r\n \r\n£1,099,250.00\r\n£1,099,250.00\r\nJust Enterprise\r\n \r\n£1,072,539.00\r\n£1,213,382.00\r\n£2,285,921.00\r\nPublic Social Partnerships (PSP)\r\n \r\n \r\n£90,996.00\r\n£90,996.00\r\nLongitudinal Study\r\n£41,525.00\r\n£41,775.00\r\n£37,875.00\r\n£121,175.00\r\nRealise Mentoring\r\n£83,197.00\r\n \r\n \r\n£83,197.00\r\nSupport for Third Sector Events and Initiatives\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nReady for Business (1)\r\n£73,000.00\r\n£9,800.00\r\n \r\n£82,800.00\r\nCommunity Enterprise in Scotland (CEiS) Conferen","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:13.383","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283050,"EventID":"S4W-14041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:13.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T11:43:30.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what savings the Strategic Forum made in 2012-13, also broken down by (a) organisation and (b) measure taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the bodies within the Strategic Forum. l shall ask the Chief Executives to write to you.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:13.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283051,"EventID":"S4W-14043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:14.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T11:43:30.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the decision was taken to support the buyout of the Scottish Public Pensions Agency building; what savings will result, and over what time period.\r\n","AnswerText":"The decision was taken to support the Scottish Public Pensions Agency lease buyout on 30th January 2013.\r\nThis will realise immediate annual cash saving of £648,452 on rental costs. In the medium to long term this will make an expected saving, at net present value, of £1.01 million by 2022 and £10.15M by 2042.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:14.24","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283052,"EventID":"S4W-14046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:14.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T11:43:30.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public sector data centres there are and how many have been (a) established and (b) closed in each of the last 10 years.\r\n","AnswerText":"John McClelland’s Review of ICT Infrastructure in the Public Sector in Scotland published in June 2011 estimated that within the public sector in Scotland there were more than 120 data centres and cost circa £275 million to build and maintain. These figures were based upon evidence obtained through two surveys which were undertaken in 2010 by Scottish Government Procurement and Grant Thornton on behalf of the local authorities. The survey rates were 48% and the results extrapolated to give the figures used in the report.\r\nScotland’s Digital Future: Delivery of Public Services published in September 2012 included an action to develop a strategy for consolidation and reuse of world-class data centres available in the public and private sectors across Scotland. The Scottish Government is currently engaging with interested parties and collecting information to inform this strategy which we expect to be published later this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:14.57","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283053,"EventID":"S4W-14048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:15.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T11:43:30.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost has been of establishing public sector data centres in each of the last 10 years.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14046 on 19 April 2013 All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:15.177","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283054,"EventID":"S4W-14050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:15.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T11:43:30.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total running costs have been for public sector data centres in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14046 on 19 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:15.613","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283055,"EventID":"S4W-14052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T14:12:15.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T13:43:58.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that people with sleep apnoea are diagnosed timeously. \r\n","AnswerText":"A key way of delivering safe, effective and person centred services is through the implementation of clinical standards. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Guideline 73 on the Management of Sleep Apnoea/Hypopnoea in Adults, provides clinicians in NHSScotland with evidence based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of obstructive sleep apnoea.\r\nThe National Advisory Group (NAG) for Respiratory Managed Clinical Networks (MCNs) is working with the Sleep Studies Working Group to identify issues in sleep services and potential solutions. As a result of this work a request has been submitted to Healthcare Improvement Scotland to seek an update of the current SIGN Guideline 73.\r\nThe working group is also in the process of piloting sleep studies referral guidance for GPs within five NHS Boards. GPs are being encouraged to complete the referral guidance which provides secondary care clinicians with valuable information prior to an individual’s out-patient review.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government has recently provided funding to the NAG to support the development and dissemination of “Sleep Disordered Breathing Guidance for Primary Care”.\r\nAll of this work will help to ensure that patients with sleep disorders including sleep apnoea are identified, assessed, diagnosed and appropriately referred for treatment and long-term management.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T14:12:16.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283077,"EventID":"S4W-14014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:25.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T10:45:31.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, how many civil servants are permitted to engage in dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials engage with officials from these countries on the basis of policy need.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:25.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283078,"EventID":"S4W-14015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:26.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T10:45:31.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, what grades of civil servants are permitted to engage in dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials engage with officials from these countries on the basis of policy need rather than grade.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:26.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283079,"EventID":"S4W-14016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:26.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T10:45:31.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, whether one of its officials keeps track of all engagements between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.","AnswerText":"Officials from respective policy areas are responsible for keeping a record of engagement between Scottish Government officials and officials from other countries in accordance with the values set out in the Civil Service Code.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:26.87","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283080,"EventID":"S4W-14017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:27.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T10:45:31.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, whether there is policy guidance that officials are obliged to follow when engaged in dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina and, if so, whether it will publish such guidance.","AnswerText":"Officials are required to adhere to the Civil Service Code when engaging with government officials from other countries.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:27.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283081,"EventID":"S4W-14018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:27.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T10:45:31.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, how ministers are informed of dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials engage with Ministers on a regular basis. As part of this process, officials update Ministers on their engagement and dialogue with officials from other countries, in accordance with the Civil Service Code.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:27.807","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283082,"EventID":"S4W-14019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:28.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T10:45:31.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, what topics have been presented to or summarised for ministers as a result of dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government places a high value on its relationships with other countries and engages with government officials from other countries on a number of areas of mutual interest. For example, the topics summarised for Ministers on Qatar include official to officials’ dialogue on trade and investment, Scotland’s energy and climate justice policies, planned visits to the Gulf region, proposed inward visits, opportunities for cultural exchange and other topics of mutual interest. Due to the high number of topics presented/summarised, a full break down could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:28.227","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283083,"EventID":"S4W-14020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:28.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T10:45:31.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, within what parameters its officials are expected to work when engaged in dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-14016, S4W-14017 and S4W-14018 on 25 April 2013. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:28.57","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283084,"EventID":"S4W-14021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:28.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T10:45:31.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, whether, in the last three months, it has issued new guidance to its officials with responsibilities for dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.\r\n","AnswerText":"No new guidance has been published. I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-14016, S4W-14017 and S4W-14018 on 25 April 2013. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:28.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283085,"EventID":"S4W-14022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:29.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T10:45:31.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, how ministers ensure that dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina reflect ministerial policy.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14018 on 25 April 2013. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:29.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283086,"EventID":"S4W-14023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:29.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T10:45:31.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, whether ministers discuss with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.","AnswerText":"There has been no recent contact with Foreign and Commonwealth Ministers on Scottish Government officials’ contact with these two countries but the Scottish Government engages in regular dialogue with the UK Government. A Memorandum of Understanding is in place to facilitate this interaction.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:29.707","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283087,"EventID":"S4W-14024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:30.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T10:45:31.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, how ministers will report to the Parliament on dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.","AnswerText":"The parliamentary process provides mechanisms through which the Parliament can request information about the Scottish Government’s engagement with these countries.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:30.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283088,"EventID":"S4W-14025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:31.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T10:45:31.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, whether it will provide a summary of the engagement in the last six months between its officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.\r\n","AnswerText":"Due to the potential high number of engagements across the Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina, a full break down of engagements in the last six months and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. In addition, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14019 on 25 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:31.237","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283089,"EventID":"S4W-14027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:31.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T11:14:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards routinely offer patients a choice of (a) hospital and (b) consultant on referral for treatment.\r\n","AnswerText":"The offering of appointments is an operational matter for individual NHS boards based on where their services are provided for example a specific service may only be available in one hospital or at a regional service. However in offering patients appointment choices we expect Boards to take account of Scottish Government guidance on both waiting times and good practice booking.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:31.83","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283090,"EventID":"S4W-14063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:32.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T14:56:49.807","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the appropriateness of the (a) Chief Executive and (b) Medical Director of NHS Tayside sitting on the board of Health Improvement Scotland. \r\n","AnswerText":"As stated in Parliament on 26 February 2013, serving members of staff of a NHS board will in future not be appointed as board members of a scrutiny body (Healthcare Improvement Scotland or the Care Inspectorate).\r\nThe arrangements for the appointment of the chief executive of NHS Tayside as a member of the board of Healthcare Improvement Scotland were made prior to this announcement and in accordance with the rules governing Public Appointments, prior to this announcement. The Medical Director of NHS Tayside is not a member of the board of Healthcare Improvement Scotland.\r\nAll members of NHS boards are expected carry out their responsibilities in line with the board member’s Code of Conduct surrounding any potential conflicts of interest and any conflict of interests would be recorded on the Register of Interests. Further details on these can be found on the Healthcare Improvement Scotland website via the following link:\r\nhttp://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/about_us/our_board.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:32.593","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283091,"EventID":"S4W-14064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-03-28T17:01:33.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T16:07:35.613","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Help to Buy equity loan scheme announced by the UK Government; whether it plans to introduce a similar scheme in Scotland, and when it will announce how it will use the Barnett consequentials arising from the scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"The majority of the consequentials funding has come to the Scottish Government in the form of loans, without any details about the terms and conditions of their use having thus far been provided by the Treasury. Decisions will be taken about how these consequentials are deployed in due course, taking into account the overall financial position.\r\nThe Scottish Government is already supporting the housebuilding industry in Scotland through a range of measures, sustaining and creating jobs and helping people into home-ownership where it is sensible and sustainable. Those measures include an investment of £20 million this financial year to support shared equity schemes, which forms part of an overall three year housing supply investment of £860 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T17:01:33.297","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283101,"EventID":"S4W-14030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:48.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T11:55:29.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many graduates from Aberdeen Dental School have gained a vocational training placement in each of the last five years and how many (a) gained full time employment and (b) remained in the Aberdeen area on completion.\r\n","AnswerText":"The first dental students to graduate from the Aberdeen Dental School did so in June 2012, and all 13 graduates gained vocational training places in Scotland; 5 in Grampian, 6 in the Highlands and Islands, and two in the West of Scotland. As none have yet completed their vocational training, no data on their retention in Scotland is available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:48.36","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283102,"EventID":"S4W-14033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:49.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T11:55:29.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many dental practices in the Aberdeen area have been registered to offer vocational training placements for graduates from Aberdeen Dental School in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Under European Economic Area (EEA) and UK employment law provisions in relation to open competition any UK or EEA dental graduate who meets the eligibility criteria can apply for vocational training placements. On that basis it would be illegal to arrange recruitment into vocational training places based on the location of the graduates school, it follows that there are no dental practices in the Aberdeen area with such an arrangement.\r\nIt is NHS Education for Scotland which co-ordinates the selection of dental practices that will offer vocational training places to dental graduates, and monitors how these arrangements operate. Currently, there are eight dental practices in the Aberdeen area that offer vocational training places.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:49.077","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283103,"EventID":"S4W-14034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:49.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T11:55:29.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been provided to dental practices in the Aberdeen area that offer vocational training placements for graduates from Aberdeen Dental School in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14033 on 23 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:49.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283104,"EventID":"S4W-14035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:49.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T11:55:29.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how vocational training placements for graduates from Aberdeen Dental School are monitored (a) in the Aberdeen area and (b) across Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Education for Scotland (NES) is responsible for arranging and monitoring vocational training placements across Scotland, and does so in co-operation with Scottish health boards. Vocational training placements and the development of graduates is monitored by a national protocol which is used throughout the country. Vocational training practices are monitored by NES appointed vocational training advisers, who also support the trainer in the development of the vocational trainee.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:49.967","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283105,"EventID":"S4W-14053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:50.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T14:02:08.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the data used in the sea lice dispersal model for Loch Linnhe was not made available prior to being published in the Journal of Fish Diseases and on what date Marine Scotland Science received the data.\r\n","AnswerText":"At no point during this project’s progression have data been withheld. Marine Scotland Science received the information by 30 October 2012 and further work on the model using this information is being carried out, given the dispersal modelling still has a year to run.\r\nThe paper, published in the journal of Fish Diseases, aims to present the approach and scientific principles relevant to the project and to ensure the modelling methods and procedures are assessed by peer review, to give confidence that the work is deploying a scientifically valid methodology.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:50.387","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283106,"EventID":"S4W-14054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:50.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T14:02:08.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its policy on the publication of sea lice data was influenced by the 2012 study by Jensen et al on sea lice and salmon farming that was published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.","AnswerText":"While the Scottish Government continue to welcome all scientific consideration, including the study by Jensen et al, the Scottish Government’s clear preference has always been, and continues to be, to deliver necessary improvements in data availability through voluntary means, both in terms of sea lice data and other data requirements going forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:50.7","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283107,"EventID":"S4W-14055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:51.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T14:02:08.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements it has in place with the salmon farming industry for the provision of sea lice data for the purpose of scientific research and whether these will be extended to include weekly counts of sea lice at each farm.\r\n","AnswerText":"As indicated during stage 2 of the Bill, the Scottish Government has a commitment from the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation to provide Marine Scotland with access to sea lice information at farm management area level to support defined areas of research of benefit to our understanding of how to best support the sustainable development of Scotland’s aquaculture sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:51.057","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283108,"EventID":"S4W-14057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:51.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T14:02:08.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether arrangements are in place to (a) retain and (b) make available sea lice data that it has gathered for (i) scientific and (ii) academic research.\r\n","AnswerText":"All of the primary data is owned and retained by private third parties. Marine Scotland Scientists will retain sea lice data or access to the data that has been used to publish research results in line with scientific professional practice which is to be able to revisit, confirm or extend the original analysis. Availability will be through the requirements of all public authorities carrying out scientific research. This is covered by Freedom of Information legislation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:51.65","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283109,"EventID":"S4W-14059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:52.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T14:02:08.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to prevent the publication of sea lice data being published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.\r\n","AnswerText":"No. The content of publications is determined by scientific needs. The Ministerial Group on Sustainable Aquaculture Working Group on Science and Research will take forward discussion of how best to coordinate and maximise the impact of resources deployed on research in the aquaculture sector to benefit the industry, academic community and to support policy development and regulatory functions of Scottish Government and its agencies. This will provide a useful platform for discussion of knowledge exchange, while respecting commercial sensitivities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:52.057","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283110,"EventID":"S4W-14060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:52.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T14:02:08.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to impose conditions that would limit the use of sea lice data for scientific purposes.\r\n","AnswerText":"No. Data or information released by the Scottish Government would have no conditions’ limiting its use.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:52.37","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283111,"EventID":"S4W-14067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:52.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T16:19:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has explored the possibility of Highlands and Islands Enterprise supplying a European Fisheries Fund bridging loan when payment schedules are disrupted.","AnswerText":"Discussions regularly take place with the Enterprise Networks regarding the delivery of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) programme in Scotland, which already operates with match funding through the Scottish Government and the enterprise networks.\r\nHighlands and Islands Enterprise have no plans to establish bridging loan arrangements for EFF beneficiaries. A bridging loan from a public body would constitute a State aid with grant equivalence which would count towards the aid awarded to the applicant, and therefore reduce overall assistance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:52.663","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283112,"EventID":"S4W-14072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:53.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-29T09:21:21.19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities on the planning of places at nursery schools for three-year-olds.","AnswerText":"Local authorities are currently required to deliver 475 hours per year of pre-school education to three and four year olds. It is the responsibility of local authorities to ensure that all eligible children are offered a pre-school place.\r\nThe Provision of School Education for Children Under School Age (Prescribed Children) (Scotland) Order 2002 sets out the term from which children can take up their funded place, depending on when in the calendar year their 3rd birthday falls.\r\nGuidance on pre-school education provided under Section 34 of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools Etc. Act 2000 will be updated to reflect changes arising from the Children and Young People Bill.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:53.023","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283113,"EventID":"S4W-14073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:53.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-29T09:21:21.19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many parents do not obtain a place for their child at the nursery school of their (a) first and (b) second choice.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:53.46","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283114,"EventID":"S4W-14074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:53.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-29T09:21:21.19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many parents do not obtain a place for their child at a nursery school in the first (a) three, (b) six and (c) nine months of their entitlement due to a lack of available places.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local authorities are under a statutory duty to secure a place for all prescribed children, where parents wish to have a place for their child, in accordance with where their third birthday falls.\r\nThe Scottish Government monitors registration of those eligible children through the annual national Statistical Bulletin on Statistics for Schools in Scotland. This showed in December 2012 that registration for the pre-school entitlement was 96% of eligible children.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:53.773","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283115,"EventID":"S4W-14075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:54.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-29T16:59:50","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the maximum size for composite classes in primary schools is determined.","AnswerText":"The maximum size for composite classes in primary schools (25) is specified in Appendix 2.9 of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers’ Handbook of Conditions of Service which can be viewed at:\r\nhttp://www.snct.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Appendix_2.9.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:54.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283116,"EventID":"S4W-14084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:54.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T10:55:42.207","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which contracts for which it has issued invitations to tender will contain community benefit clauses.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have implemented community benefit clauses in various contracts, however we do not currently have a central record containing information on community benefit clauses used in individual contracts.\r\nWe intend to use the forthcoming Procurement Reform Bill to introduce a statutory requirement that public sector bodies include community benefit clauses in all new major public contracts and that those in receipt of major public contracts publish their commitments and target updates on training, apprenticeships and performance.\r\nWhen implementing the Procurement Reform Bill, the Scottish Government intend to hold a record of community benefit information in order to identify which major Scottish Government contracts contain community benefit clauses.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:54.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283117,"EventID":"S4W-14085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:55.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T10:55:42.207","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) which and (b) what percentage of its (i) currently allocated contracts and (ii) contracts allocated in the last six years contain or have contained community benefit clauses.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have implemented community benefit clauses in various contracts. For example, the Scottish Government’s Ready for Business programme is a public social partnership pilot which aims to support social enterprises to increase their trading with commercial businesses through the delivery of goods and services.\r\nThe Scottish Government do not currently have a central record containing information on community benefit clauses used in individual contracts, or the percentage of contracts containing community benefit clauses. \r\nWe intend to use the forthcoming Procurement Reform Bill to introduce a statutory requirement that public sector bodies include community benefit clauses in all new major public contracts and that those in receipt of major public contracts publish their commitments and target updates on training, apprenticeships and performance. \r\nWhen implementing the Procurement Reform Bill, the Scottish Government intends to hold a record of community benefit information in order to identify which major Scottish Government contracts contain community benefit clauses.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:55.147","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283118,"EventID":"S4W-14086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:55.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T10:55:42.207","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the average percentage of its contract clauses that community benefit clauses represent.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has implemented community benefit clauses in various contracts, however we do not currently have a central record containing information on the average percentage of contract clauses that community benefit clauses represent.\r\nWe intend to use the forthcoming Procurement Reform Bill to introduce a statutory requirement that public sector bodies include community benefit clauses in all new major public contracts and that those in receipt of major public contracts publish their commitments and target updates on training, apprenticeships and performance. \r\nIt would not be the intention to hold a record of the average percentage of contract clauses that community benefit clauses represent.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:55.49","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283119,"EventID":"S4W-14087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:55.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T11:33:52.957","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13660 by Keith Brown on 27 March 2013, what the increased cost to CalMac Ferries Ltd will be.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13660 on 27 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:55.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283120,"EventID":"S4W-14088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:56.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T11:35:18.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13661 by Keith Brown on 27 March 2013, how many staff who received a voluntary severance package had an employment contract with Argyll Ferries Ltd.\r\n","AnswerText":"One member of staff who had an employment contract with Argyll Ferries Ltd took the voluntary severance package.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:56.19","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283121,"EventID":"S4W-14089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:56.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T11:35:18.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13662 by Keith Brown on 27 March 2013, what provisions there are to ensure that vessels are able to operate safely in the weather conditions that can be anticipated on the Firth of Clyde.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Masters operate the vessels in accordance with the Safety Management Certificates issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, taking cognisance of any individual limitations expressed therein. In addition, Argyll Ferries Ltd have safety management systems which provide further guidance on actions to be taken, or factors to be considered, in various circumstances, including adverse weather.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:56.533","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283122,"EventID":"S4W-14091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T13:57:56.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T11:59:00.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the final report by MVA Consultancy on the removal of road equivalent tariff from commercial vehicles in the Western Isles will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"We are finalising publication arrangements, and anticipate that the final report into the post-RET commercial vehicle fares impact study will be published shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:57:56.877","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283123,"EventID":"S4W-14099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T15:21:26.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T14:05:16.69","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it regulates laser eye surgery in the independent sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not regulate laser eye surgery in the independent sector. Laser eye surgery undertaken in high street laser clinics is a private arrangement between the patient and the optical practice concerned.\r\nDoctors are required to be registered with the General Medical Council. A doctor that performs a laser eye surgery procedure will therefore be subject to regulation by the General Medical Council. Regulation of medical professionals is a reserved matter to the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T15:21:26.673","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283124,"EventID":"S4W-14100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-02T15:21:29.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T14:05:16.69","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Department of Health regarding the regulation of laser eye surgery in the independent sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no recent discussions with the Department of Health regarding the regulation of laser eye surgery in the independent sector.\r\nDoctors are required to be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). A doctor that performs a laser eye surgery procedure will therefore be subject to regulation by the GMC. Regulation of medical professionals is a reserved matter to the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T15:21:29.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283140,"EventID":"S4W-13961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:10.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:18:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to maximise the available resources to improve the outcomes for vulnerable young children and what steps it has taken to improve the system of data collection for measuring their (a) educational and (b) social outcomes.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Getting it Right for Every Child programme aims to improve outcomes for all children and young people. It does this by providing a common framework, practice model and language to deliver a co-ordinated approach which is appropriate, proportionate and timely and has the child at the centre. It involves reducing duplication and streamlining processes which will maximise available resources.\r\nThe Scottish Government manages three data collections in which vulnerable young children in Scotland can be identified and their outcomes measured.\r\n(a) Educational Outcomes\r\n1. The Scottish Government currently collects data via local authorities on attainment, attendance and exclusion rates in school and for all young children (ages 5-11) in Scotland which are published annually.\r\nSummary statistics for attainment, leaver destinations and healthy living: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/06/4917/0\r\nAttendance and Absence in Scottish Schools: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/12/06114834/0\r\n2. A linked report to this dataset reports on these outcomes for Looked After Children:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Children/EducOutcomesLAC\r\n(b) Social Outcomes\r\n3. The Scottish Government, Growing Up in Scotland (GUS) survey collects data on over 10,000 children in Scotland from birth and the data has been analysed by different family demographics such as low income households or families who live in deprived areas. Data is reported on and published measuring cognitive, social, emotional and behavioural development, physical and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for children aged 0-8 years.\r\nhttp://www.growingupinscotland.org.uk/\r\nThe Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill proposes duties on relevant authorities in each Community Planning Partnership area to report on progress in improving outcomes for all children. The Scottish Government will be working with partners to identify how best existing data can be used to inform the reports which might be expected and whether other sources of data collection might also be used to inform these reports.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:11.023","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283141,"EventID":"S4W-13962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:11.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:18:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to change the focus on educational attainment in measuring outcomes for looked-after children.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to achieving positive outcomes for our looked after children. In 2011 we published Educational Outcomes for Scotland’s Looked After Children 2009-10 which, for the first time linked data for looked after children provided by local authority social work services departments with educational data provided by publicly funded schools, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS).\r\nThe Curriculum for Excellence assessment approaches of sharing standards and developing quality assurance and, moderation approaches between teachers and authorities, as well as using Continuous Professional Development, will support the delivery of improvements in pupils’ educational outcomes including outcomes for looked-after children.\r\nThe Scottish Government and its partners are currently developing the Senior Phase Benchmarking Tool to help local authorities and schools to analyse, compare and improve the performance of pupils in the senior phase of Curriculum for Excellence. This will support efforts to drive up attainment and tackle disadvantage including improving outcomes for looked-after children.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:11.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283142,"EventID":"S4W-13963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:11.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:18:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it can establish a national process for defining and measuring outcomes for young people.\r\n","AnswerText":"The National Performance Framework (NPF) and the Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs) are the two processes where outcomes for young people are defined and measured.\r\nThe Scottish Government has defined, under The National Performance Framework http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Performance/purposestratobjs, a set of the high level outcomes for children and young people: \r\nNational Outcome 4 – Our Young People are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Performance/scotPerforms/outcome/youngpeople\r\nNational Outcome 5 – Our Children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Performance/scotPerforms/outcome/children\r\nNational Outcome 8 – We have improved the life chances for children, young people and families at risk\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Performance/scotPerforms/outcome/childfamilies\r\nBeneath each of these outcomes are a set of national Indicators which are used to measure progress towards outcomes. These are reported annually at the following website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Performance/scotPerforms\r\nThe Scottish Government, in conjunction with its children and young people stakeholders, has developed a menu of local outcome indicators which enable local measurement of these national outcomes for reporting and management purposes. Community Partnership Partnerships (CPP) use their annual SOA reports to report on progress towards national outcomes using a list of relevant indicators selected from the menu, together with any additional evidence.\r\nThe Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill proposes duties on service providers in each CPP to report jointly on outcomes. We will be developing guidance for service providers on reporting on outcomes which will complement NPF outcomes and SOA process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:11.647","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283143,"EventID":"S4W-13964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:11.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:18:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the number of young people leaving care has increased since August 2010, broken down by those (a) with and (b) without a Pathway Plan and those (i) with and (ii) without a Pathway Coordinator.\r\n","AnswerText":"The overall number of children people ceasing to be looked after has increased by 5% between 2009-2010 and 2011-2012:\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n\r\nTotal children ceasing to be looked after\r\n4,504\r\n4,611\r\n4,768\r\nTotal beyond minimum school leaving age (so eligible for a Pathway Plan and Pathway Coordinator), of whom:\r\n1,450\r\n1,355\r\n1,336\r\nNumber With a Pathway Plan\r\n745\r\n774\r\n974\r\nNumber With a Pathway Coordinator\r\n450\r\n965\r\n974\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Children/PubChildrenLookedAfter\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:11.943","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283144,"EventID":"S4W-13965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:12.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-26T15:18:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcomes have been of the national managed clinical networks in the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information about the work of individual National Managed Clinical Networks is available on the NHS National Services Division website:\r\nhttp://www.nsd.scot.nhs.uk/services/nmcn/index.html\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:12.24","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283145,"EventID":"S4W-14013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:12.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T10:39:27.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what local authorities will use in place of the eCare programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"The transition from the national “one size fits all” approach of eCare, to locally led initiatives, has resulted in the seven local authorities involved migrating on to a range of locally developed innovative solutions. These provide more extensive information sharing capabilities than was available previously.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:12.537","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283146,"EventID":"S4W-14068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:12.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T16:54:48.133","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will respond to reports that the recent bad weather is having a negative impact on seabird populations ahead of the breeding season.","AnswerText":"I recognise that the recent spell of unusually bad weather has had a negative impact on Scotland’s wildlife including seabirds and also on livestock. There have been reports of groups of seabirds, such as puffins, being washed ashore on the East Coast of Scotland. This puffin “wreck” is indicative of difficulties faced by seabirds in sourcing food in periods of severe weather.\r\nScottish Natural Heritage (SNH) have advised that the impact of recent bad weather on seabird populations will not be known until after the forthcoming breeding season. SNH, in conjunction with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and other organisations, participate in the Seabird Monitoring Programme which collects sample data on breeding numbers and breeding success of 26 species of seabird that regularly breed in Britain and Ireland to enable their conservation status to be assessed. \r\nResults of the Seabird Monitoring Programme can be found on the JNCC web site;\r\nhttp://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-3201.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:12.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283147,"EventID":"S4W-14069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:13.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T16:54:48.133","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed network of marine protected areas will have on the recovery of sandeels.","AnswerText":"Protected areas can help conserve the current populations of sandeels by protecting the sources of sandeel in Scottish waters.\r\nFour inshore and offshore MPA proposals for sandeels have been identified and were included in the Report to Parliament in December 2012 in recognition of the importance of preserving the species in its own right but also given the importance of sandeels for key seabird species. Scottish National Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee have advised that the objectives for the MPA proposals should be to conserve sandeel. Evidence suggests that sandeel are not in decline in these areas because few are activities taking place likely to affect their conservation status. Populations of sandeel are also not considered to be in decline because of existing fisheries measures to protect sandeel, such as the measures that span the marine waters of the Forth, and the relatively quick turnover of sandeels.\r\nCertain areas of the sea act as sources for populations of species. These sources add new individuals to increase the population numbers of the species. The role of the MPA network for sandeels is to protect sources for sandeel which supply young sandeel to other sandeel grounds around Scotland, thus promoting the health of the overall population. The MPA proposals for sandeels that were reported on in 2012 represent such sources of sandeel.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:13.207","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283148,"EventID":"S4W-14070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:13.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T16:54:48.133","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed network of marine protected areas will protect sandeels in the River Forth.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14069 on 16 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:13.503","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283149,"EventID":"S4W-14071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:13.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-28T16:54:48.133","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider the inclusion of sites to protect seabird foraging areas in the proposed network of marine protected areas to provide resilience against extreme weather events.\r\n","AnswerText":"There is already a range of work ongoing to identify seabird foraging areas for possible inclusion in the Scottish MPA network either as Nature Conservation MPAs designated under national legislation or marine Special Protected Areas (SPAs) designated under the EU Birds Directive.\r\n\r\nThe Report to Parliament on progress on identifying an MPA network was laid in Parliament on 14 December 2012, and was accompanied by Scottish Natural Heritage and Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s detailed scientific network advice. Both of these documents, which can be found on the Marine Scotland website, highlights six proposals for black guillemot, all of which contain areas used for foraging.\r\n\r\nThe report also highlighted that work is ongoing to identify SPAs at sea for other species of seabirds. This will include areas used by seabirds for foraging. Both the new Nature Conservation MPAs and the additional marine SPAs are intended to complement existing SPAs, 31 of which were extended into the marine environment in 2009 and already provide some foraging areas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:13.8","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283150,"EventID":"S4W-14076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:14.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-31T17:47:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the operational arrangements for the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"The arrangements for managing the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:14.113","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283151,"EventID":"S4W-14077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:14.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-31T17:47:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the qualifying criteria for the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund will be.\r\n","AnswerText":"The arrangements for managing the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:14.423","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283152,"EventID":"S4W-14078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:14.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-31T17:47:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the remit of the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund will be and whether it will include medicines for rare cancers.","AnswerText":"The arrangements for managing the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:14.797","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283153,"EventID":"S4W-14079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:15.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-31T17:47:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the interim findings of the review of the individual patient treatment request process conducted by Professor Charles Swainson.\r\n","AnswerText":"The outcomes of the independent review of Access to New Medicines will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:15.11","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283154,"EventID":"S4W-14080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:15.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-31T17:47:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the review of the individual patient treatment request process conducted by Professor Bill Scott.\r\n","AnswerText":"The outcomes of the independent review of Access to New Medicines will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:15.407","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283155,"EventID":"S4W-14081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:15.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-31T17:47:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of the review by Professor Philip Routledge of the Scottish Medicines Consortium's new medicines assessment process.","AnswerText":"The outcomes of the independent review of Access to New Medicines will be published in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:15.72","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283156,"EventID":"S4W-14083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:16.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-31T17:47:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funds will be available for the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund as a result of the decision to fund Ivacaftor for cystic fibrosis patients with the G551D gene mutation who have not had a lung transplant from the fund.","AnswerText":"£21.7 million has been allocated to the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund for the period 1 March 2013 to 31 March 2014. These funds will support all medicines within the scope of the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund, including Ivacaftor.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:16.093","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283157,"EventID":"S4W-14092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:16.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T12:07:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people resident in Scotland have become residents in care homes in England in each year since 1999 and at what cost.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual local authorities in Scotland. The information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:16.42","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283158,"EventID":"S4W-14093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:16.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T12:07:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the National Forum of Drug-related Deaths' recommendation in 2011 to urgently update the 2007 Drug misuse and dependence: UK guidelines on clinical management, what (a) discussions it has had with or (b) recommendations it has made to the Department of Health.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed to revise the 2006 National Quality Standards for Substance Misuse Services through the development of an Alcohol and Drug Quality Improvement Framework. This Quality Improvement Framework is the focus of the next stage of delivery in the Road to Recovery Strategy and builds on recommendations within the Quality Alcohol Treatment and Support Report, making sure quality is embedded across all services in Scotland: quality in the provision of care, treatment and recovery services; and quality in the data that will evidence the medium and long term outcomes of people in recovery. The Quality Improvement Framework will drive further improvements setting standards of care, which will be measured by quality indicators of recovery.\r\nQuality standards, improved data and evidence, and planning and reporting requirements will all contribute to an effective Recovery Orientated System of Care delivering an integrated approach to service planning, commissioning, design and delivery focused on individual needs.\r\nThe Chief Medical Officer, Sir Harry Burns, is currently leading an independent expert group to gather evidence on opiate replacement therapies used to treat people with drug addiction in Scotland and the practice and availability of community and residential rehabilitation. The group is due to report its findings in the next few months.\r\nThe work on the National Quality Standards, the findings of the Independent Expert Group and the on-going advice of the National Forum on Drug-Related Deaths, will further inform the Scottish Government’s thinking on any updates to the Drug Misuse and Dependence: UK guidelines on Clinical Management in line with recovery. Until all of this work is concluded, the Scottish Government has not held any discussions with, or has made any recommendations to the Department of Health in relation to the guidelines.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:16.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283159,"EventID":"S4W-14094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:17.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T12:07:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that evidence-based guidelines from the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) allow for best practice to be implemented across the country.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) provides robust, evidence based clinical practice guidelines for NHSScotland. These provide the evidence base for NHS boards to identify and implement the best practice locally, it is the responsibility of NHS boards, who are responsible for the planning and provision of services to meet the needs of their population, to audit and monitor the implementation of these guidelines.\r\nSIGN guidelines are derived from a systematic review of the scientific literature and are designed as a vehicle for accelerating the translation of new knowledge into action to meet our aim of reducing variations in practice, and improving patient-important outcomes. All SIGN guidelines are independently reviewed by specialist referees prior to publication and there are a number of opportunities for interested parties to get involved during the development phase.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:17.06","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283160,"EventID":"S4W-14095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:17.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T12:07:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will request that the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) prepare an evidence-based guideline on recovery from opiate drug addiction in line with the outputs of the independent expert group on opiate replacement therapies.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving all aspects of quality in how drug treatment is delivered in Scotland.\r\nThe Chief Medical Officer, Sir Harry Burns, is currently leading an independent expert group to gather evidence on opiate replacement therapies used to treat people with drug addiction in Scotland (announced in October 2012). The Group is due to report its findings in the next few months.\r\nAny individual or group can propose a SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidance Network) guideline at any time: http://www.sign.ac.uk/about/introduction.html. For a topic to be suitable for the development of a SIGN guideline there must be evidence of variation in practice which affects patient outcomes and a strong research base providing evidence of effective practice. In addition, the potential benefit to patients must be sufficient to justify the resources invested in the development and implementation of a SIGN guideline. A decision on whether SIGN should be asked to consider a guideline on recovery from opiate drug addiction will be made following the report from the independent expert group.\r\nThe Scottish Government has also committed to revise the 2006 National Quality Standards for Substance Misuse Services through the development of an Alcohol and Drug Quality Improvement Framework. This Quality Improvement Framework is the focus of the next stage of delivery of the Road to Recovery Strategy and builds on recommendations within the Quality Alcohol Treatment and Support Report (2011) - making sure quality is embedded across all services in Scotland: quality in the provision of care, treatment and recovery services; and quality in the data that will evidence the medium and long term outcomes of people in recovery. The Quality Improvement Framework will drive further improvements setting standards of care, which will be measured by quality indicators of recovery. \r\nQuality standards, improved data and evidence, and planning and reporting requirements will all contribute to an effective Recovery Orientated System of Care delivering an integrated approach to service planning, commissioning, design and delivery focused on individual needs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:17.373","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283161,"EventID":"S4W-14096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:17.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T12:07:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to increase access to buprenorphine, as recommended by the National Forum on Drug-related Deaths in 2011.","AnswerText":"Decisions on the type of treatment for problem drug use are for professionals, in discussion with their clients to agree upon within the context of long term recovery.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s national drugs strategy the Road to Recovery is clear; that substitute prescribing such as buprenorphine, is one of a number of methods of drug treatment in a package of care, treatment and recovery that can be offered to individuals to help them recover from problem drug use.\r\nSteps are in place to improve all aspect of quality in how drug treatment is delivered. The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Harry Burns, is currently leading an independent expert group to gather evidence on opiate replacement therapies used to treat people with drug addiction in Scotland and the practice and availability of community and residential rehabilitation. The group is due to report its findings in the next few months.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:17.717","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283162,"EventID":"S4W-14097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:18.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T12:07:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken since 2011 to supply written information for people receiving treatment for drug addiction to ensure informed patient choice on all treatment options across each NHS board.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s national drugs strategy, The Road to Recovery, published in 2008 and re-affirmed with cross-party support by this Parliament in 2012, still stands strong as the key over-arching policy document for the delivery of recovery-focused support and treatment in Scotland. The strategy is underpinned by key guidance contained in the UK Guidelines on Clinical Management for Drug Misuse and Dependence (2007) and the Scottish Advisory Committee on Drugs Misuse (SACDM) Essential Care report (2008) which advocate for the provision of evidence-based, holistic and recovery-focused support where the individual has a say in their treatment options and associated recovery pathway.\r\nIn 2010, the NHS Healthcare Quality Strategy was published as a new approach to making our NHS even better, now and in the future, by building on a firm foundation of quality services, dedicated staff and strong values. The strategy is focused on three key Quality Ambitions to ensure that our NHS is safe, effective and person-centred. \r\nMoreover, delivering on a key commitment within Changing Scotland’s Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action, The Quality Alcohol Treatment and Support report (QATS) report, published in March 2011:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/03/21111515/0,\r\nbuilds on existing guidance contained both within the Alcohol Problems Support and Treatment Framework (2002) and the SACDM Essential Care report (2008). While focused on alcohol interventions, the QATS report sets out recommendations and expectations for the delivery of treatment and support in the wider addictions field. This is in line with the integrated way in which the majority of treatment services in Scotland are delivered to support people to recover, irrespective of the substance involved.\r\nThe QATS report contains 14 key recommendations targeted at Scottish Government; Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) and treatment services with the aim of improving the quality of service delivery to better support and empower people to recover.\r\nTo build on this work, Scottish Government officials are progressing with the development of a drug and alcohol Quality Improvement Framework for services in Scotland. This quality improvement framework is the focus of the next stage of delivery of The Road to Recovery strategy, and builds on recommendations within the Quality Alcohol Treatment and Support Report (2011) - making sure quality is embedded across all services in Scotland: quality in the provision of care, treatment and recovery services; and quality in the data that will evidence the medium and long term outcomes of people in recovery. The Quality Improvement Framework will drive further improvements setting standards of care, which will be measured by quality indicators of recovery. \r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with third sector organisations across Scotland including the Scottish Drugs Forum, the Scottish Recovery Consortium and the Scottish Families Affected by Drugs, to ensure that the views of service users and their families are heard and listened to, in the development of quality services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:18.06","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283163,"EventID":"S4W-14098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:18.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T12:07:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the percentage of opioid drug users in treatment in Scotland is lower than in (a) England and (b) other European countries and, if so, what analysis it has made of the reasons for this.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is not possible from the data currently available to make direct comparisons between the percentage of people with opioid addiction in drug treatment in Scotland compared to England and other European countries.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to work closely with the UK Focal Point on Drugs and the European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction to ensure that Scotland’s position in relation to the rest of the UK and other countries can be analysed and monitored.\r\nThe Chief Medical Officer, Sir Harry Burns, is currently leading an independent expert group to gather evidence on opiate replacement therapies used to treat people with drug addiction. The group is due to report its findings in the next few months.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:18.433","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283164,"EventID":"S4W-14102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:18.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T15:43:54.253","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what responsibility private landlords have for the conduct of their tenants.","AnswerText":"Under Part 7 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 a local authority may serve an antisocial behaviour notice on landlords where an occupant or visitor to a house let by the landlord engages in antisocial behaviour at or in the locality of the house. The notice will specify actions the landlord must take to address the antisocial behaviour.\r\nFrom 1 May 2013 landlords will have a legal duty to provide new tenants with an information pack. The pack includes information for tenants and landlords on their respective obligations in relation to the conduct of tenancies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:18.76","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283165,"EventID":"S4W-14103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:19.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T15:43:54.253","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action can be taken against a private landlord who refuses to deal with an antisocial tenant.","AnswerText":"Under Part 7 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 local authorities have powers to serve an antisocial behaviour notice (ASBN) on a private landlord where an occupant or visitor to a house they let engages in antisocial behaviour at or in the locality of the house. The notice specifies actions the landlord must take to address the antisocial behaviour.\r\nLocal authorities must also have regard to antisocial behaviour by the landlord, the tenant, or at the property where an antisocial behaviour order has been served, for the purposes of landlord registration. Where evidence relating to antisocial behaviour results in a landlord being found not to be fit and proper, this may result in a landlord being refused registration, or having their registration revoked.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:19.26","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283166,"EventID":"S4W-14104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:19.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T15:43:54.253","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what requirement there is for tenancy agreements between private landlords and tenants to make reference to the behaviour of the tenant.","AnswerText":"There is no statutory requirement for a tenancy agreement to make reference to the behaviour of the tenant. It is for the landlord and tenant to be satisfied as to what the specific terms of a tenancy agreement are. \r\nLandlords are responsible for the property which they let, including for the conduct of the tenant. Local authorities have powers to serve an antisocial behaviour notice (ASBN) on a private landlord if they fail to take action where an occupant or visitor to a house they let engages in antisocial behaviour at or in the locality of the house.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:19.62","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283167,"EventID":"S4W-14106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:19.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T09:57:03.85","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provision has been planned for people travelling between the rail and bus stations at the new Galashiels public transport interchange.","AnswerText":"In preparation for the return of rail services to the central Scottish Borders, a new Transport Interchange will be delivered in Galashiels by Scottish Borders Council that will fully integrate train, bus, taxi, car, cycling and pedestrians.\r\nFurther information can be found at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/209/regeneration_and_town_centre_management/476/galashiels_inner_relief_road_and_traffic_management/5.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:19.93","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283168,"EventID":"S4W-14107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:20.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T11:19:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were (a) arrested for breach of the peace between 29 March and 1 April 2013 and (b) convicted of breach of the peace on 2 and 3 April 2013 and how many of these convictions were announced via news releases from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) does not hold information on numbers of accused persons arrested for any charge. The information requested in part (a) of the question is therefore not available from COPFS.\r\nIn relation to part (b) of the question information held on the COPFS database shows that a total of 13 people were convicted of a charge of breach of the peace on \r\n2 and 3 April 2013. There were no news releases issued from COPFS in relation to any of these convictions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:20.32","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lesley Thomson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283169,"EventID":"S4W-14108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:20.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T11:28:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government about upgrading the A1.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has held no recent discussions with the UK Government on this matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:20.727","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283170,"EventID":"S4W-14109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:21.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T11:28:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to upgrade the A1.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to fully dual the A1. Our analysis shows the route enjoys a safe and efficient operation and experiences few journey time reliability issues. As such, the key objective for the route is to promote a continuing reduction in accident rates and with this in mind we will continue to look at ways to improve and upgrade the A1.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:21.053","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283171,"EventID":"S4W-14110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:21.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T11:43:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what process it followed to appoint the chairs of regional college boards and how the vacancies for these posts were advertised. \r\n","AnswerText":"The posts of chairs of regional college boards are proposed in the Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill and, as such, do not yet exist.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:21.43","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283172,"EventID":"S4W-14112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:21.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T11:43:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it took to ensure that it followed each of the seven principles set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life when appointing the chairs of regional college boards.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14110 on 23 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:21.96","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283173,"EventID":"S4W-14113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T14:16:22.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T12:27:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to enable people with restricted vision to access computer aids for visually impaired people.","AnswerText":"There is a range of services available to support and assist people with a visual impairment to access computer aids.\r\nThe Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, as amended, places duties on education authorities to identify, plan, make provision for and review the additional support needs of their pupils. A child or young person with restricted vision could have their needs assessed to consider the support that is required to help them with their learning.\r\nThe Student Awards Agency for Scotland administers the Disabled Student’s Allowance which provides support to students with disabilities studying a course of higher education. Students with a disability such as visual impairments may be eligible to apply for the allowance while on their course to help with the cost of equipment to help them study.\r\nIt is for local authorities to assess and decide what services and support to provide to their local population, using their eligibility criteria.\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government issued guidance on the Provision of Equipment and Adaptations in 2009. The guidance states that “The ability to read and write is seen as a basic human right. For individuals with a sensory impairment or communication needs, access to equipment to enable them to achieve or maintain this function should be given a high priority.”\r\nTo enable the delivery of a person centred, outcomes focused advice and service provision, it is essential that equipment (including sensory impairment equipment) is incorporated into mainstream community care and children’s services.\r\nThe Scottish Government has very recently issued a draft Scottish sensory impairment strategy for consultation. The draft strategy can be found on the Scottish Government website at: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/04/2067.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T14:16:22.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283176,"EventID":"S4W-14117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-03T15:07:01.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T14:39:43.623","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13464 by Margaret Burgess on 27 March 2013, whether it will provide the information broken down by postcode area.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the relative costs of housebuilding cannot be provided by postcode, because the volume of information is not sufficient for meaningful sub-analysis at this level.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:07:02.097","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283185,"EventID":"S4W-14101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T11:58:49.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T14:15:33.91","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contingencies are in place to assist people stranded overnight in Dunoon without accommodation due to ferry services being suspended as a result of adverse weather.\r\n","AnswerText":"SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT\r\nWRITTEN ANSWER\r\n25 April 2013\r\nIndex Heading: Transport Scotland\r\nDavid Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what contingencies are in place to assist people stranded overnight in Dunoon without accommodation due to ferry services being suspended as a result of adverse weather.\r\n(S4W-14101)\r\nKeith Brown: On 3 April the Scottish Government announced a new arrangement whereby dedicated replacement buses for AFL passengers will now operate between Argyll Ferries’ terminals at each town centre, when both its ships are off for prolonged periods, using Western Ferries’ service. This arrangement went live on 9 April 2013 and should ensure that no foot passengers are stranded at either Dunoon or Gourock.\r\nBoth the Argyll Ferries Limited service and the Western Ferries (Clyde) service operate late into the evening, every night of the week.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T11:58:49.94","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283186,"EventID":"S4W-14105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T11:58:50.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-02T19:53:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will benefit from the social wage and how. \r\n","AnswerText":"Through the Social Wage we have defended and extended key core universal services, rights and benefits to deliver the social and economic circumstances for everyone to benefit.\r\nKey commitments include: the removal of prescription charges, benefitting every Scottish citizen and potentially saving those with long term illnesses around £104 per year; free eye examinations, benefiting every Scottish citizen and having delivered almost two million examinations in 2011-12; free personal care, benefitting over 77,000 older, vulnerable people in our society; council tax freeze, benefitting over 1.8 million homes; sustainable domestic water charges benefitting all Scottish households on a public water supply; free university tuition, saving students around £27,000 a year compared to the cost of the studying in England; concessionary travel to help older and disabled people in Scotland; the abolition of bridge tolls; legislating through the Children and Young People Bill to deliver an increase to 600 hours of free, flexible early learning and childcare to around 120,000 children across Scotland; and the implementation of a Scottish Living Wage for the duration of this Parliament.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T11:58:50.27","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283187,"EventID":"S4W-14118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T11:58:50.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T15:11:05.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding the recent increase in the price of student bus tickets in Aberdeen.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not been involved in any discussions, although I understand that First Aberdeen met student representatives on 10 April 2013 to discuss their concerns.\r\nBus fares and tickets are a matter for individual operators, who use their own commercial judgement as to the fare structure to be applied, taking into account factors such as costs, patronage and other sources of funding. \r\nThe Scottish Government provides annual grants to the bus industry through Bus Service Operators Grant, currently totalling £50 million a year, aimed at helping keep fares at affordable levels and enabling bus operators to run services that might not otherwise be commercially viable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T11:58:50.753","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283188,"EventID":"S4W-14119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T11:58:51.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T16:08:37.923","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported shortage of social housing in Glasgow.\r\n","AnswerText":"A three-year delegated housing supply budget (through to March 2015) of £181.138 million was issued to Glasgow City Council through the Transfer of Management and Development Funding. This enables Glasgow City Council to take the lead in devising a locally led programme of social and affordable housing developments, based on the priorities identified within its local housing strategies and strategic housing investment plans.\r\nThe Scottish Government is providing further support through the Glasgow Housing Association new build reprovisioning programme, in which all of the homes will be for social rent in Glasgow.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government recently approved five Glasgow housing developments under the Greener Homes Innovation Scheme, which will provide a mix of social and affordable housing developments across the city.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T11:58:51.097","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283189,"EventID":"S4W-14120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T11:58:51.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T16:08:37.923","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the legal status is of a home report.","AnswerText":"The legal requirement for a Home Report is set out in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Prescribed Documents) Regulations 2008 set out what the Home Report must contain.\r\nThe Home Report legislation also makes local authority trading standards the enforcing body for the legislation and gives situations where a buyer can seek redress against a surveyor. These include where the buyer suffers a material loss as a result of a failure to prepare a survey report with reasonable skill and care.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T11:58:51.47","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283190,"EventID":"S4W-14121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T11:58:51.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T17:00:03.647","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it became aware of reports regarding the mislabelling of fish in the retail sector and what action it took.\r\n","AnswerText":"On 28 February 2013 I asked Seafish to write to retailers and processors reminding them of the need to maintain the highest level of labelling standards, and Seafish did so on 12 March 2013. Seafood substitution was discussed with the major supermarkets at the Scottish Groceries Retail Forum on 27 February 2013, where industry was reminded of their responsibilities to ensure that food and food products are correctly labelled, and do not mislead consumers. \r\nThe Scottish Government was informed by the Food Standards Agency on 5 March 2013 about specific reports regarding the mislabelling of fish in the retail sector. The report presented in the press was referencing results from a local survey undertaken by local authorities in the west of Scotland during 2008.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T11:58:51.767","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283194,"EventID":"S4W-14122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:11:57.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T16:11:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had and with whom regarding the appointment of a mediator for talks on international fish quotas since November 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"I first suggested the idea of an international mediator in January 2013 in recognition of the fact that the current approach to the mackerel negotiations, clearly isn’t working. I had initial discussions with Maria Damanaki and Simon Coveney at the January Fisheries Council meeting and subsequently have written to them both setting out my thinking in more detail. The European Commission has held a technical (official level) meeting to discuss the idea further and this was attended by a senior Marine Scotland official. I have also written to Richard Benyon and Michelle O’Neill to outline my idea and ask for their support.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:11:57.733","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283195,"EventID":"S4W-14123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:11:58.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T16:11:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is involved in the appointment of a mediator for talks on international fish quota.","AnswerText":"The mackerel talks consist of four parties, the EU, represented by the European Commission, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. All parties will need to agree to a mediator being appointed and who that mediator might be.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:11:58.093","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283196,"EventID":"S4W-14124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:11:58.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-03T16:11:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had in 2013 with the Scottish pelagic fleet and its representatives regarding the appointment of a mediator for international fishing talks.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have regular meetings with the pelagic industry and the processors, as well as ongoing discussions about how best to find a solution to the mackerel crisis. I have discussed this issue directly with Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, and will be meeting him again at the end of April 2013 to discuss the issue further.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:11:58.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283197,"EventID":"S4W-14125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:11:58.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T10:23:17.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when further details of the improvement partnership programme announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 27 March 2013 will be available; which stakeholders will participate, and how schools wanting to participate (a) can apply and (b) will be chosen.\r\n","AnswerText":"Full details concerning this programme will be available to all schools and local authorities by end June 2013. Between now and then Education Scotland will be working with key stakeholders including Association of Directors of Education in Scotland and School Leaders Scotland to work out the details including how to apply and criteria to be applied.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:11:58.867","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283198,"EventID":"S4W-14127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:11:59.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T10:23:17.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long it expects relationships between schools established under the improvement partnership programme announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 27 March 2013 to last and how it will determine whether a relationship is successful.\r\n","AnswerText":"Each improvement partnership will be tailored to individual circumstances. It is expected that some of these relationships will be over the longer-term, in some cases six months to a year or more. National criteria for success will be developed by key stakeholders before the end of June 2013. These will be augmented by local criteria for success negotiated as part of each partnership.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:11:59.207","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283199,"EventID":"S4W-14128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:11:59.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T10:23:17.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish the consultation paper on class sizes and teacher numbers announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 27 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with the Convention Of Scottish Local Authorities, with a view to issuing a joint consultation paper within the coming weeks. No date has been fixed for the publication.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:11:59.51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283200,"EventID":"S4W-14129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:11:59.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T10:23:17.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how much it will cost and (b) who it will work with to develop the senior phase benchmarking tool announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 27 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The development of the Senior Phase Benchmarking Tool is estimated to cost £0.7 million over the three financial years 2011-12 to 2014-15. The tool will be launched in August 2014.\r\nThe tool is being developed through a project-based partnership involving the Scottish Government, local authorities, secondary schools, national education agencies and other partners including teachers and unions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:11:59.82","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283201,"EventID":"S4W-14130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:00.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T10:23:17.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost Education Scotland to develop the website with schools data for parents, which was announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 27 March 2013, and whether it will be developed in-house.\r\n","AnswerText":"Education Scotland are about to start scoping the work and finalising the requirements. After this phase is complete, it will be possible to estimate costs. The existing websites, Parent Zone and Scottish Schools Online are currently managed and developed in-house by education Scotland. It is likely that the most cost-effective approach for this new development would be to build upon the existing functionality. The first meeting to discuss the scope and requirements was held on Tuesday 16 April 2013.\r\nThe new website will be developed to reflect the views parents provided into during the consultation on the School Handbook legislation. This highlighted that parents want a richer mix of information about their own school, and education in Scotland, rather than just a list of statistics.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:00.127","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283202,"EventID":"S4W-14131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:01.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T10:23:17.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost \"to improve the quality of information going to parents about Curriculum for Excellence\" and “produce a new publication to be provided to every parent in Scotland” as announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 27 March 2013.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is continually looking at ways to respond to requests to improve information and engagement with parents on Curriculum for Excellence. In response to direct feedback from parents, a new leaflet for parents is being developed in partnership with the National Parent Forum of Scotland. Final costs for this are not yet available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:01.563","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283203,"EventID":"S4W-14132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:01.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 27 March 2013 that “education is almost fully devolved”, whether it will confirm what aspects are reserved.","AnswerText":"Reserved aspects of education relate research councils and some other sources of university research funding such as the National Academies and the Technology Strategy Board, and UK government departments, some immigration matters are also reserved including student visa policy.","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283204,"EventID":"S4W-14133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T11:12:34.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the powers available to local authorities to deal with dilapidated properties before they become dangerous.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government intends to improve existing cost recovery powers in the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 for local authorities when dealing with dangerous and defective buildings. Proposals will form part of the upcoming consultation on the Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill.","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283205,"EventID":"S4W-14134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:02.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T11:00:51.737","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to local authorities that are required to take action against commercial property owners because of properties falling into disrepair.","AnswerText":"Local authorities are provided with a range of powers to help them deal with defective buildings. These powers generally require “the owner” to bring the building into a reasonable state of repair having regard to its age, type and location and apply to all tenure types.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:02.877","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283206,"EventID":"S4W-14135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:03.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T11:00:51.737","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to support intervention by local authorities in relation to dilapidated properties and their owners to prevent buildings deteriorating into a dangerous condition.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local authorities have a range of powers available to help them deal with defective buildings. The Scottish Government intends to improve existing cost recovery powers in the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 and proposals will form part of the upcoming consultation on the Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:03.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283207,"EventID":"S4W-14136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:03.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T11:00:51.737","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding is available to (a) local authorities and (b) community groups to invest in town and village centres.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have responsibility for delivering local economic development and local regeneration. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities.\r\nIn February 2013, we announced a £2 million fund for housing providers, whether public or private, to encourage the development of affordable housing in vacant town centre properties. We are currently finalising the criteria for this fund.\r\nThere are a range of Scottish Government funds to support community organisations, including those working in town and village centres. We are currently mapping what Scottish Government funding is available to support communities and we intend to publish this on our webpages later this year. There are also many other organisations that offer funding support for communities, including BIG Lottery, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:03.443","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283208,"EventID":"S4W-14137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:03.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T11:00:51.737","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to extend the availability of the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund to all local authorities.","AnswerText":"As signalled in the Regeneration Strategy the Scottish Government and Convention Of Scottish Local Authorities are currently conducting a review of the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund. The review is likely to conclude in summer 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:03.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283209,"EventID":"S4W-14138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:05.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T11:00:51.737","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the report of the national review of town centres.","AnswerText":"The External Advisory Group of the Town Centre Review, established in September 2012, are currently considering their recommendations. We expect to receive the report in May 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:05.04","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283210,"EventID":"S4W-14139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:05.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T11:57:09.603","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide financial assistance to farmers for the purchase of extra feed as a result of the recent bad weather conditions.\r\n","AnswerText":"On 1 May 2013, the Scottish Government announced a £6 million package of aid for farmers affected by the bad weather of 2012 and 2013, in particular the heavy snow of March 2013. A government industry group, chaired by the governments, Chief Agricultural Officer, met on 7 May 2013 to consider the eligibility criteria and the detail of the payments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:05.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283211,"EventID":"S4W-14140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:05.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T11:57:09.603","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what emotional support it is providing to farmers who have been adversely affected by the recent bad weather conditions.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have spoken to many farmers and know the problems this has caused in terms of devastating livestock losses, crops not harvested or not planted and increased feed requirements at a time of rising prices. The Scottish Government has already acted swiftly to provide assistance and we have given £50,000 in support to the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI: http://www.rsabi.org.uk/) which provides financial assistance, support and advice in confidence to those people who have worked in Scotland in land-based occupations and who are suffering hardship.\r\nI continue to listen carefully to the industry as the scale of the problem is being assessed and I consider what further help can be given to those worst affected. My officials are working on ways to provide more help to farmers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:05.86","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283212,"EventID":"S4W-14141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:06.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T11:57:09.603","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it will provide to farmers for the removal of animals that died as a result of the recent bad weather conditions. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is providing £500,000 financial aid to farmers for the collection of fallen stock that have died as a result of the severe weather. This will be distributed to all farmers in Scotland through the National Fallen Stock Company.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:06.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283213,"EventID":"S4W-14142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:06.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T11:57:09.603","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it will offer to farmers facing financial difficulties as a result of the recent bad weather conditions.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provided £500,000 support to farmers to assist with fallen stock costs and, on 1 May 2013, I announced a £6 million aid package to further support the industry recover from the recent extreme weather and other factors.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:06.553","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283214,"EventID":"S4W-14143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:06.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T11:57:09.603","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many meetings it has had in the last year with and (b) what support it offers to the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution.\r\n","AnswerText":"The First Minister and I met with the RSABI chief executive and chairman as recently as the National Farmers Union Scotland Annual General Meeting in February 2013, when we awarded the RSABI a £50,000 grant to support the great work that it does. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:06.923","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283215,"EventID":"S4W-14145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:07.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T12:15:27.72","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13200 by Michael Matheson on 5 March 2013, what restrictions relating to new medicines apply to ulipristal acetate that are additional to the restriction removed on 9 November 2012 and under what conditions it can be made available without prescription.","AnswerText":"Ulipristal acetate is licensed as an emergency hormonal contraception. For this indication it is a prescription only medicine. The usual route for obtaining the medicine is via prescription from a qualified prescriber.\r\nExceptionally, it may be possible for ulipristal acetate to be obtained through a patient group direction (PGD) facility where such a direction has been put in place by a NHS board.\r\nIt is for NHS boards to determine when to establish a PGD and for what service. Scottish Government does not hold information on NHS board PGDs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:07.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283216,"EventID":"S4W-14146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:07.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T12:47:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people given a custodial sentence in cases involving domestic violence received a sentence of (a) up to three and (b) between three and six months in 2011-12.","AnswerText":"The data held on the Scottish Government Court Proceedings Database shows that there were 382 people given a custodial sentence of up to three months and 490 with a sentence of over three months to six months for cases where the main charge had a domestic abuse aggravator recorded in the financial year 2011-12.\r\nRecording of offence aggravators has been improving over time and it is deemed that recording has only reached a sufficient level of consistency in the past three years from 2009-10. Any comparison of trends of aggravator information made over time should be made with caution. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:07.6","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283217,"EventID":"S4W-14147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-04T15:12:07.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T12:47:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted in cases involving domestic violence in 2011-12, broken down by manner of disposal.","AnswerText":"The data held on the Scottish Government Court Proceedings Database shows that 10,499 people were prosecuted where the main offence had a domestic abuse aggravator recorded in the financial year 2011-12. Of these 8,869 were convicted which consisted of the following disposal types: 1,104 Custody; 2,253 Community Sentence; 2,683 Monetary; 2,739 Admonished; 77 Absolute discharge; 13 Other disposal types.\r\nRecording of offence aggravators has been improving over time and it is deemed that recording has only reached a sufficient level of consistency in the past three years from 2009-10. Any comparison of trends of aggravator information made over time should be made with caution.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T15:12:07.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283223,"EventID":"S4W-14150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:06.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T15:41:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the safeguarding of a protected species in an EU designated special protection area or access on a path through a breeding area has priority.","AnswerText":"Access rights under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 extend to nature reserves and other conservation areas (including Special Protection Areas). The Scottish Outdoor Access Code provides detailed guidance on the responsibilities of those exercising access rights and of those managing land and water.\r\nThe National Access Forum (as established by Scottish Natural Heritage to advise on national issues linked to Scottish access rights) has drawn up additional guidance on managing access with dogs in protected areas to safeguard breeding birds. This is available via the following web link:\r\nhttp://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/B1012165.pdf\r\nIf necessary, access rights may be subject to modification for reasons which include satisfying the requirements of relevant EU Directives.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:07.08","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283224,"EventID":"S4W-14151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:07.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T16:01:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been (a) prosecuted, (b) fined and (c) imprisoned under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for taking, disturbing or harming a freshwater pearl mussel.","AnswerText":"The freshwater pearl mussel was given legal protection when it was added to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA) in 1991. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is responsible for holding records for prosecutions in relation to freshwater pearl mussels under the WCA dating from 2002, though there have been no such prosecutions since then. Records held by the Scottish Government on cases involving offences under Schedule 5 of the WCA do not identify the species concerned.\r\nThere have been two cases reported to COPFS in relation to offences involving freshwater pearl mussels under the WCA since 2002. In one of those cases there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the individual reported.\r\nThe other case proceeded by way of prosecution under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005, Regulation 5 and 40(1)(a) and the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 Section 20(3)(a) which also recognised the damage to the Freshwater Pearl Mussels. This case resulted in fines being imposed on two individuals and a company, totalling £15,000.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:07.737","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283225,"EventID":"S4W-14152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:08.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T16:01:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many licences have been obtained to sell freshwater pearls from Scottish rivers in each of the last 14 years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Antique freshwater pearl mussel. Licences issued for sale of pearls between 1999-2011:\r\nYear\r\nAntique freshwater pearl mussel licences issued\r\n(To sell/jewellery trade) under Section 16(4) (b) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.\r\n1999\r\nThe Scottish Government does not hold this information\r\n2000\r\nThe Scottish Government does not hold this information\r\n2001\r\n0\r\n2002\r\n1\r\n2003\r\n1\r\n2004\r\n1 \r\n2005\r\n1\r\n2006\r\n11\r\n2007\r\n6  \r\n2008\r\n11\r\n2009\r\n11\r\n2010\r\n18\r\n2011\r\n21*\r\n2012\r\n8 \r\n2013\r\n2  (as of 1st April 2013)\r\n* The Scottish Government issued 11 licences to sell freshwater pearls in 2011. This relates to freshwater pearls taken before 1998, when freshwater pearl mussels were not protected. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) were given the responsibility for the licensing of the sale of pearls from freshwater pearl mussels on 1 July 2011. SNH issued a further 10 licences in 2011, giving a total of 21 for that year. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:08.407","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283226,"EventID":"S4W-14153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:08.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T16:01:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to ensure that the freshwater pearl mussel is protected while hydroelectric schemes are being developed in rivers with pearl mussel colonies.\r\n","AnswerText":"In their responses to planning and Controlled Activities Regulation licence applications, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) seek pre-construction surveys and also a construction method statement.\r\nIn addition, SNH and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have produced joint good practice guidance for hydro construction; and SNH recently held two Sharing Good Practice (SGP) Events aimed at both regulators and developers.\r\nhttp://www.scottishrenewables.com/publications/hydro-construction-guide-good-practice/\r\nA further SGP event is scheduled for June on “Upland Tracks and Renewable Energy Development” and the associated good practice guidance on constructed tracks in the uplands is currently being revised in consultation with SEPA. The event is focused on discussing the key natural heritage impacts arising from the construction, maintenance and after-use of track developments, and highlighting the potential disturbance to fish and invertebrate species, including freshwater pearl mussels, in areas where access tracks cross rivers and streams.\r\nMore generally, SNH has also published guidance on how best to protect freshwater pearl mussels to help inform those considering river engineering works. This is available on their website at:\r\nhttp://www.snh.gov.uk/publications-data-and-research/publications/search-the-catalogue/publication-detail/?id=1519.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:08.983","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283227,"EventID":"S4W-14154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:09.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T16:01:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to identify sites for a reintroduction programme for the freshwater pearl mussel.","AnswerText":"As part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan for freshwater pearl mussels, a trial reintroduction to two tributaries of rivers in the Cairngorms took place in 2005. The freshwater pearl mussel was subsequently included in the Species Action Framework and during the period 2007-12 further action was taken to look at potential reintroduction to distinct catchments from which the species had been lost. Following research work that identified a number of potential reintroduction sites, and examined the species’ genetic diversity, a reintroduction programme was finalised.\r\nA further reintroduction took place in Argyll during 2011. Follow up monitoring demonstrated disappointing results with poor recruitment in the Cairngorms, although there appears to have been better results in Argyll. The reasons for the different results are not clear. Further monitoring is scheduled to take place during 2013 at all three reintroduction sites which will inform further potential reintroductions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:09.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283228,"EventID":"S4W-14155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:10.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T16:01:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many freshwater pearl mussel sites have been found to be criminally damaged in each of the last 14 years.","AnswerText":"There have been 72 suspected criminal incidents involving damage to Freshwater Pearl Mussel sites in Scotland over the past 14 years.\r\nThese have been recorded by Scottish Natural Heritage and the National Wildlife Crime Unit on a yearly basis as shown in the following table.\r\nYear\r\nNumber of suspected criminal incidents\r\n1999\r\n2\r\n2000\r\n7\r\n2001\r\n1\r\n2002\r\n1\r\n2003\r\n2\r\n2004\r\n2\r\n2005\r\n3\r\n2006\r\n6\r\n2007\r\n3\r\n2008\r\n14\r\n2009\r\n13\r\n2010\r\n12\r\n2011\r\n4\r\n2012\r\n2\r\nThe relevant offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is:\r\nSection 9(4)(a) - intentionally or recklessly damaging, destroying or obstructing access to any structure or place which any wild animal included in Schedule 5 uses for shelter or protection.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:10.107","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283229,"EventID":"S4W-14156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:10.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T16:01:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to assess the freshwater pearl mussel populations in non-designated rivers.","AnswerText":"The first national survey of freshwater pearl mussel populations was commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage and undertaken by Cosgrove and Young in 1997. A repeat national survey, which includes all known non-designated rivers with pearl mussel populations, has recently started. Fieldwork is taking place in 2013 and 2014, and the final report is due to be submitted to Scottish Natural Heritage in early 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:10.683","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283230,"EventID":"S4W-14157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:11.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T17:13:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its evaluation of the Community Jobs Scotland programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"The evaluation of Community Jobs Scotland will be published during summer 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:11.23","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283231,"EventID":"S4W-14158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:12.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T17:13:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the membership is of the Community Jobs Scotland Advisory Group.","AnswerText":"Membership of the Community Jobs Scotland Advisory Group is comprised of representatives of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Skills Development Scotland, the Department of Work and Pensions and the Scottish Local Authority Economic Development group.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:12.167","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283232,"EventID":"S4W-14159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:12.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T17:13:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Opportunities for All budget is for (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15, showing how much has been allocated in each year; to what it has been allocated, and how much has not been allocated.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has identified significant resources to fulfil our Opportunities for All commitment to guarantee all 16-19 year olds an offer of a place in education or training, including prioritising college places and Modern Apprenticeships for young people\r\nThe £30 million Opportunities for All budget allocation for financial years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 is set out in the following table:\r\n \r\n2012-13\r\n£18,000,000\r\n2013-14\r\n£6,000,000\r\n2014-15\r\n£6,000,000\r\nTargeted ERI\r\n£500,000\r\n£500,000\r\n£500,000\r\nCommunity Jobs Scotland\r\n£5,350,000\r\n£4,000,000\r\n£1,750,000\r\nSocial Enterprise & Third Sector Challenge Fund\r\n£3,027,282\r\n \r\n \r\nLocal Authorities\r\n£9,000,000\r\n \r\n \r\nTotal allocated (to date)\r\n£17,877,282\r\n£4,500,000\r\n£2,250,000\r\n \r\nOther specific Scottish Government finance that supports the implementation of our Opportunities for All commitment includes the following Level 4 budget lines:\r\n \r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nInspiring Scotland's 14-19 year olds\r\n4,000,000\r\n4,000,000\r\n4,000,000\r\nSupporting Post-16 Transitions Towards Employment\r\n5,800,000\r\n5,328,000\r\n4,828,000\r\nEducation Maintenance Allowance \r\n31,600,000\r\n31,600,000\r\n31,600,000\r\nCommunity Jobs Scotland\r\n4,000,000\r\n2,000,000\r\n2,100,000\r\nIn addition, as part of our all-Government, all-Scotland response to assist all young people into employment, other funding will be allocated in 2013-14 and 2014-15 from, for example £25 million European structural funds and £15 million from Scottish Government to support employer recruitment incentives.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:12.463","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283233,"EventID":"S4W-14160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:12.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T18:10:34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in each NHS board area have multiple sclerosis.","AnswerText":"Information does not allow explicit identification of the prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) within each NHS board.\r\nInformation is available on the number of people who have been given a new diagnosis of MS in the past two years and is contained within the Multiple Sclerosis register which is available at: http://www.msr.scot.nhs.uk/Reports/Main.html.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:12.79","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283234,"EventID":"S4W-14161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:13.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T18:10:34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in each NHS board area have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the last three years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish MS Register was launched in January 2010 with the aim of collecting information on all people registered in Scotland by a Consultant Neurologist receiving a new diagnosis of MS. The purpose of collecting this data is to provide information on the incidence rate of MS in Scotland (i.e. all new cases of MS diagnosed from January 2010 onwards).\r\nThe following table shows the number of people recorded  with a new diagnosis of MS in Scotland in 2010 and 2011, reported by NHS board to the MS Register.\r\nYear of Diagnosis\r\nNHS Board\r\n2010 Count\r\n2011 Count\r\nAyrshire and Arran \r\n17\r\n27\r\nBorders\r\n6\r\n6\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n12\r\n17\r\nFife\r\n29\r\n25\r\nForth Valley\r\n17\r\n23\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n98\r\n90\r\nGrampian\r\n54\r\n49\r\nHighland\r\n26\r\n19\r\nLanarkshire\r\n46\r\n22\r\nLothian\r\n59\r\n54\r\nOrkney\r\n5\r\n5\r\nShetland\r\n4\r\n6\r\nTayside\r\n40\r\n42\r\nWestern Isles\r\n5\r\n4\r\nSource: ISD Scotland.\r\nThe MS Register does not include people who are diagnosed in a Paediatric Hospital. The Scottish MS Register Steering Group is currently working closely with services to improve the quality and accuracy of the data. It is intended that the 2012 data will be published in September 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:13.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283235,"EventID":"S4W-14162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:13.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T18:10:34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support people with multiple sclerosis.","AnswerText":"Our top priority for people with MS is to ensure that the Neurological Standards published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland are implemented, they offer the best mechanism for achieving safe, effective and person centred care.\r\nThe standards will help ensure people get the earliest and most appropriate treatment locally, but with access to specialist services when needed. That’s why we previously provided boards with £1.2million, to develop improvement groups as the main vehicles to take them forward.\r\nProgress is being monitored by the National Neurological Advisory Group. We will continue to work with NHS boards and the third sector to improve services for people with MS in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:13.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283236,"EventID":"S4W-14163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:13.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T18:10:34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in research into multiple sclerosis and what developments have been made since May 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports research in Scotland through the Chief Scientist Office (CSO). Since May 2007, the CSO has awarded £450,000 in direct funding to six research studies investigating multiple sclerosis.\r\nThe CSO also supports research infrastructure across NHSScotland, but the level of such infrastructure investment into specific conditions is not held centrally. Developments made from directly funded studies are publicised on the CSO website (cso.scot.nhs.uk), other developments made within the field will be disseminated by publication in the relevant medical journals. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:13.773","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283237,"EventID":"S4W-14164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:14.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T18:51:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all police officers had Police Service of Scotland warrant cards on 1 April 2013 and, if not, how many and what percentage of officers did not and what the implications are for these officers.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Police Service of Scotland. Scottish Ministers do not hold this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:14.083","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283238,"EventID":"S4W-14166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:14.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T18:51:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all police officers had Police Service of Scotland authorisation cards to carry CS incapacitant spray on 1 April 2013 and, if not, how many and what percentage of officers did not and what the implications are for these officers.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Police Service of Scotland. Scottish Ministers do not hold this information. However, transitional provisions under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 make clear that any authorisation granted by a Scottish chief officer in exercise of powers in relation to the carrying of CS spray remains valid.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:14.38","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283239,"EventID":"S4W-14168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:14.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T18:51:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all authorised firearms officers had Police Service of Scotland authorisation cards to carry firearms on 1 April 2013 and, if not, how many and what percentage of officers did not and what the implications are for these officers.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Police Service of Scotland. Scottish Ministers do not hold this information. However transitional provisions under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 make clear that any authorisation granted by a Scottish chief officer in exercise of powers in relation to the carrying of firearms remains valid.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:14.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283240,"EventID":"S4W-14170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:15.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T18:51:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Police Service of Scotland warrant cards contain images such as a security hologram to prevent forgeries and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Police Service of Scotland. Scottish Ministers do not hold this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:15.037","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283241,"EventID":"S4W-14173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:15.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T10:04:59.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value was in 2012-13 of funds subsumed into the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund and how much is available to the voluntary sector from the fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"The value in 2012-13 of the three predecessor funds to the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund was £13.85 million. £30 million is being provided to the voluntary sector over the next two years, with £20 million being provided through the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund and a further £10 million through Strategic Funding Partnerships.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:15.333","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283242,"EventID":"S4W-14174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:15.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T10:04:59.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was made aware of possible delays in 2013-14 Third Sector Early Intervention Fund awards to voluntary groups and by what means.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government made the decision to reschedule the announcement of the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund in late March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:15.677","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283243,"EventID":"S4W-14175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:16.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T10:04:59.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what involvement ministers and officials have had in the selection of organisations to be funded from the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Third Sector Early Intervention Fund was managed by BIG in Scotland, the non-lottery arm of the Big Lottery, who made funding decisions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:16.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283244,"EventID":"S4W-14176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:16.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T10:04:59.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Big Lottery Fund Scotland regarding the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund (TSEIF) since it became aware that TSEIF awards would be delayed.\r\n","AnswerText":"BIG in Scotland and the Scottish Government have had regular contact since BIG was awarded the contract to manage the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund in November 2012, including in the period following the Scottish Government’s decision to reschedule the announcement of the outcome of the Fund.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:16.753","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283245,"EventID":"S4W-14177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:17.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T10:04:59.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the eligibility criteria will be for funding via strategic funding partnerships; what body will administer such funding, and what form the application process will take.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government invited organisations which satisfied one or more of the following criteria in to discussions about establishing Strategic Funding Partnerships:\r\nThe organisation is unique in the services it delivers and loss of these services would have an unacceptable impact;\r\nThe service the organisation provides is a key part of the Scottish Governments national support for delivery; \r\nThe organisation’s service is important in ensuring equality of access to support.\r\nThere is no application process. The Scottish Government has approached key organisations. The Scottish Government will administer Strategic Funding Partnerships.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:17.313","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283246,"EventID":"S4W-14178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:17.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T10:04:59.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale will be for (a) applications for and (b) awards of funding via strategic funding partnerships.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has already contacted relevant organisations to begin discussions about creating Strategic Funding Partnerships. Grant letters will be issued to organisations entering Strategic Funding Partnerships with the Scottish Government on conclusion of these discussions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:17.593","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283247,"EventID":"S4W-14179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:17.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T10:04:59.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what involvement ministers and officials will have in awarding funding through strategic funding partnerships.","AnswerText":"Ministers agreed the organisations to be invited to discuss Strategic Funding Partnerships. Discussions with individual organisations are being taken forward by relevant officials.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:17.89","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283248,"EventID":"S4W-14180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:18.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T10:04:59.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding will be made available for strategic funding partnerships and what the (a) maximum and (b) minimum award will be.","AnswerText":"£10 million has been made available over the next two years for Strategic Funding Partnerships. No maximum or minimum award has been set.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:18.233","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283249,"EventID":"S4W-14181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:18.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T10:04:59.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether funding for strategic funding partnerships is new money.","AnswerText":"This is additional funding for the third sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:18.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283250,"EventID":"S4W-14182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:18.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T10:04:59.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether successful applicants to the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund will be eligible to apply for funding via strategic funding partnerships.","AnswerText":"The Third Sector Early Intervention Fund (TSEIF) and Strategic Funding Partnerships are designed to provide a coherent package of support to deliver key outcomes for children, young people and the families and communities who support them across Scotland. In order to support as many organisations in the third sector as possible, organisations which successfully applied to the TSEIF have not been approached about Strategic Funding Partnerships.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:18.827","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283251,"EventID":"S4W-14183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:19.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T10:04:59.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether funding via strategic funding partnerships will place restrictions on applications for or awards under other (a) government or (b) non-government funding streams.","AnswerText":"No.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:19.123","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283252,"EventID":"S4W-14184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-05T14:49:19.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T10:04:59.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that applicants to the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund and organisations eligible for funding via strategic funding partnerships are informed about the process and any developments.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Children and Young People announced the outcomes of both the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund and Strategic Funding Partnerships on 18 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T14:49:19.42","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283259,"EventID":"S4W-14171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-08T13:51:00.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T09:53:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13443 by Michael Matheson on 13 March 2013, what assessment it has made of the potential improvements to sexual health services that could be achieved through enabling access to ulipristal acetate through pharmacies.","AnswerText":"A small expert group is currently being set up to look at the provision of ulipristal acetate in Scotland. This group will consider the available evidence and make recommendations based on this evidence on the provision of ulipristal acetate in Scotland. This will include consideration of access to ulipristal acetate via community pharmacies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T13:51:00.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283260,"EventID":"S4W-14172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-08T13:51:00.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T09:53:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13443 by Michael Matheson on 13 March 2013, whether it plans to update the community pharmacy public health service for emergency hormonal contraception in light of recommendations by Community Pharmacy Scotland.","AnswerText":"A small expert group is currently being set up to consider the provision of ulipristal acetate in Scotland. This group will consider the available evidence and make recommendations based on this evidence. This will include consideration of access to ulipristal acetate via community pharmacies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T13:51:00.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283261,"EventID":"S4W-14185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-08T13:51:01.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T11:05:50.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what economic sectors it is exploring to identify additional policies and proposals for the second report on proposals and policies.","AnswerText":"The draft second report on proposals and policies for meeting Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets set out measures in a broad range of sectors across Scotland’s economy. The Scottish Government is considering the recommendations that have been made in relation to all of these sectors as part of Parliament’s scrutiny of the draft report.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T13:51:01.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283262,"EventID":"S4W-14186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-08T13:51:02.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T11:05:50.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the EU's climate change targets for 2020 will be increased.","AnswerText":"Future EU climate change policy is a matter for the Member States of the European Union and only as an Independent member state would the Scottish Government be able to directly speak to and have a vote on proposals within the EU negotiations at European Environment Council. The Scottish Government, under current constitutional arrangements, continues to advocate that the EU strengthen its 2020 climate change target as soon as possible and will continue to encourage the UK Government and other member states to argue for increased ambition. At the UNFCCC Conference in Doha in December 2012, the EU Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard, stated that the EU may be on course to achieve a 27% reduction in emissions, despite the current target of just 20% by 2020.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T13:51:02.887","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283263,"EventID":"S4W-14187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-08T13:51:03.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T11:05:50.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which proposals from the draft Second Report on Proposals and Policies officials are reviewing with a view to turning them into firm policies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is reviewing the entire draft second report on proposals and policies in light of the recommendations that were made during the 60-day period for Parliamentary consideration. We Will respond to those representations when we publish the final version of the Second Report on Proposals and Policies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T13:51:03.523","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283264,"EventID":"S4W-14188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-08T13:51:04.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T11:05:50.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the final version of the Second Report on Proposals and Policies.","AnswerText":"A publication date has not yet been set for the final version of the draft second report on proposals and policies. The Scottish Government is working to complete and publish the final report as soon as reasonably practicable taking into account representations made during the Parliamentary scrutiny of the draft report.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T13:51:04.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283265,"EventID":"S4W-14189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-08T13:51:04.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T11:05:50.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Minister for Environment and Climate Change last met other ministers to discuss emissions reductions in their portfolio areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have on-going dialogue concerning emissions reduction with my ministerial colleagues. The development of the draft second climate change Report on Proposals and Policies and our strategy for a low carbon Scotland has been discussed at two meetings of the Cabinet in January 2013, formal bilateral meetings with fellow ministers and their officials as well as during informal discussions with ministerial colleagues. In addition joint Ministerial meetings are held on a weekly basis and RPP2 has been discussed on several such occasions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T13:51:04.85","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283266,"EventID":"S4W-14190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-08T13:51:05.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T11:05:50.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment last met other cabinet secretaries to discuss climate change emissions reductions in their portfolio areas.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment led discussion about emissions reduction, and specifically the draft second report on proposals and policies, at two meetings of the Scottish Cabinet in January 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T13:51:05.46","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283267,"EventID":"S4W-14191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-08T13:51:06.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-05T11:05:50.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Emissions Reduction Programme Board has met since 11  December 2012 and whether it has discussed, or plans to discuss, the Second Report on Proposals and Policies in 2013.","AnswerText":"The Emissions Reduction Programme Board last met on 28 February 2013. The Second Report on Proposals and Policies is, and will continue to be, a key focus for board discussions.\r\nNotes of board meetings, and carbon reduction activity reports outlining activity in the main sectors delivering reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, are available on the Scottish Government website.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T13:51:06.113","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283275,"EventID":"S4W-14148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:07.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T15:38:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to issue further guidance to accompany the carbon calculator to assist planning officers evaluate the values entered in the calculator.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are two active strands of work developing further guidance at the moment. These are:\r\n1. To amend the sampling requirements so developers would use nationally derived estimates of bulk density and total carbon within the Carbon Calculator as default value. Work is ongoing with meetings held between Scottish Government, Scottich Renewables, SEPA and SNH with a view to changing the sampling requirements as part of the “Guidance - DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND: SITE SURVEYS”. A copy of this document is available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/917/0120462.pdf. \r\n2. Revision to the “Good Practice During Wind Farm Construction Guidance” are planned and this will include a new section dedicated to developments on peat. This will take relevant parts from a number of guidance documents and summarise them in one area for ease of reference and use. The Good Practice During Wind Farm Construction working group (SEPA, SNH, Scottish Renewables, Forestry Commission Scotland) meet to discuss this issue to progress the new draft.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:07.46","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283276,"EventID":"S4W-14149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:08.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-04T15:38:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to (a) investigate further or (b) enable further research into the impact of distance from drainage features on peat in relation to the carbon calculator.\r\n","AnswerText":"Yes, a project proposal which includes looking into this issue has been prepared by ClimateXChange. The proposal, including detailed scope and project timescales, is currently under consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:08.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283277,"EventID":"S4W-14192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:08.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T15:35:33.857","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reasons are for the reported increase since 2009 in the number of children attending school who have (a) additional support needs, (b) autism, (c) a speech and language disorder and (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties.\r\n","AnswerText":"Prior to 2010, only pupils with Co-ordinated Support Plans, Individual Education Programmes or who were attending a special school were recorded as having additional support needs. However, in 2010 this was extended to include anyone receiving additional support, regardless of whether it was under a formal plan. This has led to a large increase in the number of pupils recorded with additional support needs since 2010.\r\nWhile factors for the increase include growing public and professional awareness, improved diagnosis, and wider diagnostic criteria, it is believed that better recording in schools is the primary reason for an increase in the prevalence of pupils who have additional support needs; autism; a speech and language disorder; and social and emotional behavioural difficulties.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:08.927","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283278,"EventID":"S4W-14196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:09.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T16:03:27.9","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether section 120 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 has been commenced and, if not, when it plans to lay an order to commence the section.\r\n","AnswerText":"Section 120 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 came into force on 1 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:09.317","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283279,"EventID":"S4W-14197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:09.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T16:24:19.36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote equal pay across the country.","AnswerText":"One of the strategic aims of the Scottish Government’s public sector pay policy is to ensure that pay is fair and non-discriminatory and to protect jobs and services.  All public bodies covered by this policy are expected to review their pay systems annually and carry out an equality impact assessment of their reward policies and practices every three years.\r\nTo ensure the implementation of the Public Sector Equality Duty in the Equality Act 2010 is as effective as possible, the Scottish Government introduced a specific duty that places a requirement on relevant public authorities to publish gender pay gap information and a duty to publish statements on equal pay, etc.\r\nOne of the main causes of the pay gap is occupational segregation and the Scottish Government is also taking forward the recommendations made at last year’s Women’s Employment Summit and within the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Tapping All Our Talents report, via its Cross-Directorate Occupational Segregation Working Group. \r\nAlso since 2001, the Scottish Government has funded and been an active partner in the Close the Gap project. Other current Close the Gap partners are Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and the STUC.\r\nThe project raises awareness about the gender pay gap and its various causes and encourages action by employees and employers to tackle the causes and close the gap. It works with companies and organisations across the key sectors in the Government’s Economic Strategy, and the public sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:09.673","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283280,"EventID":"S4W-14198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:10.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T15:31:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for cultural development in the Highlands and Islands following the closure of Hi-Arts; what assistance it is providing to the employees to find new employment, and what action it can take to minimise the impact on cultural development in the Highlands and Islands.\r\n","AnswerText":"Funding for individual organisations is a matter for Creative Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and both remain committed to supporting arts and creativity to benefit communities across the Highlands and Islands. I am confident that the arts in the Highlands and Islands will continue to flourish with continuing support from public funds.\r\nIt is hoped that HI-Arts staff will find new posts with other arts organisations, but if this is not possible, both Skills Development Scotland and Job Centre Plus are offering support to the employees facing redundancy.\r\nI wrote to Mr Gibson last month to provide further context about the closure, including information about how many of the activities previously supported by HI-Arts are now free-standing and that its work in creating networks has been increasingly successful.\r\nBoth the Highlands and Argyll and Bute are part of the Creative Scotland Place Partnership programme, which is an innovative strategic partnership focussed on deciding priorities for development and investment in the culture sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:10.033","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283281,"EventID":"S4W-14201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:10.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T22:52:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which England-based wholesaler it has contracted to provide wigs and other hairpieces for people with hair loss arising from cancer and alopecia; whether this wholesaler will provide salon, measuring, fitting and associated services; how many salons in Scotland have been affected by this decision, and how many providers in Scotland will face closure as a consequence.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. NHS National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland advises that the new contract for the supply of Wigs and Associated Services, starting on 1 June 2013, has been put in place with six suppliers. These are A&A Studios, Dimples, Healthcare Europe, Holms of Greenock, LA Hair Solutions and Parrucche, of which Dimples is based in Manchester, England, and the remaining five suppliers based in Scotland.\r\nAll successful suppliers are required to provide a range of facilities to meet the needs of NHSScotland and to provide this service either through their own premises, or through agents on their behalf, or a mixture of both, with all the tendered premises assessed by NHSScotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:10.407","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283282,"EventID":"S4W-14205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:10.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T22:52:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Supply of Wigs Investigation Group Scotland has reported and, if so, whether it will publish the group's report.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Supply of Wigs Investigation Group Scotland (SWIGS) was a short life working group established by the then Scottish Executive in 2006 to look in to the provision of wigs in Scotland.\r\nSWIGS recommended an increase from two to four basic wigs for patients and funds were provided to NHS boards to help meet additional costs. NHS boards received a total sum of £1.260 million in 2008-09 and £0.798 million in 2009-10 on a recurring basis which was subsumed within NHS boards’ general allocations from 2010-11 onwards, including an uplift of 2.75% within 2010-11.\r\nWorking as an independent group, SWIGS subsequently prepared updated guidance which it was agreed to issue to NHS boards. This most recent advice was issued in 2011 and is available on the Scotland’s Health On the Web (SHOW) website:\r\nhttp://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/publications/DC20111102wigs.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:10.783","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283283,"EventID":"S4W-14207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:11.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T22:52:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent consultations it has had with the medical consultants who diagnose and treat patients with hair loss about the implications of an England-based wholesaler being awarded the contract to provide wigs and other hairpieces.\r\n","AnswerText":"National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland advises that it has undertaken a full tender process involving a Commodity Advisory Panel (CAP) which comprises of clinical staff appointed by NHSScotland:including Consultant Dermatologist, Oncology, MacMillan and Cancer Care Nurse Specialists, Surgical Appliance Officers and Prostheses Advisor and Service Managers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:11.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283284,"EventID":"S4W-14208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:11.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T09:48:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses the (a) site and (b) cumulative environmental impacts for proposals for woodland expansion on agricultural land.\r\n","AnswerText":"Proposals for woodland expansion on agricultural land are considered under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999. The regulations provide a structured approach to evaluating environmental impacts to ensure that potential impacts are adequately assessed. Forestry projects are also assessed to ensure they meet the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard. \r\nThe potential cumulative effect of proposals are accounted for in two ways, firstly by considering the cumulative effect of different types of environmental impacts associated with the project and secondly by including any other forestry projects that have been carried out on adjacent land (including that on land in different ownerships) to a proposed project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:11.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283285,"EventID":"S4W-14209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:11.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T09:48:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that any significant environmental effects that may arise as a result of woodland expansion projects on agricultural land are adequately assessed and considered before development consent is issued.\r\n","AnswerText":"Proposals for woodland expansion on agricultural land are considered under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999. The regulations provide a structured approach to evaluating environmental impacts to ensure that potential impacts are adequately assessed. Forestry projects are also assessed to ensure they meet the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard.\r\nProposals for woodland creation must submit an application with details of the project for a formal opinion under Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 to Forestry Commission Scotland who will carry out a screening exercise to decide whether or not a project is likely to have significant effects on the environment. In reaching a decision on proposals, Forestry Commission Scotland will seek the views of relevant statutory authorities, such as Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, National Parks and local authorities.\r\nIf Forestry Commission Scotland’s opinion is that the proposed project will have a significant impact on the environment, then an application for consent will be required before the project can begin. Any such application for consent must include an Environmental Statement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:11.86","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283286,"EventID":"S4W-14210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:12.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T09:48:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) agriculture and (b) forestry projects there have been since 2008 in relation to which significant environmental effects occurred but no environmental impact assessment was required.\r\n","AnswerText":"a) We are not aware of any agriculture projects since 2008 where significant environmental effects occurred but no environmental impact assessment was required.\r\nThe Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture)(Scotland) Regulations 2006 came into force in Scotland on 1 January 2007 and constrain operations to carry out intensive agricultural operations on uncultivated or semi-natural land, or large scale restructuring projects on agricultural land, where the result would have a significant impact on the environment. Agricultural area office staff receives many informal requests for advice regarding activity that may require an EIA. If it is decided that operations could have significant environmental effects (established during the screening process) a scoping meeting is held to establish the information required in the Environmental Statement. The application is then made available to the public. In practise few agricultural EIA applications go to the Environmental Statement stage. This is because:\r\nThe principles of EIA are enshrined in Cross Compliance, which is the minimum standard of regulatory compliance all farmers must adhere to in order to receive their basic subsidy payment;\r\nMuch of the land that would be considered appropriate to improve has been improved during the last century, often receiving support from agricultural grant in previous decades;\r\nThe remaining land, which includes all semi-natural habitats (unimproved grass, heath, moorland, scrub and wetlands) and environmental designations is largely uneconomic to improve.\r\nb) We are not aware of any forestry projects since 2008 in relation to which significant environmental effects occurred but no environmental impacts assessment was required.\r\nAll forestry projects that could potentially result in significant environmental impacts are assessed under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999. Where it is found that a project could result in significant environmental impacts a full application for consent, involving the preparation of an Environmental Statement, would be required. The findings of the Environmental Statement are then assessed by Forestry Commission Scotland together with comments from statutory and non-statutory consultees. In assessing the project and consultees comments the Forestry Commission Scotland would only grant consent where they were confident the project would not have a significant impact on the environment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:12.157","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283287,"EventID":"S4W-14211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:12.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T09:48:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that an assessment is carried out on all projects likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of their nature, size or location.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are statutory provisions in place which require that an Environmental Impact Assessment must be undertaken for certain projects likely to have a significant effect on the environment before a development consent can be granted. It is a matter for the consenting authority in each individual case to ensure that the requirements of all relevant legislation are met.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:12.45","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283288,"EventID":"S4W-14212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:12.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T09:48:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many environmental impact assessments were carried out under the (a) Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999, (b) Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2000, (c) Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (Scotland) Regulations 2006, (d) Environmental Impact Assessment (Uncultivated Land and Semi-Natural Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2002, (e) Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 and (f) Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999 in each of the last five years for which information is available.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) undertaken in respect of the above statutory EIA regimes is as follows:\r\nYear\r\nForestry\r\nElectricity Works\r\nAgriculture\r\nPlanning\r\n1999 EIA Regulations1\r\n2008\r\n2\r\n8\r\n0\r\n107\r\n5\r\n2009\r\n1\r\n17\r\n1\r\n113\r\n3\r\n2010\r\n4\r\n9\r\n0\r\n91\r\n1\r\n2011\r\n1\r\n17\r\n0\r\n160\r\n1\r\n2012\r\n1\r\n15\r\n0\r\n195\r\n0\r\nThe Environmental Impact Assessment (Uncultivated Land and Semi-Natural Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2002 were revoked in 2006 by The Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (Scotland) Regulations, figures for which are provided above.\r\n1 Excludes figures in respect of the Planning EIA regime, which are listed separately.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:12.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283289,"EventID":"S4W-14213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:13.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T10:45:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Skills Development Scotland has appointed all regional employability partners under the Employability Fund programme; what assessments were carried out by prospective training providers, and whether all Employability Fund contracts were started on 1 April 2013.","AnswerText":"I will ask the chief executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you on this matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:13.043","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283290,"EventID":"S4W-14217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:13.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T10:45:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is in relation to nursery provision in public sector workplaces.","AnswerText":"The provision of a nursery service, whether in a public, private or third sector workplace is the responsibility of the individual employer and not Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:13.357","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283291,"EventID":"S4W-14218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:13.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T10:45:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is in relation to nursery provision for NHS staff.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS staff and all parents should have access to high-quality and affordable childcare services which match children’s needs and parents working patterns.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:13.653","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283292,"EventID":"S4W-14219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:13.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T10:45:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has discussed with NHS Lothian the current and the future provision of nursery care for NHS staff in Lothian.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware that NHS Lothian has reviewed nursery provision across all NHS Lothian sites.\r\nWhilst the Scottish Government welcomes employers providing family friendly work practices, any decisions to provide nursery care for the staff in NHS Lothian are entirely for the NHS board to take, as the relevant employer.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:13.963","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283293,"EventID":"S4W-14220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:14.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T10:45:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the proposal to close nursery care provision at St John's Hospital in Livingston.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is a decision for the NHS board as the relevant employer.\r\nNHS Lothian took the decision on 2 May to discontinue the provision of nursery services at St John’s Hospital when the last child based there has moved to \r\npre-school education.\r\nThe board has a wide range of family friendly policies and will fully support staff who experience any difficulties in finding alternative childcare arrangements, including flexibility around working times.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:14.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283294,"EventID":"S4W-14221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:14.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T10:45:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to people affected by the so-called bedroom tax.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4O-01947 on 21 March 2013 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/OfficialReport.aspx\r\n and to Bedroom Tax (Emergency Legislation) on 27 March 2013 which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=7893&mode=html#iob_71862.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:14.573","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283295,"EventID":"S4W-14222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:14.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T10:45:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide the same support to local authority and housing association tenants affected by the so-called bedroom tax.","AnswerText":"Yes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:14.87","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283296,"EventID":"S4W-14223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:15.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T10:45:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to prevent evictions arising as a result of the so-called bedroom tax.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-12541 on 25 February, S4W-13016 on 5 March 2013, S4O-01947 on 21 March and ‘Bedroom Tax (Emergency Legislation) on 27 March. All answers to parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website. The search facility for written questions can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx, \r\nthe search for oral questions can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/OfficialReport.aspx \r\nand the emergency question can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=7893&mode=html#iob_71862.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:15.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283297,"EventID":"S4W-14224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:15.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T10:45:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to cover any arrears accrued as a result of the so-called bedroom tax.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the Bedroom Tax (Emergency Legislation) on 27 March 2013, which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=7893&mode=html#iob_71862.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:15.57","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283298,"EventID":"S4W-14225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:15.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T10:45:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to build one and two bedroomed houses for rent.","AnswerText":"In May 2012, we introduced a new three year resource planning system to enable councils to plan the delivery of affordable housing more efficiently and effectively. This new approach has enabled each council to bring forward strategic local programmes of social and affordable housing based on local needs, identified through the Housing Needs and Demand Assessment and Local Housing Strategy Councils will therefore decide upon the size and tenure of housing required to help satisfy these local needs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:15.867","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283299,"EventID":"S4W-14226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-09T14:09:16.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T10:58:40.057","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of reported concerns, it will bring forward a report on the operation of offences under section 11 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 in advance of the completion of the review period.\r\n","AnswerText":"Section 11 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 requires Scottish Ministers, after having consulted such persons as they consider appropriate, to lay a report before Parliament on the operation of the offences at Sections 1 and 6 of the Act covering the period from 1 March 2012 until 1 August 2014. The Act requires the report to be laid no later than 12 months after the end of that period and the Government will bring forward a report in time to meet those statutory requirements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:09:16.163","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283309,"EventID":"S4O-01985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1841,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":120,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:39.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:24.5","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Aberdeenshire Council regarding education issues.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:39.763","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283310,"EventID":"S4O-01986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:40.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:25.2","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last held a joint meeting with the principals of Motherwell, Coatbridge and Cumbernauld colleges and what was discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:40.137","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283311,"EventID":"S4O-01987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:40.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:25.437","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it will give to Glasgow City Council to help raise levels of educational attainment.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:40.463","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283312,"EventID":"S4O-01988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:40.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-10T10:06:56.92","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it will provide to maintain and improve the fabric of West College Scotland's campuses once the merger takes effect.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:40.777","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283313,"EventID":"S4O-01989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:41.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:25.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on increasing and diversifying the levels of physical education in schools.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:41.073","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283314,"EventID":"S4O-01990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:41.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:26.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with college regionalisation.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:41.417","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283315,"EventID":"S4O-01991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:41.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:26.7","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with other administrations regarding their education systems and the lessons that can be learned.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:41.697","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283316,"EventID":"S4O-01992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:42.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:27.213","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to prisoners wanting to study for educational qualifications.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:42.057","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283317,"EventID":"S4O-01993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:42.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T14:27:52.063","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that local authorities meet their duty to ensure the safety of pupils travelling between home and school.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:42.383","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283318,"EventID":"S4O-01995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:42.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:28.18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is monitoring the introduction of the Employability Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:42.977","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283319,"EventID":"S4O-01996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:43.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:28.43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines are in place to ensure that schools are properly maintained, including with regard to their heating and ventilation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:43.273","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283320,"EventID":"S4O-01997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:43.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:29.18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the objectives are of the ongoing college merger process.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:43.663","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283321,"EventID":"S4O-01998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2487,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:44.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:29.443","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to ensure that the university, college and SME sectors in Scotland are well placed to take advantage of the opportunities under the EU’s Horizon 2020 funding programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:44.02","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283322,"EventID":"S4O-01999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:44.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:29.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what educational programmes there are to help schools tackle sectarianism.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:44.333","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283323,"EventID":"S4O-02000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:44.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-10T11:44:09.143","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many part-time students have enrolled in colleges in Fife since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:44.66","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283324,"EventID":"S4O-02001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:44.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:30.443","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the Student Awards Agency for Scotland will pay claimants promptly in the next academic year.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:44.99","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283325,"EventID":"S4O-02002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:45.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:31.02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on allowing disabled children to attend primary schools outwith their catchment area.","AnswerText":"Education authorities’ decisions on school placement for children and young people with additional support needs, including those with disabilities, should be taken in light of the individual needs of the child or young person concerned.\r\nThe Additional Support for Learning Act contains a range of provisions relating to placing requests enabling parents of children with additional support needs to request that their child be educated in a school other than the catchment area school.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:45.55","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283326,"EventID":"S4O-02003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:46.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-10T10:02:56.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of UCAS.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials meet with UCAS on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:46.253","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283327,"EventID":"S4O-02004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:46.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:31.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making toward meeting its target for modern apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"I am delighted to announce that, once again, this Government has not only met, but has surpassed the challenging target we set ourselves to deliver 25,000 Modern Apprenticeship opportunities in each year of the current Parliament.\r\nIn fact, in 2012-13 the Scottish Government, through Skills Development Scotland, has supported 25,691 individuals into apprenticeships across a broad range of sectors and more than 80 job roles.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:46.597","MeetingDate":"2013-04-17T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283328,"EventID":"S4O-02005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:46.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:52.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made toward justice for victims of historic child abuse following the first InterAction meeting.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:46.94","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283329,"EventID":"S4O-02006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:47.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:52.72","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that people have access to regular and reliable local bus services.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:47.25","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283330,"EventID":"S4O-02007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:47.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T11:01:16.7","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support local authorities in the north east to deal with the aftermath of recent flooding.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:47.61","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283331,"EventID":"S4O-02008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:48.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-10T11:16:04.257","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to reform planning laws so that local authorities have the power to reject planning applications for certain retail units on the grounds of overprovision.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:48.06","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283332,"EventID":"S4O-02009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:48.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-10T11:49:21.35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to deal with reported rising levels of economic inactivity among women.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:48.403","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283333,"EventID":"S4O-02010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:48.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:54.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to protect golden eagles.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:48.717","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283334,"EventID":"S4O-02011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:49.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-10T11:52:10.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of increased levels of measles reported in Europe and the current outbreak in Wales, what steps it has taken to ensure that an outbreak does not occur in Scotland.  \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:49.03","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283335,"EventID":"S4O-02012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:49.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:55.137","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent analysis it has carried out on the affordability of pension and social welfare costs in Scotland and the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:49.403","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283336,"EventID":"S4O-02013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:49.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-10T11:45:58.283","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Ministry of Defence regarding test drilling for oil off the Ayrshire coast.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:49.717","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283337,"EventID":"S4O-02014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T14:17:49.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-08T12:04:55.653","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve the fatal accident inquiry system.","AnswerText":"I gave an undertaking to the Justice Committee in January 2012 that a Bill would be brought forward within the lifetime of this Parliament to implement the reforms suggested by Lord Cullen in his Review of the Legislation on Fatal Accident Inquiries. But reform of the wider civil justice system recommended by the Scottish Civil Courts Review led by Lord Gill must take precedence.\r\nSome of the principal recommendations of Lord Cullen’s Review were addressed to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). These have largely been implemented already, in particular, the establishment of the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit which now investigates all non-criminal deaths which are reported to COPFS, liaises with Crown Counsel and conducts Fatal Accident Inquiries.\r\nThe Unit has also assumed responsibility for COPFS policy on deaths and for liaison with external agencies. SFIU is a specialist and dedicated unit within COPFS which investigates deaths.\r\nI would be happy to meet the member to discuss her specific concerns about the system of fatal accident inquiries.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T14:17:49.997","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283339,"EventID":"S4W-14235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1742,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-10T15:34:53.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-10T13:58:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the level of housing benefit expenditure for which it is responsible has been in (a) cash and (b) real terms in each year since 2002-03, and what information it has on how this compares with similar housing benefit expenditure in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) London for the same period.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T15:34:53.97","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283345,"EventID":"S4W-14232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-11T13:53:52.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T16:36:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To  ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of Alopecia Help and Support Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have no record of any recent meetings with representatives of Alopecia Help and Support Scotland although there have been meetings with officials in the past and via the previous Supply of Wigs Investigation Group Scotland group.\r\nThe Scottish Government recognises the important role that third sector organisations have in supporting people living with a range of long term conditions and would be happy to receive a request to meet with stakeholders on appropriate issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T13:53:52.673","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283346,"EventID":"S4W-14233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-11T13:53:53.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T16:36:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the chief executives of NHS boards to discuss the needs of (a) children, (b) young adults and (c) adults who experience hair loss as a result of their treatment for (i) cancer and (ii) other conditions.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of NHS boards to plan and deliver healthcare services to meet the assessed needs of their resident populations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T13:53:53.7","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283347,"EventID":"S4W-14234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-11T13:53:54.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T16:36:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had since 2007 with salon providers of services to patients who experience hair loss as a result of their treatment for (a) cancer and (b) other conditions.\r\n","AnswerText":"Planning and delivery of healthcare services to meet the assessed needs of their resident populations is a matter for NHS boards. National Procurement (NP), a division of NHS National Services Scotland is the centre of procurement expertise for health established as part of the wider procurement reform activity across the Scottish Public Sector. Further information about NP is available from their website - www.nhsscotlandprocurement.scot.nhs.uk/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T13:53:54.03","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283348,"EventID":"S4W-14236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-11T13:53:54.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-10T15:49:20.673","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of freedom of information requests it received in (a) 2013, (b) 2012 and (c) 2011 was responded to fully within 20 days.","AnswerText":"The percentage of FOI requests answered within 20 working days in 2013 is 79%, as at 18 April 2013. The percentages for 2011 and 2012 are published in the FOI Annual Reports for 2011 and 2012 on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Information/FOI/Reporting.\r\nIn 2006, the last full year of the previous administration, 61% of responses were issued within 20 working days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T13:53:54.327","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283349,"EventID":"S4W-14237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-11T13:53:54.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-10T15:40:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the effect on the Scottish oil industry of the renewable targets in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are no renewable targets in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T13:53:54.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283350,"EventID":"S4W-14238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1742,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-11T13:53:54.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T09:30:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the affordability of housing benefit in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s view is that housing benefit would be affordable in an independent Scotland and would be more affordable than the housing benefit expenditure for Great Britain. Over the decade from 2001-02 to 2011-12, in inflation-adjusted terms, the growth of housing benefit was significantly lower in Scotland (at 21%) than in Great Britain as a whole (53%).\r\nHousing benefit in an independent Scotland would form part of a national social protection system. Scotland’s Balance Sheet, published on 14th April 2013, shows that in 2011-12, social protection expenditure was equivalent to 14.4% of GDP. This is lower than the equivalent UK figure of 15.9%. In addition, spending on social protection in Scotland, as a share of the economy, has been lower than in the UK for the last five years, and is also lower than in the majority of other EU-15 countries.\r\nIn an independent Scotland a social protection system could be implemented which is appropriate to the needs of the Scottish people, achieving greater efficiency and improving affordability.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T13:53:54.997","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283361,"EventID":"S4W-14239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:18.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T15:07:56.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its guidance principle, Respect for Human Rights, as set out in its document, Working with China, what discussions it (a) has had and (b) plans with the Chinese Government regarding reports of people being forced into so-called organ harvesting in China.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to engaging the Chinese Government on human rights and this is articulated in Working with China: A Five Year Strategy for Engagement between Scotland and the People’s Republic of China, published in December 2012. We fully support action to combat the commercialisation of organs, tissues and cells and the trafficking of people for organ donation, all of which are illegal in the UK. We support the Declaration of Istanbul, which encourages all countries to draw up legal and professional frameworks to govern organ donation and transplantation activities. We understand that the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission is in the process of developing and implementing a nationwide system for voluntary organ donation, supported by a new national database.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:18.877","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283362,"EventID":"S4W-14240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:19.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T15:07:56.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its aim for universities and further education establishments to develop more long-term, sustainable partnerships in China, as set out in its document, Working with China, what action it (a) has taken and (b) plans to ensure that medical courses in higher education institutions cover international aspects of medical ethics, including the reports of people being forced into so-called organ harvesting in China.\r\n","AnswerText":"Whilst the Scottish Government does not have a locus to intervene in the course content of higher education institutions, we fully support action to combat the commercialisation of organs, tissues and cells and the trafficking of people for organ donation, all of which are illegal in the UK. We support the Declaration of Istanbul, which encourages all countries to draw up legal and professional frameworks to govern organ donation and transplantation activities. We understand that the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission is in the process of developing and implementing a nationwide system for voluntary organ donation, supported by a new national database.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:19.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283363,"EventID":"S4W-14241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:19.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T18:58:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the marketing contract for its Greener Scotland policy was put out to tender; which companies submitted bids and what their registered addresses are; which company secured the contract, and what the value is of the contract.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following answer was corrected on 15 May 2013\r\n John Swinney: The Scottish Government’s greener marketing campaigns help change behaviours which impact on carbon emissions. This, in turn, helps Scotland achieve its climate change targets of a 42 per cent reduction in CO2 by 2020 and an 80% reduction by 2050.\r\nCampaign results include:\r\n76 per cent of those who saw the Travel & Transport campaign were willing to leave their car for shorter journeys.\r\n95 per cent of those who interacted with the Eat In Season campaign went on to cook or eat in season food.\r\nThe Scottish Government has tendered contracts for a number of marketing services to deliver the campaigns. \r\nThese are Marketing Communications, Public Relations, Research and Direct Marketing.\r\nThe following table gives the information requested.\r\nType of Contract (Service)\r\nDate of Invitation toTender\r\nBids Submitted (Successful Bidder in Bold)\r\nRegistered Address\r\nValue\r\nPublic Relations\r\nApril 24, 2012\r\nLeith/Stripe\r\n37 The Shore \r\nEdinburgh \r\nEH6 6QU\r\n£375,610\r\n \r\n \r\nBIG Partnership\r\n5 Park Circus Pl\r\nGlasgow\r\nG3 6AH\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nConsolidated PR\r\n22 Endell Street\r\nLondon\r\nWC2H 9AD\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nWeber Shandwick\r\n84 Eccleston Sq\r\nLondon\r\nSW1V 1PX\r\n \r\nMarketing Communicat-ions\r\nJune 2, 2010\r\nStory UK Ltd.\r\nQuay House\r\n142 Commercial St.\r\nEdinburgh\r\nEH6 6LB\r\n£2,863,045\r\n \r\n \r\nMerle Agency\r\n14 Elliot Place\r\nSkypark 3\r\nGlasgow\r\nG3 6EQ\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nThe Leith/\r\nTangible Group Ltd.\r\n37 The Shore\r\nEdinburgh\r\nEH6 6QU\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nNewhaven Communication Ltd/\r\nHush Communications\r\n77 Montgomery Street\r\nEdinburgh\r\nEH7 5HZ\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nThe Union Advertising Agency Ltd.\r\n1 Rutland Court\r\nEdinburgh\r\nEH3 8EY\r\n \r\nResearch\r\nJuly 23, 2010\r\nTNS UK Ltd.\r\nTNS House\r\nWestgate\r\nLondon\r\nW5 1UA\r\n£413,220\r\n \r\n \r\nProgressive\r\nHBJ Gateway\r\nExchange Tower\r\n19 Canning Street\r\nEdinburgh\r\nEH3 8EH\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nIFF Research\r\nChart House\r\n16 Chart Street\r\nLondon\r\nN1 6DD\r\n \r\nDirect Marketing\r\nAugust 13, 2010\r\nThe Leith Agency/Tangible Group Ltd.\r\n37 The Shore\r\nEdinburgh\r\nEH6 6QU\r\n£560,000\r\n \r\n \r\nStory UK Ltd.\r\nQuay House\r\n142 Commercial St.\r\nEdinburgh\r\nEH6 6LB\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nThe Union Advertising Agency Ltd.\r\n1 Rutland Court\r\nEdinburgh\r\nEH3 8EY\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nRAPP Limited\r\n1 Riverside Manbre Rd\r\nLondon\r\nW6 9WA\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nNewhaven Communication Ltd/\r\nHush Communications\r\n77 Montgomery Street\r\nEdinburgh\r\nEH7 5HZ\r\n \r\n \r\nPublished details of Scottish Government marketing spend can be found here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/People/Directorates/Communications/advertising-marketing/spend\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:19.657","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283364,"EventID":"S4W-14244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:20.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T19:15:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether NHS Counter Fraud Services is carrying out investigations regarding the State Hospital and what the nature is of the investigations.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government understands that the State Hospital have undertaken an internal investigation into anonymous allegations made to NHS Counter Fraud Services. The outcome of the investigation will be reported to the State Hospital Audit Committee.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:20.173","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283365,"EventID":"S4W-14245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:20.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T19:15:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether internal auditors at the State Hospital have been asked to investigate issues raised by the non-executive directors of the board regarding decisions made by the senior management team.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government understands that the State Hospital have asked their internal auditors to report on three anonymous allegations made to NHS Counter Fraud Services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:20.687","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283366,"EventID":"S4W-14246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:21.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T19:15:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any member of the State Hospital's senior management team has had enhancements to their salary in the last two years and, if so, for what reason, and whether these were backdated.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government understands that in June 2012 members of the State Hospital senior management team received a recruitment and retention premium as part of their remuneration package.\r\nDue to an oversight, payment of the premium was not made at the time it was due. Therefore, this resulted in a back payment being made.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:21.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283367,"EventID":"S4W-14247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:21.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T22:06:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities about the system of application for becoming a foster carer.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local authorities are responsible for having foster carer procedures in place which will be inspected against National Care Standards by the Care Inspectorate. The Care Inspectorate is responsible for the registration and inspection of foster care services.\r\nStandard 5 states that “you know you will be fully assessed by the agency before being accepted as a foster carer” and Standard 6 states that “you can be confident that the agency treats applications to become a foster carer fairly and without unnecessary delay.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:21.763","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283368,"EventID":"S4W-14248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:22.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T22:06:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are key national eligibility criteria for determining the suitability of applicants to become foster carers.","AnswerText":"There are no key national eligibility criteria for determining the suitability of applicants to become foster carers. Guidance on the Looked After Children (Regulations) no longer specifies the categories of people with whom a child may be fostered. Applications to foster may come from a wide range of different family structures and many authorities make a point of reflecting this openness in recruiting new carers. Each case will be assessed on its own merits.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:22.327","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283369,"EventID":"S4W-14249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:22.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T22:06:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it monitors the performance of local authorities in dealing with applications to become a foster carer.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Care Inspectorate are responsible for inspecting foster care services against national care standards which cover recruitment, assessment and approval of foster carers. As part of those duties they examine the processes and practices of dealing with applications to foster. This includes formal processes and support.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate in their holistic inspection of children’s services consider the outcomes for children who are assessed as requiring fostering services which includes how local authorities commission fostering services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:22.84","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283370,"EventID":"S4W-14250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:23.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T22:06:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long an applicant should expect to wait for an application to become a foster carer to be determined by a local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"National Care Standard 6 against which foster care agencies are inspected, states that applicants should be made aware that the assessment will be completed within 6 months from the date of receipt of their application unless unforeseen circumstances prevent this.\r\nIt further states that prospective foster carers will receive regular feedback on the progress of their application (at least once a month) and that there are clear indications given of any work that is needed to further the process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:23.353","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283371,"EventID":"S4W-14251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:23.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T22:06:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many foster carers there are in each local authority area and, of these, how many were approved in each of the last two years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Neither the Scottish Government nor the Care Inspectorate collect information on numbers of foster carers broken down by local authority area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:23.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283372,"EventID":"S4W-14252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:24.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T22:06:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications to become foster carers in each of the last two years were determined in less than a year, broken down by local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government or Care Inspectorate. However as part of the inspection process the Care Inspectorate seeks feedback from foster carers on their experience of the service and the support they receive from the agency, whether local authority based or independent.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:24.37","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283373,"EventID":"S4W-14253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:24.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T22:22:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has given to the advice services that are assisting people effected by the recent welfare changes, broken down by (a) year and (b) service provider.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13907 on 26 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:24.867","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283374,"EventID":"S4W-14254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:25.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-11T22:22:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has received in Barnett consequentials from the UK Government to fund the advice services that are assisting people effected by the recent welfare changes.\r\n","AnswerText":"Barnett consequentials accrue to the Scottish Block as a whole and it is for Scottish Ministers to decide how to allocate the total resources available to them across devolved spending programmes.\r\nThe Scottish Government received £3.4 million in Barnett consequentials over 2013-14 and 2014-15 as a result of additional UK spending on advisory services, which adds to the total budget available to the Scottish Government in these years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:25.367","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283375,"EventID":"S4W-14255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:25.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-12T09:59:36.837","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the arrangements for sending waste from nuclear reactors to England for storage will remain in place if Scotland becomes independent and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"The management of radioactive waste is a devolved matter and, as such, is already the responsibility of the Scottish Ministers. The management of spent nuclear fuel and other nuclear materials is reserved to the UK Government.\r\nRadioactive waste is not sent to England for storage. Spent nuclear fuels and other nuclear materials that are not classified as waste, are currently sent to Sellafield for reprocessing or storage in accordance with UK Government policy.\r\nAfter a vote for independence on 18 September 2014, it will be in the interests of both Scotland and the rest of the UK for the legacy of nuclear waste to be dealt with in a responsible way that protects the integrity of our environment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:25.883","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283376,"EventID":"S4W-14256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:26.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-12T10:26:07.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each local authority collected through the 2012-13 business rate incentivisation scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"How much each local authority collected in non domestic rates in 2012-13 will not be known until the final 2012-13 audited non domestic rate income returns are received in February 2014.\r\nThe Scottish Government is actively working jointly with COSLA and local government to review the BRIS targets for 2012-13 taking into account the latest business rates returns.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:26.193","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283377,"EventID":"S4W-14257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:26.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-12T10:26:07.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities exceeded their 2012-13 annual business rates' target.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14256 on 19 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s Website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:26.49","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283378,"EventID":"S4W-14258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:26.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-12T10:26:07.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each local authority will receive in additional income as a result of the 2012-13 business rate incentivisation scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14256 on 19 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s Website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:26.77","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283379,"EventID":"S4W-14259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:27.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-12T11:43:41.033","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Scotland would have to pay toward continuing to store the waste from its nuclear reactors that is currently stored in England if Scotland became independent and, if so, how much, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14255 on 7 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:27.067","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283380,"EventID":"S4W-14260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-12T13:56:27.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-12T11:43:41.033","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the waste from Scotland’s nuclear reactors that is currently stored in England would be returned if Scotland became independent and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14255 on 7 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-26T13:56:27.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283386,"EventID":"S4W-14261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T14:07:59.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-12T15:12:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on proposals to devolve responsibility for the operation and administration of employment tribunals and when such discussions will be concluded.","AnswerText":"The UK Government has been considering the transfer of the administration of  reserved tribunals to the Scottish Ministers. In his response to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice’s letter of 12 October 2012, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice indicated that he would be in a position to provide an update on this issue shortly. We are still awaiting the UK Government’s update.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T14:07:59.207","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283387,"EventID":"S4W-14262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T14:07:59.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-12T15:12:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-08944 and S4W-08941 by Roseanna Cunningham on 15 August 2012, what progress has been made on the transfer of the administration of employment tribunals.\r\n","AnswerText":"The UK Government has been considering the transfer of the administration of reserved tribunals to the Scottish Ministers. In his response to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice’s letter of 12 October 2012, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice indicated that he would be in a position to provide an update on this issue shortly. We are still awaiting the UK Government’s update.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T14:07:59.877","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283388,"EventID":"S4W-14263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T14:08:00.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T09:51:18.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the research it commissioned on the impact of removing road equivalent tariff for commercial vehicles on routes between the mainland and the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree was completed and on what date it will publish the findings.\r\n","AnswerText":"Over the last few months we have engaged closely with the study consultants and with Steering Group members on the final report into the post-RET commercial vehicle fares impact study. We are finalising publication arrangements, and anticipate that the report will be published shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T14:08:00.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283389,"EventID":"S4W-14270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T14:08:00.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T11:33:10.363","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Argyll Ferries Ltd's replacement bus service is a result of a variation of contract and, if so, whether it will provide details of the variation, including the cost.","AnswerText":"The new replacement bus service is currently operating ahead of a formal contract variation to the public services contract between Argyll Ferries Limited (AFL) and the Scottish Ministers.\r\nArgyll Ferries Limited will be tendering for the replacement bus service including the costs of the arrangement and will formally submit a contract variation once this has been completed.\r\nAlthough a formal variation has not yet been received, Scottish Ministers in agreement with all parties, AFL and Western Ferries (Clyde) Limited, wanted to deliver this contingency arrangement as soon as possible to ensure that disruption to the communities of Gourock and Dunoon were kept to a minimum during occasions of adverse weather.\r\nAll contract variations in respect of this service are published by Transport Scotland at:\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/water/ferries/subsidised/gourock-dunoon. \r\nThe contract variation, once submitted will have an impact on the level of subsidy given by Scottish Ministers. The Scottish Government agreed to fund 90% costs of the replacement bus service and AFL will contribute the remaining 10% of costs. As the cost of the service will be paid at the end of each financial year the precise costs of this new arrangement are not yet known. In any case it is difficult to estimate the cost given it is dependent on future weather conditions and any consequential disruption to the town centre service. Budgetary provision has been set aside to cover the cost of the new arrangement. The cost of the contract variation is commercially sensitive and therefore will not be published.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T14:08:00.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283390,"EventID":"S4T-00304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T13:00:59.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T15:38:42.7","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Shaping Scotland's Court Services.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T13:00:59.687","MeetingDate":"2013-04-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283391,"EventID":"S4T-00311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T13:01:05.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T11:48:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update legislation and guidance to ensure that ashes are always treated appropriately following cremation.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T13:01:05.817","MeetingDate":"2013-04-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283392,"EventID":"S4F-01298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T13:00:25.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T09:25:11.14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T13:00:25.18","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283393,"EventID":"S4F-01299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T13:00:25.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T09:48:16.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T13:00:25.82","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283394,"EventID":"S4F-01301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T13:00:26.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T10:40:30.733","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government will take to address the delay in implementing the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T13:00:26.837","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283395,"EventID":"S4F-01302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T13:00:27.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T10:53:01.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T13:00:27.21","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283396,"EventID":"S4F-01311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T13:00:30.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T11:52:56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of Scotland’s public finances.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T13:00:30.517","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283397,"EventID":"S4F-01312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T13:00:30.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T11:55:43.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress has been made on changes to the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T13:00:30.843","MeetingDate":"2013-04-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283398,"EventID":"S4W-14001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T16:56:56.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T15:15:34.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it was decided that the Forth Estuary Transport Authority will not be able to bid for the new contracts for the Forth Road Bridge and the new crossing on the basis that it will no longer exist when the new contracts start; when the call for tenders will be issued, and what the timescale is for the assessment process.\r\n","AnswerText":"Various options were considered, including some which would have involved the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) having responsibility for managing and maintaining both the existing Forth Road Bridge and the new crossing, but none in respect of FETA were considered feasible. There was insufficient evidence to support Value for Money focus within FETA, and therefore no mechanism to extrapolate how FETA would achieve Value for Money in a twin bridge strategy. Also, while the FETA 2002 Order provided FETA with borrowing powers, it would have needed a new mechanism for repaying a loan if it had prepared a bid which proved unsuccessful.\r\nIf FETA had used state funding to finance a tender bid (as they are fully funded by the Scottish Government) then this would very likely have constituted State Aid. In general, the European Commission considers State Aid to have a damaging effect on competition and therefore takes a serious view of aid given in contravention of the State Aid rules.\r\nIf the option of FETA being able to bid had been deemed feasible legislation would have been required in order to give them that power.\r\nSubject to Parliament’s approval of the Bill and Royal Assent, Transport Scotland expects to issue tender documents for the twin Bridge Operating Company Contract in autumn 2013, with contract award by December 2014, and commencement by July 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T16:56:56.823","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283399,"EventID":"S4W-14002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T16:56:57.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T15:15:34.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has sought legal advice on breaches of state aid rules in relation to the contracts for the Forth Road Bridge and the new crossing and what its position is on expanding the Forth Estuary Transport Authority so that it can manage both bridges.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government draws on oral and written legal advice as appropriate from its lawyers, from Counsel, from external solicitors and from Law Officers. However, other than in exceptional circumstances, the Scottish Government does not comment on the source of such advice, and the content of any legal advice remains confidential. Only the European Commission (or European Courts if needed) can provide a definitive position on matters of State Aid.\r\nTo permit statutory responsibility for managing and maintaining the new Forth Crossing to be delegated to FETA by Scottish Ministers, a comprehensive redrawing of its functions would first have been necessary as that power is not contained in the 2002 Order that establishes FETA. There would have been a serious risk that delegating the functions to FETA would have been perceived as being uncompetitive as the market had not been tested. Without testing the market, value for money cannot be demonstrated. Conversely, the Forth Road Bridge Bill offers certainty of tenure for all existing FETA staff, and indeed the prospect of cost efficient job opportunities for new staff.\r\nThe Explanatory Notes to the Bill explain that Scottish Ministers’ preferred option is for the implementation of a twin bridge maintenance strategy with a single Forth Bridge Operating Company. The Notes also explain that Ministers rejected the option to involve FETA in operating both Road Bridges. As the new route is a motorway and the new bridge is a wholly different type, a substantial and unforeseen burden would have been placed on the Board, which had not been established for this purpose.\r\nFurther information is available within the Explanatory Notes, and Transport Scotland’s formal response to the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee Report on the Bill, and Stage 1 Debate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T16:56:57.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283400,"EventID":"S4W-14003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T16:56:57.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-03-27T15:15:34.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Forth Road Bridge could accommodate non-motorway traffic, farm vehicles, learner drivers and abnormal loads once the new crossing is operational.\r\n","AnswerText":"The purpose of the Forth Road Bridge Bill is to pave the way for the most cost-effective and co-ordinated approach to the management and maintenance of the Forth Road Bridge (FRB) and Forth Replacement Crossing. It does not revisit the provisions and commitments arising from the Forth Replacement Crossing Act, nor does it alter the proposed new role of the FRB as a dedicated public transport corridor.\r\nHowever, as I said during the Stage 1 debate on the Bill, the Scottish Government shall write to the Infrastructure and Investment Committee, and to Mr Stewart himself on this matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T16:56:57.54","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283401,"EventID":"S4W-14271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T16:56:57.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T13:59:55.23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-13253 and S4W-13767 by Paul Wheelhouse on 11 March 2013 and 15 April 2013 respectively, when it issued the notice to quit to the Raasay Crofters Association. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Notice to quit was issued to the Raasay Crofters Association on 1 November 2011. The dates given in S4W-13767 and S4W-13769 are incorrect and should read 1 November 2011. I apologise for this error.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T16:56:57.837","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283402,"EventID":"S4W-14272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-15T16:56:58.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T14:26:35.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children attending school have had additional support needs in each year since 2002.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the number of pupils in publicly funded schools in Scotland with an additional support need recorded, by year, from 2002, is given in the following table:\r\nIt should be noted that over the last 11 years there have been substantial changes in the legislation and the recording practices around the collection of information on pupils with additional support needs. This means that the large changes in the number of pupils with additional support needs reflect more complete recording of pupils with additional support needs and a wider designation of those needs, rather than a real increase in the number of pupils requiring additional support\r\nYear\r\nPupils with Additional Support Needs\r\n2002\r\n28,732\r\n2003\r\n30,946\r\n2004\r\n32,752\r\n2005\r\n34,680\r\n2006\r\n36,148\r\n2007\r\n36,542\r\n2008\r\n38,716\r\n2009\r\n44,177\r\n2010\r\n69,587\r\n2011\r\n98,523\r\n2012\r\n118,034\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-29T16:56:58.163","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":283411,"EventID":"S4W-14279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-16T13:54:49.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T14:32:55.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on NHS (a) Lanarkshire and (b) Borders referring some people attending accident and emergency departments to their GP.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Health boards do not re-direct patients away from A&E. Medical staff offer the option to be treated at the hospital or go back to their GP, based on their professional clinical judgement.\r\nUnder the “Reducing A&E Attendances (T10) HEAT” Target, the Scottish Government Policy is to reduce the numbers of people attending A&E Departments in order to improve the quality of patient care and to promote patient safety.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:54:49.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283412,"EventID":"S4W-14280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-16T13:54:50.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T14:32:55.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards refer some people attending accident and emergency departments to their GP; when this policy was introduced, and how many people have been affected.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14279 on 30 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:54:50.65","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283413,"EventID":"S4W-14281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-16T13:54:51.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T14:32:55.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards plan to introduce a policy of referring some people attending accident and emergency departments to their GP.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14279 on 30 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:54:51.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283414,"EventID":"S4W-14282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-16T13:54:51.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T14:32:55.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that out-of-hours primary care services are working effectively, in light of reports of people attending accident and emergency departments without serious complaints.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that out-of-hours primary care services are working effectively in Scotland. However, there are a range of reasons why people choose to attend an Accident and Emergency Department. We are developing a national framework on directing people towards appropriate services.\r\nThis is supported by broader work by the Unscheduled Care Expert Group on communication and engagement with the public, including recommendations on how all aspects of the system, including out-of-hours Primary Care Services can be provided and what the role of the proposed 111 number should be in supporting access.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T13:54:51.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283424,"EventID":"S4W-14287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-16T16:50:27.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-16T14:11:50","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many one-bedroom properties there are, also broken down by tenure, and how many of these are allocated to people deemed to be homeless.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are an estimated 312,000 one bedroom properties in Scotland, 165,000 of which are in the social rented sector. The following table provides a further breakdown by tenure.\r\nAn estimated 20,000 one-bedroom properties become available for let each year in the social rented sector. In 2011-12, it is estimated that 9,120 of these properties were allocated as permanent lets to people deemed to be homeless. It is estimated that a further 760 homeless households took up one bedroom lets in the private rented sector.\r\nInformation on the allocation of one bedroom properties to homeless households is only available for housing association/Co-Ops, from the SCORE data collection. The estimates for local authorities and the private rented sector are derived by applying the same rate of one bedroom allocations as a proportion of all allocations to homeless households, as recorded for housing associations/Co-Ops in SCORE.\r\n \r\nLocal\r\nAuthority\r\nHousing\r\nAssociation\r\n/Co-op\r\nPrivate\r\nRented\r\nSector\r\nOwner\r\nOccupier\r\nSocial\r\nRented\r\nSector\r\nTotal\r\nOne bedroom stock1 \r\n75,000\r\n90,000\r\n65,000\r\n82,000\r\n165,000\r\nOne bedroom stock becoming available to rent/buy during twelve month period2\r\n10,000\r\n10,000\r\n30,000\r\n10,000\r\n20,000\r\nNumber of one bedroom properties allocated to homeless households during 2011-123\r\n(5,320)4\r\n3800\r\n(760)4\r\n0\r\n9,120\r\n\r\nNotes/Sources:\r\n1. Social Rented Sector Stock Statistics (SG & SHR) and Scottish Household Survey 2011\r\n2. Scottish Household Survey 2011 - Churn Rate\r\n3. SG Homelessness HL1 Data 2011/12 combined with SG SCORE data for Housing Associations and Co-Ops\r\n4. Applying same SCORE rate as for housing associations/Co-Ops allocation rate\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T16:50:27.597","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283425,"EventID":"S4W-14288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-16T16:50:28.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-16T14:51:50.89","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13897 by Nicola Sturgeon on 16 April 2013, whether it will provide a list of each helpline it supports that is operated by a private company and the name of each operating company.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-04-30T16:50:28.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283431,"EventID":"S4W-14300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T11:41:44.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T11:29:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its decision is regarding the recommendations made in the Scottish Court Services recent paper, Shaping Scotland's Court Services.","AnswerText":"I will be informing the Scottish Court Service (SCS) and the Lord President later today that the Scottish Government has accepted the recommendations as set out in the report, Shaping Scotland’s Court Services.\r\nIn terms of the recommendations relating to court closures, this will require statutory orders to be made and then laid in the Scottish Parliament. My decision initiates the next step of the process which requires the consent of both the Lord President and the SCS before the Orders can be made.\r\nOverall, I believe that these proposals are proportionate and that they are justified based on the analysis supplied on savings and impact on access to justice. I believe that the recommendations are consistent with our wider reform plans, and that there is no obvious way that SCS could make comparable savings with less impact on efficiency and access.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T11:41:44.707","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283441,"EventID":"S4W-14265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:47.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T10:03:55.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the environmental effects that arise from forestry and agricultural projects are adequately assessed.","AnswerText":"Forestry projects are considered under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999. The regulations provide a structured approach to evaluating environmental impacts to ensure that potential environmental impacts are adequately assessed. Forestry projects are also assessed to ensure they meet the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard.\r\nThe Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 came into force in Scotland on 1 January 2007 and constrain operations to carry out “intensive” agricultural operations on uncultivated or semi-natural land, or large scale restructuring projects on agricultural land, where the result would have a “significant” impact on the environment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:47.96","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283442,"EventID":"S4W-14266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:48.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T10:03:55.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that those undertaking agricultural or forestry projects that may give rise to significant environmental effects are aware of the potential requirement to undertake an environmental impact assessment.","AnswerText":"For Forestry, the potential requirement of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is central to the information we provide to those carrying out forestry projects. This information is available on the Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) website and from local FCS offices. As part of the normal application process for forestry proposals FCS consider whether they need to be assessed under EIA (Forestry) regulations.\r\nFor agricultural projects, there is advice and guidance on the Scottish Government farming web pages which details the EIA requirements. However, due to a number of circumstances there are relatively few applications annually:\r\nThe principles of EIA are enshrined in Cross Compliance, which is the minimum standard of regulatory compliance all farmers must adhere to, in order to receive their basic subsidy payment;\r\nMuch of the land that would be considered appropriate to improve has been improved during the last century, often receiving support from agricultural grant;\r\nThe remaining land, which includes all semi-natural habitats (unimproved grass, heath, moorland, scrub and wetlands) and environmental designations is uneconomic to improve and the level of awareness of EIA requirements amongst farmers is considered to be high.\r\nGenerally, there are few opportunities for farmers to improve semi-natural habitats. Those that wish to do so apply through the formal process.\r\nAll of the Cross Compliance regulations and requirements, along with the specific EIA information, is also on the Scottish Government Website, and available from local agricultural area offices.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:48.317","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283443,"EventID":"S4W-14267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:48.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T10:03:55.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the cumulative effect of projects are taken into account when considering the need for environmental impact assessment of agricultural and forestry projects.","AnswerText":"In terms of Forestry projects, the potential cumulative effect of projects are accounted for in two ways, firstly by considering the cumulative effect of different types of environmental impacts associated with the project and secondly by including any other forestry projects that have been carried out on adjacent land (including that on land in different ownerships) to a proposed project.\r\nFor agricultural operations, there are national and local records kept on the number and location of applications. Given the stringent nature of the Cross Compliance implications, and the farming industry’s awareness of these regulations, there are only a small number of applications a year. Therefore it is considered unlikely that there should be any negative cumulative effects in relation to these specific applications and operations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:48.677","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283444,"EventID":"S4W-14268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:48.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T10:03:55.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that consultation is carried out with the public affected or likely to be affected by agricultural or forestry projects for which environmental impact assessments are required.","AnswerText":"For forestry projects, details are made available to the public through the public register of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). Once an Environmental Statement is received details of the application for consent are published in local newspapers inviting comments from the public. Details are also provided to Statutory Consultees such as relevant countryside bodies and local authorities.  The public and Statutory Consultees have 28 days to submit comments on the project and Environmental Statement.\r\nIn terms of agricultural operations covered by the EIA regulations, when an application is received the statutory consultees must be consulted, on both the level of detail required for the full application (Environmental Statement) and the potential environmental impacts. Thereafter, the application is made available to the public via the public register.\r\nAgricultural area office staff receives many informal requests regarding activity that may require an EIA during the course of their duties. In addition, it should also be noted that area staff carry out numerous land inspections under Cross Compliance.\r\nMembers of the public that are concerned about agricultural activity that is considered to damage the environment can report these operations to the local agricultural office and the issue will be investigated.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:49.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283445,"EventID":"S4W-14269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:49.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T10:03:55.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that any significant environmental effects that might result from the construction of tracks for (a) agricultural, (b) forestry and (c) other purposes are considered before construction takes place.\r\n","AnswerText":"Where new development is proposed, including the construction of tracks, this must be considered in light of statutory provisions on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which requires an assessment of the likely significant effects of certain projects on the environment, before development consent can be granted.\r\nTracks constructed for agricultural or forestry purposes benefit from permitted development rights, meaning that a planning application and specific consent are not required provided certain criteria, set out in legislation, are met. Tracks constructed for other purposes require planning consent to be obtained from the relevant planning authority.\r\nWhere a track intended for agriculture purposes requires an EIA, it no longer benefits from permitted development rights and a full planning application would need to be submitted to the planning authority and the environmental assessment taken fully into account. \r\nTracks for forestry purposes are subject to consideration by the Forestry Commission Scotland under specific provisions contained within the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:49.317","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283446,"EventID":"S4W-14289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:49.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-16T15:10:32.913","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether matters otherwise protected by data protection legislation are regarded as being in the public domain once they have been discussed in an open civil court hearing.  \r\n","AnswerText":"The Data Protection Act applies to the processing of personal data. It cannot be assumed that personal data can be disclosed once it has been discussed in an open civil court hearing.\r\nOrganisations subject to the Act have certain obligations when deciding how and why personal data is processed. The Act does contain a number of exemptions from the general processing requirements, to accommodate particular circumstances.\r\nIf an exemption applies, then organisations may be permitted to disclose personal data to third parties. However, each individual case has to be considered on the detailed facts and circumstances, including the purposes for which the data is to be processed. Interpretation of the detailed requirements of the Act and any decision on processing in any particular case is a matter for the organisation holding the data.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:49.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283447,"EventID":"S4W-14291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:49.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T09:23:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-00311 by Michael Matheson on 16 April 2013 (Official Report, c.18528), what the (a) role and (b) remit will be of the independent commission to examine the policies and practices that are in place for handling ashes and cremated remains.\r\n","AnswerText":"The role of the commission will be to ensure that a consistent approach to the treatment of ashes can be put in place across Scotland. The specific remit of the commission will be refined by the commission chair.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:49.957","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283448,"EventID":"S4W-14292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:50.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T09:23:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-00311 by Michael Matheson on 16 April 2013 (Official Report, c.18528), how parents affected by (a) neonatal and (b) stillborn baby death will be represented on the independent commission to examine the policies and practices that are in place for handling ashes and cremated remains.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in the process of establishing the membership of the commission. We have committed to ensure that parents who have been affected will be represented.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:50.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283449,"EventID":"S4W-14293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:50.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T09:23:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-00311 by Michael Matheson on 16 April 2013 (Official Report, c.18528), whether the independent commission to examine the policies and practices that are in place for handling ashes and cremated remains will have powers to call witnesses under oath.\r\n","AnswerText":"The commission will not be a statutory body and will not investigate specific incidents or allegations. The commission will not therefore need evidence to be submitted under oath.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:50.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283450,"EventID":"S4W-14294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:50.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T09:23:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-00311 by Michael Matheson on 16 April 2013 (Official Report, c.18528), whether the independent commission to examine the policies and practices that are in place for handling ashes and cremated remains will review the practices of (a) undertakers, (b) hospitals and (c) crematoria both in private and public.\r\n","AnswerText":"The commission will be tasked with examining all relevant policies and procedures.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:50.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283451,"EventID":"S4W-14295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:51.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T09:23:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-00311 by Michael Matheson on 16 April 2013 (Official Report, c.18528), (a) when and (b) to whom the independent commission to examine the policies and practices that are in place for handling ashes and cremated remains will report.\r\n","AnswerText":"The commission will produce recommendations by the end of the 2013 and will report to Scottish Ministers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:51.19","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283452,"EventID":"S4W-14296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:51.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T09:23:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-00311 by Michael Matheson on 16 April 2013 (Official Report, c.18528), whether it will invite Dame Elish Angiolini to participate in the independent commission to examine the policies and practices that are in place for handling ashes and cremated remains and, if so, what role it will ask her to take.\r\n","AnswerText":"Dame Elish has confirmed her on-going commitment to her investigation into the former practice at Mortonhall crematorium. This, alongside other pre-existing commitments, prevents Dame Elish from direct participation in the Commission.\r\nHowever, Dame Elish has agreed that her investigation will work closely with the Commission.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:51.5","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283453,"EventID":"S4W-14297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:51.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T11:26:34.36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding is available to community transport organisations serving rural areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local authorities are provided with resources for community transport services as part of the local government block finance settlement each year. The resources are not ring fenced, allowing local authorities flexibility to decide local priorities and allocate funding accordingly.\r\nCommunity transport operators can claim Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) in respect of mileage travelled by community transport services that are registered local services or operating under a section 19 permit to carry specific groups of passengers. Changes made to BSOG from April 2012 provide more funding for longer routes, which benefits rural services in particular. £50 million is available for the grant scheme in 2013-14.\r\nCommunity transport providers who operate registered local bus services can receive fare reimbursement under the National Concessionary Travel Scheme for passengers using a National Entitlement Card. The reimbursement of fares in 2013-2014 is 60% of the adult single fare.\r\nFunding has been provided to the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) to assist with the creation and development of Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs) in Scotland. Once established, CRPs will have access to project funding managed by ACoRP and designed to encourage match funding from other sources.\r\nThe current LEADER programme provides funding for a wide range of community projects in rural areas. Twenty four community transport projects across Scotland have been funded under the LEADER programme since 2008.\r\nWe are providing £45,000 per year in both 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 to the Community Transport Association to help develop the community transport sector in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:51.86","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283454,"EventID":"S4W-14298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:52.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T11:26:34.36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding has been provided in each year since 2008 to support community transport organisations serving rural areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer question S4W-14297 on 25 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nIn addition, grant totalling £324,207 has been provided through the LEADER programme for rural community transport projects since 2008, with further funding expected to be claimed in 2013. Total grant provided by year was:\r\n2008 - £26,980\r\n2009 - £29,188\r\n2010 - £108,322\r\n2011 - £74,256\r\n2012 - £58,521\r\n2013 - £26,940.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:52.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283455,"EventID":"S4W-14299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:52.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T11:26:34.36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards fund community transport organisations to deliver non-emergency patient transport; what funding it has provided in this regard, and how many passenger journeys have taken place in each year since 2008.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:52.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283456,"EventID":"S4W-14301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T15:56:52.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T11:46:23.273","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for ministers to respond to letters from MSPs.\r\n","AnswerText":"The target time for ministerial replies to all correspondence is 20 working days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T15:56:52.843","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283457,"EventID":"S4O-02015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:39.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T12:10:22.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be of Daktari Diagnostics locating its manufacturing site in Inverness.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:40.01","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283458,"EventID":"S4O-02016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:40.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T11:41:05.927","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it calculates future oil revenues.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:40.37","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283459,"EventID":"S4O-02018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:40.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T12:10:23.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what can be done to boost employment opportunities in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:40.697","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283460,"EventID":"S4O-02019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:40.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-16T10:15:52.333","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has provided to the Stirling area over the last four years to promote and deliver events connected with the Year of Homecoming and the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, and how much it will provide in 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:40.993","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283461,"EventID":"S4O-02020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:41.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T12:10:23.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Orkney Islands Council and other stakeholders about the implications of Ortak going into administration.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:41.383","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283462,"EventID":"S4O-02021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:41.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T10:02:08.907","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in taking forward the business rates incentivisation scheme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:41.803","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283463,"EventID":"S4O-02022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:42.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-16T13:30:39.923","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met South Lanarkshire Council and what was discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:42.273","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283464,"EventID":"S4O-02023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2487,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:44.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T12:10:24.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what basis the share of UK debt to be assigned to an independent Scotland should be calculated.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:44.253","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283465,"EventID":"S4O-02024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:44.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T11:18:01.247","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on opencast restoration.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:44.533","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283466,"EventID":"S4O-02025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:44.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T12:10:25.153","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides for community business initiatives in Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:44.83","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283467,"EventID":"S4O-02026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:45.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T12:10:25.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish civil service jobs have been transferred to or created in Dundee since May 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:45.127","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283468,"EventID":"S4O-02027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:45.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-16T12:47:30.953","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to increase recruitment into the energy sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:45.41","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283469,"EventID":"S4O-02028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:45.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-16T15:27:58.06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the tax revenue in Scotland was estimated to be in 2011-12.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:45.703","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283470,"EventID":"S4O-02030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:45.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T09:36:19.223","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has in relation to dealing with dangerous and defective buildings.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:45.97","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283471,"EventID":"S4O-02031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:46.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T12:10:26.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the 2 Sisters Food Group following its acquisition of the UK division of the Vion Food Group, in light of the impact on employment.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:46.313","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283472,"EventID":"S4O-02032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:46.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T10:58:10.443","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on increasing employment opportunities in the west of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:46.627","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283473,"EventID":"S4O-02033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T12:10:27.133","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what share of the Scottish economy pension and welfare costs account for and how this compares with their share of the UK economy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published Scotland’s Balance Sheet on 14 April. This shows that, in 2011-12, social protection expenditure, which includes pension and welfare costs, was equivalent to 14.4% of GDP. This is lower than the equivalent UK figure of 15.9%.\r\nIn addition, spending on social protection in Scotland, as a share of the economy, has been lower than in the UK for the last five years, and is also lower than in the majority of other EU-15 countries.\r\nThese figures clearly show that welfare and pensions would be more affordable in Scotland if we had full responsibility for our economy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:47.017","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283474,"EventID":"S4O-02034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:47.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-16T17:52:38.947","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any increase in borrowing by financial institutions to provide support to small businesses.","AnswerText":"The National Loan Guarantee Scheme (NLGS) and the Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) provide cheap loans to the real economy, including to SME’s.\r\nUnder the NLGS over 28,000 cheaper loans worth over £4.8bn have already been offered to businesses across the UK.\r\nThe Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) was launched to boost bank lending to UK households and non-financial businesses. The scheme is designed to reduce the funding costs of banks and provide them a strong incentive to increase their lending. Forty banks have signed to the Funding for Lending Scheme up so far, representing 82% of the eligible stock of lending. Thirteen banks have borrowed £13.8 billion of funds from the Bank up to end of December.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:47.297","MeetingDate":"2013-04-24T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283475,"EventID":"S4O-02035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:47.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T11:56:12.48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on repeat prescription charges.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:47.593","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283476,"EventID":"S4O-02036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:47.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T12:10:50.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it evaluates the throughcare and support given to prisoners.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:47.983","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283477,"EventID":"S4O-02037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:48.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T15:05:28.307","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Electoral Commission regarding campaign funding and donations in relation to the independence referendum.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:48.293","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283478,"EventID":"S4O-02038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:48.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T12:10:53.177","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is planning additional measures to tackle youth unemployment and promote apprenticeship opportunities.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:48.607","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283479,"EventID":"S4O-02039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:49.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T12:10:53.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent representations it has made to the European Commission regarding the cod recovery plan.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:49.027","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283480,"EventID":"S4O-02040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:49.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T11:36:49.85","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Lothian regarding the board's investigation of readmission rates.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:49.37","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283481,"EventID":"S4O-02041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:49.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T12:10:55.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to cattle and sheep farmers in light of reported difficulties in these sectors.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:49.7","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283482,"EventID":"S4O-02042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:49.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T10:20:05.443","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports access to education and training for women of all ages in South Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"This Government invests around £2 billion each year in colleges and universities. In particular included in that amount is significant and specific funding to support the development in the South of Scotland of the Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels and the Crichton Campus in Dumfries. The priority attached by the college sector to the education and training of women is reflected in a substantially higher number of enrolments by women than by men, and in the majority of learning opportunities being offered on a part-time basis. To better meet the needs of college regions, we asked the Funding Council to consider a number of priorities in applying the additional £61 million funding recently announced.\r\nWe have also committed £250,000 over the next two years to CareerWISE Scotland, which was announced at the Women's Employment Summit in September 2012. This will deliver tangible improvements in the position of women in science and engineering careers by seeking to change the actions of schools, teachers and employers. With regard to Modern Apprenticeships in 2011-12, 43% of MA starts were woman compared with 27% in 2008-09. The number of MA starts in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway in 2011-12 has increased to 1357 from previous years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:49.993","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283483,"EventID":"S4O-02043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:50.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T12:10:56.08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact has been of Public Contracts Scotland's national advertising portal.\r\n","AnswerText":"SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT\r\nORAL ANSWER\r\n25 April 2013\r\nIndex Heading: Finance\r\nNigel Don (Angus North and Mearns) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what the impact has been of Public Contracts Scotland's national advertising portal.\r\n(S4O-02043)\r\nNicola Sturgeon: Scotland’s public bodies spend over £9 billion each year on procurement and the Public Contracts Scotland service has had a significant impact in opening up opportunities in this area, especially to small and medium enterprises in Scotland. Statistics from PCS indicate that last year 82% of suppliers that were awarded contracts were SMEs and that 80% were Scottish-based companies.\r\nThese statistics illustrate the importance of public sector procurement to Scottish businesses and play an important role in building a wealthier and more successful nation.\r\nPCS has streamlined the bidding process for low value contracts, considerably easing the administrative burden of doing business with the public sector, and has opened up access to sub-contract opportunities on large scale contracts by enabling prime contractors to advertise these opportunities to benefit suppliers further down the supply chain.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:50.277","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283484,"EventID":"S4O-02044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T13:59:50.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T12:10:56.487","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many convictions there have been under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.","AnswerText":"Between 1 March and 31 December 2012, proceedings in relation to 64 charges had been concluded under section 1 of the Offensive Behaviour and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012. Fifty four charges were convicted (84%). During the same time period, proceedings in relation to four charges had been concluded under section 6 of the Act, with 1 charge convicted (25%).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T13:59:50.587","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283490,"EventID":"S4W-14273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T16:46:12.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T14:27:21.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether access to child and adolescent mental health services is available for children in kinship care on the same priority basis as for those in foster care.","AnswerText":"Children and young people who are referred to CAMHS are assessed on their clinical needs. At assessment they will be seen by a multidisciplinary team which includes a number of professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and occupational therapists.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T16:46:12.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283491,"EventID":"S4W-14274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T16:46:13.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T14:27:21.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that children in kinship care have access to respite services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is providing over £13 million for short breaks between 2010-15 to be channelled through the voluntary sector. Organisations such as CHILDREN 1st, Geeza Break and Kinship for the Future North who support Kinship Carers have benefitted from this fund. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T16:46:13.053","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283492,"EventID":"S4W-14275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T16:46:13.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T14:27:21.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is provided to kinship carers.\r\n","AnswerText":"Kinship carers of children who are looked after are entitled to financial support from the responsible local authority. A number of local authorities also offer allowances to kinship carers of non-looked after children and those on a section 11 order of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (e.g Residence Order).\r\nThe level of kinship care payments are the responsibility of local authorities. The Scottish Government is committed to working with local authorities to ensure that kinship carers receive the support they need.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently reviewing financial support to kinship carers with a view to tailoring support and tackling inconsistencies across Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T16:46:13.613","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283493,"EventID":"S4W-14276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T16:46:14.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T14:27:21.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is parity in financial support for kinship and foster carers and, if not, when there will be.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not set the level of payments to either kinship carers or foster carers. Payments are the responsibility of local authorities. However, the Scottish Government recognises that financial support needs to be more consistent, if it is to be fair and is currently reviewing financial support to kinship carers with an aim to publish its findings by autumn 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T16:46:14.16","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283494,"EventID":"S4W-14277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T16:46:14.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T14:27:21.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many foster carers there are, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Neither the Scottish Government nor the Care Inspectorate collects information on numbers of foster carers broken down by local authority area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T16:46:14.707","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283495,"EventID":"S4W-14278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T16:46:15.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-15T14:27:21.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which provisions in the forthcoming Children and Young People Bill will help kinship carers.","AnswerText":"The Children and Young People Bill will:\r\n\r\nProvide enhanced support to kinship carers who obtain an order under section 11(1) of the 1995 Act (which will be deemed a “kinship care order”).\r\nPlace a duty on local authorities to ensure that families in the early stages of distress who seek help are provided with appropriate forms of intervention (for example, family group conferencing or support with substance misuse). This will provide more help for those carers who accept long term caring responsibilities for a child This will be available where a child’s wellbeing would be at risk of being impaired and where appropriate, it can be used to promote the role of a kinship carer; and\r\nPlace a duty on local authorities to provide a minimum of 600 hours early learning and childcare to three and four year olds, looked after two year olds and two year olds subject to a kinship care order.\r\nThe Children and Young People Bill was introduced to Parliament on 18 April. The Bill and accompanying documents have been published on the Scottish Parliament website:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/62233.aspx\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Young-People/legislation/impact.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T16:46:15.283","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283496,"EventID":"S4W-14302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T16:46:15.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T14:43:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a legal impediment to North Lanarkshire Council re-establishing a direct labour organisation and, if so, whether the Scottish Government can remove it and would do so if requested.","AnswerText":"In 1998 the then Secretary of State for Scotland made a Direction under Section 19B of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 after a £4.5 million trading deficit was uncovered in North Lanarkshire Council’s Building and Roads Services Direct Labour Organisations (DLOs). The Direction was varied in 1999 and lifted by the then Scottish Executive on 24 August 2001.\r\nAll DLOs are subject to legal controls. For instance, section 10 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 places requirements on local authorities about the revenues of their trading operations.\r\nIf North Lanarkshire Council considers that it faces particular legal impediments which prevent it re-establishing a DLO, ministers would consider the case on its merits, once we have seen the details, including the Council’s understanding of those impediments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T16:46:15.86","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283497,"EventID":"S4W-14303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T16:46:16.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T15:08:48.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what update it can provide on the review of vitamin D by the (a) Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition and (b) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.","AnswerText":"The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) Vitamin D Working Group held its eighth meeting in February this year, with the next scheduled for15 May 2013. It is anticipated that a draft report will be available for public consultation in March 2014, with the final report likely to be published in December 2014. Minutes of all SACN working group meetings are available on the SACN website at:\r\nhttp://www.sacn.gov.uk/meetings/working_groups/vitamin/28032012.html.\r\nThe National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has now set the scope for developing public health guidance on the implementation of existing recommendations to prevent vitamin D deficiency. The draft guidance is due to be issued for consultation in December 2013 with publication of the final guidance in June 2014. Further details, including the scope of the guidance, are available on the NICE website at: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byID&o=13795.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T16:46:16.237","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283498,"EventID":"S4W-14304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T16:46:16.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T15:08:48.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the (a) Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition and (b) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to ensure that the relevance of Scotland's high latitude is considered in the review of vitamin D.\r\n","AnswerText":"Officials from the Food Standards Agency in Scotland (FSAS) attend the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) Vitamin D Working Group meetings on behalf of the Scottish Government to ensure Scottish interests are fully represented. In doing so, the FSAS ensures that relevant research on vitamin D which relates specifically to the Scottish population is considered as part of the review.\r\nThe National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is developing public health guidance on the implementation of existing recommendations to prevent vitamin D deficiency. In doing so, NICE do not intend to look at the relative contributions of cutaneous vitamin D synthesis to vitamin D status in the UK population as this issue is being considered as part of the SACN review on vitamin D. SACN is a stakeholder in the development of this guidance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T16:46:16.64","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283499,"EventID":"S4W-14305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T16:46:16.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T15:08:48.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a cost-benefit analysis of interventions to reduce vitamin D deficiency in the population will form part of the review by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.","AnswerText":"The remit of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) Vitamin D Working Group is to review the Dietary Reference Values for vitamin D intake and make recommendations. In doing so, the review is considering the clinical evidence on vitamin D and will not include any cost-benefit analysis. The full terms of reference for the group are available on the SACN website at:\r\nhttp://www.sacn.gov.uk/meetings/working_groups/vitamin/index.html.\r\nIn developing its guidance on the implementation of existing recommendations to prevent vitamin D deficiency, NICE will be considering the cost effectiveness of interventions to increase awareness and implementation of existing guidance on vitamin D amongst both health professionals and at-risk groups. Further details regarding the scope of the guidance are available at:\r\nhttp://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byID&o=13795.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T16:46:16.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283500,"EventID":"S4W-14306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T16:46:17.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T15:51:59.737","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value was of contracts awarded through Public Contracts Scotland to (a) Scotland-based and (b) international small or medium-sized companies in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is not possible to calculate the value of contracts awarded via Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) because at the time of the publication of the award notice only an estimated value or range of values is provided by the contracting authority. In addition, many contracts are multi-supplier agreements, often frameworks arrangements, and it is not possible at the point of contract award to calculate how any estimated contract value will be divided between the participating suppliers over the course of the contact.\r\nHowever, information from the Scottish Procurement Information Hub (the Hub) indicates that the value of spend with Scottish-based small and medium-sized companies per financial year is £2.63 billion in 2010-11, and £2.68 billion in 2011-12. A further £1.1 billion was spent in each of the financial years above with Small and Medium Enterprises located elsewhere in the UK. Figures for 2012-13 are not yet available.\r\nAll Hub figures quoted above are based on data where both the employee numbers and region of the supplier are known. The Hub does not classify regions outside the UK.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T16:46:17.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283501,"EventID":"S4W-14307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T16:46:17.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T15:51:59.737","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many contracts were awarded to Scotland-based small or medium-sized companies through Public Contracts Scotland in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012, also broken down by (i) micro-, (ii) small and (iii) medium-sized companies and expressed as a percentage of the total number.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is set out in the following table:\r\n\r\nCalendar Year 2010*\r\nCalendar Year 2011\r\nCalendar Year 2012\r\n**Scotland-based Micro (1-9 employees)\r\n181 (14%)\r\n1,789 (21%)\r\n3,456 (26%)\r\nScotland-based Small (10-49 employees)\r\n274 (22%)\r\n2.233 (27%)\r\n3,592 (27%)\r\nScotland-based Medium (50-249 employees)\r\n244 (19%)\r\n1,394 (17%)\r\n1,932 (15%)\r\nTotal Scotland-based SMEs (less than 250 employees)\r\n699 (55%)\r\n5,416 (65%)\r\n8,980 (68%)\r\nNotes:\r\n*2010 figures are for October to December only as this is when reporting functionality on the size and location of suppliers became available in Public Contract Scotland.\r\n**Scotland-based and employee numbers according to the supplier registrations on Public Contracts Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T16:46:17.61","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283502,"EventID":"S4W-14308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T16:46:17.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T15:51:59.737","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of the suppliers awarded contracts through Public Contracts Scotland in 2012 were Scottish owned.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Suppliers registering on Public Contracts Scotland are required to provide their address, but they are not required to provide any information on the registered office or the ownership of the company.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T16:46:17.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283503,"EventID":"S4W-14309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-17T16:46:18.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T15:51:59.737","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of contracts were awarded to supported businesses through Public Contracts Scotland in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested by the member is set out in the following table:\r\n\r\n2010*\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\nNumber of Supported Businesses** awarded contracts via PCS\r\n1\r\n7\r\n10\r\nTotal number of suppliers awarded contracts via PCS\r\n1,252\r\n8,329\r\n13,308\r\nPercentage of Supported Businesses awarded contracts as a percentage of all suppliers awarded contracts  via PCS\r\n0.08%\r\n0.08%\r\n0.1%\r\n* 2010 figures are for October to December only as this is when supported business reporting functionality became available in Public Contract Scotland (PCS).\r\n** Supported business classification based upon supplier registrations on PCS.\r\nA new Scottish Government reserved framework  for supported businesses became effective in September 2012. To date (22 April 2013), 52 contracts have been placed by 17 different public bodies under the framework with a value of around £180,000. Due to the date of the framework’s implementation many of these will not be captured in the table.\r\nThe PCS statistics do not include any public contracts placed with supported businesses outwith the PCS portal. Much of the economic activity for supported businesses comes directly from their partner local authority e.g. Glasgow City Council and Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi). This can be substantial and is not competed through PCS.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-01T16:46:18.293","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283514,"EventID":"S4W-14310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:43.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:32:26.133","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Chief Executive of NHS Scotland sought to amend the Audit Scotland report, Management of patients on NHS waiting lists, as reported in the Sunday Herald on 31 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"There is an agreed protocol between Audit Scotland and the Scottish Government covering the arrangements for carrying out and clearing performance audit reports undertaken on behalf of the Auditor General for Scotland (AGS) which are published as part of the Scottish Public Finance Manual. The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that all relevant parties in the Scottish Government and Audit Scotland are aware of the arrangements for carrying out performance audits undertaken on behalf of the AGS and clearing draft reports.\r\nThe protocol states that in relation to the draft report/key messages:\r\n“The project manager sends a copy of the key messages document and draft report to all project advisory group members, including the SG representative, for comment.”\r\nFor formal clearance of the report, the protocol says:\r\n“The AGS sends a formal letter and a copy of the report to the relevant Accountable Officer. The AGS’s letter specifies the date when comments are due back (this is three weeks from the date of the letter) and asks for confirmation of the factual accuracy of the report and any other comments on the presentation and conclusions.”\r\nWhile the Scottish Government can provide comment on the draft report, the final decision on what to include in the report is solely the responsibility of Audit Scotland. The comments provided were in line with standard procedures where Audit Scotland asked for comments on the draft report. In the interest of accuracy, Audit Scotland accepted a number of points raised and amended the final report accordingly, in exactly the same way as has been done on many other occasions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:43.307","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283515,"EventID":"S4W-14311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:44.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:32:26.133","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Chief Executive of NHS Scotland asked Audit Scotland to add “helpful” points to the report, Management of patients on NHS waiting lists, as reported in the Sunday Herald on 31 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"There is an agreed protocol between Audit Scotland and the Scottish Government covering the arrangements for carrying out and clearing performance audit reports undertaken on behalf of the Auditor General for Scotland (AGS) which are published as part of the Scottish Public Finance Manual. The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that all relevant parties in the Scottish Government and Audit Scotland are aware of the arrangements for carrying out performance audits undertaken on behalf of the AGS and clearing draft reports.\r\nThe protocol states that in relation to the draft report/key messages:\r\n“The project manager sends a copy of the key messages document and draft report to all project advisory group members, including the SG representative, for comment.”\r\nFor formal clearance of the report, the protocol says:\r\n“The AGS sends a formal letter and a copy of the report to the relevant Accountable Officer. The AGS’s letter specifies the date when comments are due back (this is three weeks from the date of the letter) and asks for confirmation of the factual accuracy of the report and any other comments on the presentation and conclusions.”\r\nWhile the Scottish Government can provide comment on the draft report, the final decision on what to include in the report is solely the responsibility of Audit Scotland. The comments provided were in line with standard procedures where Audit Scotland asked for comments on the draft report. In the interest of accuracy, Audit Scotland accepted a number of points raised and amended the final report accordingly, in exactly the same way as has been done on many other occasions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:44.773","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283516,"EventID":"S4W-14312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:45.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:32:26.133","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of its media and communications staff work (a) in and (b) with its health and social care directorate and what the total salary costs are.\r\n","AnswerText":"Currently 14.1 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) communications staff supports the work of Health Ministers and the Director General Health and Social Care/Chief Executive of NHSScotland, who is responsible for seven Directorates in the Scottish Government. There is no Directorate for Health and Social Care. Of these FTE, 10.1 work in the Communications Directorate, while a further four work in other directorates.\r\nThese staff work on media, digital and stakeholder communications, including communications with the 132,000 staff working in NHSScotland and the 700 staff in the Scottish Government's health directorates. They also deliver the Scottish Government's public health campaigns, including Detect Cancer Early and Organ Donation. In addition to health policy, staff also work on the Commonwealth Games and sport policy.\r\nThe total 2012-13 annual staffing cost, (which covers salary and employer costs; e.g. pensions and NI, and the cost of employing any secondees) was £809,000.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:45.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283517,"EventID":"S4W-14313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:45.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:36:55.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider establishing a national register of implants in light of the reported problems with hip replacements, PIP breast implants and transvaginal mesh implants.\r\n","AnswerText":"Officials are working with colleagues in National Services Scotland to identify options for implementing an implant register starting with hip replacements and which could be used for a range of implants.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:45.867","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283518,"EventID":"S4W-14314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:46.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:36:55.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS National Procurement supplies the NHS with transvaginal mesh implants and, if so, how it sources them.\r\n","AnswerText":"National Procurement, which is part of NHS National Services Scotland, has confirmed that it supplies some transvaginal mesh devices to health boards through the National Distribution Centre. These devices are not included in a national contract but are supplied in response to catalogue requests from NHS boards for specific makes and type of device.\r\nAs the value and volume of products supplied through National Procurement is relatively low there are no plans to move this to a National Contract.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:46.49","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283519,"EventID":"S4W-14315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:47.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:36:55.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many transvaginal mesh implant procedures the NHS has carried out in each year since 1999.\r\n","AnswerText":"Please note that specific coding for transvaginal mesh implant procedures was introduced in 2006. Annually complete data is only available since 2007-08.\r\n\r\nNumber of transvaginal mesh implant procedures performed in NHS hospitals in Scotland.\r\nFinancial years ending 31st March 2008 to 2012\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nYear\r\n\r\n\r\nNumber of Procedures\r\n\r\n2007-2008\r\n\r\n\r\n248\r\n\r\n2008-2009\r\n\r\n\r\n357\r\n\r\n2009-2010\r\n\r\n\r\n374\r\n\r\n2010-2011\r\n\r\n\r\n410\r\n\r\n2011-2012\r\n\r\n\r\n324\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSource: ISD SMR01 linked catalogue\r\nExcludes an estimated 2 % of procedures which were carried out on behalf of the NHS by independent providers\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:47.02","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283520,"EventID":"S4W-14316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:47.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:36:55.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many surgeons carry out transvaginal mesh procedures, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:47.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283521,"EventID":"S4W-14317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:48.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:39:41.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met or had discussions or correspondence with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency about transvaginal mesh products and, if so, when.\r\n","AnswerText":"Officials are in regular contact with colleagues in the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA’s) about a range of issues including transvaginal meshes. This topic has been the subject of discussions at the MHRA’s Committee on the Safety of Devices, committee papers are available from the following website:\r\nhttp://www.mhra.gov.uk/Committees/Devices/index.htm\r\nIn addition to discussions within the last month, there was also discussion in November 2012 when the University of York Health Economics Consortium produced its report on Summaries of the Safety/Adverse Effects of Vaginal Tapes/Slings/Meshes for Stress Urinary Incontinence and Prolapse which is available at the following web-site: \r\nhttp://www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Generalsafetyinformationandadvice/Product-specificinformationandadvice/Product-specificinformationandadvice%E2%80%93M%E2%80%93T/Vaginalmeshforpelvicorganprolapse/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:48.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283522,"EventID":"S4W-14318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:48.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:39:41.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many clinicians working in Scotland have complained to (a) it and (b) the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency about transvaginal mesh products.","AnswerText":"Two clinicians working in Scotland have reported adverse incidents about transvaginal mesh products to the Incident Reporting and Investigation Centre of Health Facilities Scotland, which is part of NHS National Services Scotland.\r\nNo information is held on the number of clinicians in Scotland who have reported adverse incidents or concerns about transvaginal meshes to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:48.69","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283523,"EventID":"S4W-14319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:49.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:39:41.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received a medical alert about transvaginal mesh products.","AnswerText":"The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) has not issued any medical device alert on transvaginal mesh products. However, MHRA commissioned the University of York Health Economics Consortium to conduct a systematic review of the available literature.\r\nThe report of the review together with advice and information for patients and clinicians was published on 22 November 2012 and is available at the following website:\r\nhttp://www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Generalsafetyinformationandadvice/Product-specificinformationandadvice/Product-specificinformationandadvice%E2%80%93M%E2%80%93T/Vaginalmeshforpelvicorganprolapse/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:49.313","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283524,"EventID":"S4W-14320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:49.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:39:41.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the known side-effects are of transvaginal mesh implants and how many women have been affected by such side-effects in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The most frequently reported side effects have included mesh exposure, pain, sexual problems, mesh erosion and occasionally injury to nearby organs such as the bladder or bowel.\r\nInformation is not held centrally on the number of women who have been affected by side effects.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:49.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283525,"EventID":"S4W-14321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:50.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:43:38.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Ambulance Service has used (a) private and (b) voluntary sector transport in place of ambulances or patient transport since 2011.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service have advised that they do not use private ambulance services, or other private sector transport (including taxis), in place of ambulances or patient transport.\r\nThe Scottish Ambulance Service has a Memorandum of Understanding with the British Red Cross Society (BRCS), which helps the Service respond to patient needs, for example, during adverse weather. The BRCS make ambulance vehicles available should these be required. The Service also works with the BRCS during periods of anticipated high demand, such as the festive period and other key dates during the year such as pay days. This arrangement delivers an additional layer of resilience and support at times of peak demand.\r\nThe Service works with approximately 200 volunteer car drivers across the country, who undertake patient transport journeys where this is clinically appropriate, particularly in remote and rural areas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:50.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283526,"EventID":"S4W-14322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:51.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:43:38.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) any NHS board and (b) the Scottish Ambulance Service has contracts with community transport providers and, if so, what (i) the value of those contracts are and (ii) services are provided.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:51.09","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283527,"EventID":"S4W-14323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:51.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:43:38.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) patient transport and (b) ambulance journeys have been made in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"Ambulance Service activity is published annually in the Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland Cost Book and this can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Finance/Costs/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:51.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283528,"EventID":"S4W-14325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:52.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:43:38.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Ambulance Service plans to reduce the number of patient transport (a) vehicles and (b) staff.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of their Patient Transport Service Improvement Programme - which includes investment in new technology, training and staff development - the Scottish Ambulance Service expect that staff numbers are likely to reduce by around 60 and the Patient Transport Service fleet will reduce by around 33 vehicles. All of the staff reductions will be secured by retirement, leavers or redeployment within the service.\r\nI expect the Scottish Ambulance Service to ensure they deliver a consistent, high quality patient transport service for patients, and a service that is demand responsive and person centred. Any efficiencies that are secured through the better use of technology, improved planning and enhanced co-ordination will be reinvested in front-line care.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:52.323","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283529,"EventID":"S4W-14326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:52.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-17T17:43:38.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patient transport vehicles are not in use and awaiting repair.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service, the information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:52.917","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283530,"EventID":"S4W-14327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:53.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T09:29:11.387","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether two student associations can continue to exist under the regionalisation of Aberdeen and Banff and Buchan colleges.\r\n","AnswerText":"The provisions of the Education Act 1994 rightly do not allow for there to be separate student associations representing different college campuses because it would undermine effective and coherent student representation.\r\nHowever it is of course open to student associations, in devising their own structures and procedures, to put in place arrangements to ensure students at different campuses are fairly represented.\r\nWe also amended the Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill at stage 3 to provide that all colleges and universities, as part of the criteria they must meet to be eligible for public funding, must have suitable arrangements to seek to ensure the interests of students are represented by a students’ association.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:53.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283531,"EventID":"S4W-14328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:53.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T09:29:11.387","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultations it has carried out on the existence of student associations under new regional colleges and with what outcomes.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has carried out two public consultations on all aspects of college reform and regionalisation which includes the existence of student associations in merged colleges.\r\nI lodged an amendment to the Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill at stage 3 to provide that all colleges and universities, as part of the criteria they must meet to be eligible for public funding, must have suitable arrangements to seek to ensure the interests of students are represented by a students’ association.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:53.93","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283532,"EventID":"S4W-14329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:54.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T09:38:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether grants for new-build croft houses have been undersubscribed in each year since 2005 and, if so, by how much, broken down by area; what the reasons are, and what it is doing to encourage applications.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Croft House Grant Scheme opened to applications on 1 January 2005 and provides grants for new houses and the rebuilding and renovation of existing croft houses in the crofting areas of Scotland.\r\nThe grant scheme has been undersubscribed in relation to the available budget in each year of the scheme.\r\nYear\r\nBudget\r\nActual\r\nVariance\r\n2005-06\r\n£2, 000, 000\r\n£570,329\r\n(£1,367,633)\r\n2006-07\r\n£1, 600, 000\r\n£1,188,044\r\n(£411,956)\r\n2007-08\r\n£2, 545, 000\r\n£1,687,092\r\n(£857, 908)\r\n2008-09\r\n£3, 300, 000\r\n£2,014,323\r\n(£1,285,677)\r\n2009-10\r\n£2, 035, 000\r\n£1,740,678\r\n(£294,322)\r\n2010-11\r\n£2, 894, 000\r\n£1,569,567\r\n(£1,324,433)\r\n2011-12\r\n£1, 840, 000\r\n£1,276,441\r\n(£563,560)\r\n2012-13\r\n£1, 389, 000\r\n£1,365,956 \r\n(£23,044)\r\n \r\nExpenditure amounts are not recorded by geographical area on SG’s financial accounting system. However over the past three years approvals in each geographical area have averaged:\r\nArea\r\nPercentage\r\nHigh Priority\r\n70%\r\nStandard\r\n27%\r\nLow\r\n3%\r\nTotal\r\n100%\r\n \r\nThe Croft House Grant Scheme (CHGS), and it’s forerunner, the Croft Building Grant and Loan Scheme (CBGLS), has operated since 1911 throughout the crofting areas of Scotland and is well known to potential applicants and stakeholder organisations. Scheme guidance and application forms are available throughout the Scottish Government’s Rural Payments and Inspection Division offices located throughout the Highland and Islands and also available for download from the Scottish Government’s internet site. Within the Crofting Services section of the Crofting Commission’s website there is a reference to the CHGS Scheme, referring enquiries to the CHGS Team in Tiree.\r\nUnder the Croft House Grant Scheme, no application has been rejected on the basis of limited budget.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:54.32","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283533,"EventID":"S4W-14330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:54.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T09:38:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase the grants for new-build croft houses to a maximum of £50,000 per application to encourage more building.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans for the rates of assistance offered by the Croft House Grant Scheme to be increased.\r\nAt current rates the annual budget for the Croft House Grant Scheme is sufficient to enable between 120 and 130 croft housing units to be assisted annually.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:54.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283534,"EventID":"S4W-14331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:55.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T09:38:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the availability of self-build mortgages and what it is doing to encourage more banks to offer them.\r\n","AnswerText":"Margaret Burgess: The Scottish Government recognises the important role that self build plays in Scotland’s housing supply system, particularly in rural and island communities. Officials have discussed the extent to which lending for self build is available with representatives of the Council of Mortgage Lenders and individual lenders on various occasions and will continue to seek to encourage support for self build activity in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:55.333","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283535,"EventID":"S4W-14332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:55.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T09:38:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) what the status is of and (b) when it will respond to the proposal for an enhanced crofting counties agricultural grant scheme submitted by a group including the Crofting Commission.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government received revised proposals from the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Crofting’s Working Group on 22 March 2013.\r\nThe Scottish Government is seeking views on future design of support for crofting through the recently released public consultation on the design of the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) for 2014-20 and welcomes the submission made by the Cross Party Group on Crofting’s Working Group and engagement by the Working Group as we consider the future shape of SRDP. The proposals received from the working group will be given full consideration as part of the public consultation.\r\nOfficials will enter into further discussions with the Working Group after that public consultation process concludes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:55.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283536,"EventID":"S4W-14333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:56.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T09:38:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to carry out an empirical analysis of the economic impact of crofting and, if so, what the role of Highlands and Islands Enterprise will be.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is required, by section 51 of the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, to report, once every four years, to the Scottish Parliament on the economic condition of crofting.\r\nCopies of the Scottish Government’s Report to Parliament on the Economic Condition of Crofting 2007-2010 are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. Number 52273).\r\nThe Scottish Government’s Report to Parliament on the Economic Condition of Crofting 2011-2014 will be laid before the Scottish Parliament by 1 January 2015. A view on who will be involved in the production of the report will be taken nearer the time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:56.083","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283537,"EventID":"S4W-14334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:56.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T09:38:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the status is of the crofting development budget that was given to Highlands and Islands Enterprise and what the spend was in 2011-12.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I will ask its chief executive to reply to you.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:56.457","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283538,"EventID":"S4W-14335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:56.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T09:38:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the agricultural census will collect information on the number of registered crofters, the scale of crofting, numbers of livestock, area cropped and other such data and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government collects information from agricultural holdings in Scotland in its annual agricultural census which covers detailed information on crops and livestock.\r\nThe census also collects information on any owned or “rented in” areas that are registered with the Crofting Commission. However, for most agricultural holdings, anything more detailed (e.g., the distribution of crops and livestock) cannot be accurately attributed to these crofting areas.\r\nThis is because the information collected on crops and livestock relates to the total area on the holding and crofts usually account for one or more components (or land parcels) within that total area.\r\nIn addition to this, there are numerous crofts that are registered with the Crofting Commission, but are either not returning a census form, or not reporting any Crofting Commission area on their census return.\r\nTo collect crop and livestock data specifically for croft areas using the census would require sending thousands of additional census forms to crofters every year which would present them with an unacceptable and disproportionate data burden.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:56.847","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283539,"EventID":"S4W-14336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:57.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T10:07:26.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on each action listed in Annex B of Buses for Scotland, Progress Through Partnership.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has delivered on nearly all of the commitments listed in Annex B of Buses for Scotland Progress Through Partnership, principally through the development and publication of suite of guidance including Park & Ride for Buses, Bus Punctuality Improvement Partnerships and Progress Through Partnership. These are available at:\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/publications.\r\nTraining in safe and fuel efficient driving is provided as part of normal training by bigger operators, who make this available to smaller operators.\r\nSpecific public inquiry timings were not set for the Traffic Commissioner decisions but the Commissioner now makes annual reports to ministers regarding her devolved responsibilities. These are available via the Transport Scotland website:\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/public-transport/buses.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:57.207","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283540,"EventID":"S4W-14337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:57.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T10:07:26.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Buses for Scotland, Progress Through Partnership Forum last met; what was discussed, and who attended.","AnswerText":"The Buses for Scotland Progress Through Partnership Forum last met on 11 March 2008. The meeting was chaired by Stewart Stevenson MSP, the then Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change. The meeting discussed Bus Route Development Grant, partnerships, park and ride, bus enforcement and integrated ticketing.\r\nThose who attended were:\r\nJohn Swinney MSP\r\nCabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth\r\nJoan Aitken\r\nCommissioner for Scottish Traffic Area\r\nRobert Booth\r\nExecutive Director, Glasgow City Council\r\nCouncillor Brian Collins\r\nChair, SWESTRANS\r\nJohn Elliot CEO\r\nPassengers’ View Scotland\r\nJohn Ewing Director\r\nTransport Directorate, Scottish Government\r\nJim Grieve\r\nHead of Transport, City of Edinburgh Council\r\nGordon Hanning\r\nTransport Scotland\r\nCouncillor Alison Hay\r\nCOSLA - Environment, Sustainability and Community Safety\r\nJim Lee MD\r\nTravel Dundee\r\nMoir Lockhead\r\nCEO, First Group\r\nDavid Patel\r\nDepute Director, Transport Directorate, Scottish Government\r\nDouglas Paterson\r\nCEO, Aberdeen City Council\r\nCouncillor Steven Purcell\r\nLeader of Glasgow City Council\r\nNeil Renilson\r\nCEO, Lothian Buses\r\nCouncillor Anne Robertson\r\nLeader, Aberdeenshire Council\r\nMarjory Rodger\r\nDirector of Government Relations, CPT\r\nBrian Souter\r\nCEO, Stagecoach Group\r\nAlex Stephen\r\nCEO, Dundee City Council\r\nStephen Tetlow\r\nCEO, VOSA\r\nCouncillor Alistair Watson\r\nChair, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport\r\nCouncillor Phil Wheeler\r\nConvener, Edinburgh Council Transport Committee\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:57.55","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283541,"EventID":"S4W-14338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T13:53:57.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T10:07:26.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Buses for Scotland, Progress Through Partnership Forum will next meet; what will be discussed, and who will be invited to attend.","AnswerText":"The Buses for Scotland Progress Through Partnership Forum last met on 11 March 2008 and no further meetings are planned.\r\nThe Bus Stakeholder Group was established in April 2012 as a consultative body to take forward bus policy development and implementation with key stakeholders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T13:53:57.847","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283550,"EventID":"S4W-14340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T16:46:26.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T11:25:24.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in the NHS Grampian area have been screened for bowel cancer in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The number and percentage of eligible men and women in the NHS Grampian area who have taken part in the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme over the last three years is provided in the following table. \r\nNHS Grampian\r\n2010\r\n2011*\r\n2012\r\nMales\r\n23,339 (55.7%)\r\n21,108 (57%)\r\nThese data are not available yet\r\nFemales\r\n26,605 (63.1%)\r\n24,309 (65.1%)\r\nThese data are not available yet\r\nNotes:\r\n*includes published data to October 2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T16:46:26.32","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283551,"EventID":"S4W-14341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T16:46:26.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T11:25:24.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many uneaten hospital meals have been disposed of by NHS Grampian in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not centrally held.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T16:46:26.773","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283552,"EventID":"S4W-14342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T16:46:27.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T11:25:24.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much on average NHS Grampian has spent on hospital food per patient per day in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not centrally held.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T16:46:27.1","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283553,"EventID":"S4W-14344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T16:46:27.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T14:25:00.343","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13809 by Nicola Sturgeon on 18 April 2013, what the names are of the independent advisers on pensions from whom advice has been sought by officials.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have engaged Deloitte to provide actuarial support in the analysis of the UK Government's plans to reform state pensions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T16:46:27.43","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283554,"EventID":"S4W-14345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T16:46:27.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T14:21:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it costs school pupils to apply for college and university courses through UCAS.\r\n","AnswerText":"For the 2013 application cycle, the UCAS application fee is £12 for those applying for only one course or £23 for those applying to between 2 and 5 course choices.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T16:46:27.71","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283555,"EventID":"S4W-14346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T16:46:27.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T14:21:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the charge for school pupils to apply for college or university courses through UCAS impacts on poorer students and families.\r\n","AnswerText":"UCAS is a charity, non-profit distributing and as such the modest charge is designed to cover the cost of operating and maintaining the system. School pupils apply through their schools rather than direct to UCAS.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T16:46:28.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283556,"EventID":"S4W-14347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T16:46:28.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T14:21:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the charge for school pupils to apply for college and university courses through UCAS last increased and whether it will increase in the future.\r\n","AnswerText":"UCAS is an independent UK Charity and avoids increasing fees whenever possible. The UCAS application fee for between two and five course choices increased from £22 in the 2012 cycle to £23 in current 2013 cycle.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T16:46:28.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283557,"EventID":"S4W-14348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T16:46:28.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T14:53:00.84","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government with which stakeholders it has shared the results of the study into closed containment by the Improved Containment Working Group and whether it will publish the group's report.\r\n","AnswerText":"Impacts of open pen freshwater aquaculture production on wild fisheries was published on the Scottish Government website on Wednesday 24 October 2012 and is available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/10/5393.\r\nThe authors, Homarus Ltd, consulted a wide range of stakeholders including farmed salmon and rainbow trout businesses, fisheries trusts, District Salmon Fishery Boards and scientists during the study. A full list of consultees is published in Annex 2 of the report. \r\nA pre-publication workshop was held on 19 July 2012 to discuss the main findings of the report. Invitees included representatives of farmed Atlantic salmon businesses, Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, British Trout Association, Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland, Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, Scottish Environment Link, Scottish Association of Marine Science, Seafood Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, The Crown Estate, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Marine Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T16:46:28.567","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283558,"EventID":"S4W-14349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-18T16:46:28.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T16:07:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action in response to the closure of Vion's Welsh Country Foods abattoir and processing unit in Anglesey in light of the number of farmers in Scotland who send lambs to the facility for processing.","AnswerText":"We are currently discussing with the industry further opportunities to increase the amount of lamb processed within Scotland, but continue to be constrained by the Scottish industry losing approximately £1 million per annum in levies through the current arrangements. In the meantime, we will continue to do all we can to support the sector, such as through our Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Grant scheme, which has committed over £7 million to the red meat sector since 2008.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-02T16:46:28.91","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283564,"EventID":"S4W-14343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T13:46:11.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T12:34:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4F-01301 by Alex Salmond on 18 April 2013 (Official Report, c.18734), how much it has paid the Big Lottery Fund to administer the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will pay BIG in Scotland £789,212 to manage the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund over the three year life of the contract.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T13:46:11.72","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283565,"EventID":"S4W-14350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T13:46:12.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T16:17:52.28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received complaints about the Director of Delivery of NHS Health Scotland and, if so, how many.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no records of having received a complaint about the Director of Delivery of NHS Health Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T13:46:12.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283566,"EventID":"S4W-14351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T13:46:13.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T16:17:52.28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many voluntary redundancy packages have been agreed with NHS Health Scotland staff in the last two years.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2011-12, 11 people left NHS Health Scotland via voluntary redundancy and 6 via early retirement, which they applied for via the open voluntary redundancy scheme.\r\nIn 2012-13, 4 people left NHS Health Scotland via voluntary redundancy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T13:46:13.36","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283567,"EventID":"S4W-14352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T13:46:14.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T16:17:52.28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers it appropriate for directors of quangos to tweet ministers about confidential discussions that they are having with civil servants.  \r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers encourage and welcome all forms of communication with them, including from board members and staff of public bodies. Public body board members are required to act, at all times with integrity and propriety, in accordance with the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000. The Scottish Government expects public body staff to adhere to the same principles. This is made clear in the public bodies’ guidance on the Scottish Government website.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T13:46:14.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283568,"EventID":"S4W-14353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T13:46:14.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T16:37:37.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13804 by Alex Neil on 15 April 2013, whether recommendations in reports have been amended prior to publication following input from NHS boards in the areas inspected.\r\n","AnswerText":"All inspection reports produced by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate may have requirements and recommendations. NHS boards are invited to review draft inspection reports to check for factual accuracy. Any factual accuracy amendments that are accepted will lead Healthcare Improvement Scotland to correct the report. If necessary, they may reflect the correction in the requirements and recommendations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T13:46:14.933","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283569,"EventID":"S4W-14354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T13:46:15.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T16:37:37.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13802 by Alex Neil on 15 April 2013, how many inspectors in the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate have the Regulation of Care Award.","AnswerText":"There are no inspectors in the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate with the Regulation of Care Award. The Regulation of Care Award is a qualification required by inspectors regulating social care services. This qualification is not required for inspectors working in healthcare services.\r\nAll Healthcare Improvement Scotland inspectors are appropriately qualified. Inspectors in the programme of inspections for the care for older people all have a clinical qualification and inspectors working with the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) are required to have qualifications in health, public health and environmental health.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T13:46:15.653","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283570,"EventID":"S4W-14355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T13:46:16.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T16:37:37.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13803 by Alex Neil on 15 April 2013, how many of the 14 advertised roles were for inspectors and when the vacancies arose.","AnswerText":"There were nine Inspector roles advertised in financial year 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013. Three were advertised in June 2012 and six advertised in March 2013. All were advertised internally and externally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T13:46:16.573","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283571,"EventID":"S4W-14356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T13:46:17.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-18T16:37:37.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13807 by Alex Neil on 15 April 2013, in what way the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate, as part of a special health board, can be considered to be independent of the Scottish Government.","AnswerText":"Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) is not a special health board. HIS was set up under the terms of the Public Services Reform Act (2010) as a health body, independent of the organisations it inspects (both NHS and non NHS) and reports independently of Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T13:46:17.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283572,"EventID":"S4W-14357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T13:46:17.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T10:26:24.147","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it will provide toward the new ferry service between Campbeltown and Ardrossan and whether it will publish the (a) timetable and (b) fare structure.\r\n","AnswerText":"An Investment Plan providing the estimated funding required for all of our short term proposals was set out in the Ferries Plan, published on 19 December 2012. The actual level of funding required for the new service between Campbeltown and Ardrossan is being finalised to reflect the published timetables agreed by the community.\r\nThe timetable and fares structure was published on CalMac’s website on 19 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T13:46:17.93","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283573,"EventID":"S4W-14358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T13:46:18.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T11:28:39.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect young carers from any negative impact of the recent welfare reforms.\r\n","AnswerText":"We are doing all we can to mitigate the worst impacts of these reforms on people and organisations across Scotland. This includes: providing £7.9 million for organisations to give advice and support to those affected; an additional £9.2 million for the new Scottish Welfare Fund, giving a total Fund of £33 million; and providing, with our partners in local government, a total of £40 million to protect people in Scotland from the UK Government’s 10% cut in Council Tax Benefit. \r\nThe Scottish Government also works with a range of organisations to help better understand the impact of the UK Government’s reforms of the welfare system on different groups in Scotland. Carers Scotland are represented on our Welfare Reform Scrutiny Group. \r\nThe Scottish Government recognises the important role of carers, including young carers in Scotland and we continue to provide substantial funding to a range of National Carers Organisations to ensure they get the support they need. This includes providing around £4 million between 2008 and 2015 through the implementation of Getting it Right for Young Carers Strategy. Organisations supporting young carers are also benefitting through our investment of over £13 million between 2010-2015 for short breaks for both carers and young carers.\r\nIn addition, part of the £28.9 million to NHS boards for their Carer Information Strategies between, 2008-2015 is supporting young carer services in a variety of ways.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T13:46:18.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283574,"EventID":"S4W-14359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T15:44:21.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T11:50:29.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on delivering the 2007 SNP manifesto commitment to reduce train journey times between Edinburgh and Inverness by 45 minutes.","AnswerText":"The long-term goal of the project, which is due to be completed by 2025, seeks to achieve a journey time of 2 hours 45 minutes between Inverness and the Central Belt with an average journey time of 3 hours and an hourly service. The aim is that these measures will encourage a modal shift for both passengers and freight.\r\nThe first phase of the Highland Main Line improvements has been completed delivering 2 extra trains each way per day from December 2011 and journey time improvements of up to 18 minutes from December 2012. Network Rail are expected to deliver a report on proposals for phase 2 by summer 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T15:44:21.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283575,"EventID":"S4W-14360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T15:44:22.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T11:50:29.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been an increase from nine to eleven trains per day on long distance services on the Highland main line, as indicated in the SNP 2011 manifesto.\r\n","AnswerText":"The first phase of the Highland Main Line improvements has been completed, introducing two additional services each way, to increase the number of trains per day from nine to eleven from December 2011 and providing journey time improvements of up to 18 minutes from December 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T15:44:22.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283576,"EventID":"S4W-14361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T15:44:23.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T11:50:29.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on increasing and speeding up rail connections between Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee, Stirling, Perth and the central belt, as indicated in the SNP 2011 manifesto.\r\n","AnswerText":"The winter 2012 timetable which came into effect on 9 December 2012 delivered a number of service enhancements to several stations on the Aberdeen-Fife-Edinburgh corridor. These included additional calls at Aberdeen, Portlethen, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Perth and Edinburgh. In addition, the timetable also delivered journey time reductions of up to 18 minutes on some services between Inverness and the Central Belt as part of the Highland Main Line project.\r\nTransport Scotland is continuing to work closely with Network Rail to deliver phase one of the Aberdeen to Inverness Rail Improvements Project between 2014 and 2019. Phase one is expected to deliver new stations at Dalcross and Kintore and extra services into each city. \r\nThe Highland Main Line, Aberdeen to Inverness and the Aberdeen to Central Belt Rail Improvements Projects are listed in the Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan, which was republished earlier this year and states that these important projects will be completed in phases between 2014 and 2030.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T15:44:23.083","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283577,"EventID":"S4W-14364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T15:44:23.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T14:41:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost to the NHS has been of providing wigs and other hairpieces in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nNational Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, has advised that the contract value for the supply of wigs and associated services is as follows:\r\nContract Year\r\nTotal\r\n2006-07\r\n£959,935.95\r\n2007-08\r\n£883,959.58\r\n2008-09\r\n£1,021,912.56\r\n2009-10\r\n£1,472,595.93\r\n2010-11\r\n£1,589,673.58\r\n2011-12\r\n£1,723,157.31\r\nSource: NHS National Procurement\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T15:44:23.443","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283578,"EventID":"S4W-14365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T15:44:23.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T14:41:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have received wigs from the NHS in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, has advised that children’s and adults’ wigs are recorded using the same codes. The total number of wigs purchased by Contract year is available in the following table:\r\nContract Year\r\nNumber of Wigs\r\n2006-07\r\n7,884\r\n2007-08\r\n7,560\r\n2008-09\r\n7,655\r\n2009-10\r\n11,278\r\n2010-11\r\n11,357\r\n2011-12\r\n11,466\r\nSource: NHS National Procurement\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T15:44:23.787","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283579,"EventID":"S4W-14366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T15:44:24.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T14:41:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many adult wigs the NHS has provided in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14365 on 30 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T15:44:24.097","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283580,"EventID":"S4W-14367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T15:44:24.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T15:10:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average time is between a doctor prescribing a hairpiece and the patient receiving it.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T15:44:24.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283581,"EventID":"S4W-14368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T15:44:24.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T15:10:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what companies have been awarded NHS contracts to provide hairpieces since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nNational Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, has advised that the last three Contract awards for the supply of wigs and hairpieces were as follows:\r\nFrom 1 December 2006 to 30 November 2009, SFD001 Wigs Contract suppliers were A&A Studios, Holms of Greenock, Turvey and Sturrocks \r\nFrom 1 December 2009 to 31 May 2013, NP506/09 (SFD001) Wigs Contract suppliers were A&A Studios, Holms of Greenock, LA Hair Solutions and Turvey. \r\nFrom 1 June 2013 to 31 May 2015, NP506/13 Wigs Contract suppliers are A&A Studios, Dimples, Healthcare Europe, Holms of Greenock, LA Hair Solutions and Parrucche.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T15:44:24.707","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283582,"EventID":"S4W-14369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T15:44:24.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T15:10:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many nurses were on the Commodities Advisory Panel for the most recent award of contracts to provide hairpieces for NHS patients.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nNational Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, has advised that the Commodity Advisory Panel has the following designations as members:\r\nBusiness Manager\r\nClinical Manager\r\nConsultant Dermatologist\r\nHead of Nursing (Oncology & Haematology)\r\nMacMillan Clinical Nurse\r\nNurse Consultant Cancer\r\nNurse Practitioner\r\nNursing Auxiliary\r\nProstheses Nurse Advisor\r\nSenior Charge Nurse\r\nService Manager Head and Neck Directorate \r\nTwo Surgical Appliance Officers\r\nNursing Sister\r\nHead of Service Assistive Technology\r\nTwo Strategic Sourcing Officers \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T15:44:25.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283583,"EventID":"S4W-14370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T15:44:25.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T15:10:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures the veracity of statements made by companies bidding for supply contracts.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, prior to awarding contracts, engages with existing or previous customers of the bidding companies to obtain information on past performance. This engagement covers information provided by the bidding companies. In addition, the Scottish Government can access other information and tools to support the assessment of bidding companies. For example, we can obtain information regarding the financial standing of the firm from independent sources.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T15:44:25.313","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283584,"EventID":"S4W-14371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-19T15:44:25.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T15:10:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it can take if a bidder has made a false or misleading claim in a tender document.","AnswerText":"If a bidder has made a false or misleading claim in a tender document, it can result in the bidder being excluded from the procurement process or the termination of any subsequent contract.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-03T15:44:25.627","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283586,"EventID":"S4W-14379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T10:14:31.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T10:02:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what payments it has made to HM Revenue and Customs in relation to implementing the financial provisions of the Scotland Act 2012.","AnswerText":"During the period from October 2012 to March 2013, £165,141 has been incurred on the Scottish Rate of Income Tax implementation project, and £18,153 has been incurred on the Stamp Duty Land Tax “switch off” project. Payment of these sums was made on 19 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T10:14:31.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283602,"EventID":"S4W-14283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T14:16:19.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-16T13:20:47.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12972 by Alex Neil on 7 March 2013, whether it considers that the Scottish Ambulance Service should publish the report into the investigation of claims of bullying and intimidation at the Scottish Ambulance Academy.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service. The Scottish Ambulance Service has indicated they will of course be happy to discuss any general employee conduct issues with Ms Baillie.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T14:16:19.32","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283603,"EventID":"S4W-14284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T14:16:19.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-16T13:20:47.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12971 by Alex Neil on 7 March 2013, whether it is aware of the decision of the Scottish Ambulance Service not to publish the report of the investigation and, if so, what its position is on this matter.","AnswerText":"The report of the investigation into allegations of bullying at the Scottish Ambulance Service National Headquarters is published on the board’s website. It is available in the board’s January papers section at:\r\nhttp://www.scottishambulance.com/TheService/PapersList.aspx?Month=January.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T14:16:19.867","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283604,"EventID":"S4W-14285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T14:16:20.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-16T13:20:47.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12975 by Alex Neil on 7 March 2013, whether the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has decided whether further action will be taken in relation to the Elsie Inglis Care Home.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland have confirmed that a report was submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) on 27 December 2012 following the investigation into the Elsie Inglis Care Home. It will be for the COPFS to decide if any further action is required and Police in Edinburgh await their direction.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T14:16:20.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283605,"EventID":"S4W-14286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T14:16:20.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-16T13:20:47.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13201 by Alex Neil on 7 March 2013, whether Health Protection Scotland has produced board, hospitals and ward prevalence information on norovirus.","AnswerText":"Health Protection Scotland have provided the information you requested. This was enclosed in my letter to the member dated 24 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T14:16:20.943","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283606,"EventID":"S4W-14372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T14:16:21.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T16:02:03.177","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure the (a) propriety and (b) professionalism of all parties in the tender process for the procurement of NHS hairpieces.","AnswerText":"National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, had advised that the latest contract for Wigs and Associated Services was tendered in line with the standard National Procurement process that is based on the Scottish Government Procurement Journey, which incorporates the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T14:16:21.473","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283607,"EventID":"S4W-14373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T14:16:21.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T16:02:03.177","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures a seamless transition for patients requiring hairpieces when there is a change in supplier.","AnswerText":"National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland has advised that the Wigs and Associated Services contract was awarded in April 2013, with a commencement date of 1 June 2013. The current contract runs to 31 May 2013 and of the four incumbent suppliers, three have been awarded to the new contract, along with three new suppliers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T14:16:21.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283608,"EventID":"S4W-14374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T14:16:22.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T16:02:03.177","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that patients receiving chemotherapy are measured for wigs and have them provided within three weeks of starting chemotherapy and that this timescale is not disrupted by any change in supplier.","AnswerText":"The implementation of the new Wigs and Associated Services Contract is the responsibility of the NHS boards, they will monitor the performance of each of the suppliers against the contract terms and conditions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T14:16:22.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283609,"EventID":"S4W-14375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T14:16:22.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T09:52:09.477","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been convicted of (a) possession of, (b) supply of and (c) possession with intent to supply cannabis, in each of the last five years, broken down by age group.\r\n","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the following table:\r\n\r\nPeople with a charge proved for possession and supply of cannabis1,2, by age group, 2006-07 to 2011-12\r\n\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nPossession of drugs:\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nUnder 21\r\n255\r\n183\r\n146\r\n161\r\n198\r\n126\r\n21-30\r\n574\r\n448\r\n384\r\n478\r\n576\r\n487\r\nOver 30\r\n480\r\n352\r\n358\r\n448\r\n563\r\n516\r\nSupply, possession w.i. to supply etc of drugs:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nUnder 21\r\n60\r\n37\r\n34\r\n41\r\n39\r\n43\r\n21-30\r\n122\r\n87\r\n123\r\n142\r\n124\r\n137\r\nOver 30\r\n112\r\n112\r\n127\r\n141\r\n173\r\n172\r\nTotal\r\n1,603\r\n1,219\r\n1,172\r\n1,411\r\n1,673\r\n1,481\r\n1. Where main charge.\r\n2. The Criminal History System, from which these data are derived, contains an offence modifier code for a crime or offence which provides additional information for the specific incident as opposed to the actual charge. This code has been used here to identify the type of drug involved in drugs possession offences, however it should be noted that only around half the records on the CHS for drugs offences contain details of the drug(s) involved.\r\n\r\nSource: Scottish Government Courts Proceedings data\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T14:16:22.44","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283610,"EventID":"S4W-14376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T14:16:23.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T09:52:09.477","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been convicted for allowing the (a) production, (b) supply and (c) smoking of cannabis on their premises.\r\n","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the following table.\r\n\r\nPeople with a charge proved for cannabis offences under Section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 19711,2, 2006-07 to 2011-12\r\nSection\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nSection 8(A)\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n6\r\n3\r\nSection 8(D)\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\nTotal\r\n3\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n7\r\n5\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Where main charge.\r\n2. The Criminal History System, from which these data are derived, contains an offence modifier code for a crime or offence which provides additional information for the specific incident as opposed to the actual charge. This code has been used here to identify the type of drug involved in drugs possession offences, however it should be noted that only around half the records on the CHS for drugs offences contain details of the drug(s) involved.\r\nSource: Scottish Government Courts Proceedings data.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T14:16:23.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283611,"EventID":"S4W-14377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T14:16:23.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T09:52:09.477","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have received a (a) custodial sentence, (b) non-custodial sentence and (c) fine for (i) possession of cannabis, (ii) supply of cannabis and (iii) possession of cannabis with intent to supply, in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the following table.\r\nPeople with a charge proved for possession and supply of cannabis1,2, by disposal, \r\n2006-07 to 2011-12\r\nMain result of proceedings\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nPossession of drugs:\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nCustody\r\n22\r\n18\r\n19\r\n38\r\n30\r\n25\r\nCommunity sentence\r\n63\r\n56\r\n60\r\n60\r\n52\r\n81\r\nMonetary\r\n947\r\n747\r\n637\r\n776\r\n996\r\n794\r\nOther\r\n277\r\n162\r\n172\r\n213\r\n259\r\n229\r\nSupply, possession w.i. to supply etc of drugs:\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nCustody\r\n78\r\n72\r\n93\r\n121\r\n139\r\n135\r\nCommunity sentence\r\n123\r\n92\r\n118\r\n132\r\n143\r\n155\r\nMonetary\r\n76\r\n56\r\n55\r\n57\r\n47\r\n54\r\nOther\r\n17\r\n16\r\n18\r\n14\r\n7\r\n8\r\nTotal\r\n1,603\r\n1,219\r\n1,172\r\n1,411\r\n1,673\r\n1,481\r\n1. Where main charge.\r\n2. The Criminal History System, from which these data are derived, contains an offence modifier code for a crime or offence which provides additional information for the specific incident as opposed to the actual charge. This code has been used here to identify the type of drug involved in drugs possession offences, however it should be noted that only around half the records on the CHS for drugs offences contain details of the drug(s) involved.\r\n\r\nSource: Scottish Government Courts Proceedings data\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T14:16:23.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283612,"EventID":"S4W-14378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T14:16:23.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T09:52:09.477","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cannabis plants have been recovered in drug seizures by the police in each of the last five years.  \r\n","AnswerText":"Roseanna Cunningham: Information on the number of cannabis plants seized by Scottish police forces in Scotland in 2010-11 and 2011-12 is available from the Drug Seizures by Scottish Police Forces, 2011-12 statistical bulletin, which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/DrugSeizures.\r\nThere was a break in the series and as a result, there are no drug seizures data available for the three year period 2007-08 to 2009-10.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T14:16:23.987","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283613,"EventID":"S4W-14381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T14:16:24.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T11:15:50","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) stage 3 report on the Aberdeen to Inverness rail improvement project.","AnswerText":"Following the publication of Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plan for the 2014 – 2019 rail investment priorities at the beginning of the year, it is continuing to undertake detailed development work on the Aberdeen to Inverness Rail Improvements Project to determine the track and signalling required to deliver enhanced commuter services and new stations as specified in the Scottish Ministers High Level Output Specification.\r\nAs a result of the detailed work required, Network Rail’s GRIP 3 (Options Selection) Report is now scheduled to be published this summer.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T14:16:24.313","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283614,"EventID":"S4T-00319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T12:44:54.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T10:44:30.533","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Federation of Master Builders' latest State of Trade Survey.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T12:44:54.407","MeetingDate":"2013-04-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283615,"EventID":"S4T-00324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T12:44:58.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T11:40:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support will be given to families and communities affected by the liquidation of Scottish Coal.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T12:44:58.603","MeetingDate":"2013-04-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283616,"EventID":"S4F-01313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T12:44:20.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T15:27:34.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime Minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T12:44:20.333","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283617,"EventID":"S4F-01314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T12:44:20.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T10:00:00.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussion the Scottish Government has had with or representations it has made to Ofgem regarding the proposed new tariff comparison rate.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T12:44:20.817","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283618,"EventID":"S4F-01315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T12:44:21.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T10:23:30.773","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T12:44:21.113","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283619,"EventID":"S4F-01316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T12:44:22.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T10:30:54.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on reports that nurses spend around 279,000 hours a week on non-essential paperwork. \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T12:44:22.317","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283620,"EventID":"S4F-01317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T12:44:22.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T10:31:34.42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the recent report by the Treasury regarding Scottish banknotes in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T12:44:23.003","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283621,"EventID":"S4F-01323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T13:00:14.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T11:06:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the implications are for scientific evidence in courts following the appeal court ruling in the Kimberley Hainey case.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T13:00:14.547","MeetingDate":"2013-04-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283622,"EventID":"S4W-14362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T16:54:07.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-19T13:21:20.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether pensions paid in Scotland by the Ministry of Defence will be guaranteed to be paid at the same level as in the rest of the UK if Scotland decides to leave the UK.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is unequivocal in its support of veterans, and fully recognises and acknowledges the huge debt that Scotland owes to the servicemen and women of many nationalities who have trained and fought together as part of the UK military. All pension rights and entitlements which have been accrued will continue to be fully protected and accessible under independence, including those currently paid by the Ministry of Defence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T16:54:08.013","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283623,"EventID":"S4W-14382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T16:54:08.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T15:07:43.39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total value was of contracts awarded through Public Contracts Scotland in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"At the time of publication of the award notice by public bodies, using Public Contracts Scotland only an estimated value, or range of values, is provided by the contracting authority. Additionally, there is no legal requirement for public bodies to publish award notices for contracts that are not subject to the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2012.\r\nDetails of the total estimated value of award notices published during calendar years 2010-12 are shown below. Where a range of values has been provided by the contracting authority, the higher value has been used.\r\n2010 - £4.5 billion\r\n2011 - £6.9 billion\r\n2012 - £6.1 billion\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T16:54:08.87","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283624,"EventID":"S4W-14383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-22T16:54:09.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T15:56:36.423","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value was of contracts awarded through Public Contracts Scotland to (a) medium-, (b) small- and (c) micro-sized Scotland-based companies in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is not possible to calculate the value of contracts awarded to Scottish-based medium, small and micro-sized companies through Public Contracts Scotland (PCS), because many of the contracts awarded are multi-supplier contracts or framework arrangements. It is not therefore possible, at the point of publication of an award notice by a public body, to calculate how any total contract value will be divided between the participating suppliers over the course of the contact. Additionally, at the time of the publication of the award notice on Public Contracts Scotland only an estimated value or range of values is provided by the contracting authority.\r\nHowever, information from the Scottish Procurement Information Hub (The Hub) indicates that the value of spend with Scottish-based, micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) per financial year was:\r\nFinancial Year\r\nValue Spend\r\nMicro (1-9 employees)\r\n£394m\r\nSmall (10-49 employees)\r\n£778m\r\nMedium (50-249 employees)\r\n£1,460m\r\nSME Total \r\n£2.63bn\r\n\r\nFinancial Year\r\nValue Spend\r\nMicro (19 employees)\r\n£401m\r\nSmall (10- 49 employees\r\n£835m\r\nMedium (50-249 employees)\r\n£1,448m\r\nSME Total \r\n £2.68bn\r\nFigures for 2012-13 are not yet available.\r\nAll Hub figures quoted above are based on data where both the employee numbers and region of the supplier are known. The Hub does not classify regions outside the UK. It is likely that those many of those suppliers where employee numbers are not known are SMEs, meaning that the SME figures shown are likely to be understated.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-07T16:54:09.603","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283630,"EventID":"S4W-14384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T09:11:41.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T08:34:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its consultation on the future use of resources in light of the announcement by the UK Government of its closure of the Independent Living Fund from 31 March 2015.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish its consultation on the future use of resources following the announcement by the UK Government to close the Independent Living Fund. Once there has been a decision by the Administrative Court in England, regarding the Judicial Review brought by five individuals claiming that the Department for Work and Pension’s consultation was unlawful. They have called for the decision to close the Independent Living Fund to be quashed.\r\nAt present, judgement has been reserved and following on from any decision, I will have to consider the best course of action. The judgement has the potential to greatly vary the landscape in relation to the future of the Independent Living Fund and its closure. Any decision made by the Court is likely to have a direct impact in Scotland and on our proposed consultation and I want to ensure that we consult at the right time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T09:11:41.23","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283631,"EventID":"S4W-14385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T14:06:17.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T09:50:05.48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will make an assessment of the value for money for (a) taxpayers, (b) passengers and (c) businesses of the 2012-18 Northern Isles ferry contract.\r\n","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland’s contract management team regularly monitors and assesses the efficiency of all aspects of the operation of the Northern Isles ferry services contract.\r\nIn addition to the routine contract management arrangements, in the event of any particular problems arising then additional, specific scrutiny will be brought to bear. Following the recent mechanical breakdown affecting the MV Hamnavoe, I have asked for a full report on the circumstances and the operator’s response.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:06:18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283632,"EventID":"S4W-14386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T14:06:18.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T09:50:05.48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) passengers and (b) vehicles have travelled on each Northern Isles ferry route in each month since January 2012.","AnswerText":"Detailed spread sheets setting out the passenger and vehicle carryings for each of the Northern Isles routes, by month, since January 2012 have been lodged with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 54911.\r\nIn this context, “vehicles” refers to cars, coaches, car towing vehicles, midis (small coaches), motorcycles and motorhomes. The only vehicles not included are commercial vans which are charged on the basis of the metres that they take up on the vessels and are therefore recorded separately in freight metre statistics.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:06:18.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283633,"EventID":"S4W-14387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T14:06:19.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T09:50:05.48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings (a) ministers and (b) Transport Scotland officials have had with representatives of (i) private companies and (ii) trade unions regarding the proposals in the final ferries plan.","AnswerText":"During the Ferries Review period, Ministers and Transport Scotland officials met with Trade Union bodies and private companies to discuss future ferries policy in Scotland. In addition, the STUC were members of the Ferries Review Steering Group, and all ferry operators in Scotland were invited to join a ferries review operators group. Input from the trade unions and private companies as well as from a number of key stakeholders, including publicly owned ferry operators, local authorities, regional transport partnerships and enterprise companies, informed the drafting of the final Ferries Plan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:06:19.073","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283634,"EventID":"S4W-14388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T14:06:19.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T09:50:05.48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated annual expenditure on Northern Isles ferry services will be in each year to 2025, broken down by (a) public subsidy, (b) vessel procurement, (c) infrastructure investment, (d) leasing and chartering costs, (e) vessel maintenance costs and (f) infrastructure maintenance costs.","AnswerText":"The current Northern Isles ferry services contract runs from 2012 to 2018. We therefore have no estimated cost figures beyond 2018.\r\nThere has been a change to the overall cost of the six year Northern Isles ferry services contract. When the service was tendered the contract price, as reflected in Serco’s bid, was £243 million. Following a process with HMRC, Serco have since been advised of their election into the tonnage tax regime, effective from the date they began operating the Northern Isles services on 5 July 2012. As the effect of this has been to reduce the cost of vessel leasing, the six year contract cost is therefore reduced to £223 million. This sum still represents the largest six year subsidy ever provided for ferry services to the Northern Isles.\r\nThe contract year of the Scottish Government contract with Serco NorthLink runs from July to July. After the first nine months of year one, current projections suggest that there will likely be an additional subsidy spend of £1 million. This is largely due to increases in the price of marine fuel. Clearly, neither the ferry operator nor the Scottish Government have any influence over global oil prices. These increases indicate the scale of the costs related to supporting our lifeline ferry services. Given this additional subsidy requirement is paid for by the Scottish Government, it illustrates our continuing commitment towards our island and remote rural communities.\r\nInfrastructure investment costs do not form part of the Northern Isles ferry services contract. Vessel leasing, chartering and maintenance costs are included in the overall subsidy figure. We do not provide a further breakdown of the subsidy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:06:19.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283635,"EventID":"S4W-14389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T14:06:19.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T09:50:05.48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated annual expenditure on Clyde and Hebrides ferry services will be in each year to 2025, broken down by (a) public subsidy, (b) vessel procurement, (c) infrastructure investment, (d) leasing and chartering costs, (e) vessel maintenance costs and (f) infrastructure maintenance costs.","AnswerText":"As noted in the Ferries Plan, published on 19 December 2012, our projected spend for ferry services in 2013-14 is £116.3 million and this is expected to increase year on year, reflecting increases in costs and the cost of implementing the service improvements and investment projects set out in the Plan. Estimated funding required for the service improvements and, vessel replacement and harbour projects detailed is also provided in the Ferries Plan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:06:19.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283636,"EventID":"S4W-14390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T14:06:20.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T09:50:05.48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the forthcoming EU procurement directive in relation to ferry services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is responsible for implementing the forthcoming EU procurement directives, once adopted, into Scots law. We will consult our stakeholders to ensure that our implementing regulations are clear, workable and promote the achievement of wider social and environmental benefits through procurement activity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:06:20.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283637,"EventID":"S4W-14391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T14:06:20.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T09:50:05.48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the (a) UK Government and (b) European Commission regarding the requirement to re-tender ferry services every six years and when such discussions will next take place.","AnswerText":"I have had a number of discussions with the UK Government regarding the maximum length of ferry services contracts, the most recent taking place on Tuesday 7 May when I raised the issue with Stephen Hammond MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport.\r\nHaving written to Commissioner Kallas in March 2011 I also had an exchange of letters, in May/June 2012, with Commissioner Almunia on the subject. I subsequently met with DG Move officials in October 2012. Following this, my discussed this matter with Commission officials in November 2012.\r\nWe anticipate clarification of the Commission’s position on the length of future ferry service contracts later this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:06:20.557","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283638,"EventID":"S4W-14392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T14:06:20.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T09:50:05.48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will conduct the first review of the impact of the road equivalent tariff on ferry (a) passengers and (b) services.","AnswerText":"Halcrow Group Limited published their Assessment of the Impacts of the Road Equivalent Tariff Pilot in July 2011, which fully evaluated the impacts of RET on services to the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree. The report stated that passenger traffic increased by 20% and car traffic by 31% over the period of the pilot.\r\nA copy of the report can be found here - http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/documents/water/ferries/Assessment_of_the_Impacts_of_the_RET_Pilot_-_Final_Report.pdf. \r\nRET is now a permanent feature on routes to the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree. A further RET pilot was rolled out to Islay, Colonsay and Gigha in October 2012, and will be rolled out to Arran in October 2014. RET will then be rolled out to the remaining Clyde and Hebrides islands within the term of this Parliament.\r\nWe will continue to monitor and evaluate the pilots as RET is rolled out across Scotland’s ferry network.\r\nThe latest finalised figures show that the Scottish Government provided £72.4 million in 2011-12 to support Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) including the services to the Western Isles. This is considerably higher than the amount paid in the first full financial year of the CHFS contract in 2007-08 of £58.0 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:06:20.917","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283639,"EventID":"S4W-14393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T14:06:21.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T10:18:04.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many freedom of information requests regarding its engagement with the Royal Family it has received in each year since 2007 and how many times the information was (a) released without objection, (b) released on review, (c) released following a decision by the Scottish Information Commissioner and (d) not released.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:06:21.447","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283640,"EventID":"S4W-14396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T14:06:21.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T11:36:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what systems Police Scotland will use to monitor and record shotgun and other firearm licensing.","AnswerText":"Shotgun and firearm licensing is an operational matter for the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland. At present, applications and certificates continue to be monitored and recorded using systems developed by the previous eight police forces. These systems remain robust and fit for purpose. I understand that the Police Service of Scotland aims to introduce a single, national firearm licensing system in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:06:21.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283641,"EventID":"S4W-14397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T14:06:22.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T11:36:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of reasons given in applications for shotgun and other firearm certificates for each year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. The administration of shotgun and firearm certificates is an operational matter for the Police Service of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T14:06:22.117","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283665,"EventID":"S4W-14399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T16:58:12.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T14:34:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13134 by Alex Neil on 5 March 2013, whether it will provide the information broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on patients resident in Scotland who were treated in hospitals in England for each financial year from 1999-00 to 2011-12 has been provided. This information is for all inpatients and day cases (elective and emergency admissions).\r\nInformation on the cost is not collected centrally.\r\nCount of Finished Admission Episodes 1,2,3 carried out in an English NHS hospital for inpatient and day case patients whose NHS Board of Residence is in Scotland, by NHS board of Residence; financial years 1999-00 to 2011-12.\r\nSource: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre\r\n1. All in-patient and day case admissions are included, elective and emergency.\r\n2. Activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector is included.\r\n3. A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.\r\nNHS Board of Residence\r\n1999-00\r\n2000-01\r\n2001-02\r\n2002-03\r\n2003-04\r\n2004-05\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nArgyll and Clyde \r\n \r\n319\r\n338\r\n338\r\n365\r\n353\r\n407\r\n435\r\n - \r\n - \r\n - \r\n - \r\n - \r\nAyrshire and Arran \r\n \r\n283\r\n297\r\n310\r\n329\r\n344\r\n348\r\n351\r\n364\r\n379\r\n343\r\n334\r\n340\r\nBorders \r\n \r\n525\r\n523\r\n467\r\n543\r\n518\r\n570\r\n557\r\n704\r\n603\r\n596\r\n647\r\n530\r\nDumfries and Galloway \r\n \r\n1,337\r\n1,288\r\n1,339\r\n1,773\r\n2,007\r\n1,955\r\n1,773\r\n1,684\r\n1,715\r\n2,004\r\n2,378\r\n2,120\r\nFife \r\n \r\n289\r\n246\r\n272\r\n293\r\n315\r\n391\r\n455\r\n364\r\n389\r\n458\r\n352\r\n370\r\nForth Valley \r\n \r\n206\r\n191\r\n180\r\n182\r\n231\r\n228\r\n241\r\n229\r\n268\r\n286\r\n256\r\n232\r\nGrampian  \r\n \r\n509\r\n448\r\n566\r\n600\r\n580\r\n624\r\n697\r\n731\r\n609\r\n605\r\n551\r\n550\r\nGreater Glasgow \r\n \r\n657\r\n677\r\n703\r\n779\r\n796\r\n800\r\n748\r\n - \r\n - \r\n - \r\n - \r\n - \r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde  \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n - \r\n - \r\n - \r\n - \r\n1,021\r\n933\r\n1,016\r\n981\r\n1,037\r\nHighland \r\n \r\n156\r\n190\r\n211\r\n187\r\n240\r\n223\r\n282\r\n - \r\n - \r\n - \r\n - \r\n - \r\nHighland (including Argyll and Bute)\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n - \r\n - \r\n - \r\n - \r\n420\r\n415\r\n370\r\n412\r\n382\r\nLanarkshire \r\n \r\n342\r\n372\r\n389\r\n403\r\n417\r\n449\r\n552\r\n512\r\n504\r\n487\r\n504\r\n524\r\nLothian \r\n \r\n653\r\n613\r\n658\r\n671\r\n725\r\n832\r\n897\r\n876\r\n961\r\n935\r\n880\r\n982\r\nOrkney \r\n \r\n16\r\n18\r\n10\r\n16\r\n10\r\n15\r\n14\r\n14\r\n20\r\n27\r\n23\r\n19\r\nShetland \r\n \r\n25\r\n20\r\n16\r\n24\r\n17\r\n16\r\n29\r\n25\r\n33\r\n23\r\n27\r\n23\r\nTayside \r\n \r\n362\r\n308\r\n336\r\n300\r\n361\r\n460\r\n425\r\n336\r\n423\r\n435\r\n379\r\n408\r\nWestern Isles \r\n \r\n22\r\n18\r\n21\r\n34\r\n23\r\n17\r\n21\r\n35\r\n30\r\n35\r\n32\r\n17\r\nNot known\r\n5,377\r\n66\r\n42\r\n35\r\n49\r\n61\r\n43\r\n41\r\n56\r\n44\r\n51\r\n55\r\n40\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T16:58:12.91","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283666,"EventID":"S4W-14400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T16:58:14.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T14:50:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it  promotes investment in the private rented sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government plans to publish a new Strategy for the private rented sector on 30 May 2013. Our key aims for the sector include improving quality and encouraging sustainable growth.\r\nImplementation of the strategy will build on our work over the past five years to create a more effective regulatory format for the sector and engage with potential investors to encourage new investment in housing supply across all tenures, including the private rented sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T16:58:14.47","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283667,"EventID":"S4W-14401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T16:58:15.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T14:50:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to implement any of the recommendations set out in the report, Review of the barriers to institutional investment in private rented homes, and, if so, which.\r\n","AnswerText":"Development of the new Strategy for the private rented sector in Scotland has been influenced by the content of this report by Sir Adrian Montague.\r\nIn implementing the actions within the Strategy, we will discuss with stakeholders the relevance of the recommendations to the Scottish context and how any opportunities for growth might be realised.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T16:58:15.373","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283668,"EventID":"S4W-14402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T16:58:16.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T14:50:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recommendations set out in the report, Review of the barriers to institutional investment in private rented homes, regarding (a) allowing local authorities flexibility in the planning system to plan for and enable developments of privately rented homes including waiving affordable housing requirements on new developments of homes specifically for private rent, (b) setting up a task force to encourage and support build-to-let investment from the private sector and to develop voluntary standards that future landlords would meet and tenants could expect and (c) allocating some of the redundant, formerly used public sector land and buildings for build-to-let development.\r\n","AnswerText":"Development of the new Strategy for the private rented sector in Scotland has been influenced by the content of Sir Adrian Montague’s report, Review of the Barriers to Institutional Investment in Private Rented Homes.\r\nIn implementing the actions within the forthcoming Strategy for the private rented sector, we will discuss with stakeholders the relevance of recommendations to the Scottish context and how any opportunities for growth might be realised.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T16:58:16.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283669,"EventID":"S4W-14404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T16:58:17.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T14:50:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will promote the debt guarantee scheme for the private rented sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"The guarantee scheme for the private rented sector is administered by the UK Government. Initial scheme rules have been published and the Scottish Government has drawn these to the attention of various parties, including private landlords and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations.\r\nOnce further detail is provided by the UK Government on how and when individual landlords can apply to the scheme, the Scottish Government will notify landlords and other relevant bodies in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T16:58:17.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283670,"EventID":"S4W-14405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T16:58:19.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T15:12:52.28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of lambs raised in Scotland was slaughtered in abattoirs in Scotland in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"In 2012 just under 54 percent of the lambs born and raised in Scotland were processed in abattoirs in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T16:58:19.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283671,"EventID":"S4W-14406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T16:58:20.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T15:12:52.28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many abattoirs have closed since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"According to information provided by the Food Standards Agency, Scotland, 14 abattoirs have closed since 2007.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T16:58:20.147","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283672,"EventID":"S4W-14407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-23T16:58:21.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T15:12:52.28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to abattoirs to ensure their continued operation.\r\n","AnswerText":"Support for new and existing abattoirs and other meat processing plants is potentially available through the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme. Projects have to be financially viable and are assessed against criteria established to ensure deliverability and value for money. Funding for existing abattoirs is targeted at upgrading or expansion of facilities and cannot be provided to cover on-going operational costs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-08T16:58:21.037","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283681,"EventID":"S4O-02045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:42.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:03:46.54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment has had with the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities about action to reduce carbon emissions from transport.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:42.403","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283682,"EventID":"S4O-02046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:42.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T16:24:45.917","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will bring forward proposals to amend the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 to allow owner-occupier decrofting.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:42.76","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283683,"EventID":"S4O-02047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:43.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:03:48.6","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment has had with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing regarding establishing melanoma screening programmes for people working in agriculture.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:43.307","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283684,"EventID":"S4O-02048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:43.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:03:49.223","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to safeguard the health of the bee population.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:43.62","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283685,"EventID":"S4O-02049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:44.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T11:22:05.25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on ash dieback in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:44.073","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283686,"EventID":"S4O-02050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:44.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:03:51.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce carbon emissions in Glasgow.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:44.413","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283687,"EventID":"S4O-02052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:44.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:03:52.033","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the soft fruit industry regarding the damage that drosophila suzukii, or the Asian fly, could have on crops.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials have actively participated in the Collaborative Working Group between UK Plant Health Authorities and the UK Horticulture and Soft Fruit Industry. The aim of the group is to share knowledge and to facilitate preparedness of the soft fruit sector in relation to this pest. The group has met eight times since May 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:44.79","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283688,"EventID":"S4O-02053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:45.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T16:41:04.033","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to stop the spread of the Schmallenberg virus.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Schmallenberg virus is transmitted by insects and its spread cannot be prevented until a vaccine is available. However, the Scottish Government is funding enhanced surveillance and delivery of guidance to veterinary practices and, together with the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, is providing information that will help animal keepers take precautions, such as delaying the start of tupping.\r\nThe UK Government, which is responsible for veterinary medicine, hopes that a vaccine will be available prior to the next sheep breeding season, possibly by the early summer.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:45.367","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283689,"EventID":"S4O-02054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:45.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:03:53.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what fishery protection services Marine Scotland provides to the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"Marine Scotland operates the UK’s Fisheries Monitoring Centre and routinely deploys its aircraft on fisheries surveillance around the UK. \r\nIn the last financial year, and for the first time, Scotland’s Marine Protection Vessels were also chartered for ad hoc patrols of English waters.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:45.897","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283690,"EventID":"S4O-02055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:46.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T10:55:57.443","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reduce the number of police officers in order to meet budget savings targets.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:46.303","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283691,"EventID":"S4O-02056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:46.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:04:05.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Lord Advocate’s opinion is on whether an independent Scotland would have to apply to join NATO as a new state.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:46.99","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283692,"EventID":"S4O-02057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:47.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:04:05.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support Dumfries and Galloway has received from the CashBack for Communities scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:47.38","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283693,"EventID":"S4O-02058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:47.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:04:06.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many quad bikes have been seized by police under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:47.753","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283694,"EventID":"S4O-02061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:48.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T10:55:52.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prevent the backfilling of civilian staff posts by police officers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:48.113","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283695,"EventID":"S4O-02062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:48.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:04:08.273","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on seizing illegal drugs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:48.47","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283696,"EventID":"S4O-02063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:48.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T16:46:56.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what account it took of the local economy as well as access to justice in reaching the decision to close Stonehaven Sheriff Court.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:48.86","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283697,"EventID":"S4O-02064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:49.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:04:09.24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many men were convicted of kerb crawling under the Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Act 2007 in the last year for which information is available.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:49.343","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283698,"EventID":"S4O-02065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:50.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:04:31.657","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact it expects the increase in air passenger duty to have on the coming tourist season.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:50.11","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283699,"EventID":"S4O-02066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:50.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T11:39:30.147","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce regulations to the effect that charges other than rent and a limited refundable deposit may not be levied on tenants.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:50.467","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283700,"EventID":"S4O-02067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:50.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:04:32.157","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how businesses in cities can benefit from being part of a business improvement district.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:50.843","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283701,"EventID":"S4O-02068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:51.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:04:32.42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what emphasis it places on its work on equality.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:51.153","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283702,"EventID":"S4O-02069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:51.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:04:33.247","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the statement in the Electoral Commission advice on spending limits for the referendum on independence for Scotland that “It is clearly important that the campaign rules should not encourage perceptions of unfairness that could damage voters’ trust in the referendum process or result.”","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:51.483","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283703,"EventID":"S4O-02070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:51.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:04:33.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports manufacturing.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:51.887","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283704,"EventID":"S4O-02071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:52.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T11:22:49.203","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:52.183","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283705,"EventID":"S4O-02072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:52.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:04:35.057","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in the teaching provision of modern languages in primary schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:52.51","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283706,"EventID":"S4O-02073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:52.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T10:01:41.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the routine use of Gaelic across all its services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:52.993","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283707,"EventID":"S4O-02074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:50:53.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:04:35.837","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what benefits the Scottish Funding Council's investment in technology innovation centres in Edinburgh and Glasgow will bring to the life sciences industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:50:53.4","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283708,"EventID":"S4O-02051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:51:06.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-22T12:03:51.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to farmers adversely affected by the recent cold weather.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:51:06.29","MeetingDate":"2013-05-01T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283709,"EventID":"S4W-14394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:13.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T11:31:46.677","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the level of neonicotinoids found in flowers in gardens treated with these chemicals compares with those found in crops treated with them.\r\n","AnswerText":"We do not collect data on the level of neonicotinoids in gardens.\r\nThe Scientific Advice for Scottish Agriculture undertake a regular survey on pesticide use on crops grown in Scotland but this does not cover amateur use.\r\nThis week’s decision in Europe will mean that amateur use of products containing imidacloprid, thiamethoxam or clothiandrin will not be allowed after 1 December 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:13.797","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283710,"EventID":"S4W-14395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:14.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T11:31:46.677","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether neonicotinoid  use in gardens is harming (a) pollinators and (b) the environment.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14394 on 7 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:14.42","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283711,"EventID":"S4W-14398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:14.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T14:27:24.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-00324 by Fergus Ewing on 23 April 2013 (Official Report, c.18813), what the timescale is for implementing the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Mines Restoration Trust was officially registered as a company on 16 April 2013.\r\nThe first meeting of the trust will take place on 7 May 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:14.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283712,"EventID":"S4W-14408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:15.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T15:34:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-13559 and S4W-13887 by Fergus Ewing on 20 March 2013 and 22 April 2013 respectively, whether it will state what estimate it has made of net jobs for each project receiving funding support from the Renewable Energy Investment Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"Investment decisions by REIF are made following consideration of a range of commercially sensitive information and analysis. This includes the net jobs estimated for each project which will not be divulged on a project by project basis but will form part of the evaluation of REIF after its initial three years of operation. For project deals completed, the intention is that the level of investment and investment leveraged will be made publicly available with the agreement of co-investors.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:15.043","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283713,"EventID":"S4W-14409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:15.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T15:34:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-13555 and S4W-13888 on 20 March 2013 and 22 April 2013 respectively, whether it will set out the details of the outcome of the economic assessment for each project supported by the Renewable Energy Investment Fund.","AnswerText":"Investment decisions by REIF are made following consideration of a range of commercially sensitive information and analysis. The economic assessment is part of the investment decision making and due diligence process, the details of which are not disclosed due to commercial considerations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:15.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283714,"EventID":"S4W-14410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:15.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T15:34:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13555 by Fergus Ewing on 22 March 2013, whether it will provide details of the outcome of the economic assessment of each project receiving support from the Renewable Energy Investment Fund.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14409 on 8 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:15.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283715,"EventID":"S4W-14411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:16.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T15:34:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13889 by Fergus Ewing on 22 April 2013, whether it will provide an estimate of the date on which it will make available the names of the three recipients of support from the Renewable Energy Investment Fund.","AnswerText":"The details of the first recipients of investment from REIF should be announced within the next few weeks\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:16.103","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283716,"EventID":"S4W-14412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:16.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T15:34:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13890 by Fergus Ewing on 22 April 2013, whether ministers have seen the economic assessments for each project supported by the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund and, if so, whether they will seek their publication by the relevant agencies.","AnswerText":"The economic impact assessments relating to projects supported by the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund (N-RIF) are undertaken independently of Scottish Ministers. The economic impact assessments are held by Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise and are available through written request to the appropriate Chief Executive, with relevant provisions made for the protection of commercially sensitive information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:16.48","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283717,"EventID":"S4W-14413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:16.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T16:39:22","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public toilets have been closed in each local authority area in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. The provision of public toilets is a matter for local authorities as independent corporate bodies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:16.837","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283718,"EventID":"S4W-14414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:17.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T17:03:33.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the findings of the assessment it carried out of the effects of the recent reduction on further education college budgets on (a) disabled people, (b) people with additional support requirements and (c) people entering college not directly from secondary school.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is continuing to fund the college sector in a way which maintains the number of full-time equivalent student places. It is for each college itself to decide which courses to offer within the overall level of activity it agrees with the Scottish Funding Council. However we have made clear in guidance to the council that we expect colleges to continue to provide a balanced portfolio of courses which responds strategically to the different groups of learners in their region.\r\nIt has been absolutely necessary to ask colleges to prioritise young people to protect them from the long-term damage of unemployment. However, to ensure continued emphasis on other learners, we have made clear our expectation that colleges should use a substantial proportion of the recently-announced additional £61 million for the sector on courses for older learners (including part-time provision).\r\nIn the case of students with learning disabilities, I have asked the Funding Council to work with ENABLE, the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disabilities and other partners to identify the best means of securing improvements in the number completing courses. I have further asked that the Funding Council develop guidance for the sector on improving the employability of this group of students. We recognise that some non-recognised qualifications have value as an access route or to meet the needs of people with disabilities, and we have asked the Funding Council to protect such provision.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:17.227","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283719,"EventID":"S4W-14415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:17.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T17:03:33.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been a reduction in the number of people with learning difficulties entering further education since 2007 and, if so, what its position is on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"Our position has been to encourage the college sector to offer courses which have the best prospect of leading to a job either directly, or after further learning at a higher level. That applies regardless of whether or not the student has learning difficulties.\r\nThe full-time equivalent number of students receiving learning support in 2006-07 was 20,429, a figure which has since risen significantly to 25,077 in 2011-12. Measuring student numbers as ‘full-time equivalent’ reflects the level of activity which colleges channel towards each learner, which may differ significantly from person to person.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:17.803","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283720,"EventID":"S4W-14416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:18.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T17:15:44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of NHS staff in England and Wales receiving their pay rise in April 2013, for what reason NHS workers in Scotland will not receive their 1% pay rise until May 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"Although the NHS Pay Circular covering Agenda for Change staff in England has been issued, there are many staff there who will not receive their pay award until May or even June.\r\nThe NHS Scotland pay award is different from that in England. We are protecting family incomes for the lowest paid by providing an increase of £250 a year for those paid less than £21,000 and also continue our commitment to the Scottish Living Wage. This requires us to produce a Scotland specific pay circular and instructions.\r\nWe are working in partnership with trade unions and NHS boards to ensure that NHS Scotland staff receive their pay award as quickly as possible. The pay increase will be backdated to 1 April this year, so no staff will lose out.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:18.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283721,"EventID":"S4W-14417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:18.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T18:01:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are registered with the chronic medication service, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of people registered with the Chronic Medication Service (CMS), by NHS board, is set out in the following table:\r\nCMS registrations by board, as at 29 April 2013:\r\nNHS Board\r\nTotal\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n24,773\r\nNHS Borders\r\n6,122\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n8,581\r\nNHS Fife\r\n18,214\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n15,639\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n30,137\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n72,191\r\nNHS Highland\r\n15,892\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n35,047\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n37,507\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n501\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n452\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n21,082\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n441\r\nScotland Total\r\n286,579\r\nSource: NHS National Services Scotland, Practitioner Services Division.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:18.693","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283722,"EventID":"S4W-14418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:19.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T18:01:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people who are registered with the chronic medication service have asthma, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"Disease-specific information is not recorded for registration purposes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:19.223","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283723,"EventID":"S4W-14419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:19.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T18:01:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many pharmacists are trained to offer the chronic medication service, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Chronic Medication Service (CMS) is offered in some 1,240 community pharmacies across the 14 territorial health boards in Scotland.\r\nAll qualified pharmacists in Scotland are trained to provide the key aspects of pharmaceutical care that underpin the CMS. Pharmacists are the experts in medicines and their undergraduate education prepares them to become healthcare professionals who have a strong grounding in the practice of pharmaceutical care which supports them in delivering pharmaceutical services such as the CMS.\r\nCMS formalises the role of community pharmacists in supporting patients with long term conditions. It improves the patient’s care through a systematic approach to their pharmaceutical care, makes better use of the pharmacist’s skills and expertise to improve the patient’s understanding of their medicines, and helps maximise the clinical outcomes from their therapy. CMS also facilitates and supports the pharmacist’s role as defined by the professional body.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:19.753","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283724,"EventID":"S4W-14420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:20.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-23T18:01:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual cost is of providing the chronic medication service.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is not possible to identify the discrete cost of providing the chronic medication service. The chronic medication service is operationally integrated within the way in which community pharmacists deliver NHS pharmaceutical services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:20.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283725,"EventID":"S4W-14421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:21.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T09:11:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether vocational training for dentists following graduation is compulsory for employment in the NHS.","AnswerText":"There are several ways that a graduate dentist may gain employment within the NHSScotland without having to undertake vocational training (VT). Individuals can work within the NHSScotland as an assistant in the delivery of NHS General Dental Services (GDS) for an indefinite period.\r\nIt is also possible for a dentist to be employed in the community or hospital dental services. And, where a dentist wishes to work in the Salaried Service, a requirement if they wish to become a principal within the GDS, they may apply for a VT number through the VT Equivalence Panel, by demonstrating that their skills and experience equate to one year of VT.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:21.113","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283726,"EventID":"S4W-14422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:21.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T09:11:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a shortfall in vocational training places for dentists graduating in 2013-14 and, if so, of how many places.","AnswerText":"As the final number of Scottish dental school graduates will not be known until 28 May 2013, it remains uncertain how many dental vocational training places (DVT) will be required to meet our commitment to match DVT places to Scottish dental school graduate output.\r\nThere are 140 DVT places currently available and from current projections that seek to match expected dental graduates to DVT places(subject to the outcome of their final exams and individual choices on where to pursue their careers), some 41 Scottish dental students who have registered an interest in a DVT place in Scotland have not yet been matched to a placement. Some of this number may also have applied elsewhere and have not yet notified NHS Education for Scotland (NES) of their withdrawal from the Scottish system.\r\nNES is currently in the course of a second round of recruitment to increase the availability of DVT places within dental practices.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:21.61","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283727,"EventID":"S4W-14423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:22.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T09:11:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many dentistry students are expected to graduate in 2013.","AnswerText":"It is anticipated that up to 175 students are expected to graduate from Scottish dental schools.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:22.127","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283728,"EventID":"S4W-14424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:22.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T09:11:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many dentistry vocational trainers are available for graduates in 2013.","AnswerText":"There are currently 140 dentistry vocational training (DVT) places available in Scotland, and NHS Education for Scotland is in the process of seeking additional dental practices willing to provide DVT in 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:22.64","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283729,"EventID":"S4W-14425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:23.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T09:11:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a graduate dentist who is unable to secure a vocational training place is required to repay their dental bursary.","AnswerText":"Dentists in receipt of the dental bursary and unable to secure a vocational training (VT) place on graduation have a number of options, including deferring NHS dental work in Scotland for a year following graduation, or securing employment as an assistant in an independent practice which provides General Dental Services (GDS).\r\nA dentist who is unable to secure a VT place following graduation will not therefore be required to repay their dental bursary, provided they did not turn down a VT place on geographical grounds, and they begin NHS dental work within one year of graduation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:23.14","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283730,"EventID":"S4W-14426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:23.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T09:11:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that every graduate dentist has access to a vocational training place.","AnswerText":"We are aware of a potential mismatch between Scottish dental school graduates and availability of vocational training (VT) placements, and are actively exploring through NHS Education for Scotland several options to increase VT capacity in Scotland, including:\r\nthe initiation of a further recruitment drive of dental practice trainers (DVT);\r\ncontacting clinical leads in the salaried dental service in each of the territorial health boards to determine the extent of capacity;\r\ndetermining capacity within the hospital dental service;\r\nthe relaxation of current criteria requirements in aspects of the recruitment of DVTs which will not affect the quality and development of the training provided.\r\nAs dental students are about to sit their finals, the overall supply and demand position remains fluid at this time and we will have a clearer picture on this issue by end May 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:23.653","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283731,"EventID":"S4W-14427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:24.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T09:22:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time students from the country's most deprived areas, and who started their course over the last three years, would have been eligible to pay the graduate endowment fee.\r\n","AnswerText":"In order to provide an answer we would need to look at the circumstances of every full-time student in Scotland and apply these to the old eligibility criteria for the graduate endowment. This is not something we routinely do and is therefore not information that we hold centrally.\r\nThe 5th report following the abolition of the Graduate Endowment was placed before Parliament on 4 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:24.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283732,"EventID":"S4W-14428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:24.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T09:27:41.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason GP practices do not have the same statutory equality duties as NHS boards.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS health boards and special health boards are public authorities listed in Schedule 19 to the Equality Act 2010 (“the Act\"). As such they are subject to the general public sector equality duty in section 149(1) of the Act and the specific duties laid down in the Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012.\r\nGP practices are not listed in Schedule 19 to the Act but, insofar as they exercise public functions, they must under section 149(2) of the Act have due regard to the matters in section 149(1) in carrying out those functions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:24.497","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283733,"EventID":"S4W-14429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T13:53:24.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T11:48:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13857 by Keith Brown on 18 April 2013, what its position is on whether each of the vessels operating on the route provide a reliable service; what provisions of the contract those that it considers unreliable to be in breach of, and for what reason it plans to replace the reliable vessels.\r\n","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland officials regularly meet with Argyll Ferries Limited to monitor and receive performance updates on the service. The two passenger vessels which operate between Gourock and Dunoon town centres currently have a very high technical reliability rate. However, the two vessels have proved to be susceptible to disruption and cancellations during bad weather and in particular during the severe weather experienced this March 2013.\r\nIt has been recognised that the performance of the service is below the reasonable expectation of the local communities. As a consequence Scottish Ministers and Argyll Ferries Limited are currently in the process of searching for replacement vessel options.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T13:53:24.933","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283742,"EventID":"S4W-14430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:06.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:14:53.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to research the effects on children of being exposed to the promotion of drink and retail food establishments in films and on TV.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have no plans at present to commission any research which specifically looks at the effects on children of exposure to the promotion of drink and retail food establishments in films and on TV.\r\nThere is a lot of existing academic research conducted here and abroad which looks at the effects of marketing through film, TV and other media in relation to the purchase and consumption of food and drink. We continue to ensure that such research, where relevant, is used to inform policy on how we can best protect dietary health through the responsible marketing of food and drink.\r\nUnder the Scotland Act 1998, all broadcast marketing is reserved to Westminster.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:06.837","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283743,"EventID":"S4W-14431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:07.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:16:49.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent advice it has received regarding the level of MMR vaccination that is required to provide population cover.\r\n","AnswerText":"Currently, MMR vaccination uptake rates in Scotland are very high, with rates reaching 97.1% in children up to the age of five years. This figure exceeds the World Health Organisation target of 95%.\r\nSince the introduction of the MMR vaccination in 1988 the uptake rates in Scotland on average did not drop below around 85%. Although the risk level is significantly lower in Scotland than in Wales or England, Health Protection Scotland (HPS) has further assessed the risks in Scotland including an analysis of work already carried out by NHS boards over the last 18 months. An HPS risk assessment at that time recognised the need for some action to target 10-17 year olds and NHS Boards were asked to vaccinate on an opportunistic basis when visiting secondary schools to deliver the existing S3 booster. This action, along with our childhood immunisation uptake rates, have placed us in a better position than other parts of the UK.\r\nAverage susceptibility rates are also very low in Scotland. However, evidence has shown that there are likely to be some pockets of coterminous small areas, particularly in urban areas, where susceptibility in 10-17 year olds may be higher. The catch up campaign for the MMR vaccine announced on 25 April is therefore a precautionary measure.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:07.417","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283744,"EventID":"S4W-14432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:07.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:16:49.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in which years since 1999  the level of MMR vaccination required to provide population cover has been reached (a) nationally and (b) in Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation category (i) 4 and (ii) 5 areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of the childhood immunisation programme, children are routinely offered one dose of MMR vaccine at around 12 to 13 months of age, and a second dose from three years four months of age. The level of uptake of MMR vaccine required for population cover (herd immunity) is 95%.\r\nUptake rates are shown in the information provided for the answer to question \r\nS4W-14433 on 9 May 2013. These figures show:\r\nUptake of one dose of MMR vaccine by 24 months of age in Scotland reached 95% for the first time in 2012 (Table 1).\r\nUptake of one dose of MMR by five years of age in Scotland exceeded 95% in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Uptake rates at five years of age are available from 2006 (Table 2a).\r\nUptake of the second dose of MMR by five years of age has been below 95% since monitoring at this stage began in 2006 (Table 2b).\r\nUptake rates by 24 months of age by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile are available from 2006 and are shown in Table 4 of PQ answer S4W-14433. SIMD quintile 1 relates to the most deprived areas and SIMD quintile 5 relates to the least deprived areas. Uptake rates in SIMD quintile 4 exceeded 95% in 2012. Uptake rates exceeded 95% in SIMD quintile 5 (least deprived) in 2011 and 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:07.883","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283745,"EventID":"S4W-14433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:08.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:16:49.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the uptake rate for the MMR (a) 1 and (b) 2 booster has been in each year since 1999, broken down by (i) NHS board, (ii) council ward, (iii) Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation category and (iv) birth cohort.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of the childhood immunisation programme, children are routinely offered one dose of MMR vaccine at around 12 to 13 months of age, and a second dose from three years four months of age.\r\nMMR vaccine uptake rates by birth cohort are monitored at 24 months, five years and six years of age and are available on the ISD website. The most recent uptake information can be accessed at: \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Child-Health/Publications/2013-03-22/2013-03-22-Immunisation-Report.pdf?82683962584\r\n(i) Trends in uptake rates by annual birth cohort are published in a series of tables at Scotland level and for each NHS Board. The following tables have been collated from the published information on the ISD website as follows:\r\nTable 1: Uptake rates of the one dose of MMR vaccine by 24 months of age, by NHS board, 1999-2012\r\nTable 2: Uptake rates of (a) one dose and (b) the second dose of MMR vaccine by five years of age, by NHS Board, 2006-2012. Note that uptake rates by five years of age have been monitored since 2006\r\nTable 3: Uptake rates of (a) one dose and (b) the second dose of MMR vaccine by six years of age, by NHS Board, 1999-2012\r\n(ii) Information on uptake of one dose of MMR vaccine by five years of age by council ward is published under the Health topic and Immunisation sub-topic section on the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics website at:\r\nhttp://www.sns.gov.uk/\r\nData are available for years 2008 to 2011. Information for 2012 is due to be added to the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics website by the end of May 2013. Due to the small geographical areas presented, where appropriate the uptake rates on the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics website have been subject to disclosure control methods to maintain confidentiality and make sure information on a particular individual or household is not revealed.\r\niii) Information on uptake rates of one dose of MMR vaccine by 24 months of age by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile is available for years 2006 to 2012 and is shown in the following table.\r\nTable 4: Uptake rates of one dose of MMR vaccine by 24 months of age by SIMD quintile1, 2006-12:\r\nSIMD quintile\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n5 (least deprived)\r\n93.0\r\n\r\n93.0\r\n\r\n93.1\r\n\r\n94.9\r\n\r\n94.4\r\n\r\n95.5\r\n\r\n95.8\r\n\r\n4\r\n92.7\r\n\r\n92.7\r\n\r\n92.7\r\n\r\n93.8\r\n\r\n93.6\r\n\r\n94.6\r\n\r\n95.2\r\n\r\n3\r\n92.1\r\n\r\n92.0\r\n\r\n92.2\r\n\r\n93.7\r\n\r\n93.6\r\n\r\n94.0\r\n\r\n94.9\r\n\r\n2\r\n92.1\r\n\r\n92.0\r\n\r\n92.0\r\n\r\n93.8\r\n\r\n92.8\r\n\r\n93.7\r\n\r\n94.9\r\n\r\n1 (most deprived)\r\n91.1\r\n\r\n91.1\r\n\r\n90.6\r\n\r\n92.4\r\n\r\n92.2\r\n\r\n92.7\r\n\r\n94.6\r\n\r\nSource: SIRS, ISD Scotland. \r\nRef:  IR2013-00678.\r\nNote: 1. The figures are based on SIMD 2006 for years 2006 - 2008, SIMD 2009 for years 2009 - 2011 and SIMD 2012 for year 2012.\r\n(iv) Uptake rates are collated and reported by birth cohort. For example, annual uptake rates reported for 2012 relate to three annual birth cohorts as follows:\r\n(a) Uptake rates by 24 months of age relate to children born January to December 2010\r\n(b) Uptake rates by five years of age relate to children born January to December 2007\r\n(c) Uptake rates by six years of age relate to children born January to December 2006\r\nThis information is provided in part (i) above.\r\nTable 1: Uptake rates of one dose of MMR vaccine (MMR1) by 24 months of age, by NHS Board\r\nChildren reaching 24 months of age in calendar years 1999 to 2012\r\nNHS Board\r\n1999\r\n2000\r\n2001\r\n2002\r\n2003\r\n2004\r\n2005\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n93.4\r\n93.7\r\n87.9\r\n87.5\r\n85.8\r\n87.9\r\n89.7\r\nBorders\r\n92.0\r\n93.2\r\n89.9\r\n87.2\r\n88.1\r\n90.4\r\n90.6\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n92.9\r\n96.1\r\n93.8\r\n93.7\r\n90.4\r\n93.3\r\n94.2\r\nFife\r\n92.7\r\n92.7\r\n87.4\r\n87.2\r\n87.8\r\n88.7\r\n89.6\r\nForth Valley\r\n93.9\r\n95.2\r\n90.6\r\n90.8\r\n88.6\r\n90.5\r\n90.7\r\nGrampian\r\n92.4\r\n93.8\r\n90.2\r\n88.3\r\n85.7\r\n88.0\r\n90.5\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGreater Glasgow (pre 2006)1\r\n93.0\r\n92.7\r\n86.3\r\n86.0\r\n86.0\r\n87.1\r\n89.5\r\nHighland1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nHighland (pre 2006)1\r\n88.0\r\n86.2\r\n79.1\r\n80.5\r\n78.8\r\n81.8\r\n83.3\r\nLanarkshire\r\n92.4\r\n93.8\r\n89.1\r\n88.1","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:08.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283746,"EventID":"S4W-14434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:09.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:16:49.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children in each year since 1999 have (a) not received the MMR vaccine, (b) received one injection of MMR vaccine only and (c) been vaccinated separately against measles, mumps or rubella.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of the childhood immunisation programme, two doses of MMR vaccine are routinely offered to children by five years of age (one dose at around 12 to 13 months of age, and a second dose from three years four months of age). Table 1 shows the number and percentage of children by doses received by five years of age. MMR vaccine uptake rates by five years of age have been monitored since 2006. Uptake rates by six years of age are also published and the available information is shown in Table 2. Information is not centrally available on the number and percentage of children vaccinated separately against measles, mumps or rubella.\r\nTable 1: Uptake rates of MMR vaccine by five years of age in Scotland\r\n \r\n \r\nUnvaccinated\r\nMMR Dose 1\r\nMMR Dose 2\r\nYear\r\nNumber of children in cohort\r\nNumber\r\n%\r\nNumber\r\n%\r\nNumber\r\n%\r\n2006\r\n53,113\r\n3,293\r\n6.2\r\n49,820\r\n93.8\r\n44,562\r\n83.9\r\n2007\r\n52,215\r\n2,944\r\n5.6\r\n49,271\r\n94.4\r\n43,590\r\n83.5\r\n2008\r\n53,569\r\n2,716\r\n5.1\r\n50,853\r\n94.9\r\n45,558\r\n85.0\r\n2009\r\n55,213\r\n2,136\r\n3.9\r\n53,077\r\n96.1\r\n49,227\r\n89.2\r\n2010\r\n55,477\r\n2,193\r\n4.0\r\n53,284\r\n96.0\r\n49,926\r\n90.0\r\n2011\r\n56,701\r\n2,049\r\n3.6\r\n54,652\r\n96.4\r\n50,816\r\n89.6\r\n2012\r\n58,474\r\n1,822\r\n3.1\r\n56,652\r\n96.9\r\n53,706\r\n91.8\r\nSource: SIRS, ISD Scotland.\r\nRef: IR2013-00677.\r\n\r\nTable 2: Uptake rates of MMR vaccine by six years of age in Scotland\r\n \r\n \r\nUnvaccinated\r\nMMR Dose 1\r\nMMR Dose 2\r\nYear\r\nNumber of children in cohort\r\nNumber\r\n%\r\nNumber\r\n%\r\nNumber\r\n%\r\n1999\r\n62,185\r\n..\r\n..\r\n..\r\n..\r\n56,434\r\n90.8\r\n2000\r\n60,995\r\n..\r\n..\r\n..\r\n..\r\n54,891\r\n90.0\r\n2001\r\n59,244\r\n..\r\n..\r\n..\r\n..\r\n52,312\r\n88.3\r\n2002\r\n58,460\r\n..\r\n..\r\n..\r\n..\r\n52,856\r\n90.4\r\n2003\r\n59,034\r\n..\r\n..\r\n..\r\n..\r\n53,308\r\n90.3\r\n2004\r\n57,735\r\n..\r\n..\r\n..\r\n..\r\n52,248\r\n90.5\r\n2005\r\n55,788\r\n..\r\n..\r\n..\r\n..\r\n49,205\r\n88.2\r\n2006\r\n54,611\r\n3,440\r\n6.3\r\n51,171\r\n93.7\r\n48,276\r\n88.4\r\n2007\r\n53,644\r\n3,334\r\n6.2\r\n50,310\r\n93.8\r\n47,674\r\n88.9\r\n2008\r\n52,940\r\n3,063\r\n5.8\r\n49,877\r\n94.2\r\n47,467\r\n89.7\r\n2009\r\n53,751\r\n2,586\r\n4.8\r\n51,165\r\n95.2\r\n48,986\r\n91.1\r\n2010\r\n55,328\r\n2,203\r\n4.0\r\n53,125\r\n96.0\r\n51,310\r\n92.7\r\n2011\r\n55,708\r\n2,246\r\n4.0\r\n53,462\r\n96.0\r\n51,707\r\n92.8\r\n2012\r\n57,050\r\n2,161\r\n3.8\r\n54,889\r\n96.2\r\n53,028\r\n93.0\r\nNot available. Uptake rates of the first dose of MMR vaccine by six years of age have been monitored since 2006.\r\nSource: SIRS, ISD Scotland.\r\nRef: IR2013-00677.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:09.083","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283747,"EventID":"S4W-14435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:09.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:16:49.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in the light of the increase in cases of measles in Wales, whether it will carry out a campaign to encourage the uptake of the MMR vaccine for children and young adults who have not received it.\r\n","AnswerText":"In light of the significant circulation of measles in Wales and England, it was announced on 25 April 2013 that children aged 10–17 years will be offered a further opportunity to be vaccinated over the next few weeks. This will complement the continuation of the current activity by NHS boards of offering MMR vaccine to unimmunised and partially immunised children in the appointments given to them for receiving other immunisations.\r\nWe will be supporting this activity with a communications campaign and will be encouraging parents to take up vaccination if their children are not protected.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:09.77","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283748,"EventID":"S4W-14436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:10.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:16:49.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide (a) universities and (b) colleges with resources to encourage the uptake of the MMR vaccine among students who have not received it.\r\n","AnswerText":"Given the difficulties in systematically reaching young adults aged 18 – 24, it is recommended that existing practice continues whereby the MMR vaccine continues to be available opportunistically for those who seek it or where there is a public health need e.g. travel.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:10.52","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283749,"EventID":"S4W-14437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:11.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:16:49.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what records are kept regarding the immunisation status of children enrolling at (a) nursery and (b) primary school.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Scotland has comprehensive vaccination data from the routine immunisation programmes, primarily through pre-school vaccinations recorded on the Scottish Immunisation and Recall System (SIRS). These data are linked to primary and secondary school attendance through the CHSP School system which is used to record immunisations given through school-based immunisation programmes such as HPV vaccinations. Nursery attendance is not recorded on CHSP School or SIRS. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:11.41","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283750,"EventID":"S4W-14439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:12.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:16:49.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S3W-18595 by Shona Robison on 15 December 2008, how many of the previously unvaccinated children have since been administered the MMR vaccine.\r\n","AnswerText":"Among the 57,050 children reaching six years of age in 2012, 52,021 (91.2%) had received one dose of the MMR vaccine and 5,029 (8.8%) were unvaccinated when they reached 24 months of age in 2008. Of the 5,029 children who were unvaccinated by 24 months of age, 2868 had received one dose of the MMR vaccine and 2147 had received the second dose of the MMR vaccine by six years of age.\r\nUptake rates for the entire cohort of 57,050 children in Scotland reaching six years of age in 2012 were 96.2% for one dose of the MMR vaccine and 93.0% for the second dose of the MMR vaccine.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:12.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283751,"EventID":"S4W-14448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:13.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:18:48.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many drug treatment and testing orders were (a) made and (b) completed in each year from 2007 to 2012, also broken down by (i) criminal justice and (ii) alcohol and drug partnership area.\r\n","AnswerText":"Figures on drug treatment and testing orders commenced and the numbers terminated/completed by local authority and community justice authority area are available online at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/DTTOs.\r\nFigures on DTTOs are compiled from returns from local authorities and do not relate directly to alcohol and drug partnership areas. However, the majority of alcohol and drug partnership areas are coterminous with local authority areas and figures for these areas can be derived from the published figures.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:13.047","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283752,"EventID":"S4W-14450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:13.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:18:48.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research into (a) suicide and (b) self-harm it has funded since the introduction of the Choose Life initiative.","AnswerText":"The following is a list of published research on suicide and self harm which has been funded or part funded by the Scottish Government since the launch of Choose Life in 2002. The list includes research funded by the Choose Life programme, which is fully funded by the Scottish Government; and research about projects related to, but not solely about, prevention of suicide and self-harm.\r\nConfidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness (on-going)\r\nhttp://www.hqip.org.uk/national-confidential-inquiry-into-suicide-and-homicide/\r\nSuicide and Suicidal Behaviour: Establishing the Territory for a Series of Research Reviews (2004)\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/10/20090/45184\r\nEvaluation of Phase 1 of Choose Life (2006)\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/09/06094657/0\r\nThe Epidemiology of Suicide in Scotland 1989-2004: An Examination of Temporal Trends and Risk Factors at National and Local Levels (2007)\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/03/01145422/20\r\nRisk and Protective Factors for Suicide and Suicidal Behaviour: A Literature Review (2008)\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/11/28141444/0\r\nEffectiveness of Interventions to Prevent Suicide and Suicidal Behaviour: A Systematic Review (2008)\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/01/08094005/0\r\nEvaluation of Phase 2 of Choose Life (2010)\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/03/30174735/0\r\nScottish Suicide Information Database\r\nReport 2011:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Public-Health/Publications/2011-12-20/2011-12-20-Suicide-Report.pdf \r\nReport 2012:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Public-Health/Publications/2012-12-18/2012-12-18-ScotSID-2012-Report.pdf \r\nEvaluation of the Breathing Space Telephone Advice Line and Signposting Service for People Experiencing Low Mood or Depression\r\nChristine Sheehy et al. 2006\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/114404/0027945.pdf\r\nAn in-depth qualitative exploration of the links between self-harm and attempted suicide in young people\r\nDawn Griesbach et al. 2007.\r\nhttp://griesbach-research.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/FINAL-REPORT-JUL07.pdf\r\nThe Use and Impact of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) in Scotland: An Evaluation\r\nRona Dolev et al. 2008\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/223482/0060182.pdf\r\nBreathing Space Telephone Advice Line: Omnibus Survey Evaluation of Public Awareness (2009)\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/01/30112003/0\r\nImpact evaluation of the Choose Life training programme\r\nDawn Griesbach et al. 2011\r\nhttp://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/17217-ChooseLifeImpactEvaluation.pdf\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government commissioned Professor Stephen Platt of the University of Edinburgh to undertake research on Development of a Framework to Capture and Monitor Trends in Completed Suicide and its Determinants in Scotland, 1979-2010. This is currently unpublished.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:13.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283753,"EventID":"S4W-14451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:14.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:18:48.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote the use of (a) postcards and (b) text messages as methods of providing support to people at risk of suicide and self-harm.","AnswerText":"NHS Health Scotland’s Choose Life programme produces a range of resources for local areas and organisations to use, either internally with their work force or for their work force to give to people who are vulnerable to suicide or their family and friends. For example, the new Police Scotland is planning to issue the Choose Life key message card to all its staff so that they can refer to them and give them to members of the public as and when appropriate.\r\nThe resources are regularly updated and research undertaken to ensure that they are relevant and accessible to their intended audiences. Materials are distributed free in Scotland on request.\r\nThese include the following resources - the numbers give the monthly average distribution:\r\nChoose Life – Don’t Hide It Pocket Card – 800 \r\nChoose Life “Read Between the Lines” Key Message Card – 1,200\r\nChoose Life Card – 170\r\nRead Between the Lines Posters, 4 types – 3,000\r\nAfter a Suicide Mental Health Booklet – 120\r\nThe Art of Conversation, full A4 document – 400\r\nThe Art of Conversation Summary – 3,300\r\nAs part of its awareness-raising activity, the Breathing Space telephone advice line for people experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety, has distributed postcards (“Help a friend stay in the game”) developed by Choose Life, at various Scottish Premier League football games.\r\nBreathing Space pocket cards and other ambient materials are distributed throughout the country, both direct by Breathing Space and via its various partner organisations such as Choose Life, Scottish Huntington’s Association; Veterans 1st point; Royal National Institute for the Blind; Deafblind Scotland; and MacMillan Cancer Support – this information is specific to Breathing Space as a phone and web based service for people experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.\r\nChoose Life materials signpost people to help available from Samaritans and Breathing Space. Samaritans use text messages – among other methods - to support people who contact them.\r\nUnder the new Future programme at NHS24 there are plans to introduce a text messaging service – at a time to be confirmed - to support people experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. NHS24 also have plans for an email service to complement this, again at a time to be confirmed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:14.31","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283754,"EventID":"S4W-14452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:14.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:19:04.763","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps HM Inspectorate of Education takes to review and report on the adequacy and implementation of anti-bullying strategies and policies in every school that it inspects.","AnswerText":"Education Scotland is strongly committed to ensuring “zero tolerance” to bullying in Scottish schools.\r\nSchools’ approaches to meeting the pastoral needs of children and young people are looked at in all school inspections. This includes evaluating how well schools deal with any bullying, and ensure safe use of the internet.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:14.84","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283755,"EventID":"S4W-14453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:15.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:19:04.763","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee has access to primary care data that allow it to advise on the application of differential funding at a primary care level that reflects health inequalities.","AnswerText":"The allocation formula developed by the NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) was designed to allocate funds to health boards for hospital and community health services and prescribing. The formula was derived using data relating to the utilisation of hospital and community health services and drugs dispensed by community pharmacists. The NRAC committee ceased to exist once its final report and recommendations were submitted, and the formula is now maintained by the Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation (TAGRA). The work of TAGRA is published at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.tagra.scot.nhs.uk/index.html.\r\nThe funds for the provision of General Medical Services (primary care) are allocated according to the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements. The latest version is available via the following link:\r\nhttp://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/pca/PCA2012(M)13letter.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:15.387","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283756,"EventID":"S4W-14454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:15.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:20:53.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the (a) MedTech, (b) medicines and (c) digital health innovation health partnership will hold its first meeting.\r\n","AnswerText":"The first meeting of the MedTech Health Innovation Partnership (HIP) took place on 1 April 2013.\r\nThe Medicines Strategic Engagement Group (the equivalent of a medicines HIP) will meet on 15 May.\r\nThe Innovation Partnership Board (IPB) is expected to consider proposals for the Digital Health Innovation Partnership at its next meeting in June 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:15.917","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283757,"EventID":"S4W-14455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:16.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:20:53.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the remit of the (a) MedTech, (b) medicines and (c) digital health innovation health partnership will be finalised.\r\n","AnswerText":"The remit of the MedTech Health Innovation Partnership (HIP) has been finalised and will be made available on http://home.scotland.gov.uk/home.\r\nThe equivalent group for medicines is the Medicines Strategic Engagement Group, the remit of which has been drafted and will be agreed at its 15 May meeting.\r\nThe Innovation Partnership Board (IPB) is expected to consider final proposals for the Digital Health Innovation Partnership at its next meeting in June 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:16.447","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283758,"EventID":"S4W-14456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:17.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:20:53.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government to whom the (a) MedTech, (b) medicines and (c) digital health innovation health partnership will report.\r\n","AnswerText":"The MedTech Health Innovation Partnership (HIP), the Medicines Strategic Engagement Group (the equivalent of a medicines HIP) and the Digital Health Innovation Partnership will all report to the Innovation Partnership Board (IPB).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:17.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283759,"EventID":"S4W-14457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:18.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:20:53.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the strategic engagement group will hold its first meeting.\r\n","AnswerText":"The strategic engagement group is due to hold its first meeting on 15 May 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:18.21","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283760,"EventID":"S4W-14458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:18.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:20:53.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the remit of the strategic engagement group will be finalised.","AnswerText":"The remit of the strategic engagement group will be finalised soon after the first meeting of the group which is due to be held on 15 May 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:18.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283761,"EventID":"S4W-14459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:19.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:20:53.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which officials will attend the strategic engagement group as (a) members and (b) observers.","AnswerText":"Membership of the strategic engagement group is still to be finalised.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:19.24","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283762,"EventID":"S4W-14460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:19.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:22:13.437","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when each NHS board will have identified a senior executive board member with lead responsibility for innovation, technology and products; what selection criteria will be used; to whom they will be responsible, and what input (a) NHS Research Scotland, (b) Scottish Enterprise, (c) Life Sciences Scotland, (d) officials, (e) the strategic engagement group, (f) health innovation partnerships and (g) the Life Sciences Advisory Board will have in the selection process.","AnswerText":"All NHS boards are being asked to identify an executive lead for innovation, where one does not already exist. It is the decision of boards which senior colleague they appoint to the innovation role. There are no plans to ask Boards to seek input to the selection process from outside groups.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:19.707","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283763,"EventID":"S4W-14469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:20.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:22:42.56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the proposed national review group on metrics and milestones on innovation in the NHS will (a) have its membership agreed and (b) first meet.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Innovation Partnership Board Measures Group met for the first time on 12 February 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:20.177","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283764,"EventID":"S4W-14471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:20.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:22:42.56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the proposed NHS innovative technology awards will be held.\r\n","AnswerText":"A Health Innovation Fair for Scotland is being planned. The proposed NHS innovation awards will be included in the Fair’s programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:20.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283765,"EventID":"S4W-14472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:21.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:23:21.67","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the proposed health innovation research advisory group will hold its first meeting; what its remit will be; when its membership will be finalised, and which officials will attend as (a) members and (b) observers.","AnswerText":"The Health Informatics Research Advisory Group met for the first time on 23 January 2013. Its remit is to consider, what are the opportunities in Scotland: \r\nTo become world-leading in health and biomedical informatics research; to identify obstacles to the use of electronic health records for research in Scotland, and to develop solutions; to inform the development of the Scottish Government’s strategies for e-health and cross-sectoral data linkage; to advise the Chief Scientist Office on its strategy for supporting electronic health records research; to monitor developments in health informatics research infrastructure in the UK and internationally, and identify opportunities for Scottish involvement and to consider what investments would be most effective in enhancing Scotland’s capability for research using electronic health records.\r\nThe group’s membership includes experts in health informatics research from Scotland and elsewhere in the UK and the following officials: Mr Derek Feeley, Director General of the Health and Social Care Directorate, Dr Roger Halliday, Chief Statistician, Professor Andrew Morris, Chief Scientist, and Dr Peter Craig from the Chief Scientist Office. Advice from other experts will be sought as required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:21.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283766,"EventID":"S4W-14476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:21.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T15:43:22.303","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many petrol stations have closed since 2007, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.\r\nThe DECC-commissioned report “Study of the UK petroleum retail market”, published in December 2012, indicates that there were 892 petrol stations in Scotland at year-end 2011. During the period between 2001 to 2011, there was a 24% reduction in the number of petrol filling stations in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:21.703","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283767,"EventID":"S4W-14477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:22.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T15:43:22.303","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to rural communities that wish to take control of their local petrol station.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Land Fund is an initiative being delivered in partnership between BIG Lottery Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. It is a £6 million, 3-year commitment aimed at giving local people in rural communities the tools and resources to successfully fulfil their aspirations of owning their own land and land assets. Grants will be made to rural communities (settlements with a population of less than 10,000).\r\nHighlands and Islands Enterprise would also consider rural petrol stations in a similar manner to any other community asset acquisition project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:22.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283768,"EventID":"S4W-14478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:22.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T15:43:22.303","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many petrol stations that received funding from the Rural Petrol Station Grant Scheme between 1998 and 2008 are still open, also broken down by local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:22.673","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283769,"EventID":"S4W-14479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-24T17:01:23.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T15:43:22.303","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many grants (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise have given to rural petrol stations since 2008.","AnswerText":"The administration of grants to support rural petrol stations is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise. I will ask their chief executives to write to you in this regard.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-09T17:01:23.157","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283777,"EventID":"S4W-14441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T14:14:13.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:17:51.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to each of the nine recommendations in the Report on Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Humans in 2011 by National Services Scotland, the Scottish Medicines Consortium and the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) leads on a variety of programmes and work streams to deliver on the recommendations contained within the report on Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Humans in 2011.\r\nThe report was discussed at the Group’s February 2013 meeting and it was agreed that SAPG would work in collaboration with its stakeholders to take the recommendations forward as part of its 2013-14 programme of work.\r\nFurther details on work around the recommendations contained in the report are provided in the annex to this letter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T14:14:13.367","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283778,"EventID":"S4W-14443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T14:14:14.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:17:51.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether data from boarding out is made available to Health Improvement Scotland (a) routinely and regularly, (b) only on request and (c) as part of the self-assessment before announced inspections.\r\n","AnswerText":"Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) would routinely ask for this information on arrival at the hospital being inspected. This provides inspectors with a current list of patients that, if necessary they can look at further to assess suitability, i.e. cognitive ability, and time moved etc.\r\nBoarding information is considered on the day of the inspection so that it is considered in a timely manner. If it had been submitted in advance as part of the self-assessment process, it would be out of date by the time of the inspection. HIS is currently exploring opportunities to further enhance the data and intelligence it collects and receives to support and underpin inspections.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T14:14:14.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283779,"EventID":"S4W-14444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T14:14:16.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:17:51.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Reduced Mortality with Hospital Pay for Performance in England, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in November 2013, which suggests that payments for performance made to clinical teams for investment purposes achieve significantly better outcomes.\r\n","AnswerText":"Whilst the conclusions of the report on Reduced Mortality with Hospital Pay for Performance in England are interesting, the Scottish Government has no plans to introduce pay for performance at the clinical team level. The research findings in this area are mixed and we would need much more compelling evidence that financial incentives alone contribute to reduced mortality.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T14:14:16.08","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283780,"EventID":"S4W-14445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T14:14:17.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:17:51.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the new rules introduced by the Department of Health in April 2013 that place a legal duty on employers in the NHS to ensure that all doctors employed can speak a \"necessary level of English\",  will be applied in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The new rules being introduced by the Department of Health in April 2013 do not extend to Scotland where NHSScotland boards have responsibility for recruitment. Patient safety is a top priority and it is important that those who are providing care and treatment have the ability to communicate effectively.\r\nIn order for doctors to provide primary medical services in Scotland they are required to be on a health board’s performers list and each board has a statutory duty to maintain their own list.\r\nA board can refuse to admit an applicant if it is not satisfied that an applicant has the knowledge of English which, in the interests of the applicant and of patients who may receive primary medical services from the applicant, is necessary for performing primary medical services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T14:14:17.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283781,"EventID":"S4W-14446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T14:14:18.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:17:51.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings in the Royal College of Physicians report, Hospital workforce: fit for the future, that 37% of medical registrars reported that their workload was unmanageable, 59% said it was heavy and a substantial proportion said that their training was highly variable and too often compromised by a heavy workload.\r\n","AnswerText":"We welcome the Royal College of Physicians report as it provides further context and information towards our understanding of the many factors that impact on the provision of high quality, safe and effective care in our health services.\r\nWe are determined to continue to build upon Scotland’s excellent record in delivering safe and effective care services, in line with the ambitions of the Healthcare Quality Strategy and the 2020 Vision. Effective partnership working is integral to the success of our ambitions and to this end, we have instigated a series of regular meetings with the Royal Colleges, and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges in Scotland to ensure we address such issues collaboratively. This engagement includes meetings with Dr Neil Dewhurst, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.\r\nThere is a great deal of activity already underway in Scotland to address the issues highlighted within this report. In March 2013, we announced £50 million will be invested over the next three years as part of our Unscheduled Care Action Plan to help meet the growing demand on accident and emergency and other unscheduled care services, and there will be further investment in frontline staff. An expert group is now making sure that the best medical, nursing and other advice is contributing to the delivery of the action plan, and each health board has been asked to produce its own local version of the action plan to deal with the pressure points each faces.\r\nWe are also aware that that there are difficulties in recruiting to some medical specialities and welcome the launch, on 1 May, of the Strategy for the Recruitment and Retention of Trainess in Scotland, as this will enable NHSScotland to better understand career choices that medical trainees make, and thus consider ways to tackle recruitment and retention issues in a more systematic way.\r\nWe acknowledge that doctors in training posts make a substantial and valuable contribution to the delivery of patient care, including within out of hours care. It is NHS Education for Scotland(NES) which has responsibility for ensuring that all training programmes are delivered in such a way as to meet GMC quality standards. The GMC surveys all doctors in training on an annual basis, and this survey includes the collection of information on working hours, workload and work intensity, and the impact on training. NES also collects a wide range of additional information on the quality of training, and undertakes regular visits to training units to meet with trainees and trainers. Where NES identifies concerns about the quality of training, it works with health boards to put in place action plans to address these. All of this work is reported annually to the GMC, which has responsibility for approving training programmes across the UK.\r\nWe also await the recommendations from Prof. David Greenaway’s independent Shape of Training review, due later this year, as that is likely to lead to fundamental changes in the future shape of medical training across the UK. This will require careful scrutiny to understand the impact on Scotland’s health services of any change to future medical training programmes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T14:14:19.013","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283782,"EventID":"S4W-14447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T14:14:20.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T13:17:51.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the paperwork being introduced to deliver its Getting It Right For Every Child policy will be available in digital form in light of the closure of its eCare programme.","AnswerText":"The Data Sharing Technologies Board, established by the Scottish Government with delivery partners including local authorities and the NHS, is supporting the development of local digital information sharing systems which support local needs, priorities and processes.\r\nThese developments are being informed by the work of the best practice information sharing group for children and young people on the local implementation of the GIRFEC approach.\r\nWork is progressing to agree national minimum data sets in respect of a child's plan, wellbeing concern and chronology. This will produce a standard form of information, which will have the potential to be shared and understood across Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T14:14:20.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283783,"EventID":"S4W-14480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T10:10:42.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T16:02:33.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Canals has published its consultation report and finalised heritage strategy, as indicated in its Draft Heritage Strategy 2013-38 and, if so, where the documents can be accessed.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Canals published its Heritage Strategy and the associated consultation report on 6 May 2013. Both can be accessed at:\r\nhttp://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/history--heritage. The proposed publication date of the report and strategy was originally on 31 January 2013. This publication date was initially delayed because of an extension to the public consultation period and subsequently in order to take account of Scottish Canals’ new vision, Safeguarding our Heritage - Building our Future, which it published on 24 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T10:10:42.467","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283784,"EventID":"S4W-14481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T10:10:42.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T16:02:33.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Canals' five year plan has been finalised.","AnswerText":"Yes. This forms part of its published Heritage Strategy available at:\r\nhttp://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/history--heritage.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T10:10:42.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283785,"EventID":"S4W-14482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T10:10:43.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T16:02:33.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the 20 specific objectives for the period 2013 to 2018 listed in Scottish Canals' Draft Heritage Strategy 2013-38 have been agreed.","AnswerText":"Yes. They are all included in the published Heritage Strategy available at: http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/history--heritage.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T10:10:43.667","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283786,"EventID":"S4W-14483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T10:10:44.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-24T16:02:33.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which of the key actions listed under Scottish Canals' 2013-2018 objectives in its Draft Heritage Strategy 2013-38 have commenced; when they commenced, and what the timetable is for the remaining key actions.","AnswerText":"There were over 60 key actions linked to the 20 objectives identified in the draft Heritage Strategy. Scottish Canals have commenced preliminary work on key actions under 12 of the objectives. A revised timetable for the key actions is contained within the published Strategy which takes account of priorities identified during the consultation. I have asked the Chief Executive of Scottish Canals to write to the member providing full details of progress to date.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T10:10:44.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283787,"EventID":"S4W-14495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T10:10:44.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T11:46:40.703","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve cervical cancer prevention and will take in the next 12 months.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Cervical Screening Programme invites all women aged 20 – 60 for screening every three years. Screening has been shown to be the best way to prevent cervical cancer. The Scottish Government is supporting NHS Boards to increase uptake of the screening programme through informed consent.\r\nAll young women are now offered the HPV vaccination which protects them against 70% of all high risk types of HPV. Vaccine uptake is high with 82.8% of girls in S2 in school year 2011-12 completing the three dose course of HPV immunisations by the end of the school year. 91.7% had received two doses and 93.1% had received one dose. \r\nAlthough the Detect Cancer Early Programme, which aims to increase the number of cancers detected at an early stage of the disease, will initially concentrate on lung, bowel and breast cancer, it is fully expected to raise awareness of all cancers amongst the public, health practitioners and crucially save more lives each year. Whilst not directed at cervical cancer specifically, we anticipate benefits to other groups of people as general awareness raising initiatives result in earlier presentation, referral and assessment for all those with a possibility of cancer.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government will continue to work with GPs to promote earlier referral or investigation of patients who might have cancer. To support GPs in Scotland to refer patients with suspected cancer, including cervical, as early as possible, the Scottish Government published referral guidance in 2007 called the “Scottish Executive health Department Letter (2007) 9: Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer”. In early 2009, the guidelines were shortened into a user friendly version for quick reference. All GPs across NHS Scotland were sent a copy of this guidance, which is available on the Scottish Government website: \r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/quickreferenceguide/suspectedcancer.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T10:10:44.51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283788,"EventID":"S4W-14496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T10:10:44.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T11:46:40.703","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve awareness of the importance of cervical cancer screening among (a) women over 50, (b) black and minority ethnic women and (c) women in work.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS boards have the responsibility for publicising screening within their local area and working closely within their communities to increase screening uptake. GPs also play a pivotal role in highlighting the benefits and risks of cervical screening to their patients.\r\nIn 2009 the Breast and Cervical National Advisory Group commissioned NHS Health Scotland to undertake research with women into the reasons for non-uptake of the cervical screening invitation. The results of this work were used to develop an engagement and communications strategy to support the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme. This strategy considered a series of recommendations to improve uptake of cervical screening and to make screening a more consistently positive experience for all eligible women. To help address low uptake a new suite of information leaflets was developed in August 2010. Nationally, the information we provide is key to allowing women to make an informed choice. Women are involved in the design of the information leaflets, which are promoted in healthcare and community settings, including GP surgeries.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T10:10:44.977","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283789,"EventID":"S4W-14497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T10:10:45.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T11:46:40.703","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will direct NHS boards to introduce a targeted approach in order to improve the uptake of cervical screening.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Cervical Screening Programme is a whole population screening programme and there are no plans to change this.\r\nNHS boards have responsibility for publicising screening within their local area and working closely within their communities to increase screening uptake. NHS boards do currently monitor uptake within their populations and put in place measure to address low uptake. Targeted communications to specific groups of the population have been developed nationally and are promoted in healthcare and community settings, including GP surgeries.\r\nGPs also play a pivotal role in highlighting the benefits and potential risks of cervical screening to their patients and are incentivised, under the Quality and Outcomes Framework, to do so.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T10:10:45.49","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283790,"EventID":"S4W-14505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T14:31:24.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T14:26:13.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made following publication of the Review of Proposals to Improve Arrangements for Independent Monitoring of Prisons.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish its response to Professor Coyle’s review on 26 April 2013. The decision has been made that HM Chief Inspector of Prisons will oversee four prison monitors who will be supported by Lay Monitors. The prison monitors will be further supported by an Advisory Group which will be made up of key stakeholders from the justice sector. This Group will provide guidance on monitoring, appointments and training.\r\nThe legislative process to transfer and modify the existing prison visiting committee statutory powers, as well as amendments to the Prison Rules, will be made through a Section 14 Order under the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. The Parliamentary process and transition from prison visiting committees to independent monitors will take a number of months to complete. We anticipate the transition and introduction of the new independent monitoring service to be completed by autumn 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T14:31:24.473","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283791,"EventID":"S4W-14518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T15:55:47.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T15:52:24.25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what targets it expects Registers of Scotland to achieve in 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have set the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland the financial targets of achieving:\r\nA 3% cash-releasing efficiency saving; and an increase in Register of Scotland’s commercial income of 5%. In addition, the Keeper has set the following service standards:\r\nRegister of Scotland’s Service Standards 2013-14\r\nWhere it is in the Keeper’s power, legally appropriate and not subject to an individual agreement with the applicant:\r\n1\r\nRecord new Land Register applications on the application record \r\nWithin 1 working day\r\n2\r\nProcess ARTL applications\r\nWithin 24 hours\r\n3\r\nProcess CAJR applications\r\nWithin 3 working days\r\n4\r\nProcess Crofting Register applications\r\nWithin 3 working days\r\n5\r\nProcess Sasines applications\r\nWithin 20 working days\r\n6\r\nRegister Dealings of Whole (DW’s)\r\n\r\nThose DWs that are dependent on prior or same date First Registrations and TPs will be delivered to their Service Standards. \r\nWithin 30 working days\r\n7\r\nRegister Standard First Registrations (FR)\r\n\r\nThose FRs that have had pre-work carried out.\r\nWithin 40 working days\r\n8\r\nRegister Other First Registrations\r\n\r\nThose FRs that have had no pre-work carried out. Those FRs that are dependent on TP applications will be delivered to their Service Standard.\r\nWithin 6 months\r\n9\r\nRegister pre-31 December 2012 Transfer of Parts by 30 September 2013\r\n\r\nThis target is carried forward from the 2012-15 Corporate Plan\r\n10\r\nRegister Transfer of Parts from 1 October 2013\r\n \r\nWithin 9 months\r\n11\r\nProcess customer enquiries\r\nWithin 5 working days\r\n12\r\nIncrease our Public Service Quality Index rating from 72 to 74.\r\n\r\n13\r\nComplete 98.5% or more of registrations, over a 12 month rolling period, without corrective action.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T15:55:47.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283792,"EventID":"S4W-14485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:01:51.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T11:39:01.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Shelter, (b) the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and (c) COSLA on implementing the underoccupancy penalty and when.\r\n","AnswerText":"Shelter and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations are members of the joint Scottish Government COSLA Housing Benefit Reform Stakeholder Advisory Group. The under occupancy penalty has been a focus of the work of the Group which has met 14 times since autumn 2010.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:01:52.083","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283793,"EventID":"S4W-14486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:01:56.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T11:39:01.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Minister for Housing and Welfare last met a UK Government minister regarding welfare reform and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Housing and Welfare met with Lord Freud, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Welfare Reform, on 6 March 2013. The discussion focused on the under-occupancy deductions to housing benefit for social sector tenants.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:01:56.917","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283794,"EventID":"S4W-14487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:01:59.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T11:39:01.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the letter published in The Herald on 23 April 2013 from a group of academics calling on it to mitigate the impact of the underoccupancy penalty.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is doing all it can, within the current constitutional settlement, to mitigate the worst impacts of the UK Government cuts and changes to the welfare system.\r\nWe are taking action and investing more to support people and organisations across Scotland. This includes: providing £7.9 million for advice and support services, of which £2.5 million is directly for social landlords to help those affected by the bedroom tax; an additional £9.2 million for the new Scottish Welfare Fund, giving a total Fund of £33 million, allowing us to award an extra 5,600 Community Care Grants and an additional 100,000 Crisis Grants; and we have also provided, with our partners in local government, a total of £40 million in 2013-14 to ensure that around 560,000 people in Scotland who previously received Council Tax Benefit are protected from the UK Government’s 10% cut in funding for successor arrangements. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:01:59.46","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283795,"EventID":"S4W-14488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:01.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T11:39:01.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost is of rehousing a homeless (a) family of 2 adults and 2 children and (b) single adult.\r\n","AnswerText":"The costs involved in rehousing homeless households are variable, depending on a range of individual and local circumstances. It is not possible for the Scottish Government to produce definitive national figures on such costs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:01.77","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283796,"EventID":"S4W-14489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:05.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T11:39:01.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many claims were made for (a) community care grants and (b) crisis loans in 2012-13 and to what value, broken down by local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"We do not have any information about the number of claims for community care grants, and crisis loans in 2012-2013. Information on the number of claims for community care grants and crisis loans for previous years has been published by the Department for Work and Pensions on its webpages at:\r\nhttp://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107093842/http://www.dwp.gov.uk/local-authority-staff/social-fund-reform/localisation-data/ \r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:05.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283797,"EventID":"S4W-14490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:09.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T11:39:01.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many claims it estimates will be made for (a) community care and (b) crisis grants in 2013-14, broken down by local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have not made any estimate of how many claims will be made for community care grants or crisis grants in 2013-14 at local authority level.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:09.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283798,"EventID":"S4W-14491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:11.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T11:39:01.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what budget has been allocated for (a) community care and (b) crisis grants in 2013-14, broken down by local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information has been published on our webpages:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/welfarereform/scottishwelfarefund/background.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:11.583","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283799,"EventID":"S4W-14492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:13.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T11:39:01.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with COSLA about council tax rebates for 2014-15.","AnswerText":"Discussions between COSLA and the Scottish Government regarding council tax support for 2014-15 are on-going.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:13.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283800,"EventID":"S4W-14493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:16.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T11:39:01.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will fully fund council tax support for 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerText":"No decisions have been made on how future support for council tax will be provided, as the introduction of Universal Credit will fundamentally affect how support may be provided.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:16.137","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283801,"EventID":"S4W-14494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:19.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T11:39:01.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to restructure the council tax and, if so, whether it will increase the top band rates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government considers the council tax to be unfair and have committed to freezing the tax for the duration of this Parliament to support hard pressed households. We will consult with others to produce a fairer local tax based on ability to pay later in this Parliament.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:19.85","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283802,"EventID":"S4W-14498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:22.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T13:17:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on employment in the companies based in Scotland supplying the offshore oil and gas industry, what discussions it has had with UK Government ministers and officials regarding the implications for the safety inspection regime of the planned restructuring of the Health and Safety Executive and whether it has a policy on safety in the oil and gas sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"The recent reorganisation of the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Energy Division is an internal issue for the HSE. The Scottish Government has not had discussions with UK Ministers and officials in respect of this. The Scottish Government is assured that the current offshore inspectorate regime is not compromised by the recent reorganisation in HSE.\r\nThe regulation of workplace health and safety is currently reserved to the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:22.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283803,"EventID":"S4W-14499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:24.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T13:17:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on employment in the companies based in Scotland supplying the offshore oil and gas industry, what discussions it has had with UK Government ministers and officials regarding the implications for the safety inspection regime of the Health and Safety Executive’s planned closure of its Offshore Safety Division.\r\n","AnswerText":"Health and safety legislation is reserved to the UK Parliament. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the UK Department for Work and Pensions.\r\nThe recent reorganisation of the HSE’s Energy Division is an internal issue for that organisation. The Scottish Government has not had discussions with UK Ministers and officials on the planned closure of its Offshore Safety Division. The Scottish Government is assured that the current offshore inspectorate regime is not compromised by the recent reorganisation in HSE.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:24.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283804,"EventID":"S4W-14500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:26.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T13:17:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on employment in the companies based in Scotland supplying the offshore oil and gas industry, what discussions it has had with UK Government ministers and officials regarding the implications for the safety inspection regime of the Health and Safety Executive’s plan to transfer specialist offshore safety inspectors to a new energy division overseeing the safety regime in mines, gas and pipeline industries in addition to the offshore industry.","AnswerText":"Health and safety legislation is reserved to the UK Parliament. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the UK Department for Work and Pensions.\r\nThe recent reorganisation of the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Energy Division is an internal issue for that organisation. The Scottish Government has not had discussions with UK Ministers and officials on the HSE’s internal restructuring plans. The Scottish Government is assured that there will be no effect to the safety regimes in mines, gas and pipeline industries in addition to the offshore oil and gas industry.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:26.387","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283805,"EventID":"S4W-14501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:28.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T13:17:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on employment in the companies based in Scotland supplying the offshore oil and gas industry, when it was first informed by the UK Government of the intention to restructure the Health and Safety Executive and what its assessment is of the impact on the safety regime protecting the workforce based in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) created a new Energy Division on 1 April 2013. This is an internal reorganisation and the Scottish Government was not notified in advance. HSE has stated that it is its intention to increase its offshore inspectorate and is seeking to recruit staff. The Scottish Government is assured that the current offshore inspectorate regime is not compromised by the recent reorganisation in HSE.\r\nThe regulation of workplace health and safety is currently reserved to the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:29.04","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283806,"EventID":"S4W-14503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:31.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T13:17:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on employment in the companies based in Scotland supplying the offshore oil and gas industry, whether it can take steps to ensure that the offshore safety regime takes account of the recommendations in Lord Cullen's report, The Public Inquiry into the Piper Alpha Disaster.","AnswerText":"Health and safety legislation is reserved to the UK Parliament. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the UK Department for Work and Pensions.\r\nLord Cullen’s Inquiry into the Piper Alpha disaster led to the establishment of the HSE as the new regulatory authority for the industry through the creation of its Offshore Safety Division. This regime is a world-class regulatory regime, with its approach now being adopted in Europe. In addition to membership of industry groups the HSE are also embedded as consultees in the processes, operation and planning of offshore oil and gas industry and in the energy sector.\r\nContact between Scottish Ministers and the HSE is maintained through the membership of different industry groups.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:31.44","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283807,"EventID":"S4W-14504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:35.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T13:17:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on employment in the companies based in Scotland supplying the offshore oil and gas industry, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the publication of a draft EU directive on safety in the offshore oil and gas sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government believes that the UK already has a robust, proven national regime already in place and does not believe that there would be added value from another layer of regulation. We shared the UK Government’s concern that a proposal in the form of a Regulation may require significant amendment of existing national legislation which mirrors any provisions of the Regulation. The Scottish Government has worked closely with the UK Government on this important issue to ensure that there is a resolution that enhances the North Sea already high safety standards and benefits the UK industry.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:35.607","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283808,"EventID":"S4W-14512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:39.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T15:10:26.93","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is increasing opportunities for school children to take part in sport and physical education as part of the Commonwealth Games legacy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that by 2014 all pupils across Scotland receive at least two hours of PE in primary schools and at least two periods of PE in secondary schools in S1-S4. We are supporting local authorities and schools to achieve the target with an additional £5.8 million funding over 2012-13 and 2013-14 through a programme jointly managed by Sportscotland and Education Scotland.\r\nDelivering this entitlement across Scotland will be a tangible and enduring legacy for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and adds to our already significant investment into providing opportunities for children to get involved in a wide range of sport and physical activities through our Active Schools programme. Last year the Active Schools programme provided almost 5 million opportunities for young people to take part in sport and physical activities. The programme receives up to £13 million each year from sportscotland.\r\nWe are currently developing a Scottish Government Youth Sport Strategy to be launched later this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:39.46","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283809,"EventID":"S4W-14513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:42.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T15:10:26.93","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to the Active Schools initiative in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The level of investment that sportscotland invest in Active Schools is £11,925,900 for each of the years 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14.\r\nThe commitment to deliver Active Schools is integral to the Partnership Agreement between sportscotland and each local authority and I have asked the chief executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, to write to you outlining this support in further detail.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:42.487","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283810,"EventID":"S4W-14514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:44.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T15:44:21.663","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what its timescale is to provide a response to a written question and when it will provide a response to question S4W-13657, which was lodged on 13 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to the answer to question S4W-13657, published on 8 May 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-04-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:44.793","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283811,"EventID":"S4W-14515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:50.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T15:49:17.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the reduction in funding for the HI-Arts agency, how will it ensure that there is a consistent and properly informed support mechanism for culture across the Highlands and Islands.\r\n","AnswerText":"Funding for individual organisations is a matter for Creative Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and both remain committed to supporting arts and creativity to benefit communities across the Highlands and Islands. I am confident that the arts in the Highlands and Islands will continue to flourish with continuing support from public funds.\r\nI have asked Iain Munro, Interim Chief Executive of Creative Scotland, the national agency for the arts, screen and creative industries, to write to the member. Further information about Creative Scotland’s activities is available at:\r\nhttp://www.creativescotland.co.uk/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:50.253","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283812,"EventID":"S4W-14516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:02:56.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T15:49:17.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment  it has made of the effectiveness of the HI-Arts agency.\r\n","AnswerText":"Assessment of those individual organisations which are funded or part-funded by Creative Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise is a matter for them as funders. I have asked Iain Munro, Interim Chief Executive of Creative Scotland, the national agency for the arts, screen and creative industries, to write to the member. Further information about Creative Scotland’s activities is available at: http://www.creativescotland.co.uk/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:02:56.323","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283813,"EventID":"S4W-14517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-25T17:03:00.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T15:49:17.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason funding for the HI-Arts agency has been reduced in 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"Funding for individual organisations is a matter for Creative Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and both remain committed to supporting arts and creativity to benefit communities across the Highlands and Islands. I am confident that the arts in the Highlands and Islands will continue to flourish with continuing support from public funds.\r\nI have asked Iain Munro, Interim Chief Executive of Creative Scotland, the national agency for the arts, screen and creative industries, to write to the member. Further information about Creative Scotland’s activities is available at:\r\nhttp://www.creativescotland.co.uk/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-10T17:03:00.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283818,"EventID":"S4W-14506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:52:54.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T14:58:06.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether consideration of housing needs will form part of the integration of health and social care.","AnswerText":"We recognise the important role of housing in improving outcomes, particularly for people with long term conditions and complex needs and to support independent living in the community. Legislation will be introduced to Parliament before summer, that will place health boards and local authorities under a duty to work in collaboration with key stakeholders to plan and deliver nationally agreed outcomes, and we would expect these to include the housing sector.\r\nNational guidance on the development of strategic commissioning plans for health and social care includes a requirement for local partnerships to ensure that the housing sector is included in the planning process. The Housing Contribution Statement is a key part of the strategic commissioning plan. It provides a clear basis to strengthen links between housing and health and social care, and will also help local partnerships to make best use of housing services, such as adaptations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:52:54.653","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283819,"EventID":"S4W-14507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:52:55.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T14:58:06.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions (a) officials and (b) ministers have had with housing associations about the integration of health and social care.\r\n","AnswerText":"Ministers and officials have regular meetings with housing associations and their representative bodies to discuss a range of issues, including the integration of health and social care and the housing sector’s role and contribution to its objectives of supporting independent living.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:52:55.307","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283820,"EventID":"S4W-14508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:52:55.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T14:58:06.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage third sector partnerships to help integrate services for adults with learning difficulties.","AnswerText":"Legislation will be introduced to Parliament before summer, that will place health boards and local authorities under a duty to work in collaboration with key stakeholders to plan and deliver nationally agreed outcomes, and we would expect these to include the third sector.\r\nThe integration of health and social care will facilitate integration of commissioning budgets for adult services. This will create a single commissioning budget from which partners will commission improved outcomes for adult health and social care, including integrated services for people with learning disabilities. Local partnerships will be developed to meet local needs and will include third sector organisations, where appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:52:55.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283821,"EventID":"S4W-14509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:52:56.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T14:58:06.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people with learning difficulties have dementia.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:52:56.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283822,"EventID":"S4W-14510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:52:57.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T14:58:06.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what services are provided specifically for people with learning difficulties who have dementia.","AnswerText":"Everyone with dementia, including those with learning difficulties are entitled to receive care, treatment and support in line with the Standards of Care for Dementia in Scotland (2011). People with dementia and a learning difficulty should receive a multi-disciplinary assessment of their care needs, including attention to removing any barriers to effective communication between the person with dementia and service providers. The Promoting Excellence dementia skills framework, which is designed to help services meet the dementia standards, requires staff working at “Enhanced” level and above to understand the potential impact of a diagnosis of dementia on people with learning difficulties.\r\nThe new national HEAT target on post-diagnostic support provides the commitment that all people newly diagnosed with dementia from 1 April 2013, including those with a learning difficulty, will receive a minimum of a year’s worth of detailed and personalised care, treatment and support, coordinated by a link worker.\r\nPeople with learning disabilities have a higher risk of developing dementia compared to the general population, with a significantly increased risk for people with Down syndrome and at a much earlier age. As part of the second National Dementia Strategy, to be published in June 2013, we intend to undertake a specific piece of work looking at the need for national action around linkages between dementia and other disabilities and chronic conditions; and the need for national action around early onset dementia.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:52:57.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283823,"EventID":"S4W-14511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:52:57.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T14:58:06.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are in hospital who have no requirement for continuing medical care, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the number of patients medically fit for discharge, but who are delayed awaiting the next stage of their care, is published in a quarterly census.\r\nFigures from the January 2013 Delayed Discharge quarterly census are available on the NHS Information Services Division website at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Health-and-Social-Community-Care/Publications/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:52:57.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283824,"EventID":"S4W-14519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:52:58.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T16:44:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants are paid over £142,257.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has two permanent employees paid more than £142,257.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:52:58.317","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283825,"EventID":"S4W-14520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:52:58.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T16:44:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many entries there are in the crofting register.\r\n","AnswerText":"As of 30 April 2013, one croft and five common grazings are registered in the Crofting Register. In addition to the one croft already registered, the Crofting Commission is currently processing a further nine applications. \r\nUntil 30 November 2010, crofts registered on a voluntary basis benefit from a 22% cost reduction when registered as a group of 10 or more crofts from a crofting township or when all of the crofts in a township with less than 10 crofts are registered jointly.\r\nThe Crofting Commission has issued draft registration packs to around 150 grazings committees. In addition to the five common grazings currently registered, Registers of Scotland have the forms which should permit a further eight grazings to be registered shortly.\r\nThe Crofting Commission and Registers of Scotland have planned further events to raise awareness of the Register. Awareness sessions are planned for Shetland and Caithness in early June 2013 and others will follow. Registers of Scotland has also arranged to take part in a number of events with the Scottish Crofting Federation over the summer, commencing in late May at the Dingwall Sheep Show. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:52:58.863","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283826,"EventID":"S4W-14521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:52:59.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T16:44:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether common grazings will be treated as crofts in their own right in terms of the crofting register.","AnswerText":"Common grazings and crofts will be registered separately in the Crofting Register. The entry for a common grazings will contain a cross-reference to the entry for the individual crofts which have rights on the common grazings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:52:59.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283827,"EventID":"S4W-14522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:52:59.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T16:44:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information will be required by the crofting register in terms of common grazings.\r\n","AnswerText":"Comprehensive guidance notes and application forms are available on the Registers of Scotland website (www.ros.gov.uk/crofting register/) for applicants for registration. Key information includes a plan showing the extent of the common grazings and information on the parties who have a share in the grazings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:52:59.847","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283828,"EventID":"S4W-14523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:00.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T16:44:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason sublets of crofts will not be included in the crofting register.\r\n","AnswerText":"Those who may apply to register a croft are listed in section 4(3) of the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, namely the owner, landlord or tenant of a tenanted croft, or an owner-occupier crofter. These were discussed at stage 2 of the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill on 9 June 2010. The guiding principle was that the applicant for a regulatory change would be responsible for first registration, with subsequent registrations being carried out by the beneficiary of a regulatory application.\r\nSubtenants of crofts under section 27(2), or those with short leases under section 29A, of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993 as amended are not covered by the definition of “crofters”. Each of these leases may only be put in place with the consent of the Crofting Commission, and it is the responsibility of the tenant or owner-occupier crofter to seek the Commission’s consent.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:00.44","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283829,"EventID":"S4W-14524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:01.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T16:44:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the first purchase of a tenanted croft will be registered in the crofting register.","AnswerText":"According to current crofting legislation, crofts are expected to be registered following purchase when the first regulatory action takes place and the need for registration when regulatory action takes place will become mandatory from 1 December 2013. However, there is nothing to prevent registration of any croft on a voluntary basis and, indeed, until 30 November 2013 crofters can benefit from a 22% discount in the fee if registering as a group of 10 or more crofts from a township, or where all of the crofts in a township with fewer than 10 crofts register as a group.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:01.11","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283830,"EventID":"S4W-14525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:01.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T16:44:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what alternative insecticides are available to treat oilseed rape if neonicotinoids are banned.","AnswerText":"The European Commission’s restrictions would apply from 1 December 2013 to three out five neonicotinoids currently being used in agriculture. One neonicotinoid, thiacloprid is currently authorised for use on oilseed rape but is not included in the Commission’s restrictions, and could still be used on oilseed rape.\r\nSeveral other products are also available for use on oilseed rape. Currently over 100 products are approved for oilseed rape, these are mainly pyrethroids, but also carbamates, pyridine and oxadiazine compounds. All of these alternatives are contact insecticides, applied as foliar sprays rather than systemic insecticides applied as seed treatments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:01.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283831,"EventID":"S4W-14526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:02.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T09:57:34.42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report, Managing the Social Risks of Public Spending Cuts in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Joseph Rowntree Foundation report addresses issues that are key to improving local outcomes, and is a welcome contribution to the debate. These issues are being addressed throughout the Scottish Government’s policy-making, budgeting, data provision and collaboration with delivery partners, through taking a broad outcomes-based approach at national and local levels. All public services across Scotland are aligned with a single framework, the Scottish Government’s Purpose and National Outcomes, which provides a clear vision of the kind of Scotland we want to see, covering all aspects of a successful and flourishing society. The Scottish Government and local government are committed to delivering the reforms recommended by the Christie Commission, particularly around prevention, and have agreed the Statement of Ambition for strengthening Community Planning. The Single Outcome Agreements currently under development, focusing on key policy priorities and a clear understanding of place, will support local decision-making that can explicitly consider the full impact of decisions on all citizens, as advocated by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in its report. This is supported by the work of the joint Scottish Government, COSLA and Improvement Service working group on Improving Evidence and Data.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:02.437","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283832,"EventID":"S4W-14527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:02.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T09:57:34.42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider developing a social risk impact assessment model to complement the process of equality impact assessments.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14526 on 10 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:02.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283833,"EventID":"S4W-14528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:03.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T09:58:18.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the March 2013 Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin used the last two years’ oil price-per-barrel to forecast an average price of $113 per barrel over the next five years and whether it is aware of any other (a) governments, (b) agencies, (c) businesses and (d) independent organisations that (i) use the same methodology and (ii) have forecast the same average price and, if so, which.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government Oil and Gas Analytical bulletin summarises a range of forecasts for future oil prices, and provides projections of North Sea tax revenue under a number of different price assumptions. An oil price of $113 per barrel is used in scenarios 2-4 to model an outcome where recent price levels are maintained in future years but fall in real terms. As outlined in the bulletin, this value is consistent with the price forecasts produced by a range of external organisations such as; the US Energy Information Administration, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research the Economist Intelligence Unit and the Ernst and Young ITEM Club.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:03.357","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283834,"EventID":"S4W-14530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:03.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T10:12:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Court Service on the establishment of purpose-built justice centres as recommended in the report, Shaping Scotland’s Court Services; what the timescale is for their establishment, and when it will be able to provide more details on their facilities and functions.","AnswerText":"The SCS published, Shaping Scotland’s Court Services: The Scottish Court Service response to the consultation and recommendations for a future court structure in Scotland on 9 April 2013. Its proposals are designed to deliver a more sustainable courts estate with a smaller group of buildings with improved services, facilities and technologies for court users in the short to medium term. Its longer term vision for the courts service in Scotland includes Justice Centres which it envisages will provide the full range of specialist support services, complementing the existing high quality courts in many of Scotland’s cities. The report identifies the Borders, Fife, Lanarkshire and Highland as areas where they could be located. \r\nFurther details about justice centres are a matter for the SCS. The SCS has had an initial discussion with Scottish Borders Council who are supportive of finding a long term solution that meets the needs of the Scottish Borders and they intend to commence the initial feasibility work in the Borders and other areas during the course of this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:03.78","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283835,"EventID":"S4W-14553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:04.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:46:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-14016 and S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013 and 27 March 2013 respectively, for what reasons the relevant policy officials could not provide their records of engagement with officials and ministers from the Government of Argentina in order to answer question S4W-13606.","AnswerText":"Over the last 12 months there have been no meetings between Scottish Government Ministers or officials, or ministers and officials from the Government of Argentina. However, Scottish Government officials held a courtesy meeting with the Culture Minister of Santa Fe province, Ms Chiqui Gonzalez on 6 December 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:04.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283836,"EventID":"S4W-14554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:04.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:46:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14017 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013, whether ministers have provided specific guidance to officials, in addition to the Civil Service Code, on dealing with ministers and officials from the Government of Argentina.","AnswerText":"Ministers have provided no specific guidance to officials in addition to the Civil Service Code on dealing with ministers and officials from Government of Argentina.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:04.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283837,"EventID":"S4W-14555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:05.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:46:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14020 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013, whether ministers have set out parameters for officials to limit the topics that can be discussed in dealing with ministers and officials of the Government of Argentina.","AnswerText":"Ministers have not set out parameters for officials to limit the topics that can be discussed in dealing with Ministers and officials of the Government of Argentina.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:05.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283838,"EventID":"S4W-14556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:05.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:46:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14018 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013, whether ministers have been updated on dialogue between Scottish Government officials and officials and ministers of the Government of Argentina in the last six months.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14553 on 10 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:05.667","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283839,"EventID":"S4W-14557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:06.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:46:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14019 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013, for what reasons no summary of the discussions between its officials and the Government of Argentina was provided in the answer.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14553 on 10 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:06.04","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283840,"EventID":"S4W-14558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:06.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:46:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14022 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013, what its policy objectives are for officials dealing with the Government of Argentina.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s international priorities are set out in Scotland’s International Framework which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0040/00405438.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:06.463","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283841,"EventID":"S4W-14559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:06.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:46:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14024 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013, what documents it has published in the last 12 months that include reference to engagement with the Government of Argentina and how many of those included a ministerial foreword.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not published any documents in the last 12 months that include specific reference to engagement with the Government of Argentina.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:06.867","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283842,"EventID":"S4W-14560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:07.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:46:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14024 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013, on what occasions in the last 12 months ministers have reported to the Parliament on their engagement with the Government of Argentina.","AnswerText":"Information pertaining to ministers’ reports to Parliament, forms part of the Parliamentary Record which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/OfficialReport.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:07.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283843,"EventID":"S4W-14561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:07.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:46:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14024 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013, what benefits have arisen from its engagement with the Government of Argentina in the last 12 months.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14553 on 10 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:07.85","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283844,"EventID":"S4W-14568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:08.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T12:06:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S4W-12316 by Richard Lochhead on 25 January 2013, whether it has received the UK Advisory Committee on Pesticide’s advice.\r\n","AnswerText":"Yes, the Scottish Government has received ACP’s advice and it helped inform the Government’s position, which I announced on 28 April 2013, on the European Commission’s restrictions on neonicotinoids.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:08.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283845,"EventID":"S4W-14569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:08.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T12:06:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-12317 and S4W-12330 by Richard Lochhead on 25 January 2013, whether it will review its responses, in particular its comment that “studies conducted under realistic field conditions have not identified any unacceptable risk at field population level”, in light of the House of Commons' Environmental Audit Committee report, Pollinators and Pesticides, which was published on 5 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The science in relation to neonicotinoids and bees in field conditions is still very unclear. However, on 28 April 2013, whilst supporting a precautionary approach and Europe’s proposed restrictions for the use of neonicotinoids, I said that given the lack of conclusive evidence, research will need to be undertaken to give us the clarity we seek.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:08.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283846,"EventID":"S4W-14571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:09.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T12:06:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on a moratorium on the use of pesticides containing neonicotinoids, in light of the House of Commons' Environmental Audit Committee report, Pollinators and Pesticides, which was published on 5 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government adopted a precautionary approach and supported restrictions to neonicotinoid use, whilst allowing further research to be undertaken to clarify whether these neonicotinoids harm bees in the field.\r\nThe European Appeals Committee met on 29 April 2013 to discuss proposals for EU-wide restrictions on the use of certain neonicotinoids, and while they did not reach a qualified majority decision for or against their introduction, the European Commission will nevertheless support restrictions which will come into force on 1 December 2013.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:09.113","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283847,"EventID":"S4W-14572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-26T15:53:09.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T13:47:44.133","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions Historic Scotland has provided advice to a planning authority on an application for renewal of planning consent that has differed from the advice given on the original application.\r\n","AnswerText":"Historic Scotland, acting on behalf of Scottish Ministers, considers all planning applications notified to them on their particular merits, bearing in mind the relevant planning policies and the individual circumstances of each case.\r\nIn the majority of circumstances planning authorities will be responsible for determining renewal applications. Where appropriate the local authority will notify these applications to Historic Scotland, as they do with other types of planning application, at which point the agency will scrutinise them in the usual manner as set out above. It should be noted that not every application that seeks to renew permission is described as such, for example an application may refer to amending a condition on an earlier permission that specified the time period for works to start rather than stating it is to renew permission.\r\nHistoric Scotland does not and, because of the different ways they are described, cannot record planning permission renewals in such a way that they are easily separated from other types of notification. It is, therefore, not possible to provide information on how many renewal applications have been received and how these were handled in the context of the agency’s previous advice. This would mean searching every planning permission notification received (around 1,000 notifications per year) and checking with the local planning authorities concerned that they were indeed renewals. Therefore, the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-13T15:53:09.473","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283867,"EventID":"S4T-00328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T12:56:31.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T09:33:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the engine failure of the MV Hamnavoe, what contingency plans are in place to maintain the lifeline ferry service on the Pentland Firth.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T12:56:31.483","MeetingDate":"2013-04-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283868,"EventID":"S4T-00329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T12:56:31.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T09:58:34.65","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Supreme Court ruling on the Salvesen v Riddell case.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T12:56:31.827","MeetingDate":"2013-04-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283883,"EventID":"S4F-01330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T12:55:47.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T15:24:05.077","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T12:55:47.64","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283884,"EventID":"S4F-01332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T12:55:49.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T09:45:35.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T12:55:49.03","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283885,"EventID":"S4F-01339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T12:55:51.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T11:04:55.173","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government is doing to increase the uptake of foreign languages in secondary schools.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T12:55:51.477","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283886,"EventID":"S4F-01341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T12:55:52.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T11:15:51.74","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T12:55:52.74","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283887,"EventID":"S4F-01345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T12:55:53.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T11:35:52.733","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the European Commission regarding an opt-out from pensions regulations should Scotland become independent.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T12:55:53.91","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283888,"EventID":"S4F-01351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T12:55:55.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T11:40:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how communities are benefiting from proceeds of crime.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T12:55:55.533","MeetingDate":"2013-05-02T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283889,"EventID":"S4W-14533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:33.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13930 by John Swinney on 24 April 2013, for what reason it did not publish the evidence that it received from the regulators and governments of other countries in preparing the report.\r\n","AnswerText":"The evidence from regulators and governments underpins the Report and is in the public domain.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:33.3","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283890,"EventID":"S4W-14534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:35.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13931 by John Swinney on 25 April 2013, whether it will publish a summary of each response from the regulators that it consulted.\r\n","AnswerText":"The evidence from the regulators underpins the report and is in the public domain.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:35.717","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283891,"EventID":"S4W-14535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:37.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13932 by John Swinney on 25 April 2013, for what reason it did not publish the evidence that it received from the business organisations that it consulted.\r\n","AnswerText":"The evidence from business organisations underpins the Report and is in the public domain.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:37.37","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283892,"EventID":"S4W-14536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:39.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13932 by John Swinney on 25 April 2013, for what reason it did not consult any businesses that are subject to regulation in preparing the report.\r\n","AnswerText":"By consulting organisations that represent businesses in Scotland, we sought to gain evidence that spanned across a number of business interests to capture a wider range of views.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:39.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283893,"EventID":"S4W-14537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:41.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13933 by John Swinney on 25 April 2013, what evidence it has received to suggest that its proposed regulatory structure would reduce parcel delivery charges to the Highlands and Islands and when it will consult parcel delivery companies on the possible impact of the proposed structure.\r\n","AnswerText":"A Scottish regulator, focused on the specific circumstances and geography of Scotland, opens up new opportunities to better meet the needs of the Scottish people. The work on a combined economic regulator is on-going, and engagement with key stakeholders will continue to be an important part of that work.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:41.613","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283894,"EventID":"S4W-14539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:43.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13934 by John Swinney on 25 April 2013, whether (a) Croatia, (b) Finland and (c) Ireland was selected for inclusion in Table A2 and, if so, whether this was prior to its assessment of that country's regulatory costs and staff numbers.\r\n","AnswerText":"Finland, Croatia and Ireland were all included in table A2. They were selected for inclusion based on having a similar population size to Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:43.533","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283895,"EventID":"S4W-14540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:45.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13937 by John Swinney on 25 April 2013, whether it will publish a summary of each response from the regulators that it consulted.\r\n","AnswerText":"The evidence from the regulators underpins the report and is in the public domain.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:45.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283896,"EventID":"S4W-14541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:47.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13938 by John Swinney on 23 April 2013, whether it held meetings with the (a) Netherlands Competition Authority and (b) Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and, if so, (i) where and (ii) when.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials met with officials from The Netherlands Competition Authority in The Hague on 3 December 2012. A teleconference was held with the officials from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in Scottish Government premises in Scotland on 6 December 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:47.123","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283897,"EventID":"S4W-14542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:48.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13939 by John Swinney on 25 April 2013, when its meeting with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was held; what topics were discussed, and whether these included discussions on the theoretical joint governance of the CAA between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"The meeting between Scottish Government officials and the Civil Aviation Authority took place on 7 January 2013. Topics of discussion were the functions of the CAA.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:48.527","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283898,"EventID":"S4W-14543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:49.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13939 by John Swinney on 25 April 2013, with which organisations it has discussed theoretical joint governance arrangements for the Civil Aviation Authority between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"No discussions have as yet taken place on theoretical joint governance arrangements of the CAA between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK. Engagement with key stakeholders will continue to be an important part of the Scottish Government’s work going forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:49.697","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283899,"EventID":"S4W-14544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:51.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13939 by John Swinney on 25 April 2013,  what topics were discussed during its meeting with the New Zealand Commerce Commission and where this meeting was held.\r\n","AnswerText":"The meeting was held in Scottish Government premises in Scotland. The role, functions and logistics of operating the New Zealand Commerce Commission were discussed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:51.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283900,"EventID":"S4W-14546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:52.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to questions S4W-13941 and S4W-13942 by John Swinney on 23 April 2013, whether it will publish (a) the material on health and safety regulation and (b) its conclusion on what it considers the best option for the function of competition appeals and, if so, whether this will be prior to the publication of the white paper.\r\n","AnswerText":"The powers gained by independence will ensure Scots’ vision for a better Scotland will be realised. The Government will continue to show how Scotland can achieve more as an independent country in a range of papers, speeches and events ahead of the referendum on 18 September 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:52.927","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283901,"EventID":"S4W-14548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:54.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13943 by John Swinney on 23 April 2013, for what reason it has not published its dialogue with the governments and regulators of Australia and New Zealand used to underpin the report.\r\n","AnswerText":"The discussions with the regulators and governments underpins the Report and is in the public domain.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:54.407","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283902,"EventID":"S4W-14549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:55.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13944 by John Swinney on 23 April 2013, whether it plans to meet the chair designate.\r\n","AnswerText":"Plans are in place for a meeting with the chief executive designate and thereafter with the chair designate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:55.467","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283903,"EventID":"S4W-14550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:56.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13945 by John Swinney on 23 April 2013, whether it will publish the information that it received from each regulator that it used to make its calculation in the report.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information used to underpin the calculation in the report is available from the relevant regulatory bodies and is already in the public domain.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:56.933","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283904,"EventID":"S4W-14551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:58.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13946 by John Swinney on 23 April 2013, whether it plans to publish further information on the funding of regulation and the extent of industry contributions and, if so, whether this will be prior to the publication of the white paper.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the funding of UK regulatory bodies and industry contributions is already in the public domain.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:58.137","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283905,"EventID":"S4W-14552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:49:59.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T11:11:46.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13948 by John Swinney on 23 April 2013, whether it will publish the calculation that it used to generate the figure of £10 million referred to in the report.\r\n","AnswerText":"The calculation referred to in the footnote on page 24 of the Report draws on the figures on operating expenditure per head included in Figure A2 on page 20.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:49:59.4","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283906,"EventID":"S4W-14562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:50:00.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T12:00:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the staff response to Healthcare Improvement Scotland's recent survey of how staff perceived the performance of the organisation.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) staff survey and responses to it were intended for internal use and reference and as such there was no intention to publish the results. The key themes of the survey have been shared with the HIS Partnership Forum and Corporate Management Team and will be incorporated into the Staff Governance Action Plan for 2013-14. All HIS staff will be fully engaged in the implementation of the Staff Governance Action Plan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:50:00.85","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283907,"EventID":"S4W-14563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:50:03.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T12:00:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to  encourage \"behavioural improvement\" as set out in the minutes of Healthcare Improvement Scotland's Staff Governance Committee meeting of 26 March 2013 and whether this relates to accusations of workplace bullying.\r\n","AnswerText":"This statement relates to work required to further embed the values and behaviours’ of Healthcare Improvement Scotland which are aligned to the 2020 Workforce Vision and does not relate to accusations of workplace bullying. Mechanisms are being put in place to ensure consistent cascading of information; further develop leadership and management and in engaging staff in difficult times and this will be reflected in the organisation’s Staff Governance Action Plan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:50:03.033","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283908,"EventID":"S4W-14564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:50:05.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T12:00:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is meant by \"there is still a long way to go\", \"significant issues remaining include treating everybody with respect\" and \"variable experiences of leadership\" as set out in the minutes of Healthcare Improvement Scotland's Staff Governance Committee meeting of 26 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"Healthcare Improvement Scotland is a relatively new organisation which has gone through significant change and restructure over the past 18 months. Some staff have experienced a period of uncertainty as they move into new structures and teams and have experienced changes in leadership and management reporting lines. Since the staff survey took place, support has been provided for new teams to help them build team relationships and support leaders and managers in taking forward their new teams. These statements reflect a culture of transparency and a strong commitment to improving internal ways of working.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:50:05.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283909,"EventID":"S4W-14566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:50:07.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T12:00:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the concern about \"transparency of communications\" as set out in the minutes of Healthcare Improvement Scotland's Staff Governance Committee meeting of 26 March 2013 applies internally as well as to external relations.\r\n","AnswerText":"Like many organisations, Healthcare Improvement Scotland regularly survey staff to improve the way they work. The last survey, which was conducted in December 2012 shows improved scores in all areas. Some staff made comment around improving internal communications, which the organisation is taking seriously and working to ensure information is cascaded in a timely and consistent way.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:50:07.543","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283910,"EventID":"S4W-14567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:50:09.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T12:00:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government where the proposed away day for the executive team of Healthcare Improvement Scotland will be held; at what cost, and who will attend.","AnswerText":"Five members of the Healthcare Improvement Scotland Executive Team met on 9 April 2013 at the Scottish Health Service Centre, an NHSScotland resource which is part of National Services Scotland. The cost was £277.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:50:09.68","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283911,"EventID":"S4W-14574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:50:11.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T16:40:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish an implementation timeframe for the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland: 2012-2015.","AnswerText":"We have already or are in the process of setting up a number of Implementation and Monitoring Groups which will oversee delivery of the commitments in the Strategy and developing consensus about future developments.\r\nEach of the groups is responsible for monitoring progress, identifying barriers to implementation, providing advice on delivery and ensuring that the commitments are met. They will also have a role in considering the agenda for the end of the Strategy period. The groups are:\r\nMental Health Delivery Team -  overall deliver of the Strategy and Data and Knowledge (Commitments 1, 14, 26, 27, 28 and 36)\r\nPsychological Therapies (Commitment 13)\r\nChild and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Commitments 7-12)\r\nPrimary Care and Common Mental Health Problems (Commitments 6, 15-22)\r\nRights, Recovery, Families and Carers, Peer to Peer and Employability (Commitments 2-5 and 29)\r\nCommunity, Inpatient and Crisis Services (Commitments 23-25)\r\nThis approach is a flexible one which allows us to bring in different expertise across the timeframe of delivery of the Strategy. Some of the commitments are relatively easy to map out at this stage e.g. commissioning a review, but others are more developmental and implementation will depend on what emerges from the early stages of the work e.g. development of learning disability child and adolescent mental health services.\r\nWe will be updating the Mental Health Strategy pages on the Scottish Government website to include information about the Implementation and Monitoring Groups, their membership and meetings, and about progress on each of the commitments.  In addition, we intend to hold an annual stakeholder engagement event where stakeholders who are not involved directly in the Implementation and Monitoring Groups can hear in more detail about delivery of the commitments, and have an opportunity to comment and provide feedback.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:50:11.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283912,"EventID":"S4W-14575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:50:14.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T16:40:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on progress toward achieving the 2014 HEAT target on accessing psychological therapies.","AnswerText":"In preparation for reporting on the Psychological Therapies HEAT Target, ISD Scotland are collecting data on a monthly basis from NHS boards. Currently boards are at different stages in the format and completeness of the data they are able to report on, although all boards are working hard to have systems in place.\r\nWe will make the first publication reporting on progress towards the target later this year, when we expect the data will be of sufficient quality and sufficiently consistent and complete to allow meaningful interpretation and comparison.\r\nWork is ongoing to ensure that NHS boards have the right measures in place to deliver, in a manner which ensures not only achieving the waiting time target, which is in itself important, but also puts in place sustainable service improvement and benefit to patients. This involves work around a number of areas, including capacity, information systems and service redesign.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:50:14.063","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283913,"EventID":"S4W-14576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:50:15.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T16:40:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has achieved the HEAT target of 26 weeks from referral to treatment for specialist child and adolescent mental health services from March 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on patients who started treatment within 26 weeks at Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) Services is published quarterly at the link http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/Publications/. The latest publication includes information to December 2012.\r\nMarch data is being collated by ISD and will be included in the quarterly publication (January 2013 – March 2013) that is published on 28 May 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:50:15.733","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283914,"EventID":"S4W-14577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:50:17.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T16:40:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish guidance evidencing what works in employability for people with mental illness, as set out in Commitment 29 of the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland: 2012-2015.","AnswerText":"The implementation group established to oversee delivery of this commitment will have its first meeting in June. The group will be responsible for a number of commitments including employability and will continue to build on work developing an established base of evidence around the different elements of employability and their suitability for mental health provision at varying levels of need.\r\nThe group will be focusing not simply on what works but on developing the evidence for individuals across the spectrum of mental health and wellbeing. This work is being carried out with a wide range of stakeholders across the statutory and voluntary sector.\r\nThe guidance which will set out the evidence base and identify good practice will be published on completion of that work. We will be updating the Mental Health Strategy pages on the Scottish Government website to include information about Implementation and progress on each of the Strategy commitments, including commitment 29.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:50:17.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283915,"EventID":"S4W-14578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:50:19.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T11:11:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the Scottish Prison Service will launch its piloting of mobile phone blocking technology and which two prisons have been chosen for the pilot.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“We are not currently able to provide a definitive date for the introduction of this technology, but it is our intention to have the two pilots in place during the current financial year”.\r\nWe have not definitely identified the two sites we will use but for security reasons it would not be our intention to publicly announce those sites.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:50:19.553","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283916,"EventID":"S4W-14579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:50:21.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T11:11:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what company the Scottish Prison Service has selected to provide the technology for its mobile phone blocking pilot and what others were considered in the selection process.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The procurement process for blocking equipment has not yet begun. The type of equipment to be used will be subject to a Memorandum of Understanding with OFCOM and telephone operatives. When this has been concluded it would be intention to either procure in conjunction with the National Offender Management Service and the Ministry of Justice framework agreements or advertise these requirements via the Public Contracts Scotland Web Portal.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:50:21.457","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283917,"EventID":"S4W-14582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T14:50:23.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:01:47.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason arable land at Knocknagael is being sold for housing development rather than agricultural purposes.","AnswerText":"Under the Scottish Public Finance Manual Guidelines on the Disposal of Property, Plant and Equipment the Scottish Government is required to dispose of assets which are surplus to requirements as soon as possible, usually within three years and for the best price reasonably obtainable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T14:50:23.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283918,"EventID":"S4W-14583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T17:08:46.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T15:30:29.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the finding of the report, Unburnable carbon 2013: Wasted capital and stranded assets, that between 60 and 80% of coal, oil and gas reserves of publicly listed companies are unburnable if the world is to have a chance of not exceeding a rise in global average temperature of more than 2°C.","AnswerText":"Scotland needs a balanced energy policy. We believe that through our strong promotion of Carbon Capture and Storage and the continued potential of our onshore and offshore renewables sector, the Scottish Government is taking the necessary steps to meet our ambitious climate change targets in our continuing transition to a low carbon economy.\r\nThe committee on climate change has stated that a minimum Scottish contribution to the required global effort is broadly characterised by our meeting Scotland's statutory greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.  \r\nThe draft second Report on Proposals and Policies (RPP2) clearly shows that together all of the policies and proposals described would allow us to exceed each annual target from 2013 -2027.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T17:08:46.423","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283919,"EventID":"S4W-14584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-29T17:08:46.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T15:30:29.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government about offering rebates on energy bills in exchange for local unconventional fossil fuel extraction developments.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have had no discussions with the UK Government on these matters.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-14T17:08:46.813","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283933,"EventID":"S4W-14573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-30T13:56:43.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-26T16:29:04.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to extend access to superfast broadband to those urban areas that do not have it.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed over £240 million of public funding to the Step Change 2015 programme, which will deliver a step change in next generation broadband connectivity to those areas where the market will currently not go.\r\nWe are also collaborating with Scotland's seven cities through the Scottish Cities Alliance. Digital connectivity is a key priority of the Alliance and we are working collectively to deliver world class digital connectivity, capacity and usage across the cities and their regions and improved mobile coverage along our main transport links.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-15T13:56:43.97","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283934,"EventID":"S4W-14591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-30T13:56:44.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T16:41:06.947","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is applying the precautionary principle in relation to the licensing of plant protection products containing neonicotinoids.\r\n","AnswerText":"In my announcement on 28 April 2013 I supported proposals to restrict neonicotinoid use in Europe, whilst highlighting the need for further research to give us the clarity we need on this difficult issue. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-15T13:56:44.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283935,"EventID":"S4W-14592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-30T13:56:44.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T11:42:28.657","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning has had with (a) the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, (b) COSLA, (c) local authorities and (d) teaching unions on the impact of the most recent changes to the terms and conditions of short-term supply teachers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT), which comprises membership from the Scottish Government, local authorities and Teacher organisations, has responsibility for the pay and terms and conditions for all teachers including those undertaking short-term supply. The Scottish Government is fully engaged in all SNCT discussions and as such meets regularly with representatives from COSLA, local authorities and the teacher unions.\r\nThe Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning has separately met with all partners of the SNCT to discuss a range of issues including short-term supply.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-15T13:56:44.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283936,"EventID":"S4W-14593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-30T13:56:45.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T11:42:28.657","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on resolving the reported shortage of short-term supply teachers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is continuing to work within the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers to monitor issues relating to supply staff.\r\nThe numbers of teachers trained each year includes an allowance to ensure that there is a pool of supply teachers from which schools can draw as necessary. The Scottish Government recommended an increase in student teacher intake numbers in the primary sector by 300 for academic year 2012-13. Those teachers will enter the workforce in August 2013.\r\nIn addition the teacher workforce planning advisory group, which comprises local authorities, CoSLA, teacher unions, the teacher education universities and other relevant stakeholders, has considered the evidence of statistical modelling and other indicators related to teacher employment and agreed unanimously in December 2012 that student teacher intake numbers in the primary sector should increase again in 2013. The Scottish Government issued guidance to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) that a further increase of 370 should be made for academic year 2013-14. The SFC Circular of 27 February 2013 (SFC/02/2013) confirms that increase. The group also agreed that a thorough review should be conducted of the arrangements used to influence the number of students in each of the secondary subjects and this work is currently underway.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-15T13:56:45.233","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283937,"EventID":"S4W-14594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-30T13:56:45.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T11:42:28.657","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made or will make of the impact of the most recent changes to the terms and conditions of short-term supply teachers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT), which comprises membership from the Scottish Government, local authorities and teacher organisations, has undertaken three surveys to analyse the impact of the changes. The SNCT is currently discussing the issue and the Scottish Government is fully engaged in those discussions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-15T13:56:45.64","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283938,"EventID":"S4W-14595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-30T13:56:45.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T11:58:13.803","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown by local authority of the £46 million in funding to support capital projects announced in its news release of 19 December 2012, Swinney delivers on jobs and growth.","AnswerText":"The £46 million additional capital funding provided to local authorities was made up of £1.3 million in 2012-13 and £44.9 million in 2013-14. The distribution of these sums to local authorities which was agreed with COSLA, was set out and published in the Local Government Finance Circular 1/2013 dated 7 February 2013 at Annexes J and K respectively. This document can be accessed via the following link:\r\nLocalGovernmentFinanceCircular1/2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-15T13:56:45.967","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283939,"EventID":"S4W-14596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-30T13:56:46.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T11:58:13.803","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown by (a) funding amount and (b) status of the (i) housing, (ii) transport and regeneration, (iii) further and higher education, (iv) economic development, (v) health maintenance, (vi) maintenance of the justice system estate, (vii) forestry, national parks and tourism and (viii) culture and heritage projects that have received funding from the £205 million announced in the news release of 19 December 2012, Swinney delivers on jobs and growth.","AnswerText":"The information relating to part (a) has already been published but has been included in the following table together with the information relating to part (b). Where status is defined as completed, the funding allocated for that project has been fully utilised. Where status is defined as in progress, the project will commence construction in 2013-14:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2012-13 (£M)\r\n2013-14 (£M)\r\n2014-15 (£M)\r\nTOTAL (£M)\r\nSTATUS\r\nLOCAL GOVERNMENT TOTAL 1\r\n1.30\r\n44.90\r\n\r\n46.20\r\n\r\nTrunk Road maintenance\r\n5.00\r\n5.00\r\n\r\n10.00\r\nIn Construction\r\nGreat Glen cycle route\r\n\r\n1.60\r\n1.00\r\n2.60\r\nIn Progress\r\nOban to Appin cycle route\r\n\r\n0.40\r\n\r\n0.40\r\nIn Progress\r\nAccess to stations\r\n\r\n0.50\r\n\r\n0.50\r\nIn Progress\r\nCycle parking at schools\r\n\r\n0.20\r\n0.20\r\n0.40\r\nIn Progress\r\nCycling infrastructure projects total \r\n\r\n2.70\r\n1.20\r\n3.90\r\n\r\nTarbert Loch Fyne (works to pier for new hybrid vessel), Kerrera 2\r\n0.20\r\n1.85\r\n\r\n2.05\r\nIn Progress\r\nTobermory (slipway improvements) 3\r\n0.60\r\n\r\n\r\n0.60\r\nIn Progress\r\nFerry port infrastructure total \r\n0.80\r\n1.85\r\n\r\n2.65\r\n\r\nScottish Canals: contribution to proposed Pinkston Paddlesports Centre with Glasgow City Council and sportscotland.\r\n0.25\r\n0.75\r\n\r\n1.00\r\nIn Construction\r\nScottish canals: Bowling Harbour regeneration\r\n0.10\r\n0.90\r\n\r\n1.00\r\nIn Construction\r\nScottish canals: public realm and accessibility\r\n0.35\r\n0.75\r\n\r\n1.10\r\nIn Construction\r\nLiving on Water initiative-provision of residential moorings with facilities to permit implementation of floating villages at Firhill and Grangemouth and other locations across the Lowlands Canals\r\n0.50\r\n0.55\r\n\r\n1.05\r\nIn Construction\r\nScottish canals: new footbridge at Spiers Wharf\r\n\r\n0.25\r\n\r\n0.25\r\nIn Progress\r\nScottish canals: Great Glen Canoe Trail 4\r\n0.13\r\n\r\n\r\n0.13\r\nIn Construction\r\nScottish canals: camping strategy along Caledonian canal 4\r\n\r\n0.10\r\n\r\n0.10\r\nIn Construction\r\nCanal infrastructure projects: Regeneration and Tourism total\r\n1.33\r\n3.30\r\n\r\n4.63\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2012-13 (£M)\r\n2013-14 (£M)\r\n2014-15 (£M)\r\nTOTAL (£M)\r\nSTATUS\r\nTRANSPORT TOTAL\r\n7.13\r\n12.85\r\n1.20\r\n21.18\r\n\r\nHIE-Dingwall Business Park\r\n\r\n0.25\r\n\r\n0.25\r\nIn Progress\r\nHIE-Proposed investment in specific business expansion, job creation and export markets 5\r\n0.40\r\n\r\n\r\n0.40\r\nIn Construction\r\nHIE-Sandbank Business Park, Dunoon \r\n\r\n0.50\r\n\r\n0.50\r\nIn Progress\r\nHIE-Kintyre House, Campbeltown\r\n\r\n0.50\r\n\r\n0.50\r\nIn Progress\r\nHIE-Development Site on Bute\r\n\r\n0.50\r\n\r\n0.50\r\nIn Progress\r\nHIE-Raasay Outdoor Centre\r\n0.29\r\n0.11\r\n\r\n0.40\r\nIn Construction\r\nHIE-Kinloch Lodge Limited\r\n0.20\r\n0.02\r\n\r\n0.22\r\nIn Construction\r\nHIE-Ullapool Harbour Trust-provision of units at Morefield\r\n0.10\r\n0.09\r\n\r\n0.19\r\nIn Construction\r\nHIE-Funding for multi user access\r\n\r\n0.35\r\n\r\n0.35\r\nIn Progress\r\nHIE-Kishorn Plant-master planning application & initial enabling works\r\n\r\n0.30\r\n\r\n0.30\r\nIn Progress\r\nHIE-Inverness Airport Business Park\r\n\r\n0.25\r\n\r\n0.25\r\nIn Progress\r\nAdditional HIE investment 6\r\n2.70\r\n\r\n\r\n2.70\r\nIn Progress\r\nHighland and Islands Enterprise: economic development projects total\r\n3.69\r\n2.87\r\n\r\n6.56\r\n\r\nScottish Enterprise-International Technology and Renewable Energy Zone\r\n2.45\r\n\r\n\r\n2.45\r\nCompleted\r\nScottish Enterprise-flexible workspaces, Seabraes Yard, Dundee\r\n1.45\r\n\r\n\r\n1.45\r\nCompleted\r\nScottish Enterprise-National Renewables Infrastructure Fund site assembly, Rosyth\r\n0.50\r\n\r\n\r\n0.50\r\nCompleted\r\nScottish Enterprise-Economic Development Projects total\r\n4.40\r\n\r\n\r\n4.40\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2012-13 (£M)\r\n2013-14 (£M)\r\n2014-15 (£M)\r\nTOTAL (£M)\r\nSTATUS\r\nENTERPRISE TOTAL\r\n8.09\r\n2.87\r\n\r\n10.96\r\n\r\nLong distance paths (Great Glen Way)\r\n\r\n1.00\r\n\r\n1.00\r\nIn Procurement\r\nLong distance paths (West Highland Way)\r\n\r\n0.75\r\n\r\n0.75\r\nIn Progress\r\nSlope Stability (Glenrigh, A82 south of Fort William)\r\n\r\n0.50\r\n\r\n0.50\r\nIn Procurement\r\nCapital Buildings Refurbishment (mechanical engineering workshops)\r\n\r\n0.60\r\n\r\n0.60\r\nIn Procurement\r\nCapital Buildings Refurbishment (Aberfoyle Office including Biomass)\r\n\r\n0.30\r\n\r\n0.30\r\nIn Procurement\r\nForestry projects: access, road infrastructure and buildings refur","AnswerDate":"2013-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-15T13:56:46.39","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283940,"EventID":"S4W-14597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-30T13:56:46.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T12:00:37.02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Schedule 1 bird licences were issued by Scottish Natural Heritage in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012 and to what organisations.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) issued Schedule 1 licences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as follows: \r\n2010 - 587 Schedule 1 licences (485 licences and 102 subsequent amendments).\r\n2011 - 548 Schedule 1 licences (487 Licences and 65 subsequent amendments).\r\n2012 - 639 Schedule 1 licences (518 Licences and 121 subsequent amendments).\r\nThe licences are for purposes including ringing birds, visiting nests and monitoring to gather data on breeding performance as well as for photography and surveys to inform potential developments (e.g. windfarms).\r\nLicences are issued to individuals rather than organisations. However, these licences include those issued to staff from SNH, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Forestry Commission as well as members of Raptor Study Groups and numerous Environmental Consultancies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-15T13:56:46.733","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283969,"EventID":"S4W-14598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-04-30T16:59:22.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T15:53:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will introduce the proposed Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government intends to consult on a draft Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill in late summer. The Scottish Government intends to introduce the Bill to the Scottish Parliament in this parliamentary session and will set out the detail of its future legislative plans in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-15T16:59:22.957","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283982,"EventID":"S4W-14587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T13:42:31.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T16:17:18.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the public is aware of (a) any health risk associated with and (b) all areas that may be affected by combined storm overflows so that they do not bathe in or near them.\r\n","AnswerText":"Waters with substantial numbers of bathers are designated under Bathing Waters legislation. All designated bathing waters have a profile, identifying risks to water quality, which is published on SEPA’s website, with summaries on information signs at bathing water locations. An electronic signage network at 23 sites across Scotland displays real-time predictions of bathing water quality during the bathing water season, 1 June to 15 September. Daily forecasts are also displayed on the SEPA website, by smartphone application and via Beachline services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T13:42:31.597","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283983,"EventID":"S4W-14589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T13:42:31.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T16:17:18.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of areas affected by combined storm overflows to prevent them being used for recreational purposes.","AnswerText":"Recreational use of waters that may be affected intermittently by combined sewer overflows is not prohibited. However, action is being taken through Scottish Water’s investment programme and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency’s licensing regime to reduce the number of combined sewer overflows and the numbers of times they overflow. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T13:42:32.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283984,"EventID":"S4W-14590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T13:42:32.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T16:17:18.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had in the last two years with (a) Scottish Water, (b) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and (c) local authorities in connection with public health issues related to discharges from combined storm overflows.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, SEPA and Scottish Water hold regular discussions on the improvements that Scottish Water is making to waste water treatment with a view to improving the protection of bathing waters. Reducing the number of combined storm overflows and reducing the frequency of spills into bathing waters are important objectives of Scottish Water’s investment programme.\r\nThe Scottish Government and local authorities receive weekly updates from SEPA on water quality at Scotland’s designated bathing waters during the bathing water season, 1 June to 15 September, and discuss bathing water improvement with SEPA periodically throughout the year. The Government has written to all local authorities informing them of their legal obligations to protect public health, which include: providing information on short term pollution impacts under regulation 8 and actions required during abnormal situations under regulation 13 of the Bathing Water (Scotland) Regulations 2008.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T13:42:32.423","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283985,"EventID":"S4W-14599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T13:42:32.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T16:59:56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide examples of “cross-border schemes with Ireland” as referred to by a Scottish Government spokesman in a report in the The Herald on 26 April 2013.","AnswerText":"The ICAS report “Scotland’s Pensions Future: What Pensions Arrangements Would Scotland Need?”, on page 17 footnote 22, provides the example of the implementation of EU Directive 2003/41/EC (IORP) and the operation of cross-border pensions schemes between the UK and Ireland and states:\r\n“Prior to the Pensions (IORP) Directive, employers with subsidiaries in other member states (other than those with subsidiaries in the Republic of Ireland which received a level of exclusion due to a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Ireland) were required to establish separate schemes in each member state in which a subsidiary was based. The Pensions (IORP) Directive enabled, for the first time, companies operating in a number of member states to consolidate their pension arrangements in one member state. During the consultation process for the UK’s implementing legislation, the impact of the Directive’s cross-border funding requirements on existing UK/Irish cross-border schemes was considered. The Commission refused to exclude existing cross-border schemes operating in the UK and the Republic of Ireland from the scope of the obligations under the Directive, though ultimately the UK implementing legislation provided for a three year grace period for existing cross-border schemes to reach full funding levels.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T13:42:32.877","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283986,"EventID":"S4W-14600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T13:42:33.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T16:59:56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what pension scheme management companies it has consulted regarding the effect that Scottish independence would have on their funding arrangements in light of EU regulations requiring the full funding of cross-border pension schemes.","AnswerText":"We are engaging with key participants from providers, trustees and employers on this and other issues of importance to business in the independence debate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T13:42:33.5","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283987,"EventID":"S4W-14601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T13:42:33.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T16:59:56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the cross-border management of pension schemes in the event of Scottish independence.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government would welcome discussions with the UK Government on a range of issues relating to Scottish independence, including the operation of cross-border pension schemes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T13:42:33.827","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283988,"EventID":"S4W-14602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T13:42:34.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T16:59:56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to withdraw from the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) in the event of Scottish independence and, if so, whether it would negotiate a division of PPF levies accumulated since its establishment.\r\n","AnswerText":"The current rights and entitlements under UK-wide schemes, such as the PPF which is funded by levies on the industry, will continue as will the protection that the Fund affords to current pension scheme members and pensioners in Scotland. It is a requirement of the EU Directive 2003/41/EC Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision (IORP) (Article 17c) that each Member State must provide a guarantee fund equating to one third of the required solvency margin. An independent Scotland will continue to comply with this EU regulation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T13:42:34.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283989,"EventID":"S4W-14603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T13:42:34.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T16:59:56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in the event of Scottish independence, whether it would guarantee benefits accrued after independence by pension schemes that are currently part of UK pension schemes and, if so, on what terms.","AnswerText":"All pensions’ rights and entitlements which have been accrued will continue to be fully protected and accessible under independence, including private, public and state pensions. There is no rationale as to why in an independent Scotland the provision for and payment of private pensions would be otherwise.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T13:42:34.577","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283990,"EventID":"S4W-14604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T13:42:34.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T10:39:46.477","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many employees of each NHS board are suspended from work for a period greater than one month.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. This is a matter for NHS Boards.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T13:42:34.967","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283991,"EventID":"S4W-14605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T13:42:35.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T10:39:46.477","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of its civil servants are suspended from work for a period greater than one month.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are currently no civil servants who have been suspended for a period greater than one month.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T13:42:35.387","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283992,"EventID":"S4W-14606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T13:42:35.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T10:39:46.477","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many employees of maintained schools are suspended from work for a period greater than one month.\r\n","AnswerText":"Recruitment and deployment of staff in local authority schools in Scotland are matters for local authority employers to determine and as such the Scottish Government does not collate this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T13:42:35.84","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283993,"EventID":"S4W-14615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T14:48:00.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T14:43:15.77","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will (a) allocate the financial transactions' Barnett consequentials that it has been allocated and (b) manage the £54.8 million reduction in its 2013-14 resource DEL budget arising from the 2013 UK Budget.\r\n","AnswerText":"The UK Budget 2013 and the UK Government’s Help to Buy initiative have generated financial transactions consequentials for Scotland of £109 million in 2013-14 and £157.5 million in 2014-15. There are also financial transactions consequentials of £24.3 million available in 2014-15 as a result of the UK Autumn Statement on 5 December 2012. All of these financial transactions consequentials are only available to the Scottish Government to support loans and equity investment, with a requirement to repay funding to the Exchequer in future years. This is not normal capital expenditure which can be allocated to directly support the social housing sector.\r\nI can confirm to Parliament that the Scottish Government will allocate all of these financial transactions consequentials, amounting to £290.8 million over two years, to measures that will provide substantial further support to the housing sector. As part of this approach, I can confirm that the Scottish Government will allocate significant additional funding to support shared equity schemes in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government will work with stakeholders to determine arrangements for the operation of these schemes, ahead of a further announcement in the course of May.\r\nIn addition, I confirm to Parliament that funding for the sector will be further boosted by the allocation of an additional £20 million capital grant funding for the affordable housing supply programme in 2014-15. This will be funded through available Capital DEL consequentials, generated by the Autumn Statement 2012 but not yet allocated by the Scottish Government.\r\nFinally, I confirm to Parliament that the Scottish Government will minimise the impact of the £54.8 million reduction in its 2013-14 Resource DEL budget on frontline public services and public sector employment in Scotland, by adopting the following approach.\r\nUnder existing spending plans for 2013-14, £12 million of loans finance that is being made available through the Warm Homes Fund and open market shared equity scheme is being supported through the Scottish Government’s Capital DEL budget. The allocation of financial transaction consequentials to these schemes will enable the Government to reduce the level of planned switch between Resource and Capital budgets in the Housing portfolio by £12 million.\r\nI will utilise £10 million of Barnett consequentials received in the UK Autumn Statement 2012. I had intended utilising this sum to boost college funds but I have been able to provide for this through an allocation to the Scottish Funding Council of emerging 2012-13 underspend to the college sector in academic year 2013-14.\r\nI can also confirm to Parliament that, as a result of the reform of police and fire services, the Scottish Government will gain access in 2013-14 to a share of accumulated police reserves estimated to amount to between £20 and £30 million, which will accrue to the Scottish Government Resource DEL Budget.\r\nBetween them, these three steps will almost fully offset the cut that has been made in the Scottish Government Resource DEL budget in 2013-14, without detriment to existing programmes and spending plans.\r\nAdjustments to budgets will be given effect in the normal way through in-year budget revisions.\r\nI also confirm that local government has not been required to make any contribution to the reduction in the budget that we have faced.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T14:48:01.067","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283997,"EventID":"S4O-02075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2487,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:43.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:19:53.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the Detect Cancer Early Programme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:43.543","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283998,"EventID":"S4O-02076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:44.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T10:12:54.763","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the health and wellbeing needs of adults with learning difficulties are taken into account when service redesign is being proposed at a local level.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:44.04","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":283999,"EventID":"S4O-02077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:44.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T11:07:23.61","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment has been made of dementia services in NHS Shetland and the availability and retention of staff to deliver these. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:44.76","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284000,"EventID":"S4O-02078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:45.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T14:32:44.033","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of Healthcare Improvement Scotland and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:45.367","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284001,"EventID":"S4O-02079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:45.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T15:36:01.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it provides care and support for stroke patients.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:45.99","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284002,"EventID":"S4O-02080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:46.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:19:57.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it oversees the application process for community pharmacies.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:46.833","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284003,"EventID":"S4O-02081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:47.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T10:55:21.23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be of the shingles vaccination programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:47.8","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284004,"EventID":"S4O-02083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:48.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T11:57:52.657","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make statutory a universal entitlement to services from health visitors.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:48.58","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284005,"EventID":"S4O-02084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:49.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:19:59.007","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Lothian regarding the maximum level of daily fines that the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh can impose on its maintenance contractor, Consort Healthcare.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:49.25","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284006,"EventID":"S4O-02085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:50.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:19:59.223","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the treatment of type 2 diabetes.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:50.327","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284007,"EventID":"S4O-02086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:50.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:19:59.943","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for the provision of dentistry in NHS Grampian.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:50.64","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284008,"EventID":"S4O-02087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:51.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:20:00.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent progress there has been with the review of the individual patient treatment request process.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:51.107","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284009,"EventID":"S4O-02088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:51.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:20:01.19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action the NHS is taking to improve its services for users of British Sign Language.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:51.687","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284010,"EventID":"S4O-02089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:52.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T11:55:31.217","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is reducing the health impacts of poor air quality in cities.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:52.713","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284011,"EventID":"S4O-02090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:53.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:20:01.673","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Lanarkshire and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers and Government officials regularly meet with representatives of all NHS boards, including NHS Lanarkshire, to discuss matters of interest to local people.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:53.697","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284012,"EventID":"S4O-02091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:55.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T09:38:23.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to rule on the licensing of electronic cigarettes.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has set up an expert group to look at both market and scientific research on nicotine products and is expected to publish its findings in June 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:55.04","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284013,"EventID":"S4O-02092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:55.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:20:02.673","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent MS Society report, A lottery of treatment and care – MS services across Scotland and the UK.","AnswerText":"We welcome the MS Society’s latest report. We want to work collaboratively with the third sector to ensure that everyone with MS in Scotland is able to access the care and support that they need.\r\nThe report identifies the improvements that have been made in recent years such as the implementation of the neurological standards. It also highlights areas in need of further attention, an example being access to medicines. This is why I have asked officials to explore how we can identify any barriers to medicines and what action can be taken to remove them.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:55.727","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284014,"EventID":"S4O-02093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:56.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T09:18:41.943","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for people with MS who are seeking specialist physiotherapy.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is for individual NHS boards to determine the number of dedicated physiotherapists they require to support people with multiple sclerosis (MS) based on local priorities and clinical need. However, Healthcare Improvement Scotland has in place clinical standards for Neurological Health Services. Standard 14 includes access to specialist MS services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:56.537","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284015,"EventID":"S4O-02094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:57.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T14:16:02.043","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proposals it has for maternity provision in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.\r\n","AnswerText":"Service change proposals are matters for NHS boards, in line with national policies and guidelines. There are currently no formal proposals to change the provision of maternity services in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:57.207","MeetingDate":"2013-05-08T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284016,"EventID":"S4O-02096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:57.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:21:02.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met the Chief Executive of the Scottish Court Service and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:57.613","MeetingDate":"2013-05-09T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284017,"EventID":"S4O-02097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:57.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:21:02.483","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will cap the cost of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project at the current estimate.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:57.987","MeetingDate":"2013-05-09T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284018,"EventID":"S4O-02098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:58.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T11:51:39.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports bus services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:58.58","MeetingDate":"2013-05-09T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284019,"EventID":"S4O-02099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:59.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-30T15:20:06.863","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle air pollution in cities.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:06:59.127","MeetingDate":"2013-05-09T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284020,"EventID":"S4O-02100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:06:59.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:21:03.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on comments by the Chairman of the Yes Scotland campaign that a separate Scottish currency would give “more flexibility, more freedom” and “a wider range of economic levers” than its plans for a currency union.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:07:00","MeetingDate":"2013-05-09T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284021,"EventID":"S4O-02101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:07:00.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:21:03.433","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to OKI Electric's plans to reduce the size of its workforce at its Cumbernauld plant by around half.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:07:00.64","MeetingDate":"2013-05-09T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284022,"EventID":"S4O-02103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:07:01.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T09:02:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding devolving air passenger duty.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:07:01.577","MeetingDate":"2013-05-09T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284023,"EventID":"S4O-02104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T15:07:02.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-29T12:21:04.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact on jobs and communities, what input it has into consultations on Post Office closures.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of post offices to Scottish communities and local economies. However, any changes to the Post Office network are the responsibility of the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T15:07:02.463","MeetingDate":"2013-05-09T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284024,"EventID":"S4W-14607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T17:03:18.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T12:56:11.42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle child obesity in the Rutherglen constituency.  \r\n","AnswerText":"The Government Obesity strategy “Preventing Overweight and Obesity in Scotland: A Route Map Towards Healthy Weight” sets out our long term commitment to tackling overweight and obesity. For Children this includes action on diet, physical activity and behaviour change which involves the parents and carers as well as the children themselves.\r\nLocally the Government has supported the health board to undertake child healthy weight interventions and enabled organisations to increase opportunities for children to get involved in sport and physical activity through active schools but also through funding from Cashback for Communities. Further opportunities for physical activity, has also been provided by a number of improvements to the local cycle network. The Healthy Living Award and the Scottish Grocers Federation Healthy Living Programmes both supported by the Government are increasing the opportunities for local people to access healthy food.\r\nNationally, the Government continues to develop preventative measures including the Maternal and Infant Nutritional Framework for Action, which looks at the nutrition of mothers before and during pregnancy, supports and promotes the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of a healthy diet throughout early childhood. This is further supported by the National Parenting Strategy, which acknowledges that supporting parents is key to achieving a change in children’s nutrition.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T17:03:18.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284025,"EventID":"S4W-14608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T17:03:19.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T13:26:36.523","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to write off the student debt of graduates of universities in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Access to student loans is a key part of how students in Scotland support themselves. The Scottish Government has no plans to change that, however we are committed to ensuring that the amount of debt accrued remains manageable and that we do not, for example, ask our students to take on loans to pay tuition fees.\r\nBeyond that, we are not resourced to make amends for the historical mistakes of previous administrations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T17:03:19.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284026,"EventID":"S4W-14609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T17:03:19.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T13:29:30.43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what projects it is funding to tackle racism in schools, broken down by funding amount.\r\n","AnswerText":"We are providing £400,000 over financial years 2012-15 to Show Racism the Red Card and Youth Development and Employment Support, however, the specific amounts for work in schools cannot be identified as the work of these organisations cut across many areas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T17:03:19.71","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284027,"EventID":"S4W-14611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T17:03:20.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T14:12:07.51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce health inequalities in the Rutherglen constituency.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed through its strategy Equally Well to reducing those avoidable inequalities in health that exist across Scotland.\r\nWithin the Rutherglen constituency area, the Government is involved in a range of initiatives with a number of organisations that help to provide necessary local support that enable individuals to make informed choices, to support a healthier lifestyle. Examples include Keep Well, the Healthy Living Award, Cashback for Communities and Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland’s Partnership Drug Initiative.\r\nThe Government is also taking steps to highlight the importance of health inequalities and the expectation that they will be tackled at a local level. Health inequalities have therefore been made one of the key national priorities for new Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs) where the aim should be to achieve transformational, not incremental performance improvement. SOAs encourage partners to develop a shared understanding of their area’s needs and develop local solutions for local priorities.\r\nAt the root of health inequalities are income inequalities and the Government is active in supporting people on low incomes through initiatives such as restoring the UK Government  cut in Council Tax Benefit and wider activities as part of the social wage such as free prescriptions, free nursery places and free personal care for the elderly. We are concerned that these commitments are being undermined by the UK Government’s cuts which also risk undermining the long term approach we are taking to tackling the causes of poverty, through early intervention and prevention and we condemn the actions taken on Welfare taken by the UK Government and would seek that these decisions are taken by the Scottish Parliament to better protect the people of Rutherglen and Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T17:03:20.46","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284034,"EventID":"S4W-14610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T17:03:20.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T13:43:12.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) what its position is on and (b) whether it plans to review the defence of provocation in relation to adultery.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Law Commission has begun a review of the law of homicide, which will encompass a general review of the defences of provocation, self-defence, coercion and necessity as well as a comprehensive examination of the required mental element for the crime of homicide. Further information may be found at: http://www.scotlawcom.gov.uk/law-reform-projects/homicide/ \r\nThe Scottish Government will give any recommendations very careful consideration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T17:03:20.037","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284035,"EventID":"S4W-14612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T17:03:20.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T14:31:50.087","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether prostate cancer is included in the early detection strategy and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Detect Cancer Early Programme aims to increase the proportion of cancers detected at the early stage of disease. Although directed at lung, breast and colorectal cancers in the first instance, early diagnosis and high quality treatment and care for all patients with cancer is a top priority. It is anticipated that the programme will benefit people with other types of cancer as general awareness raising initiatives are expected to result in earlier presentation, referral and assessment for all those with a possibility of cancer.\r\nColorectal, lung and breast cancer represent 45 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in Scotland per year. To allow the early stages of the programme to be appropriately managed and be the most effective, a decision was taken to focus on these three cancers initially. This will enable the greatest impact both in terms of patient numbers and in tackling cancer in areas of deprivation where survival has historically been poorest. It will be easier to demonstrate shifts in outcomes and in population attitudes by choosing the high incidence tumour types as the initial focus, it is anticipated that this will identify best practice and build momentum for the programme that will then facilitate roll out to other tumour types.\r\nOnce the initial phase of the Detect Cancer Early Programme is completed, consideration will be given to which other cancers need to be tackled in a similar way.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T17:03:20.77","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284036,"EventID":"S4W-14613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T17:03:21.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T14:31:50.087","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve awareness of prostate cancer to promote early detection.","AnswerText":"The Detect Cancer Early Programme aims to increase the proportion of cancers detected at the early stage of disease. Although the Detect Cancer Early Programme focuses on breast, lung and colorectal cancers, an initial priming phase of campaigning included raising awareness of a suite of body changes that could indicate cancer. The priming and ongoing campaign messages aim to create more confidence about cancer and its treatment and encourage people to present early to their GP with any changes in their body. In this way, it is anticipated that there will be increased awareness of symptoms and signs of cancer types additional to lung, breast and colorectal, including prostate, amongst the general public and clinicians.\r\nAdditional tumour groups, including prostate cancer, will be considered by the DCE Programme Board in due course and an option appraisal process is currently being explored.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T17:03:21.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284037,"EventID":"S4W-14614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T17:03:21.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T14:31:50.087","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to investment in robotic surgery.\r\n","AnswerText":"The National Planning Forum has established a sub-group with the remit, “to look at the case for robot-assisted prostate cancer surgery in Scotland and consider whether the evidence is sufficiently robust to take forward implementation in Scotland in a planned and co-ordinated way” and to report its findings and recommendations by late spring 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T17:03:21.783","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284038,"EventID":"S4W-14617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T17:03:22.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T15:27:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contracts it has awarded to (a) Kier Group, (b) Royal BAM Group or (c) Ferrovial or subsidiaries in each year since 2007, broken down by value, and what information it has on any other public sector contracts awarded.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not awarded any contracts to Kier Group, Royal BAM Group or Ferrovial or its subsidiaries since 2007.\r\nWe do not hold information centrally on all of the contracts awarded by public bodies in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T17:03:22.173","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284039,"EventID":"S4W-14619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T17:03:22.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T15:27:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken, or is taking, to ensure that companies involved in, or known to have been involved in, blacklisting are not awarded public sector contracts.","AnswerText":"We have invited the trade unions to work with us on the development of guidance for public bodies on addressing the issue of blacklisting in future procurement processes and public contracts. We are exploring the potential for asking additional questions of suppliers at the selection stage of a procurement exercise and holding suppliers to account through revised terms and conditions of contract.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T17:03:22.487","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284040,"EventID":"S4W-14620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T17:03:22.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T15:27:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-10879 by John Swinney on 18 December 2012, what efforts it has made to contact trade unions with a view to considering strategies to ensure that companies involved in blacklisting (a) are not and (b) cannot be awarded public sector contracts.","AnswerText":"We have invited trade unions to work with us on the development of guidance for public bodies on addressing the issue of blacklisting in future procurement processes and public contracts. Invitations were sent on 4 April 2013 to trade unions, including those which raised the issue of blacklisting in their responses to the consultation on the Procurement Reform Bill. An initial draft of the guidance was circulated to trade unions on 9 May 2013; we have convened a meeting to seek their input.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T17:03:22.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284041,"EventID":"S4W-14621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T17:03:23.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T15:27:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11742 by John Swinney on 18 December 2012, whether it will commission a public inquiry into blacklisting in Scotland following publication of the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee report, Blacklisting in Employment: Interim Report.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have read the Scottish Affairs Committee’s Interim Report with interest and note that it intends to continue its rigorous investigations. It is appropriate for the Scottish Affairs Committee to conduct and conclude their inquiry into this issue as matters of employment law are reserved to the UK Government. Once the report is completed we will give consideration to the merits of a public inquiry at that time. We look forward to the final report from the Committee.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T17:03:23.237","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284042,"EventID":"S4W-14622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-01T17:03:23.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T15:27:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-01964 by Nicola Sturgeon on 27 March 2013, when it will decide what measures it can include in the forthcoming Procurement Reform Bill to address the issue of blacklisting.","AnswerText":"We remain in the process of considering the content for the Procurement Reform Bill.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-16T17:03:23.843","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284053,"EventID":"S4W-14616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T14:06:36.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T15:07:37.917","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money is available from Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Enterprise to provide training and retraining for those employees affected by the liquidation of Scottish Coal.","AnswerText":"Through our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) initiative, we took immediate action to provide help and support for the individuals of Scottish Coal and Castlebridge Plant who were made redundant on 19 April 2013.\r\nWe held four PACE Redundancy Support Events in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Alloa and Fife which almost 200 former employees attended and completed registration forms and where PACE Partners were available to provide advice and guidance on areas such as career development and training opportunities.\r\nAll individuals who have been made redundant will have access to training opportunities through our Employability Fund, the total budget for which stands at £52 million for this current 2013-14 financial year.\r\nWe are currently working urgently with administrators KPMG and Scottish Coal to clarify the actual position in terms of employees’ certification and we will of course work with local and national partners and potential employers to maximise employment opportunities for those individuals affected.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T14:06:36.843","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284054,"EventID":"S4W-14623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T14:06:37.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T16:30:23.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14313 by Alex Neil on 30 April 2013, when the implant register will be in place and whether it will specifically include (a) PIP breast and (b) transvaginal mesh implants.\r\n","AnswerText":"The scope and timescale for implementation forms part of the consideration by officials, including colleagues from NHS National Services Scotland, Information Services Division, of options for an implant register.\r\nThis is currently ongoing in consultation with clinicians and the working group of patients and officials which is being established following my recent meeting with you and the women affected by transvaginal meshes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T14:06:37.483","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284055,"EventID":"S4W-14625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T14:06:38.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T16:30:23.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14315 by Alex Neil on 30 April 2013, how many patients were diagnosed with acidovorans following the procedure.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T14:06:38.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284056,"EventID":"S4W-14626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T14:06:38.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T16:30:23.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14314 by Alex Neil on 30 April 2013, how many transvaginal mesh devices have been supplied to each NHS board in each year since 2007-08, broken down by (a) manufacturer and (b) type of device.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of transvaginal meshes supplied by National Procurement is given in the following table by NHS board and product.\r\n\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\nNHS Fife\r\nNHS Highland\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\nNHS Grampian\r\nNHS Tayside\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\nTotal\r\nDevice TVT 830041\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2009-2010\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n0\r\n14\r\n0\r\n2\r\n20\r\n2010-2011\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n3\r\n7\r\n2011-2012\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n0\r\n12\r\n0\r\n4\r\n20\r\n2012-2013\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n8\r\n0\r\n0\r\n10\r\nGynecare TVT Obturator System\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2009-2010\r\n8\r\n82\r\n0\r\n0\r\n55\r\n0\r\n57\r\n202\r\n2010-2011\r\n57\r\n130\r\n5\r\n29\r\n54\r\n0\r\n53\r\n328\r\n2011-2012\r\n31\r\n100\r\n47\r\n73\r\n48\r\n25\r\n1\r\n325\r\n2012-2013\r\n21\r\n98\r\n28\r\n75\r\n56\r\n42\r\n0\r\n320\r\nGyncare TVT Abbrevo\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2009-2010\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2010-2011\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2011-2012\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2012-2013\r\n18\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n29\r\n47\r\n1. Information was provided by NHS National Services Scotland: National Procurement (NP) where devices were supplied by NP to NHS boards in response to catalogue requests.\r\n2. The manufacturer of all three devices is Johnson and Johnson.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T14:06:38.777","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284057,"EventID":"S4W-14627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T14:06:39.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T16:30:23.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14315 by Alex Neil on 30 April 2013, how many of the procedures were carried out by independent providers, broken down by provider.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is provided in the following table:\r\nNumber of transvaginal mesh implant procedures performed by independent providers on behalf of the NHS in Scotland.\r\nYear\r\nProvider\r\nNumber of procedures\r\n2007-2008\r\nCarrick Glen Hospital\r\n5\r\n2008-2009\r\nCarrick Glen Hospital\r\n19\r\n \r\nRoss Hall Hospital\r\n*\r\n \r\nGlasgow Nuffield Hospital\r\n*\r\n2009-2010\r\nCarrick Glen Hospital\r\n6\r\n \r\nMurrayfield Hospital\r\n*\r\n2010-2011\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2011-2012\r\nRoss Hall Hospital\r\n*\r\nSource: NHS: National Services Scotland: Information Service Division (ISD) SMR01 linked catalogue.\r\n* Some values have been suppressed due to the potential risk of disclosure and to help maintain patient confidentiality. For further guidance see ISD’s Statistical Disclosure Control Protocol ISD's Statistical Disclosure Control Protocol. \r\n- denotes zero (0)\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T14:06:39.323","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284063,"EventID":"S4W-14484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:21:26.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-25T11:19:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12773 by Alasdair Allan on 2 April 2013, whether it will continue to publish similar reports to measure if the strategy is delivering improvement against the outcomes and priorities it identified in the plan, as agreed by the Parliament in motion S4M-04313, and, if so, how reguarly it will do so.\r\n","AnswerText":"Bòrd na Gàidhlig will continue to produce progress reports on the National Gaelic Language Plan on a quarterly basis.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:21:26.363","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284064,"EventID":"S4W-14630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:21:26.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T12:06:51.483","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent sandstorms and forecast persistant rain, what assistance it will give to Moray Council to help clear up and what its position is on whether clearing drains and gullies should be considered a priority measure as a contingency against flooding.\r\n","AnswerText":"As yet, Moray Council has not submitted an application for any additional funding following the recent storms.\r\nThe Scottish Government is providing local government in Scotland with over £10.3 billion in 2013-14. Moray Council’s needs-based share of this total amounts to £181.6 million and the vast majority of this funding, including the funding for flood prevention contingency measures, is being provided by means of a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives.\r\nThe clearance of road drains and gullies in Moray is a matter for the local authority, the trunk roads authority or operating company as appropriate. However, in the case of land drainage, this is usually a matter for the relevant landowner and, where this involves dredging or clearing watercourses and ditches, they should contact the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency for advice in case this requires an application for an authorisation under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:21:26.753","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284065,"EventID":"S4W-14631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:21:27.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T12:35:04.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4F-00845 by Alex Salmond on 13 September 2012 (Official Report, c. 11413), on what date it will publish its estimate of the climate impact of its policy on air passenger duty.\r\n","AnswerText":"The First Minister has confirmed that, as part of the detailed consideration of a replacement to the UK Government's Air Passenger Duty, the Scottish Government will conduct analysis on the environmental impact of proposals. That will be undertaken and the results will be made available in due course\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:21:27.08","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284066,"EventID":"S4W-14632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2487,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:21:27.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T13:15:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHS workforce planning tools are used by all NHS boards.\r\n","AnswerText":"A suite of nursing and midwifery Workload tools has been developed covering 95% of all service areas within NHS Scotland. Speciality-specific Workload tools have been used by all territorial boards; the Neonatal and SCAMPS™(Paediatric) tools are used on a twice daily basis by every relevant unit in NHS Scotland. The majority of NHS boards are also involved when piloting and developing a tool.\r\nAs of April 2013, all NHS boards are expected to use the workload tools to inform local nursing and midwifery workforce planning. The application of the workload tools is mandatory to support evidence based decisions in relation to Nursing and Midwifery establishments and should form part of a broader approach that incorporates professional judgement and quality measures. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:21:27.457","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284067,"EventID":"S4W-14633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2487,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:21:27.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T13:15:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role staff representatives played in the development of the NHS workforce planning tools.\r\n","AnswerText":"Representatives from the Royal College of Nursing Scotland, Royal College of Midwifery, UNISON and Unite have been involved with the development of the workload tools since their inception and continue to be represented on the Nursing and Midwifery Workload and Workforce Planning Programme National Steering Group. \r\nShort life working groups, including practitioners and staff representatives from the relevant specialties, have been formed to inform the development of each speciality specific workload tool. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:21:27.83","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284068,"EventID":"S4W-14634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2487,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:21:28.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T13:15:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the NHS maintains its level of (a) quality and (b) service provision.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking a number of steps to ensure that the NHS maintains its level of (a) quality and (b) service provision. \r\nThe Healthcare Quality Strategy for Scotland is our means to achieve care that is safer, more effective and more person-centred. We are protecting the health budget and investing in the NHS workforce and facilities. We want to support staff caring directly for patients to lead the improvement in quality, and we have recently announced that the successful Scottish Patient Safety Programme will be extended to primary care. \r\nWe will be bringing forward legislation to integrate adult health and social care, and over £50 million is being invested to transform unscheduled care in Scotland. \r\nTo ensure we have the right number of staff and the right mix of skills in place we worked with staff representatives to develop workforce planning tools that are now mandatory for NHS boards. We have recently announced the development of a new bed planning tool which will help ensure that hospitals and communities have the right beds in the right place to treat patients as Scotland’s health service faces the challenge of an ageing population.\r\nWe also remain committed to minimum unit pricing for alcohol. We believe this policy, agreed by Parliament, backed by expert opinion and now vindicated by the recent court ruling, is the most effective pricing measure to address the availability of the high-strength low-cost alcohol that is doing so much damage to our communities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:21:28.11","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284069,"EventID":"S4W-14635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:21:28.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T15:27:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when local taxation was last discussed at the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"The current council tax system is unfair, which is why the Scottish Government has frozen the tax at 2007-08 levels.\r\nThis policy has proved overwhelmingly popular with people across Scotland. We are committed to continuing the freeze for the duration of this Parliament, by which time the policy will have saved the average household around £1,200.\r\nWe will consult with others to produce a fairer local tax based on ability to pay later in this Parliament. \r\nThe Scottish Cabinet routinely discusses issues of importance to the people of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:21:28.423","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284070,"EventID":"S4W-14636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:21:28.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T15:27:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth last reported to the Cabinet on local taxation.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14635 on 17 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:21:28.703","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284071,"EventID":"S4W-14638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:21:29","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T15:27:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government with whom it is consulting on developing a form of local taxation based on the ability to pay and what it considers to be affordable types of such taxation.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14635 on 17 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:21:29.017","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284072,"EventID":"S4F-01356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:43:00.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T12:42:16.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.  \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:43:00.327","MeetingDate":"2013-05-09T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284073,"EventID":"S4F-01364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1742,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:45:07.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T14:25:53.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the implications for Scotland are of the Queen’s Speech.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:45:07.35","MeetingDate":"2013-05-09T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284074,"EventID":"S4F-01367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:43:04.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T14:29:20.913","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the reported comments of the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing that “we are still going to need the same number of beds, the same number of hospitals, the same number of doctors and nurses just to stand still” in relation to an ageing population reflect Scottish Government policy.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:43:04.397","MeetingDate":"2013-05-09T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284075,"EventID":"S4F-01368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:43:04.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T14:47:37.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:43:04.96","MeetingDate":"2013-05-09T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284076,"EventID":"S4F-01369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:43:05.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T15:17:34.4","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime Minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:43:05.333","MeetingDate":"2013-05-09T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284077,"EventID":"S4F-01370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-02T16:43:05.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T15:52:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the recent Foreign Affairs Committee report on the consequences of Scottish independence. \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-17T16:43:05.677","MeetingDate":"2013-05-09T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284085,"EventID":"S4W-14646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:04.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T16:10:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02044 by Roseanna Cunningham on 25 April 2013, how many of the people convicted plead guilty prior to trial.\r\n","AnswerText":"Of the 55 convictions under the Offensive Behaviour and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012, as at 31 December 2012, 44 arose from a plea of guilty. The available information does not record whether the guilty pleas were tendered prior to or during trial.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:04.667","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284086,"EventID":"S4W-14647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:05.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T16:10:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02044 by Roseanna Cunningham on 25 April 2013, how many of the convictions were for (a) violent and (b) non-violent offences.\r\n","AnswerText":"A conviction for “offensive behaviour at regulated football matches”, under section 1 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012, may be for threatening behaviour as well as hateful or other offensive behaviour which may incite public disorder. A conviction may therefore include violent behaviour but if violent behaviour was involved then a person may be charged with other offences.\r\nThe information provided in response to S4O-02044 on convictions under the Act is derived from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s live operational case management system, which is specifically designed to receive criminal reports from the police and other specialist reporting agencies and to manage these cases for prosecution purposes. The information held on the system is structured for these operational needs, rather than for statistical reporting or research purposes, and it is not possible from the case management system to provide the information requested as convictions are not split up or recorded in such a way.\r\nThe Government will publish this month the first annual statistics and analysis of offences committed under the Act from its coming into force until 31 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:05.023","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284087,"EventID":"S4W-14648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:05.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T16:10:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02044 by Roseanna Cunningham on 25 April 2013, how many of the convictions were for the use of language deemed (a) sectarian or (b) otherwise offensive.\r\n","AnswerText":"A conviction for “offensive behaviour at regulated football matches”, under section 1 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012, may be for threatening, hateful or other offensive behaviour which may incite public disorder. Hateful behaviour includes expressing hatred of, or stirring up hatred against, individuals or groups of persons based on their actual or presumed religion, nationality and ethnic or national origins.\r\nThe information provided in response to S4O-02044 on convictions under the Act is derived from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s live operational case management system, which is specifically designed to receive criminal reports from the police and other specialist reporting agencies and to manage these cases for prosecution purposes. The information held on the system is structured for these operational needs, rather than for statistical reporting or research purposes, and it is not possible from the case management system to provide the information requested as charges are not split up or recorded in such a way.\r\nThe Government will publish this month the first annual statistics and analysis of offences committed under the Act from its coming into force until 31 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:05.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284088,"EventID":"S4W-14649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:05.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T16:10:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02044 by Roseanna Cunningham on 25 April 2013, how many of the people charged were subsequently tried and what the conviction rate was.\r\n","AnswerText":"The latest available statistics on convictions under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 remain those reported in response to S4O-02044. However, the Government will publish this month the first annual statistics and analysis of offences committed under the Act from its coming into force until 31 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:05.727","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284089,"EventID":"S4W-14650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:06.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T16:10:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S40-02044 by Roseanna Cunningham on 25 April 2013, how many of the people convicted could not have been charged under legislation in place prior to the commencement of the Offensive Behaviour and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not, and never has been, held centrally for this or other legislation. Under Scots law, the choice of the appropriate charges to bring forward in each case is a matter for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, in accordance with the Lord Advocate’s guidelines on prosecution.\r\nThe guidelines can be found at -\r\nhttp://www.copfs.gov.uk/images/Documents/Prosecution_Policy_Guidance/Lord_Advocates_Guidelines/Lord%20Advocates%20Guidelines%20-%20The%20Offensive%20Behaviour%20at%20Football%20and%20Threatening%20Communications%20Scotland%20Act%202012.PDF.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:06.04","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284090,"EventID":"S4W-14651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:06.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T16:10:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02044 by Roseanna Cunningham on 25 April 2013, whether the conviction under section 6 was for the use of language deemed (a) sectarian or (b) otherwise offensive.\r\n","AnswerText":"A conviction for the offence of “threatening communications”, under section 6 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012, may be for the communication of material which threatens serious violence or threatening material intended to stir up hatred on religious grounds. The conviction referred to related to a threat of serious violence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:06.383","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284091,"EventID":"S4W-14654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1742,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:06.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T16:17:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what PFI projects there are in Fife and what the (a) estimated capital value and (b) annual revenue cost is and what percentage of Fife Council spend the revenue cost represents.","AnswerText":"The information relating to (a) and (b) is available from the Scottish Government website under ‘PPP/PFI Projects (operational) by way of the following link: www.scotland.gov.uk.\r\nInformation relating to Local Government revenue expenditure is also available from the Scottish Government website under Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics by way of the following link: www.scotland.gov.uk.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:06.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284092,"EventID":"S4W-14668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:07.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T11:03:08.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14226 by Roseanna Cunningham on 3 May 2013, whether it will provide the information that was requested and confirm whether it will bring forward a report before the completion of the review period; whether the legislation forbids it from producing such a report, and what its position is on how offences under section (a) 1 and (b) 6 of the Act are being dealt with.\r\n","AnswerText":"Section 11 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 contained an express provision requiring the Government to report to Parliament on the operation of the legislation after two full football seasons. Work on the evidence necessary to inform the report to Parliament has already begun.\r\nThe legislation does not prevent the production of an earlier report but the Government remains of the view that the original legislative provision as agreed by Parliament is the most appropriate review mechanism.\r\nThe way in which the offences under sections 1 and 6 are being dealt with is primarily an operational matter for the police, but the Government will publish this month the first annual statistics and analysis of the offences committed under the Act over the first year of its operation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:07.117","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284093,"EventID":"S4W-14670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:07.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:11:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11911 by John Swinney on 17 January 2013, who it plans to consult; what the timescale is, and what models it has considered as possible replacements for the council tax.","AnswerText":"The current Council Tax system is unfair, which is why the Scottish Government has frozen the tax at 2007-08 levels.\r\nThat policy has proved overwhelmingly popular with people across Scotland. We are committed to continuing the freeze for the duration of this Parliament, by which time the policy will have saved the average household around £1,200.\r\nWe will consult with others to produce a fairer local tax based on ability to pay later in this Parliament. All potential alternative proposals which meet this criteria will be considered.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:07.52","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284094,"EventID":"S4W-14671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:07.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:57:03.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a standard minimum nurse-to-patient ratio and, if so, whether this is statutory.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are no regulations or Scottish Government guidelines on minimum nurse to patient or nurse to healthcare assistant ratios, or use of minimum staffing ratios. \r\nGuidelines were issued to NHS boards in Scotland regarding the use of the national nursing and midwifery workload and workforce planning tools (CEL 32/2012). These tools are nationally validated and statistically robust and are used to derive the nursing number for each clinical area as appropriate through measurement of the actual workload, as part of a broader approach incorporating nurses’ professional judgement with quality measures. From April 2013, all NHS boards are expected to use the tools to inform local nursing and midwifery planning.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:07.973","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284095,"EventID":"S4W-14672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:08.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:57:03.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the nurse-to-patient ratio is.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not centrally held. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:08.737","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284096,"EventID":"S4W-14673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:09.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:57:03.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much compensation the NHS has paid to claimants in each year since 2007-08.\r\n","AnswerText":"The total amount spent by NHSScotland on clinical negligence claims since 2007-08 is detailed in the following table:\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n£m\r\n2008-09\r\n£m\r\n2009-10\r\n£m\r\n2010-11\r\n£m\r\n2011-12\r\n£m\r\n2012-13\r\n£m\r\nNHSScotland\r\n18.9\r\n28.4\r\n31.1\r\n60.7\r\n29.2\r\n35.0\r\nFluctuations in the sums paid from year to year are due to the number of high value settlements occurring in any one year. These tend to relate to birth cases where the sums paid can be substantial. In 2010-11 there were 25 claims paid that were in excess of £1 million compared to 16 in 2009-10.\r\n\r\n\r\nSCOTTISH GOVERNMENT\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:09.33","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284097,"EventID":"S4W-14674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:09.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:57:03.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether reductions in the number of NHS staff since 2007-08 have had an impact on levels of bullying and harassment.\r\n","AnswerText":"Since 2007-08 there has been an increase in the number of NHS Scotland staff.\r\nIn September 2007 there were 131,094.8 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) staff (154,180 headcount) working in NHS Scotland, which has risen to 132,541.5 WTE (155,781 headcount) staff in December 2012, an increase of 1,446.7 WTE staff (1,601 headcount).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:09.97","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284098,"EventID":"S4W-14675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:10.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:57:03.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how will it ensure that staff reductions in the NHS do not lead to higher mortality rates.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are now 5,829 more people working in the NHS (excluding GPs and GDPs) than when the SNP came to Government. This represents an increase of 3.9%.\r\nThe Scottish Patient Safety Programme was launched in January 2008 and now has an aim to reduce hospital mortality by 20% by 2015. Scotland is the first country in the world to implement a national patient safety programme across the whole healthcare systems.\r\nFigures show that acute hospital mortality across Scotland continues to reduce by 12.4% since 2007. That equates to around 8,500 fewer than expected deaths, a result of our robust safety system working.\r\nFurther information regarding NHS mortality rates can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Quality-Indicators/Publications/2013-02-26/2013-02-26-HSMR-Summary.pdf?94044131041 \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:10.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284099,"EventID":"S4W-14676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:11.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:57:03.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the skills mix of nursing teams is appropriate to providing high standards of quality patient care.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has worked with NHS Scotland to develop a suite of workload measurement tools which help ensure the most efficient and effective use of the nursing and midwifery resource.\r\nAs of April 2013, all NHS boards are expected to use the workload tools to inform local nursing and midwifery workforce planning as part of a broader approach that incorporates professional judgement and quality measures. Skill mix is one of the considerations that is taken into account when applying the workload tools. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:11.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284100,"EventID":"S4W-14677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:11.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:57:03.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the expected demand for qualified nurses in the NHS is for (a) 2013 to 2018 and (b) 2019 to 2023, also broken down by specialism.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS boards are asked to provide workforce projections on an annual basis, therefore, projected demands for qualified nurses in the NHS for (a) 2013 to 2018 and (b) 2019 to 2023 are not available.\r\nProjections for 2013-14 should be submitted to the Scottish Government by 28 June 2013, and will be published at the end of August 2013. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:11.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284101,"EventID":"S4W-14679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:12.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T13:00:35.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHS has standards in place for the prevention of complications linked to diabetes.","AnswerText":"SIGN Guideline 116: Management of Diabetes makes it clear that all people with diabetes should be encouraged to work towards optimising their glycaemic control to reduce the risk of diabetes related complications.\r\nWe expect all people with diabetes to have the risk factors for complications assessed and recorded on a regular basis by the team responsible for their diabetes care.\r\nThese assessments include checks on; blood glucose, blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels; eye and foot screening, kidney function tests and weight recording. Individuals are also provided with tailored information and advice on how to manage their diabetes effectively.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:12.577","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284102,"EventID":"S4W-14680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:13.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T13:00:35.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is making people with diabetes aware of the risks of foot ulcers and leg amputation.","AnswerText":"Our Scottish Diabetes Foot Action Group (SDFAG) is working closely with Diabetes UK to raise public awareness of foot complications for people with diabetes through the “Put Feet First” campaign.\r\nDuring the foot screening process, clinicians are expected to make the patient aware of the risk factors that contribute to ulceration and amputation and provide information tailored to the patient’s individual need. This advice is also emphasised through appropriate written information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:13.2","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284103,"EventID":"S4W-14681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:13.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T13:00:35.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have experienced foot complications as a result of diabetes in each year since 2008-09.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Diabetes Survey collates data submitted by all 14 NHS Scotland Boards on the number of people with diabetes.\r\nThe 2011 report can be found at: http://www.diabetesinscotland.org.uk/Publications/SDS%202011.pdf\r\nInformation in the report (Table 69) reported that in Scotland\r\nPercentage of people with diabetes (type 1 and type 2 combined) who had a record of ever having had a foot ulcer was:\r\nYear\r\n% of people with diabetes\r\n2011\r\n4.3 %\r\n2010\r\n4.4 %\r\n2009 \r\n4.3 %\r\n2008 \r\n4.6 %\r\nInformation in the report (Table 71) reported that in Scotland\r\nPercentage of people with diabetes (type 1 and type 2 combined) who had a record of ever having had a lower limb amputation,\r\nYear\r\n% of people with diabetes\r\n2011 \r\n0.6%\r\n2010 \r\n0.5 %\r\n2009 \r\n0.5 %\r\n2008 \r\n0.5 %\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:13.777","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284104,"EventID":"S4W-14682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:14.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T13:00:35.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a compulsory foot check for people with diabetes.","AnswerText":"We expect clinicians to adhere to relevant clinical standards and guidelines when planning an individual’s diabetes care.\r\nSIGN Guideline 116: Management of Diabetes makes it clear that all patients with diabetes should be screened in a timely manner to assess their risk of developing a foot ulcer. This is supported by the inclusion of a diabetes foot screening indicator in the new Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) 2012-13.\r\nThis will ensure that all people with diabetes have their feet checked and foot risk score recorded as an integral part of their diabetes care and will reduce the number of lower limb amputations. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:14.307","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284105,"EventID":"S4W-14683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:14.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T13:00:35.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on foot ulcer- and diabetes-related amputations in each year since 2008-09.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nNHS boards are expected to plan, fund and deliver services to meet the needs of their local populations and the totality of a person’s healthcare needs rather than on an individual condition basis. Accurate estimates for the overall cost of foot ulcer and diabetes related amputations are therefore difficult to establish due to the involvement of numerous disciplines as well as the variable social and rehabilitation costs associated with amputations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:14.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284106,"EventID":"S4W-14684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T14:15:15.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T13:00:35.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to eradicate the preventable cases of diabetes-related amputation.","AnswerText":"Through the work of the Scottish Diabetes Group, we have supported the introduction of a foot risk stratification system.\r\nThis allows clinicians to assess the major risk factors which may lead to foot ulceration, record them appropriately to calculate a foot risk score and then arrange for the appropriate treatment to be provided. This system of risk stratification ensures that all patients who are at risk of developing a foot ulcer (which if left untreated can lead to amputations), will receive the most appropriate treatment in a timely manner.\r\nWork is progressing through our Scottish Diabetes Foot Action Group to improve access to multidisciplinary foot care, provide structured education for all people with foot complications and raise awareness with staff in hospitals to the importance of foot care for in-patients with diabetes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T14:15:15.4","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284108,"EventID":"S4W-14639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:46:56.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T16:06:57.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its air quality standard objectives, whether it plans to hold discussions with the UK Government regarding the recent Supreme Court ruling that the UK has failed to deliver improvements in air quality in the appropriate timescale.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the UK Government and other devolved administrations as we pursue a shared goal of improving air quality. We are committed to improving air quality across Scotland and have seen significant reductions in pollution emissions over recent decades through tighter industrial regulation, improved fuel quality, cleaner vehicles and an increased focus on sustainable transport.\r\nTogether with the other UK administrations we have produced the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which sets out our air quality policy framework and vision to 2050. In addition, Scotland's National Transport Strategy includes amongst its three strategic outcomes a commitment to improve air quality.\r\nThe Scottish Government, in partnership with Transport Scotland, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, local authorities and others is working on a range of measures to ensure full compliance as soon as possible. These measures are set out in detail in the UK's application to the Commission for a time extension on nitrogen dioxide limit values.\r\nThe whole of Scotland is expected to comply with these limit values by 2015, based on a combination of current and planned measures, with the exception of one road stretch, the missing link of the M8 between Newhouse and Baillieston to the east of Glasgow. Within the Glasgow city area, there are expected to be no exceedences of the Limit Values by 2015. This road is due to be upgraded to motorway, with Transport Scotland estimating completion in 2017-18. Once the upgrade is complete, emissions along this road will also comply with the limit values.\r\nWe are meeting both domestic and European air quality targets across most of Scotland, although there are still localised hotspots of poorer air quality in a number of urban areas. We recognise that we must build on achievements to date and continue to take action to improve air quality. Where appropriate local authorities have developed local air quality management areas to address localised issues and are required to submit and annual report on progress to the Scottish Government.\r\nFinancial support from the Scottish Government is available to councils across Scotland to support air quality monitoring and specific actions to support these plans.\r\nFife Council has received financial and practical support from the Scottish Government to help develop and implement the air quality action plan in the Cupar Air Quality Management Area. We will continue to liaise closely with the council as this work progresses.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:46:56.977","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284109,"EventID":"S4W-14640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:46:57.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T16:06:57.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to meet its air quality standard objectives and what information it has on how this compares to those set by the (a) UK and (b) EU.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14639 on 16 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:46:57.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284110,"EventID":"S4W-14641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:46:57.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T16:06:57.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to improve air quality and whether it will provide additional assistance to local authorities to help them meet air quality standards.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14639 on 16 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:46:57.693","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284111,"EventID":"S4W-14643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:46:57.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T16:06:57.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commission an audit of local authority air quality action plans in order to establish whether their air pollution targets are being met.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14639 on 16 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:46:57.99","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284112,"EventID":"S4W-14644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:46:58.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T16:06:57.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects each air quality management area to be no longer required.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14639 on 16 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:46:58.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284113,"EventID":"S4W-14645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:46:58.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T16:06:57.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to Fife Council to address pollution in Cupar's air quality management areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14639 on 16 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:46:58.567","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284114,"EventID":"S4W-14656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:46:58.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T17:14:27.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on population trends in mountain hares over recent decades.\r\n","AnswerText":"The National Gamebag Census data for mountain hare compiled by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust shows no significant trend in the data between 1961 and 2009, despite marked cyclical fluctuations which are known to exist in around half of mountain hare populations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:46:58.863","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284115,"EventID":"S4W-14657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:46:59.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T17:14:27.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many mountain hares are killed annually and what proportion of the national population this represents.","AnswerText":"A report commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage in 2006 indicated that a minimum of 24,529 mountain hares are controlled annually (mainly by shooting) on Scottish estates. This represents 7% of the 1995 published Scottish population estimate of 350,000. However, the population estimate is subject to error, and so accounting for this uncertainty, the reported level of cull would lie in the range of 3.5 to 14% of the total population. Scottish Natural Heritage are planning to undertake further studies to determine the population level either later in the current year or in the next financial year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:46:59.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284116,"EventID":"S4W-14658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:46:59.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T17:14:27.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons mountain hares are shot on and around sporting estates.","AnswerText":"A report commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage in 2006 on the control of mountain hares on Scottish estates, indicated that 73% of mountain hares that were controlled (24 529 in total that year) were killed by being shot. Among those that were shot, 32% of mountain hares were shot for the purposes of tick control to prevent the spread of disease. A further 41% were shot for sporting purposes through a combination of informal and commercial shooting. The remaining 27% were snared for the purposes of tick control, or for the protection of crops, or forests.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:46:59.44","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284117,"EventID":"S4W-14659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:46:59.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T17:14:27.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what scientific evidence it has linking disease impacts on game birds to numbers or densities of mountain hares.","AnswerText":"The scientific evidence on this subject was reviewed in a 2009 paper in the Journal of Applied Ecology \"Culling wildlife hosts to control disease: mountain hares, red grouse and louping ill virus\" by A Harrison et al. The authors concluded that there is no compelling evidence to suggest culling mountain hares might increase red grouse densities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:46:59.737","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284118,"EventID":"S4W-14660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:00.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T17:14:27.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence there is of compliance with the mountain hare closed season under the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011.","AnswerText":"There is no current evidence of non-compliance with the mountain hare closed season. To date, there have, therefore, been no prosecutions for non-compliance, and there have been 10 licence applications to date for shooting hares during the closed season.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:00.033","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284119,"EventID":"S4W-14661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:00.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T17:14:27.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce further regulation relating to the culling of mountain hares.\r\n","AnswerText":"As there has been no evidence of non-compliance in respect of the mountain hare closed season, the Scottish Government has no plans at present to introduce further regulation on this subject. However, the Scottish Government remains vigilant regarding all forms of wildlife crime and should action prove necessary we will not hesitate to do so.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:00.33","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284120,"EventID":"S4W-14662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:00.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T17:14:27.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it produces on the sustainable culling of mountain hares.","AnswerText":"The Scottish government has not issued guidance on the sustainable culling of the mountain hare as the only published information on the population level of the species is an estimate of 350,000 which dates from 1995 and is subject to a 50% margin of error. Further studies are therefore required to determine the population level and to provide a more accurate assessment of the number of mountain hares in Scotland; and Scottish Natural Heritage are planning to carry these out either later in the current or in the next financial year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:00.627","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284121,"EventID":"S4W-14663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:01.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T17:27:42.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust will engage with communities situated next to opencast coal mining sites.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Mines Restoration Trust is an independent body and not part of the Scottish Government. We understand, however, that the Trust will ensure that a permanent community representative is appointed to their board. As each site is unique, bespoke solutions will be required and each site the Trust considers will need local knowledge, input and agreement from local community representatives as part of the working groups set up for each site.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:01.22","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284122,"EventID":"S4W-14664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:01.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T17:27:42.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what effect the creation of the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust will have on existing planning obligations placed on coal mining companies.","AnswerText":"The Trust is not expected to have a direct effect on planning obligations but the Trust will instead when approached, be expected to prioritise and facilitate action on restoration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:01.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284123,"EventID":"S4W-14665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:01.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T17:27:42.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what sources of funding will exist for the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Mines Restoration Trust (SMRT) is an independent body and not part of the Scottish Government. Therefore, the funding sources are a matter for the board of SMRT.\r\nCoal operators are responsible for the restoration of their respective open cast sites. However, we recognise that these tasks are complex, and the Trust will work with the Scottish Government and its agencies, coal operators, local councils, landowners, communities, and environmental bodies to facilitate the responsible restoration of open cast sites.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:01.827","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284124,"EventID":"S4W-14666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:02.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T17:27:42.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the liquidation of Scottish Coal will have on any applications by the company for coal extraction that are in the planning system.","AnswerText":"The determination of planning applications by Scottish Coal for opencast coal extraction is a matter for discussion between the individual planning authorities and Scottish Coals’ liquidators.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:02.123","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284125,"EventID":"S4W-14667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:02.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-02T17:27:42.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions ministers have had with Hargreaves Services Plc about the formation of the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has talked with a range of stakeholders across the coal industry in the development stages of the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust (SMRT) including local authority planning officials, landowners, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and representatives of the coal industry including Hargreaves who were involved in the initial formation of the SMRT and but no longer play a part in the body going forward.\r\nOptions for funding the trust are possible from a variety of sources including coal operators and the coal industry itself, and Hargreaves have been the first coal operator to contribute to the funding of the trust providing £1.1 million. The SMRT is an independent body and not part of the Scottish Government.\r\nIt is not the responsibility of the SMRT to restore open cast mines. Coal operators will still be responsible for the restoration of their respective open cast sites. However these tasks are often complex and the trust will work with coal operators, local councils, landowners, communities, and environmental bodies to facilitate the responsible restoration of open cast sites.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:02.42","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284126,"EventID":"S4W-14685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:02.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T13:19:39.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that there is a sufficient number of radiographers available to each NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14689 on 20 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/58157.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:02.717","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284127,"EventID":"S4W-14686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:03.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T13:19:39.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) radiographers and (b) vacancies for radiographers there are in each NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested on how many (a) radiographers and (b) vacancies for radiographers there are in each NHS board can be found through the following web links:\r\nNumber of radiographers by NHS board:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/publications/2013-02-26/AHP_Staff_D2012.xls?93440754\r\nNumber of vacancies for radiographers by NHS board:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2013-02-26/AHP_vacancies_D2012.xls\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:03.28","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284128,"EventID":"S4W-14688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:03.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T13:19:39.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are expected to complete training in radiography in (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Higher Education Statistics Authority produces statistics for students in higher education institutions. The latest information for Scotland is for the academic year 2011-12. Data for academic year 2012-13 will be available in 2014.\r\nIn 2011-12, 120 students (rounded to the nearest 5) obtained a higher education qualification in Radiography.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:03.81","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284129,"EventID":"S4W-14689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:04.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T13:19:39.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what strategy the NHS has for the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of radiographers and training people in radiography.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS boards are required annually to provide workforce projections for all staff groups including radiographers. The workforce projections are used to identify supply and demand requirements across NHSScotland and also to inform education needs. NHS boards are also required to publish their workforce plans on an annual basis.\r\nThe Scottish Government expects all NHS boards to have robust processes in place to ensure the provision of safe, effective and high quality patient care which is delivered by the right professional at the right time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:04.34","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284130,"EventID":"S4W-14690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:04.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T13:30:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13398 by John Swinney on 11 March 2013, if it is unable to produce a fair local tax based on ability to pay whether it will consider a revaluation of council tax bands.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to consider a revaluation of council tax bands.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:04.87","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284131,"EventID":"S4W-14691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:05.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T14:09:39.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many calls have been received by the National Confidential Alert Line and, of these, how many have had substantive action taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"The National Confidential Alert Line has received 53 calls in its first month since launching on 2 April 2013. 34 of these calls were from individuals who identified themselves as working for NHSScotland and 19 were from NHS workers from other parts of the UK.\r\nOf the calls from Scotland 23 were from individuals raising concerns about patient safety or malpractice and 11 were about private or contractual matters.\r\nDue to the confidential nature of the Alert Line, and to avoid potential identification of individuals, we will not be advised of the actions taken in regard to each call.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:05.183","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284132,"EventID":"S4W-14692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:05.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T14:09:39.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what has been done to publicise the National Confidential Alert Line to NHS staff.\r\n","AnswerText":"5,000 posters and 158,000 credit card flyers promoting the National Confidential Alert Line were issued to all Health Boards in Scotland in March 2013. This followed a letter from Derek Feeley, Director General for Health and Social Care and Chief Executive of NHS Scotland, issued on 15 March 2013 to all NHS Boards, highlighting the launch of the Alert Line, its purpose, and requesting Health Boards appropriately display posters and distribute business card to members of staff.\r\nIn the coming months we will be providing information about the Alert Line on staff pay slips, making sure that all NHSScotland employees are aware of this important resource.\r\nThe Alert Line is also promoted on the NHS Staff Governance website and we are planning further promotion throughout the year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:05.713","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284133,"EventID":"S4W-14693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:06.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T14:36:32.927","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what neurorehabilitation services are available, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"Data on neurorehabilitation services broken down by individual NHS board is not held centrally. Information for condition specific services is not recorded.\r\nWhile policies, frameworks and resources are provided by the Scottish Government, individual boards are responsible for planning services in their area. This includes securing the range of staff to deliver services to make sure the services meet the needs of patients.\r\nStandard 4.6 of the Neurological Standards states that NHS boards should provide designated rehabilitation services specifically for people with neurological symptoms.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:06.26","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284134,"EventID":"S4W-14694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:06.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T14:36:32.927","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans there are to increase the number of NHS neurorehabilitation services.\r\n","AnswerText":"While policies, frameworks and resources are provided by the Scottish Government, individual NHS boards are responsible for planning services in their area and for securing the staff (including specialisms) to deliver them. It is for NHS boards to determine their workforce requirements, including training, based on the clinical needs and services developments in their area.\r\nOur priority for people living with neurological conditions is to ensure that the Neurological Standards published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland are implemented, they offer the best mechanism for achieving safe, effective and person centred care. \r\nThe standards will help ensure people get the earliest and most appropriate treatment locally, but with access to specialist services when needed. That’s why we previously provided boards with £1.2million, to develop improvement groups as the main vehicles to take them forward.\r\nStandard 4.6 of the states that NHS boards should provide designated rehabilitation services specifically for people with neurological symptoms.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:06.79","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284135,"EventID":"S4W-14695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-03T15:47:07.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T14:36:32.927","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on neurorehabilitation services in the last year for which information is available, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information is not recorded for specific conditions and services.\r\nThe Scottish Health Service Costs (the Costs Book) is the only source of published cost information for NHSScotland. This provides a detailed analysis of how board operating costs reported in board annual accounts, have been spent on patient care within NHS Scotland. \r\nThe Costs Book is published on the ISD website: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Finance/Costs/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-20T15:47:07.303","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284137,"EventID":"S4T-00341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T09:42:35.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T13:41:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the recent emergence of a new strain of Clostridium difficile.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T09:42:35.71","MeetingDate":"2013-05-07T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284151,"EventID":"S4W-14227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T14:29:39.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T16:36:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14201 by Alex Neil on 1 May 2013, what information it has on whether each supplier has (a) met Maggie's Centre representatives and (b) considered the requirements of a patient-centred approach for people who experience hair loss as a result of cancer treatment.\r\n","AnswerText":"National Procurement, a division of NHS Services Scotland, advise that they do not hold information about supplier meetings with Maggie’s Centre representatives as this was not part of the tender process, but it will be developed if required by NHS boards as the contract is rolled out.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T14:29:39.89","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284152,"EventID":"S4W-14228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T14:29:41.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T16:36:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14201 by Alex Neil on 1 May 2013, what reassurances it has received from each supplier regarding their (a) services and (b) support for patients.\r\n","AnswerText":"National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland advise that the tender for the contract required suppliers to meet minimum standards as agreed by the Commodity Advisory Panel.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T14:29:41.03","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284153,"EventID":"S4W-14229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T14:29:41.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T16:36:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14201 by Alex Neil on 1 May 2013, whether each supplier provides wigs and other hairpieces for patients from ethnic minorities who experience hair loss as a result of cancer treatment. \r\n","AnswerText":"National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland advise that contract suppliers source and provide a variety of wigs designed to meet patient requirements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T14:29:42.013","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284154,"EventID":"S4W-14230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T14:29:43.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T16:36:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14201 by Alex Neil on 1 May 2013, whether it is aware of concerns expressed by parents of children who have experienced hair loss as a result of cancer treatment whose children have been denied wigs that match their ethnicity requirements and, if so, what discussion it had with each supplier regarding this.\r\n","AnswerText":"National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland advise that they are not aware of any such issues. They have not been approached either by contract suppliers, NHS boards, or patients and carers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T14:29:43.153","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284155,"EventID":"S4W-14231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T14:29:44.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-04-09T16:36:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14201 by Alex Neil on 1 May 2013, what assessment was made of the impact on employment on other Scotland-based suppliers prior to signing the agreement with the supplier, Dimples.\r\n","AnswerText":"National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, advise that the supplier Dimples will initially be operating through two agents in Glasgow, with the potential to add more agents to service the contract if required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T14:29:44.713","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284156,"EventID":"S4W-14628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T14:29:46.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T17:00:54.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to conduct an audit of the number of local authorities taking a three-year approach to funding voluntary sector organisations and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"I am committed to considering the questions and points that were raised on the frequency of three year funding during the debate on Funding to the Voluntary Sector that was held on 1 May.\r\nMy officials are in discussions and once that is complete I will be in a position to advise Parliament how the Scottish Government intends to address the issue of evidence gathering.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T14:29:46.443","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284157,"EventID":"S4W-14629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T14:29:47.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-01T17:00:54.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken or plans to undertake a review of how many refuges for vulnerable women and children will not be considered exempt accommodation under the new universal credit and benefit cap rules.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been working with COSLA and providers of housing support to assess the exact number of Supported Accommodation in Scotland that will not be covered under the Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP’s) definition of Supported Exempt Accommodation.\r\nScottish Ministers have pressed DWP to resolve the anomalous situation whereby some Support Accommodation in Scotland will not be included in the Supported Exempt Accommodation definition and will therefore be subject to measures such as the benefit cap and under-occupancy deductions.\r\nDWP has written to the Scottish Government, acknowledging that this situation was unintentional, and committing to seek a resolution subject to not increasing current expenditure.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T14:29:47.66","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284158,"EventID":"S4W-14696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T14:29:49.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T16:15:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it decides how the CashBack for Communities scheme funds are distributed and what three projects have been given the most money in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"Since the inception of the hugely successful CashBack for Communities Programme in 2007, over £50 million recovered from proceeds of crime has been invested or fully committed in the Programme to directly benefit over 600,000 young people and generating over 11,000 young person volunteers who are now putting something back into their communities.\r\nCashBack for Communities delivers a wide range of projects through Scotland’s leading sporting, arts, business, community and youth associations to support a wide range of youth work, sporting, cultural, educational, and mentoring activities and projects and community sporting facilities that benefit young people and their communities throughout every local authority area in Scotland.\r\nAn overview and breakdown for monies invested between 2007 and 2012 has been published at: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/17141/cashback/CashBack-Finance\r\nYear-end figures for financial year 2012-13 will be published in due course.\r\nThe three organisations whose projects received the most money in each year since 2007 are shown in the following table:\r\n2008-09\r\nProject\r\nFunding\r\nYouthLink Scotland \r\n£3,198,531 \r\nScottish Football Association\r\n£520,646\r\nScottish Sports Futures\r\n£312,553 \r\n2009-10\r\nProject\r\nFunding\r\nSportscotland (sport facilities)\r\n£1,445,133 \r\nYouthLink Scotland\r\n£1,200,429 \r\nScottish Football Association\r\n£863,666 \r\n2010-11\r\nProject\r\nFunding\r\nYouthLink Scotland\r\n£1,481,740 \r\nScottish Football Association\r\n£1,038,687 \r\nScottish Rugby Union\r\n£461,900 \r\n\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\nProject\r\nFunding\r\nYouthLink Scotland\r\n£2,013,657 \r\nCreative Scotland\r\n£1,006,999 \r\nSportscotland (sport facilities)\r\n£942,241 \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T14:29:49.627","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284159,"EventID":"S4W-14697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T14:29:50.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T16:15:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria or points systems are used regarding the distribution of the CashBack for Communities scheme funds.","AnswerText":"Since the inception of the hugely successful CashBack for Communities Programme in 2007, over £50 million recovered from proceeds of crime has been invested or fully committed in the Programme to directly benefit over 600,000 young people and generating over 11,000 young person volunteers who are now putting something back into their communities.\r\nCashBack for Communities delivers a wide range of projects through Scotland’s leading sporting, arts, business, community and youth associations to support a wide range of youth work, sporting, cultural, educational, and mentoring activities and projects and community sporting facilities that benefit young people between the ages of 10 and 25, and their communities throughout every local authority area in Scotland.\r\nThe key factors that we take into account are that projects must deliver outcomes that build better, safer, healthier communities, improve facilities and run projects that simply would not have existed otherwise. That gives our young people positive, purposeful and constructive opportunities to contribute to Scottish society.\r\nThey key criteria for CashBack activities are that they should be: \r\n\r\nPositive - broadly defined as wholesome, healthy, fun, active, engaging etc;\r\nOpen to all - accessible, well-advertised, free of charge, of interest to all ages, to both boys and girls, ethnic minorities and young people with disabilities;\r\nDevelopmental - changing behaviours and attitudes; developing personal and physical skills; and\r\nSustainable - providing medium and long term benefits, as well as short term benefits, and linking into mainstream funding.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T14:29:51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284160,"EventID":"S4W-14698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T14:29:52.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T16:15:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been distributed through the CashBack for Communities scheme in each year since 2007, broken down by area.","AnswerText":"Since the inception of the hugely successful CashBack for Communities Programme in 2007, over £50 million recovered from proceeds of crime has been invested or fully committed in the Programme to directly benefit over 600,000 young people and generating over 11,000 young person volunteers who are now putting something back into their communities.\r\nCashBack delivers a wide range of projects through Scotland’s leading sporting, arts, business, community and youth associations to support a wide range of youth work, sporting, cultural, educational, and mentoring activities and projects and community sporting facilities that benefit young people and their communities throughout Scotland.\r\nAll 32 local authorities have benefited from monies distributed through the CashBack for Communities scheme. An overview and breakdown for monies invested between 2007 and 2012 has been published at: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/17141/cashback/CashBack-Finance\r\nYear-end figures for financial year 2012-13 will be published in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T14:29:52.56","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284161,"EventID":"S4W-14699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T14:29:55.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T16:15:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Shetland has benefited from money distributed through the Cashback for Communities Programme in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14698 on 21 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T14:29:55.29","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284162,"EventID":"S4W-14721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T14:29:56.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T12:02:36.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent development of a vaccine against Clostridium bolteae, which is common in autistic children, what consideration it is giving to offering the vaccine to autistic schoolchildren.","AnswerText":"This vaccine has not yet had any preclinical or human trials, which would be needed to establish its efficacy and safety. Should these be completed satisfactorily, the vaccine would then be considered for licensing by the European Medicines Agency. If granted a licence the possible use of the vaccine would be considered by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. This is standard procedure for the introduction of all vaccines.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T14:29:56.537","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":284163,"EventID":"S4W-14729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T14:38:18.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T14:28:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the outcome of its parallel streams of work on an historic environment strategy and the future of Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that I am today publishing the business case for the merger of Historic Scotland and RCAHMS and that I intend to establish the merged body as a non-departmental public body and make provisions for it to apply for charitable status in line with Scotland’s National Collections.\r\nI am also publishing a draft Strategy for Scotland’s Historic Environment. This is a strategy for Scotland and seeks to establish a common shared direction for the varied organisations and individuals who play a role in caring for our historic environment. The new body will have a key role in leading and enabling its delivery \r\nI am today launching a joint consultation covering both the strategy and the establishment of the proposed new body. The published documents are available at: www.scotland.gov.uk/HEstrategy_merger\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T14:38:18.703","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284164,"EventID":"S4W-14734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T15:33:28.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T15:29:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legislative consent motions it will lodge in connection with the UK Government's legislative programme as announced in the Queen’s Speech on 8 May 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"In accordance with the Sewel Convention, the UK Parliament does not legislate with regard to devolved matters in Scotland without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.\r\nThis is an important part of devolution, as it acknowledges the special constitutional position of the Scottish Parliament and the democratic mandate conferred on this Parliament by the people of Scotland. In the view of the Scottish Government, the Sewel Convention will remain an essential part of the constitution of the UK for as long as the UK Parliament retains its current powers and functions in relation to Scotland.\r\nIn the normal course of business, legislation on devolved matters should be scrutinised and determined in the Scottish Parliament. There may however be situations in which it is helpful and appropriate for legislation dealing with devolved matters to be taken forward at Westminster. \r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to assessing opportunities of this kind on their merits and to working closely and constructively with the UK Government, on a case by case basis, to deliver legislation which best meets Scotland’s needs. The Scottish Government is equally committed to working with the UK Government to pursue opportunities to extend devolved competence.\r\nThe formal consent of the Scottish Parliament is required in relation to all proposals for Westminster primary legislation on devolved matters, including alterations to devolved competence, in accordance with Chapter 9B of Standing Orders.\r\nWithin the legislative programme announced today by the UK Government, we have identified potential opportunities to legislate for the benefit of Scotland on matters that are within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament or which alter legislative or executive competence.\r\nThe UK bills which we currently expect to give rise to Legislative Consent Motions in the Scottish Parliament cover: \r\nAnti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill – a Bill which will include a wide range of reforms to policing and the introduction of a number of antisocial behaviour measures, reforms to alcohol and licensing, dangerous dogs, firearms, and extradition law amongst other provisions. The Bill mostly relates to England, but some provisions do extend to Scotland in reserved areas such as the firearms offence changes. The parts of the Bill that extend to Scotland in devolved areas relate to the Police Negotiating Board, dangerous dogs and witness protection.\r\nCare Bill – The provisions of this Bill aim to address adult care in England. It does not generally extend to Scotland but will require legislative consent for provisions relating to cross-border placements and the establishment of the Health Research Authority.\r\nWater Bill – A Bill generally legislating for England and Wales and which will contain provisions for establishing water market competition (similar to that established in Scotland by the 2008 Act), Ofwat and sewerage. A technical LCM will be required for provisions on sewerage licencing and the River Esk. \r\nThe Scottish Government will, in due course, lodge memoranda and motions for these bills, once they have been introduced in the UK Parliament. It will then be for the Scottish Parliament to determine whether to give or withhold consent.\r\nIt is possible that further opportunities to legislate for Scotland by means of Legislative Consent Motion may occur in connection with other UK bills, including Private Member’s bills. Any additional proposals of this kind, together with any relevant amendments to the Government bills listed above, will be drawn to the attention of the Parliament as they arise, in line with the requirements of Standing Orders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T15:33:28.27","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284171,"EventID":"S4W-14710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:31.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T11:27:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14615 by John Swinney on 2 May 2013, how it will “provide substantial further support to the housing sector”.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will make further announcements on the allocation of financial transactions consequentials in the course of May.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:31.297","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284172,"EventID":"S4W-14711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:31.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T11:27:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14615 by John Swinney on 2 May 2013, how much the “significant additional funding to support shared equity schemes” will be.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14710 on 17 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:31.89","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284173,"EventID":"S4W-14712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:32.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T11:27:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14615 by John Swinney on 2 May 2013, on what it will spend the £12 million reduction in the level of planned switch between the resource and capital budgets in the housing portfolio.\r\n","AnswerText":"As set out in the response to S4W-14615, the three measures described will allow the Scottish Government to almost fully offset the £54.8 million cut that has been made in the Scottish Government Resource DEL budget in 2013-14, without detriment to existing programmes and spending plans.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:32.513","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284174,"EventID":"S4W-14713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:33.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T11:27:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14615 by John Swinney on 2 May 2013, whether the £10 million additional funding for the further education sector that it announced on 6 February 2013 (Official Report c. 16478) will no longer be spent in that area and, if so, where this will now be allocated.\r\n","AnswerText":"The commitment to provide an additional £10 million funding for the college sector has been maintained. As set out in response to S4W-14615, rather than funding this from Barnett consequentials in 2013-14, an additional £10 million in funding has been passed to the Scottish Funding Council in 2012-13 for deployment in the college sector in 2013-14. This enables the Government to address the £54.8 million cut the UK Government has made to the Scottish Government’s resource budget in 2013-14 whilst still delivering in full the commitment to the £522 million funding floor for the sector announced on 6 February.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:33.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284175,"EventID":"S4W-14714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:33.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T11:27:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14615 by John Swinney on 2 May 2013, for what reason there is an “emerging 2012-13 underspend to the college sector” and what correspondence the Cabinet Secretary for (a) Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth and (b) Education and Lifelong Learning has had with the Scottish Funding Council regarding this.\r\n","AnswerText":"There is no underspend in the college sector in 2012-13. £10 million in emerging underspend elsewhere in Scottish Government has been redirected as additional funding to the sector through the Scottish Funding Council.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:33.807","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284176,"EventID":"S4W-14717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:34.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T11:27:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14615 by John Swinney on 2 May 2013, on what it will spend the “accumulated police reserves\" and what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding their allocation.\r\n","AnswerText":"Accumulated police reserves in the region of £20 to £30 million will accrue to the Scottish Government Resource Department of Employment and Learning(DEL) budget. As set out in response to S4W-14615, this will help the Scottish Government to minimise the impact of the £54.8 million reduction in its 2013-14 Resource DEL budget. The reallocation of police reserves is part of an agreement between the Scottish Government and COSLA around the sharing of uncommitted resources which have been generated as a result of accumulated underspends by the former police joint boards. The agreement also provides that funding for any commitments that carry forward to the Scottish Police Authority in 2013-14 will be met in full so there will be no impact on the budget of the new body. Discussions around the treatment of reserves have been held with the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:34.463","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284177,"EventID":"S4W-14719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:35.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T11:27:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14615 by John Swinney on 2 May 2013, for what reason the information was provided in response to a Scottish Government-inspired question and what consideration it gave to providing a ministerial statement.\r\n","AnswerText":"The inspired parliamentary question was considered the most appropriate way of advising Parliament of the decision over how to allocate available financial transaction consequentials. As noted in response to S4W-14615 further detail on the deployment of the financial transaction consequentials will be announced over the course of May.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:35.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284178,"EventID":"S4W-14720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:35.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T11:27:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14615 by John Swinney on 2 May 2013, whether  it will make a ministerial statement on the shared equity schemes and, if so, when.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14710 on 17 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:35.773","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284179,"EventID":"S4W-14722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:36.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T12:43:26.787","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the companies bidding for Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route contracts are headquartered in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"The contract for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and Balmedie to Tipperty attracted strong interest from major UK and European companies. Of the 29 different companies in four consortia invited to bid 16 are headquartered in the UK, another eight have offices in the UK, and 15 have offices in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:36.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284180,"EventID":"S4W-14724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:37.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T12:43:26.787","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many of the companies bidding for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route pay full UK tax on their UK business.","AnswerText":"All bidders have been required to sign an undertaking that they have not been convicted for any offences, including that of revenue fraud. There is no evidence to suggest bidder’s failure to pay the required UK tax on their business.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:37.63","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284181,"EventID":"S4W-14725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:38.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T12:43:26.787","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the contracts for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will ensure that the successful bidders will (a) not make use of tax avoidance practices, (b) pay at least a living wage to all employees, (c) use local staff and raw materials where possible and (d) demonstrate a commitment to sustainable construction practices.\r\n","AnswerText":"The contract will oblige the successful bidder to comply with all legislation including that relating to taxation, including a requirement to pay at least the standard benchmark.\r\nIt will also stipulate levels of training and employment opportunities for apprentices, graduates and the long term unemployed. All vacancies will be advertised in local job centres and sub-contracts to be tendered advertised in Public Contracts Scotland thus maximising the opportunity for local employment and for local companies.\r\nIn addition, the successful bidder will be required to provide a clear demonstration of how he will maximise the delivery of sustainable solutions following best practice for this critical project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:38.237","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284182,"EventID":"S4W-14726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:38.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T12:52:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Glasgow City Council regarding the council's commitment to roll out free public wi-fi.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussions on digital infrastructure issues with Glasgow City Council, along with the other Scottish cities, through the Scottish Cities Alliance. Delivering world-class digital connectivity in Scotland’s cities is a shared objective and collaboration is underway on a number of projects in Glasgow.\r\nThe commitment to roll out free public wi-fi is a key component of the Council’s Digital Glasgow Strategy and Scottish Government officials have provided advice and participated in initial market testing sessions on proposed solutions. Glasgow City Council is now preparing to launch a procurement process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:38.957","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284183,"EventID":"S4W-14727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:39.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T14:17:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the council tax freeze has saved the average band D household in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"Over the six year period the council tax freeze will have been in place (2008-14), the average Band D household in Scotland will have benefited from cumulative savings of almost £690. The following table sets out how much the average Band D household within each local authority area will have saved.\r\nLocal Authority Area\r\nAverage Band D saving from the council tax freeze (£)\r\n(2008-09 to 2012-14)*\r\nAberdeen City \r\n717\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n693\r\nAngus\r\n656\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n675\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n697\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n632\r\nDundee City \r\n735\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n731\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n688\r\nEast Lothian\r\n670\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n656\r\nEdinburgh, City of \r\n679\r\nEilean Siar\r\n625\r\nFalkirk\r\n656\r\nFife\r\n671\r\nGlasgow City \r\n720\r\nHighland\r\n693\r\nInverclyde\r\n725\r\nMidlothian\r\n742\r\nMoray\r\n694\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n687\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n682\r\nOrkney\r\n636\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n687\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n702\r\nScottish Borders\r\n651\r\nShetland Islands\r\n649\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n690\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n671\r\nStirling\r\n706\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n712\r\nWest Lothian\r\n693\r\nNote: *Derived from CTAXBASE and CTAS statistical returns and\r\nassume 3.0% growth in council tax each year.\r\nFigures show effects on bills – the figures do not take account of council tax benefit.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:40.017","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284184,"EventID":"S4W-14730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:41.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T14:38:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-14177 to S4W-14184 by Aileen Campbell on 3 May 2013, whether it will publish the list of applicants to the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund (TSEIF), broken down by those (a) receiving funding under the TSEIF, (b) whose application was unsuccessful but who have been selected as strategic partners and (c) who are not receiving funding and have not been selected as strategic partners.\r\n","AnswerText":"Details of organisations receiving funding through TSEIF have been published on the Big in Scotland website. This information can be found at: http://bigblogscotland.org.uk/2013/04/18/tseifawards/.\r\n\r\nOn 21 May 2013 I announced details of the Third Sector Strategic Funding Partnerships. These details have been published on the Scottish Government website and can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Young-People/Early-Years-and-Family.\r\n\r\nWe have no plans to publish a list of organisations who were unsuccessful in their application to TSEIF and who are not in a strategic funding partnership.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:41.56","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284185,"EventID":"S4W-14731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:42.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T14:38:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-14177 to S4W-14184 by Aileen Campbell on 3 May 2013, how much funding each organisation is to receive via strategic funding partnerships.","AnswerText":"Following the announcement I made on 21 May 2013, these details have been published on the Scottish Government website and can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Young-People/Early-Years-and-Family.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:42.373","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284186,"EventID":"S4W-14732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:42.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many reprimands have been issued to each NHS board for poor hygiene practices in the last four years. \r\n","AnswerText":"No formal reprimands have been issued by the Scottish Government to any NHS Board for poor hand hygiene compliance in the past four years.\r\nInfection prevention and control measures, including hand hygiene, are discussed when the Cabinet Secretary, Director General Health and Scottish Government officials meet with NHS board Chairs and Chief Executives. These meetings provide an opportunity for the Scottish Government to seek assurances from NHS boards that the highest standards of hygiene are being maintained to protect patients, staff and the public.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:43.013","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284187,"EventID":"S4W-14733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-07T16:56:43.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS staff have been reprimanded for poor hygiene practices in the last four years, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. It is a matter for individual NHS boards to consider any disciplinary measures in relation to NHS Staff who are not compliant with hand hygiene practices.\r\nLatest hand hygiene figures show that national hand hygiene compliance by NHS staff remains consistently high at 95%. However, there is no room for complacency and all NHS chief executives should continue to ensure a culture of zero tolerance by all NHS staff towards non hand hygiene compliance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-21T16:56:43.637","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284188,"EventID":"S4O-02105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:39.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:17:48.703","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Aberdeen City Council about cultural issues.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:40.217","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284189,"EventID":"S4O-02106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:41.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T13:31:15.543","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what projects it is funding to promote social, cultural and business links with Poland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:41.23","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284190,"EventID":"S4O-02107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:41.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T10:40:29.29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what practical support it can provide to Scottish charities wishing to carry out development and assistance work overseas.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:41.81","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284191,"EventID":"S4O-02108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:42.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:17:49.827","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are to recognise and promote Scotland’s cultural achievers locally.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:42.213","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284192,"EventID":"S4O-02109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:43.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T11:34:39.383","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the results were of the recent ministerial visits to North America.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:43.243","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284193,"EventID":"S4O-02110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:43.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T17:11:46.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the benefits are of celebrating creative places across the country.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:43.9","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284194,"EventID":"S4O-02111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:44.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T17:28:37.663","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what regular contact it has with member states of the Commonwealth of Nations.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:44.257","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284195,"EventID":"S4O-02112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:45.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T11:35:01.683","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with the Kurdistan Regional Government to strengthen links between Scotland and Kurdistan.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:45.037","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284196,"EventID":"S4O-02113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:45.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T17:34:26.183","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme Open Fund will be.","AnswerText":"The Open Fund is a major component in the development of the nationwide Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Culture Programme. It received a fantastic response and I am delighted by the incredible enthusiasm that has been shown by cultural organisations and individuals throughout the nation.\r\nThe Culture Programme will significantly enhance the Games experience for all of Scotland’s communities, spectators and visitors, as well as present the best of Scotland’s culture alongside that of the Commonwealth.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:46.223","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284197,"EventID":"S4O-02114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:46.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:17:56.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Aberdeen and Dundee bids for UK City of Culture 2017.","AnswerText":"I am delighted that both Dundee and Aberdeen have bid to be the UK City of Culture 2017 which reflects the strength of arts and culture in the cities. However, as this is a UK Government scheme, the Scottish Government has not been involved in the bidding process.\r\nIn November last year my officials met with Aberdeen City Council and their intention to bid for UK City of Culture status was discussed, and last month I wrote in response to correspondence from Councillor Ken Guild of Dundee City Council stating my support for the scheme and wishing both cities every success with the bid process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:47.003","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284198,"EventID":"S4O-02115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:47.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:23.65","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions ministers have had with local authorities regarding the condition of the road network.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:47.627","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284199,"EventID":"S4O-02116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:48.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:25.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14615 by John Swinney on 2 May 2013, how the £290.8 million to support the housing sector will be allocated.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:48.44","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284200,"EventID":"S4O-02117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:49.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:26.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what help is available for local traders to ensure that local communities thrive.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:49.623","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284201,"EventID":"S4O-02118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:50.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:27.83","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on implementing Scotland's Digital Future: Infrastructure Action Plan.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:50.513","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284202,"EventID":"S4O-02119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:50.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:28.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the works associated with the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme will impact on services from Croy railway station.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:51.013","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284203,"EventID":"S4O-02121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:51.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:28.86","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the measures outlined in the proposed Bus Regulation (Scotland) Bill.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:51.277","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284204,"EventID":"S4O-02122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:52.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T11:17:57.477","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what approach it anticipates taking to the Airport Commission's inquiry into airport capacity in the UK.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:52.917","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284205,"EventID":"S4O-02123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:53.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:31.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is giving local authorities to improve access to affordable housing.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:53.617","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284206,"EventID":"S4O-02124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:53.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:32.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prevent tenants and landlords from being exploited by unregulated letting agents.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:53.913","MeetingDate":"2013-05-15T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284207,"EventID":"S4O-02125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:54.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:54.443","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to combat antisocial behaviour.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:54.773","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284208,"EventID":"S4O-02126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:55.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:55.177","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to understand and deal with the increase in the number of schoolchildren with additional support needs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:55.427","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":284209,"EventID":"S4O-02127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:56.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:55.49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding the unscheduled care action plan.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:56.55","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284210,"EventID":"S4O-02129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:56.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:56.083","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what improvements have been made to dental services in NHS Ayrshire and Arran since May 2007. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:56.77","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284211,"EventID":"S4O-02130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:57.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:56.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the process is to appeal a historic finding of the Lands Tribunal for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:57.703","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284212,"EventID":"S4O-02131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:58.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:57.223","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the consultants’ report to the Intergovernmental Scottish Islands Renewables Steering Group.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:58.827","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284213,"EventID":"S4O-02132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:59.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T11:05:29.773","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Scotland regarding the decision to cancel the Dunfermline-based Sheds Hairdressing’s contract to provide hairpieces.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:59.187","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284214,"EventID":"S4O-02133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:59.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:57.987","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what procedures are in place for funeral directors to attain and retain their accreditation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:59.623","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284215,"EventID":"S4O-02134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T12:27:59.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-03T12:18:58.877","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the Save the Children report, State of the World’s Mothers, 2013, will have on its early years strategy.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T12:27:59.843","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284232,"EventID":"S4W-14700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:45.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T09:23:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has offered to provide a wheelchair lift for any suppliers of hairpieces.","AnswerText":"National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, advise that the new contract for wigs and associated services was tendered on the basis that suppliers and the agents must meet essential features for their premises. It is the responsibility of those tendering to ensure that these features are met.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:45.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284233,"EventID":"S4W-14701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:46.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T09:23:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS Fife will have access to an agency in Fife supplying services related to hairpieces from 1 June 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, advise that under the new contract for wigs and associated hairpieces from 1 June 2013, there will be one agent located within Fife, namely Sutherlands Hair and Beauty based in Newport-on-Tay.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:46.33","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284234,"EventID":"S4W-14702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:46.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T09:23:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it assists patients to deal with the issues involved when there is a change in hairpiece supplier.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is a matter for National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, which advise that the NP506 wigs contract must be tendered in line with EU Procurement Legislation timescales, and will be re-tendered at least every four years with the possibility of a change of supplier(s) after every tender. \r\nFor the latest contract, three of the four incumbent suppliers will continue on to the new contract, along with three new suppliers. Additionally, agents of the unsuccessful incumbent supplier may have the opportunity to become an agent for one of the successful suppliers to aid continuity of service. NHS Health boards will be involved with patients regarding any change to their supplier.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:46.783","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284235,"EventID":"S4W-14703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:47.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T09:23:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14374 by Alex Neil on 1 May 2013, what consideration it has given to stipulating in the contract that all chemotherapy patients and people with alopecia must have services related to hairpieces provided within a reasonable travelling distance and what it defines as a reasonable travelling distance.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is a matter for National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, who advise that the new Wigs and associated services contract was awarded to an increased number of suppliers, with a view to improving the coverage of NHS Health boards through local premises of either contract suppliers, or their agents. As the contract suppliers are Small Medium Enterprises, there is no guarantee that premises will be available within a specified distance, hence the use of agents for this contract.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:47.283","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284236,"EventID":"S4W-14704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:47.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T09:23:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what emergency measures it will take to ensure the continued provision of NHS services to hairpiece users when a supplier has gone into liquidation.\r\n","AnswerText":"National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, advise that under the current Wigs contract which expires on 31 May 2013, there were three suppliers that were able to provide services in place of Turvey’s, with one of those suppliers buying over the business to ensure that open orders/prescriptions are fulfilled. As of 1 June 2013, under the NP506/13 Contract, there will be a further three new suppliers able to provide these services in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:47.767","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284237,"EventID":"S4W-14705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:48.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T09:23:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14373 by Alex Neil on 1 May 2013, how it monitors service provision during the transition from one contract provider to another and whether it will report on any issues identified.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is a matter for National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, who advise that NHS health boards will provide patients with the options available to them about supplier provision and any issues will be fed back to National Procurement. \r\nNational Procurement has also developed an online patient survey to allow patient feedback to be gathered about supplier performance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:48.513","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284238,"EventID":"S4W-14706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:48.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T09:23:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14370 by Alex Neil on 29 April 2013, how it made an assessment of patients' views when developing the tender documents for the supply of hairpieces.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, advise that the commodity advisory panel for the contract included representatives from oncology and dermatology services who helped shape the contract.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:49.153","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284239,"EventID":"S4W-14707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:49.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T09:23:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what weighting it gave to the provision of modern, well-decorated premises and access for disabled people when evaluating salon providers of hairpieces.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, who advise that the NP506/13 Contract was awarded against the criteria of Cost, Quality of Premises and Health Board coverage.\r\nThe Quality of Premises criteria are based on a pass/fail against the essential features of the premises within the Invitation to Tender (ITT) response. Those premises that met the essential features at the paper submission stage were visited by NHS boards to ensure that they met these features and were also scored against the features. The Quality of Premises evaluation comprised 20% of the overall tender score.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:49.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284240,"EventID":"S4W-14708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:50.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T09:23:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has given to NHS boards on the provision of hairpieces and related services.","AnswerText":"The most recent Scottish Government guidance relating to the provision of wigs, which is still extant, is contained at Annex A of NHS Circular PCA (P)7 M3 (2008). This was published in March 2008 and is available online at: \r\nhttp://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/pca/PCA2008(P)07(M)03.pdf.\r\nIn addition to this, wig prescribing guidance was issued to NHS board chief executives in November 2011, which was produced as a result of the work of the Supply of Wigs Investigation Group Scotland:\r\nhttp://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/publications/DC20111102wigs.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:50.607","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284241,"EventID":"S4W-14709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:50.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T09:23:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the standards of services that are required from each provider of hairpieces.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, advise that the Minimum Standard Customer Service expected from each contract supplier was stated within the NP506/13 Wigs Contract. These are:\r\nPatients given friendly welcome to the premises\r\nPatients treated with respect and courtesy at all times\r\nPatients given sufficient time to make wig selection\r\nPatients shown sufficient range of wigs\r\nKnowledgeable and appropriately trained staff\r\nStaff able to style and cut wigs\r\nEmpathetic staff with good listening skills\r\nSufficient information given to patients at the time of consultation/fitting\r\nSufficient information regarding care of wigs given to patients to take with them.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:51.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284242,"EventID":"S4W-14735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:51.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T16:17:41.363","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had discussions with Camelot regarding (a) how a national lottery could operate and (b) whether people in Scotland could participate in national lottery games for the rest of the UK if Scotland became independent.\r\n","AnswerText":"To date there have been no discussions with Camelot about the operation of the National Lottery. An independent Scotland would continue to have a lottery and lottery infrastructure. Decisions about any changes to the national lottery following independence would be a matter for the respective governments to agree.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:51.917","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284243,"EventID":"S4W-14736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:52.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T16:29:30.487","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training is provided to sheriffs regarding sentencing in cases when pedestrians or cyclists are killed by cars.\r\n","AnswerText":"Judicial training is the responsibility of the Lord President under the terms of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008.\r\nThe Judicial Institute for Scotland was formed on 1 January 2013 to replace the Judicial Studies Committee and has the day-to-day responsibility for implementing judicial training under the overall supervision of the Lord President. The guiding philosophy of the Judicial Institute is to provide judicial training that is judge-led, judge-devised and judge-delivered. Training covers a range of general areas including, amongst other matters, sentencing and the criminal law.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:52.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284244,"EventID":"S4W-14737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:53.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T16:44:53.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what lessons it has learned from providing over £200,000 in funding to the Scottish-Islamic Foundation, which has been wound up.\r\n","AnswerText":"Funding allocated to the Scottish Islamic Foundation resulted in a series of events in March and April 2010 to help tackle Islamaphobia by celebrating Muslim culture, challenging stereotypes and promoting community cohesion. A proportion of the total allocated funding was withheld and recalled as the Scottish Islamic Foundation was unable to deliver all of its agreed outcomes. This was done in accordance with standard procedures, which the Scottish Government continues to follow.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:53.32","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284245,"EventID":"S4W-14738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:54.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T16:44:53.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what conditions it has attached to its funding to the Scottish Asian Women's Association.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not provide core or project funding to the Scottish Asian Women’s Association. Funding was made available solely for the purpose of the launch event for the Association, due to the links it will help establish, not just with Scottish Asian women, with whom there are unique challenges inherent in making connections, but also wider representatives of Scottish civic life and industry.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:54.193","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284246,"EventID":"S4W-14739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:54.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T16:44:53.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it took the political affiliation of the founder of the Scottish Asian Women’s Association into consideration when deciding to provide funding to it.","AnswerText":"No. The occasion was considered to be beneficial to both Scottish Asian women and other representatives of Scottish civic life and industry, enabling the development of new and existing links between organisations and individuals. The organisation received cross party support at this year’s SAWA awards in March.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:54.91","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284247,"EventID":"S4W-14740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:55.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T16:44:53.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to bring forward legislation on the introduction of plain packaging on cigarettes and, if so, what the timetable is.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will await the UK Government and the other Devolved Administrations’ responses to the UK wide consultation before deciding on the most appropriate legislative option for introducing the standardised packaging of tobacco products.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:55.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284248,"EventID":"S4W-14741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:56.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T16:40:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-10983 by Kenny MacAskill on 21 November 2012, how many (a) liabilities in relation to tribunals and (b) complaints against serving officers were taken over, broken down by transferring authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold any data on the number of tribunals and complaints that transferred over to the Scottish Police Authority and the Police Service of Scotland, as they were transferred under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Supplementary, Transitional, Transitory and Saving Provisions) Order 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:56.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284249,"EventID":"S4W-14743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:57.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T17:53:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what fines it has levied on Serco Northlink per (a) day and (b) route in relation to the MV Hamnavoe engine failure on 25 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14746 on 22 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at;\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:57.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284250,"EventID":"S4W-14744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:57.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T17:53:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what subsidy it has paid to Serco Northlink per (a) day and (b) route since the MV Hamnavoe engine failure on 25 April 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14746 on 22 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:58.077","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284251,"EventID":"S4W-14745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:58.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T17:53:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what subsidy Serco Northlink receives per (a) day and (b) route when all its routes are operating normally.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14746 on 22 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:58.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284252,"EventID":"S4W-14746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:59.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T17:53:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the difference is between (a) fines levied and (b) subsidy paid per day to Serco Northlink before and after the MV Helliar was commissioned to cover the Stromness to Scrabster route.\r\n","AnswerText":"Under the terms of the Public Service Contract between Scottish Ministers and Serco Ltd, in respect of the Northern Isles Ferry Service, the subsidy for providing this service, is paid monthly and not daily. The subsidy provided is not split between the routes which Serco NorthLink operate. The grant payment is therefore paid to cover all the services combined.\r\nUnder the terms of the contract, Serco NorthLink are required to pay a penalty whenever the services do not run according to schedule other than in cases where this is due to a relief event. This breakdown of the MV Hamnavoe is not considered to be a relief event and will result in a fixed penalty to Serco NorthLink of £7,732 per return sailing missed. Discussions are ongoing with the operator in respect of what penalties should be imposed following the introduction of the freighter service.\r\nThe six year cost of the Scottish Government contract with Serco Northlink is £223 million. The sums paid in subsidy will vary in each year of the contract and from month to month in accordance with the provisions in the contract, particularly in relation to penalties payable to the Scottish Government and provisions in relation to any increased fuel costs payable to Serco Northlink. Serco are paid monthly in arrears.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:58:59.28","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284253,"EventID":"S4W-14747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:58:59.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T17:53:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions took place between ministers, Transport Scotland and Serco Northlink (a) prior to and (b) after 25 April 2013 to consider what modifications would be necessary to harbours at Stromness and Scrabster to enable the MV Hellier to operate on this route.","AnswerText":"There were no discussions prior to 25 April 2013 between Transport Scotland and Serco Northlink to consider modifications at Stromness or Scrabster harbours.\r\nFollowing the unforeseen mechanical engine failure of the MV Hamnavoe, Serco Northlink took immediate and proactive action to bring one of their freight vessels into service on the Scrabster to Stromness route.\r\nSerco Northlink worked in conjunction with the Scrabster Harbour Trust to make alterations to the Queen Elizabeth Berth that have since allowed the freight vessel, MV Helliar, to operate. This service commenced operating on the Scrabster to Stromness route from 2 May 2013. During the period from 25 April 2013 to 2 May 2013 Serco Northlink kept both myself and Transport Scotland officials fully appraised of the modification works at the Queen Elizabeth Berth, Scrabster.\r\nThe MV Helliar has been operating two return sailings each day on a broadly similar timetable to the scheduled service. The timetable was established through discussion with local hauliers and it provides a major increase in freight and vehicle carrying capacity across the Pentland Firth.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:59:00.013","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284254,"EventID":"S4W-14748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:59:00.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T17:53:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the response by Serco Northlink to the MV Hamnavoe engine failure and subsequent loss of a lifeline service between Stromness and Scrabster.\r\n","AnswerText":"Following the unforeseen engine failure of the MV Hamnavoe, Serco Northlink immediately informed the Scottish Government and put in place its contingency plans to minimise disruption to ferry users travelling to Orkney.\r\nThe Scottish Government believes that Serco Northlink has adopted all necessary measures to ensure those intending to travel to Orkney are able to do so.\r\nThe MV Hamnavoe was sent to the Babcock Marine port wet basin at Rosyth where engineers worked round the clock to complete the necessary repairs. Currently, the MV Hamnavoe is scheduled to be back in service by Thursday 23 May 2013.\r\nBoth the Scottish Government and Serco Northlink have been highly proactive in letting the general public know that, with the contingency arrangements in place, Orkney is very much open for business and accessible to those wishing to travel.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:59:00.683","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284255,"EventID":"S4W-14749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:59:01.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T17:53:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the contingency plans put in place to deal with the loss of MV Hamnavoe from the Stromness to Scrabster route were adequate.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that the contingency arrangements, put in place, and acted upon, by Serco Northlink, were sufficient following, the unforeseen breakdown of the MV Hamnavoe.\r\nWe continue to communicate with Serco Northlink to ensure that all efforts are being taken to minimise any disruption to passenger, vehicle and freight traffic between Orkney and the Scottish mainland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:59:01.12","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284256,"EventID":"S4W-14750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:59:01.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-07T17:53:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to discuss with Serco Northlink improvements to contingency plans for dealing with unplanned technical failures that affect the ferries that they operate.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports and requires the contingency arrangements that are put in place by Serco Northlink for dealing with any unplanned technical failures that affects the ferries that they operate.\r\nFollowing the mechanical failure of the MV Hamnavoe on 24 April 2013, Serco Northlink immediately moved to communicate directly with booked customers and provide, or help to identify, alternative travel arrangements for any passengers affected.\r\nSerco are continuing to work in cooperation with other ferry operators to arrange alternative options for travel. They are confident that the expected level of demand can be met through Pentland Ferries and have arranged for courtesy travel between the ports where the Pentland Ferries’ berths and the ports of Scrabster and Stromness. Serco staff are available to help all passengers to book alternative options. Serco’s alternative Kirkwall-Aberdeen service is operating as normal.\r\nIn addition, Serco took swift action to bring one of their freight vessels into service on the Scrabster-Stromness route. The MV Heliar now operates two return sailings each day on a broadly similar timetable to the scheduled service. The timetable was established through discussion with local hauliers and it provides a major increase in freight and vehicle carrying capacity across the Pentland Firth.\r\nNotwithstanding this, we will, as always, seek to learn lessons from the situation. Both Serco Northlink and the Scottish Government will be speaking to key stakeholders to deliver further improvements to contingency plans for the future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:59:01.4","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284257,"EventID":"S4W-14751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T13:59:02.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T11:54:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth to the Finance Committee on 1 May 2013 regarding the creation of an “independent forecasting body that can provide independent assessment to the Government and the Parliament” (Official Report, c. 2574), what (a) the timescale is, (b) work has been carried out and (c) consultation he has had with the Office of Budget Reponsibility in relation to the creation of such a body.\r\n","AnswerText":"As I made clear on 31 October 2012 in responding to oral question S4O-01401, the Scottish Government recognises that a robust fiscal framework is vital to the long term sustainability of the public finances. That is why the Scottish Government agreed in principle in February 2010 to the creation of a Fiscal Policy Commission alongside moves toward greater fiscal autonomy.\r\nIn that context, I have indicated that I intend that an independent verification function should be put in place to provide an assessment of tax forecasts before implementation in 2015 of the taxes to be devolved under the Scotland Act. Consideration is being given to how best to achieve this. The views of the Fiscal Commission Working Group are being sought.\r\nScottish Government officials have regular discussions with the Office for Budget Responsibility around Scottish forecasting issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T13:59:02.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284265,"EventID":"S4W-14754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:51.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T11:59:48.1","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Avondale Advanced Waste Treatment and (b) Falkirk Council regarding the proposed closure of the Avondale Material Recycling Facility site in Polmont.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and its partners continue to work with the operators of the Avondale advanced waste treatment facility and affected councils, including Falkirk Council, with regards to the potential closure of the plant.\r\nOur immediate focus is to secure positive outcomes both for Avondale’s employees and their families and for those councils who currently have recycling and disposal contracts with Avondale.\r\nWe are also helping the company explore longer term actions to maintain a presence and employment at the facility.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:51.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284266,"EventID":"S4W-14755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:52.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T11:59:48.1","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that there has been an increase in imports of New Zealand lamb and that this is having a negative impact on the market in Scotland, whether it has made representations to the (a) UK Government and (b) European Commission to ask for stricter import (i) tariffs and (ii) quotas to be introduced. \r\n","AnswerText":"Latest figures from the European Commission’s Taxation and Customs show that New Zealand useage of their sheep meat quota in 2012 was well below 100 per cent for the third consecutive year. While New Zealand lamb imports to the UK have increased in the first three months of 2013, compared to 2012 levels, industry insiders anticipate that New Zealand will again fail to take up its full quota allocation this year. Meanwhile, the Scottish Government continues to support the Scottish industry through additional funding to Quality Meat Scotland to market the Scotch brand.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:52.487","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284267,"EventID":"S4W-14756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:52.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T11:59:48.1","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the European Commission regarding a review of the electronic sheep tagging regulation, EC21/2004.\r\n","AnswerText":"I met with Commission officials on the 16 December 2011 and wrote to Commissioner Dalli on 31 January 2012. The Commission and the Commissioner were both clear in their responses that a review of the legislation was not imminent and that any future review had to be evidence based. To inform a future review we are collecting evidence through the ScotEID Research Pilot. This and other evidence will be analysed by the Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks and then shared with the Commission.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:52.863","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284268,"EventID":"S4W-14758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:53.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T11:59:48.1","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that the World Wildlife Fund for Nature plans to withdraw from regional advisory councils.\r\n","AnswerText":"Any withdrawal of the WWF from the Regional Advisory Councils would be regrettable as they play an important role in encouraging more sustainable fisheries. However, we have been assured by WWF that it is strongly committed to stakeholder engagement when it comes to managing fisheries and is keen to see enhanced stakeholder involvement and regionalisation delivered under the reformed Common Fisheries Policy and that WWF remains strongly committed to being represented on the RACs. It is of course a matter for WWF and others to decide how best to deploy their resources.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:53.75","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284269,"EventID":"S4W-14759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:54.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:22:15.447","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average salary of GPs has been in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The average gross earnings, expenses and income for GPs are published annually by the Office of Manpower Economics. The latest figures and historical figures can be accessed via this link:\r\nhttp://www.ome.uk.com/DDRB_Reports.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:54.28","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284270,"EventID":"S4W-14760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:54.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:22:15.447","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the NHS will save by awarding GPs a lower salary increase than that announced by the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerText":"General practitioners in Scotland will see 1.25% uplift to the GMS contract, which includes a one per cent increase in salary, in line with Scottish Government Pay Policy. The pay increase for GPs in Scotland has been calculated based on their salaries, using information they have provided for the year ending April 2011.\r\nFor GPs this means an increase in funding of around £8 million for all GP practices across Scotland. In addition to this the equivalent of £10.5 million has been transferred from QOF (Quality Outcomes Framework) points into core (contract) thereby increasing the stability of practice income, a key issue for GPs during the 2013-14 contract negotiations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:54.843","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284271,"EventID":"S4W-14761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:55.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:22:15.447","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a regional pay differential for NHS staff. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is opposed to the UK Government policy known as “market facing pay”. John Swinney made clear our opposition when he met with Treasury Ministers and the Finance Ministers of the other devolved administrations on 5 March last year, and it is a position we have reiterated in various contexts since. There are therefore no plans to introduce regional pay differentials for staff in NHSScotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:55.467","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284272,"EventID":"S4W-14762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:55.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:22:15.447","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in an independent Scotland, it would introduce lower pay rates for all NHS staff in relation to the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"No.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:55.89","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284273,"EventID":"S4W-14763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:56.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:22:15.447","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in an independent Scotland, it would (a) continue to seek recommendations from the independent review bodies for NHS staff or (b) set up a separate Scottish review body.","AnswerText":"The NHS pay review bodies provide valuable independent advice to Scottish Ministers on pay for NHSScotland staff. With independence we will maintain such independent pay advice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:56.247","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284274,"EventID":"S4W-14764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:56.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:22:34.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial and governance examination it has carried out of the takeover by Mears of Independent Living Services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not undertaken any financial and governance examination of the takeover by Mears of Independent Living Services.\r\nHowever, the Care Inspectorate would require information from Mears before registering the service as a care provider. The Care Inspectorate is entitled to ask for information about governance and financial matters before registering a service under both the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and accompanying regulations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:56.527","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284275,"EventID":"S4W-14765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:56.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:22:49.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether shops that sell tobacco must display a copy of their registration.\r\n","AnswerText":"There is no requirement within the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 for retailers to display a certificate of registration. The advice to retailers selling tobacco is that they do not need to display the certificate but it should be retained and kept available for inspection purposes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:56.95","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284276,"EventID":"S4W-14766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:57.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:23:44.54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to modify the new death certification process following the recent pilot exercise.\r\n","AnswerText":"Rather than recommend modifications to the overall process, the test site evaluation highlighted a number of practical issues that could be addressed prior to national implementation in order to make the agreed process run more smoothly.\r\nThese issues were mainly related to improving the content and transfer of any required data at different points in the process. They were subsequently discussed by the collective stakeholders who comprise the Death Certification National Advisory Group.\r\nA small panel of key implementation bodies has been established, and work is progressing to address the points raised in advance of the planned national implementation date of April 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:57.543","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284277,"EventID":"S4W-14767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:58.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:23:44.54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made toward establishing a digital version of the new death certification process.\r\n","AnswerText":"The overall death certification process spans different sectors and organisations including the National Health Service Scotland, National Records Scotland and private funeral director businesses. It will also dovetail with new death certification systems being introduced elsewhere in the UK. Integrating the many IT systems, as well as ensuring every relevant individual has access to the necessary hardware, is a significant challenge and therefore remains an area for development in the future.\r\nIn the meantime, however, Scottish Government and the key implementing organisations are jointly liaising with each other and other key groups to ensure that the transfer of any necessary information can be carried out efficiently and securely.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:58.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284278,"EventID":"S4W-14768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:58.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:23:44.54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether a digital version of the new death certification system will assist in eliminating any minor errors that were identified in the pilot exercise.\r\n","AnswerText":"The overall death certification process spans different sectors and organisations including the National Health Service Scotland, National Records Scotland and private funeral director businesses. It will also dovetail with new death certification systems being introduced elsewhere in the UK. Integrating the many IT systems, as well as ensuring every relevant individual has access to the necessary hardware is a significant challenge.\r\nThe new death certification system will strengthen quality assurance and improve the accuracy of the Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (Form 11). A key component of the Medical Reviewers’ role will therefore be to discuss, support and, when appropriate, explain the significance of achieving high levels of accuracy with certifying doctors.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:58.51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284279,"EventID":"S4W-14769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:58.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:23:44.54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether issues regarding recording ethnicity were identified in the pilot exercise for the new death certification process.\r\n","AnswerText":"Ethnicity is not recorded on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (Form 11) and therefore did not form any part of the test sites or their evaluation.\r\nSince 1 January 2012, however, the ethnic group of a deceased person has been recorded as part of the subsequent death registration process, with the consent of the informant.\r\nOver the first six months of 2012, 96.4% of informants provided this information, as publicised at the Ethnic and Health Research Conference in Edinburgh in November 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:58.79","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284280,"EventID":"S4W-14770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:59.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:23:59.933","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it does not agree with the latest (a) recommendation of the independent pay review body and (b) decision of the UK Government regarding GP salaries.\r\n","AnswerText":"It was not possible to accept the recommendations whilst also adhering to the Scottish Government Public Pay Policy. The uplift we have agreed is fair to GPs and affordable to Scotland where we have a negotiated contract with GPs, not an imposed one.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:59.04","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284281,"EventID":"S4W-14772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:59.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:37:00.54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual running cost is for each hospital in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.","AnswerText":"This information is available on the NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) Information Services Division (ISD) website. The most up to date figures available are for the financial year 2011-12. These are reproduced in the following table:\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Hospitals: Total Expenditure 2011-12\r\n£000s\r\nWest Hospitals\r\n277,672\r\nGlasgow Royal Infirmary\r\n250,812\r\nSouthern General (SGH)\r\n201,537\r\nRoyal Alexandra Hospital\r\n142,488\r\nInverclyde Royal Hospital\r\n81,300\r\nVictoria Infirmary, Glasgow\r\n58,880\r\nVale of Leven, Alexandria\r\n31,152\r\nRHSC, Yorkhill\r\n111,229\r\nGlasgow Dental Hospital\r\n14,376\r\nStobhill ACH\r\n59,857\r\nVictoria ACH\r\n67,723\r\nWESTMARC (SGH)\r\n15,889\r\nMansionhouse Unit\r\n10,792\r\nLightburn\r\n4,937\r\nMearnskirk Hospital\r\n4,391\r\nBirdston Nursing Home\r\n3,889\r\nDumbarton Joint\r\n2,667\r\nThistle Cambuslang Nursing Home\r\n434\r\nGartnavel Royal, Glasgow\r\n25,847\r\nLeverndale, Glasgow\r\n23,673\r\nStobhill - GGPCD\r\n31,695\r\nRavenscraig, Greenock\r\n10,055\r\nDykebar, Paisley\r\n18,791\r\nParkhead\r\n10,079\r\nSGH - GGPCD\r\n6,544\r\nRuchill - GGPCD\r\n3,486\r\nGGPCD LD Partnership\r\n5,138\r\nOvertoun Court\r\n2,569\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:59.29","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284282,"EventID":"S4W-14773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:05:59.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:37:00.54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed the forthcoming clinical services review with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.\r\n","AnswerText":"Both Ministers and Scottish Government officials regularly discuss matters of local importance, including the forthcoming clinical services review, with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:05:59.943","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284283,"EventID":"S4W-14774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:06:00.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:37:59.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average scheduled journey time on ScotRail services between (a) Glasgow and Aberdeen, (b) Edinburgh and Aberdeen, (c) Aberdeen and Inverness, (d) Glasgow and Edinburgh via Falkirk, (e) Glasgow and Inverness and (f) Edinburgh and Inverness (i) was in 2007 and (ii) is in 2013.","AnswerText":"The attached table provides comparison data for journey times across the Scottish rail network:\r\nRoute\r\nAverage Journey Time (S4W-14774)\r\nShortest Journey Time (S4W-14775)\r\nLongest Journey Time (S4W-14776)\r\n2007\r\n2013\r\nMon-Sat\r\nSunday\r\nMon-Sat\r\nSunday\r\n2007\r\n2013\r\n2007\r\n2013\r\nGlasgow to Aberdeen\r\n155\r\n162\r\n160\r\n164\r\n148\r\n151\r\n169\r\n177\r\nAberdeen to Glasgow \r\n157\r\n165\r\n159\r\n164\r\n153\r\n152\r\n173\r\n181\r\nEdinburgh to Aberdeen\r\n151\r\n150\r\n146\r\n156\r\n145\r\n138\r\n160\r\n170\r\nAberdeen to Edinburgh\r\n152\r\n149\r\n148\r\n151\r\n144\r\n140\r\n166\r\n164\r\nAberdeen to Inverness\r\n136\r\n137\r\n136\r\n135\r\n128\r\n129\r\n145\r\n147\r\nInverness to Aberdeen\r\n135\r\n134\r\n136\r\n132\r\n131\r\n128\r\n141\r\n145\r\nGlasgow Queen St. to Edinburgh\r\n52\r\n53\r\n51\r\n52\r\n49\r\n48\r\n59\r\n59\r\nEdinburgh to Glasgow Queen St.\r\n51\r\n55\r\n52\r\n52\r\n50\r\n49\r\n62\r\n58\r\nGlasgow to Inverness\r\n201\r\n198\r\n195\r\n192\r\n190\r\n185\r\n203\r\n198\r\nInverness to Glasgow\r\n205\r\n204\r\n202\r\n195\r\n200\r\n193\r\n207\r\n208\r\nEdinburgh to Inverness\r\n210\r\n224\r\n204\r\n203\r\n202\r\n195\r\n224\r\n214\r\nInverness to Edinburgh\r\n209\r\n212\r\n210\r\n200\r\n196\r\n192\r\n225\r\n221\r\nJourney times on the Glasgow to Aberdeen route have increased since 2007 due to increased interaction with other operators, both passenger and freight. However, several ScotRail services now make additional calls on the route, providing enhanced connectivity for passengers.\r\n\r\nThe improvement in journey times between Edinburgh and Aberdeen is attributable to the Edinburgh Fife Aberdeen project, sponsored by Scottish Ministers and delivered in 2008.\r\nA slight increase in average journey times between Aberdeen and Inverness is attributed to the provision of an extra service since 2008. However, the timetable has been continually developed to provide a reliable and robust service for passengers. A program of enhancements for this route is currently in development for delivery between 2014 and 2019.\r\nAn improvement in journey times between the Central belt and Inverness has been delivered through Phase 1 of the Highland Mainline improvement project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:06:00.38","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284284,"EventID":"S4W-14775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:06:00.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:37:59.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the shortest scheduled journey time on ScotRail services between (a) Glasgow and Aberdeen, (b) Edinburgh and Aberdeen, (c) Aberdeen and Inverness, (d) Glasgow and Edinburgh via Falkirk, (e) Glasgow and Inverness and (f) Edinburgh and Inverness (i) was in 2007 and (ii) is in 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14774 on 22 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:06:00.677","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284285,"EventID":"S4W-14776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-08T17:06:00.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:37:59.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the longest scheduled journey time on ScotRail services between (a) Glasgow and Aberdeen, (b) Edinburgh and Aberdeen, (c) Aberdeen and Inverness, (d) Glasgow and Edinburgh via Falkirk, (e) Glasgow and Inverness and (f) Edinburgh and Inverness (i) was in 2007 and (ii) is in 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14774 on 22 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-22T17:06:00.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284286,"EventID":"S4W-14781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T09:46:02.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T08:49:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish the Scottish banking strategy.\r\n","AnswerText":"Sustainable, Responsible Banking: A Strategy for Scotland has been published today on the Scottish Government website at:\r\n(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/05/3325), a copy has been placed in the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (bib 54940). Scottish ministers recognise the vital contribution that the banking sector makes to Scotland’s economy and to its society. The strategy sets out the principles that the Scottish Government believes should apply to banks and banking practice in Scotland. It also contains a number of areas in which the Scottish Government, working with the banks and others will take action to implement these principles and to restore the fundamental principles of probity, prudence and trust to banking in Scotland.\r\nIt therefore explores the following key areas: \r\nThe economic and social importance of banks \r\nCultural change \r\nProfessionalism and standards \r\nCompetition and diversity and \r\nAccess to finance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T09:46:02.51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284287,"EventID":"S4W-14771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T14:00:03.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T14:29:32.61","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any of the concerns that were raised in evidence to the Health and Sport Committee in session 3 by (a) religious groups and (b) other organisations when considering the Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill were subsequently proved correct and, if so, whether these have been resolved.\r\n","AnswerText":"Since the passing of the Certification of Death (Scotland) Act 2011 at the beginning of Session 4, we have established the Death Certification National Advisory Group, which includes representation from all key organisations with an interest in this work. The Group has been instrumental in ensuring that any issues such organisations may have can be discussed and resolved. The process has led to a continual refinement of the new process over the implementation development period.\r\nA concern that was raised early in Session 3 related to the possibility of the new review procedures causing significant delay to funerals. The Act therefore contains provisions which allow for an ‘expedited procedure’, whereby reviews can be conducted in parallel with the registration process in certain circumstances. We have now progressed to ensuring that this expedited procedure will be applied consistently across the country. The Death Certification National Advisory Group, which includes representation from both the Muslim Council of Scotland and the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities, has discussed this matter on more than one occasion. As a result, we are confident that the required consistency will be achieved through Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s delivery model. This includes Medical Reviewers located regionally with opportunities for peer review, working to agreed guidance, and under the direct management of one national Senior Medical Reviewer.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T14:00:03.847","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284288,"EventID":"S4W-14780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T14:00:04.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T17:19:09.9","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many (a) grocery, (b) butcher, (c) baker, (d) fishmonger, (e) newsagent, (f) confectionery and (g) tobacco retail outlets there are, also broken down by the number of wholesalers.\r\n","AnswerText":"Data on business sites by industrial sector are available from the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR). The IDBR, maintained by the Office for National Statistics, is a database of all enterprises registered for VAT and or PAYE, covering 99 per cent of economic activity in the UK. Those excluded are small businesses with no employees and an annual turnover below the VAT threshold (£73,000 as at March 2012).\r\nBusiness sites are categorised on the IDBR according to the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). It is not possible to obtain figures for the exact categories requested due to the SIC structure. The data in the following table are the closest SIC equivalents and are provided from the latest year from which data are available. \r\nTable 1: Business sites in selected codes (SIC2007), Scotland, March 2012\r\nSIC 2007 code\r\nDescription\r\n2012\r\n46310\r\nWholesale of fruit and vegetables\r\n175\r\n46320\r\nWholesale of meat and meat products\r\n150\r\n46350\r\nWholesale of tobacco products\r\n5\r\n46360\r\nWholesale of sugar and chocolate and sugar confectionary\r\n50\r\n46380\r\nWholesale of other food; including fish;, crustaceans and molluscs\r\n270\r\n47210\r\nRetail sale of fruit and vegetables in specialised stores\r\n375\r\n47220\r\nRetail sale of meat and meat products in specialised stores\r\n695\r\n47230\r\nRetail sale of fish; crustaceans and molluscs in specialised stores\r\n240\r\n47240\r\nRetail sale of bread; cakes; flour confectionary and sugar confectionary in specialised stores\r\n895\r\n47260\r\nRetail sale of tobacco products in specialised stores\r\n205\r\n47620\r\nRetail sale of newspapers and stationery in specialised stores\r\n655\r\nSource: Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR), Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes: Business site counts are rounded to the nearest 5.\r\n           Business sites are the individual sites within an enterprise i.e. every shop, branch, office.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T14:00:04.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284289,"EventID":"S4W-14788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T14:00:04.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T10:44:21.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14357 by Keith Brown on 29 April 2013, when it expects its calculation of the level of funding to be published and whether services on the route will not be cancelled if there are breakdowns in the network that necessitate a cascading of other services.\r\n","AnswerText":"We do not publish the levels of subsidy required for individual routes, this information is considered to be commercially sensitive.\r\nIt will be for the operator to make decisions about how vessels will be deployed in the event of breakdowns within the network.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T14:00:04.613","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284290,"EventID":"S4W-14789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T14:00:04.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T10:56:25.907","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact funding for a neuromuscular care advisor post in the north of Scotland will have on direct care and support for people affected by neuromuscular conditions.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2011, Ministers made a public commitment to neuromuscular diseases by issuing a joint statement in response to a report published by the Scottish Muscle Network (SMN), (commissioned by the Scottish Government), and the Mackie Report (compiled by the Muscular Dystrophy Cross Party Group). One of the key issues highlighted was access to neuromuscular care advisors (NCAs). We provided funding for three NCAs for a two year pilot project.\r\nThere are three NCAs, one in each of the Regional Planning Group Areas: West of Scotland, North of Scotland and the South East and Tayside.\r\nThe North of Scotland area has reported that the impact of this post in the short term, will be a smooth pathway for paediatric and adult neuromuscular patients, with supported access to services and advice. In the longer term, it will deliver a comprehensive map of services and pathways in each board within the North of Scotland area.\r\nNHS National Services Division (NSD) will evaluate the three NCA posts. An interim report to the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate (SGHSC) is due in September 2013, with a final report 12 months later.\r\nThe Regional Planning Groups, the SMN, SGHSC Directorate and NSD are working in collaboration to agree a national approach to the evaluation process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T14:00:04.91","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284291,"EventID":"S4W-14790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T14:00:05.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T11:13:59.613","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances parole board decisions can be challenged, and by whom.\r\n","AnswerText":"There is no statutory right to appeal a decision of the Parole Board. However, in common with other public bodies, the lawfulness of a Parole Board decision may be challenged by way of a judicial review by a party with sufficient title and interest to do so.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T14:00:05.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284292,"EventID":"S4W-14791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T14:00:05.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T11:52:16.033","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14147 by Kenny MacAskill on 2 May 2013, how many of those (a) accused and (b) convicted in 2011-12 where the main offence had a domestic abuse aggravator were (i) male and (ii) female and how many cases involved a same-sex partner, also broken down by disposal type.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table provides the available information.\r\nPeople proceeded against in Scottish courts for offences with a domestic abuse aggravator recorded by gender, 2011-12\r\n\r\nGender of Accused\r\n\r\nResult\r\nMale\r\nFemale\r\nTotal\r\nAll proceeded against\r\n9,300\r\n1,199\r\n10,499\r\nResults of Convictions\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCustody\r\n1,079\r\n25\r\n1,104\r\nCommunity sentence\r\n2,082\r\n171\r\n2,253\r\nMonetary\r\n2,470\r\n213\r\n2,683\r\nAdmonished\r\n2,229\r\n510\r\n2,739\r\nAbsolute discharge\r\n45\r\n32\r\n77\r\nOther\r\n12\r\n1\r\n13\r\nTotal Convicted\r\n7,917\r\n952\r\n8,869\r\nInformation on the relationships of the persons proceeded against for offences with a domestic abuse aggravator is not held centrally.\r\nSource: Scottish Government Court Proceedings Database.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T14:00:05.61","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284293,"EventID":"S4W-14794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T14:00:05.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T11:52:16.033","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14146 by Kenny MacAskill on 2 May 2013, how many of those given a custodial sentence in 2011-12 of up to (a) three and (b) six months where the main offence had a domestic abuse aggravator were (i) male and (ii) female and how many cases involved a same-sex partner.","AnswerText":"The data held on the Scottish Government Court Proceedings Database shows that there were 382 people (373 Male, 9 Female) given a custodial sentence of up to three months and 490 (483 Male, 7 Female) with a sentence of over three months to six months for cases where the main charge had a domestic abuse aggravator recorded in the financial year 2011-12.\r\nInformation on the relationships of the persons proceeded against for offences with a domestic abuse aggravator is not held centrally.\r\nSource: Scottish Government Court Proceedings Database.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T14:00:05.813","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284294,"EventID":"S4W-14796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T14:00:05.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T12:03:33.61","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the use of hyperbaric chambers for emergencies in each year since 2003, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"The information available is provided in the following tables:\r\nTable 1: Divers from each NHS Board treated at Aberdeen hyperbaric chamber from 2003 to 2012\r\nBoard Area\r\n2003-09\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBorders\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n8\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\nFife\r\n10\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nForth Valley\r\n6\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nGrampian\r\n24\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\nHighland\r\n5\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\nLanarkshire\r\n6\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLothian\r\n20\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\nOrkney\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nShetland\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTayside\r\n6\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWestern Isles\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOther UK\r\n32\r\n6\r\n6\r\n1\r\nOutwith UK\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nTOTAL\r\n121\r\n13\r\n7\r\n4\r\nNote: a breakdown of divers treated by NHS board for the years 2003 to 2009 is not centrally held.\r\nTable 2: Divers from each NHS Board treated at Oban hyperbaric chamber from 2003 to 2012\r\nBoard Area\r\n2003-09\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBorders\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n10\r\n2\r\n\r\n1\r\nFife\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nForth Valley\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGrampian\r\n2\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\nHighland\r\n12\r\n2\r\n3\r\n\r\nLanarkshire\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLothian\r\n9\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nOrkney\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nShetland\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTayside\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\nWestern Isles\r\n5\r\n4\r\n\r\n\r\nOther UK\r\n57\r\n1\r\n4\r\n3\r\nOutwith UK\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nNot known/Missing\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nTOTAL\r\n101\r\n13\r\n8\r\n6\r\nNote: a breakdown of divers treated by NHS board for the years 2003 to 2009 is not centrally held.\r\nTable 3: Divers from each NHS Board treated at Orkney hyperbaric chamber from 2003 to 2012\r\nBoard Area\r\n2003-09\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBorders\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFife\r\n3\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nForth Valley\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGrampian\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\nHighland\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLanarkshire\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLothian\r\n6\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOrkney\r\n8\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\nShetland\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTayside\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWestern Isles\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOther UK\r\n99\r\n10\r\n14\r\n12\r\nOutwith UK\r\n18\r\n4\r\n2\r\n1\r\nTOTAL\r\n139\r\n16\r\n19\r\n14\r\nNote: a breakdown of divers treated by NHS board for the years 2003 to 2009 is not centrally held.\r\nTable 4: Divers from each NHS Board treated at Millport hyperbaric chamber from 2003 to 2012\r\nBoard Area\r\n2003-09\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n4\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBorders\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n2\r\n2\r\n\r\n1\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n23\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\nFife\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nForth Valley\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGrampian\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nHighland\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLanarkshire\r\n6\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nLothian\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOrkney\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nShetland\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTayside\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWestern Isles\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOther UK\r\n20\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\nOutwith UK\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNot Known/Missing\r\n9\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTOTAL\r\n68\r\n3\r\n2\r\n4\r\nNote: a breakdown of divers treated by NHS board for the years 2003 to 2009 is not centrally held.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T14:00:05.97","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284295,"EventID":"S4W-14779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T14:00:34.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T16:17:03.077","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the answer to question S4W-13992 by Linda Fabiani on 8 May 2013, what provisions are put in place for BSL and other interpretation for formal business outwith the parliamentary complex and Edinburgh.\r\n","AnswerText":"When members of the public book tickets to observe a formal committee meeting held outwith the Parliamentary complex and Edinburgh, they are asked whether they have any specific access requirements. Similarly, when witnesses are invited to give evidence to a committee, they are asked to contact the clerks to discuss any requirements they might have whether in relation to accessing the venue or participating in proceedings. If people request BSL or other interpretation provisions, we will accommodate any such requests where possible. If a committee holds an informal event where people are asked to book in advance to attend, they will also be asked if they have any specific requirements. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T14:00:34.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Stewart ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284319,"EventID":"S4W-14797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T16:54:21.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T13:05:54.337","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recourse there is for prospective tenants faced with a premium that contravenes the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984.","AnswerText":"Any person who requires payment of such a premium, and any person who receives the premium, is guilty of an offence under section 82 of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 (as amended by section 32 of the Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Act 2011).\r\nProspective tenants may opt to approach a housing advice provider, or seek independent legal advice. In addition, a prospective tenant can report the proposed charging of such a premium to their local authority. This can be taken into account in establishing whether a landlord is a ‘fit and proper person’ to let property. If a letting agent in Scotland proposes the charging of such a premium, and is a member of a professional body, then a prospective tenant may also report this to that professional body.\r\nThe Scottish Government consulted on regulation of the Letting Agent Industry as part of gathering views on a consultative strategy for the private rented sector in 2012. Further regulation of the industry received broad support. The Scottish Government plans to launch the final strategy for the private rented sector in May 2013. The strategy will outline our plans for future action in this area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T16:54:22.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284320,"EventID":"S4W-14798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T16:54:22.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T13:05:54.337","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the enforcement body is for breaches of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 with regard to the charging of premiums.\r\n","AnswerText":"There is no single enforcement body for such breaches. Any person who requires payment of such a premium, and any person who receives the premium, is guilty of an offence under section 82 of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 (as amended by section 32 of the Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Act 2011).\r\nShould a person believe that they have been charged a premium prohibited by the 1984 Act, or have been asked to pay one, they can report this to their local authority, and this can be taken into account for the purposes of the Landlord Registration ‘fit and proper person’ test. They can also seek to reclaim any premium fees charged through the courts.\r\nTenants or prospective tenants asked to pay such a premium may opt to approach a housing advice provider, or seek independent legal advice. In addition, if a letting agent in Scotland proposes the charging of such a premium, and is a member of a professional body, then a tenant or prospective tenant may also report this to that professional body.\r\nThe Scottish Government consulted on regulation of the Letting Agent industry as part of gathering views on a consultative strategy for the private rented sector in 2012. Further regulation of the industry received broad support. The Scottish Government plans to launch the final strategy for the private rented sector at the end of May 2013. The strategy will outline our plans for future action in this area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T16:54:22.383","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284321,"EventID":"S4W-14799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T16:54:22.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T13:05:54.337","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will monitor enforcement of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 with regard to the offence of charging an illegal tenancy premium.","AnswerText":"It is for landlords and letting agents acting on their behalf to comply with section 82 of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 (as amended by section 32 of the Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Act 2011).\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to work closely with consumer advice providers and stakeholders such as Shelter to assess compliance with the law.\r\nThe Scottish Government plans to launch a new Strategy for the private rented sector at the end of May 2013. This will set out our plans for regulating the letting agent sector in future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T16:54:22.523","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284322,"EventID":"S4W-14800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T16:54:22.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T13:18:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13033 by Margaret Burgess on 5 March 2013, what its position is on the findings of the Institute of Fiscal Studies report, Child and working-age poverty in Northern Ireland from 2010 to 2020, and whether it considers that these suggest that the number of children in Scotland who will be deemed to be in poverty by 2020 might be higher than originally forecast.\r\n","AnswerText":"The recent report published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies included projections for the percentage of children in poverty in Scotland from 2011-12 to 2020-21. This shows that the percentage of children in relative income poverty before housing costs is projected to increase from 17.6% of children to 22.7% of children, this implies an increase of around 50,000 children living in poverty by 2020-21. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T16:54:22.663","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284323,"EventID":"S4W-14806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T16:54:22.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:05:34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-14329 and S4W-14332 by Paul Wheelhouse on 1 May 2013, how many of the applications were accepted after being refused at the initial stage and, of these, on how many occasions the acceptance followed a change being made to the original application.\r\n","AnswerText":"The purpose of the Croft House Grant Scheme is to facilitate the productive use of croft land through improving and maintaining the standards of crofter housing with the aim of attracting and retaining people in the more remote areas of the Highlands and Islands. Crofts may be put to a number of uses, but the Scottish Government maintains that it must be put to active use by the crofter.\r\nIn 2012 the scheme received 102 applications. 29 applications were initially refused. Seven of these were subsequently approved following a review process in which additional plans were submitted. In each of these seven cases, insufficient or no croft use had been proposed within the original application.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T16:54:22.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284324,"EventID":"S4W-14824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-09T16:54:23.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:58:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the damage caused by the landslip on the A68 at Blainslie south of Lauder will be repaired.\r\n","AnswerText":"The works contract for repairing the damage caused by the landslip on the A68 trunk road at Blainslie, South of Lauder, should be awarded by the end of May. Works should be completed during the summer.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-23T16:54:23.133","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284327,"EventID":"S4W-14801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:36.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T13:58:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding and how many personnel it provides to tackle wildlife crime.\r\n","AnswerText":"Police reform has delivered an enhanced structure for wildlife crime officers in Scotland which involves 14 Wildlife Crime Liaison Officers, a Sergeant as a National Coordinator and a Portfolio Lead at Superintendent level. This structure will deliver better coordination and communication. Ultimately however, it is a matter for the Chief Constable to allocate and prioritise resources in relation to operational policing needs.\r\nThe Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland delivered £200,000 to wildlife crime projects, via Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), looking specifically at prevention, intelligence and enforcement. This 2 year funded project ended in 2011 but currently SNH are looking to fund further projects through their grant in aid schemes and this will also be advertised by PAW Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government also part-fund the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and funding for 2013-14 in the sum of £45,000 was confirmed this year. Additionally, a Scottish Investigative Support Officer post in the NWCU has been funded by Scottish Government, SNH and Police Scotland with a key focus on both Raptor and Freshwater Pearl Mussel Persecution as key Scottish priorities.\r\nThe Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) created a team of specialist Wildlife and Environmental prosecutors in August 2011. The benefits that this specialism has brought include improved consistency, close working relationships with specialist investigators, early intervention in complex cases, improved reporting of wildlife crime to COPFS and the improving quality of prosecutions.\r\nIn the Scottish Government the management of wildlife crime policy and PAW Scotland is dealt with by 1.5 full time equivalent (FTE) staff in the Environment and Forestry Directorate.\r\nThe Agriculture, Food and Rural Communities (AFRC) Directorate complete approximately 1200 land based and often remote, inspections each year. Inspectors are aware of wildlife legislation and suspected incidents of wildlife crime are forwarded to wildlife crime officers.\r\nMarine Scotland has 103 Marine Enforcement Officers who have compliance monitoring and enforcement obligations and certain statutory responsibilities for marine nature conservation issues. Marine Scotland also has three patrol vessels and two fixed wing surveillance aircraft, one of which has recently been equipped to carry out bird survey work.\r\nSNH have lead contacts in their seven operational areas within Scotland who have a coordinating role for the local involvement in combatting wildlife crime. They work closely with the police and the network of area officers whose field staff are in regular contact with land managers. Centrally there are between 1 and 2 FTE posts whose work can touch on wildlife crime.\r\nAs wildlife crime issues can surface anywhere as field staff or others go about their day-to-day activities, it is not possible to estimate the full resource in this area that may be deployed at any given time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:37.027","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284328,"EventID":"S4W-14802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:38.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T13:58:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure the enforcement of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in terms of protection for the freshwater pearl mussel.","AnswerText":"A range of measures are in place to tackle crime affecting the freshwater pearl mussel. The Scottish Investigative Support Officer (SISO) of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) is active in identifying intelligence and raising awareness of intelligence opportunities that may lead towards enforcement action.\r\nIn 2012 the SISO led an operation to explore whether the jewellery trade was an outlet for illegally acquired freshwater pearls. Results indicated that the pearls were going elsewhere, hence further work, in partnership with UK Border Force, is being undertaken to explore whether the pearls are bound for overseas’ markets.\r\nIn conjunction with PAW Scotland organisations, agreements have been reached whereby landowners, ghillies, bailiffs and gamekeepers working land adjoining pearl mussel rivers, will report suspicious behaviour to the NWCU.\r\nThe Scottish Government has funded ongoing research into forensic techniques, including DNA and stable isotopes, which it is hoped will greatly assist the Police in pearl mussel crime investigations.\r\nPolice Scotland and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency are working together to ensure any case of river works or pollution that disturb freshwater mussels are fully investigated and, where sufficient evidence exists, reported to the Crown Office. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will be undertaking a survey of a number of pearl mussel rivers in 2013-14 and any information regarding potential criminality will be forwarded to Police Scotland for consideration.\r\nSNH has secured European funding for three years for a seasonal staff member to deliver education, patrol rivers and liaise with the community regarding the protection of pearl mussels. It is anticipated that this position will work closely with the SISO and Police Scotland regarding intelligence and enforcement opportunities. SNH, NWCU and Police Scotland are also working together to distribute awareness raising material to relevant divisional wildlife crime liaison officers across North and West Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:38.303","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284329,"EventID":"S4W-14803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:38.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T13:58:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are included in the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill to protect the freshwater pearl mussel from (a) pollution and (b) illegal fishing.","AnswerText":"The Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill does not contain any specific measures to protect Freshwater Pearl Mussels (FWPM).\r\nThe Freshwater Pearl Mussel is protected as follows:\r\n(a) Under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011, developers must obtain all relevant consents and local planning authorities must consult relevant regulatory bodies prior to any authorisation being granted for development where there is the potential to cause significant adverse effects to the water environment and its ecology such as the FWPM, including building or other engineering works, water abstractions or the discharges of pollutants.\r\n(b), The freshwater pearl mussel has been protected from illegal fishing for pearls since 1991, when it was added to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:38.68","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284330,"EventID":"S4W-14804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:39.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T13:58:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is undertaking to ensure enforcement of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 in order to protect freshwater pearl mussel beds in rivers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Agriculture)(Scotland) Regulations 2006 came into force in Scotland on 1 January 2007 and constrain operations to carry out intensive agricultural operations on uncultivated or semi-natural land, or large scale restructuring projects on agricultural land, where the result would have a significant impact on the environment.\r\nFreshwater pearl mussels are filter feeders and are therefore vulnerable to water pollution and the siltation of rivers. Projects which are covered by the EIA (Agriculture) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and which could impact upon populations of freshwater pearl mussels include drainage works and the modification of watercourses.\r\nEIA screening decisions on these types of projects are taken by rural payments and Inspections Division Area Offices who also carry out farm visits with land managers to check whether proposed activities fall within the EIA Regulation. Where activities are within the scope of the regulation they proceed to a formal screening which is recorded on the Scottish Government EIA register. The screening decision may require an Environmental Statement (full EIA) to be carried out. When this is submitted the project may be approved or rejected depending upon the impact identified.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:39.023","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284331,"EventID":"S4W-14805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:39.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T13:58:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure (a) effective consultation with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage and (b) that proper consents and licences are obtained prior to development work on rivers containing the freshwater pearl mussel.","AnswerText":"The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011, introduced by the Scottish Government, requires that both local planning authorities consult relevant regulatory bodies, and that developers obtain all relevant consents, prior to the authorisation of or the carrying out of development work in rivers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:39.38","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284332,"EventID":"S4W-14807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:39.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:08:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the frequency is for cleaning audits in hospital wards in NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"The NHSScotland National Cleaning Services Specification (NCSS) published on Health Facilities Scotland website sets out the requirements for the frequency and method of cleaning by domestic and estates staff in NHSScotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:39.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284333,"EventID":"S4W-14808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:39.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:08:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are used by managers when cleaning audits are carried out in hospital wards in NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"The criteria used by managers is set out in the NHSScotland National Cleaning Services Specification(NCSS) published on Health Facilities Scotland website which sets out the requirements for the frequency and method of cleaning by domestic and estates staff.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:39.88","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284334,"EventID":"S4W-14809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:39.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:08:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time nurses have been employed by NHS Lanarkshire in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The information requested on how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time nurses have been employed by NHS Lanarkshire in each year since 2007 is available in the following tables.\r\nWhole Time Equivalent (WTE) of nurses employed by NHS Lanarkshire in each year since 2007\r\nCensus date\r\nTotal\r\nWhole time\r\nPart time\r\n30 September 2007\r\n4,426.1\r\n2,955.0\r\n1,471.1\r\n30 September 2008\r\n4,459.2\r\n3,022.0\r\n1,437.2\r\n30 September 2009\r\n4,649.2\r\n3,192.0\r\n1,457.2\r\n30 September 2010\r\n4,639.8\r\n3,151.0\r\n1,488.8\r\n30 September 2011\r\n4,491.2\r\n3,034.0\r\n1,457.2\r\n30 September 2012\r\n4,532.3\r\n3,044.0\r\n1,488.3\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS)\r\n\r\nHeadcount of nurses employed by NHS Lanarkshire in each year since 2007\r\nCensus date\r\nTotal\r\nWhole Time\r\nPart time\r\n30 September 2007\r\n5,069.0\r\n2,955.0\r\n2,129.0\r\n30 September 2008\r\n5,083.0\r\n3,021.0\r\n2,085.0\r\n30 September 2009\r\n5,274.0\r\n3,192.0\r\n2,106.0\r\n30 September 2010\r\n5,269.0\r\n3,151.0\r\n2,147.0\r\n30 September 2011\r\n5,077.0\r\n3,034.0\r\n2,070.0\r\n30 Septmber 2012\r\n5,114.0\r\n3,044.0\r\n2,096.0\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:40.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284335,"EventID":"S4W-14810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:40.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:08:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) domestic cleaning staff and (b) outside cleaning contractors have been employed by NHS Lanarkshire in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Information on how many (a) domestic cleaning staff and (b) outside cleaning contractors have been employed by NHS Lanarkshire in each year since 2007 is not held centrally.\r\nHowever, information showing the headcount and whole time equivalent of domestic staff, including domestic cleaning staff, directly employed by NHS boards at 30 September is collected. Data for the years 2007 to 2012 are presented in the following table.\r\nNHS directly employed domestic staff in NHS Lanarkshire from September 2007 to September 2012\r\nCensus date\r\nHeadcount\r\nWTE\r\n30 September 2007\r\n479.0\r\n246.3\r\n30 September 2008\r\n489.0\r\n254.8\r\n30 September 2009\r\n500.0\r\n259.0\r\n30 September 2010\r\n532.0\r\n279.2\r\n30 September 2011\r\n557.0\r\n286.6\r\n30 September 2012\r\n566.0\r\n288.9\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:40.13","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284336,"EventID":"S4W-14811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:40.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:08:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02044 by Roseanna Cunningham on 25 April 2013, what percentage of convictions was for (a) religiously aggravated offending and (b) violent crime carried out at football grounds in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information provided in response to S4O-02044 on convictions under the Act was derived from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s (COPFS’s) live operational case management system, which is specifically designed to receive criminal reports from the police and other specialist reporting agencies and to manage these cases for prosecution purposes. The information held on the system is structured for these operational needs, rather than for statistical reporting or research purposes.\r\nFor the time period requested in the question, the official source of information on convictions of religiously aggravated offences in Scotland is the Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings database. The information held in this database is published as National Statistics on an annual basis with the next publication currently due to be published in November 2013. The current publication, providing information up to end March 2012, can be found here:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PubCriminalProceedings. \r\nIt should be noted that the Act came into force on 1 March 2012. As such, from the Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings database, there were no convictions under the Act during 2010-11. There were only two convictions during 2011-12, in the one month of the Act coming into force. Neither of the convictions in 2011-12 were religiously aggravated.\r\nIn response to part (b) and as noted in the answer to question S4W-14647 on 7 June 2013, it is not possible to break down the number of convictions that included violent crimes carried out at football grounds.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:40.27","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284337,"EventID":"S4W-14812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:40.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:08:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the activities of the Football Co-ordination Unit Scotland are limited to (a) football stadia or (b) locations in close proximity to football stadia.\r\n","AnswerText":"The remit of the Football Co-ordination Unit for Scotland is to promote and coordinate a consistent and effective approach to the policing of football across Scotland to tackle football related violence and disorder. Its responsibilities include supporting post match investigations into football related violence and disorder and supporting investigations into football related hate crime, including on the internet. Its activities are not confined to football stadia and nearby locations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:40.41","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284338,"EventID":"S4W-14813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:40.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:08:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02044 by Roseanna Cunningham on 25 April 2013, whether there is an up-to-date database of religiously aggravated offences.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information provided in response to S4O-02044 on convictions under the Act was derived from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s live operational case management system, which is specifically designed to receive criminal reports from the police and other specialist reporting agencies and to manage these cases for prosecution purposes. The information held on the system is structured for these operational needs, rather than for statistical reporting or research purposes.\r\nThe official source of information on convictions of religiously aggravated offences in Scotland is the Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings database. The information held in this database is published as National Statistics on an annual basis with the next publication currently due to be published in November 2013. The current publication, providing information up to end March 2012, can be found here:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PubCriminalProceedings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:40.567","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284339,"EventID":"S4W-14814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:40.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:40:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will put in place a transparent framework for monitoring the volume and structure of new supply output of affordable housing, as suggested in A Housing Report for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"We publish the approvals, starts and completions for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme as part of the quarterly housing statistics and we will continue to do this. We are also happy to meet with stakeholders to reassure them that our programme to deliver 30,000 homes over the lifetime of this parliament is currently on track. For example, all of the approvals we plan to make through the three year Resource Planning Assumptions to local authorities are expected to complete by March 2015.\r\nAnnual Outturn Reports have been published on the Scottish Government website since 2008-09. Please see link below to the outturn report for 2011-12:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/investment/ahip/AHSP2011-12Report\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:40.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284340,"EventID":"S4W-14815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:43.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:40:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on developing new private finance options for the next three years to complement grant funding and facilitate the building of social rented housing.\r\n","AnswerText":"Current rounds of the Scottish Government’s award-winning National Housing Trust (NHT) initiative for local authorities and developers are supporting delivery of over 1,000 new affordable homes with 13 developers across 10 local authorities, as set out in the table below. Further local variants of the NHT model are in development.\r\nCouncil\r\nUnits\r\nAberdeen City\r\n85\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\n422\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n28\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n69\r\nDundee\r\n114\r\nFalkirk\r\n27\r\nFife \r\n62\r\nHighland\r\n135\r\nScottish Borders \r\n50\r\nStirling\r\n16\r\nTotal\r\n1008\r\nThe Scottish Government is also encouraging and supporting the development of a range of other approaches to private finance by the housing association sector and prospective new investors. These include the introduction of bond finance, recycling Housing Association Grant and equity investment. Taken together these innovations are supporting the provision of new housing supply across a range of tenures including social rent.\r\nA total of 1,900 affordable homes have been approved so far from innovative approaches to housing investment, with more units in the pipeline.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:43.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284341,"EventID":"S4W-14816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:43.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:40:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-1817 by Margaret Burgess on 20 February 2013, whether it is now in a position to provide a timescale for its response to its consultation on the right to buy.\r\n","AnswerText":"While timescales can be subject to change, a policy announcement on right to buy is expected before the end of June 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:43.513","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284342,"EventID":"S4W-14817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:43.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:40:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) specialist housing for older people or (b) housing built to wheelchair standard will be provided as part of the 2012-13 to 2014-15 Affordable Housing Supply Programme.","AnswerText":"In May 2012, we introduced a new three year resource planning system to enable councils to plan the delivery of affordable housing more efficiently and effectively. This new approach has enabled each council to bring forward strategic local programmes of social and affordable housing based on local needs, identified through the Housing Needs and Demand Assessment and Local Housing Strategy. Councils will therefore decide upon the size and type of housing required to help satisfy these local needs.\r\nFor the period 1 April 2012 to 31 December 2012, a total of 309 specialist housing units for older people were provided. During the same period, a total of 61 wheelchair units were provided. Housing statistics covering the whole of 2012-13 are not due to be published until 4 June 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:43.763","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284343,"EventID":"S4W-14818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:44.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:40:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make funding available to help private landlords to improve their properties.\r\n","AnswerText":"Owners of private property, including private landlords, are primarily responsible under the terms of their title deeds for meeting the cost of any work needed to improve their property. Local authorities have broad discretionary powers to assist owners who need help to improve their properties. Scottish Government funding to help private sector landlords improve the energy efficiency of their properties is available through both SME (small and medium enterprise) Loans and Green Homes Cashback schemes offered through Home Energy Scotland who can be contacted on 0800 512 012. In addition we recently announced our Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland Schemes which will use £79 million of our funding and leverage in energy company funding to support energy efficiency measures to fuel poor areas and households to create potential funding of £200 million for energy efficiency measures in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:44.03","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284344,"EventID":"S4W-14819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:44.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:40:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what courses of action are available to registered social landlords when tenants exhibit persistent antisocial or threatening behaviour toward neighbours.","AnswerText":"Registered Social Landlords, working with their partners, such as local authorities and the police, can use a range of powers to tackle persistent antisocial behaviour. These powers can be targeted at the person exhibiting the behaviour, their premises, or other places and can include anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs), closure orders, dispersal notices, seizure of vehicles that are being used antisocially, and Fixed Penalty Notices for antisocial behaviour.\r\nIn cases of persistent antisocial or threatening behaviour Registered Social Landlords have powers to:\r\nApply to the courts for an ASBO; serve a notice on a tenant converting the tenancy to a Short Scottish Secure Tenancy, where the tenant or a member of the tenant’s household is subject to an ASBO and raise proceedings in court for recovery of possession of the tenancy, the grounds for which include cases where the tenant or their household have behaved antisocially to neighbours.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:44.28","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284345,"EventID":"S4W-14820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:44.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:40:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether registered social landlords are able to evict tenants who have been imprisoned as a result of antisocial or threatening behaviour and, if so, what steps they are required to take to do so.\r\n","AnswerText":"Social landlords must obtain a court order before evicting a tenant. They can obtain an order on various grounds, which include (amongst others) that the tenant has behaved antisocially towards neighbours or been imprisoned for an offence committed in the locality of the house.\r\nFurther information around raising proceedings in court for recovery of possession of a tenancy is set out in Section 14 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001:\r\nhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2001/10/section/14.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:44.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284346,"EventID":"S4W-14821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:44.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:40:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what responsibilities local authorities have to rehouse people leaving prison after serving a sentence for antisocial or threatening behaviour.","AnswerText":"If someone considers that they are homeless when released from prison after serving a sentence for antisocial behaviour, they can apply to a local authority for assistance.\r\nThe local authority will then determine whether or not the applicant is homeless and whether or not they are intentionally or unintentionally homeless. If found to be intentionally homeless then they will be entitled to temporary accommodation for a period and provided with advice and assistance to enable them to secure accommodation. If found to be unintentionally homeless then they will be entitled to settled accommodation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:44.78","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284347,"EventID":"S4W-14822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:45.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:40:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how people can appeal a judgement of the Scottish Housing Regulator in relation to a complaint against a registered social landlord.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR). The question has been passed to the SHR who will reply in writing to you directly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:45.027","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284348,"EventID":"S4W-14823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:45.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:40:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the report, Impact of the Removal of RET from Commercial Vehicles on the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree.","AnswerText":"The findings of the report are currently being considered. The report will inform the terms of reference for a comprehensive review of commercial vehicle fares across the ferry network subsidised by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:45.293","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284349,"EventID":"S4W-14825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:45.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T16:28:22.323","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many measles cases there are and how many cases have been recorded in each year since 2007-08, broken down by NHS board area.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following tables provide data on laboratory confirmed measles cases recorded in Scotland each year from 2007 to date, broken down by NHS board area.\r\nNHS Board\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\nLaboratory confirmed cases\r\nProbable cases\r\nLaboratory confirmed cases\r\nProbable cases\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n5\r\nBorders\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nFife\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nForth Valley\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n3\r\n0\r\n15\r\n9\r\nGrampian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHighland\r\n0\r\n0\r\n7\r\n0\r\nLanarkshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\nLothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n24\r\n2\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nShetland\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nTayside\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nWestern Isles\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNot known\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAll Scotland\r\n4\r\n0\r\n53\r\n17\r\n\r\nNHS Board\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\nLaboratory confirmed cases\r\nProbable cases\r\nLaboratory confirmed cases\r\nProbable cases\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n3\r\n0\r\n5\r\n1\r\nBorders\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n4\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nFife\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nForth Valley\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGrampian\r\n3\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nHighland\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nLanarkshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nLothian\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nShetland\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nTayside\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nWestern Isles\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNot known\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAll Scotland\r\n17\r\n0\r\n10\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nNHS Board\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\nLaboratory confirmed cases\r\nProbable cases\r\nLaboratory confirmed cases\r\nProbable cases\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nBorders\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n0\r\n0\r\n9\r\n7\r\nFife\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nForth Valley\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n1\r\n1\r\n7\r\n9\r\nGrampian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\nHighland\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nLanarkshire\r\n1\r\n0\r\n6\r\n7\r\nLothian\r\n15\r\n0\r\n4\r\n0\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nShetland\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nTayside\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nWestern Isles\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNot known\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAll Scotland\r\n24\r\n1\r\n28\r\n23\r\n\r\nNHS Board\r\n2013*\r\nLaboratory confirmed cases\r\nProbable cases\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n6\r\n0\r\nBorders\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFife\r\n10\r\n0\r\nForth Valley\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n10\r\n<5\r\nGrampian\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHighland\r\n0\r\n0\r\nLanarkshire\r\n<5\r\n0\r\nLothian\r\n<5\r\n0\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\n0\r\nShetland\r\n0\r\n0\r\nTayside\r\n<5\r\n0\r\nWestern Isles\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNot known\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAll Scotland\r\n33\r\n<5\r\nNotes:\r\n*data for 2013 is up until 17 May 2013\r\nLaboratory confirmed cases - is a case which has been diagnosed clinically, \r\na sample has been taken and it has tested positive.\r\nProbable cases - is a case which has been diagnosed clinically and which is epidemiologically\r\nlinked to a laboratory confirmed case, but for which no sample was taken and no test result is available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:45.56","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284350,"EventID":"S4W-14826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:46.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T16:29:20.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on cancer patients going elsewhere in the UK for treatment.\r\n","AnswerText":"Centrally National Services Division (NSD), a Division of NHS National Services Scotland (NSS), manages the funding of cross border specialist healthcare services on behalf of NHS Scotland.\r\nThe number of cancer referrals going elsewhere in the UK to access treatment is small and mainly relate to those patients with eye tumours accessing low intensity proton beam radiotherapy at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Trust.\r\nThere is also a shared cross-border process in place for all other cancer referrals to access other specialist cancer treatment elsewhere in the UK.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not collect information on patients who relocate to England to seek alternative cancer treatment without referral.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:46.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284351,"EventID":"S4W-14827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:47.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T16:29:20.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve follow-up care for cancer patients.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is launching the “Transforming Care after Treatment Programme” soon. The overall aim is to ensure that people diagnosed with cancer are prepared for and supported to live with the consequences of the diagnosis and its treatment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:47.133","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284352,"EventID":"S4W-14828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:47.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T16:29:20.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many oncologists have resigned for reasons other than retirement in the last 12 months.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHSScotland staff data are held in the Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS). The “Reason for Leaving” field is not mandatory and therefore is not reliably populated.\r\nInformation on how many oncologists have resigned for reasons other than retirement in the last 12 months is therefore not available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:47.51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284353,"EventID":"S4W-14833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:47.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T17:20:29.297","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what community benefit clauses have been implemented as part of the Forth Replacement Crossing project. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Forth Replacement Crossing is the first contract in Scotland to include a requirement for subcontracts to be tendered to be advertised on the Public Contracts Scotland website and requires all positions to be advertised in local job centres.\r\nThe Principal Contract will deliver an annual average of 45 vocational training positions, 21 professional body training places and 46 positions for the long term unemployed, as well as further scope to maximise modern apprenticeship opportunities every year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:47.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284354,"EventID":"S4W-14834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:48.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T17:20:29.297","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what key performance indicators have been built into the procurement contracts used for the Forth Replacement Crossing project.","AnswerText":"There are 26 key performance indicators in the Forth Replacement Crossing Principal Contract. These are grouped as follows:\r\nEmbodied Carbon-1\r\nProject Planning and Compliance-5\r\nSupervision and Quality Control-5\r\nRecord Keeping-5\r\nTraining-5\r\nWider Social Responsibility-5\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:48.04","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284355,"EventID":"S4W-14846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:48.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T16:39:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which journeys on (a) CalMac and (b) Northlink ferries were cancelled due to (i) weather conditions and (ii) engine failure in each year since 2010.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is provided in table form. Neither CalMac Ferries Limited, nor previously Northlink specifically identify engine failures and any such incidents of engine failure are included in the figures provided for technical cancellations.\r\nCalMac\r\nScheduled Sailings\r\nWeather Cancellations\r\nTechnical Cancellations\r\n2009-2010\r\n131,532\r\n1560\r\n177\r\n2010-2011\r\n131,421\r\n2040\r\n244\r\n2011-2012\r\n131,518\r\n2646\r\n416\r\n\r\nNorthLink\r\n(until\r\n05-07-2012)\r\nScheduled Sailings\r\nWeather Cancellations\r\nTechnical Cancellations\r\n2009-2010\r\n3,253\r\n56\r\n2\r\n2010-2011\r\n3,307\r\n52\r\n8\r\n2011-2012\r\n3,334\r\n95\r\n8\r\n\r\nSerco Northlink performance figures.\r\nSerco NorthLink\r\n(since 06-07-2012)\r\nScheduled Sailings\r\nWeather Cancellations\r\nEngine Failure\r\n2012\r\n1656\r\n38\r\n0\r\n2013 \r\n(as at 19-05-13)\r\n992\r\n35\r\n100\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:48.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284356,"EventID":"S4W-14847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:48.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T10:51:47.617","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the level three funding streams for each Scottish Funding Council (a) further and (b) higher education programme (i) have been in each year since 2006, and (ii) will be in each of the next two years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The level three funding streams for the Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) further and higher education programmes are publicly available through the Scottish Budget documents from 2006 onwards:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Finance/18127/Documents\r\nInformation is also provided on adjustments to the SFC’s further education programme by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning’s letter to the Education and Culture Committee on 23 October 2012.\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_LocalGovernmentandRegenerationCommittee/Meeting%20Papers/EC_Meeting_papers_20121023.pdf\r\nThe Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth also gave a commitment to provide additional funding for the SFC FE programme during his 2013-14 budget announcement, on 6 February 2013.\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=7732\r\nThe answer to question S4W-14615 on 2 May 2013 makes clear that the £10 million of additional college funding for 2013-14, announced on 6 February 2013, has now been found from 2012-13 Scottish Government underspend, full details of which will be published within the Scottish Government accounts in due course.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:49.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284357,"EventID":"S4W-14848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T13:25:49.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T10:51:47.617","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) college and (b) university students it has paid the tuition fees for in each year since 2005-06.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of students whose tuition fees were paid in full by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. Students who received part payment of fees (such as the fee differential for students with previous study prior to the fees increase in 2006-07) are not included: \r\nAcademic session\r\nCollege\r\nUniversity\r\n2005-06\r\n      22,170 \r\n      86,330 \r\n2006-07\r\n      22,420 \r\n      87,135 \r\n2007-08\r\n      22,305 \r\n      87,585 \r\n2008-09\r\n      22,920 \r\n      88,970 \r\n2009-10\r\n      24,690 \r\n      92,565 \r\n2010-11\r\n      26,190 \r\n      93,045 \r\n2011-12\r\n      27,110 \r\n      93,495 \r\nNote: Student numbers in this table have been rounded up or down to the nearest 5 (e.g. 1, 2 round to 0; 3, 4 round to 5). \r\nInformation on number of students awarded tuition fees for 2012-13 will be published in October in the National Statistics publication Higher Education Student Support in Scotland 2012-13.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T13:25:49.163","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284365,"EventID":"S4W-14835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:24.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T17:25:30.367","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many apprenticeships have been created as part of the Forth Replacement Crossing project.\r\n","AnswerText":"As of 31 January 2013, the Forth Replacement Crossing project has delivered 46 vocational training positions including 14 modern apprenticeships, 44 professional body training places and 70 long term unemployed positions. These opportunities and the scope for modern apprenticeship opportunities will increase as work on site progresses.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:24.3","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284366,"EventID":"S4W-14836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:24.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T17:25:30.367","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether minimum employment standards were included in the invitation to tender process for the Forth Replacement Crossing project and, if so, what standards.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Principal Contractor is contractually obliged to pay wage rates and observe conditions of labour, which are not lower than those established for the trade or industry where the work is carried out.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:24.423","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284367,"EventID":"S4W-14837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:24.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T17:25:30.367","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all workers on the Forth Replacement Crossing project are employed according to nationally agreed terms and conditions.","AnswerText":"The Principal Contractor is contractually obliged to pay wage rates and observe conditions of labour, which are not lower than those established for the trade or industry where the work is carried out.\r\nRecruitment and conditions of employment are an operational matter for the contractors. This information is not held by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:24.55","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284368,"EventID":"S4W-14838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:24.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T17:25:30.367","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what national agreements are in force for workers on the Forth Replacement Crossing project.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14837 on 28 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:24.69","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284369,"EventID":"S4W-14839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:24.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T17:25:30.367","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are employed on the Forth Replacement Crossing project, also broken down by (a) contractor and (b) subcontractor.","AnswerText":"(a) The average number of staff on site in April 2013 was 737. The number of staff on site varies depending on the stage of the works and is expected to reach the previous peak of 1200 later in 2013.\r\n(b) The staffing of all subcontracts for additional supply of services and materials by the main Forth Replacement Crossing contractors are a wholly commercial matter for the contractor and subcontractor.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:24.83","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284370,"EventID":"S4W-14841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:24.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T17:25:30.367","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value is of each (a) contract and (b) subcontract awarded as part of the Forth Replacement Crossing project.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Principal Contract to build the new bridge and connecting roads was awarded to the Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) consortium with a successful tender price of £790 million.\r\nThe contract to install elements of the project’s Intelligent Transport System (ITS) on the M90 in Fife was awarded to John Graham (Dromore) Ltd, with a successful tender price of £12.9 million.\r\nThe contract to upgrade M9 Junction 1a at Kirkliston was awarded to a consortium between John Sisk and Roadbridge with a successful tender price of £25.6 million.\r\nThe contract to build the Forth Replacement Crossing Contact and Education Centre and Traffic Scotland Control Centre was awarded to Dawn Construction Ltd with a successful tender price of £3 million.\r\nThe following service and advance works contracts were also awarded by Transport Scotland: \r\nArchaeology-Headland Archaelolgy-Tender Value: £248,190\r\nCivil and Electrical Work for Radar - John Graham (Dromore) Ltd - Tender Value: £126,291\r\nReplacement Badger Sett Contract - Three Shires Ltd - Tender Value: £13,367.60\r\nCompetition for Supply of Plant Material - Johnsons of Whixley Limited - Tender Value: £229,900.\r\nInsurance Advisory Services - Heath Lambert Ltd - Contract Value: £279,000 \r\nFee Audit Commission - Deloitte LLP - Contract Value: £59,000\r\nThe award of all further subcontracts for additional supply of services and materials by the main Forth Replacement Crossing contractors are a wholly commercial matter for the firms themselves.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:24.987","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284371,"EventID":"S4W-14842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:25.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T17:25:30.367","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any incidences of so-called bogus self-employment among construction workers employed on the Forth Replacement Crossing project and, if so, what steps it has taken to prevent this.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not aware of any incidences of so-called bogus self-employment on the Forth Replacement Crossing Project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:25.11","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284372,"EventID":"S4W-14844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:25.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T17:25:30.367","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many temporary and agency workers have been employed on the Forth Replacement Crossing project.","AnswerText":"Recruitment and conditions of employment are an operational matter for the contractors. This information is not held by the Scottish Government.\r\nNo agency or temporary workers are employed by the Transport Scotland led Employer’s Delivery Team.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:25.237","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284373,"EventID":"S4W-14845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:25.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T17:25:30.367","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland includes adherence to the Register of Qualified Steelwork Contractors Scheme for Bridgeworks in its procurement processes and, if so, when it introduced this and for what reason.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland does include adherence to the Register for Qualified Steelwork Contractors Scheme for Bridgeworks or equivalent in its procurement processes. This was introduced progressively during 2010 as part of continuing dialogue and specification development with the Highways Agency, although it does not yet form part of the specification for highway works.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:25.36","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284374,"EventID":"S4W-14865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:25.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T12:51:23.907","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14306 by Nicola Sturgeon on 26 April 2013, what spend with Scotland-based small and medium-sized companies for (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12 was with (i) medium, (ii) small and (iii) micro-sized companies.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information from the Scottish Procurement Information Hub (the Hub) indicates that the value of spend with Scottish based Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) per financial year was:\r\nFinancial year 2010-11\r\nMicro (1-9 employees)\r\n£394 million\r\nSmall (10-49 employees)\r\n£778 million\r\nMedium (50-249 employees)\r\n£1,460 million\r\n\r\nFinancial Year 2011-12\r\nMicro (1-9 employees)\r\n£401 million\r\nSmall (10-49 employees)\r\n£835 million\r\nMedium (50-249 employees)\r\n£1,448 million\r\n\r\nAll Hub figures quoted above are based on data where both the number of employees and region of the supplier are known.\r\nIt is likely that many of those suppliers where employee numbers are not known are SMEs, meaning that the SME figures shown are likely to be understated.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:25.487","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284375,"EventID":"S4W-14866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:25.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T12:51:23.907","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on procurement with (a) medium, (b) small and (c) micro-sized companies in the last five years.","AnswerText":"Information from the Scottish Procurement Information Hub (the Hub) indicates that the value of spend by Scottish Government Core Departments with medium, small and micro sized companies in the last five years was:\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nTotal SG Spend\r\n£153m\r\n£197m\r\n£231m\r\n£181m\r\n£155m\r\nTotal SG Spend where supplier size known\r\n£142m\r\n£188m\r\n£219m\r\n£171m\r\n£143m\r\nMicro \r\n(<9 employees)\r\n£7m\r\n£10m\r\n£7m\r\n£8m\r\n£7m\r\n5%\r\n5%\r\n3%\r\n5%\r\n5%\r\nSmall (10 – 49\r\nEmployees)\r\n£13m\r\n£15m\r\n£15m\r\n£12m\r\n£11m\r\n9%\r\n8%\r\n7%\r\n7%\r\n8%\r\nMedium (50 – 249\r\nemployees) \r\n£28m\r\n£45m\r\n£41m\r\n£41m\r\n£32m\r\n20%\r\n24%\r\n19%\r\n24%\r\n23%\r\n% suppliers where employees numbers known\r\n87.5%\r\n88.7%\r\n89.7%\r\n89.6%\r\n87.8%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:25.72","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284376,"EventID":"S4W-14867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:25.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T12:51:23.907","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to public sector bodies on including community benefit clauses in procurement tenders and contracts.","AnswerText":"A Scottish Procurement Policy Note (SPPN) along with a report and guidance on Community Benefits in Public Procurement (CBIP) were published by the Scottish Government, in partnership with COSLA in February 2008.\r\nIn addition to this we have useful information available to public sector bodies on the Scottish Government website www.scotland.gov.uk/procurement, including guidance from Construction Skills and Ready for Business.\r\nOver the last two years the Scottish Government has also promoted this guidance through Marrakech Task Force training events and the Developing Markets contract. This has enabled us to promote the use of CBIP to over 300 buyers across the wider public sector in Scotland including: Central Government, agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies, higher and further education institutes, local authorities, and the NHS. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:25.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284377,"EventID":"S4W-14868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:26.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T12:51:23.907","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14085 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 April 2013, whether it plans to ask public sector bodies to keep a record of community benefit information.\r\n","AnswerText":"We intend to use the forthcoming Procurement Reform Bill to introduce a statutory requirement that public sector bodies include community benefit clauses in all new major public contracts and that those in receipt of major public contracts publish details of the community benefits these requirements have achieved.\r\nRegarding records management, public sector organisations in Scotland are subject to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Sections 60 & 62 of the Act refer to the Scottish Ministers’ Code of Practice on Records Management by Scottish Public Authorities, which gives guidance on records management which the Scottish public sector should adhere to. \r\nFurthermore, the Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011 makes provision about the management of public records by named public authorities. The Act complements the existing code of practice and comes in to force in 2013.\r\nThe Scottish Government also reports to the Public Audit Committee on a six monthly basis on how major capital projects are contributing to local economic development, including community benefits. The latest report can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12271/PACDecember2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:26.22","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284378,"EventID":"S4W-14869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:26.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T13:39:20.277","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support people of a central and eastern European Roma background living in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting our most vulnerable communities. To this end we are delivering several measures to support people of a central and eastern European Roma background living in Scotland.\r\nDuring 2012-15 we are providing funding of £255,000 to the Govanhill Law Centre to deliver a project which provides advice and legal representation focusing largely on the Roma Community. During the same period we are providing £180,000 to Crossroads Youth and Community Association to take forward their Govanhill Together project which promotes cohesion and opportunity by providing one to one advocacy and support particularly for members of the Czech and Slovak Roma communities.\r\nIn addition to this, on 18 June 2012, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell MSP, met with Stephen Curran, Glasgow City Council’s Executive Member for Education and Young People and assured him that the Scottish Government will do all it can to assist them undertake further work into identifying key concerns for Glasgow with regards to the education of children from the Roma community.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:26.453","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284379,"EventID":"S4W-14879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:26.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T14:38:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people (a) over and (b) under 18 have received NHS speech and language therapy for stammering in each year since 2010, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information is not held centrally to enable us to identify the specific issue for which people are referred for speech and language therapy or to distinguish between those under and over 18.\r\nThe number of people referred to NHS speech and language therapy services in the period April 2011 – March 2012 is set out in the following table:\r\nNHS Board\r\nTotal Attendances\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n4,738\r\nNHS Borders\r\n2,661\r\nNHS Fife\r\n12,458\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n14,016\r\nNHS Highland\r\n621\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n15,571\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n2,604\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n157\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n4,293\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n14,852\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n3,461\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n729\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n364\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:26.623","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284380,"EventID":"S4W-14881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:26.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T14:46:45.523","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it will provide to west coast prawn fishermen who face a reduction in income due to reduced days at sea in 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has listened carefully and responded to fishermen’s concerns about the number of days at sea that will be available to inshore prawn fishermen in 2013. As a result, days at sea allocations for west coast prawn vessels will be equivalent to 95% or more of the hours spent at sea on the west coast in 2009-2011.\r\nTo assist skippers the Government has offered fishing vessels an option in 2013 to participate in a range of publicly funded marine science initiatives identified by Marine Scotland that will improve inshore fisheries and marine science on the west coast. Representatives of 21 vessels have applied for this work.\r\nWe fully expects that the allocations agreed this year should allow us to return effort limits to normal levels in 2014-15, but this will depend on effort uptake in 2013-14.\r\nWe have also initiated discussions with the European Commission officials seeking the exemption from the effort limits of the cod plan for inshore prawn vessels that can document very low cod catches. The Scottish Government cannot itself exempt vessels: this can only be achieved by the European Commission making a proposal to the Council of Ministers. The Government is therefore working with the Commission to seek an agreement about the types of documentation that can be agreed as being satisfactory for the purposes of verifying very low catches of cod. The Government will also discuss the terms of an application for exemption with representatives of the fishing industry prior to its submission.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:26.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284381,"EventID":"S4W-14882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:27.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T14:46:45.523","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in persuading the European Commission to exempt from the cod recovery plan boats that can document low catches of cod.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14881 on 16 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:27.107","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284382,"EventID":"S4W-14883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-10T16:07:27.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T14:46:45.523","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish whether it can guarantee that west coast prawn fishermen will have their days at sea allocation returned to previous levels in 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14881 on 16 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-28T16:07:27.297","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284389,"EventID":"S4W-14787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T14:02:50.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T10:27:30.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-05467 by Bruce Crawford on 5 March 2012, whether it will provide an update of its estimate of Scotland's share of the cost of (a) operating and (b) replacing the Trident system.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government estimates that, based on 2011-12 UK defence spending figures and on UK Ministers’ statement that in-service costs for Trident are around 5 to 6% of the total defence budget, Scotland’s 8.4% population share of operating costs for the Trident nuclear weapons system is around £170 million per annum.\r\nIn addition to those operating costs, the Scottish Government estimates that Scotland’s population share of the replacement costs for the UK Government’s nuclear deterrent programme, outlined most recently in The United Kingdom’s Future Nuclear Deterrent: 2012 Update to Parliament, is between £1.26 and £1.68 billion at 2006-07 prices. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T14:02:50.063","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284390,"EventID":"S4W-14872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T14:02:50.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T14:27:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to protect the economy of the Highlands and Islands from the impact of the reductions in pay of up to 25% recently proposed by CalMac Ferries Ltd for its shore-based employees.\r\n","AnswerText":"Whilst this is a matter between the employer and the unions, we would urge CalMac Ferries Ltd to continue with their negotiations to seek an early resolution to avoid any impact on ferry services and the economy of the Highlands and Islands.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T14:02:50.233","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284391,"EventID":"S4W-14873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T14:02:50.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T14:27:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on proposals by CalMac Ferries Ltd to reduce the pay of its shore-based employees by up to 25%, given its operational efficiency rates of over 99% and pre-tax profit of £4.1million. \r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14872 on 23 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T14:02:50.517","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284392,"EventID":"S4W-14874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T14:02:50.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T14:27:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Transport Scotland relating to proposals by CalMac Ferries Ltd to reduce the pay of its shore-based employees by up to 25%, and what the outcome was.\r\n","AnswerText":"Whilst this is a matter between the employer and the unions, Ministers have been kept informed of progress with the negotiations by their officials in Transport Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T14:02:50.767","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284393,"EventID":"S4W-14875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T14:02:50.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T14:27:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland recommended that CalMac Ferries Ltd propose reductions in pay of up to 25% for its shore-based staff and, if so, what its position is on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"No. This is a matter for CalMac Ferries Ltd.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T14:02:51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284394,"EventID":"S4W-14877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T14:02:51.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T14:27:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking, in light of the First Minister's remarks to the 2013 STUC congress that “trade unions are important partners for the Scottish Government”, to work in partnership with the relevant unions with regard to proposals by CalMac Ferries Ltd to reduce the pay of its shore-based employees by up to 25%.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14872 on 23 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T14:02:51.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284395,"EventID":"S4W-14878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T14:02:51.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T14:27:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether savings made by CalMac Ferries Ltd as a result of its proposed 25% pay reduction for shore-based staff would be subject to the clawback mechanism in its contract for running the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.\r\n","AnswerText":"No.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T14:02:51.483","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284396,"EventID":"S4W-14884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T14:02:51.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T15:03:57.137","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much offshore renewable development will be required after 2020 to meet its ambition of having a largely-decarbonised electricity supply by 2030.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, like the rest of the UK and EU neighbours has not set electricity targets beyond 2020 in terms of specific fuel mixes.\r\nDecarbonisation will be achieved through a range of policies and be dependent upon a number of factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Scottish Government.\r\nWe believe that offshore renewable energy has the potential to make a significant contribution to a decarbonised electricity supply but it is too early to indicate what that contribution will be.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T14:02:51.717","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284397,"EventID":"S4W-14885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T14:02:51.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T15:03:57.137","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it follows the UK emissions performance standard (EPS); how it will ensure that this will help it meet its 2030 target, and what consideration it has given to adopting its own EPS.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of the draft Electricity Generation Policy Statement published in March 2012, the Scottish Government informally consulted on the possibility of a distinct Scottish Emissions Performance Standard (EPS). Responses indicated a range of views with industry being supportive of a UK-wide level to ensure a consistent regulatory approach and promote investor confidence in a UK-wide electricity market, while Non-Governmental Organisation’s favoured a Scottish specific EPS at a lower level gradually reducing over time.\r\nBased on the overriding objective of providing a consistent regulatory regime, which does not dis-incentivise investment in clean thermal generation in Scotland, we have agreed to the UK-wide application of the Emissions Performance Standard.\r\nWhile the Emissions Performance Standard is a useful tool we are clear that on its own it will not deliver the Scottish Government’s 2030 decarbonisation target and should be seen in the context of wider policies and powers. Our current consenting policy on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) already imposes conditions for progressively fitting CCS to all coal and gas thermal plants following successful demonstration at commercial scale. The delivery of our 100% renewable electricity target together with developments in grid technology and storage and progress in demand reduction and energy efficiency will also play a crucial role in the delivery of our long-term decarbonisation target.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T14:02:51.92","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284398,"EventID":"S4W-14887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T14:02:52.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T15:37:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the consultants’ report to the Intergovernmental Scottish Islands Renewables Steering Group.","AnswerText":"The report, entitled the Scottish Islands Renewables Project – Final Report, will be published on 15 May 2013. Copies have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 54946) and it is available at:\r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scottish-islands-renewable-project-final-report.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T14:02:52.123","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284399,"EventID":"S4W-14888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T14:02:52.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T16:07:36.04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-14535 and S4W-14540 by John Swinney on 3 May 2013, whether the evidence from (a) business organisations and (b) regulators regarding the section on page (i) 12 of the report that reads, “the development of this approach has been tested through discussions with UK regulators, experts, consumer groups and business organisations” and (ii) 13 of the report that reads, “our discussions with stakeholders have indicated that an extended transition should be avoided” is in the public domain and, if so, where.\r\n","AnswerText":"The substance of the discussions we held with business organisations and regulators informed the paper Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland, which is in the public domain.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T14:02:52.34","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284400,"EventID":"S4W-14890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T14:02:52.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T08:53:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when cervical cancer screening will be included in the Detect Cancer Early Programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Detect Cancer Early Programme aims to increase the proportion of cancers detected at the early stage of disease. Although directed at lung, breast and colorectal cancers in the first instance, early diagnosis and high quality treatment and care for all patients with cancer is a top priority. It is anticipated that the programme will benefit people with other types of cancer as general awareness raising initiatives are expected to result in earlier presentation, referral and assessment for all those with a possibility of cancer.\r\nColorectal, lung and breast cancer represent 45 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in Scotland per year. To allow the early stages of the programme to be appropriately managed and be the most effective, a decision was taken to focus on these three cancers initially. This will enable the greatest impact both in terms of patient numbers and in tackling cancer in areas of deprivation where survival has historically been poorest. It will be easier to demonstrate shifts in outcomes and in population attitudes by choosing the high incidence tumour types as the initial focus - it is anticipated that this will identify best practice and build momentum for the programme that will then facilitate roll out to other tumour types.\r\nThe priming and on-going campaign messages aim to create more confidence about cancer and its treatment and encourage people to present early to their GP with any changes in their body. In this way, it is anticipated that there will be increased awareness of screening programme availability and of symptoms and signs of cancer types additional to lung, breast and colorectal.\r\nOnce the initial phase of the Detect Cancer Early Programme is completed, consideration will be given to which other cancer types need to be tackled in a similar way.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T14:02:52.497","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284401,"EventID":"S4W-14891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T14:02:52.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T08:53:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to raise awareness of the symptoms of cervical cancer.\r\n","AnswerText":"Through the Detect Cancer Early Programme, the Scottish Government raises public awareness of both screening programmes and the early signs and symptoms of cancer to encourage people to seek help earlier.\r\nAlthough the Detect Cancer Early Programme will initially concentrate on lung, bowel and breast cancer, this initiative is fully expected to raise awareness of all cancers amongst the public and health practitioners, and crucially, save more lives every year. Also as part of the Detect Cancer Early Programme, the Scottish Government  will be working with GPs to promote earlier referral or investigation of patients who might have cancer.\r\nCervical Screening Awareness Week (9-15 June 2013) will provide further opportunities to raise awareness of the importance of cervical screening. We plan to work with Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to increase public awareness about cervical screening and the importance of early detection.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T14:02:52.653","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284402,"EventID":"S4W-14892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T14:02:52.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T08:53:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to work with Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to develop communications to improve cervical screening uptake.\r\n","AnswerText":"I recently met with the Director of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, where their involvement in developing and delivering key messages about cervical screening were welcomed. In December 2012, the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) recommended that the upper and lower age limits of screening should be changed. The Scottish Government has accepted these recommendations, which will be implemented in 2015. We will involve Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust in delivering messages about these changes.\r\nCervical Screening Awareness Week (9-15 June) will provide further opportunities to raise awareness of the importance of cervical screening. We will work with Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust in helping to deliver messages about cervical screening and the importance of early detection.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T14:02:52.793","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284403,"EventID":"S4T-00352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T12:53:00.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T11:30:20.913","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that North Sea oil and gas production will continue for the rest of the century.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T12:53:00.227","MeetingDate":"2013-05-14T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284404,"EventID":"S4F-01375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T12:53:32.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T15:39:54.937","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T12:53:32.37","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284405,"EventID":"S4F-01377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T12:53:32.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T09:00:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the use of electronic tagging of offenders as an alternative to short-term sentences.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T12:53:32.947","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284406,"EventID":"S4F-01380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T12:53:33.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T09:57:24.467","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T12:53:33.9","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284407,"EventID":"S4F-01381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T12:53:34.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T10:33:36.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government is having with local authorities regarding access to Gaelic medium schools.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T12:53:34.133","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284408,"EventID":"S4F-01387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T12:53:35.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T11:39:36.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with Vattenfall regarding its investment in offshore wind energy projects.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T12:53:35.6","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284409,"EventID":"S4F-01388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T12:53:35.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T11:55:24.53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to tackle bullying in the NHS.  \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T12:53:35.833","MeetingDate":"2013-05-16T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284415,"EventID":"S4W-14893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:26.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T11:39:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that homeowners are facing increased charges because of the requirement for factors to comply with the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 created a statutory framework to provide increased protection for homeowners who use the services of a property factor.\r\nThere is no statutory requirement for any additional costs arising from compliance with the legislation to be passed on to clients. Any decision to do so would be for the individual business concerned, mindful of the expectations of the factors’ code of conduct in relation to the transparency of billing.\r\nThe requirements of regulation are not expected to create a significant burden for property factors who already follow good practice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:26.193","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284416,"EventID":"S4W-14894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:26.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:28:13.483","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what statutory obligations there are for (a) it and (b) its bodies in relation to delivering sustainable (i) development and (ii) economic growth.\r\n","AnswerText":"As set out in the Government Economic Strategy (GES), the Scottish Government’s Purpose is to focus government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. The priorities in our GES continue to inform our policy and spending decisions in order to support the recovery, employment and sustainable economic growth throughout Scotland.\r\nUnder the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 it is the duty of every public body and office-holder, in exercising any functions, to further the conservation of biodiversity so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions. Section 44 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act places duties on public bodies, including the Scottish Government, relating to climate change including a duty that in exercising its functions a public body must act in a way that it considers most sustainable. The Act also requires that net levels of Scottish greenhouse gas emissions are reduced from a 1990-1995 baseline by at least 42% in 2020 and 80% by 2050. Also Sections 32 (1)(a) and (b) the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 places specific duties on each public body listed in schedule 8 to the Act to publish a statement of the steps that it has taken during the financial year to promote and increase sustainable growth through the exercise of its functions and to improve efficiency, effectiveness and economy in the exercises of its functions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:26.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284417,"EventID":"S4W-14895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:26.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Police Scotland (a) officers and (b) staff will be deployed at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland and who will pay the cost of their deployment.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of Police Scotland officers and staff to be deployed at the G8 summit is an operational matter for the Chief Constable and the Scottish Government does not hold this information. Arrangements will be put in place for the Scottish Police Authority to be reimbursed for the costs of this deployment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:26.537","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284418,"EventID":"S4W-14896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:26.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what types of specialist Police Scotland (a) officers and (b) staff will be deployed at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:26.693","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284419,"EventID":"S4W-14898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:26.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the costs of back-filling for the Police Scotland (a) officers and (b) staff deployed at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland will be met in full and, if so, by whom.\r\n","AnswerText":"Arrangements will be put in place for the Scottish Police Authority to be reimbursed for the cost of officers and staff deployed at the G8 summit.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:26.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284420,"EventID":"S4W-14899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:26.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can give that (a) efficient policing and (b) the safety of communities will not be compromised as a result of Police Scotland officers and staff being deployed at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:26.973","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284421,"EventID":"S4W-14900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:27.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Police Scotland helicopter will be deployed to the G8 summit in Northern Ireland.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:27.13","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284422,"EventID":"S4W-14901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:27.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland officers deployed at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland will be using armoured vehicles and, if so, who owns those vehicles.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:27.27","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284423,"EventID":"S4W-14902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:27.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether armoured vehicles have been stored at the Scottish Police College in the last 12 months.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:27.41","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284424,"EventID":"S4W-14903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:27.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an assessment has been made of any reputational damage to Police Scotland of (a) storing armoured vehicles at the Scottish Police College and (b) having officers and staff deployed in armoured vehicles.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:27.553","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284425,"EventID":"S4W-14904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:27.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many armoured vehicles Police Scotland owns.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:27.693","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284426,"EventID":"S4W-14905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:27.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland and its predecessors has/have bought additional equipment for the G8 summit in Northern Ireland and, if so, what equipment; who sanctioned the purchase; what the cost was, and who the suppliers were. ","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:27.847","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284427,"EventID":"S4W-14906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:27.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can give about the safety of Police Scotland officers and staff (a) travelling to and from and (b) while on deployment at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government understands that all UK forces providing Mutual Aid to G8 have undergone training on the different policing tactics used in Northern Ireland. Further information on this is an operational matter for the Chief constable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:27.973","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284428,"EventID":"S4W-14907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:28.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can give that Police Scotland officers and staff will have adequate radio communications while travelling to and from and while on deployment at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:28.13","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284429,"EventID":"S4W-14908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:28.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional training Police Scotland officers to be deployed at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland have been given and by whom.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government understands that all UK forces providing Mutual Aid to G8 have undergone training on the different policing tactics used in Northern Ireland. Further information on this is an operational matter for the Chief constable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:28.27","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284430,"EventID":"S4W-14909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:28.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under whose direction Police Scotland (a) officers and (b) staff deployed at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland will work.","AnswerText":"Policing of the G8 Summit will be under the direction and control of PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggot.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:28.427","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284431,"EventID":"S4W-14910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:28.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can give that Police Scotland officers and staff will not be subject to any operational direction by, nor participate in joint patrols with, (a) the UK military and (b) private security firms while deployed at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:28.567","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284432,"EventID":"S4W-14912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:28.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can give that Police Scotland officers and staff deployed at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland will not be subject to litigation due to any lack of knowledge of Northern Irish law.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:28.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284433,"EventID":"S4W-14913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:28.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can give that the safety of Police Scotland officers and staff deployed at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland will not be compromised if the threat level increases.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government understands that the Scottish Police Federation met the Association of Chief Police Officers to ensure relevant training and risk assessments are carried out to protect their members. Further information on this is an operational matter for the Chief constable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:28.863","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284434,"EventID":"S4W-14914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:28.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T13:39:26.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government about policing the G8 summit in Northern Ireland.","AnswerText":"Officials had discussions with their counterparts about the mechanism for reimbursing the SPA for the cost of the deployment of Police Scotland officers and staff at the G8 Summit.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:29.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284435,"EventID":"S4W-14915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-13T16:57:29.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T15:57:28.497","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Expert Working Group on Welfare and Constitutional Reform has assessed the commitments on welfare reform made by the Deputy First Minister in her speech of 13 May 2013, The Benefits and Possibilities of Independence.\r\n","AnswerText":"The remit of the Expert Working Group on Welfare is to review and provide assurance on work undertaken by the Scottish Government on, the cost of benefit payments in an independent Scotland upon independence and the delivery of those payments in an independent Scotland.\r\nThe group will also offer views on immediate priorities for change.\r\nThe group will submit their report to Scottish Ministers at the end of May 2013 and it will be published shortly thereafter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-29T16:57:29.16","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284436,"EventID":"S4W-14916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T13:52:29.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T17:16:06.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with the Royal Sun Alliance Group since 1999.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government records show one meeting took place with Scottish Executive officials and Royal and Sun Alliance on 14 July 2006.\r\nDetails of all ministerial engagements are published in arrears on the Scottish Government website and can be accessed using the following link:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/People/14944/Events-Engagements/MinisterialEngagements. These records show from 2008, no Ministerial meetings had taken place with Royal Sun Alliance Group.\r\nWe have been unable to find any further records of other ministerial or official meetings during the requested time period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T13:52:29.47","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284437,"EventID":"S4W-14917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T13:52:29.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T17:16:06.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what  role it has with regard to professional indemnity insurance for the legal profession.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have no role regarding professional indemnity insurance for the legal profession. The Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 sets out provisions for professional indemnity for solicitors and former solicitors. It states that it is the responsibility of the Law Society of Scotland with the concurrence of the Lord President to make rules in this regard.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T13:52:29.737","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284438,"EventID":"S4W-14918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T13:52:29.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T17:16:06.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many companies provide professional indemnity insurance for the legal profession.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Law Society of Scotland. The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T13:52:29.97","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284439,"EventID":"S4W-14919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T13:52:30.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T17:16:06.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the findings of the 2009 Report to Scottish Legal Complaints Commission on the Master Policy and Guarantee Fund Research.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is entirely a matter for the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission and the Law Society of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T13:52:30.19","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284440,"EventID":"S4W-14920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T13:52:30.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T17:16:06.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Law Society of Scotland’s master policy for the provision of professional indemnity insurance arrangements.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Solicitors(Scotland) Act 1980 sets out provisions in respect of the Guarantee Fund and professional indemnity and that it is the responsibility of the Law Society of Scotland. Scottish Ministers have no locus in these matters.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T13:52:30.437","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284441,"EventID":"S4W-14921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T13:52:30.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T17:16:06.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had meetings with the Law Society of Scotland regarding professional indemnity insurance arrangements and the role of Royal Sun Alliance in this matter and, if so, (a) when these took place and (b) who attended.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have no record meetings of that nature between the Scottish Government and the Law Society of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T13:52:30.673","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284442,"EventID":"S4W-14922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T13:52:30.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:03:51.06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will seek a draft opinion on an independent Scotland’s credit rating from a credit rating agency and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"Given our position of relative financial strength we have every confidence in securing a top credit rating for an independent Scotland - almost two thirds of countries with an AAA rating are small countries with a population of less than 10 million.\r\nSG believes the macro-economic framework set out by the Fiscal Commission Working Group would provide a stable basis for Scotland and rUK in the best interests of both, and, combined with Scotland’s economic strengths and natural resources, and the responsible record of the Scottish Government, would make an independent Scotland attractive to lenders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T13:52:30.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284443,"EventID":"S4W-14923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T13:52:31.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:03:51.06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its analysis is of the views of respondents outlined in paragraphs 2.6 to 2.11 of the UK Government publication, The Scotland Act 2012: summary of responses to the consultation on Scottish Government bond issuance, in relation to the rate at which an independent Scotland could borrow money.\r\n","AnswerText":"We assume that the question relates to the publication by HM Treasury on 13 May 2013 of a summary of responses to its consultation on bond issuance by the Scottish Government, which closed approximately eight months ago. The Scottish Government believes that it should have powers to raise funding through issuing bonds if this is the appropriate choice in the circumstances. Of those respondents expressing a view more agreed with the Scottish Government’s position than disagreed. We see no reason for the UK Government to seek to prevent the Scottish Government borrowing through these means. Local authorities and a range of public bodies such as Transport for London have such powers at present.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T13:52:31.063","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284444,"EventID":"S4W-14925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T13:52:31.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:25:55.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S3W-10807 and S3W-10809 by Shona Robison on 25 March 2008, what autism research projects the Chief Scientist Office has funded in the last five years.","AnswerText":"The Chief Scientist Office has funded three autism research studies since 2008. These studies have been based in the University of Glasgow and University of Aberdeen, the funding awarded to the studies amounts to £320,000. Of these studies two were based in Aberdeen, both looked at Autism and Reactive Attachment Disorder, with the other study, based in Glasgow, looking at the role of particular genes in autism.\r\nThe Chief Scientist Office (CSO) has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health and healthcare needs in Scotland. CSO responds primarily to requests for funding research proposals initiated by the research community in Scotland. CSO would consider an application for further research on Autism. As with all research funded by the CSO it would have to be led by a researcher based in a Scottish University or NHS organisation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T13:52:31.217","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":284456,"EventID":"S4W-14782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:05:58.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T16:36:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on setting up the 33 proposed nature conservation marine protected areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"I reported progress on the development of a Scottish Network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to Parliament in December 2012, based on the scientific advice to the Scottish Government from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.\r\nThe progress report included 33 proposals for both inshore and offshore MPAs. It is my intention to consult on all 33 proposals in a public consultation this summer in which views will be sought from all interested parties.\r\nThe network currently includes 45 Special Protection Areas for seabirds, 46 Special Areas of Conservation and 61 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Scottish waters and another eight fisheries management measures contribute to the wider aims of a MPA network. Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee are also progressing work to complete the identification of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas in the marine environment to deliver our obligations under European legislation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:05:58.513","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284457,"EventID":"S4W-14783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:05:58.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T16:36:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to include dolphins and killer whales in the remit of the proposed marine protected areas.","AnswerText":"The Guidelines for selecting and developing MPAs list the species and habitats for which the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies’ have recommended that MPAs are an appropriate conservation measure. Risso's dolphin, and White-beaked dolphin are included. Search locations have been identified for these species and Scottish Natural Heritage is completing their assessment on these locations.\r\nThere are no plans to include killer whale in any proposed MPA as the current evidence suggests they are highly migratory and not therefore considered suitable for spatial protection in addition to their existing species protection under the EU Habitats Directive.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:05:58.917","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284458,"EventID":"S4W-14784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:05:59.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T16:36:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on developing search locations for (a) minke whales, (b) Risso’s dolphins and (c) white-beaked dolphins in marine protected areas.","AnswerText":"For Minke whale there are two search locations, Southern Trench and Skye to Mull.\r\nFor Risso's dolphin there is one search location, Eye Peninsula to Butt of Lewis. And for White-beaked dolphin there is also one search location, Southern Trench.\r\nHabitat modelling is currently underway and will inform the detailed application of the Marine Protected Areas(MPAs) selection guidelines in due course for each of these search locations. Scottish Natural Heritage will then provide formal advice on whether these areas should be recommended as MPA proposals. Should additional evidence suggest any additional places be deemed critical habitats for these cetacean species, consideration will be given to identifying additional MPA search locations for assessment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:05:59.073","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284459,"EventID":"S4W-14785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:05:59.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-08T16:36:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered developing wider marine spatial planning for the protection of all species of whales and dolphins.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government considers the protection of all cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), wherever they are found in waters around Scotland, a high priority. They already have strict protection under the EU Habitats Directive and it is an offence to deliberately or recklessly capture, injure, kill or disturb any whale dolphin or porpoise.\r\nIn addition to this overall protection, the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 presents an opportunity to develop a world class network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and this process includes consideration of key locations for cetaceans in line with the MPA guidelines published in March 2011. We appreciate that these species need to be adequately protected and they are still very much under consideration for inclusion in the MPA network.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:05:59.247","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284460,"EventID":"S4W-14926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:05:59.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:30:31.967","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the written national guidance on Gaelic medium education referred to in paragraph 2.2.4 of the 2011 HMIE Report, Gaelic Education: Building on the successes, addressing the barriers.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to the Supplementary question given to S4O-02073 on 2 May 2013. The answer to the oral parliamentary question is available on the parliaments website, the official report can be viewed at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=8118.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:05:59.417","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284461,"EventID":"S4W-14927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:05:59.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:30:31.967","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the priority given to early years development in the National Gaelic Language Plan 2012-17, what plans it has to address the reported lack of qualified staff available for Gaelic pre-school education.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working closely with Bòrd na Gàidhlig to identify key action areas. Bòrd na Gàidhlig has established a Gaelic Early Years Working Group to develop a strategy for Gaelic early years. The group will provide a report and recommendations later this year which will address this issue.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:05:59.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284462,"EventID":"S4W-14928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:05:59.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:30:31.967","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for the long-term future of the birth to three sector in Gaelic.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wants to see this sector expand. Bòrd na Gidhlig has established a Gaelic Early Years Strategy Group and the group is expected to provide a report and recommendations later this year. The group has noted the recent early years progress in terms of support for and growth in the Gaelic early years sector and will want to see an expansion of provision and stronger links between Gaelic in the home and Gaelic in early years centres in the years ahead. The Scottish Government will carefully examine the group’s findings and work with Bòrd na Gidhlig to support and develop the birth to three sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:05:59.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284463,"EventID":"S4W-14930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:05:59.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:59:53.313","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that, by March 2013, only three NHS boards could ensure that 25% of people under 18 with type 1 diabetes had access to insulin pump therapy and, in light of it buying 558 insulin pumps toward the end of 2012, what the reasons are for any discrepancies or inequities of access and what steps it is taking to support NHS boards that have not achieved the access to insulin pump therapy target for under 18s.\r\n","AnswerText":"Although we welcome the progress that has been made, it is disappointing that not all boards have yet met our commitment. However, we remain absolutely determined to ensure that 25 per cent of people under 18 with type 1 diabetes have access to insulin pump therapy as quickly and as safely as possible.\r\nBoards have reported that they are working to support a number of different aspects of their insulin pump services in order to meet our ambitious commitment. This work has included: in some cases establishing, from scratch, an insulin pump service, ensuring staff are in place and that they have the skills and experience to deliver a safe and effective service and ensuring patients, who for personal reasons have chosen not to take advantage of a pump, are fully aware of the benefits of pump therapy.\r\nAll boards have action plans in place that are updated regularly to ensure that they are able to safely meet our commitment as soon as possible.\r\nIn order to support boards further in achieving our goal, we are providing an additional £3 million worth of insulin pumps and consumables to boards, on top of the £2.5 million that was provided in 2012.\r\nFurthermore, we have established a new support team of diabetes experts. The team will provide specialist advice and training for local staff with tailored improvement packages. This will help to address local needs by helping boards to safely increase the capacity and expertise of their insulin pump services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:05:59.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284464,"EventID":"S4W-14931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:00.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T11:22:08.337","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that it is using all the powers available to it to ensure year-on-year emissions reductions in the (a) housing and (b) transport sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"The draft Second Report on Proposals and Policies sets out a package of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the targets set under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. The report details contributions from across the Scottish economy, including from the housing and transport sectors, and summarises the analysis that has been undertaken to develop those proposals and policies.\r\nFor housing, these include the Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland which will refurbish Scotland’s homes to make them more energy efficient, proposals for developing minimum standards of energy efficiency for private sector housing and social housing, and working with stakeholders to transform both the financial and new build markets through programmes such as the Greener Homes Innovation Scheme.\r\nFor transport, these include initiatives to promote adoption of low carbon vehicles; to promote behavioural change and modal shift to active travel and public transport; and to promote sustainable communities. To achieve this, we are working in partnership with a range of public and private organisations whilst continuing to invest in improvements to public transport infrastructure – for example the Borders Railway, scheduled to open in 2015, is expected to take 60,000 peak trips off roads in the Scottish Borders and Midlothian each year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:00.133","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284465,"EventID":"S4W-14947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:00.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T11:42:57.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Employability Forum has met in the last 12 months; who attended each meeting, and what was discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"The inaugural meeting of the reconstituted Scottish Employability Forum (SEF) took place on 31 January 2013. The SEF will meet bi-annually and the next meeting will take place on 5 September 2013.\r\nThe list of forum members and record of the discussion that took place, during the first meeting, are available on the Employability in Scotland website. \r\nhttp://www.employabilityinscotland.com/employability/scottish-employability-forum\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:00.32","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284466,"EventID":"S4W-14948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:00.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T11:42:57.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) apprenticeships and (b) work placements it has taken on over the last 12 months, broken down by directorate.\r\n","AnswerText":"During the financial year 1 April 2012 - 31 March 2013 the Scottish Government delivered 196 opportunities for unemployed young people which included the employment of 64 new Modern Apprentices, 7 Get Ready for Work Training Placements, 105 student placements and mentoring* of 20 disadvantaged young people as follows:\r\nDirectorate/\r\nAgency\r\nDirectorate\r\nModern Apprenticeship\r\nGet Ready For Work Placement\r\nStudent Placement \r\nMentoring\r\nDG Enterprise, Environment & Digital\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND RURAL COMMUNITIES\r\n5\r\n0\r\n3\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR BUSINESS\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF ECONOMIST\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR DIGITAL\r\n1\r\n0\r\n3\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE\r\n0\r\n1\r\n3\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTRY\r\n1\r\n0\r\n4\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR MARINE SCOTLAND\r\n0\r\n0\r\n14\r\n\r\nENTERPRISE, ENVIRONMENT & DIGITAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n\r\nDG Finance\r\nFINANCE DIRECTORATE\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n\r\nSCOTTISH PROCUREMENT AND COMMERCIAL DIRECTORATE\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\nDG Governance & Communities\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR HOUSING, REGENERATION AND WELFARE\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR HOUSING, REGENERATION, THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES AND SPORT\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR HR AND ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT\r\n5\r\n0\r\n6\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR LEGAL SERVICES (SOLICITOR TO THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT)\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITIES\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n\r\nISIS INFORMATION SERVICES & INFORMATION SYSTEMS\r\n1\r\n0\r\n6\r\n\r\nDG Health & Social Care\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AND PUBLIC HEALTH\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\n\r\nTHE QUALITY UNIT\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n\r\nDG Learning & Justice\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR EMPLOYABILITY, SKILLS AND LIFELONG LEARNING\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR JUSTICE\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES\r\n3\r\n1\r\n13\r\n\r\nLEARNING & JUSTICE\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n\r\nPOLICE : TRANSITION AND STRATEGY UNIT\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n\r\nDG Strategy & External Affairs\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR CULTURE AND HERITAGE\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS\r\n0\r\n0\r\n6\r\n\r\nDIRECTORATE FOR STRATEGY AND CONSTITUTION\r\n0\r\n0\r\n6\r\n\r\nMINISTERIAL PRIVATE OFFICES\r\n2\r\n0\r\n1\r\n\r\nAccountant in Bankruptcy\r\nCASE OPERATIONS\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\nEducation Scotland\r\nDIRECTORATE D\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\nNational Records of Scotland\r\nCORPORATE SERVICES\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\nDEMOGRAPHY\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n\r\nOffice of the Scottish Charity Regulator\r\nOSCR\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\nStudent Awards Agency for Scotland\r\nSAAS\r\n25\r\n0\r\n7\r\n\r\nScottish Public Pensions Agency\r\nSPPA\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\nTransport Scotland\r\nTRANSPORT  DIRECTORATE\r\n1\r\n0\r\n7\r\n\r\n \r\n64\r\n7\r\n105\r\n20*\r\n\r\n\r\n* unable to breakdown by area\r\n\r\nModern Apprentices are employed to permanent roles as vacancies arise and the distribution across the organisation will change year on year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:00.57","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284467,"EventID":"S4W-14950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:00.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T11:42:57.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) college placements and (b) training opportunities have been established by the Energy Skills Partnership, broken down by participating college.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Energy Skills Partnership has supported the following training opportunities at participating colleges:\r\nCollege\r\nEnergy Skills\r\nChallenge Fund\r\nLow Carbon Skills Fund\r\nESP Industry led CPD\r\nWork Readiness\r\n(enhanced programmes for existing students)\r\nBuilding Capability and Capacity (college staff development)\r\nTotal\r\nAberdeen\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\nAdam Smith\r\n353\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n353\r\nAngus\r\n10\r\n\r\n50\r\n\r\n\r\n60\r\nAyr\r\n12\r\n\r\n40\r\n\r\n3\r\n55\r\nBanff and Buchan\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\nCardonald\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n4\r\n4\r\nCarnegie\r\n9\r\n4\r\n \r\n11\r\n11\r\n35\r\nCity of Glasgow\r\n\r\n\r\n10\r\n\r\n\r\n10\r\nCumbernauld\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n39\r\n1\r\n40\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n20\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3\r\n23\r\nDundee\r\n57\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n8\r\n65\r\nEdinburgh\r\n54\r\n9\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n64\r\nForth Valley\r\n28\r\n\r\n30\r\n\r\n9\r\n67\r\nInverness\r\n\r\n1\r\n68\r\n\r\n\r\n69\r\nJames Watt\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n15\r\n1\r\n16\r\nKilmarnock\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n4\r\n6\r\n10\r\nMotherwell\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n9\r\n2\r\n11\r\nNorth Glasgow\r\n\r\n7\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n7\r\nNorth Highland\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n6\r\n6\r\nReid Kerr\r\n\r\n1\r\n127\r\n4\r\n15\r\n147\r\nStow\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n14\r\n2\r\n16\r\nAnniesland \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n48\r\n\r\n48\r\nTOTAL\r\n543\r\n22\r\n325\r\n145\r\n73\r\n1108\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:00.773","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284468,"EventID":"S4W-14951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:00.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T11:42:57.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that modern apprenticeships are shaped and influenced by growth sectors\r\n","AnswerText":"Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are responsible for developing Modern Apprenticeship (MA) Frameworks and the underpinning National Occupational Standards (NOS) to meet the needs of their respective industries. MA Frameworks are approved for delivery in Scotland by the independent Modern Apprenticeship Group (MAG) which encourages SSCs to present robust frameworks, for which there is evidence of demand and which respond to the needs of their sectors.\r\nSkills Development Scotland (SDS) is responsible for contracting for the delivery of Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland. SDS works closely with SSCs to articulate demand from employers and industry experts through Skills Investment Plans (SIPs). SIPs provide information on the skills demands from growth sectors as set out in the Government Economic Strategy. This includes demand for and uptake of MAs, and as a result SIPs are one of the pieces of evidence used to inform the SDS contracting strategy for MAs. MA Frameworks which support growth sectors are prioritised within the SDS contracting strategy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:00.977","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284469,"EventID":"S4W-14952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:01.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T11:42:57.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what  meetings the Minister for Youth Employment has had with sector skills councils, broken down by (a) date, (b) issues discussed and (c) attendees.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Minister for Youth Employment has had meetings with Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) as follows:\r\n8 March 2012 – Improve (Jack Matthews, Kelvin Thomson), People 1st (Brian Wisdom, David Allen) and SEMTA (Brian Humphrey) (also attending was Simon Perryman of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills) - to discuss how the work being taken forward by these SSCs could contribute to the Scottish Government’s youth employment agenda.\r\n19 April 2012 – Construction Skills (Graeme Ogilvie) – to discuss the possibility of joint-investment in the construction sector.\r\n14 June 2012 – Asset Skills (Tim Pogson) (also attending was Najimee Parveen of Path Scotland) – to discuss a proposal to address under-representation of BME individuals in National Training Programmes.\r\n16 August 2012 – SEMTA (Brian Humphrey, James Lynch, Stewart McKinley) – at the inaugural meeting of the Forum for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Skills (FAMES), also attended by representatives of some 16 companies form the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector, Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland – to discuss proposals for the Forum and skills issues in the sector.\r\n13 December 2012 – Creative and Cultural Skills (Ronnie Gurr and Norah Campbell) – to discuss apprenticeships in their sector. (The Minister also launched CC Skills’ National Skills Academy on 1 November 2012).\r\nIn addition, the following SSCs were amongst the organisations represented at the National Economic Forum meeting which the Minister attended on 1 February 2012 to discuss the Scottish Government’s strategic priorities on youth employment: \r\nConstruction Skills (Graeme Ogilvie);\r\nEnergy and Utility Skills (Jim Brown); and\r\nImprove (Kelvin Thomson).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:01.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284470,"EventID":"S4W-14953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:01.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T11:42:57.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the capital investment programme supports the employment of young people.\r\n","AnswerText":"Over the spending review period (2012-13 to 2014-15) the Scottish Government will support investment of more than £10 billion through the capital budget, revenue-financed investment through the Non Profit Distributing pipeline, Regulatory Asset Base rail enhancements, capital receipts and switching more than £700 million from resource into capital budget.\r\nProjects that will provide opportunities for young people include:\r\n\r\nThe Forth Replacement Crossing which, at its peak, will directly support 1,200 jobs. Each year this will deliver 45 vocational training positions, 21 professional body training places and 46 positions for the long term unemployed, as well as providing further scope to maximise Modern Apprenticeship opportunities once onsite construction begins. To date, 110 places for training and the long-term unemployed have been generated by the construction.\r\n\r\nThe New South Glasgow Hospitals which, at its peak, will support 1,500 jobs on site. This project incorporated a number of key economic targets into the project delivery, with a particular focus on targeted training and recruitment. The project set a target of 250 new recruits, including 88 apprentices. To date, the project has delivered 190 new entrants, including 54 apprenticeships. The project has also supported over 140 work placements for young people and has dedicated engagement programmes with local primary and secondary schools.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Futures Trust promotes a consistent community benefits approach across the £2.5 billion Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) projects pipeline and hub programme. Each standalone NPD procurement includes a community benefit clause seeking commitment to training and development. The Scotland-wide hub programme includes firm requirements and key performance indicators for delivering training opportunities in each of the five hub territories. Using construction industry guidance, the NPD and hub programme should deliver 713 work placements for teenagers aged between 16 to 19, and 327 new apprentice starts.\r\n\r\nScotland’s Schools for the Future Building Programme is estimated to support around 1,500 jobs at any one time throughout the duration of the programme. The schools will provide significant employment opportunities across Scotland both during the building phase and throughout their lifetime.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:01.383","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284471,"EventID":"S4W-14954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:01.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T11:42:57.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-07726 by Angela Constance on 20 June 2012, how many job opportunities were (a) created and (b) filled by the Social Enterprise and Third Sector Challenge Fund and how many people were still in employment (i) three, (ii) six and (iii) 12 months after receiving support from the fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Social Enterprise and Third Sector Challenge Fund was delivered via 24 organisations and offered participants a range of opportunities varying from short term training to longer term supported employment.\r\nThe final date for participant entry to the programme was agreed as 31 March 2013 and to that point SDS has a confirmed number of participants as 1,619.\r\nScottish Government agreed an extension of up to 8 weeks, beyond 31 March, in which milestones and outcomes could be claimed. As a result final figures for the number of positive outcomes will not be available until, at least, the beginning of June 2013.\r\nDue to the original Scottish Government requirement, to pay the entire fund to Providers by 31 March 2013, payments were available to claim four weeks after the young person was employed. Figures for sustainment at three, six and 12 months will, therefore, be unavailable.\r\nHowever, the Social Enterprise and Third Sector Challenge Fund has been subject to external evaluation by TERU (the Training and Employment Research Unit at Glasgow University) and this report will be complete by early June, once final figures have been confirmed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:01.587","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284472,"EventID":"S4W-14956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:01.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T11:42:57.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many one-to-one interviews Skills Development Scotland has carried out with young people categorised as amber by the My World of Work initiative.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland and they have been asked to respond directly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:01.787","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284473,"EventID":"S4W-14957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:02.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T11:42:57.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many contact centres are operated by Skills Development Scotland and how many centres there will be in 2014.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland and they have been asked to respond directly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:02.023","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284474,"EventID":"S4W-14958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:02.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T11:42:57.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Employment Recruitment Incentive payments were issued in 2011-12. ","AnswerText":"I can confirm that in year one there were 6,985 claims for payment made through the targeted ERI scheme.\r\nPlease note the distinction between claims for payment and individual starts. Some of those claims Skills Development Scotland received in 2011-12 will have been for young people who started on the programme later in 2010-11. The claims by employers on behalf of those recruited through the scheme can often be made some time after the individual has started work.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:02.223","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284475,"EventID":"S4W-14959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:02.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T11:42:57.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) care-leavers, (b) former young offenders and (c) young carers were employed with the support of Employment Recruitment Incentive payments in 2011-12 and how many of them are still in work.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13575 on 23 March 2013 where I stated that Skills Development Scotland are unable to share a disaggregated figure as the overall number of individuals supported within these groups is small. I can confirm that in 2011-2012, the number of individuals who were supported through the Employer Recruitment Incentive was 6,985. The ERI in 2011-12 was not an incentive targeted at these groups specifically. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:02.427","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284476,"EventID":"S4W-14960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:02.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T11:16:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the capital spending has been in the (a) DD2, (b) EH14 and (c) FK9 postcode area since 1999.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held by postcode.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:02.63","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284477,"EventID":"S4W-14963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:02.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T12:15:11.43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young people received a loan from the Scottish Investment Bank’s revolving loan fund in 2012-13 and how much it lent to young people in total.\r\n","AnswerText":"During 2012-13, the revolving loan fund distributed a total of £1,387,294 to 482 young people. This supported 402 businesses to start or grow across Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:02.803","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284478,"EventID":"S4W-14964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:03.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T12:15:11.43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the full-time equivalent figure is for Skills Development Scotland staff in schools.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland and they have been asked to respond directly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:03.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284479,"EventID":"S4W-14965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:03.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T12:15:11.43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to the Flexible Training initiative and how many places it funds.","AnswerText":"The Flexible Training Opportunities programme gives Scottish businesses with up to 100 employees the opportunity to apply for up to £5,000 towards employee training costs. Funding is available for up to 10 employees per business with Skills Development Scotland refunding 50% of each episode of employee training up to a maximum of £500 for each training episode. We have asked SDS to provide 7,000 individual training opportunities in 2013-14 through the Flexible Training Opportunities programme.\r\nIn addition, to support the transition to a low carbon economy, the Low Carbon Skills Fund gives Scottish businesses with up to 250 employees the opportunity to apply for up to £12,500 towards employee training costs. Funding is available for up to 25 episodes of training per business with SDS refunding 50% of eligible training costs up to a maximum of £500 per episode. Eligible training includes:\r\nRenewable energy, low carbon technologies and microgeneration\r\nEnergy efficiency, environmental and clean technologies\r\nWaste management and re-use\r\nReducing carbon in supply and energy management.\r\nWe have asked SDS to provide at least 500 episodes of training in 2013-14 through the Low Carbon Skills Fund Programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:03.27","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284480,"EventID":"S4W-14966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:03.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T12:15:11.43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether everyone aged 16 to 19 is guaranteed a place in education, employment or training.","AnswerText":"Opportunities for All is our explicit commitment to offer a place in learning or training to every 16-19 year old in Scotland who is not currently in employment, education or training.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:03.49","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284481,"EventID":"S4W-14967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:03.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T14:55:12.303","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Richard Lochhead on 12 March 2013 (Official Report, c. 17558), how many meetings of the Still Hungry for Success working group have been held; who attended; what issues were discussed, and what future meetings are planned.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Still Hungry for Success working group met for the first time on 14 March 2013 and again on 8 May 2013\r\nThe following table shows working group membership and attendance \r\nName\r\nOrganisation\r\n14 March 2013\r\n8 May 2013\r\nHugh Fraser (chair)\r\nAssociation of Directors of Education Scotland (ADES)\r\nattended\r\nattended\r\nBill Kennedy\r\nAssociation of Service Solutions in Scotland (ASSIST)\r\nattended\r\nattended\r\nJackie Brock\r\nChildren in Scotland\r\nattended\r\napologies\r\nHeather Peace\r\nFood Standards Agency\r\nattended\r\nattended\r\nAndrew Kennedy\r\nAssociation of Public Service Excellence\r\nattended\r\nattended\r\nJulia McCreadie\r\nCordia\r\nattended\r\nattended\r\nLisa Pierotti\r\nGlasgow CC (Secondary HT)\r\nattended\r\napologies\r\nTania Mackie\r\nHighland Council (Primary HT)\r\nattended\r\nattended\r\nShirley Beattie\r\nEducation Scotland\r\nattended\r\napologies\r\nLesley Kirkwood\r\nEducation Scotland\r\napologies\r\nattended\r\nKathy Cameron\r\nConvention of Scottish Local Authorities\r\nattended\r\nattended\r\nJames Withers\r\nScotland Food and Drink\r\napologies\r\napologies\r\nClaire Hislop\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\nattended\r\nattended\r\nVeronica McAleaney\r\nScottish Govt Procurement Policy\r\nattended\r\nattended\r\nHugh Carr\r\nScotland Excel\r\nnot yet a member\r\nattended\r\nIain Ellis\r\nNational Parents Forum\r\nnot yet a member\r\nattended\r\nBill Scott-Watson\r\nScottish Govt Learning\r\nattended\r\nattended\r\nLyndsey Fogg\r\nScottish Govt Learning\r\nattended\r\nattended\r\nRobin Gourlay\r\nScottish Govt Food and Drink\r\nattended\r\nattended\r\n\r\nAt the first meeting the group discussed progress since Hungry for Success launched in 2003, existing successes, challenges and barriers in relation to school food provision and education.\r\nAt the second meeting, following informal consultation by group members with their stakeholder groups, discussion centred on the potential structure and scope of the guidance document.\r\nThe working group plan to meet again on 5 June, 14 August and 5 September.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:03.69","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284482,"EventID":"S4W-14968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-14T17:06:03.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T14:55:12.303","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many ministerial journeys of (a) one to two miles and (b) one mile and under have been completed (i) by car, (ii) on foot, (iii) on bicycle and (iv) using public transport since 2007 and what impact it expects its recently launched campaign, Not Far? Leave the Car, to have on such journeys.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested at point (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) could only be obtained at disproportionate costs. \r\nThe recently launched Active Travel campaign aims to encourage the Scottish public to reduce the number of short journeys made by car. The campaign raises awareness of the benefits of walking and cycling in terms of wellbeing, environment and financial cost.\r\nThe Scottish Government continually looks for ways to minimise the use of cars for official journeys and Ministers take their responsibility to travel sustainably very seriously and aim to use more sustainable forms of transport whenever possible.\r\nWhere practicable, Ministers are encouraged to use public transport or walk to their engagements.\r\nYou may be interested to know that all Ministerial journeys by Car and public transport are published on the Scottish Government Website.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-30T17:06:03.91","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284503,"EventID":"S4O-02155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:40:43.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:57.99","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last had discussions with relevant officials concerning flooding in Fife.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:40:43.973","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284504,"EventID":"S4O-02156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:40:44.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:58.193","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the UK Fuel Poverty Monitor 2013.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:40:44.787","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284505,"EventID":"S4O-02157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:40:44.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:58.363","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent action it has taken to support the Scottish film and TV industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:40:44.94","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284506,"EventID":"S4O-02158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:40:45.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:58.583","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what help is available to local authorities and social housing agencies to build new homes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:40:45.707","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284507,"EventID":"S4O-02160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:40:45.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:58.91","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage a mutual, co-operative or not-for-dividend organisation to bid for the Scottish rail passenger franchise.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:40:45.877","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284508,"EventID":"S4O-02161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:40:46.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:59.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether private landlords had lodged all eligible deposits with tenant deposit schemes by the deadline of 15 May 2013.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:40:46.673","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284509,"EventID":"S4O-02162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:40:47.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:59.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to assess the health implications of waste incineration.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:40:47.453","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284510,"EventID":"S4O-02163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:40:48.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:59.457","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level it plans to reduce corporation tax to in the event of Scotland becoming independent.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:40:48.06","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284511,"EventID":"S4O-02164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:40:48.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:59.58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of its transport budget is spent on infrastructure to increase walking and cycling rates.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:40:48.233","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284512,"EventID":"S4O-02135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:12.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:12.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports Gaelic further and higher education.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:12.727","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284513,"EventID":"S4O-02136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:12.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T14:52:38.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional support it will provide to HMYOI Polmont and Education Scotland, following the decision to increase access, quality and consistency of teaching for inmates as a result of the report on HMYOI Polmont in February 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:12.9","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284514,"EventID":"S4O-02137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:13.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T16:16:15.527","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage over-25s who are unemployed to pursue further education.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:13.07","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284515,"EventID":"S4O-02138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:13.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T10:24:52.877","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what flexibility there is in the curriculum for excellence to reflect evolving situations in society.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:13.243","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284516,"EventID":"S4O-02141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:13.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T10:14:07.41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many further education students with learning difficulties have taken up supported employment after completing their course, in each of the last three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:13.413","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284517,"EventID":"S4O-02142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:13.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:19.377","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are used when selecting set Scottish texts for the new national qualifications for English.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:13.587","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284518,"EventID":"S4O-02143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:14.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:19.61","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the Educational Psychologists Workforce Planning Group.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:14.023","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284519,"EventID":"S4O-02144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:14.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:19.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it seeks to support vulnerable children and their families.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:14.223","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284520,"EventID":"S4O-02145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:14.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T09:42:31.453","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities in relation to providing partnership funding for nursery places.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:14.46","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284521,"EventID":"S4O-02146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:14.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:20.093","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether concerns have been expressed about the new materials that have been provided to teachers to support the new national qualifications.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:14.63","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284522,"EventID":"S4O-02147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:14.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:20.25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the provision of outdoor sports facilities with all-weather surfaces in the grounds of secondary schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:14.863","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284523,"EventID":"S4O-02150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:15.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:20.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many more 16 to 24-year-olds are employed on zero-hour contracts than in 2007.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:15.053","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284524,"EventID":"S4O-02151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:15.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T11:22:35.803","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons schools continue to report problems in the recruitment of supply teachers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:15.27","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284525,"EventID":"S4O-02152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1841,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":120,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:15.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:21.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with universities and colleges regarding demand from international students for courses that develop skills for the oil and gas sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:15.443","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284526,"EventID":"S4O-02153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:41:15.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-13T12:10:22.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the curriculum for excellence will equip young people to continue their education through Energy Skills Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Subjects which support pathways into energy sector careers, including mathematics, sciences and technologies, have a strong place within Curriculum for Excellence. Every young person will have opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills in these subjects up to S3, and we continue to see good uptake in STEM subjects during S4-S6.\r\nEnergy Skills Scotland will work with industry to build on this learning to attract and support young people into careers in the energy sector. As part of a co-ordinated long-term plan for better industry engagement with the education system, Energy Skills Scotland will facilitate partnership with schools and colleges to help ensure talent continues to enter the sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:41:15.643","MeetingDate":"2013-05-22T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284534,"EventID":"S4W-14857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:49.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:29:13.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will be responsible for implementing recommendations made by the commission to examine the policies and practices in place for handling ashes and cremated remains.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Commission has been asked to report to Scottish Government by the end of 2013. Responsibility for implementing its recommendations will depend on the detail of each recommendation.\r\nRecommendations around professional guidance or practice may be for Scottish Government, Cremation Authorities or for professional bodies.\r\nRecommendations about legislation, however, will be for the Scottish Government to take forward in the first instance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:50.14","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284535,"EventID":"S4W-14858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:51.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:29:13.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether individual cases will be considered by the commission to examine the policies and practices in place for handling ashes and cremated remains.","AnswerText":"The investigation of specific incidents or allegations relating to any particular cremation or crematorium remains the responsibility of the relevant cremation authority or, if applicable, the police or Procurator Fiscal service.\r\nThe Commission has now issued a public call for written submissions from any interested parties. The Commission understands that individuals responding to this call for submissions may wish to set out their own personal experiences in order to provide context to their comments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:51.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284536,"EventID":"S4W-14859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:51.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:29:13.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the projected cost is of the commission to examine the policies and practices in place for handling ashes and cremated remains.\r\n","AnswerText":"SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT\r\nWRITTEN ANSWER\r\n30 May 2013\r\nIndex Heading: Health and Social Care\r\nJackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what the projected cost is of the commission to examine the policies and practices in place for handling ashes and cremated remains.\r\n(S4W-14859)\r\nMichael Matheson: As the main costs will relate to the reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred by Commission members, it is not possible to provide a more definite projected cost at this time.\r\nOur expectation is that the costs incurred will not exceed £100k. These costs will be met by Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:51.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284537,"EventID":"S4W-14860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:52.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:29:13.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it will not establish a public inquiry into the retention of baby ashes by crematoria.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is important we learn lessons quickly to ensure no bereaved parent or relative ever again goes through the additional distress caused by this type of experience.\r\nA full public inquiry would be likely to take several years to complete its work, which would delay indefinitely current plans to update existing burial and cremation legislation and might also possibly delay the implementation of any new guidance.\r\nThe Infant Cremation Commission, by contrast, will report its recommendations by the end of this year, ensuring that the lessons learned can inform the development of any new guidance as soon as is possible, as well as influence the upcoming legislation development.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:52.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284538,"EventID":"S4W-14861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:52.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:29:13.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether witnesses involved in the retention of baby ashes by crematoria will be compelled to appear before the commission to examine the policies and practices in place for handling ashes and cremated remains.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is not expected that the Commission will need to compel witnesses to give evidence. All key stakeholder organisations involved in the management of crematoria and the handling of cremations are represented on the Commission and have accepted the remit.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:52.683","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284539,"EventID":"S4W-14862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:53.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:29:13.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legislation applies to the disposal of ashes at crematoria.\r\n","AnswerText":"The principal legislation which applies to the disposal of ashes at crematoria is the Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 1935. Specifically, Regulation 17 sets out the legal requirements when disposing of ashes following a cremation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:53.103","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284540,"EventID":"S4W-14863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:53.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:29:13.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is considering prosecutions in relation to the inappropriate disposal of baby ashes at crematoria.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have not received any criminal reports regarding the inappropriate disposal of baby ashes in any crematoria.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:53.557","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lesley Thomson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284541,"EventID":"S4W-14864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:53.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:29:13.097","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any recommendations arising from the commission to examine the policies and practices in place for handling ashes and cremated remains will have legislative underpinning.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Commission’s remit includes considering existing legislation, with particular reference to the Cremation Act 1902 and the Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 1935, in order to identify gaps, inconsistencies and weaknesses and to make recommendations on what issues should be addressed in future legislation.\r\nThe Government has already committed to updating existing burial and cremation legislation. That work is due to commence next year and will be informed by the Commission’s findings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:53.993","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284542,"EventID":"S4W-14935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:54.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:25:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what numerical formula it uses to calculate the road equivalent tariff and when it was first used.","AnswerText":"The road equivalent tariff (RET) formula for a car is a fixed element of £5.00 plus a rate of £0.80 per mile. For foot passengers the RET fare is a fixed element of £2.00 plus £0.13 per mile. \r\nThis current formula was first used for the roll out of RET to Islay, Colonsay and Gigha in October 2012. The intention is to update the formula annually in line with the cost of travel and to apply the formula at the start of each summer timetable period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:54.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284543,"EventID":"S4W-14936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:55.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:25:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) car, (b) passenger, (c) driver and (d) pence per mile fares it uses to calculate the road equivalent tariff.\r\n","AnswerText":"The road equivalent tariff (RET) fare for a car is calculated by a fixed element of £5.00 plus a rate per mile of £0.80.\r\nA driver and any passengers will be charged as foot passengers. For foot passengers the RET fare is a fixed element of £2.00 plus £0.13 per mile.\r\nThe fixed cost element of the fare is designed to offset the elements on each route such as the costs of maintaining harbour infrastructure at each end of the route and the cost of maintaining the vessel.\r\nAs noted in the Ferries Plan, published in December 2012, the RET formula will be updated annually in line with the cost of travel.\r\nThe Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013 – 2022) can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j254579-00.htm.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:55.333","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284544,"EventID":"S4W-14937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:55.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:25:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what the 10 most commonly driven cars in Scotland are, expressed as a percentage, and how much it costs per mile to drive them.","AnswerText":"No information is held by the Scottish Government on the most commonly driven cars or the associated cost per mile to drive them.\r\nInformation on the 10 most popular new cars sold is available from Table 1.11 of Scottish Transport Statistics No 31: 2012 Edition. This table can be accessed by following the attached link:\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j251205-026.htm.\r\nInformation on vehicle running costs by type and size of engine is available from the RAC and is provided in the following link:\r\nhttp://www.emmerson-hill.co.uk/downloads/Motoring_Costs_April_2012.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:55.85","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284545,"EventID":"S4W-14938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:56.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:25:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the equivalent road distance is, expressed in miles, for each ferry crossing used in road equivalent tariff calculations.","AnswerText":"The information requested is set out in the following table.\r\nRoutes\r\nMiles\r\nTayinloan - Gigha\r\n2.5\r\nUig (Skye) - Tarbert (Harris)/Lochmaddy (North Uist)\r\n29.2\r\nKennacraig - Islay\r\n32.3\r\nOban - Colonsay\r\n36.6\r\nUllapool - Stornoway (Lewis)\r\n52.2\r\nOban - Coll/Tiree\r\n59.7\r\nOban - Castlebay (Barra)/Lochboisdale (South Uist)\r\nN/A*\r\n\r\nNote: *For this route the mileage was not used to calculate the fare level, which would have resulted in higher fare levels.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:56.097","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284546,"EventID":"S4W-14939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:56.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:25:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it received the Advertising Standards Authority findings relating to the road equivalent tariff (RET) and when CalMac Ferries Ltd's additional clarifying information about RET was or will be made publically available in CalMac Ferries Ltd's advertising.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland and CalMac Ferries Limited corresponded with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) regarding CalMac’s advertising of RET between March and May 2013.\r\nASA wrote to CalMac on the 15 March 2013. The case was transferred to Transport Scotland who replied to ASA on 16 April. ASA responded with recommendations on 8 May 2013.\r\nFollowing the ASA recommendations, CalMac Ferries Limited made ASA aware of their plans and updated their website and templates for printed versions of the Explore magazine. These updates provided more explanatory information about RET to CalMac’s customers. \r\nASA replied to CalMac, copying in Transport Scotland, on 13 May confirming that they will close their file on the complaint following the completion of the planned changes. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:56.363","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284547,"EventID":"S4W-14940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:56.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:25:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the fixed element of the road equivalent tariff formula costs each driver on each crossing and how much the annual fixed costs are that this element is aimed at offsetting.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14936 on 31 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:56.63","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284548,"EventID":"S4W-14941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:56.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:25:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it calculates the drivers' fare element of the road equivalent tariff that is based on \"other public transport modes in Scotland\", given that individual bus and train fares can vary considerably.","AnswerText":"Halcrow Group Limited’s “Phase 1 Stage 2 Report” published in February 2008, calculated the average cost per mile of travelling by rail and bus on different routes across Scotland. A copy of the report can be accessed through the following link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/935/0061364.pdf.\r\nThe report recommended a foot passenger fare of a fixed element of £2.00 plus a rate per mile of £0.10. The rate per mile was updated to £0.13 in October 2012 to reflect the then current cost of travel.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:56.877","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284549,"EventID":"S4W-14942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:57.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:25:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Advertising Standards Authority regarding its findings in relation to Calmac Ferries Ltd.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14939 on 31 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:57.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284550,"EventID":"S4W-14943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:57.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:25:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the prices calculated for the road equivalent tariff are equivalent to driving the same distance by road and, if not, whether it will rename the road equivalent tariff accordingly.\r\n","AnswerText":"RET is a distance based fares structure, which underpins the Scottish Government’s commitment to providing one single overarching fares policy across ferry services subsidised by the Scottish Government.\r\nFares are set using a fixed element, reflecting the fixed costs that exist on each route, and a variable rate per mile. There are no plans to rename the scheme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:57.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284551,"EventID":"S4W-14944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:57.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:25:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what independent advisors have been involved in the (a) creation and (b) calculation of the road equivalent tariff scheme.","AnswerText":"Halcrow Group Ltd and MVA Consultancy Ltd have been involved in providing independent advice to the Scottish Government in the creation and calculation of the RET scheme. \r\nHalcrow Group Ltd were commissioned by the Scottish Government and prepared the following reports:\r\nRoad Equivalent Tariff Study – Stage 1 Phase 1 Report – October 2007\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/935/0061363.pdf\r\nRoad Equivalent Tariff Study – Stage 1 Phase 2 Report – February 2008\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/935/0061364.pdf \r\nRoad Equivalent Tariff Study – Stage 1 Phase 3 Report – Impact Analysis – February 2008\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/935/0061365.pdf\r\nRoad Equivalent Tariff Study – Stage 1 Phase 4 Report – Pilot Study – February 2008\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/935/0061366.pdf\r\nAssessment of the Road Equivalent Tariff Pilot – July 2011\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/documents/water/ferries/Assessment_of_the_Impacts_of_the_RET_Pilot_-_Final_Report.pdf \r\nMVA Consultancy Ltd were commissioned by Scottish Government and prepared the following report;\r\nImpact of the Removal of RET Fares from Commercial Vehicles on The Western Isles, Coll and Tiree – May 2013\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j264768-00.htm.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:57.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284552,"EventID":"S4W-14945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:57.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:25:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the (a) fairness, (b) usage and (c) success of the road equivalent tariff scheme and how regularly.\r\n","AnswerText":"Substantial monitoring and evaluation was carried out by independent consultants Halcrow Group Limited during the period of the Road Equivalent Tariff pilot in the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree. Halcrow produced their ‘Assessment of the Impacts of the Road Equivalent Tariff Pilot’ report in July 2011. That report was published by Transport Scotland and a copy of the report can be accessed by following the attached link\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/documents/water/ferries/Assessment_of_the_Impacts_of_the_RET_Pilot_-_Final_Report.pdf \r\nA further independent report produced by MVA Consultancy Ltd on the ‘Impact of the Removal of RET Fares from Commercial Vehicles on The Western Isles, Coll and Tiree’ was published by Transport Scotland in April 2013 and can be accessed by following the attached link\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j264768-00.htm \r\nRET has been made a permanent feature on services to the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree, and a further RET pilot was rolled out on services to Islay, Colonsay and Gigha in October 2012. Evaluation of this pilot will take place prior to the roll-out of RET to Arran in October 2014, and to all West Coast and Clyde islands within the term of this Parliament.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:57.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284553,"EventID":"S4W-14946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:58.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T10:25:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many road equivalent tariff fares have been collected on each ferry route in each year since the scheme began.","AnswerText":"Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) for all carrying types was introduced as a pilot on routes to the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree on 19 October 2008. RET for larger commercial vehicles was however, withdrawn from April 2012. RET was continued for passengers, cars, small commercial vehicles and coaches on this route on a permanent basis. RET was rolled out as a pilot to Islay, Colonsay and Gigha from October 2012.\r\nThe annual carrying statistics split by passenger and type of vehicle on a route by route basis are available on the CalMac Ferries Limited website. The information can be accessed by following the attached link \r\nhttp://www.calmac.co.uk/corporate-calmac/carrying-statistics.htm.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:58.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284554,"EventID":"S4W-14969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:58.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T15:44:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria apply for the appointment of a chairperson to a NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"The criteria for appointing a chairperson to an NHS board varies depending on the challenges and needs of the recruiting board. The skills of leadership, organisational change, strategy development and improvement alongside ensuring effective Performance are most commonly used as the basis of assessment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:58.39","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284555,"EventID":"S4W-14970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:58.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T15:44:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a requirement for someone to live or work in a NHS board area in order to be appointed as chairperson of that board.\r\n","AnswerText":"Yes. All territorial NHS boards require applicants to live or work within the NHS Board Area. Special Health Boards require applicants to live or work within Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:58.813","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284556,"EventID":"S4W-14971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:59.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T15:44:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing knew the current chairperson of NHS Lothian prior to his appointment.\r\n","AnswerText":"The first contact I had with Mr Houston was during the process of finalising my decision on the appointment of the new Chairperson of NHS Lothian.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:59.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284557,"EventID":"S4W-14972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T13:59:59.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T15:44:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what specific knowledge and understanding of the NHS the current chairperson of NHS Lothian has.","AnswerText":"During the appointment process Mr Houston had to demonstrate an understanding of what the residents of Edinburgh and the Lothians expect of Lothian NHS Board. Mr Houston is currently undertaking a full induction programme that will see him meet senior Scottish Government officials, board members and senior management within NHS Lothian.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T13:59:59.703","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284558,"EventID":"S4W-14973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:00.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T16:09:17.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that primary school pupils are encouraged to (a) learn and (b) enjoy maths and sciences.\r\n","AnswerText":"One of the design principles of Curriculum for Excellence is that young people experience challenge and enjoyment in their learning, across all subjects. Teaching approaches for both science and maths will enable learning that is both stimulating and engaging. Education Scotland are working with a range of partners and teachers from across Scotland to support this by developing resources and facilitating sharing of practice.\r\n\r\nThese resources include STEM Central, which offers learner journeys based in real-life contexts for primary teachers to draw on. The Scottish Government is also supporting the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC) to deliver a programme for primary teachers which will develop their confidence and skills in teaching science through practical lessons.\r\n\r\nEducation Scotland published a Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy (SSLN) Professional Learning Resource in October 2012. It provided details of learners’ strengths and areas for improvement in numeracy from the sample survey results, and associated advice and guidance to inform teaching practice. This was followed by the delivery of SSLN Improving Numeracy engagement days during February and March 2013, with an event on developing local authority numeracy strategies taking place in June.\r\n\r\nThe use of real-life contexts in learning helps enthuse learners about STEM career pathways, and the STEM Central resource offers a section on careers to help teachers build their own awareness of the types of jobs available. The direct engagement of industry and other partners with schools also helps to raise learners’ awareness of relevant careers. This includes the STEMNET STEM Ambassador programme which provides opportunities for young people to hear directly from those working in STEM jobs.\r\n\r\n\r\nSCOTTISH GOVERNMENT\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:00.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284559,"EventID":"S4W-14974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:01.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T16:09:17.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses the success of the STEM Ambassadors programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"The STEM Ambassadors programme is funded by the UK Government and run by STEMNET, a UK-wide charity that promotes STEM to schools. Four organisations in Scotland – Science Connects, Global Science, Dundee Science Centre and a UHI/HIE partnership – are contracted by STEMNET to run the STEM Ambassador programme in Scotland. As an initiative that encourages scientists and engineers to work with schools, the STEM Ambassadors scheme is to be welcomed. However, questions relating to its performance are a matter for STEMNET and not the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:01.107","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284560,"EventID":"S4W-14975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:01.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T16:09:17.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage primary school pupils to be enthusiastic about careers in science and maths.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14973 on 28 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:01.417","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284561,"EventID":"S4W-14976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:01.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T16:09:17.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider deploying more STEM Ambassadors to younger children at primary schools.","AnswerText":"It is up to individual schools to take up the offer of assistance from volunteer STEM Ambassadors. The STEM Ambassadors programme is run by STEMNET, not the Scottish Government. Questions about how the scheme operates are therefore a matter for STEMNET.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:01.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284562,"EventID":"S4W-14977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:01.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T16:09:17.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to meet the target of a 50% increase in the value of international exports by 2017.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Trade and Investment Strategy outlines the priorities to be pursued to deliver this ambitious target and government agencies are working closely with industry to understand their own export ambitions.\r\nScottish Development International (SDI) have increased their support to companies and are working with key partners to encourage companies to raise their ambition levels to achieve their full potential and deliver more for Scotland’s economy. This included support to over 2,090 Scottish companies, an increase of 52% from \r\n2011-12.\r\nSDI have also expanded their overseas presence in key markets including China, India, Norway and Brazil. Some of our major exporters are foreign owned companies and attracting strategic inward investment remains critical to our success. Scotland remains an attractive location for inward investors as noted in the Ernst & Young Attractiveness Survey, where Scotland has been ranked in the top two locations within the UK in three of the past five years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:02.01","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284563,"EventID":"S4W-14978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:02.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T17:32:11.817","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14017 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013, whether ministers have provided specific guidance to officials on dealing with ministers and officials from the Government of Qatar in addition to the Civil Service Code and, if so, whether such guidance includes reference to the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer back to my answer to question S4W-14017. Officials adhere to the Civil Service Code when engaging with government officials from other countries. No specific guidance to officials on dealing with ministers and officials from the Government of Qatar and reference to the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami has been issued. \r\nThe Scottish Government’s International Framework recognises that, as a good global citizen, Scotland has a strong and enduring commitment to securing democracy, the rule of law and fundamental human rights across the world. We expect all states to comply with international and human rights law, and we condemn human rights abuses wherever they occur.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:02.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284564,"EventID":"S4W-14979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:02.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T17:32:11.817","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14020 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013, whether ministers have set out parameters to officials on discussion of the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami, with ministers and officials from the Government of Qatar.\r\n","AnswerText":"No parameters have been set out by Ministers for officials regarding their discussion of the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami with ministers and officials from the Government of Qatar. The Scottish Government’s International Framework recognises that, as a good global citizen, Scotland has a strong and enduring commitment to securing democracy, the rule of law and fundamental human rights across the world. We expect all states to comply with international and human rights law, and we condemn human rights abuses wherever they occur.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:02.587","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284565,"EventID":"S4W-14980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:02.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T17:32:11.817","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14018 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013, whether ministers have been updated on dialogue between Scottish Government officials and officials and ministers from the Government of Qatar in the last six months and, if so, whether such updates have included discussion of the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami.\r\n","AnswerText":"Officials from the Scottish Government were in contact with officials and ministers from the Government of Qatar in November and December 2012 to make the necessary logistical arrangements for the Minister’s meeting with His Excellency Mr Khalid Rashid Al-Mansouri KCVO, Qatar Embassy in London. Following this, officials have been in contact with the Qatar Embassy in London in April and May. The focus of these discussions has been the preparations for the Minister’s attendance at the Doha Form 20 – 22 May. No updates have included reference to the imprisonment of poet, Mohammed al-Ajami.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:02.947","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284566,"EventID":"S4W-14981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:03.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T17:32:11.817","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14019 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013, whether the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami, has arisen in dialogue with the Government of Qatar.","AnswerText":"Further to the answer to S4W-14019 I can confirm that the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami has not arisen in dialogue with the Government of Qatar.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:03.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284567,"EventID":"S4W-14982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:03.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T17:32:11.817","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14021 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013, whether it will consider new guidance for officials dealing with the Government of Qatar to encourage discussion of the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have no plans to issue new guidance at this stage for officials dealing with the Government of Qatar to encourage discussion of the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s International Framework recognises that, as a good global citizen, Scotland has a strong and enduring commitment to securing democracy, the rule of law and fundamental human rights across the world. We expect all states to comply with international and human rights law, and we condemn human rights abuses wherever they occur.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:03.68","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284568,"EventID":"S4W-14983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:04.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T17:40:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will implement the decision of the Office for National Statistics to reclassify colleges as part of central government in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"UK Government Ministers have insisted that we must begin implementing the ONS decision with effect from 1 April 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:04.023","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284569,"EventID":"S4W-14984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:04.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T17:40:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the implications for the post-16 reform programme following implementation of the decision of the Office for National Statistics to reclassify colleges as part of central government in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Implementation of the decision to reclassify colleges will not begin until 1 April 2014.\r\nThe ONS’ decision itself does not compromise our ambitions for reform as set out in “Putting Learners at the Centre” in 2011. Nor does the decision affect the rationale for, or ability of, colleges to merge. Ministers therefore remain committed to working with colleges to secure the changes needed to support our learners, employers and economy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:04.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284570,"EventID":"S4W-14985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:05.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T17:40:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what communications and discussions it has had with the college sector on the decision of the Office for National Statistics to reclassify colleges as part of central government since October 2010.\r\n","AnswerText":"Colleges were notified of the change in 2010. Since then Scottish Ministers have been raising objections with HM Treasury on the basis for the decision, the timing of implementation and the scope for mitigating the implications.\r\nThe Cabinet Secretaries for Education and Lifelong Learning and Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth held a positive and constructive meeting with college Chairs and Principals on 13 May to discuss the impact of reclassification.\r\nThe Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning met with the Regional Leads on 14 May. A Project Team has also been established and met with the college Finance Directors on 23 May.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:05.21","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284571,"EventID":"S4W-14991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:05.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T17:40:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the implications are for (a) borrowing by the college sector, (b) learners, (c) planned capital programmes in the college sector, (d) procurement in the college sector, (e) charitable status in the college sector, (f) college governance, (g) access to the European Social Fund, (h) capital funding and investment, (i) commercial income, (j) UK-wide activity, (k) international activity, (l) cash reserves and (m) colleges that are not incorporated as a result of the decision of the Office for National Statistics to reclassify colleges as part of central government in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The implications of the decision of the Office for National Statistics to reclassify colleges as part of central government in Scotland are as follows;\r\n(a) Borrowing - Consolidated Budgeting Guidance, available at:\r\nhttp://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/consolidated_budgeting_guidance_201314.pdf\r\nsets out the treatment of borrowing for central government sponsored bodies at chapter 9. Scottish Ministers are committed to working with colleges to minimise the impact on Scottish budgets from this change whilst maintaining any planned investment funded from borrowing.\r\n(b) Learners – none. We set out our ambitions for improving the Post 16 education system for our learners in 2011 through ‘Putting Learners at the Centre’. Those ambitions remain following reclassification.\r\n(c) Planned Capital Programmes in the college sector – Ministers are committed to working with colleges to maintain their current capital investment plans. Ministers have already taken steps to mitigate any risks to the affordability of the three college NPD projects, by ensuring the continued use of accumulated reserves for the purpose defined within their business cases. \r\n(d) Procurement – none. We do not expect reclassification to have an impact on procurement. Colleges are already subject to EU Procurement Directives and would continue to be so when reclassified as central government bodies.\r\n(e) Charitable status – none. Reclassification will have no impact on the charitable status of the affected colleges.\r\n(f) College governance – none. Existing arrangements and our plans set out in the Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill currently before the Scottish Parliament are unaffected by reclassification. \r\n(g) Access to European Structural Funds (ESF) – none. We do not expect reclassification to have an impact on colleges’ ability to access ESF. \r\n(h) Capital funding and investment – none. Ministers will maintain previously announced levels of capital funding and investment to colleges.\r\n(i) Commercial income – none. Reclassification does not impact on colleges’ ability to secure commercial income.\r\n(j) UK wide activity – none. We do not expect reclassification to have an impact on UK wide activity undertaken by the affected colleges.\r\n(k) International activity – none. We do not expect reclassification to have an impact on international activity undertaken by the affected colleges.\r\n(l) Reserves - Consolidated Budgeting Guidance sets out the treatment of reserves for central government sponsored bodies at chapter 9. Ministers are committed to working with colleges to find ways of mitigating the impact of the change on deployment of reserves.\r\n(m) Unincorporated colleges – none. The ONS classification decision relates only to incorporated colleges.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:05.457","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284572,"EventID":"S4W-14998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:05.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-14T17:40:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce legislation to reverse the decision of the Office for National Statistics to reclassify colleges as part of central government in Scotland and what the reasons are for its decision on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"Legislation is not required and to introduce legislation would not be compatible with our policy priorities.\r\nThe successful outcomes delivered by our colleges are founded on a partnership between Government and colleges. That partnership has its roots in existing governance arrangements – themselves the cause of reclassification. We have no plans to weaken that relationship between Government and the college sector.\r\nWe are creating strong regional institutions of influence, increasingly collaborating across the public and private sectors. Our current plans to strengthen governance complement this new regional structure.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:05.707","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284573,"EventID":"S4W-14999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:05.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T09:21:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether National Express Dundee has introduced a commercial smart ticket and, if so, what the uptake is.","AnswerText":"National Express Dundee, in partnership with Transport Scotland, Dundee City Council and Dundee College has introduced a Smart ticketing product which allows students to use part of their bursary to pay for city-wide bus travel. The product is currently in use by around 85 students and the college anticipate a significant take up by the August/ September student intake. As a result of the success of this project, National Express Dundee have plans to release a range of commercial Smart ticketing products.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:05.927","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284574,"EventID":"S4W-15000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:06.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T09:21:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a timescale has been agreed to migrate the Orkney smart ticket to ITSO and, if so, what progress has been made toward an integrated product for bus and ferry services.\r\n","AnswerText":"No timescale has been agreed at present. Transport Scotland continue to seek a suitable opportunity to instigate a project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:07.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284575,"EventID":"S4W-15001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:07.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T09:21:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the pilot smart ticket for school transport in West and East Lothian has been introduced.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is currently working with both local authorities and First Group to develop the system. It is anticipated that this project will be completed in the first half of 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:07.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284576,"EventID":"S4W-15002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:07.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T09:21:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is an agreed timescale for moving the young persons' bus concession scheme to a smart platform.","AnswerText":"A Smart ticket product has been created and a small pilot group is being developed. Transport Scotland is engaging with vendors and operators to update operator’s ticketing infrastructure in order to facilitate operation of the product, with a view to start delivery in the early part of 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:07.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284577,"EventID":"S4W-15003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:07.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T09:21:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the pilot smart ticket in North Lanarkshire, Glasgow city and Renfrewshire has been introduced through Action for Jobs - Supporting Young Scots into Work.","AnswerText":"A pilot Smart ticket has not yet been introduced, Transport Scotland is currently working with a system supplier to develop the technology needed for Local Authorities to update National Entitlement Cards with appropriate ticket products, with a view to partial delivery in the early part of 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:07.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284578,"EventID":"S4W-15004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:08.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T09:21:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress Strathclyde Partnership for Transport is making on introducing an integrated ticket product across subway, bus and train services.\r\n","AnswerText":"At present Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) is developing a Smart product for use on the Glasgow Subway. This project is at an advanced stage with the system expected to go live later this year. No further details of SPT plans for bus or rail are presently available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:08.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284579,"EventID":"S4W-15005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:08.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T10:50:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what processes must be followed before opencast coal developers can begin extracting coal.","AnswerText":"On a site for the working of minerals of over 2 hectares, pre-application consultation for a period of 12 weeks would be required before a planning application could be submitted and considered by a planning authority.\r\nEnvironmental impact assessment is mandatory for opencast mines of over 25 hectares. Below 25 hectares but where screened in for environmental impact assessment, it may be necessary to submit an environmental statement supporting a planning application.\r\nPlanning permission from the planning authority is required before opencast coal operators can begin extracting coal. Neighbour notification and public advertisement of the application is normally part of the process to be followed.\r\nFor an opencast coal site boundary falling within 500 metres from the edge of an existing community or sensitive establishment, the application would be notified to Scottish Ministers if the authority is minded to grant planning permission. Ministers would then decide whether to call the application in for their own determination.  Ministers exercise this power sparingly and only where the proposal raises issues of national interest.\r\nNormally a bond to ensure that site restoration can be properly financed, is secured by legal agreement before planning permission is discharged.\r\nA licence from the Coal Authority is required for the mining of coal or for the digging and carrying away of coal during non-coal mining related activities (incidental coal).\r\nIt may be the case that a Controlled Activities Licence from SEPA is required to protect the water environment where diversion of, discharge to, or abstraction from a watercourse is involved. Other processes and consents would engage as necessary depending on the natural and built heritage or other characteristics of the site.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:08.47","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284580,"EventID":"S4W-15006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:08.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T10:50:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers exist to prevent opencast coal developers from beginning work without planning permission being in place.","AnswerText":"Planning enforcement is the responsibility of the relevant planning authority. Under planning legislation a range of powers, including planning contravention notices, temporary stop notices, stop notices and enforcement notices exist for planning authorities to deploy in order to prevent developers from beginning or continuing work, all as set out in Scottish Government Planning Circular 10/2009.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:08.673","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284581,"EventID":"S4W-15007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:08.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T10:50:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers exist to prevent opencast coal developers from continuing to dig for coal when they are in breach of planning regulations and local authority stop notices.\r\n","AnswerText":"Sections 144A to 144D of the 1997 Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act (introduced by the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006) allow a planning authority to issue a temporary stop notice which takes effect immediately it is issued and, unlike a stop notice, does not require the accompanying issue of an enforcement notice.\r\nA notice requiring a retrospective planning application may be issued where development requiring planning permission is involved.\r\nWhere a temporary stop notice or stop notice has not been complied with, a person breaching the notice may be liable to prosecution for a fine of up to £20,000 on conviction.\r\nAdditionally, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15006 on 28 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:08.86","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284582,"EventID":"S4W-15008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:09.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T10:50:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of the work being carried out by an opencast coal developer at the Five Sisters area of West Calder.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Planning and Architecture Division and, through its executive agency Historic Scotland, is aware of works being carried out at the Five Sisters bing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:09.077","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284583,"EventID":"S4W-15009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:09.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T10:50:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the opencast work being carried out in the Five Sisters area of West Calder.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s position is that under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, its executive agency Historic Scotland wrote to the company carrying out the unauthorised opencast work on 8 May 2013 to halt all works within the Five Sisters scheduled area. Additional planning and enforcement issues are a matter for West Lothian Council.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:09.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284584,"EventID":"S4W-15010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:09.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T10:50:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to consider the coordination of regulators in relation to the opencast work being carried out at the Five Sisters area of West Calder.\r\n","AnswerText":"Historic Scotland; the Scottish Government’s executive agency charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment is currently working with West Lothian Council, the Police, SEPA, and the Coal Authority to ensure a coordinated approach to the range of compliance issues at the Five Sisters.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:09.437","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284585,"EventID":"S4W-15011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:09.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T10:51:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many in (a) higher and (b) further education institutions are employed on zero-hour contracts.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. \r\nOur further and higher education institutions are independent institutions with responsibility for their own staffing, admissions, subject provision, curriculum and research.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:09.64","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284586,"EventID":"S4W-15012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:09.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T10:51:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) higher and (b) further education sector regarding the use of zero-hour contracts.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government meets with the further and higher education sectors on a regular basis to discuss a number of issues.\r\nWe are unaware of any specific discussions with the sectors on the use of zero-hour contracts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:09.903","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284587,"EventID":"S4W-15013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:10.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T10:51:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether zero-hour contracts are being used in the public sector other than in further and higher education.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not employ staff on zero hours contracts. Information as regards to other public sector organisations’ use of zero hours contracts is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:10.09","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284588,"EventID":"S4W-15014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:10.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T10:51:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of zero-hour contracts in the public sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15013 on 29 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:10.28","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284589,"EventID":"S4W-15015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T14:00:10.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T10:51:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to (a) end or (b) reduce the use of zero-hour contracts in the public sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15013 on 29 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T14:00:10.467","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284598,"EventID":"S4W-15016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:51.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T11:00:07.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13913 by Derek Mackay on 18 April 2013, what changes have been made to (a) the issuing of planning and energy consents and (b) monitoring and enforcement to ensure that the freshwater pearl mussel is protected from the environmental impacts of development.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government online renewables planning advice on hydro schemes (last updated in July 2012) states that:\r\n“Planning authorities should generally encourage developers to appoint Ecological Clerks of Works to ensure that agreed designs and construction techniques are followed following planning approval.”\r\nNo other specific changes have been made to (a) planning and energy consents, or (b) monitoring or enforcement.\r\nIt is routine practice where a hydro scheme requires an environmental impact assessment, that the Environmental Statement (ES) should state whether or not appropriately qualified environmental scientists or ecologists are to be used as Clerks of Works or in other roles during construction to provide specialist advice. Details of emergency procedures to be provided could be identified in the ES.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:51.257","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284599,"EventID":"S4W-15017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:52.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T11:00:07.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13914 by Derek Mackay on 18 April 2013, what action it will take with regard to planning authorities that fail to ensure that planning conditions are adequate to protect the freshwater pearl mussel.\r\n","AnswerText":"The processing of planning applications, including the attachment of conditions and their enforcement, is a matter for the planning authority for the area. Ministers would seek to intervene in a particular application only where issues of national importance that could not be overcome were involved.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:52.8","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284600,"EventID":"S4W-15018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:53.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T11:00:07.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13915 by Derek Mackay on 18 April 2013, what action is taken when planning authorities fail to take appropriate action to protect the freshwater pearl mussel.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects a partnership approach between planning authorities, its agencies Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and others as regulators to provide the necessary actions. The member is also referred to the answers previously given to S4W-14153 on 1 May 2013 and S4W-13923 on 17 April 2013.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:53.19","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284601,"EventID":"S4W-15019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:53.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T11:29:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with, or is aware of between, (a) the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), (b) ATOS, (c) SALUS, (d) NHS boards, (e) BMA Scotland, (f) representatives of disabled people and (g) GPs at the Deep End regarding the provision of information by GPs in support of a benefit application when the request for information comes from (i) DWP or ATOS and (ii) a patient.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials met with the Chair of the Scottish General Practitioner Committee of the BMA on 13 March 2013 to discuss provision of medical information to patients in support of appeals in respect of DWP’s Work Capability Assessments.\r\nOn 20 April 2013 the Deputy First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing wrote to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions expressing concern about the apparent weaknesses of DWP’s processes for obtaining medical evidence for people subject to work capability assessments and the strain being put upon primary care practices as a result of requests for medical evidence to support appeals.\r\nThe Secretary of State for Work and Pensions replied on 8 May 2013 informing the Deputy First Minister that he believed that DWP’s processes were effective and are subject to on-going review in order to improve effectiveness.\r\nThe Chief Medical Adviser to the DWP met with Deep End GPs on 29 January 2013 to discuss the Work Capability Assessment and the introduction of Personal Independence Payments. The appeals process and the involvement of GPs in providing supporting evidence was included in the discussion.\r\nThe Scottish Government has not had discussions with ATOS, SALUS, NHS boards, representatives of disabled people or GPs at the Deep End and is not aware of any other discussions between any of these bodies in respect of provision of information by GPs in support of benefit applications.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:53.597","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284602,"EventID":"S4W-15020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:53.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T11:29:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Glasgow Local Medical Committee's recommendation that GPs working under contract to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde do not provide letters of support for patients making benefit applications when requested by the patient and whether any other local medical committees have made a similar decision.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the role of GPs in contributing to the welfare assessment process and this is reflected contractually in both our General and Primary Medical Services Regulations. GPs have a statutory obligation, negotiated on a UK basis, to provide information to DWP, and those agencies acting on its behalf, in relation to medical certificates and assessments used to determine entitlements to benefits.\r\nLocal Medical Committees (LMCs) represent NHS GPs in their localities and any advice from an LMC is a professional matter between that Committee and the practitioners it represents. GP practices are contracted to provide General or Primary Medical Services by NHS boards and it is for each Health Board to ensure that its contractors are delivering the services required by their contracts. GPs are not contractually required to provide patients making benefit applications or appeals with letters of support.\r\nThe Scottish Government shares the profession’s concerns that the established contractual and agreed methods for GPs to directly provide medical information to the DWP are not being used effectively by the Department. These issues were discussed at a meeting on 13 March 2013 between Scottish Government officials and the Chair of the British Medical Association’s Scottish General Practitioners’ Committee (SGPC).\r\nOn 20 April 2013, with the support of the SGPC, the Deputy First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing wrote to the UK Government’s Secretary of State for Work and Pensions expressing concern about the apparent weaknesses of DWP’s processes for obtaining medical evidence for people subject to Work Capability Assessments and the strain being put upon primary care practices as a result of requests for medical evidence to support appeals.\r\nThe Secretary of State for Work and Pensions replied on 8 May 2013 informing the Deputy First Minister that he believed that DWP processes were effective and are subject to on-going review in order to continue to improve effectiveness. The Scottish Government will closely monitor the outcomes of DWP’s further review work and Scottish Minsters will continue to press their concerns with the department.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:53.8","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284603,"EventID":"S4W-15021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:54.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T11:29:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with, or is aware of between, (a) the Department of Work and Pensions, (b) ATOS, (c) SALUS, (d) NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, (e) other NHS boards, (f) BMA Scotland, (g) representatives of disabled people and (h) GPs at the Deep End regarding Glasgow Local Medical Committee's recommendation that GPs working under contract to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde do not provide letters of support for patients making benefit applications when requested by the patient.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had discussions, and is not aware of discussions between other organisations, in respect of the Glasgow Local Medical Committee’s recommendation that GPs working under contract to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde do not provide letters of support for patients making benefit applications.\r\nGPs, through the UK negotiated General Medical Services (GMS) contract, are statutorily required to provide certain medical certificates which include certificates such as the Med 3. Provision to DWP of supporting clinical information by GPs in support of benefit applications such as Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance are usually paid for by a private arrangement with DWP under legislation reserved to the UK Government. Provision of further information or letters of support requested by patients or their representatives in support of a benefit application is not covered by current contractual arrangements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:54.033","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284604,"EventID":"S4W-15022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:54.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T11:29:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs are represented by Glasgow Local Medical Committee and how many patients are registered with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde GPs.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.\r\nLocal Medical Committees represent NHS GPs in their localities and membership is a local matter for each Committee.\r\nThe Information Services Division (ISD) of NHS National Services Scotland provides a range of health information and statistical services to support the NHS. ISD’s latest figures on General Practice patient populations were published on 18 December 2012 and can be accessed on its website at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/Publications/2012-12-18/2012-12-18-GP-Workforce-Report.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:54.237","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284605,"EventID":"S4W-15024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:54.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T11:29:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in relation to GPs refusing to provide patients with letters of support or evidence in relation to benefit applications.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15020 on 30 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:54.423","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284606,"EventID":"S4W-15025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:54.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T11:29:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the (a) Minister for Housing and Welfare or (b) Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has had meetings with (i) the Department of Work and Pensions, (ii) ATOS, (iii) SALUS, (iv) NHS boards, (v) BMA Scotland, (vi) representatives of disabled people or (vii) GPs at the Deep End regarding the (A) provision by GPs of information in support of a benefit application and (B) decision of Glasgow Local Medical Committee to recommend that letters in support of a benefit application requested by a patient are not provided.\r\n","AnswerText":"Neither the Minister for Housing and Welfare or the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing have had meetings with any party with regard to the provision by GPs of information in support of a benefit application, or with regard to the decision by the Glasgow Local Medical Committee to recommend that letters of support are not provided.\r\nGPs, through the UK negotiated General Medical Services (GMS) contract, are statutorily required to provide certain medical certificates which include certificates such as the Med 3. Provision to DWP of supporting clinical information by GPs in support of benefit applications such as Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance are usually paid for by a private arrangement with DWP under legislation reserved to the UK Government. Provision of further information or letters of support requested by patients or their representatives in support of a benefit application is not covered by current contractual arrangements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:54.627","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284607,"EventID":"S4W-15032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:54.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:07:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the supplementary to question S4O-01961 by Nicola Sturgeon on 27 March 2013 (Official Report, c. 18322), when the cabinet secretary will provide the information.","AnswerText":"I wrote to the member on 18 May 2013 providing the information requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:54.83","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284608,"EventID":"S4W-15045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:55.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:30:13.613","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many landlords registered their tenants’ deposits with the tenancy deposit protection scheme by the deadline of 15 May 2013. \r\n","AnswerText":"Up to the end of April this year, over 140,000 deposits with a total value of £89 million had been lodged with one of the three approved tenancy deposit schemes. Of these, more than 25,000 deposits had been submitted directly by landlords. Information on the number of landlords registered and deposits lodged with the schemes, as at the deadline of 15 May is not yet available.\r\nComparison with the number of properties private landlords have registered with local authorities suggests that some landlords still need to lodge deposits.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to work with the scheme providers and other stakeholders to encourage compliance with the law in this area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:55.687","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284609,"EventID":"S4W-15046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:55.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:30:13.613","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take with regard to landlords that did not register their tenants’ deposits with the tenancy deposit protection scheme by the deadline of 15 May 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to work with the scheme providers and other stakeholders such as Citizens Advice Scotland and Shelter Scotland to encourage compliance with the law.\r\nThe Scottish Government recently introduced the Tenant Information Pack which provides key information for tenants and landlords in an easy to read format. From May 1st, landlords have a legal duty to provide the Tenant Information Pack to new tenants. The pack includes information on tenants’ rights with regards to their deposit being protected in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme.\r\nThe launch of the pack is supported by a new website: rentingscotland.org, which offers practical renting guides for tenants and landlords in Scotland’s private rented sector. Renting Scotland is jointly funded by the Scottish Government and Shelter Scotland. The website is an industry-wide information hub for both tenants and landlords in the private rented sector in Scotland.\r\nPrivate landlords have a duty to protect tenants’ deposits with one of the three approved tenancy deposit schemes. If they fail to do so the tenant may apply to a sheriff to enforce the law. The court may order the imposition of a financial penalty of up to three times the deposit on a landlord. In addition, local authorities may take such a breach of housing law into account when considering the fit and proper test for landlord registration and licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:55.89","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284610,"EventID":"S4W-15055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:56.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T13:17:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on plans in England for each older person to have a named individual responsible for all of their care needs and whether it has similar plans for Scotland.","AnswerText":"It is our understanding that the UK Government intends to pilot this scheme in a number of areas and are seeking integration “pioneers”.\r\nIn Scotland, through the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill, we are establishing nationally agreed outcomes with duties for integrated budgets and service planning placed on health boards and local authorities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:56.093","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284611,"EventID":"S4W-15056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:56.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T14:22:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the introduction of a meningococcal B vaccination programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"There have been no formal discussions with the UK Government regarding the introduction of a meningococcal B vaccination programme. Informal discussions take place from time to time between officials in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland looking at a range of issues including horizon scanning.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:56.293","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284612,"EventID":"S4W-15057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:56.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T14:22:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reassurance it can provide that health reforms in England will not delay the introduction of new vaccines in Scotland, such as a meningococcal B vaccine.\r\n","AnswerText":"The health reforms in England will have no bearing in relation to timescales for the introduction of new vaccines in Scotland, including a meningococcal B vaccine.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:56.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284613,"EventID":"S4W-15058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:56.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T14:22:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for the introduction of a meningococcal B vaccine into the routine childhood immunisation schedule in light of a Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommendation.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government awaits recommendations on the possible introduction of a meningococcal B vaccine from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).\r\nThe Scottish Government would always be guided by the JCVI in relation to timescales for the introduction of any vaccination programme, as well as the need to consider issues around the practicalities involved in the introduction a new vaccination programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:56.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284614,"EventID":"S4W-15059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:56.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T14:22:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for vaccine introduction in Scotland following a Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation decision.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government considers all recommendations made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).\r\nOnce a JCVI recommendation is received and a decision is taken to introduce a programme, the Scottish Government works with colleagues in NHS Health Protection Scotland, and the Scottish Immunisation Programme (SIP) Co-ordination Group to identify and undertake the work required for implementation of the routine programme and any catch up programme.\r\nThe SIP Co-ordination Group has a number of sub groups established within its structure to take forward work required in relation to service delivery, communications, workforce, vaccine supply and epidemiology issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:56.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284615,"EventID":"S4W-15060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:57.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T14:22:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a new meningococcal B vaccine will be introduced into the routine childhood immunisation schedule before winter 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government currently has no plans to introduce a new meningococcal B vaccine into the routine childhood immunisation schedule before winter 2013.\r\nThe Scottish Government will consider any future recommendations made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in relation to the meningococcal B vaccine.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:57.2","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284616,"EventID":"S4W-15061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:57.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T14:22:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings have taken place between the Health and Social Care Directorate and NHS Health Scotland to discuss the introduction of a new meningococcal B vaccine into the routine childhood immunisation schedule and who attended.\r\n","AnswerText":"No specific meetings have taken place between the Health and Social Care Directorate and NHS Health Scotland to discuss the introduction of a new meningococcal B vaccine into the routine childhood immunisation schedule.\r\nThe Scottish Immunisation Programme Co-ordination Group, co-ordinated by NHS Health Protection Scotland, and with representation from the Scottish Government, NHS Health Scotland and other NHS stakeholders, keeps abreast of all recommendations made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the independent scientific expert committee that considers matters in relation to all immunisation programmes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:57.417","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284617,"EventID":"S4W-15062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:57.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T16:04:11.907","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has received from the UK Government for improvements to the Caledonian Sleeper service and on what it has spent this funding.","AnswerText":"Over £100 million remains committed to the improvement of the Caledonian Sleeper service in its entirety. £50 million of this was provided by the UK Government.\r\nThe £50 million provided by the Treasury has been loaned to Scottish Water and is supporting their capital investment programme while the process of upgrading the sleeper services gets underway.\r\nThe repayment of this loan has been arranged to ensure the money is available as it is needed. The arrangements for repaying the money reflect the fact that upgrading the sleeper services is a long term project. The rail industry globally is configured in such a way that progressing the upgrade of this rolling stock will take time, as has been clear and understood by all parties from the start of this process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:57.637","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284618,"EventID":"S4W-15068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:57.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T16:04:11.907","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to (a) safeguard and (b) improve the Caledonian Sleeper service.","AnswerText":"£100 million has been committed for the improvement of the Caledonian Sleeper Service. £50 million of this money will be available to improve the rolling stock on the Caledonian Sleeper service. This compares with the lack of investment, under previous administrations, from which the sleeper service suffered.\r\nAs any sleeper passenger would appreciate, station facilities and reliability of service are just as important as on-train facilities. As a result, some of the £100 million will be invested in improving station facilities and track infrastructure both to deliver improved reliability and enhance the overall product for the benefit of passengers.\r\nThe next franchisee of the Caledonian Sleeper service will also be asked to bring forward innovative ideas to improve the Caledonian Sleeper service. This will secure the best value and service for the passengers on the Caledonian Sleeper service\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:57.87","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284619,"EventID":"S4W-15069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-15T16:50:58.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T16:04:11.907","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it will provide for improvements to the Caledonian Sleeper service and from which budget lines.","AnswerText":"£100 million has been committed to the improvement of the Caledonian Sleeper service. £50 million of this budget was provided by the Scottish Government and the remainder by the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-05-31T16:50:58.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284632,"EventID":"S4W-14829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:29.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T16:30:48.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether there is a correlation between the price and availability of painkillers and the reported rise in the number of deliberate self-poisonings.\r\n","AnswerText":"Latest published data available from the General Register Office for Scotland indicate that there has been a slight reduction in the number of deaths by self poisoning in Scotland in recent years. There is no information available centrally on whether there is a correlation between the price and availability of painkillers and the number of deliberate self poisonings.\r\nMedicine safety is currently a reserved matter with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency having responsibility across the UK. Given the particular risks associated with paracetamol, UK wide legislation was amended in 1998 to introduce pack size restrictions to a maximum of 32 tablets through pharmacy sales and 16 for non-pharmacy sales. A recent British Medical Journal article concluded that the introduction of the legislation resulted in a 43% reduction in deaths in England and Wales.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:29.627","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284633,"EventID":"S4W-14830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:30.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T16:30:48.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been admitted to hospital due to deliberate self-poisoning in each year since 2007-08, broken down by NHS board. \r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not available at national level.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:30.36","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284634,"EventID":"S4W-14831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:30.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T16:30:48.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness of the long-term organ damage that can be caused by misuse of painkillers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The safety of medicines is currently a reserved matter with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) having responsibility across the UK.\r\nI understand from the MHRA that information on possible side effects which may occur in association with use of painkillers, including where appropriate effects associated with long term use and risk of overdose, are outlined in the information associated with the medicines and provided to healthcare professionals (the Summary of Product Characteristics) and patients (Patient Information Leaflet).\r\nPainkillers that are available as over the counter medicines are subject to restrictions on pack size. There are clear warnings on the outer packaging of these products that the stated dose should not be exceeded and they should not be used to control symptoms for longer than three days without medical advice. There is also clear advice that if the symptoms persist then the individual should consult their doctor.\r\nMedicines containing paracetamol contain a warning about the risk of serious liver damage if the dose is exceeded.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:30.877","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284635,"EventID":"S4W-14832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:31.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-09T16:30:48.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) better understand and (b) tackle deliberate self-poisoning.  \r\n","AnswerText":"In late 2012, the Scottish Government set up a working group to consider future strategy and action on prevention of suicide and self harm, in the context that the Choose Life, strategy and action plan is approaching the end of its 10 year lifetime. This includes consideration of understanding and tackling self-poisoning.\r\nThe aim is to produce a new national strategy on suicide and self harm, to be published by the Scottish Government in late summer/early autumn 2013. The expectation is that the final document will contain ambitious but realistic commitments on reducing suicide and self harm; will be informed by evidence of what we know works; will contribute to increasing our knowledge and learning in this complex area; and will contain milestones and outcomes against which to measure progress.\r\nTo help inform the development of a new strategy, the Working Group developed an engagement paper. This was published on 25 February 2013, with a close date of 28 May 2013 for comments. With support from NHS Health Scotland’s Choose Life team, we have held several engagement events to provide professionals and members of the public with an opportunity to discuss key issues which they consider should be in a future strategy on prevention of suicide and self harm. Input from these events will be taken into consideration, together with written comments received, in the development of the new strategy.\r\nMore information is available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Services/Mental-Health/Suicide-Self-Harm/Working-Group \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:31.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284636,"EventID":"S4W-14849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:31.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:19:43.523","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13806 by Alex Neil on 15 April 2013 and in light of paragraphs 5.14 and 5.15 of the code of conduct, whether it considers it appropriate for a member of Health Improvement Scotland's board not to register the employment of a family member in the organisation as a potential conflict of interest, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"All members of NHS boards are expected to carry out their responsibilities in line with the board members’ code of conduct. The Scottish Government expects board members to take responsibility for ensuring that the register of interests is accurate, and for board chairs to hold members to the code of conduct. The register of interests is reviewed by the external auditor when annual accounts are submitted.\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland is currently updating its register of interests as part of its annual accounts process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:31.813","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284637,"EventID":"S4W-14850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:32.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:19:43.523","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14491 by Nicola Sturgeon on 7 May 2013, how it determined the budget allocation for local authorities.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12761 on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:32.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284638,"EventID":"S4W-14851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:32.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:19:43.523","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14486 by Margaret Burgess on 8 May 2013, on how many other occasions the minister has (a) met and (b) written to a UK minister regarding welfare reform and when.\r\n","AnswerText":"SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT\r\nWRITTEN ANSWER\r\n28 May 2013 \r\nIndex Heading: Governance and Communities\r\nJackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14486 by Margaret Burgess on 8 May 2013, on how many other occasions the minister has (a) met and (b) written to a UK minister regarding welfare reform and when.\r\n(S4W-14851)\r\nThe following corrected answer was issued on 31 May 2013\r\n \r\nMargaret Burgess: Scottish Ministers meet with and write to UK Ministers on a regular basis.\r\nThe Minister for Housing and Welfare has met with UK Ministers on three occasions to discuss welfare reform. These meetings took place on 19 September 2012, \r\n17 December 2012 and 6 March 2013.\r\nThe Minister has also written to UK Ministers on: 13 December 2012; 20 December 2012; 9 January 2013; 10 February 2013; 15 February 2013; 27 February 2013; \r\n26 March 2013; 28 March 2013; 15 April 2013; and 23 May 2013 in relation to welfare reform matters.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:32.827","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284639,"EventID":"S4W-14852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:33.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:19:43.523","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14488 by Margaret Burgess on 8 May 2013, what the estimated cost is of rehousing a homeless (a) family of two adults and two children and (b) single adult.\r\n","AnswerText":"As explained in the answer to question S4W-14488 on 8 May 2013, total costs involved in rehousing homeless households are variable and depending on a range of individual and local circumstances. It is not possible for the Scottish Government to produce meaningful estimates of national figures on such costs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:33.28","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284640,"EventID":"S4W-14853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:33.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:19:43.523","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14511 by Alex Neil on 8 May 2013, how many adults up to retirement age are recorded as delayed discharges.\r\n","AnswerText":"At the January 2013 Delayed Discharge census the number of adults aged 18-65 recorded as delayed discharges was 110, comprising of 58 standard and 52 code nine delays.\r\nCode 9 delays are patients who are delayed due to circumstances out with the control of either the Health Board or local authority, for example Adults with Incapacity who require a Guardian to be appointed. These delays are recorded separately within the census.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:33.7","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284641,"EventID":"S4W-14854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:34.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:19:43.523","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14507 by Alex Neil on 8 May 2013, when these meetings took place.\r\n","AnswerText":"Meetings with officials\r\nAll groups include housing association representatives, and all discuss health and social care integration in relation to their interests.\r\nOlder People’s Housing Strategy Monitoring and Advisory Group (former Wider Planning for an Ageing Population Working Group)\r\n15 June 2012 \r\n29 November 2012\r\nMinutes available at: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/access/ROOPH  \r\nHousing Support Forum\r\n25 January 2012\r\n24 May 2012\r\n27 November 2012\r\nMinutes available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/access/housingsupport/Page4 \r\nAdaptations Working Group (work now concluded)\r\n30 January 2012\r\n16 March 2012\r\n23 April 2012\r\n12 June 2012\r\n12 September 2012\r\n29 October 2012\r\nMinutes available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/access/ROOPH/ADWG \r\nPreventative Support Working Group (work now concluded)\r\n8 February 2012\r\n18 April 2012\r\n26 June 2012\r\nMinutes available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/access/ROOPH/PSWG \r\nHousing Association representatives attended consultation events during summer 2012\r\n28 May\r\n4 July\r\n5 July\r\n19 July\r\nOfficials provided input for a housing seminar\r\n6 June 2012\r\nMinisterial Meetings\r\nThe Deputy First Minister met with the Chief Executives of Bield, Hanover (Scotland) and Trust Housing Associations on 28 March 2012.\r\nThe Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will meet with Chief Executives from Bield, Hanover and Trust Housing Associations on 12 September 2013 to discuss housing’s vital role in supporting the integration of adult health and social care.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:34.137","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284642,"EventID":"S4W-14855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:34.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:22:14.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12535 by Alex Neil on 27 February 2013, how many meetings have been held and who attended each meeting.\r\n","AnswerText":"The on-going negotiations on the replacement to the current Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme involve the UK Government and Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:34.557","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284643,"EventID":"S4W-14856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:34.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-10T11:22:14.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12534 by Alex Neil on 27 February 2013, whether the cabinet secretary has met Earl Howe and, if so, when.\r\n","AnswerText":"I am due to meet with Earl Howe on 3 July 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:34.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284644,"EventID":"S4W-15047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:35.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T13:20:26.317","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many courses are being discontinued by the City of Glasgow College; how many student places will be discontinued, also broken down by course of study; how many staff posts will be lost; what the impact will be on the hours of temporary staff, and whether an equalities impact assessment was carried out.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold such information centrally. It is for individual colleges continually to review their curriculum to ensure it delivers maximum benefit for learners and employers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:35.383","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284645,"EventID":"S4W-15052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:35.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T13:20:26.317","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the courses being discontinued at the City of Glasgow College are access courses.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold such information centrally. It is for individual colleges continually to review their curriculum to ensure it delivers maximum benefit for learners and employers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:35.713","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284646,"EventID":"S4W-15053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:35.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T13:20:26.317","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much advance notification was given before the reduction in courses at the City of Glasgow College was announced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold such information centrally. It is for individual colleges to communicate appropriately any changes to the curriculum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:35.93","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284647,"EventID":"S4W-15054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:36.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T13:20:26.317","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether applicants for courses to be discontinued at the City of Glasgow College were informed that courses were discontinued or that their application had been unsuccessful.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold such information centrally. It is for individual colleges to communicate appropriately any changes to the curriculum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:36.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284648,"EventID":"S4W-15063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:36.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T16:08:26.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the available data on preventable sight loss for the last five years, broken down by (a) local authority, (b) NHS board, (c) age, (d) disability, (e) ethnicity, (f) gender and (g) socioeconomic group.\r\n","AnswerText":"The available data on preventable sight loss is published on the NHS Information Services Division (ISD) website.\r\nFor hospital admissions related to eye-care conditions the available information can be found at the following links:\r\nProcedures data:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Hospital-Care/Publications/2012-09-25/IP_DC_OP_Procedures_Sep12.xls\r\n \r\nDiagnosis data:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Hospital-Care/Publications/2012-09-25/Diagnosis_HB_Sep12.xls?9992\r\n \r\nFor free NHS eye examinations performed by high-street optometrists the available information can be found at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Eye-Care/Publications/data-tables.asp?id=842#842\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:36.383","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284649,"EventID":"S4W-15064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:36.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T16:08:26.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to deal with the level of preventable sight loss.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are measures already in place in Scotland to help prevent sight loss, including free NHS eye examinations for all and diabetic retinopathy screening.\r\nFree NHS eye examination: The NHS eye examination is tailored to meet the needs of the patient, taking into account their history and symptoms, allowing the patient to receive, free of charge, an appropriate health assessment of their whole visual system and allowing for early diagnosis of potential sight threatening disease.\r\nFor the year ending 31 March 2012, high street optometrists performed 1,913,565 free NHS eye examinations in Scotland (36.4 per cent of the population)\r\nOptometrists can also directly refer patients to the hospital eye service; for the year ending 31 March 2012, 48,745 people were directly referred to a hospital eye service from an optometrist.\r\nDiabetic retinopathy screening : Diabetic retinopathy is regarded as the leading cause of blindness in people of working age. It is therefore essential that retinopathy is detected and treated as early as possible.\r\nThe Scottish Diabetic Retinopathy Screening (DRS) Programme offers retinopathy screening to all eligible people with diabetes in Scotland.\r\nThe DRS programme is widely regarded as a world class service and has robust processes in place to ensure that all people who are eligible for diabetic retinopathy screening are offered it on a regular basis.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:36.633","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284650,"EventID":"S4W-15065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:36.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T16:08:26.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the level of preventable sight loss.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to make a full assessment of the epidemiology of preventable sight loss for the whole population of Scotland using published (available) data from Information Services Division (ISD).\r\nFor those conditions strongly associated with preventative eye disease (cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease) it is possible to make the following observations from the published data from ISD.\r\nPrimary Care/Optometrists: For the year ending 31 March 2012, high street optometrists performed 1,913,565 free NHS eye examinations in Scotland (36.4 per cent of the population).\r\nOptometrists are able to record information on certain eye conditions, including cataracts, whether or not the patient is a diabetic, or has glaucoma. A patient can also present with more than one condition, and this is also recorded, with each condition recorded separately.\r\nFor the year ending 31 March 2012 the proportion of the total number of examinations (including those that presented without a certain eye condition and those with conditions, including multiple conditions) was 15.0 per cent for cataracts, 5.5 per cent for those with diabetes, and 2.3 per cent for glaucoma (including ocular hypertension).\r\nFor the year ending 31 March 2012, a total of 48,745 people were referred to a hospital eye service from an optometrist.\r\nHospital Admissions: For the year ending 31 March 2011, a total of 34,560 cataract procedures were performed for the whole of Scotland in the NHS.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:36.867","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284651,"EventID":"S4W-15066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:37.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T16:08:26.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of variations in the level of preventable sight loss, broken down by (a) local authority, (b) age, (c) disability, (d) ethnicity, (e) gender and (f) socioeconomic group.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15065 on 03 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:37.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284652,"EventID":"S4W-15067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:37.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T16:08:26.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to carry out a further review of community eyecare services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans at present to carry out a further review of community eyecare services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:37.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284653,"EventID":"S4W-15071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:37.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T16:08:26.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make a statement on preventable sight loss.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15064 on 03 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:37.507","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284654,"EventID":"S4W-15072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:37.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T10:12:38.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12436 by Alex Neil on 6 February 2013, how many NHS boards were offered a programme of performance support and how many accepted.\r\n","AnswerText":"Further to the answer for question S4W-12436, three NHS boards were offered and accepted a programme of support for generic cancer waiting times performance.\r\nAll NHS boards were recently offered a share of £3.7 million specifically to increase short and medium term capacity for endoscopy (colonoscopy) services across Scotland and a total of twelve NHS boards requested and accepted this additional funding support.\r\nSince Parliamentary Question S4W-12436 received a written answer on 6 February, ISD Scotland has published cancer waiting times performance for Q4 2012. During this period (October-December 2012), 95.8% of patients started treatment within 62 days of urgent referral with suspicion of cancer (improved from 94.0% in the previous quarter). Within the same period, 98.1% of patients started treatment within 31 days of decision to treat (regardless of the route of referral), up from 97.6% in Q3. For colorectal cancer specifically, Q4 performance was 94% for the 62-day standard and 97.2% for the 31-day standard.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:37.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284655,"EventID":"S4W-15086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:37.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T13:23:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked the Law Officers for permission to announce that they have provided legal advice regarding EU membership if Scotland were to become independent.\r\n","AnswerText":"Yes.\r\nThe Law Officers confirmed they were content for the Scottish Government to advise that it had now received their legal advice on EU membership.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:38.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284656,"EventID":"S4W-15087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:38.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T13:23:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has sought the permission of the Law Officers to publish the legal advice that they have provided regarding EU membership if Scotland were to become independent.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15089 on 3 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:38.303","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284657,"EventID":"S4W-15088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:38.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T13:23:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it received permission from the Law Officers to announce that it had received their legal advice regarding EU membership if Scotland were to become independent.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Law Officers gave ministers permission to announce that their legal advice had been received prior to Fiona Hyslop’s confirmation on Newsnight on 15 May 2013. I also refer the member to the answers to S4W-15086 and S4W–15112 both answered on 3 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:38.537","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284658,"EventID":"S4W-15089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:38.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T13:23:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish any legal advice it has received from the Law Officers regarding EU membership if Scotland were to become independent and, if so, when.\r\n","AnswerText":"The content of any legal advice is confidential. By long-standing convention, successive Scottish and UK Governments have not disclosed the content of Law Officers' advice other than in the most exceptional circumstances.\r\nAn independent Scotland’s continued membership of the EU will be set out in the White Paper which, as I made clear in October 2012, will be fully consistent with our legal advice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:38.787","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284659,"EventID":"S4W-15090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T14:40:39.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T13:23:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has sought legal advice from sources other than the Law Officers regarding EU membership if Scotland were to become independent and, if so, from whom, and whether it will publish this.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has already confirmed that it has obtained legal advice from the Law Officers. It has not sought legal advice from any external source. It remains entirely confident of the common sense position, supported by a number of eminent experts in EU affairs, that following a Yes vote, Scotland would notify its intent to remain a member of the EU and would negotiate the specific terms of that continued membership in the period between the referendum and the first day of independence. This position will be set out in the White Paper which, as I made clear in October 2012, will be fully consistent with legal advice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T14:40:39.037","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284660,"EventID":"S4W-15070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:57:57.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T17:37:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will appoint a regulator of licensed legal services providers under the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010.","AnswerText":"My officials are working closely with the Law Society of Scotland to develop its regulatory scheme. We hope to be able to refer a proposed scheme to the Lord President and Office of Fair Trading as the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010 requires, in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:57:57.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284661,"EventID":"S4W-15091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:57:59.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T13:29:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what services Education Scotland will provide at HM Young Offenders Institution Polmont.","AnswerText":"Education Scotland will provide relevant expertise, advice and guidance to Scottish Prison Service in relation to the range of learning opportunities available at HMYOI Polmont. The aim is to improve education, skills and life chances for young people in custody. Education Scotland will achieve this by:\r\nSupporting Scottish Prison Service to recognise the full range of learning opportunities available across HMYOI Polmont;\r\nMapping current learning opportunities available in HMYOI Polmont;\r\nIdentifying any gaps and opportunities for development;\r\nMapping learning opportunities to Curriculum for Excellence; \r\nProviding a range of training and awareness raising for prison staff on a range of related topics; and\r\nHM Inspectors of Education will work with HM Chief Inspector of Prisons to report on progress made during the follow-through inspection in November 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:57:59.14","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284662,"EventID":"S4W-15092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:00.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T13:29:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Education Scotland will be responsible for (a) maintaining and (b) improving standards in education and training at HM Young Offenders Institution Polmont and, if so, what targets (i) it and (ii) the Scottish Prison Service has set for these.","AnswerText":"Education Scotland will support the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to deliver the highest possible standards in education and training at HMYOI Polmont. Education Scotland and the SPS will work with a wide range of learning provider partners, including Carnegie College, to deliver improved opportunities, standards and levels of engagement and participation amongst the young people in custody. As Education Scotland are not the service providers they would not be directly responsible for raising standards within the establishment. However, HM Inspectors of education will continue to work with HM Chief Inspector of Prisons to monitor progress against the recommendations in the inspection report published on 20 February 2013 and the targets identified in HMYOI Polmont’s business plan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:00.217","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284663,"EventID":"S4W-15093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:00.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T13:29:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what costs are involved in funding the work of Education Scotland in HM Young Offenders Institution Polmont and how those costs will be met.","AnswerText":"Education Scotland has a role in offender learning so supporting this initiative is part of their core remit. As such, the costs are met from existing staffing budgets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:00.483","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284664,"EventID":"S4W-15094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:00.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T14:03:50","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of landlords had lodged all eligible deposits with tenant deposits schemes by 15 May 2013.","AnswerText":"Not all landlords take deposits from tenants. In addition, letting agents acting on behalf of landlords will have lodged a proportion of the deposits now with one of the three approved tenancy deposit schemes. As such, we cannot confirm what percentage of all landlords have lodged eligible deposits.\r\nUp to the end of April 2013, over 140,000 deposits with a total value of £89 million had been lodged with one of the three approved tenancy deposit schemes. These are the most up to date figures available.\r\nComparison with the number of properties private landlords have registered with local authorities suggests that some landlords still need to lodge deposits.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to work with the scheme providers and other stakeholders to encourage compliance with the law in this area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:00.763","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284665,"EventID":"S4W-15095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:00.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T14:09:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of farming businesses uses its full Land Managers Options entitlement.","AnswerText":"The position is set out in the following table for the Land Managers’ Option Scheme year 2011-12:-\r\nNumber of businesses eligible\r\n21,611\r\nNumber of businesses that applied\r\n11,571\r\n53.5%\r\nNumber of claims submitted\r\n9,431\r\n43.6%\r\nNumber of businesses that claimed and utilised their full maximum allowance\r\n425\r\n1.9%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:00.997","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284666,"EventID":"S4W-15096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:01.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T14:09:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget for Land Managers Options entitlement was in 2012-13.","AnswerText":"The Land Managers’ Option Scheme budget for the financial year 2012-13 (covering the 2011-12 scheme year) was £18 million. The scheme year runs from 15 May to 14 May, with payments made annually in arrears.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:01.23","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284667,"EventID":"S4W-15097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:01.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T14:09:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the 2012-13 Land Managers Options was allocated.","AnswerText":"The Land Managers’ Option Scheme expenditure for the financial year 2012-13 (covering the 2011-12 scheme year) was £10.3 million, which is 57% of the budget. The scheme year runs from 15 May to 14 May, with payments made annually in arrears.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:01.433","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284668,"EventID":"S4W-15103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:01.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T14:18:21.86","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with government officials from (a) Iraqi Kurdistan, (b) Iraq and (c) Turkey in the last six months.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on engagement the Scottish Government has had with government officials from (a) Iraqi Kurdistan, (b) Iraq and (c) Turkey in the last 6 months could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. This is due to the high number of potential communications across Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:01.637","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284669,"EventID":"S4W-15104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:01.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T14:18:21.86","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy objectives are for its engagement with the government of (a) Iraqi Kurdistan, (b) Iraq and (c) Turkey.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s international priorities are set out in Scotland’s International Framework which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0040/00405438.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:01.887","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284670,"EventID":"S4W-15105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:02.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T14:18:21.86","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times ministers have met officials from the government of Iraqi Kurdistan in the last 12 months; where the meetings took place, and what was discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"No meetings with ministers and officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government took place over the last 12 months.\r\nI had a courtesy meeting with Mr Zaid Izzadin Mohammed Noori, Consul General for Iraq and Dr Alawi, First Consul for Iraq who are based in Manchester on 19 February at the Scottish Parliament.\r\nThe Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop had an informal meeting with Abdulrahman Dheyab, the General Director of Iraqi Culture Centre during the course of the Edinburgh International Culture Summit of 13 and 14 August. They discussed the forthcoming performance of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq during the Edinburgh Fringe and future ways of Iraq and Scotland future working together. Mr Dheyab and Ms Hyslop also attended the performance of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq on 26 August at Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:02.167","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284671,"EventID":"S4W-15106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:02.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T14:28:47.06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with (a) HM Treasury and (b) the Office for National Statistics since October 2010 regarding the decision to reclassify colleges as part of central government in Scotland.","AnswerText":"There has been a series of written communications, discussions and meetings with HM Treasury, both formal and informal, to discuss the basis of the decision, the implications of implementing this change in Scotland and the timing of that implementation. In accordance with established protocol all contact on this matter has been routed through HM Treasury.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:02.4","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284672,"EventID":"S4W-15107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:02.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T14:28:47.06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) UK Government, (b) Welsh Assembly Government and (c) Northern Ireland Executive since October 2010 regarding the decision of the Office for National Statistics to reclassify colleges as part of central government in Scotland.","AnswerText":"There has been a series of written communications, discussions and meetings with HM Treasury, both formal and informal, to discuss the basis of the decision, the implications of implementing this change in Scotland and the timing of that implementation. There has also been informal communication with BIS, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland Executive, which covered respective positions, and associated activity, in relation to ONS classification.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:02.62","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284673,"EventID":"S4W-15108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:02.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T14:28:47.06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it has carried out with the college sector and other stakeholders since October 2010 regarding the decision of the Office for National Statistics to reclassify colleges as part of central government in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Colleges were notified of the change in 2010. Since then Scottish Ministers have been negotiating with HM Treasury on the basis for the decision, the timing of implementation and the scope for mitigating the implications. Full engagement with the sector could be undertaken only once these issues had been resolved.\r\nThe Cabinet Secretaries for Education and Lifelong Learning and Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth held a positive and constructive meeting with college Chairs and Principals on 13 May to discuss the impact of reclassification.\r\nThe Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning met with the Regional Leads on 14 May. A Project Team has also been established and met with the college Finance Directors on 23 May.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:02.837","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284674,"EventID":"S4W-15109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:03.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T15:07:22.213","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14923 by John Swinney on 16 May 2013, what impact it considers the comments from the respondents will have on an independent Scotland's ability to borrow.\r\n","AnswerText":"An independent Scotland will have access to the same sources of borrowing as any other independent country. Lenders will look at all the relevant facts and at our fiscal track record when deciding at what rates of interest they are prepared to lend,  not at unattributed responses to a UK Government consultation.\r\nThe Scottish Government believes the macro-economic framework set out by the Fiscal Commission Working Group in their report of February this year provides a stable basis for Scotland’s fiscal and macro-economic future. This combined with Scotland’s economic strengths and natural resources, and the financially responsible record of the Scottish Government, would make an independent Scotland attractive to lenders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:03.087","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284675,"EventID":"S4W-15110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:03.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T16:07:07.53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to help maintain the hyperbaric chamber on Cumbrae if the University Marine Biological Station Millport closes.","AnswerText":"The chamber in Millport is one of three independent chambers, in addition to the nationally designated Hyperbaric Medicine Unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, which are currently recognised to provide treatment for diving related illness.\r\nThe number of diving related incidents requiring hyperbaric treatment in Scotland is declining dramatically year on year and the number of chambers providing services exceeds the demand for those services.\r\nNHS Scotland is currently considering a service re-design to ensure the provision of a safe, sustainable clinically effective and cost effective service for the number of diving related decompression illnesses within Scotland.\r\nA report to the National Specialist Services Committee and the Board Chief Executives is expected by the summer 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:03.26","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284676,"EventID":"S4W-15111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-16T16:58:03.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T16:07:07.53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have used the hyperbaric chamber on Cumbrae in the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is provided in the following table:\r\nDivers Treated\r\nMillport Chamber\r\n2008\r\n11\r\n2009\r\n3\r\n2010\r\n4\r\n2011\r\n2\r\n2012\r\n4\r\nTotal\r\n24\r\n\r\nSource: National Services Division (NSD).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-03T16:58:03.43","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284694,"EventID":"S4W-15033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:35.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:18:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the conclusions were of its consultation, A Consultation on the Revision of the Scottish Government Practical Fire Safety Guidance for Care Homes and the Quality Assurance of Persons Who Offer Risk Assessment Services, and when they will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"The conclusions of the consultation on the revision of care home guidance and fire risk assessment quality assurance was published in October 2012 and is available on the Scottish Government (SG) website at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0040/00404351.pdf. The revised version of the care home guidance is due to be published this summer.\r\nThe existing sector specific guidance for care homes is currently available on the SGFirelaw web pages along with general fire safety guidance/advice at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/Fire-Rescue/FireLaw.  \r\nThe Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) also provide advice to care home duty-holders, on request, on: how to prevent fires; restrict spread; and the means of escape in the event of fire. However, it is also proactive in carrying out fire safety audits in care homes. \r\nTo help duty-holders to consider the competence of fire risk assessors (individuals or companies), the SGFirelaw web pages provide a link to guidance issued by the Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council (FRACC) (hosted on the Fire Sector Federation (FSF) website). Information is also given about the benefit of third party certification of fire protection services. There are no plans to make it compulsory for fire risk assessors to be registered or certificated under fire safety law or to require assessors to provide evidence of their competence to care home duty-holders, but SGFirelaw guidance recommends that duty-holders check their competence. Registration schemes do exist for companies/persons carrying out fire risk assessments and details of such schemes are featured in the FRACC guidance. The SG has not had any formal or detailed discussions with the SFRS, since it was formed on 1 April 2013, about reviewing the competency of fire risk assessors.\r\nThe SG does not plan to compel fire risk assessors to provide a certificate, or report the issuing of one to the SFRS. The fact that a risk assessment has been carried out is not a confirmation that the level of fire safety in a premises is adequate.\r\nCare home duty-holders have a legal obligation to record the significant findings and certain other information relating to the assessment of risk in the premises. This record could be provided, in whole or in part, by an external assessor under contract. However, duty-holders must be able to make risk assessment information available for the inspection of the SFRS as the “enforcing authority”. The SG has no plans to require records to be otherwise displayed, permanently, on the premises.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:35.863","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284695,"EventID":"S4W-15034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:36.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:18:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice is made available to care home dutyholders to ensure fire safety in the premises for which they are responsible.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15033 on 31 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:36.72","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284696,"EventID":"S4W-15035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:36.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:18:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice is made available to assist care home dutyholders to check the competence of companies that provide (a) fire protection services and (b) fire risk assessments.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15033 on 31 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:36.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284697,"EventID":"S4W-15036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:37.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:18:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will require care home dutyholders to check the competence of fire protection companies through the use of third party certification schemes.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15033 on 31 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:37.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284698,"EventID":"S4W-15037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:37.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:18:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service regarding the competence of fire risk assessors.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15033 on 31 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:37.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284699,"EventID":"S4W-15038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:37.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:18:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice is available to assist care home dutyholders to check the competence of fire risk assessors.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15033 on 31 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:37.377","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284700,"EventID":"S4W-15039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:37.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:18:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what schemes exist to allow fire risk assessors to demonstrate their competence.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15033 on 31 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:37.533","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284701,"EventID":"S4W-15040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:37.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:18:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to require fire risk assessors to demonstrate their competence.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15033 on 31 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:37.687","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284702,"EventID":"S4W-15042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:37.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:18:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to require fire risk assessors to provide evidence of their competence to care home dutyholders before carrying out work for them.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15033 on 31 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:37.86","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284703,"EventID":"S4W-15043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:18:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will require fire risk assessors to provide care home dutyholders with a fire risk assessment compliance certificate and to report the issuing of the certificate to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15033 on 31 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:38.017","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284704,"EventID":"S4W-15044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:38.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:18:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to require care home dutyholders to display fire risk assessment certificates in premises for which they are responsible.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15033 on 31 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:38.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284705,"EventID":"S4W-15073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:38.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T10:49:44.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the new marketing services framework will be published.","AnswerText":"The fully managed services framework for marketing services was awarded on 25 April 2013. The multi-lot marketing services framework was awarded on 24 May 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:38.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284706,"EventID":"S4W-15074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:40.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T10:49:44.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which public sector bodies have had to buy in marketing services due to the delay in the new framework and what extra expenditure has been incurred.\r\n","AnswerText":"The current Marketing Services Framework has been extended until 31 May 2013 to allow Scottish Central Government bodies to continue to call off their requirements in order to ensure that their objectives are met. We are not aware of any requirement to buy in services other than through the current framework. We do not hold information on which bodies have made use of the current framework during the extension period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:40.043","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284707,"EventID":"S4W-15075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:40.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T10:49:44.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many legal challenges have been (a) lodged and (b) upheld against (i) its and (ii) public sector tender processes and the awarding of contracts in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The numbers of legal challenges lodged against the Scottish Government’s tender processes and the awarding of contracts for the years from 2007 to date are as follows:\r\n2007 – 0 lodged; 0 upheld\r\n2008 – 0 lodged; 0 upheld\r\n2009 – 0 lodged; 0 upheld\r\n2010 – 1 lodged; 0 upheld\r\n2011 – 0 lodged; 0 upheld\r\n2012 – 3 lodged; 0 upheld\r\n2013 – 2 lodged; 0 upheld\r\nThere have been six legal challenges against Scottish Government tender processes in the years from 2007 to date, but none of those has been upheld by the courts. The Scottish Government does not hold any information on challenges to tender processes and the awarding of contracts in the wider public sector, which would encompass local authority and UK government contracts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:40.31","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284708,"EventID":"S4W-15112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:40.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:07:07.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Fiona Hyslop's confirmation on Newsnight Scotland on 15 May 2013 that the Scottish Government has now received legal advice on a separate Scotland's position in the EU was consistent with the Scottish Ministerial Code.\r\n","AnswerText":"Yes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:40.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284709,"EventID":"S4W-15113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:41.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:07:07.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to Fiona Hyslop's confirming on Newsnight Scotland on 15 May 2013 that the Scottish Government has now received legal advice on a separate Scotland's position in the EU, which ministers have had sight of this advice.\r\n","AnswerText":"Advice received by the Scottish Government from the Law Officers is available to all ministers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:41.197","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284710,"EventID":"S4W-15114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:41.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:07:07.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to Fiona Hyslop's confirming on Newsnight Scotland on 15 May 2013 that the Scottish Government has now received legal advice on a separate Scotland's position in the EU, whether it plans to publish the advice in full as part of its white paper on its plans to separate Scotland from the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15089 on 3 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:41.447","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284711,"EventID":"S4W-15115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:41.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:07:07.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to Fiona Hyslop's confirming on Newsnight Scotland on 15 May 2013 that the Scottish Government has now received legal advice on a separate Scotland's position in the EU, whether it considers that the Scottish people have the right to read the legal opinion in full before the referendum and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"Paragraphs 2.30 and 2.35 of the Ministerial Code refer to the public interest in the government ensuring that decisions are taken in a fully informed legal context and the public interest in maintaining the right of confidentiality of communications between legal advisers. I also refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15089 on 3 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:41.68","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284712,"EventID":"S4W-15116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:41.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:07:07.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to Fiona Hyslop's confirming on Newsnight Scotland on 15 May 2013 that the Scottish Government has now received legal advice on a separate Scotland's position in the EU, whether it will publish all correspondence between (a) ministers, (b) the Law Officers, (c) special advisers and (d) officials relating to this legal advice.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15089 on 3 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:41.947","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284713,"EventID":"S4W-15117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:42.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:07:07.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish all correspondence between (a) ministers, (b) the Law Officers, (c) special advisers and (d) officials relating to Fiona Hyslop’s interview on Newsnight Scotland on 15 May 2013 in which she confirmed that the Scottish Government has now received legal advice on a separate Scotland's position in the EU.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15089 on 3 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:42.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284714,"EventID":"S4W-15118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:42.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:07:07.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings ministers have had with the Law Officers since May 2007 to discuss the position of a separate Scotland’s potential membership of the EU, broken down by (a) date of meeting, (b) attendees and (c) what matters were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to paragraphs 2.4 -2.9 of the Scottish Ministerial Code. Scottish Government Ministers meet with the Law Officers on a regular basis.\r\nThe content of any legal advice is confidential. By long-standing convention, successive Scottish and UK Governments have not disclosed the content of Law Officers' advice or the fact that they have or have not advised on any particular matter other than in the most exceptional circumstances.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:42.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284715,"EventID":"S4W-15119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:42.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:07:07.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that, under paragraph 2.35 of the Scottish Ministerial Code, both the existence and content of legal advice can be disclosed publicly if the Law Officers' prior consent is sought.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-10595 on 12 December 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:42.663","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284716,"EventID":"S4W-15120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:42.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:07:07.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it plans to publish its white paper on its plans to separate Scotland from the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish its comprehensive white paper on independence in autumn 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:42.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284717,"EventID":"S4W-15121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:43.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:12:38.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport regarding the potential for a new railway station in Parkhead.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no recent discussions with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport regarding the potential for a new railway station at Parkhead.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:43.147","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284718,"EventID":"S4W-15122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:43.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:12:38.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the curriculum for excellence promotes financial education.\r\n","AnswerText":"Curriculum for Excellence supports Financial Education as part of a wider focus on the development of numeracy. The expectation is that all teachers should seek to develop young people’s numeracy skills in all areas and at all levels.\r\nIn addition, support for Financial Education is provided by Education Scotland through a range of on-line teaching resources, professional development opportunities for teachers and the Scottish Financial Education Forum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:43.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284719,"EventID":"S4W-15123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:43.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:12:38.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to encourage GPs to open surgeries for longer hours.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is investing approximately £12 million annually in an enhanced service arrangement to extend GP surgery opening hours beyond core hours. Participation in enhanced services are optional for GP practices and in 2012 we introduced more flexible scheme arrangements to encourage even more GP practices to offer extended hours.\r\nPractice participation in the revised scheme averaged 80.5% across the country in 2012 increasing from 73.5% in 2011. The 2012 participation figure for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's GP practices was 83.5% compared to 76.3% in the previous year.\r\nAs part of the successfully negotiated General Medical Services contract settlement for 2013-14 we have an agreed commitment from the Scottish General Practitioners’ Committee to review GP access and we will be exploring ways to improve these arrangements in the year ahead.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:43.507","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284720,"EventID":"S4W-15124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:43.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:12:38.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle diesel spillages as a result of brimming.\r\n","AnswerText":"The design of vehicles is covered by European standards. EC Directive 70/221 requires that commercial vehicles have in place appropriate measures to ensure that minimum leakage occurs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:43.663","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284721,"EventID":"S4W-15125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:43.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:12:38.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages local authorities to promote greater recycling.\r\n","AnswerText":"The case for improving recycling rates is simple: it is good for our environment and it is good for our economy. We estimate that councils will be able to save in the region of £180 million in the cost of their waste services by 2025 if they meet the 70% target set out in the Zero Waste Plan. That is money that can be reinvested in other vital services. At the same time, the materials collected for recycling have a monetary value that can support the growth of our recycling and reprocessing sectors, ultimately helping create economic and employment opportunities across Scotland. This alone should be encouragement enough.\r\nThrough the Zero Waste Scotland programme, I have put in place additional targeted support to help councils realise these opportunities including £5 million this year to support the roll-out of food waste collections and £350,000 to improve the quality of bring sites and support glass collections. This targeted support is, of course, only part of a much broader package of support being provided to businesses and councils across Scotland.\r\nThe local government concordat gives councils the flexibility and freedom to make decisions on how best to deliver waste services in order to meet zero waste targets and wider objectives. A number of councils in Scotland are leading the way with recycling rates that are already approaching 60%. Other councils, however, are not performing so well and they need to look to those that are and follow their example.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:43.833","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284722,"EventID":"S4W-15126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:43.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:12:38.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what each local authority’s financial commitment to PFI/PPP will be for each of the next three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is available from the Scottish Government website under “PPP/PFI Projects (operational)” by way of the following link:\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:44.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284723,"EventID":"S4W-15127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:44.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:12:38.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what costs were associated with the PFI project for the refurbishment of Bannerman High School in 2002.\r\n","AnswerText":"The costs relating to the individual schools within the associated PFI contract are not held centrally and are a matter for the local authority. \r\nThe costs relating to the overall PFI contract are available from the Scottish Government website under “PPP/PFI Projects (operational)” by way of the following link:\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:44.177","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284724,"EventID":"S4W-15128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:44.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:50:36.453","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of the finding in the Accounts Commission report, Maintaining Scotland's Roads: An audit update on councils' progress, that \"there is a need to increase the pace of progress in improving roads condition\".","AnswerText":"The maintenance of local roads is a matter for local authorities. The Scottish Government is providing local government in Scotland with over £10.3 billion in 2013-14.\r\nIn addition, a National Road Maintenance Review concluded in July 2012. This Review identified 30 initiatives aimed at ensuring all road authorities in Scotland could manage and maintain our roads more efficiently. A Strategic Action Group has been set up to oversee the implementation of these initiatives. I jointly chair this group with Councillor Stephen Hagan, COSLA Spokesperson for Regeneration and Sustainable Development. The next meeting is scheduled for 26 June 2013.\r\nFurther information on the National Road Maintenance Review is available at: \r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/maintenance/road-maintenance-review\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:44.333","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284725,"EventID":"S4W-15132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:27:44.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T11:33:02.19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will encourage providers of social care to sign up to UNISON's Ethical Care Charter.","AnswerText":"It is for providers of social care to decide whether or not to sign up to the Charter and it is for UNISON to promote its Charter with those providers.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to a strong, competent, confident and valued social services workforce and we continue to work with a range of partners, including UNISON, to progress issues that support that.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:27:44.567","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284726,"EventID":"S4W-15133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1742,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-17T14:31:49.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T14:26:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to publish information on the economic opportunities of independence.","AnswerText":"I am delighted to announce that the paper Scotland’s Economy: the case for independence will be published on 21 May 2013. A copy will be lodged with SPICe under bib number 54973.\r\nThe paper highlights the strengths of Scotland’s economy across a range of key sectors, our fiscal position and Scotland’s potential for growth. The paper also explores the social, economic and geographic inequalities that have developed under the UK system and the opportunities for Scotland’s economy that would flow from independence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-04T14:31:50.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284731,"EventID":"S4T-00360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T13:16:21.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T11:02:45.55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are used to test patients to identify their genetic risk of developing breast cancer.    \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T13:16:21.073","MeetingDate":"2013-05-21T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284732,"EventID":"S4F-01393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T13:15:46.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T14:49:36.583","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime Minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T13:15:46.137","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284733,"EventID":"S4F-01394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T13:15:46.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T10:28:26.113","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T13:15:46.463","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284734,"EventID":"S4F-01397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T13:15:47.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T09:05:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will consider piloting a domestic violence disclosure scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T13:15:47.587","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284735,"EventID":"S4F-01398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T13:15:48.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T09:13:05","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the claims in the Treasury analysis paper regarding an independent Scotland's ability to provide protection for savers and pensioners.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T13:15:48.38","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284736,"EventID":"S4F-01399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T13:15:48.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T09:57:05.257","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T13:15:48.867","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284737,"EventID":"S4F-01407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T13:15:53.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T11:32:32.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that its grants are awarded only to companies that pay correct levels of tax.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T13:15:53.857","MeetingDate":"2013-05-23T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284753,"EventID":"S4W-15076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:54:56.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T11:25:29.81","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that companies shortlisted for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route contract have not been engaged in blacklisting in relation to the London Crossrail project.","AnswerText":"Under the contractual arrangements for the AWPR the successful contractor will require to comply with all laws including those relating to the prohibition of blacklisting.\r\nThe Scottish Government is totally opposed to blacklisting or the compiling of a blacklist. We expect companies that are awarded public contracts maintain high standards of business and professional conduct.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:54:56.367","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284754,"EventID":"S4W-15077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:54:56.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T12:18:44.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the pay banding is for perfusionists in Scotland and what information it has on the pay bandings in (a) England and (b) Wales.","AnswerText":"There are a range of job profiles available for perfusionist staff in Scotland from Band 5 to Band 8c, the banding outcome is dependent on job profiles. We understand there are a similar range of profiles for the post in England and Wales.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:54:56.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284755,"EventID":"S4W-15078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:54:57.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T12:18:44.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many perfusionists are employed by each NHS board and how many vacant posts there are.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on perfusionists (clinical perfusion physiologist services) staff in post by NHS board is presented in the following table.\r\nClinical perfusion physiologists by NHS Board as at 31st December 2012\r\n\r\nWhole Time Equivalent\r\nHeadcount\r\nNational Waiting Times Center\r\n18.4\r\n19.0\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n5.0\r\n5.0\r\nClinical perfusion physiologists are also employed by NHS Lothian but current coding does not allow them to be identified from the national data.\r\nInformation on perfusionist vacancies is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:54:57.223","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284756,"EventID":"S4W-15079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:54:57.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T12:18:44.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the on-call rotas for perfusionists are in each NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:54:58.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284757,"EventID":"S4W-15080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:54:58.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T12:18:44.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS perfusionists are due to retire in the next five years.","AnswerText":"In accordance with current legislation we can no longer presume a retiral age as this is discriminatory. Information relating to the numbers of NHS perfusionists retiring in the next five years is not, therefore available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:54:58.47","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284758,"EventID":"S4W-15081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:54:58.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T12:18:44.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many training places have been funded for perfusionists each year for the next five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are three centres within NHSScotland boards which are capable of providing training places for perfusionists; in NHS Grampian, NHS Lothian and at the Golden Jubilee Hospital (GJH). Of these, only the GJH is projecting a need for one trainee perfusionist in the current year.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with NHSScotland employers to develop an Action Plan, which will ensure training places and funds are available over the next four to six years to support workforce development and succession planning.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:54:58.97","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284759,"EventID":"S4W-15082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:54:59.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T12:18:44.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many locum perfusionists each NHS board has employed and at what cost, in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The information requested on how many locum perfusionists employed by each NHS board and at what cost is not centrally held.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:54:59.423","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284760,"EventID":"S4W-15083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:54:59.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T12:18:44.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any NHS board has a recruitment and retention premium for perfusionists.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian currently has a recruitment and retention premium in place for its clinical perfusionist staff.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:54:59.89","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284761,"EventID":"S4W-15084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:55:00.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T12:18:44.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards provide training for perfusionists.","AnswerText":"There are three centres in NHSScotland capable of providing training for perfusionsits; in NHS Grampian, NHS Lothian and the Golden Jubilee Hospital.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:55:00.39","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284762,"EventID":"S4W-15085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:55:00.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T12:18:44.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the (a) College of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland and (b) Society of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland.\r\n","AnswerText":"There have been no recent discussions between the Scottish Government and the College of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland or the Society of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland.\r\nHowever, the Healthcare Science Programme Manager at NHS Education Scotland spoke with the President of the College of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland in April 2013 about the training base status of NHS Lothian.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:55:00.873","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284763,"EventID":"S4W-15098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:55:01.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T14:18:21.86","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02111 by Humza Yousaf on 15 May 2013 (Official Report, c.19791), whether the minister’s comment that “there has barely been a peep from successive UK governments” regarding the detention of Shaker Aamer reflects the Scottish Government’s position on the matter and what information the minister considered prior to making the comment.\r\n","AnswerText":"Shaker Aamer continues to be detained in Guantanamo Bay. As I have previously stated, it is vital that we learn from the lessons of the past and that, in the present, we are guided by international human rights standards. This is an approach to which the Scottish Government is committed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:55:01.357","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284764,"EventID":"S4W-15099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:55:01.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-16T14:18:21.86","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02111 by Humza Yousaf on 15 May 2013 (Official Report, c.19791), whether it had considered the (a) reported approaches of the (i) Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the US Secretary of State, (ii) Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the US Deputy Secretary of State in April 2013 and (iii) Secretary of State for Defence to the US Defense Secretary in (A) June 2012 and (B) January 2013 and (b) the comment by the Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 24 April 2013 that “the UK Government simply believe that the continued detention of Shaker Aamer is wrong without charge or trial, and we will continue to do all in our power to seek to return him to the United Kingdom”, prior to the minister stating that “there has barely been a peep from successive UK governments” regarding the detention of Mr Aamer.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully supports any attempts that the UK Government makes to end the continued detention of Shaker Aamer. However, he continues to be detained at Guantanamo Bay, 11 years after detention and six years after being cleared. As I have previously stated, it is vital that we learn from the lessons of the past and that, in the present, we are guided by international human rights standards. This is an approach to which the Scottish Government is committed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:55:01.92","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284765,"EventID":"S4W-15142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:55:02.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T16:19:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what enforcement action has been taken against UK-registered gillnet vessels fishing in Scottish coastal waters since 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"There have been no Marine Scotland prosecutions raised against this fleet segment since 2012. However, there have been five advisory letters issued and one verbal rebrief issued from the start of 2012 to date for infringements detected on board UK gillnetters. We are in active discussion with the gillnet fleet with a view to ensuring that future infringements do not occur.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:55:02.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284766,"EventID":"S4W-15143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:55:02.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T16:19:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many UK-registered gillnet vessels fishing in Scottish coastal waters since 2012 have been boarded by Marine Scotland officers.\r\n","AnswerText":"Since 2012 Marine Scotland Officers have boarded UK-registered gillnet vessels fishing within the 200 mile fisheries limit around Scotland on 10 occasions. One of these boarding took place within the 12 mile limit, at the time the vessel concerned was on passage.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:55:02.607","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284767,"EventID":"S4W-15144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:55:02.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T16:19:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the recently-agreed discard ban will apply to fishing vessels using gillnets in Scottish coastal waters.\r\n","AnswerText":"The details of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), including the discard ban, have not been agreed between the European Council and the European Parliament. However, the clear intention of both the Council and the Parliament is that a discard ban shall be introduced and shall apply to all fishing vessels in waters of any EU Member State regardless of fishing method.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:55:02.917","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284768,"EventID":"S4W-15145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:55:03.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T16:19:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding the use of enforcement camera technology on UK-registered pelagic fishing vessels.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently exploring how to enforce the discard ban on pelagic vessels. Given the success of the Fully Documented Fisheries (catch quota) scheme, which uses cameras, in preventing discarding on demersal fishing vessels we are seeking to develop and trial a similar system, in combination with sensor data, on pelagic vessels.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:55:03.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284769,"EventID":"S4W-15146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T14:55:03.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T16:19:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding fisheries quota management and the role of producer organisations.\r\n","AnswerText":"Fish Producer Organisations (POs) are membership organisations made of up fishermen that are provided for in EC Regulations that in Scotland and elsewhere in the European Union play an important role in the co-ordination of supplies of fish to markets and in the improvement of trading conditions for member vessels. POs in Scotland and in the UK also manage allocations of fish quota carrying out functions delegated to them by Government.\r\nAt present the Scottish Government does not propose to involve bodies other than POs in the management of fish quotas. The Government also considers, and concluded such in a report published during 2012, that there is scope for POs to do more to fully fulfil their functions in the organisation of supply and the development of markets. The Government continues to work towards these aims in close partnership with POs in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T14:55:03.65","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284770,"EventID":"S4W-15148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T16:57:29.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:13:29.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers it has to deliver the target to decarbonise the power sector by 50g CO2/kWh of electricity by 2030.","AnswerText":"The main source of emissions in Scotland from the energy supply sector is electricity generation at power stations. Scottish Ministers have decision making powers relating to applications for large scale thermal power stations under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. The Scottish Government policy for reducing emissions from thermal generation is that Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) should be fitted to new or existing coal power stations by 2020, and provided it has been demonstrated that CCS is economically deliverable and technically proven, then and in these circumstances it should be progressively fitted to all coal and gas thermal plants thereafter by 2030. Conditions are applied to the consent for new thermal power stations in line with this policy.\r\nHowever, decarbonisation will be achieved through a range of policies and will be dependent upon a number of factors. We need to remain flexible on how best to deliver our target in light of progress in the world climate change talks, integration of the EU energy market, Electricity Market Reform, developments in grid technology and storage, progress in cost reduction of renewables and CCS and progress in energy efficiency and demand side management.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T16:57:30.06","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284771,"EventID":"S4W-15149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T16:57:30.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:13:29.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a UK emissions performance standard of 450g CO2/kWh is in line with the Scottish Government’s target for decarbonisation of the power sector by 2030.\r\n","AnswerText":"While the Emissions Performance Standard is a useful tool we are clear that on its own it will not deliver the Scottish Government’s 2030 decarbonisation target and should be seen in the context of wider policies and powers.\r\nOur current consenting policy on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) already imposes conditions for progressively fitting CCS to all coal and gas thermal plants following successful demonstration at commercial scale in relation to both economic viability and technical operability. The delivery of our 100% renewable electricity target together with developments in grid technology and storage and progress in demand reduction and energy efficiency will all play a crucial role in the delivery of our long-term decarbonisation target.\r\nThe modelling for the draft second Climate Change Report on Proposals and Policies shows that successful delivery of the 100% target plus the progressive deployment of CCS through the 2020s means that our decarbonisation target could actually be achieved earlier than 2030.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T16:57:30.31","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284772,"EventID":"S4W-15150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T16:57:31.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:13:29.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what basis it has assumed that Longannet will close in 2020, as noted on page 75 of Low Carbon Scotland: Meeting our Emissions Reduction Targets 2013-2027: The Draft Second Report on Proposals and Policies.","AnswerText":"Investment decisions relating to developing and building new generation, and the extension or closure of existing generating plant are commercial decisions for generators in Scotland.\r\nThe Draft Second Report on Proposals and Policies presents emissions and generating capacity based on a plausible generation scenario in Scotland to 2027. This scenario is based on a range of factors, including credible assumptions about, thermal plant extension, build and closure dates, average annual running times and: the development and deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). The scenario presented is not definitive and designed to give an indication of emissions from the sector by varying the amount of coal, gas and CCS on the system.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T16:57:31.027","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284773,"EventID":"S4W-15151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T16:57:31.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T14:02:33.617","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to invest in ports.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government values the contribution made by Scottish ports to the Government’s overall purpose of delivering sustainable economic growth, and continues to work closely with port operators to that end. A range of funding sources are available to Scottish ports, including through the European Fisheries Fund and Marine Scotland’s Emergency Harbour repairs scheme (for fisheries harbours). Freight Facilities Grant is also potentially available where additional port infrastructure is required to transfer freight from road to water. In addition, the Scottish Government supplies funding for infrastructure at the lifeline ferry ports as outlined in the Ferries Plan, published in December 2012 (available at http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/documents/reports/j254579_1.pdf).\r\nThe Scottish Government is continuing to work closely with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and port operators to implement the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan. This may involve specific investment in port infrastructure to develop the offshore renewables industry as an economic growth opportunity that can bring benefits to many areas of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T16:57:31.34","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284774,"EventID":"S4W-15152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T16:57:31.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T15:22:52.663","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the introduction of the tenancy deposit scheme, how it will address the reported practice of private landlords retaining tenants' deposits without cause, and what further support it will provide to Citizens Advice Bureaux to promote an increased uptake of the deposit scheme and represent those affected by this practice.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to work with the scheme providers and other stakeholders such as Citizens Advice Scotland and Shelter Scotland to encourage compliance with the law.\r\nThe Scottish Government recently introduced the Tenant Information Pack which provides key information for tenants and landlords in an easy to read format. From May 1st, landlords have a legal duty to provide the Tenant Information Pack to new tenants. The pack includes information on tenants’ rights with regards to their deposit being protected in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme.\r\nThe launch of the pack is supported by a new website:rentingscotland.org, which offers practical renting guides for tenants and landlords in Scotland’s private rented sector. Renting Scotland is jointly funded by the Scottish Government and Shelter Scotland. The website is an industry-wide information hub for both tenants and landlords in the private rented sector in Scotland.\r\nPrivate landlords have a duty to protect tenants’ deposits with one of the three approved tenancy deposit schemes. If they fail to do so the tenant may apply to a sheriff to enforce the law. The court may order the imposition of a financial penalty of up to three times the deposit on a landlord. In addition, local authorities may take such a breach of housing law into account when considering the fit and proper test for landlord registration and licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T16:57:31.607","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284775,"EventID":"S4W-15155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-20T16:57:31.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T16:28:08.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities operate concessionary rent schemes for third sector organisations using previously unoccupied council property.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect this information. It is a matter for individual local authorities to decide which organisations they rent premises to, and the rents that they charge.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-05T16:57:31.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284789,"EventID":"S4W-15134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T14:59:26.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T15:45:48.363","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of concessionary travel cards has been held by people aged 60 to 65 in each year since the scheme was introduced.","AnswerText":"The percentage of National Entitlement Cards allowing access to the Scotland-Wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People held by people between the ages of 60 and 65 is as follows.\r\n2012-26.5%\r\n2013-27.1%\r\nThis information was not recorded prior to 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T14:59:27.303","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284790,"EventID":"S4W-15135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T14:59:28.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T15:45:48.363","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of concessionary bus journeys are made by people aged 60 to 65.","AnswerText":"Personal information about the cardholder is not monitored when the National Entitlement Card is used to make a bus journey, therefore Transport Scotland are unable to quantify the number of journeys made by people aged 60-65.\r\nHowever, data gleaned from the Scottish Household Survey can provide an estimate that, between 2007 and 2011, 21% of concessionary bus journeys were made by people aged 60-64.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T14:59:28.16","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284791,"EventID":"S4W-15136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T14:59:28.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T15:45:48.363","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people aged 60 to 65 have had a national entitlement card under the Scotland-wide free bus travel scheme for older and disabled people in each year since the scheme was introduced.","AnswerText":"The number of National Entitlement Cards allowing access to the Scotland-Wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People held by people between the ages of 60 and 65 is as follows.\r\n2012-328,266\r\n2013-338,470\r\nThis information was not recorded prior to 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T14:59:28.88","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284792,"EventID":"S4W-15137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T14:59:29.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-17T15:45:48.363","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of people who are eligible have had a national entitlement card under the Scotland-wide free bus travel scheme for older and disabled people in each year since the card was introduced.\r\n","AnswerText":"The total number of people holding a National Entitlement Card (NEC) giving access to the Scotland-Wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People for each year since the scheme started is as follows:\r\n2013\r\n1,246,826\r\n2012\r\n1,239,648\r\n2011\r\n1,213,917\r\n2010\r\n1,185,075\r\n2009\r\n1,122,846\r\n2008\r\n1,121,689\r\n2007\r\n1,055,474\r\n2006\r\n967,304\r\nAt present 93% of those aged 60 and over have an NEC either on grounds of age or meeting one of the disability criteria.\r\nBefore 2013 the data provided from the local authority card management system did not contain all those aged over 60 as it did not take into account disabled card holders aged 60 and over. This means we cannot provide percentage figures for previous years.\r\nThe total number of people in Scotland aged under 60 who meet the range of eligibility criteria based on disability is not known and therefore we cannot provide percentage figures.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T14:59:29.83","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284793,"EventID":"S4W-15153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T14:59:30.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T15:45:23.643","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11794 by Paul Wheelhouse on 8 January 2013, what its position is on reports that some major retailers no longer require suppliers to ensure that farm animals are fed non-genetically-modified crops and what information it has on whether the Food Standards Agency in Scotland has the power to ensure that there is prominent labelling on products sourced from these animals.","AnswerText":"There is no regulatory requirement for animal products such as meat, fish, milk and eggs to be labelled to identify whether the animals have eaten Genetically Modified (GM) feed. This is because such products do not meet the definition of GM food and therefore fall outside the scope of the EU Regulation on GM food and feed, which sets out the requirement for GM foods to be labelled. Furthermore, there are no provisions for mandatory labelling of food to indicate the types of animal feed that might have been used.\r\nMandatory labelling of food is controlled at EU level by the Food Information for Consumers Regulation and this makes no provision for national rules regarding the labelling of food from animals that have eaten particular types of feed. FSA in Scotland therefore has no powers to require labelling.\r\nWhether or not GM or non-GM feed is used in the rearing of livestock intended for food production is a commercial decision for food businesses. As stated in the Chamber in response to a point raised by Rob Gibson, the Scottish Government intends to hold a debate, in Plenary, following summer recess, to allow for a discussion and exploration of issues such as food authenticity and labelling.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T14:59:30.61","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284794,"EventID":"S4W-15161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T14:59:30.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T10:57:35.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what incentives the Scottish Ambulance Service provides to its volunteer drivers and what plans it has to ensure their retention.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service work with approximately 200 volunteer car drivers across the country who undertake scheduled patient transport journeys where this is clinically appropriate, particularly in remote and rural areas.\r\nTheir contribution is valued and appreciated by the Scottish Government. Volunteer car drivers are managed locally by the Scottish Ambulance Service, they are provided with an induction into the organisation and receive on-going support from managers and staff.\r\nAs with all NHS volunteers, volunteer car drivers are entitled to claim reimbursement of ‘out of pocket’ expenses and the relevant NHS Chief Executive Letter can be accessed at: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2011_23.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T14:59:30.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284795,"EventID":"S4W-15162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T14:59:31.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T10:57:35.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussion Zero Waste Scotland has had with Falkirk Council regarding food waste collection rates since June 2010 and what advice it has given regarding providing incentives for residents to recycle more food.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2010-11 Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) supported Falkirk Council through the commissioning of an options appraisal to identify the best approach to deliver a household food waste collection service.\r\nSince autumn 2011 ZWS has provided on-going advice to Falkirk Council on the delivery of its food waste collection service. This advice is part of an overall package of support, which includes £776,280 of funding, to enable the roll-out of this service.\r\nZWS has also produced good practice guidance and case studies to assist councils, including Falkirk, in the design and implementation of food waste collections. In February 2012 ZWS assisted the council to design its food waste service leaflets which highlight the benefits of the new service and incentivise residents to participate and recycle their food waste.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T14:59:31.233","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284796,"EventID":"S4W-15163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T14:59:31.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T11:03:30.72","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14553 by Humza Yousaf on 10 May 2013, whether the meeting with Ms Chiqui Gonzalez on 6 December 2012 included any reference to the (a) future of the Falkland Islands and (b) views of the President of Santa on the future of the Falkland Islands.","AnswerText":"The meeting with MS Chiqui Gonzalez on 3 December 2012 included no reference to the future of the Falkland Islands and the views of the President of Santa on the future of the Falkland Islands. The discussion focussed on shared family learning through cultural activity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T14:59:31.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284797,"EventID":"S4W-15165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T14:59:32.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T11:03:30.72","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14554 by Humza Yousaf on 10 May 2013, in the absence of guidance from ministers, what position its officials would take in response to any discussion of the future of the Falkland Islands initiated by officials of the Government of Argentina.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the questions previously answered by me on 10 May 2013. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T14:59:32.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284798,"EventID":"S4W-15166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T14:59:32.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T11:03:30.72","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14555 by Humza Yousaf on 10 May 2013, for what reasons ministers have not set limits on the topics that can be discussed with ministers and officials from the Government of Argentina.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s International Framework provides a clear focus for international engagement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T14:59:32.873","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284799,"EventID":"S4W-15167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T14:59:33.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T12:06:08.92","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what site restoration arrangements are in place for opencast sites run by companies other than Scottish Coal.","AnswerText":"Planning permission from the planning authority is required before opencast coal operators can begin extracting coal. Neighbour notification and public advertisement of the application is normally part of the process to be followed.\r\nThe Restoration Bonds Working Group was established in August 2012 to look into alternative options for restoration of sites in future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T14:59:33.233","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284800,"EventID":"S4W-15168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T14:59:33.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T12:36:27.453","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the final Electricity Generation Policy Statement.    \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government intend to publish a finalised Electricity Generation Policy Statement (EGPS) in 2013 to reflect consultation responses and contextual changes since the draft EGPS was published for consultation in 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T14:59:33.543","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284801,"EventID":"S4W-15169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T14:59:34.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T12:36:27.453","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that carbon capture and storage is rolled out according to the schedule on page 75 of Low Carbon Scotland: Meeting our Emissions Reduction Targets 2013-2027, the Draft Second Report on Proposals and Policies.","AnswerText":"The Draft Second Report on Proposals and Policies presents emissions and generating capacity based on a plausible generation scenario in Scotland to 2027. This scenario is based on a range of factors, including credible assumptions about: thermal plant extension, build and closure dates: average annual running times and the development and deployment of carbon capture and storage. The scenario presented is not definitive and is designed to give an indication of emissions from the sector by varying the amount of coal, gas and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) on the system.\r\nThe principal mechanism for incentivising CCS in the UK is through the DECC CCS Commercialisation Programme Competition and we welcome the fact that the Peterhead CCS Project is a preferred bidder. However, for projects such as the Captain Clean Energy Project and others outside of the Competition process, an adequate CCS-related Contract for Difference through the Electricity Market Reform (EMR) process will be crucial to ensure their economic viability. This is the only way in which a vibrant CCS industry will be created in the UK and we will continue to work with UK Government to ensure this vital issue is properly reflected in the EMR process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T14:59:34.323","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284823,"EventID":"S4W-15026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T16:54:05.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:05:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that requests for information in support of a work capability assessment by (a) the Department of Work and Pensions, (b) ATOS and (c) Salus are responded to timeously and without charge in accordance with the General Medical Services contract.","AnswerText":"Provision of information to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by a GP in relation to Work Capability Assessments (WCA) is not covered by the General Medical Services (GMS) contract but through separate contractual arrangements.\r\nThe GMS contract is not the primary contractual route for the provision of information to the DWP, or its contractors, by GPs in respect of welfare benefits. Where it is, GPs are not permitted to charge patients.\r\nContractual arrangements between the DWP and GPs in respect of welfare benefits are issues reserved to the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T16:54:05.45","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284824,"EventID":"S4W-15027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T16:54:06.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:05:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers the General Medical Services contract to be fit for purpose in respect of the interaction between GPs and the benefits system.","AnswerText":"GPs, through the UK negotiated General Medical Services (GMS) contract are statutorily required to provide certain medical certificates which include certificates such as the Med 3 and the statements contained in the Personal Independence payment and Attendance Allowance claim pack.\r\nProvision by GPs of medical information via factual reports to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in support of benefit applications are usually paid for by a private arrangement with DWP under legislation reserved to the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T16:54:06.047","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284825,"EventID":"S4W-15028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T16:54:06.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:05:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding the effectiveness of the General Medical Services contract in relation to welfare reform.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not made any representation to the UK Government regarding the effectiveness of the GMS contract in relation to welfare reform.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T16:54:06.637","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284826,"EventID":"S4W-15029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T16:54:07.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:05:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the Department of Work and Pensions, (b) ATOS, (c) Salus, (d) NHS boards, (e) BMA Scotland, (f) representatives of disabled people and (g) GPs at the Deep End regarding the effectiveness of the General Medical Services contract in relation to welfare reform.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with any organisations regarding the effectiveness of the GMS contract in relation to welfare reform.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T16:54:07.22","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284827,"EventID":"S4W-15030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T16:54:07.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:05:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the Welsh Assembly Government, (b) the Northern Ireland Executive and (c) COSLA in relation to the General Medical Services contract and welfare reform.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with the Devolved Administrations or COSLA in relation to the GMS contract and welfare reform.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T16:54:07.83","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284828,"EventID":"S4W-15031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T16:54:08.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-15T12:05:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of GPs in (a) each NHS board area and (b) Scotland is contracted for NHS work under (i) the General Medical Services contract, (ii) a variation of the General Medical Services contract or (iii) an arrangement other than the General Medical Services contract.","AnswerText":"Figures showing the number of GPs contracted to work in Scottish General Medical Practices, broken down by NHS board and practice contract type, can be found in Table 1.\r\nTable 1 – The number of GPs contracted to work in Scottish General Practices, broken down by NHS board and practice contract type at 1 April 2013\r\nNHS Board Area\r\n17J (Old GMS)\r\n17C (Old PMS)\r\n2c and Admin\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n269\r\n46\r\n -\r\nBorders\r\n103\r\n11\r\n-\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n144\r\n7\r\n-\r\nFife\r\n229\r\n30\r\n6\r\nForth Valley\r\n228\r\n22\r\n5\r\nGrampian\r\n426\r\n80\r\n38\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n1,012\r\n45\r\n11\r\nHighland\r\n370\r\n4\r\n23\r\nLanarkshire\r\n375\r\n27\r\n4\r\nLothian\r\n644\r\n154\r\n22\r\nOrkney\r\n18\r\n3\r\n6\r\nShetland\r\n\r\n16\r\n13\r\nTayside\r\n378\r\n2\r\n4\r\nWestern Isles\r\n11\r\n25\r\n-\r\nScotland\r\n4,173\r\n470\r\n121\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T16:54:08.4","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284829,"EventID":"S4W-15170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T16:54:08.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T12:37:54.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that a UK emissions performance standard of 450g CO2/kWh will (a) not create incentives that will lead to investment being diverted from renewables to gas and (b) adequately incentivise the development of carbon capture and storage in Scotland.","AnswerText":"To meet Scotland’s future energy needs, some form of electricity generation from thermal plant is required as part of a balanced generation mix. As set out in our recent draft second Climate Change Report on Proposals and Policies, our indicative electricity generation scenario beyond 2020 assumes new gas plant being built in Scotland, progressively fitted with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).\r\nOur target of delivering the equivalent of at least 100% of gross electricity consumption from renewables by 2020 together with the levels of support we have introduced through the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) sends a clear and strong investment signal to renewable generators in Scotland. Under Electricity Market Reform proposals, the introduction of Contracts for Difference will incentivise low carbon technologies, including renewables, and we remain committed to ensuring that investment in renewables continues in order to achieve our 100% target.\r\nWhile the Emissions Performance Standard is a useful regulatory tool, the deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage at commercial scale will largely be driven by the carbon price floor, support through Contracts for Difference and by the UK’s CCS Commercialisation Programme Competition. The Carbon Capture and Storage Association agree these are the key mechanisms by which CCS will be incentivised.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T16:54:08.977","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284830,"EventID":"S4W-15172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T16:54:09.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T13:55:22.92","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what parts of Scotland will be served by the proposed justice centres in (a) the Borders, (b) Fife, (c) Lanarkshire and (d) the Highlands and what discussions it has had with the Scottish Court Service on (i) the timetable for completion of these centres and (ii) their impact on the existing court estate.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Court Service (SCS) stated in its response to their consultation paper “Shaping Scotland’s Court Services” that their longer term vision for the courts service in Scotland includes the development of Justice Centres in key strategic population centres, including the Borders, Fife, Lanarkshire and the Highlands. They envisage that these centres will provide a full range of specialist support services and will complement the high quality courts which exist in many of Scotland’s cities.\r\nThe Chief Executive of the SCS has stated that they will be undertaking feasibility studies in these four locations. The purpose of these studies will be to identify the best configuration of courts in those areas. Further details about justice centres are a matter for the SCS and this process is at a very early stage and is a long term plan.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to reform of our justice system and any future proposals would need to go through the relevant processes, including through Parliament if any changes were to be made to court locations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T16:54:09.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284831,"EventID":"S4W-15173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T16:54:10.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T15:06:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which regulatory bodies would (a) cease and (b) continue to operate in an independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"Under our proposals, a combined economic and competition regulator would carry out the functions of Ofcom, Ofgem, the Office of the Rail Regulator, and the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, as well as the functions of the Office of Fair Trading and the Competition Commission.\r\nAn independent Scotland would have to deliver the functions of the existing bodies and will ensure it has the additional resources to do so, including the necessary staff. The details of that will depend on a number of factors which are currently under active consideration, including the final composition and remit of the proposed combined Economic and Competition Regulator for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T16:54:10.367","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284832,"EventID":"S4W-15174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T16:54:10.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T15:06:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its paper on consumer representation in an independent Scotland referred to on page 3 of the publication, Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish a range of material to inform the choice that the people of Scotland will make between now and September 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T16:54:10.677","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284833,"EventID":"S4W-15175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T16:54:10.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T15:06:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many more staff an independent Scotland would recruit than are currently employed to deliver economic regulation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to the question S4W-15173 on 3 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T16:54:10.983","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284834,"EventID":"S4W-15176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-21T16:54:11.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T16:24:42.217","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, at his recent meeting with the Qatari culture minister, the Minister for External Affairs and International Development raised the issue of Qatar’s reported (a) support for the Muslim Brotherhood and (b) denial of women’s rights.\r\n","AnswerText":"I met with HE Dr Hamad Bin Abdulaziz, Minister for Culture, Arts and Heritage whilst in Qatar to attend the Doha Forum on 21 May 2013. The meeting was an introductory meeting to build a relationship with the Minister and provide me with the opportunity to discuss Scotland’s cultural offering to the Qatar/UK Year of Culture. The issue of Qatar’s (a) support for the Muslim Brotherhood and (b) denial of women’s rights were not discussed at our meeting. However, where and when appropriate ministers raised human rights issues. The issue of human rights, inclusion of minorities and, in particular, the role of women was included in my speech which I delivered at the Doha Forum on 21 May 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-06T16:54:11.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284843,"EventID":"S4W-15156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T13:52:43.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T10:31:07.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the benefits are of general practices having attached alcohol workers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The biggest advantage to an attached alcohol (or any other) worker is the potential for easier communication/access to the specialist support and that would be based on the relationship developed between the GP and worker, but it is not necessary to have an attached worker to have a good working relationship.\r\nGPs use their professional judgement to work with their patients to agree the best and most appropriate care and treatment to support an individual’s recovery. This may involve drug or alcohol treatment, or referral of the patient to specialist services. Recovery from drug and alcohol addiction requires a collaborative approach that is not exclusive to general practice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T13:52:43.627","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284844,"EventID":"S4W-15157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T13:52:44.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T10:31:07.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports GPs in deprived areas in treating patients who are addicted to alcohol.\r\n","AnswerText":"Alcohol Brief Interventions (ABIs) are part of our wider strategic approach to tackling alcohol. Our record investments are helping to fund early intervention services so we can address hazardous or harmful drinking habits before serious health problems, or other problems, develop.\r\nThe HEAT standard for 2012-13 states that NHS boards and Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) will sustain and embed ABIs in the three priority settings (primary care, accident and emergency, antenatal). In addition, they will continue to develop delivery of ABIs in wider settings. The majority of ABIs are delivered in Primary Care settings through Local Enhanced Service arrangements with GP Practices.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T13:52:44.313","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284845,"EventID":"S4W-15177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1742,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T13:52:44.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T16:51:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it keeps under review matters arising from flooding incidents in Fife.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the misery and distress flooding can bring. That is why my officials remain in regular contact with officials from local authorities across Scotland via the various stakeholder groups established to assist with the implementation of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, as well as through the local authority SCOTS flood risk management group.\r\nWhere flooding events do happen, the Scottish Government would be in contact with responders, such as Fife Council, to understand the nature of the impact, and would ask to be kept informed of any flood risk management work that was planned as a result of the incident.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T13:52:44.81","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284846,"EventID":"S4W-15178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T13:52:45.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T17:16:36.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has organised consultative (a) events and (b) processes regarding the setting up of a Scottish rural parliament and, if so, when and where they have taken place; how much it has spent on them; what the conclusions were and whether they will be published, and what action the Scottish Government has taken as a result.\r\n","AnswerText":"Over the last 18 months a Rural Parliament Steering Committee has undertaken an intensive programme of fact finding, consultation, engagement and discussion with support from the Scottish Government of under £40,000.\r\nOutputs have included:\r\nA Report on Rural Parliaments in Europe published in January 2012.\r\nA Briefing paper on a Rural Parliament for Scotland published in May 2012.\r\nA Rural Parliament Seminar involving 100 people from a wide range of rural sectors and interests held in May 2012.\r\nA Rural Parliament Survey published in August 2012.\r\nA Report on Identifying Next Steps for Scotland’s Rural Parliament published in August 2012.\r\nA Stakeholder Workshop on a Rural Parliament for Scotland held in August 2012.\r\nA Report on attendance at Swedish Rural Parliament by Scottish delegation in September 2012.\r\nAll outputs are available on the Scottish National Rural Network website:\r\nhttps://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/en/rural-parliament\r\nMinisters are currently considering a proposal for next steps from the Steering Group.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T13:52:45.153","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284847,"EventID":"S4W-15182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T13:52:45.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T17:29:25.79","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice was provided by its economists as referred to in paragraph 4.3 of Shaping Scotland's Court Services: The Scottish Court Service Response to the consultation and recommendations for a future court structure in Scotland and whether it will publish it before the Justice Committee considers the subordinate legislation concerning court closures.","AnswerText":"The advice provided to the Scottish Court Service by Scottish Government economists is set out in Chapter 7 of the consultation paper Shaping Scotland’s Court Services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T13:52:45.45","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284848,"EventID":"S4W-15183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T13:52:45.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T19:35:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what  the benefits are of diagnosing and treating familial hypercholesterolaemia.\r\n","AnswerText":"We want people with familial hypercholesterolaemia to get swiftly diagnosed and access to appropriate treatment as quickly as possible. Significant reductions in morbidity and mortality associated with the disease can be achieved through simple changes in lifestyle and the use of statins to lower cholesterol.\r\nPeople receiving treatment for Familial Hypercholesterolaemia will benefit from a better quality of life as well as well as an increased life expectancy.\r\nWe recognise that treatment and management of the condition through lifestyle changes and statins is potentially less expensive when compared to the potential costs of hospital admission, disabilities arising from complications and social care costs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T13:52:45.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284849,"EventID":"S4W-15184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T13:52:46.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T19:35:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the proportion of people diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolaemia in Scotland compares with those diagnosed in the Netherlands.","AnswerText":"The data available does not allow a direct comparison between the proportion of people diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolaemia in Scotland with those in the Netherlands. There is no central register of patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T13:52:46.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284850,"EventID":"S4W-15185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T13:52:46.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T19:35:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what initiatives it is undertaking to increase the number of people with familial hypercholesterolaemia who are diagnosed and treated.","AnswerText":"The clinical standards for heart disease, which were published in April 2010 state that individuals who are relatives of patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia should be identified through cascade testing and managed in line with current national guidelines.\r\nWe expect NHS boards to provide services that meet these standards, which will ensure that all family members of someone diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolaemia are screened.\r\nThe National Advisory Committee on Heart Disease (NACHD) will review the issue of familial hypercholesterolaemia at its next meeting.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T13:52:46.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284851,"EventID":"S4W-15186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T13:52:47.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T11:50:14.043","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the modelling of the impact of a 3% reduction in corporation tax referred to on page 39 of its publication, Scotland’s Economy: the case for independence, has been conducted recently to reflect the change in the expected UK corporation tax rate since the modelling was carried out in 2011.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers to question S4W-15187 on 3 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T13:52:47.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284852,"EventID":"S4W-15187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T13:52:47.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T11:50:14.043","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre details of its modelling of the impact of a 3% reduction in corporation tax (a) in relation to a reduction from 20% to 17% and (b) for a reduction from 23% to 20% as laid out in the report, Devolving Corporation tax in the Scotland Bill.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government conducted modelling work in 2011 looking at the impacts of a policy equivalent to reducing the main rate of corporation tax in Scotland from 23% to 20%. The detailed results of the modelling are outlined in a document entitled, The Impact of a Reduction in Corporation Tax on the Scottish Economy which was published in November 2011. The report is available on the Scottish Government website and can be accessed using the link below: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0038/00388940.pdf \r\nThe results published in the above report focus on a relative advantage that could result from the reduction in the main rate and can be used to give an indication of the impacts of a broadly equivalent reduction which would yield largely similar results. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T13:52:47.633","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284867,"EventID":"S4W-15200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1841,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":120,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:01:23.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T13:47:28.62","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its review of the European public procurement directive and what implications the directive might have on the introduction of the proposed procurement reform bill.\r\n","AnswerText":"The timetable for agreement of a revised European Procurement Directive has slipped from December 2012 to what is now expected to be autumn of this year at the earliest. The revised Directive is the subject of on-going negotiations between the Presidency, European Commission and European Parliament and we are expecting there to be significant progress in drafting the Directive over the coming months.\r\nThe Procurement Reform Bill is a central element of our continued reform of public procurement in Scotland. For obvious reasons this Bill needs to be framed within the EU procurement law that is currently under review and it was clear from the debate on the Bill on 17 April that we need to be able to take advantage of any additional flexibility that the new Directive might offer in framing our approach to procurement in Scotland.\r\nReluctantly, therefore, we have decided that it would be prudent to defer the introduction of our Procurement Reform Bill until after the summer recess, to allow us to take stock of any further developments in Europe.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:01:23.453","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284868,"EventID":"S4O-02165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:07.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:03:45.74","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of the findings of the Audit Scotland report, Managing early departures from the Scottish public sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:07.11","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284869,"EventID":"S4O-02166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1742,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:08.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:03:46.567","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how economic impact can be considered more fully in the planning system.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:08.17","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284870,"EventID":"S4O-02167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:08.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:03:46.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact has been of the 85% funding floor for local authorities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:08.653","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284871,"EventID":"S4O-02168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:08.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:03:47.053","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent work it has carried out in partnership with the Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:08.95","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284872,"EventID":"S4O-02169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:09.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T11:54:00.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth has had with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice regarding the allocation of Barnett consequentials to Police Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:09.213","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284873,"EventID":"S4O-02170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:09.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:03:47.54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to strengthen single outcome agreements as part of its response to the Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:09.48","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284874,"EventID":"S4O-02171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:10.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:03:47.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had since March 2013 with the 2 Sisters Food Group regarding the future of Vion Cambuslang.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:10.353","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284875,"EventID":"S4O-02172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:10.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T10:12:59.863","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the West Scotland region's economic input is to the oil and gas sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:10.667","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284876,"EventID":"S4O-02173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:10.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:03:48.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote hydrogen as a means of storing and distributing energy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:10.963","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284877,"EventID":"S4O-02174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:11.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:03:48.733","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth had with his ministerial colleagues prior to allocating the most recent round of Barnet consequentials.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:11.227","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284878,"EventID":"S4O-02175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:11.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T17:02:12.733","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the average household has saved since the introduction of the council tax freeze.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:11.6","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284879,"EventID":"S4O-02176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:12.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:03:49.563","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the banking sector regarding help for small businesses.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:12.053","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284880,"EventID":"S4O-02177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:12.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:03:49.787","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding raised by the public health supplement has been allocated to preventative spend initiatives.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:12.367","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284881,"EventID":"S4O-02178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:12.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:03:49.977","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met North Lanarkshire Council and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:12.647","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284882,"EventID":"S4O-02179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:12.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T10:16:46.86","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support businesses in the Western Isles.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:12.897","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284883,"EventID":"S4O-02180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:13.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:03:50.497","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth has done to encourage economic development in Inverclyde since his visit to the area in August 2012.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to working with our partners to increase sustainable economic activity across all regions of Scotland, including Inverclyde and we will use all available levers to support opportunities to increase economic activity and growth.\r\nWe continue to support Riverside Inverclyde Urban Regeneration Company (URC) and Inverclyde Council to take their plans forward for the benefit of the people and communities across the area, having already committed grant funding for the URC of £1.5 million in 2013-14. We are in discussions with COSLA over core funding for 2014-15 and 2015-16 and have also provided the URC with accelerated funding of £2.4 million for a number of ‘shovel ready’ projects in the Inverclyde area These projects will improve the environment, improve employability in the area, safeguard existing jobs and create jobs in construction.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:13.253","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284884,"EventID":"S4O-02181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:14.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:03:51.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the economic benefits are of the Energy Skills Scotland project at Robert Gordon University.\r\n","AnswerText":"We want more women, young people and mid-career professionals to work in the energy sector in Scotland.\r\nBased at Robert Gordon University, Energy Skills Scotland will provide an important gateway for employers into the education and skills sector, and will work with employers in identifying and addressing the skills needs of the energy sector. An extra £6.5 million has been provided for these purposes.\r\nThis major enhancement to existing skills activity will ensure that we have the capacity and capability in a diverse skilled, productive and engaged workforce required to maximise opportunities to strengthen Scotland’s overall ambition as a major centre for energy activity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:14.52","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284885,"EventID":"S4O-02182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:14.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:03:51.193","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of how much tax revenue from North Sea oil an independent Scotland could raise between 2015 and 2020.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published an Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin in March which forecast that oil and gas production in the Scottish North Sea could generate between £41 and £57 billion in tax revenue in the six years to 2017-18.\r\nWith up to 24 billion barrels remaining, it is clear that the industry will be a significant source of tax revenue for an independent Scotland for decades to come.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:14.847","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284886,"EventID":"S4O-02183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:15.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T14:56:37.74","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth last met Scotland Excel and what matters were discussed. \r\n","AnswerText":"Deputy First Minister, as chair of the Public Procurement Reform Board, last met with sectoral representatives including the Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Council on Tuesday 28 May 2013. Topics covered included the Review of Procurement in Construction and the Procurement Reform Bill.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:15.797","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284887,"EventID":"S4O-02184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:16.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T09:38:45.963","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it and Scottish Development International give to the financial services sector in Central Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Development International provides a wide range of support services to financial services businesses. This can include advice, access to specialist expertise, business mentoring and development, market information, financial assistance, business location information, investor aftercare and specific services covering each phase of international trade activity. It offers companies operating internationally a one stop shop approach to the services offered in Scotland.\r\nScottish Government ministers and officials also meet regularly with financial services representatives to discuss matters of mutual interest, including through the Financial Services Advisory Board.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:16.173","MeetingDate":"2013-05-29T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284888,"EventID":"S4O-02185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:16.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:04:21.243","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to minimise the negative economic impact on farmers and crofters of the presence of large numbers of geese in the Outer and Inner Hebrides and the Northern Isles.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:16.53","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284889,"EventID":"S4O-02186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:16.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:04:22.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what benefits would accrue to Edinburgh as the capital city as a result of Scottish independence.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:16.86","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284890,"EventID":"S4O-02187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:17.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T10:09:16.797","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Lothian.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:17.123","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284891,"EventID":"S4O-02188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:18.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T11:33:57.623","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that public procurement contracts are open to small and micro businesses.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:18.123","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284892,"EventID":"S4O-02189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:18.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:04:23.373","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reasons are for the reported sharp decline in North Sea prawn landings.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:18.387","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284893,"EventID":"S4O-02190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:18.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:04:23.64","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it provides to the independent television production sector in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:18.747","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284894,"EventID":"S4O-02192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:19.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T13:02:20.643","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a group B streptococcus screening programme for pregnant women.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:19.2","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284895,"EventID":"S4O-02193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:19.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T17:15:13.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Scottish Natural Heritage regarding the impact of greylag geese on agricultural land and the possibility of introducing a mechanism for the sale of greylag geese.\r\n","AnswerText":"My officials have had extensive discussions with Scottish Natural Heritage and with stakeholders represented on the National Goose Management Review Group regarding the impact of greylag geese on agricultural land and possible solutions to limiting their impact on certain Scottish islands, including the trialling of adaptive management techniques.\r\nAt the request of farmers on Orkney, Scottish Natural Heritage is working on the development of a scheme to permit the limited sale of wild goose carcases under licence, provided an effective and proportionate system of identification and control can be established.\r\nWe are required to consult with the European Commission before putting any such scheme into practice and we intend to start those consultations very shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:19.683","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284896,"EventID":"S4O-02194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T14:03:20.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-20T12:04:25.933","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on delivering IVF treatment locally for NHS Ayrshire and Arran patients.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T14:03:20.307","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284897,"EventID":"S4W-15188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:34.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T13:34:56.087","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the reported statement by the Minister for External Affairs and International Development at the Doha Forum on 21 May 2013 that “even at the moment, the United Kingdom Government is wanting the UK to leave the European Union” reflects the Scottish Government's understanding of the policy of the UK Government and what it considers the impact is of this statement on Scotland's international reputation, given that it is not the UK Government’s position.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s policy is that Scotland should remain part of the European Union, given the benefits of free movement and access to a single market covering more than 500 million fellow European citizens and around 20 million businesses. That position will be best secured as an independent member of the EU, given the proposal by the Prime Minister to hold an in-out referendum on the UK’s continued membership and the stated position of senior UK Government cabinet ministers that they would vote in that referendum to leave the EU.\r\nIn terms of Scotland’s international reputation, Scottish Ministers believe our nation’s standing will be massively enhanced by independence, allowing us to speak with our own voice and properly represent the interests of the people of Scotland on the European and wider international stage.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:34.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284898,"EventID":"S4W-15190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:34.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T13:42:27.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it responds to questions posed to it via Twitter and other social media.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the opportunities offered by social media and its important role in helping to communicate the government’s purpose. The Scottish Government does not routinely reply to questions posed on our main social media profiles. However, a number of policy areas have their own accounts where they do engage directly with the online community.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:34.66","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284899,"EventID":"S4W-15191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:34.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T13:42:27.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the transportation of radioactive waste by rail.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects any transportation of radioactive waste and nuclear material to be done in a safe and secure manner, and in full compliance with the strict national and international regulations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:34.927","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284900,"EventID":"S4W-15192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:35.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T13:42:27.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the possible environmental impact, what discussions it has had with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority since December 2012 regarding the transportation of nuclear fuel by rail; who participated, and what the outcome was.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials have regular discussions with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and UK Government on performance against the NDA activities set out in their annual business plan. The Scottish Government supports the NDA activity to complete the delivery of nuclear fuel shipments to Sellafield. This activity will progress the decommissioning programme at Dounreay and help the NDA safely and securely manage its nuclear material. The Scottish Government also welcomes steps taken by the NDA to engage effectively with stakeholders including local authorities and communities in Scotland in the lead-up to this work being undertaken.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:35.193","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284901,"EventID":"S4W-15193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:35.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T13:42:27.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the possible environmental impact, what discussions it has had with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) regarding material at Dounreay described as exotics in the NDA’s strategy document.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government notes that the NDA published, on 21 February 2013, its preferred option to transport Dounreay exotics to Sellafield. Scottish Government officials will continue to have regular discussions with the NDA about the progress of these proposals and seek assurances that the NDA continues to engage effectively with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:35.44","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284902,"EventID":"S4W-15194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:35.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T13:42:27.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has provided any funding to Direct Rail Services Ltd since 1999.\r\n","AnswerText":"Since 1999, the Scottish Government has paid revenue mode-shift freight grants totalling £1,767,488 to Direct Rail Services Ltd. These grant payments were made to enable the company to transfer commercial freight from road to rail on a number of rail services operating in Scotland, as well as some services between Scotland and England, in which circumstances costs were shared with the Department for Transport.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:35.69","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284903,"EventID":"S4W-15195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:35.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T13:42:27.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the possible environmental impact,  what discussions it has had since December 2012 with the UK Government regarding the transportation of nuclear fuel from Dounreay to Cumbria; who participated, and what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15192 on 6 June 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:35.957","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284904,"EventID":"S4W-15196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:36.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T13:42:27.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the possible environmental impact, what its position is on the Nuclear Decommission Authority's statement in its letter to John Finnie dated 21 May 2013 regarding shipments of nuclear fuel by rail from Dounreay to Cumbria that “There are no plans to carry out a consultation exercise with specific communities along the route from Caithness to Cumbria.”\r\n","AnswerText":"Nuclear material is transported by rail in dedicated flasks with exceptional crashworthiness and has been safely and continuously transported on a daily basis for over forty years without incident. The process and procedures for rail movements of nuclear materials are common across the whole of the U.K., and this route has been used previously for the movement of radioactive material.\r\nIt is the responsibility of the NDA and their rail contractor Direct Rail Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary, to ensure safe transportation of nuclear materials from Caithness to Cumbria.\r\nIn February 2012, the NDA issued a ‘credible options’ consultation paper, which noted the environmental aspects of each of the options for processing the remainder of the stock at Dounreay. Various stakeholder groups, including local authorities in the vicinity of both Dounreay and Sellafield, and the Dounreay Stakeholder Group, were involved in the consultation. The preferred option was published in February 2013, namely the movement of the materials to Sellafield for long term management.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:36.207","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284905,"EventID":"S4W-15197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:36.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T13:42:27.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it maintains details of companies based in Scotland that are involved in research into, development or manufacture of armaments. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not maintain a central list of companies based in Scotland involved in research into, development or manufacture of armaments. Similarly, our enterprise agencies, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, do not maintain details of companies based in Scotland that are specifically involved in research into, development or manufacturing of armaments. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:36.47","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284906,"EventID":"S4W-15198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:36.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T13:42:27.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it provides funding to any company involved in the research, development or manufacture of arms in Scotland and, if so, what companies and how much.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15197 on 16 July 2013, we do not maintain details of companies based in Scotland that are specifically involved in research into development of or manufacturing of armaments.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:36.72","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284907,"EventID":"S4W-15199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:36.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T13:42:27.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11963 by Nicola Sturgeon on 22 January 2013, whether it has had discussions with HM Revenue and Customs in relation to corporate tax avoidance or evasion and, if so, what the outcomes were.","AnswerText":"Combating corporate tax avoidance and evasion is under present constitutional arrangements a reserved matter. However my colleagues and I have made clear that we take tackling tax avoidance, including corporate tax avoidance, very seriously.\r\nIn relation to the limited tax powers available under the Scotland Act, we have already consulted on a Scottish approach to tax avoidance, including a General Anti-Avoidance Rule. We will be bringing forward proposals in a Tax Management Bill later this year designed to combat avoidance of devolved taxes and to provide a framework for tackling avoidance more widely.\r\nAgreed international action is the most effective way of tackling tax avoidance by multinationals corporations. An independent Scotland would play its full part in working with other countries through established international fora.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:36.97","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284908,"EventID":"S4W-15206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:37.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T15:23:48.103","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government where each SQA Higher Grade foreign language course has ranked on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"SQA Modern Language Higher Qualifications are not officially benchmarked on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching and Assessment (CEFR).\r\nHowever, the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), on which the SQA qualifications are levelled, has been benchmarked against the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). In addition, some work has been carried out to benchmark the CEFR, which is a sectoral framework with the EQF. On this basis, Scottish Higher qualifications broadly equate to B1/B2 (independent user) level on the CEFR.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:37.237","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284909,"EventID":"S4W-15207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:37.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T14:27:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of what support is available via local authority discretionary housing payments for social tenants affected by the under-occupancy charge.","AnswerText":"The UK Government has allocated £10 million to Scottish local authorities for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) for 2013-14, constituting 6.5% of the total GB allocation. This is intended to cover reforms to housing benefit in the private and social rented sectors.\r\nOur analysis indicates that this will be insufficient to deal with what DWP terms “hard cases” arising from housing benefit reform. For example, 79% of households affected by the under occupancy charge contain an adult with a recognised disability. Our analysis is available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/supply-demand/chma/Benefitchanges.\r\nIn addition the Scottish Government, COSLA and the Association of Local Authority Housing Officers have jointly developed a questionnaire for local authorities to help assess the on-going stress impact of housing benefit changes on local authorities and Registered Social Landlords. This incorporates questions on DHPs and was issued on 24 May 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:37.533","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284910,"EventID":"S4W-15208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:37.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T14:27:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities have increased their funding for discretionary housing payments to the maximum level of 2.5 times the contribution from the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. However, the questionnaire for local authorities jointly developed by the Scottish Government, COSLA and the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers, issued on 24 May 2013, includes a question on whether the local authority has added additional funds to its Discretionary Housing Payment budget.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:37.813","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284911,"EventID":"S4W-15209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-22T16:59:38.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T14:27:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is helping local authorities to maximise the budgets available for discretionary housing payments.\r\n","AnswerText":"The level of Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) budgets is a matter for the Department of Work and Pensions and local authorities. Scottish Ministers have consistently pressed the UK Government to increase the DHP allocation for Scotland and will continue to do so.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-07T16:59:38.077","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284925,"EventID":"S4W-15158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T14:16:28.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-21T10:44:09.523","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many abandoned opencast sites there are; how much it would cost to carry out a full environmental restoration of them, and whether it has contingencies in place to fund such restorations.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2012 provides information on previous uses:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/01/2295/7#tb11. \r\nThe site register: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Planning/Site-Register \r\nprovides information on previous uses marked “Mineral activity – Coal” but these may include bings or other land at former deep coal mine sites as well as opencast sites.\r\nIt is understood that the liquidators for Scottish Resources Group and ATH/Aardvark have issued disclaimers for a number of their sites. The effect of these disclaimers is not yet clear. The liquidators are continuing to carry out essential work on most of the sites – i.e. they have not yet been abandoned. Precise information on how many abandoned sites is not therefore held centrally by Scottish Government. \r\nThe full costs of environmental restoration would depend on the implementation of the permitted restoration plans, any consented or pending variations thereto and the value of any restoration bond.\r\nScottish Environmental; Protection Agency is currently inspecting the sites to identify any short to medium term environmental problems. The new Scottish Mines Restoration Trust will engage with local councils, landowners, and coal operators to ensure the best possible outcome for local communities and the effective restoration of old open cast mines.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T14:16:29.06","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284926,"EventID":"S4W-15201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T14:16:29.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T13:56:47.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the employment of young people with learning disabilities and other additional support requirements in supported businesses and how this will be affected by the forthcoming learning disability strategy.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that staying in learning post-school is the best way for all young people to develop the skills and knowledge that they need to compete in the world of work wherever possible. Through opportunities for all, every 16-19 year old in Scotland who is not currently in employment, education or training will be offered a place in learning or training should they want it.\r\nIt is our ambition that, with the right support, young people with learning disabilities who want to work, are able to find work in mainstream employment, suitable to their skills. Supported employment, where disabled people learn on the job, with support from colleagues and a job coach can play an important role in this. Local authorities across Scotland offer supported employment services to all disabled people, including those with learning disabilities and additional support needs.\r\nThis government is currently providing funding to the Scottish consortium for learning disability to develop project search, an employability transition programme aiming to support young people with learning disabilities into sustainable employment. It is currently being developed in nine sites across eight local authority areas in Scotland with more sites coming on board this year.\r\nWe believe that supported business has a valuable role to play and that they should increasingly be used as a stepping stone towards mainstream employment. The findings of an independent review of Scotland’s supported businesses, commissioned by Scottish Government, will help to strengthen the long term viability of these businesses and make them become more attractive to young people with learning disabilities.\r\nOur new national learning disability strategy, The Keys to Life, will be launched on 13 June 2013. It will encourage that by 2018 the learning disability implementation group works with local authorities, NHS boards and third sector organisations to develop a range of supported employment opportunities and that those organisations should lead by example by employing more people with learning disabilities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T14:16:29.293","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284927,"EventID":"S4W-15202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T14:16:29.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T13:56:47.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minister for Youth Employment has visited the Engine Shed social enterprise in Edinburgh and, if so, what the minister said at the time.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Youth Employment visited the Engine Shed in Edinburgh on 26 April 2012, to hear more about its work from its chief executive and two of the young people in training there.\r\nThere is no record of what the minister specifically said during her visit.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T14:16:29.527","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284928,"EventID":"S4W-15223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T14:16:29.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T16:07:12.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on recommendation R9 of the Universities Scotland report, Taking Pride in the Job, that the Scottish Government should consider how it can encourage more employers to offer placements by, for example, covering salary costs and assisting with administration.\r\n","AnswerText":"We appreciate the efforts made by Universities Scotland to improve employability prospects for Scotland’s graduates and will follow with interest the outcome of the recommendations made in the report.\r\nThe Scottish Government already supports a number of paid placement opportunities for graduates. We are currently in discussions about how best to provide a coherent and consistent spread of placement opportunities to graduates and business going forward and will announce our plans once these discussions are concluded.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T14:16:29.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284929,"EventID":"S4W-15224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T14:16:30.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T16:07:12.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will fund the Education into Enterprise project beyond May 2013 and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Education into Enterprise project is funded by Scottish Funding Council (SFC). I have asked the SFC’s interim chief executive to write to you in connection with this matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T14:16:30.82","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284930,"EventID":"S4W-15225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T14:16:31.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T16:07:12.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will develop a student mobility strategy and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"Studying abroad can open up opportunities for any young person, whatever stage of life and education they are at, including the chance to learn another language, experience different cultures, traditions and develop broader perspectives. \r\nThe Scottish Government is supporting the NUS Scotland led Developing Scotland’s Global Citizens project which aims to increase awareness amongst school pupils and students of the availability and benefits of studying overseas; and gather evidence on mobility opportunities. We will build on the learning from this project to work with the sector to develop further strategic actions on outward mobility, and as we do so will continue to support both inward and outward student mobility through a number of schemes.\r\nIn terms of outward mobility we provide funding to the EU Lifelong Learning Programme and opportunities for Scottish students to experience studying overseas through schemes including the Study China and Study India programmes, and through the Scottish Government’s Outward Mobility Fund, and we are enabling Scottish students to undertake technical work placements abroad through the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience programme. In 2014-15 the Scottish Government will launch a pilot project offering funding for up to 250 Scottish domiciled students undertaking their undergraduate degree in the European Union. All of these initiatives support the development of students’ global skills.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T14:16:31.133","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284931,"EventID":"S4W-15226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T14:16:31.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T16:07:12.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to develop students’ global skills.\r\n","AnswerText":"All of our universities are engaged internationally, drawing on their own strengths and international relationships. Universities therefore provide students with opportunities for international engagement in Scotland and overseas. As autonomous institutions with responsibility for their own staffing, admissions, subject provision, curriculum and research it is entirely appropriate for Universities to promote and support the development of global skills. \r\nThe Scottish Government is also committed to supporting both inward and outward student mobility to contribute to the development of students’ global skills, through scholarships and study abroad schemes, and the NUS Scotland project “Developing Scotland’s Global Citizens”. In 2014-15 the Scottish Government will launch a pilot project offering funding for up to 250 Scottish domiciled students undertaking their undergraduate degree in the European Union.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T14:16:31.43","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284932,"EventID":"S4W-15227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T14:16:31.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T16:29:53.05","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what organisations have received funding from (a) the Malawi Development Fund and (b) the Malawi Development Programme in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following organisations have received funding through the Scottish Government International Development Fund as part of the Malawi Development Programme. This is shown by each funding round since 2005.\r\nMALAWI DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (2013-16)\r\nNHS Lothian\r\nMeningitis Research Foundation\r\nScotland Malawi Business Group\r\nJust Trading Scotland\r\nThe Global Concerns Trust\r\nScotland-Malawi Mental Health Education Project \r\nUniversity of Strathclyde \r\nMicroLoan Foundation UK \r\nOxfam Scotland\r\nNHS Lothian\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh\r\nConcern Worldwide\r\nChristian Aid, Scotland Office\r\nMary's Meals\r\nScottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF)\r\n\r\nMALAWI DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (2012-15)\r\n\r\nThe Co-operative College\r\nChristian Blind Mission\r\nChance for Change\r\nActive Learning Centre\r\nScotland Malawi Partnership\r\nImani Development\r\nInternational Resources and Recycling Institute \r\nOxfam Scotland \r\nScotland Malawi Business Group \r\nChallenges Worldwide\r\nVoluntary Service Overseas Scotland\r\nSue Ryder\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh, Global Health Academy \r\nUniversity of St Andrews \r\nUniversity of Dundee\r\nImpact, University of Aberdeen\r\nLink Community Development Scotland \r\nThe Healthy Lifestyle Project (North Lanarkshire Council)\r\nMary’s Meals\r\n\r\nMALAWI DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (2010-13)\r\nThe Active Learning Centre\r\nOpportunity International (UK)\r\nScottish CROP Research Institute\r\nTearfund Scotland\r\nChurch of Scotland \r\nUniversity of Edinburgh\r\nUniversity of Strathclyde\r\nWaverley Care\r\nScotland-Malawi Mental Health Education Project \r\nMary's Meals\r\nMacaulay Land Use Research Institute\r\nThe Active Learning Centre\r\nOxfam Scotland\r\nEurotalk Interactive\r\nVenture Trust Malawi\r\nScottish Agricultural College\r\nSense Scotland\r\nChristian Blind Mission\r\nNHS Tayside Emergency Medicine Service\r\nChristian Aid\r\nConcern Worldwide\r\nConcern Worldwide\r\nChallenges Worldwide\r\nThe Open University \r\nUniversity of Strathclyde\r\n\r\nMALAWI DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (2008-09)\r\nAdam Smith College\r\nSense Scotland\r\nUniversity of Strathclyde\r\nStirling University\r\nTearfund\r\nThe Healthy Lifestyle Project \r\nThe Church of Scotland World Mission\r\nAdvanced Life Support in Obstetrics Scotland\r\nChristian Blind Mission\r\n\r\nMALAWI DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (2008-11)\r\nUniversity of St Andrews\r\nMoffat Centre\r\nStenhouse Primary School, Edinburgh\r\nScotland Malawi Business Group\r\nImani Enterprise\r\nThe Global Concerns Trust\r\nEqual Exchange\r\nThe INSP Foundation\r\nScottish Agricultural College\r\nMalawi Tomorrow\r\nInverclyde Council Education Services\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh\r\nScottish International Relief\r\nScottish Churches World Exchange\r\nOpportunity International\r\nTearfund Scotland\r\nOxfam Scotland\r\nUniversity of Strathclyde\r\nMacaulay Land Use Research Institute\r\nScottish Police College\r\nDeaf Action\r\nLink Community Development Scotland\r\nConcern Worldwide\r\nThe Active Learning Centre\r\nChristian Aid\r\nUniversity of the West of Scotland\r\nChallenges Worldwide\r\nWaverley Care\r\nUniversity of Strathclyde\r\n\r\nMALAWI DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (2006-09)\r\nBell College, Hamilton\r\nChristian Blind Mission\r\nCommonwealth Local Government Forum\r\nConcern Worldwide\r\nDeaf Action\r\nDundee University School of Medicine \r\nEdinburgh University Learning Technology Section & NHS Education Scotland\r\nEqualexchange\r\nGlasgow City Council and The Raven Trust\r\nInstitute for International Health and Development, Queen Margaret College\r\nMalawi Tomorrow, Perkins Brailler Rehabilitation \r\nStenhouse Primary School, Edinburgh\r\nTearfund\r\nThe Scotland-Malawi Partnership\r\nWestgate Medical Centre, Dundee\r\nMalawi Institute of Tourism, Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism Business Development \r\nScottish Crop Research Institute (Neil Fisher)\r\nScottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF)\r\nScotland Malawi Partnership \r\nNIDOS \r\nAdam Smith College\r\nCivic Computing\r\nNational Library of Scotland \r\nStrathclyde University \r\nScotland Malawi Business Group \r\n\r\nMALAWI DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (2005-08)\r\nThe Active Learning Centre\r\nJosephine Munthali, Child Support Project –","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T14:16:31.71","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284933,"EventID":"S4W-15228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T14:16:31.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T16:30:17.423","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14730 by Aileen Campbell on 21 May 2013, which applicants to the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund have neither received an award nor been selected as strategic partners.","AnswerText":"In line with the approach the Scottish Government has taken with other funds, we do not intend to release details of organisations who were unsuccessful in their application to the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund and who are not in a Strategic Funding Partnership. Releasing this information could cause reputational damage which could discourage the organisations named, or other similar organisations, from applying for funding in future. This would constitute substantial prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T14:16:31.943","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284934,"EventID":"S4W-15229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T14:16:32.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T17:48:51.567","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a membership list for the Scottish Coal Industry Sector Taskforce and the criteria by which the members were chosen.\r\n","AnswerText":"A list of the members of the Scottish Coal Industry Taskforce is provided in the following table.\r\nNo formal selection criteria is in place. Initial membership was sought from all major political parties and focussed on those council areas most affected by the redundancies announced at SRG.\r\nThis approach was taken by myself after taking soundings from party leaders. There are four members each from the SNP and Labour and one from each of the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.\r\nThe membership of a Taskforce can vary as the group moves through different phases of work and others with skills relevant to a particular work stream become involved. Interested parties wishing to become members will be considered on an on-going basis. \r\nPresent Members\r\nFergus \r\nEwing\r\nTaskforce - Chair \r\nRussel \r\nGriggs \r\nTaskforce Co- Chair \r\nClaire \r\nBaker \r\nMSP\r\nAdam\r\nIngram \r\nMSP\r\nElaine\r\nMurray \r\nMSP\r\nAileen\r\nCampbell\r\nMSP\r\nWillie \r\nRennie\r\nMSP\r\nWillie\r\nCoffey \r\nMSP\r\nMurdo\r\nFraser \r\nMSP\r\nSandra\r\nOsborne\r\nMP\r\nCathy\r\nJamieson\r\nMP\r\nChris\r\nBryceland\r\nScottish Enterprise\r\nGordon \r\nMcGuiness\r\nSkills Development Scotland \r\nWilliam\r\nRamsay\r\nCOSA\r\nRonnie\r\nStewart\r\nUnite\r\nNicky \r\nWilson\r\nNUM \r\nStephen \r\nBoyd \r\nSTUC\r\nGrahame\r\nSmith\r\nSTUC\r\nColin \r\nMcDowall\r\nSouth Lanarkshire Council\r\nCllr Jim\r\nRoberts\r\nEast Ayrshire Council\r\nCllr Maureen\r\nMcKay\r\nEast Ayrshire Council\r\nAlex\r\nRowley\r\nFife Council\r\nDouglas\r\nReid\r\nEast Ayrshire Council\r\nShirley\r\nLinton\r\nNorth Lanarkshire Council\r\nFiona\r\nLees\r\nEast Ayrshire Council\r\nGavin \r\nStevenson\r\nDumfries & Galloway Council\r\nIan\r\nJohnson\r\nMidlothian Council\r\nJim\r\nBirrell\r\nFife Council\r\nSimon\r\nCooke\r\nThe Coal Authority\r\nDavid\r\nSkilling\r\nScotland Office\r\nDavid\r\nLeitch\r\nDECC UK Gov\r\nLin \r\nBunten\r\nSEPA\r\nJohn\r\nGlen \r\nBuccleuch Estates\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGeorge \r\nBurgess\r\nSG - SEPA Sponsor\r\nDavid \r\nWilson \r\nSG Energy\r\nAlan \r\nColeman\r\nSG - State Aid Unit\r\nMargaret \r\nSutor\r\nSG - PACE Team \r\nSteven\r\nMcMahon\r\nTransport Scotland \r\n\r\n\r\nSCOTTISH GOVERNMENT\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T14:16:32.163","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284935,"EventID":"S4W-15230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T14:16:32.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T10:02:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many non-emergency calls there have been to police forces in each month of 2013.","AnswerText":"Following the establishment of the new police landscape on 1 April 2013, the collection of these data is now a matter for the Police Service of Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government has not previously collected monthly data on police non-emergency calls, however, the latest annual data on police non-emergency calls is available in the Scottish Policing Performance Framework (SPPF) Annual Report 2011-12, which provides the number of calls between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012. This report, published in November 2012, was jointly produced by the Scottish Government and the Association of Chief Police Officers.\r\nThe equivalent SPPF Annual Report 2012-13, due for publication on 5 November 2013, will provide the total number of non-emergency calls between 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T14:16:32.443","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284936,"EventID":"S4W-15231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T14:16:32.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T11:07:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its capital spend has been in the (a) Edinburgh Pentlands, (b) Dundee City East and (c) Clackmannanshire and Dunblane constituency since 1999.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held by constituency.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T14:16:32.677","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284937,"EventID":"S4W-15232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T14:16:32.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T11:47:27.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the second round of data from the 2011 Scottish Census results, in relation to religion, will be released.","AnswerText":"Release two outputs from Scotland's Census, which will include statistics relating to religion are due to be published from late summer 2013. Detail about this release and further information is available from the National Records of Scotland publication: Scotland's Census 2011 Outputs Prospectus which can be found via: www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T14:16:32.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284966,"EventID":"S4W-15210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:29.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T15:57:37.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK and has a different immigration policy from the rest of the UK, whether it can guarantee that there will be no border controls between Scotland and England.","AnswerText":"An independent Scotland would implement its own immigration policies and negotiate to remain within the common travel area, maintaining an open border between Scotland and England. This would be a similar arrangement to that which already exists between the Republic of Ireland and the UK.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:30","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284967,"EventID":"S4W-15211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:31.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T15:57:37.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK, what guarantee it can provide that the number of Scottish students at Scottish universities will be maintained at the current level.","AnswerText":"We are confident that we can maintain free education for Scots residents and maintain the balance of students from within and outwith Scotland post-Independence. Scotland can and will maintain its distinctive approach. We will set out our own plans for higher education in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:31.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284968,"EventID":"S4W-15212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:31.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T15:57:37.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK, whether the cap on student numbers will be maintained at the current level.\r\n","AnswerText":"We are confident that we can maintain free education for Scots residents and maintain the balance of students from within and outwith Scotland post-Independence. Scotland can and will maintain its distinctive approach. We will set out our own plans for higher education in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:31.717","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284969,"EventID":"S4W-15213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:31.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T15:57:37.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many undergraduate students from (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland are enrolled at Scottish universities in 2012-13.","AnswerText":"The Higher Education Statistics Authority produces statistics for students in Higher Education Institutions. The latest data on students in Higher Education Institutions is for the academic year 2011-12. Information for 2012-13 will not be available until early 2014.\r\nThe following table shows the number of undergraduate students at Scottish Higher Education Institutions in 2011-12 whose pre-study domicile was England, Wales or Northern Ireland.\r\nUndergraduate students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland enrolled at Scottish Higher Education Institutions, 2011-12:\r\nDomicile\r\nNumber of students\r\nEngland\r\n       15,715 \r\nWales\r\n            445 \r\nNorthern Ireland\r\n         3,950 \r\nSource: Higher Education Statistics Authority\r\n1. The undergraduate figures in this table include students enrolled on first degree courses and those enrolled on sub-degree Higher Education courses\r\n2. Data rounded to the nearest 5\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:31.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284970,"EventID":"S4W-15214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:32.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T15:57:37.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK and is a member of the EU, whether students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland can be prevented from taking capped places at Scottish universities.","AnswerText":"We are confident that we can maintain free education for Scots residents and maintain the balance of students from within and outwith Scotland post-Independence. Scotland can and will maintain its distinctive approach. We will set out our own plans for higher education in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:32.247","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284971,"EventID":"S4W-15215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:32.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T15:57:37.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK, who will decide whether the terms of the negotiations with the UK Government are acceptable.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s paper on Choosing Scotland Future, published in August 2007 and available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/08/13103747/0, said in para 3.16 that issues to be negotiated:\r\n“are likely to be dealt with in an overall agreement between the United Kingdom Government and the Scottish Government, enshrined in legislation enacted at both Westminster and Holyrood, to allow both Parliaments the opportunity to consider and agree matters affecting both Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:32.48","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284972,"EventID":"S4W-15216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:32.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T15:57:37.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK, whether decisions on the terms of the separation made by politicians will be voted on by the Scottish electorate.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15215 on 13 June 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:32.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284973,"EventID":"S4W-15217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:32.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T15:57:37.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK, whether the people of Scotland will be given the right to vote on membership of the EU.\r\n","AnswerText":"Membership of the world’s largest single market is important to Scotland and is currently at threat due to the ill-judged stance being taken by the UK Prime Minister towards the UK’s relationship with the EU. The Scottish Government has no desire to leave the EU and independence will guarantee that Scotland is not dragged out unwillingly by this or any future UK Government. Future governments of an independent Scotland will of course be able to seek the views of the people of Scotland on a range of issues safe in the knowledge that the will of the Scottish people would be respected.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:32.963","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284974,"EventID":"S4W-15218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:33.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T15:57:37.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK and the rest of the UK leaves the EU, whether Scotland will continue to use the pound sterling.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government agrees with the Fiscal Commission Working Group that retaining Sterling, in a currency union with the rest of the UK is in the best interests of both Scotland and the rest of the UK. This would provide a workable currency from day one of independence as part of a strong overarching macroeconomic framework for Scotland post-independence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:33.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284975,"EventID":"S4W-15219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:33.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T15:57:37.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK, whether there will be a referendum on any future decision to join the euro.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government agrees with the Fiscal Commission Working Group that retaining Sterling, in a currency union with the rest of the UK is in the best interests of both Scotland and the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:33.447","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284976,"EventID":"S4W-15221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:33.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T15:57:37.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK, whether membership of the EU will be based on the terms of membership that currently apply to the UK.","AnswerText":"Scotland would enter negotiations with the EU as an existing part of the EU and with existing terms of membership as the basis for those negotiations. I refer the member to my speech on 26 February 2013 setting out the basis of Scotland’s continuing membership of the EU. The full text of the speech is available here:\r\nhttp://www.scotreferendum.com/2013/02/26/speech-to-european-policy-centre-in-brussels-26-february-2013/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:33.697","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284977,"EventID":"S4W-15222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:33.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-22T15:57:37.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK, whether any significant changes to the terms of membership of the EU will be subject to a referendum.\r\n","AnswerText":"Future Governments of an independent Scotland will be able to seek the views of the people of this country on a range of issues safe in the knowledge that the will of the Scottish people would be respected by a Scottish Parliament, with the full range of powers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:33.947","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284978,"EventID":"S4W-15233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:34.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T13:20:26.977","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) improvement and (b) condition notices have been issued in each NHS board area in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 54990).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:34.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284979,"EventID":"S4W-15234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:35.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T13:20:26.977","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many care services have been closed as a result of a failure to meet required standards in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The following table provides information on the number of cancellation of registration notices served by the Care Commission/Care Inspectorate to service providers in each of the last five years.\r\nYear\r\nNumber\r\n2008-09\r\n7\r\n2009-10\r\n4\r\n2010-11\r\n6\r\n2011-12\r\n1\r\n2012-13\r\n1 (one further decision to cancel registration currently subject to appeal)\r\nNotes:\r\nThe Care Inspectorate was established on 1 April 2011.\r\nThe closure of a service is a last resort and generally the Care Inspectorate tries to work with providers on required improvement actions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:35.193","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284980,"EventID":"S4W-15235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:35.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T13:20:26.977","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many care service registrations have been cancelled as a result of an application to a sheriff.","AnswerText":"The number of applications made to the sheriff by the Care Commission/Care Inspectorate for cancellation of registration, and granted, in each of the last five years, is as follows.\r\nYear\r\nMade\r\nGranted\r\n2008-09\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2009-10\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2010-11\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2011-12\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2012-13\r\n1\r\n0\r\nNotes:\r\nThese applications are rare as the statutory test is an onerous one - the application may not be granted unless the sheriff is satisfied that unless the order is made, there will be a serious risk to the life, health or wellbeing of persons.\r\nIt should also be noted that some care services have cancelled their registrations voluntarily when they became aware that the Care Inspectorate intended to apply to the sheriff for cancellation of their registration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:35.973","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284981,"EventID":"S4W-15236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:36.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T13:20:26.977","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether self-funding patients pay more for their care in publicly funded care homes than the fee paid by the local authority or NHS board for patients who do not pay for their care and, if so, for what reason.","AnswerText":"The amount paid by self-funding residents is a private matter between them and the care home provider irrespective of whether it is an independent or local authority care home.\r\nThe level of payment for an older person funded by a local authority in a care home in the independent sector is agreed annually between the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the independent sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:36.427","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284982,"EventID":"S4W-15237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:36.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T14:08:32.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Government what engineering companies or organisations the Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages was referring to in the news release of 21 May 2013, Scotland’s science leads the way.\r\n","AnswerText":"The article was not referring to any company or organisation in particular but was referring to Scotland’s strength as an engineering nation in general. A report compiled by Evidence Ltd. in 2009 rated Scotland as ‘strong’ in areas of clinical research, biological science, mathematics, physical science, medicine, social sciences and engineering.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:36.94","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284983,"EventID":"S4W-15238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:37.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T14:56:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government to what extent independence would give Scotland the ability to design and implement a tax system best suited to Scotland’s needs.","AnswerText":"This government believes that Scotland’s interests will best be served by all decisions affecting Scotland being made in Scotland. Taking full fiscal responsibility would allow this Parliament to legislate for and set all taxes in the interests of stimulating economic growth, supporting the public services of Scotland and building social cohesion. Decisions about what specific taxes to apply in an independent Scotland, and at what level, would be taken by the Scottish Parliament and government of the day.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:37.27","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284984,"EventID":"S4W-15239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:37.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T15:06:18.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of chicken used in school meals is sourced in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Procurement arrangements for school food are managed by local authorities themselves.\r\nThe Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007 requires Local Authorities to consider the principles of sustainable development, such as those set out in “Catering for Change – 2011”, when providing food or drink or catering services in schools. This will help to ensure that decisions about what food and drink to serve in schools will be influenced by good practice such as local food sourcing which can help to reduce food miles.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:37.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284985,"EventID":"S4W-15240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:37.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T15:06:18.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the countries of origin are of chicken used in school meals.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Procurement arrangements for school food are managed by local authorities themselves.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:37.8","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284986,"EventID":"S4W-15241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:37.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T15:06:18.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of chicken used in school meals is graded as class (a) A and (b) B under EC poultrymeat marketing standards.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Procurement arrangements for school food are managed by local authorities themselves.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:38.017","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284987,"EventID":"S4W-15242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:59:38.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T15:06:18.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of chicken used in school meals is free range and what proportion is indoor reared.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Procurement arrangements for school food are managed by local authorities themselves.\r\nThe Schools (Health promotion and nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007 requires Local Authorities to consider the principles of sustainable development when providing food or drink or catering services in schools. In addition, the food and drink in schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008 requires Education authorities to ensure that all food and drink served in schools meets strict nutritional requirements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:59:38.253","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284989,"EventID":"S4F-01414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:44:58.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T10:43:02.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the opinions expressed in the briefing paper, The Funding of Higher Education in Scotland, the UK and Internationally.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:44:58.353","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284990,"EventID":"S4F-01416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:44:58.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T13:20:48.483","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:44:59.01","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284991,"EventID":"S4F-01418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:44:59.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T13:38:40.83","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:44:59.587","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284992,"EventID":"S4F-01420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:45:00.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T14:23:47.977","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:45:00.817","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284993,"EventID":"S4F-01423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:45:02.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T15:03:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what economic value the Scottish Government places on services from Highlands and Islands' airports to hub airports with worldwide connections.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:45:02.597","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284994,"EventID":"S4F-01432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-23T16:45:08.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:15:33.62","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to Audit Scotland’s report, Managing early departures from the Scottish public sector, which states that the public sector is spending £280 million a year on early departure schemes.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-10T16:45:08.26","MeetingDate":"2013-05-30T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284995,"EventID":"S4T-00377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T10:00:13.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T09:30:08.137","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent representations it has received regarding rendition flights landing in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T10:00:13.023","MeetingDate":"2013-05-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":284996,"EventID":"S4T-00369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:41:36.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T14:14:41.333","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce the proposed Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:41:36.927","MeetingDate":"2013-05-28T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285010,"EventID":"S4W-15243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:09.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T15:41:10.427","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the head of state will be if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"Following a vote for independence in September 2014, Her Majesty the Queen (and her successors) will be the head of state in an independent Scotland from independence day.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:09.713","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285011,"EventID":"S4W-15244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:10.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T15:41:10.427","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Act of Settlement 1701 will remain in force with respect to the head of state in Scotland if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that the discrimination against Catholics within the Act of Settlement should be removed from our law. The Scottish Parliament unanimously passed a motion as early as 16 December 1999 agreeing that the Act of Settlement has no place in a modern society. The motion called for the complete removal of any discrimination, and the repeal by Westminster of the Act of Settlement 1701. The Scottish Government will continue to call for repeal of the Act of Settlement, which is Westminster statute and which is for Westminster to legislate on.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:10.803","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285012,"EventID":"S4W-15245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:11.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T15:41:10.427","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the suggestion that, if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK, any subsequent constitutional arrangement should recognise the role of the Church of Scotland in particular.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s paper Scotland’s Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution, published in February 2013 and available on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0041/00413757.pdf provides that a constitutional platform will be in place from independence day. Freedom of Religion is already protected under Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights under the Scotland Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998. Paragraph 2.14 of Scotland’s Future provides that the constitutional platform, coming into force on independence day, will consolidate the protection of human rights in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:11.053","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285013,"EventID":"S4W-15246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:11.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T15:43:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to implement the European directive on human trafficking and what information it has regarding the activities of the anti-trafficking progress group that was established at its human trafficking summit on 18 October 2012. \r\n","AnswerText":"I consider that Scotland is already broadly compliant with the requirements of the Directive. The Anti-Trafficking Progress Group is taking forward the 11 priority action points identified and agreed at the summit in October 2012. These actions include training and awareness raising; improving victim support and care, and considering whether there are any gaps in legislation. The group will meet again shortly to review progress so far and is scheduled to report back to a re-convened Summit in 2014. We have also given a commitment to bring forward a human trafficking statutory aggravation and will do so shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:11.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285014,"EventID":"S4W-15247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:11.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:16:30.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports of high levels of metallic particle pollution in the Glasgow Subway.\r\n","AnswerText":"Strathclyde Partnership for Transport is responsible for operating and maintaining the Glasgow Subway and is, therefore, responsible for monitoring air quality in the subway and ensuring it complies with legal requirements. Workplace exposure limits for metallic particles are set and enforced by the Health and Safety Executive.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:11.523","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285015,"EventID":"S4W-15248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:11.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:16:30.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce domestic violence awareness education to all secondary schools.\r\n","AnswerText":"Domestic abuse is a top priority for the Scottish Government, and we are committed to reducing and eventually eradicating this unacceptable behaviour. There is never an excuse for domestic abuse, and responsibility for change lies with the perpetrator, not the victims or their children. \r\nRelationship education is an integral part of the health and wellbeing area of Curriculum for Excellence throughout all stages of primary and secondary education in schools in Scotland. Topics include keeping safe from harm, knowing where to get support and help with situations involving abuse, and understanding that there are laws which provide protection from different kinds of abuse. Children and young people will be encouraged to discuss these subjects with their peers and parents, to help them gain knowledge, and the skills to become confident in making healthy lifestyle decisions for themselves.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:11.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285016,"EventID":"S4W-15249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:11.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:49:28.19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provision has been made to ensure that a member of staff trained in first-aid is present on all ScotRail services.","AnswerText":"ScotRail provides basic first aid training to all staff when they join the company. First aid kits are held on trains and stations across the rail network, and a protocol is in place to summon assistance when requested or appropriate via communication with the train driver. This allows trains to be stopped at a safe location to allow paramedics to gain access.\r\nFurthermore ScotRail is currently training all drivers, ticket examiners and conductors on the Heartstart Programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:11.96","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285017,"EventID":"S4W-15250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:12.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T17:21:46.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to revise the corporation tax modelling referred to in its discussion paper, Devolving Corporation Tax in the Scotland Bill, in light of the decision by the UK Government to reduce the UK rate of corporation tax to 20% as of April 2015.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15187 on 3 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:12.163","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285018,"EventID":"S4W-15251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:13.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T17:21:46.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted modelling to measure the impact on Scotland’s tax revenue of reducing the rate of corporation tax in Scotland to 17%.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15187 on 3 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:13.16","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285019,"EventID":"S4W-15252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:13.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T17:21:46.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact would be on Scotland’s tax revenues of a 3% reduction in Scotland’s rate of corporation tax.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15187 on 3 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:13.44","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285020,"EventID":"S4W-15253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:13.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T17:21:46.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of the modelling underlying its assertion that a reduction in corporation tax in Scotland equivalent to a fall from 23% to 20% “can increase the level of output by 1.4%, boost overall employment in Scotland by 1.1% (equivalent to 27,000 jobs) and raise overall investment in the Scottish economy by 1.9% after 20 years”, as stated in Devolving Corporation Tax in the Scotland Bill.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15187 on 3 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:13.77","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285021,"EventID":"S4W-15254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:14.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T17:05:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) regulations and (b) directives Transport Scotland is legally required to comply with when awarding (i) contract extensions and (ii) temporary contracts to incumbent franchisees of rail passenger services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government must take account of all relevant European and domestic legislation when awarding rail franchise contracts, principally Regulation 1370/2007 (on public transport services by rail and road) and the Railways Act 1993.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:14.127","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285022,"EventID":"S4W-15255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:14.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T17:05:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what statutory consultation exercises Transport Scotland is required to undertake when awarding (a) new contracts, (b) contract extensions and (c) temporary contracts to incumbent franchisees of rail passenger services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ministers are required under the Railways Act 1993 to consult as they consider appropriate on their statement of franchising policy and to consult the Office of Rail Regulation on the persons to receive an invitation to tender for franchise services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:14.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285023,"EventID":"S4W-15267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:14.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T21:06:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Network Rail can submit bids to Transport Scotland to operate rail passenger services and, if so, what assessment it has made of Network Rail’s capacity to operate such services.\r\n","AnswerText":"Network Rail would require to be licensed to provide rail passenger services by the Office of Rail Regulation to enable it to bid to operate a rail franchise. The Scottish Government has no reason to expect that Network Rail will wish to bid for rail franchises in Scotland. Any such proposal would give rise to a very wide range of issues for consideration, as under existing legislation the operation of the GB rail network is fundamentally geared towards separation between infrastructure management and the operation of passenger services. This is also consistent with relevant developments in EU law.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:14.673","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285024,"EventID":"S4W-15269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:15.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-24T16:36:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to licensing authorities regarding the testing of vehicles used as (a) taxis and (b) private hire cars.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government publishes “Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing: Best Practice for Licensing Authorities”. This was updated last year (published April 2012). There is a section on vehicle testing covering both taxis and private hire cars.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:15.19","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285025,"EventID":"S4W-15270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:15.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-24T16:36:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the number of testing centres licensing authorities must provide for the testing of (a) taxis and (b) private hire cars.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of testing centres a local authority authorises for the testing of taxis and private hire cars is a matter for the local authority. They will consider what system best meets the needs of their local area, taking into consideration the requirements of the licensing regime.\r\nThere are no plans for the Scottish Government to review the number of testing centres licensing authorities must provide.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:15.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285026,"EventID":"S4W-15271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:15.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-24T16:36:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how  the (a) owner and (b) driver of a taxi or private hire car can appeal the decision of a  licensing authority’s testing centre with regard to the work needed to be carried out on the vehicle.\r\n","AnswerText":"The legislation which provides for the licensing of taxi and private hire cars, the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (the 1982 Act), does not outline an appeals process specifically for the decisions of a local authority testing centre. Each local authority will develop their own processes to handle complaints about the testing regime. Public safety, as a main purpose of licensing, will be the overriding consideration for any local authority.\r\nThere is an appeals process where a licence has been suspended. This is outlined in Paragraph 18, Schedule 1 of the 1982 Act.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-05-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:15.89","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285027,"EventID":"S4W-15274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:16.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T15:03:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many whole-time equivalent staff were employed at the Vale of Leven Hospital in April (a) 2012 and (b) 2013, broken down by job family.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information Services Division (ISD) publish NHS Workforce data on a quarterly bases, with the most recent publication date being 31 March 2013. Information as at April 2013 is therefore not available.\r\nInformation on how many whole time equivalent staff were employed at the Vale of Leven Hospital broken down by job family as at 31 March 2012 and 31 March 2013 is shown in the following table.\r\n\r\nMar-12\r\nMar-13\r\nAdministrative Services\r\n82.9\r\n84.8\r\nAllied health Profession\r\n54.9\r\n50.5\r\nHealthcare Sciences\r\n29.6\r\n25.9\r\nMedical and Dental\r\n28.3\r\n32.6\r\nMedical and Dental Support\r\n0.0\r\n1.0\r\nNursing/Midwifery\r\n275.3\r\n263.1\r\nOther Therapeutic\r\n8.9\r\n9.1\r\nSenior Managers\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\nSupport Services\r\n100.3\r\n100.8\r\nSource-ISD Scotland\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:16.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285028,"EventID":"S4W-15280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:16.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T18:19:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many individual patient treatment requests have been made to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for cetuximab and how many have been approved.\r\n","AnswerText":"On the basis of IPTR monitoring information received from NHS boards for the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde received 14 IPTRs for cetuximab during this timeframe of which eight were approved.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:16.763","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285029,"EventID":"S4W-15291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:17.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T11:24:54.333","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the interim report of Land Reform Review Group focuses on community ownership and whether this reflects a change in the group's remit.\r\n","AnswerText":"The remit of the independent Land Reform Review Group (LRRG) has not changed. The consultation, which yielded 484 submissions, has brought forward a wide range of issues on a broad range of subjects, including farm tenancy issues and issues regarding access. In the view of the LRRG, as set out in its interim report, issues raised regarding farm tenancies represent an area already being considered by the Tenant Farming Forum and as such, the review group, as its interim report states, will now concentrate on taking forward a number of issues in respect of the implementation and geographic impact of community right to buy legislation in order to support communities throughout Scotland in achieving their social, economic and environmental potential. The work of the LRRG will also help to formulate potential approaches to extending right to buy to urban Scotland and will inform consideration of the Scottish Government’s community empowerment and renewal proposals.\r\nAs was stated during the Land Reform debate on 5 June 2013, issues regarding farm tenants will be considered as part of the review preceding the Agricultural Holdings Bill proposed for later in this parliamentary session.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:17.247","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285030,"EventID":"S4W-15292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:17.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T11:59:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to protect mobile home residents from rogue site operators.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking forward two areas of work that will strengthen the rights of mobile home residents.\r\nThe first is to improve the contractual conditions that apply to all residents. The Mobile Homes Act 1983 (Amendment of Schedule 1) (Scotland) Order 2013, if approved by Parliament, will strengthen the protections residents enjoy, including removal of the requirement for a site owner to approve prospective mobile home purchasers.\r\nThe second area of work is strengthening the licensing system for mobile home sites. We have consulted on proposals including a new test to ensure a site owner is a fit and proper person. Our aim is to introduce a Housing Bill, potentially including provisions on this issue, in the autumn.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:17.607","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285031,"EventID":"S4W-15293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T13:42:17.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T11:59:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact on the Scottish economy, what its response is to the recent warning from the International Monetary Fund about growth prospects for the UK economy and that bringing forward infrastructure spending would be a \"wise course of action\".","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the International Monetary Fund’s statement on the 22 May 2013, calling on the UK Government to accelerate the infrastructure spending to support the UK's recovery. Capital investment can make an important contribution to the economic recovery, and the Scottish Government has repeatedly called on the UK Government to do more to boost investment. Indeed, recent Scottish Government analysis has estimated that had 2009-10 levels of capital spending been maintained in real terms, this would have boosted investment by £7 billion over the following five years and would have supported approximately 19,000 jobs.\r\nThe Scottish Government is using all levers at its disposal to maximise investment and support economic growth in Scotland. Over the three year Scottish spending review period (between 2012-13 and 2014-15) we will support investment of more than £10 billion through the capital budget, revenue-financed investment through the non profit distributing pipeline, regulatory asset base rail enhancements, capital receipts and switching resource to capital. It is essential that the UK Government changes course and adopts a similar approach to supporting economic recovery.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T13:42:17.967","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285041,"EventID":"S4W-15256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:19.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T11:07:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the instruction to refrain from use of confidentiality clauses and non-derogatory statement clauses in relation to NHS compromise agreements was implemented.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing wrote to Chairs and Chief Executives of NHS boards on 22 February 2013 to stress his expectation that confidentiality clauses and non-derogatory statement clauses are not used to suppress the reporting of concerns in the NHS in Scotland and to ensure that these clauses are used appropriately.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:20.02","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285042,"EventID":"S4W-15257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:21.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T11:07:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many protected disclosures were made by NHS staff in each of the last five years for which figures are available.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. This is an issue between individual NHS boards and their employees.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:21.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285043,"EventID":"S4W-15258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:21.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T11:07:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS staff sought protection from the so-called whistleblowers charter in each of the last five years for which figures are available.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. This is an issue between individual NHS boards and their employees.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:21.923","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285044,"EventID":"S4W-15259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:22.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T11:07:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any NHS boards are not implementing a policy of refraining from using confidentiality clauses and non-derogatory statement clauses in respect of compromise agreements and, if so, which.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. This is an issue between individual NHS boards and their employees.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:22.627","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285045,"EventID":"S4W-15260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:23.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T11:07:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the revised draft of the confidentiality clause in relation to NHS compromise agreements that confirms that an individual's right to make “protected disclosures” was finalised, and whether it will place a copy of the wording in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.\r\n","AnswerText":"The revised confidentiality clause for NHSScotland compromise agreements was finalised earlier this year.\r\nThe revised clause provides a style of wording that will be routinely proposed for incorporation into any NHSScotland compromise agreement. A copy of this revised style of wording will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre for information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:23.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285046,"EventID":"S4W-15261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:23.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T11:07:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS staff who have already signed confidentiality agreements are still bound by the terms of these agreements.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an issue between individual NHS Boards and their employees.\r\nNHSScotland does not have any policies which would prevent, or condone the prevention of staff from raising valid concerns about patient safety and quality. Quite the opposite, each Health Board has a robust “Implementing and Reviewing Whistleblowing Arrangements in NHS Scotland” PIN policy in place.\r\nThese policies encourage staff to raise concerns and any clause which sought to prevent an individual from raising a protected whistleblowing disclosure would be illegal and therefore unenforceable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:23.703","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285047,"EventID":"S4W-15262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:24.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T17:58:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Franchising Advisory Panel that has been recently established by the UK Government will have an impact on passenger rail franchises put out to tender by Transport Scotland and, if so, what discussions it has had with UK Government (a) ministers and (b) officials regarding this.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular contact with the Department for Transport on rail issues including rail franchising. The Franchise Advisory Panel has no locus in the award of the rail franchises to be let by Scottish Ministers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:24.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285048,"EventID":"S4W-15272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:24.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T13:41:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to consult on a replacement for council tax benefit.\r\n","AnswerText":"Working in partnership with local government, we responded quickly to put in place transitional arrangements to ensure that around 560,000 people in Scotland who were receiving council Tax benefit are protected from the UK Government’s 10% cut in successor arrangement funding.\r\nWe are currently in discussion with our Local Government partners and other stakeholders on arrangements for future years beyond 2013-14. The UK Government’s introduction of Universal Credit in October 2013 and its operation will have significant implications for how future council tax support may be provided.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:24.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285049,"EventID":"S4W-15273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:25.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T13:41:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will fully fund the replacement for council tax benefit beyond April 2014.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14493 on 3 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:25.077","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285050,"EventID":"S4W-15278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:25.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T15:15:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it tracks how many transvaginal meshes have been purchased by NHS boards and the number of meshes (a) implanted and (b) removed. \r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the number of transvaginal meshes purchased by NHS Boards is not held centrally and is for those NHS Boards to manage.\r\nIn addition, I refer the member to the answer to: question S4W-14315 on 30 April 2013; and questions S4W-14626 and S4W-14627 on 17 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:25.577","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285051,"EventID":"S4W-15281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:26.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T15:15:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many surgeons in Scotland are qualified to remove faulty transvaginal mesh implants. \r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:26.073","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285052,"EventID":"S4W-15282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:26.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T15:20:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are used to decide whether a junior doctor's working hours are compliant with the European working time directive.","AnswerText":"In the UK the European Working Time Directive has been implemented as the working time regulations (WTR).\r\nAll junior doctor rotas in Scotland are designed in a system which measures compliance with all aspects of the working time regulations. This system (doctors rostering system) measures hours and working patterns against the required limits, and ensures that hours fully comply. All rotas are sent to the Scottish Government’s medical workforce adviser for approval, who also ensures that rotas comply fully with the WTR. The Scottish Government funds this system for NHS boards.\r\nNHS boards will also use New Deal monitoring returns to assess on-going compliance with the WTR. Although WTR hours are measured over 26 weeks, the two week New Deal monitoring snapshot allows NHS boards to determine day to day hours over this representative period. They will use this data, along with other datasets such as the template rota, daily roster and activity records to assess the compliance of junior doctors.\r\nPrior to the 2009 implementation date of the 48 hour working week for Junior Doctors, CEL 14 2009 Working Time Regulations was issued which provides NHS boards with advice on how compliance should be measured.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:26.777","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285053,"EventID":"S4W-15284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:27.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T15:20:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the hours worked by junior doctors per week are compliant with the European working time directive.\r\n","AnswerText":"All junior doctor working patterns in NHS Scotland comply fully with the limits of the Working Time Regulations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:27.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285054,"EventID":"S4W-15285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:27.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T15:15:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which hospitals continue to implant transvaginal mesh implants.  \r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:27.79","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285055,"EventID":"S4W-15286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:28.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T15:20:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many medical negligence claims against NHS boards in each year since 2007 related to the tiredness of a junior doctor.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual health boards. The information sought is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:28.29","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285056,"EventID":"S4W-15287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:28.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T15:15:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information has been given to GPs regarding the impact of faulty transvaginal mesh implants. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) has made available information for patients and clinicians about transvaginal meshes on its website at:\r\nhttp://www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Generalsafetyinformationandadvice/Product-specificinformationandadvice/Product-specificinformationandadvice%E2%80%93M%E2%80%93T/Vaginalmeshforpelvicorganprolapse/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:28.85","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285057,"EventID":"S4W-15288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:29.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T15:20:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many on-call rest rooms there have been in hospitals in each year since 2007, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of on-call rest rooms in each NHSScotland hospital is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:29.367","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285058,"EventID":"S4W-15289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:29.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T15:20:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applicants for foundation medical training placements there have been in each year since 2007, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information is not available in the format requested. Applications to Foundation training programmes are co-ordinated on a UK-wide basis through the UK Foundation Programme Office. Applicants are required to rank all 21 UK Foundation Schools in order of preference and, following an assessment and scoring process, applicants are matched to a Foundation School taking into consideration their preference. At this point, the Scotland Foundation School is then allocated the right number of applicants for the number of programmes available in any year. There then follows a further process that enables applicants to rank their preferences for a cluster of Foundation programmes which, ultimately, leads to applicants being matched to their individual programmes.\r\nThe following table indicates the number of Foundation programme places available in Scotland from 2007. All programme places were filled.\r\n\r\nNumber of Foundation Programmes available in Scotland\r\n2007\r\n804 \r\n2008\r\n804\r\n2009\r\n804\r\n2010\r\n804 \r\n2011\r\n804 \r\n2012\r\n804 \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:29.88","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285059,"EventID":"S4W-15290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:30.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T15:20:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the drop-out rate for foundation medical training placements has been in each year since 2007, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information is not available in the format requested. Information that is available has only been centrally recorded until 2009, and is not recorded by health board as the trainees rotate between health boards as part of their individual programme placements. Currently, there are 804 programme placements in Foundation Years 1 and 2 in Scotland.\r\nFoundation trainees may not complete their programme placements for a variety of reasons, for example illness, maternity leave, resignation, dismissal, remedial training required etc. The numbers of those who did not complete their Foundation programmes since 2009 are shown in the following table. \r\n\r\nNumber who did not complete Foundation Year One\r\nNumber who did not complete Foundation Year Two\r\n2009\r\n15 (6)\r\n27 (13)\r\n2010\r\n16 (7)\r\n16 (3)\r\n2011\r\n19 (6)\r\n21 (3)\r\n2012\r\n17 (1)\r\n13 (0)\r\n\r\nOf the number failing to complete a given year of training, some will return to training i.e. after maternity leave or ill health, and subsequently complete their training. The figure in parentheses is the number who resigned or were dismissed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:30.38","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285060,"EventID":"S4W-15294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:30.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T12:48:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-01708 by Alex Neil on 17 January 2013, what progress there has been on its approach to race equality; when its approach will be published; what consultation is planned, and whether this approach is informing work on its (a) autumn budget considerations and (b) white paper on proposals for independence.\r\n","AnswerText":"We recently published our current thinking on how race equality should develop over the next three years. During the summer we will work with stakeholders to develop the approach to be taken and we will publish the refreshed statement in the autumn. This will provide more detail on how we intend to take forward our plans in practice.\r\nWe will initially focus on working with key strategic partners to collate the research work already carried out in Scotland, followed by wider collaborative working with stakeholders to plan and shape a draft outline of our approach. The draft statement will then issue for consultation.\r\na) The publication of the draft statement for consultation will coincide with the autumn budget considerations. The above process will help to inform those considerations and will be relevant in the context of spending proposals\r\nb) This work will help inform the work around constitutional reform.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:30.863","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285061,"EventID":"S4W-15295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:31.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T12:48:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-01708 by Alex Neil on 17 January 2013, whether its approach to race equality will include visible and invisible minorities in Scotland; what communities it regards as visible and invisible minorities, and whether and how issues of multiple or intersectional identity are being considered in its approach.\r\n","AnswerText":"Our work on race equality and tackling racism acknowledges that minority ethnic communities include those who might be described as both visible and invisible minorities as ethnicity is not always identifiable by physical characteristics.\r\nWe recognise that there are many different groups living in Scotland with different heritage and some coming from different parts of the world, each has a right to be treated with respect and to live free from discrimination and prejudice. We recognise that people from minority ethnic communities may also experience issues as a result of their gender, age, faith, sexual orientation or disability, compounding the disadvantage or discrimination.\r\nOur work will continue to explore the complexities of people’s multiple identities and the links between the other equality strands. This has long been an issue of concern and we acknowledge that there is still much to be done. It is a very complex area and needs to be addressed as part of the dialogue with stakeholders to explore how we can work towards a solution.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:31.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285062,"EventID":"S4W-15296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:31.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T12:48:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-01708 by Alex Neil on 17 January 2013, what criteria it (a) applies and (b) will apply in its approach to race equality on (i) prioritising issues, (ii) deciding on funding and resourcing; whether and how visible or invisible minority status is part of this criteria, and whether funded organisations are monitored on their adherence to non-discrimination practice, including in relation to visible and invisible minorities.\r\n","AnswerText":"Funding is provided to organisations to fulfil projects or programmes of work and on the basis of outcomes outlined in either business plans or funding applications. Grant levels and conditions are determined accordingly. The general approach to funding and to the criteria which is applied for example in the Equality Fund is based on Scottish Government strategic priorities, identified needs in communities and on the experience and views of stakeholders.\r\n\r\nThe approach we adopt and the priorities we identify in future will be based on dialogue with stakeholders, consideration of the need and evidence, the strategic priorities of the Scottish Government and with reference to legislation and the work around the public sector equality duty. We will determine our approach in partnership and collaboration with interests and stakeholders over the next few months.\r\nOur work on race equality acknowledges that ethnicity is not always identifiable by physical characteristics and as such encompasses those who might be described as visible and invisible minorities. Our funding is directed as outlined above. Whilst projects designed to assist both visible and invisible minorities are supported, funding is not directed and determined on that basis.\r\nOrganisations that receive grant funding from the Scottish Government are required to agree by the conditions of the grant which include adherence to equality legislation. Organisations provide reports on their progress regarding the project or programme of work.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:31.753","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285063,"EventID":"S4W-15297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-28T17:11:32.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T14:27:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many episodes of treatment have been carried out at the neurosurgery unit of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and how many included at least one operative procedure, in each year since 2008.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally in the format requested.\r\nIt is not possible to identify all neurosurgical activity occurring in specific hospital units through centrally collected hospital admission records. It is, however, possible to identify activity occurring within the consultant specialty of neurosurgery by hospital. This information is provided in the following table.\r\nNumber of hospital stays involving the consultant specialty of Neurosurgery at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the number of procedures performed, Financial years 2008 to 2012\r\nYears\r\nHospital stays\r\nNo. of stays involving at least one procedure\r\n2008\r\n1,243\r\n1,097\r\n2009\r\n1,355\r\n1,173\r\n2010\r\n1,223\r\n1,094\r\n2011\r\n1,104\r\n963\r\n2012\r\n1,073\r\n933\r\nSource: ISD Scotland.\r\nRef: IR2013-00898.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-11T17:11:32.063","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285064,"EventID":"S4O-02195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:18.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T09:20:29.803","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role Police Scotland plays in community planning partnerships.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:18.98","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285065,"EventID":"S4O-02196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:19.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:37:06.6","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will safeguard local access to the justice system in rural areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:19.823","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285066,"EventID":"S4O-02197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:20.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T09:05:38.553","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what considerations informed the Scottish Court Service's review of court services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:20.09","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285067,"EventID":"S4O-02198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:20.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:37:07.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use the criminal justice system to establish whether people have been transported illegally through Scottish airports and discourage it from happening again.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:20.323","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285068,"EventID":"S4O-02199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:21.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:37:07.457","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to ensure that court fines and police antisocial behaviour penalties are collected.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:21.073","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285069,"EventID":"S4O-02200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:22.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:37:07.77","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for people with autism when engaging with the legal system.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:22.37","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285070,"EventID":"S4O-02201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:23.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:37:07.957","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the chief constable regarding the number and location of control rooms required by Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:23.59","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285071,"EventID":"S4O-02202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:24.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:37:08.347","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the proposals to close Arbroath and Stonehaven sheriff courts and the impact on communities in Angus and Kincardine-shire.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Court Service consultation Shaping Scotland’s Court Services represents a very thorough assessment of the context and the challenge of providing services and facilities across Scotland which are consistent with the standards of a modern court system within the financial constraints imposed by the Westminster Government. The existing network of courts reflects more the social and economic needs of the Victorian age, but in the modern world it is more appropriate to devote the available reduced budget to a smaller number of courts, supplemented by new technology such as video links.\r\nI have deliberated very carefully on the options presented, particularly in view of the representations made in relation to particular courts, and the Cabinet has given its consent to the proposals. We think that the proposals strike the correct balance in the current economic climate.\r\nWe realise that a court can be regarded as an important element in communities such as Arbroath and Stonehaven, but this needs to be balanced against the fact that many similar and larger communities function without a local court. We believe that the economic and community impact will be localised and short term.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:24.417","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285072,"EventID":"S4O-02203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:24.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T15:48:56.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what preparations are being undertaken to deal with the forecast rise in the prison population to an annual daily average of 9,500 over the next eight years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has a programme of measures in place to reduce reoffending, including our recently announced £10 million scheme to provide more offenders leaving prison with a mentor to support their release and reintegration. I am confident that these measures will be successful in further reducing the reconviction rate from its lowest level in 13 years, and to reduce the demands on prison places.\r\nAs part of prudent planning, the Scottish Government regularly discusses the Scottish Prison Service’s (SPS) plans for coping with the projected higher numbers, and I commend the flexibility and professionalism of SPS staff in operating normally in overcrowded conditions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:24.73","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285073,"EventID":"S4O-02204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:26.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T11:03:58.593","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will maintain the number of police stations in Glasgow and their opening hours at current levels.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:26.167","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285074,"EventID":"S4O-02206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:26.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T15:39:29.713","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether consideration has been given to using a financial model for regional parks based on that used for national parks.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:26.417","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285075,"EventID":"S4O-02207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:27.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:37:40.547","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the country's protected sites are in favourable condition.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:27.557","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285076,"EventID":"S4O-02208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:27.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:37:41.56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the State of Nature report and the challenges it contains to prevent further loss of biodiversity.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:27.807","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285077,"EventID":"S4O-02209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:28.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T17:31:52.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the Land Reform Review Group.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:28.357","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285078,"EventID":"S4O-02210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:28.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:37:44.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how important the interconnectivity of green spaces is in promoting local biodiversity.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:28.62","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285079,"EventID":"S4O-02211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:29.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T09:34:03.243","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government on repatriating red meat levy income.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:29.45","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285080,"EventID":"S4O-02212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:29.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:37:44.727","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its final second report on proposals and policies.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:29.73","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285081,"EventID":"S4O-02213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:29.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:37:44.93","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms are available to the Forestry Commission Scotland for the support of social enterprises.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:29.98","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285082,"EventID":"S4O-02214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:30.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T12:39:46.933","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to control the population of greylag geese in the Uists.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:30.23","MeetingDate":"2013-06-05T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285083,"EventID":"S4O-02215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:33.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:38:17.457","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards regarding the future integration of digital wards.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:33.403","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285084,"EventID":"S4O-02216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:35.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:38:18.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to meet the increasing demand for software engineers suggested by recent surveys by ScotlandIS and e-Skills UK.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:35.607","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285085,"EventID":"S4O-02217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:36.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T11:29:47.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in filling the equality evidence gaps in the equality evidence strategy 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:36.463","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285086,"EventID":"S4O-02218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:36.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:38:19.327","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent advice it has received regarding membership of the EU should Scotland separate from the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:36.777","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285087,"EventID":"S4O-02219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:37.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:38:19.67","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Energy Skills Scotland project will provide job opportunities for people beyond the north east.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:37.043","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285088,"EventID":"S4O-02220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:37.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:38:20.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:37.73","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285089,"EventID":"S4O-02221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:37.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:38:22.307","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its priorities are for international development spending in Malawi.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:38.01","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285090,"EventID":"S4O-02222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:39.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:38:22.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans there are to install automatic electronic defibrillators in secondary schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:39.293","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285091,"EventID":"S4O-02223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:39.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T11:49:54.457","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the role of communities should be in helping local authorities agree their annual budgets.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:39.51","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285092,"EventID":"S4O-02224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T12:54:40.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T16:38:23.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers it has over how local authorities structure their committees.","AnswerText":"The Local Government and Housing Act 1989 contains provisions requiring local authorities to reflect their political balance in the composition of their committees. However, those provisions have not to date been brought into force in Scotland, although they are in force in England and Wales. Local authorities in Scotland therefore currently have the power to decide for themselves how to structure their committees.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T12:54:40.463","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285101,"EventID":"S4W-15298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T13:59:39.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T16:11:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-00377 by Kenny MacAskill on 28 May 2013 (Official Report, c. 20315), what recent communications it has had with the UK Government regarding extraordinary rendition and whether Aberdeen, Inverness and Wick airports have been used by the US Central Intelligence Agency for this purpose.\r\n","AnswerText":"As I indicated in response to Patrick Harvie’s question on 28 May, there has been no communication with the UK Government regarding extraordinary rendition flights using airports in Scotland. The Scottish Government remains strongly opposed to illegal rendition flights.\r\nThe Crown has made clear how strongly it would view the matter and the Lord Advocate indicated on 5 June 2013 that he has asked Police Scotland to consider the information provided by the Rendition Project undertaken by researchers from Kent and Kingston Universities.\r\nThe police and the Crown can act only if information is passed on, and if anyone has any evidence of lawbreaking of this sort, they should come forward with it and help justice to be done.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T13:59:39.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285102,"EventID":"S4W-15300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T13:59:40.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T16:30:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14922 by John Swinney on 28 May 2013, whether it will provide the information that was requested and confirm whether it will seek a draft opinion on an independent Scotland’s credit rating from a credit rating agency.\r\n","AnswerText":"As I made clear in response to question S4W-14922, given our position of relative financial strength we expect an independent Scotland to secure a top credit rating - almost two thirds of countries with an AAA rating are small countries with a population of less than 10 million.\r\nWe will obtain a credit rating for Scotland at the appropriate time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T13:59:40.74","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285103,"EventID":"S4W-15301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T13:59:41.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T11:14:08.79","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out a review of the home report system and, if so, when.\r\n","AnswerText":"Prior to the introduction of the Home Report Scottish Ministers agreed, at a Scottish Parliament Local Government and Communities Committee meeting (30 January 2008), to carry out a full policy review of the Home Report after five years of operation. This is due to commence later this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T13:59:41.363","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285104,"EventID":"S4W-15302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T13:59:41.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T11:14:08.79","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial assistance is available to people who want to pursue legal action when they have experienced a material loss as a result of a home report.\r\n","AnswerText":"Where an individual wants to pursue a claim from losses thought to be sustained as a result of a home report then advice and assistance (A&A) could be used to investigate any potential claim and to try to settle the matter without recourse to court. A&A would only be available where the individual was financially eligible and would be granted by the solicitor acting.\r\nIf that was insufficient to resolve matters an application for civil legal aid could be made to bring the issue before the court. As with other civil legal aid applications the Scottish Legal Aid Board would need to be satisfied that the statutory tests were met. These are:\r\nfinancial eligibility both in terms of disposable income and disposable capital;\r\nwhether the applicant has probable cause for their case; and\r\nwhether it is reasonable in all the circumstances to make legal aid available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T13:59:41.94","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285105,"EventID":"S4W-15312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T13:59:42.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T11:58:34.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14851 by Margaret Burgess on 28 May 2013, whether the minister will place copies of the correspondence in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to place copies of correspondence with UK Ministers in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T13:59:42.473","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285115,"EventID":"S4W-15303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:07.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T11:17:36.687","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when guidance was issued on the bed planning tool.","AnswerText":"On 8 May 2013 we announced the development of a new bed capacity and performance planning tool to support NHS boards. The tool is being developed to ensure that hospitals and communities have the right beds in place to treat patients as Scotland’s health service face the challenge of an ageing population. Guidance has not yet been issued as the bed planning tool is currently under initial development.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:07.563","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285116,"EventID":"S4W-15304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:08.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T11:17:36.687","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what organisations were consulted on the development of the bed planning tool prior to its announcement in the news release of 8 May 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"On 8 May 2013 we announced the development of a new bed capacity and performance planning tool to support NHS boards. The tool is being developed to ensure that hospitals and communities have the right beds in place to treat patients as Scotland’s health service face the challenge of an ageing population.\r\nThe Bed Planning Tool will be evidence based and developed in consultation with clinical professionals from across NHSScotland to instil and ensure a consistent approach. This consultation will take place throughout the initial development phase.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:08.157","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285117,"EventID":"S4W-15305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:08.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T11:17:36.687","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what stage of development the bed planning tool has reached.","AnswerText":"On 8 May 2013 we announced the development of a new bed capacity and performance planning tool to support NHS boards. The tool is being developed to ensure that hospitals and communities have the right beds in place to treat patients as Scotland’s health service face the challenge of an ageing population.\r\nThe Bed Planning Tool is in the initial stages of development. It will be developed in consultation with clinical professionals from across NHSScotland to instil and ensure a consistent approach. This new tool will be used alongside the established workforce planning tools which have been made mandatory that all NHS boards use.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:08.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285118,"EventID":"S4W-15306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:09.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T11:17:36.687","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS boards will start using the bed planning tool.","AnswerText":"NHS boards combine workforce and financial plans in their annual Local Delivery Plans (LDP’s), which include a consideration of the number of beds required.\r\nWe envisage that the Bed Planning Tool will help NHS boards to develop their LDPs, at least in part, for the financial year 2014-15 and fully from 2015-16 onwards.\r\nThe Bed Planning Tool will also be subject to a process of continuous review and improvement to take into account new factors that emerge in healthcare planning.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:09.687","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285119,"EventID":"S4W-15307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:10.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T11:17:36.687","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence the bed planning tool uses to project the number of beds needed.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15304 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:10.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285120,"EventID":"S4W-15313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:10.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:40:02.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last reviewed its pandemic influenza strategy and operational guidance.\r\n","AnswerText":"The UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy was published in 2011 on behalf of the four UK countries.\r\nThe Scottish Government and the other Devolved Administrations worked with the UK Government to produce operational pandemic influenza guidance, which was made available to stakeholders in Scotland in 2012. A Scotland-specific version is currently being developed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:10.793","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285121,"EventID":"S4W-15314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:11.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:40:02.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes it made to its pandemic influenza strategy and operational guidance following the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.\r\n","AnswerText":"The updated pandemic influenza strategy and operational guidance focus on ensuring that the response to a pandemic is proportionate to meet the differing demands of pandemic influenza viruses, with further information to assist planners in considering the local response according to the stage and severity of any new pandemic.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:11.26","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285122,"EventID":"S4W-15315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:11.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:40:02.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes it will make to its pandemic influenza strategy and operational guidance following the introduction of a single police and single fire service.","AnswerText":"The pandemic influenza strategy and operational guidance set out an overarching approach to managing a pandemic and will not be directly affected by the changes to the police and fire service structures.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:11.713","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285123,"EventID":"S4W-15316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:12.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:40:02.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many simulations of pandemic influenza management it has run since the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic and what it has learnt from such simulations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government plans to exercise pandemic influenza arrangements in 2014-15. NHS boards have updated their pandemic influenza plans following the last pandemic, taking account of the lessons learned locally and the updated national guidance published subsequently. Such exercising will provide an opportunity to test the updated arrangements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:12.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285124,"EventID":"S4W-15317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:12.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:40:02.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the UK Government and (b) other EU member states on the H7N9 influenza virus.","AnswerText":"On behalf of Scottish Government, Health Protection Scotland (HPS) routinely participates in global networks that monitor emerging health issues such as AH7N9 in China.\r\nUnder the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), the UK Government has designated Public Health England (PHE) as the UK's National Focal Point for communications with the WHO (World Health Organisation) IHR Contact Point. PHE shares all relevant WHO IHR communications with HPS.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:12.57","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285125,"EventID":"S4W-15318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:13.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:40:02.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of new technologies that might lead to the faster production of an influenza vaccine.","AnswerText":"The need for faster production of influenza vaccines is recognised. The World Health Organisation, academic researchers and vaccine manufacturers are all engaged in assessing new technologies for the production of vaccines against influenza viruses.\r\nThe results of any significant developments are shared with Scottish Government at meetings of the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who provide expert advice on vaccination and immunisation policy and in academic output available internationally.\r\nThe Scottish Government is represented on the JCVI by one of its Senior Medical Officers, who has responsibility for vaccination and immunisation issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:13.04","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285126,"EventID":"S4W-15319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:13.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:40:35.74","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it will issue to ensure that more harmful pesticides are not used instead of the banned neonicotinoids and what consideration it is giving to the use of diamides.","AnswerText":"Under a Crop Health Advisory Activity, Scottish Government fund staff at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) to maintain an on-going campaign to promote the sustainable use of pesticides and alternative treatments in the husbandry of major arable crops. This advice aims to reduce the unnecessary use of pesticides with benefits for the environment and wildlife.\r\nIn practice, this means SRUC staff monitor representative commercial crops for pests and publish results in grower reports, inform arable consultants, update farmers at grower meetings and open days and on-line. Staff, then promote the use of alternative treatments and the use of pest thresholds before treatments are applied, and also coordinate information on pesticide resistance so that potentially ineffective sprays are avoided.\r\nOnly one diamide insecticide is currently approved for use on a limited number of crops in the UK. The future availability of other diamide compounds will be dependent on whether their use is authorised under the EU and UK pesticide approval process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:13.553","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285127,"EventID":"S4W-15321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:13.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:41:28.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the monthly monitoring of New Ways patient waiting times data started.","AnswerText":"We have been monitoring New Ways data monthly since its introduction in January 2008. We continually review and enhance our monthly monitoring process to ensure we are able to quickly identify any issues in individual boards.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:13.93","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285128,"EventID":"S4W-15322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:14.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:41:28.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13978 by Alex Neil on 25 April 2013, whether the reduction in the number of (a) outpatients, (b) inpatients and (c) day cases removed from waiting lists under codes 20, 21, 37, 38, 40, 41 and 42 between June 2012 and December 2012 was discussed at monitoring meetings with (i) Information Services Division chief executives or (ii) chairs of NHS boards.\r\n","AnswerText":"During last year a number of changes to the rule around the New Ways system were made to take account of the legislation for the 12 weeks legal treatment guarantee coming into effect from 1 October 2012. Guidance was issued in August under cover of CEL 32(2012) and CEL 33(2012) which provides information on the changes to New Ways rules in relation to the treatment time guarantee, 18 weeks referral to treatment etc.\r\nThis means that the information provided in the answer to PQ S4W-13978 for June and December 2012, is not comparable as the data provided for December only relates to patients added to the waiting lists prior to 1 October 2012.\r\nInformation on the treatment time guarantee is currently being collected from a local statistical return from boards and not through the new ways warehouse – this return does not currently include information on removals from the waiting list. This is to allow boards time to make the necessary changes to their IT systems. It is planned that statistics will be reported on the treatment time guarantee through the New Ways warehouse shortly and will provide information on removals from lists.\r\nInformation in relation to first outpatient consultation was also provided from a local statistical return for the quarter ending December 2012. Although the recent publication on 28 May 2013 now shows data for outpatients from the New Ways warehouse for all periods. \r\nConsequently due to these changes no specific discussions took place on the reductions between June and December 2012 due to the changes in the rules.\r\nInformation about the changes to the New Ways waiting time measures can be obtained on ISD Scotland’s website:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/Publications/2013-02-26/2013-02-26-WT-History.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:14.303","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285129,"EventID":"S4W-15323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:14.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:41:28.163","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13978 by Alex Neil on 25 April 2013, whether there was a significant variation (a) between quarters or (b) in the level that might be expected for the size of NHS board in any quarter between March 2008 and December 2012 in the number of patients removed from waiting lists under code (i) 20, (ii) 21, (iii) 37, (iv) 38, (v) 40, (vi) 41 or (vii) 42.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15322 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nThe data shows no concerns on the level of patients returned back to their GP. Most of these relate to patient behaviour such as could not attend, did not attends etc. If for example a patient did not attend an appointment and the board refers them back to their GP they must record why this was reasonable and clinical appropriate to do so. Boards are also required to write to the patient advising of their decision and the consequence of that decision on the treatment time guarantee. GPs can of course re-refer any patient back to the hospital.\r\nIt should be borne in mind that the total number of returns to the GP for inpatient and day case treatment during the quarter ending 30 June 2012 for the codes indicated in the question was 1,640 compared to the number of attendances of 104,112 - this represents 1.3% of total attendances. The equivalent figure for first outpatient consultation was 10,032 compared to the number of attendances of 336,752 - this represent 2.4% of total attendances.\r\nIt is however important that Boards continue to review their own local arrangements for booking, scheduling and managing appointments. For example, if a patient agrees a reasonable offer of appointment some boards are phoning/texting patients to remind them of their appointment in a bid to reduce did not attends.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:14.71","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285130,"EventID":"S4W-15333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:15.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:44:52.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates it had negotiations with BMA Scotland about doctors' pay for 2013-14.","AnswerText":"The independent Doctors’ and Dentists’ Pay Review Body make recommendations to Scottish Ministers on pay levels who then decide whether or not to accept these recommendations and in the context of the public sector pay policy.\r\nBoth the Scottish Government and the British Medical Association (BMA) submit written, oral and supplementary evidence on pay to the review body and no negotiations were undertaken with BMA Scotland about doctors’ pay for 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:15.083","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285131,"EventID":"S4W-15334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:15.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:44:52.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a pay gap between GPs in Scotland and the rest of the UK and, if so, whether the most recent pay settlement will increase that gap and whether it considers that this will lead to GPs leaving the NHS in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The recent GP pay uplift means an increase in funding of around £8 million for all GP practices across Scotland in 2013-14. Scotland also has more GPs per head of population than the rest of the UK. The average earnings of a GP in Scotland before tax in 2010-11 was £89,300 per annum, plus expenses of over £100,000 to run their practice (staffing etc). The recent pay settlement is in line with the Scottish Government Public Pay Policy.\r\nGPs do not receive a straight forward salary. Instead, they receive practice income through a system of fees and allowances, which are then distributed according to internal partnership arrangements. This will include payments based on the number of patients registered in each practice. As the average list size of a general practice in England is 23% larger than in Scotland, and payments are calculated per practice, as well as GP, it would be misleading to make simple comparisons between the countries.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:15.503","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285132,"EventID":"S4W-15335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:15.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:44:52.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what difference there was between the recommendation of the pay review body and the award made by the Scottish Government for (a) GPs' (i) pay and (ii) expenses, (b) consultants' pay and (c) junior doctors' pay for 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"The review body recommendation was for an uplift of 2.29% in relation to General Medical Practitioners. The 1.25% uplift awarded in Scotland is designed to give an increase of 1% to net taxable income in line with Scottish public sector pay policy. I also refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15334 on 10 June 2013.\r\nWe accepted the review body’s recommendation of a 1% pay uplift in the salary scales of consultants and junior doctors for 2013-14.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:15.88","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285133,"EventID":"S4W-15337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:16.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:46:13.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the designation threshold for night-time noise nuisance on the Stirling Alloa Kincardine rail line has been set at 82db; what assessment it has carried out of the effects of such noise on people's  health and wellbeing; what consideration it has made of the World Health Organization's views on night-time noise nuisance, and whether it has asked the UK Government to seek a derogation for Scotland from the environmental noise directive.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Stirling Alloa Kincardine (SAK) Project set the night time mitigation threshold at 82dB La max to align with other projects that had been through the Scottish Parliamentary Bill’s process after SAK and set the threshold at this level.\r\nThe use of the Lamax metric in these circumstances is consistent with the WHO guidelines on noise, providing greater benefit to those affected.\r\nThe Scottish Government liaises closely with both Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and Public Health England (PHE) to monitor the emerging research into the health effects of noise. As this dialogue develops on the potential health implications of noise, the Scottish Government will continue to work with HPS and PHE to enable us to develop appropriate policy responses.\r\nThe Scottish Government takes account of a number of peer reviewed research studies and guidance, including the World Health Organisation’s guidance when developing noise policy.\r\nDirective 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of the Environmental Noise Directive (END) was transposed by the Scottish Government through the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006, which came into force on 5th October 2006. No derogation has been sought.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:16.253","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285134,"EventID":"S4W-15345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:17.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:47:12.373","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to implement the environmental noise directive.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is using the terms of the European Union Environmental Noise Directive, commonly known as END, to seek to manage and where possible reduce environmental noise. We have published the first round of strategic noise maps (2007) and action plans (2008) in accordance with the terms of the directive at www.scottishnoisemapping.org. Round 2 is currently underway and the second round of noise maps were published in May 2013. We are working with Transport Scotland, local authorities and others to develop the second round of action plans which will be published for consultation later this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:17.033","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285135,"EventID":"S4W-15346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:17.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:47:29.983","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the number of full cycles offered for IVF treatment in some areas has been reduced to (a) two for people under 40 and (b) one for people over 40.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Expert Infertility Group, set up in 2010 to ensure equity of access to IVF treatment across Scotland, recommended moving to a guaranteed maximum of 2 fresh cycles of IVF, and unlimited, where available, frozen IVF transfers for all eligible patients up to their 40th birthday. Patients over 40 were not previously offered treatment, but will, if they meet specific criteria, now receive one full cycle of treatment. \r\nThe government has a commitment for a 12 month waiting time for IVF to be in place across Scotland by March 2015, and £12 million is being invested to support the commitment. This funding has already significantly reduced waiting times in some areas, and will along with consistent access criteria, guarantee equitable provision of IVF treatment across Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:17.61","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285136,"EventID":"S4W-15366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:18.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:54:10.35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards have stoma care forums; what information is collated nationally from these, and what action it is taking to encourage other boards to establish such forums.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recommended that local forums be set up to inform the provision of the stoma service.\r\nInformation from these forums is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:18.093","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285137,"EventID":"S4W-15379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:18.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T14:03:30.703","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14763 by Alex Neil on 22 May 2013, whether an independent Scotland would have its own body to provide such advice.\r\n","AnswerText":"As I stated in my answer to S4W-14763, the Scottish Government values the independent scrutiny and recommendations of the pay review bodies and we will maintain independent pay advice in the future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:18.5","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285138,"EventID":"S4W-15380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-29T17:11:18.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T14:03:30.703","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14761 by Alex Neil on 22 May 2013, how much it pays toward participating in the UK pay review bodies and how much it would cost to establish a separate set of bodies in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Office of Manpower Economics which provides a secretariat for all six pay review bodies (including the NHS pay review body and the Doctors’ and Dentists’ review body) is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, which is in turn funded through tax revenue.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-12T17:11:18.92","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285139,"EventID":"S4O-02225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T10:21:13.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T15:55:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what work is being carried out on the wooden spars on the Parliament building, at what cost and in what timescale.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T10:21:13.36","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285140,"EventID":"S4O-02226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T10:21:13.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T09:47:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what steps it has taken to ensure that people with a sensory impairment can take a full and active part when visiting the Parliament or attending external events.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T10:21:13.86","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285141,"EventID":"S4O-02227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T10:21:14.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T15:21:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what action it is taking in light of the findings of Audit Scotland’s report, Managing early departures from the Scottish public sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T10:21:14.14","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285142,"EventID":"S4O-02228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T10:21:14.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-28T21:10:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will consider procuring a resident cat as a humane mouse deterrent.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T10:21:14.437","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285143,"EventID":"S4O-02229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T10:21:15.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T12:09:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what the average number of customers using the Queensberry House lounge is on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays before 4pm.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T10:21:15.093","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285144,"EventID":"S4O-02230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T10:21:15.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T12:14:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether the external security facility will be delivered on time and on budget.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T10:21:15.327","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285145,"EventID":"S4O-02231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T10:21:15.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T16:10:41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what reductions in energy usage have been achieved across the  campus over the last three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T10:21:15.607","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285155,"EventID":"S4W-15264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:07.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-23T18:05:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that strategic environmental assessments of single outcome agreements are carried out; what benefits such assessments bring, and what the implications might be if they are not undertaken.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires a Responsible Authority to secure the carrying out of an environmental assessment in relation to a qualifying public plan or programme during the preparation of that plan or programme. The main benefit of environmental assessments is to ensure that the likely impact on the environment of public plans and programmes is considered before they are finalised. The iterative assessment procedures can enhance the public consultation processes by ensuring that those consulted are better informed of the likely environmental effects of a public plan or programme.\r\nA single outcome agreement (SOA) would only require an environmental assessment if it is regarded as being a public plan or programme as defined in the 2005 Act. The Scottish Government believes that in principle SOAs are unlikely to fall within the 2005 Act definition of a public plan or programme and so are unlikely to be subjected to Strategic Environmental Assessment. However, whether a particular SOA falls within the scope of the 2005 Act will depend on its content. It is therefore for each community planning partnership to interpret and apply the 2005 Act in relation to its own SOA and decide whether an assessment should be carried out.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:07.783","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285156,"EventID":"S4W-15308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:08.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T11:44:19.217","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12900 by Alex Neil on 27 February 2013, whether the cabinet secretary has met the parliamentary under-secretary of state with responsibility for medicines and pharmacy policy to discuss value-based pricing and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"I am due to meet with Earl Howe on 3 July 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:08.36","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285157,"EventID":"S4W-15309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:08.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T11:44:19.217","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers value-based pricing to be a devolved matter and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"The regulation of pricing of medicines is listed as a reserved matter under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998. The proposals for Value Based Pricing of medicines licensed from 1 January 2014 are being taken forward in negotiations between the UK Government’s Department of Health and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently seeking clarity on the evidence provided to the Health and Sport Committee on 14 May 2013 by the UK Government which suggested for the first time that aspects of value based pricing may be considered by the UK Government to be devolved.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:08.92","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285158,"EventID":"S4W-15310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:09.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T11:44:19.217","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement its officials have had with their UK counterparts on value-based pricing.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials are in regular contact with the Department of Health concerning value based pricing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:09.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285159,"EventID":"S4W-15311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:10.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T11:44:19.217","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact value-based pricing will have on the role of the Scottish Medicines Consortium.\r\n","AnswerText":"The regulation of pricing of medicines is listed as a reserved matter under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998. The proposals for Value Based Pricing of medicines licensed from 1 January 2014 are being taken forward in negotiations between the UK Government’s Department of Health and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).\r\nOnce the conclusions of the negotiations are available to the Scottish Government we will be able to examine their impact on Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:10.06","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285160,"EventID":"S4W-15340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:10.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:46:58.593","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of (a) babies have been born with neural tube abnormalities and (b) pregnancies have been terminated following a diagnosis of neural tube abnormalities, in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The number and rate of singletons born with neural tube defects are available in the Scottish Perinatal and Infant Mortality and Morbidity Report 2011 (tables A22 and A23a). The congenital anomaly tables from the SPIMMR report are currently only available up to 2010 as all infants are followed up from birth for a period of one year to allow detection of anomalies from hospital inpatient records or NRS death registrations. This information is available on ISD’s website via the following link:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Maternity-and-Births/Stillbirth-and-Infant-Deaths.\r\nDue to the sensitivity of abortion data and disclosure issues around this topic the only data available for terminations following a diagnosis of neural tube abnormality are the suppressed figures from the Abortion Act Statistics 2012 (Table 1). The three groups which make up neural tube defects are Anencephaly, Encephalocele and Spina Bifida. This information is available on ISD’s website via the following link:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Sexual-Health/Abortions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:10.62","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285161,"EventID":"S4W-15342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:11.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:46:58.593","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the proportion of pregnant women who take the recommended folic acid supplements during the period of neural tube closure in early pregnancy and whether it has changed in recent years.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not collated centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:11.027","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285162,"EventID":"S4W-15343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:11.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:46:58.593","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) the Food Standards Agency or (b) Health Protection Scotland has given it advice on (i) monitoring the incidence of neural tube abnormalities or (ii) fortifying flour with folic acid.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has a function of advising Ministers on matters relating to the composition of foods. The FSA has recommended the mandatory fortification of bread or flour with folic acid in order to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in foetuses, along with provisos including, controls on voluntary fortification (e.g. breakfast cereals and fat spreads) and limits on the amount of folic acid in food supplements. The Scottish Government is considering the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid with the other UK administrations.\r\nThe FSA has not provided advice to the Scottish Government on monitoring the incidence of neural tube defects as this is not within its remit.\r\nHealth Protection Scotland has not provided advice to the Scottish Government on either monitoring the incidence of neural tube abnormalities or on fortifying flour with folic acid as this does not fall within its remit.\r\nNeural tube defects are recorded in the Scottish Perinatal and Infant Mortality and Morbidity Report. The latest version of this report is available online at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Maternity-and-Births/Publications/2013-03-26/2013-03-26-SPIMMR2011-report.pdf?57358950377.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:11.387","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285163,"EventID":"S4W-15344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:11.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:46:58.593","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether pharmacists that sell over-the-counter pregnancy kits are (a) encouraged or (b) incentivised to advise customers on the need for early use of folic acid in the event of pregnancy.","AnswerText":"The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, as the professional body, provides information and guidance to their members on health promotion including preconception care and pregnancy.\r\nIn 2011, NHS Health Scotland launched an updated information leaflet for the public and briefing for health professionals with information on folic acid before and during pregnancy.\r\nThis resource is freely and widely available and gives basic information on folate from foods, folic acid from supplements or fortified food products and recommendations on intake for women before pregnancy and up to their 12th week of pregnancy.\r\nThere is also a professional briefing available, which underlines the importance of recommending folic acid supplements by all health professionals.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:11.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285164,"EventID":"S4W-15347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:12.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:49:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) children and (b) households will be enrolled in the Family Nurse Partnership programme in (i) 2013-14, (ii) 2014-15 and (iii) 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The FNP programme is delivered to the mother. Therefore, the ‘households’ are the number we capture as the nurses have capacity to deliver the programme to up to 25 clients at any one time. There may be more than one eligible child per household, due to multiple births, but it is the number of clients on the programme that we count, in terms of capacity.\r\nProvided the expansion continues at the expected rate, we should have the capacity to reach (i) 1,970 households in 2013-14 (ii) 3,420 in 2014-15 and (iii) 5,470 in 2015-16. We are committed to expanding the programme to all NHS boards who meet the criteria to deliver the programme, by the end of 2015. We are also committed to looking at expansion within existing NHS boards, during that timeframe.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:12.103","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285165,"EventID":"S4W-15348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:12.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:49:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government against what (a) outcomes and (b) comparators the Family Nurse Partnership programme will be assessed and at what time intervals.","AnswerText":"The FNP programme will be assessed on the following outcomes and time intervals:\r\n(a) Outcomes associated with the programme have been defined in our monitoring and evaluation framework that supports the ongoing evaluation in Scotland. Since our last response to evaluation, we have subsequently produced the third interim evaluation report in December 2012, with the fourth interim evaluation report a summary report due in late September 2013.\r\nThird interim evaluation report – infancy (publised on 21 December 2012):\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/12/4237/0\r\nThis was not an impact evaluation, however we have reported on, or intend to report on, routinely collected data on the following indicators which are the outcomes demonstrated in the United States research:\r\nSmoking in pregnancy at 2 time points in pregnancy\r\nBirthweight and gestational age of infants\r\nPercentage of immunisations completed by children from birth to two years old.\r\nPercentage of infants that are breastfed following birth and duration of breastfeeding\r\nNumber of Accident and Emergency visits and hospitilisations for injuries and ingestions for children birth to two years old\r\nNumber of subsenquent pregnancies and mean interval between first and second pregnancy\r\nNumber of month’s women participated in the workforce\r\nNumber of months families used other programmes (eg breastfeeding support, etc)\r\nInvolvement of fathers and other family members in the programme\r\nThere are also a range of key performance indicators that we expect each FNP site to report on periodically to demonstrate they are implementing the core model elements of the programme. These include use of data forms, learning events and supervision sessions.\r\n(b) The comparators on which the Family Nurse Partnership programme could be assessed will be given due consideration once the full evaluation report is produced.\r\nAs part of the licensing agreement for FNP in Scotland, we are required to take cogniscance of the ongoing Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) in England. The first report on this is due early in 2014, and Scotland will be required to share similar data on the key outcomes and indicators on which the RCT is based.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:12.463","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285166,"EventID":"S4W-15349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:12.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:49:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that pregnant women assessed as being more vulnerable than those eligible for the Family Nurse Partnership programme will receive similar intensive support.","AnswerText":"The Refreshed Framework for Maternity Care in Scotland was launched in 2011 to ensure that maternity services maximise their contribution to ensuring the best possible health for mother and baby. At the first booking appointment the Scottish Women Handheld Maternity Record is completed and includes comprehensive holistic risk assessment following which care is individualised to a woman’s needs. Women with complex health and social care needs will have additional antenatal and postnatal support and care suited to their needs as well as signposting to other services as appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:12.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285167,"EventID":"S4W-15350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:13.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:49:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) Sure Start programmes, (b) family centres and (c)  Home-Start programmes there were in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2012-13 and how many children they were supporting.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect this information centrally. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:13.21","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285168,"EventID":"S4W-15353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:13.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:49:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many early years programmes other than Family Nurse Partnership programme, Sure Start family centres and Home-Start there are in Scotland and how many (a) meet the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for parenting programmes for the effective treatment of conduct disorders in  non-abusive families, (b) are based on evidence of effectiveness or (c) are innovative programmes that have been evaluated as effective or are being evaluated.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect this information centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:13.617","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285169,"EventID":"S4W-15354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:13.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:49:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that child protection data are being collected and shared digitally to reduce duplication of services. \r\n","AnswerText":"The child protection data published annually by the Scottish Government, as part of the Children's Social Work Statistics, collates returns from local authorities.\r\nThe data currently collected and due to be published in 2014 will be the first year for which the data will be sourced entirely from local authorities’ own systems, securely uploaded, rather than requiring additional forms to be completed. This development reduces duplication of effort by local authorities.\r\nThe data are shared digitally in that the findings are made publically available on the Scottish Government website:\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Children/PubChildProtection\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:13.99","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285170,"EventID":"S4W-15355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:14.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:49:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the prevalence rates for children aged 0-16 (a) were in 2007 and (b) are of (i) language disorders, (ii) severe learning difficulty, (iii) moderate learning difficulty, (iv) developmental coordination disorders (DCD), (v) attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, (vi) autistic spectrum disorders, (vii) fetal alcohol syndrome, (viii) physical impairment other than DCD and (ix) profound and multiple learning difficulties.","AnswerText":"The requested information is not held centrally. The four year surveillance research project (funded by Scottish Government and previously referred to in the answer to question S3W-39210 on 8 February 2011 the epidemiology of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is due to report in July 2014.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:14.333","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285171,"EventID":"S4W-15356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:14.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:52:31.503","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the provision of stoma care.\r\n","AnswerText":"Day to day responsibility for the local provision and monitoring of stoma care services within a national framework falls to individual NHS boards. The last national review was preparatory to the establishment of the current commercial arrangements for the provision of this service which have been in place since July 2011.\r\nIt is now planned that a new quality and cost effectiveness review will be established to be led from within NHS Scotland to help plan for the future, to which patient groups will as in the past be invited to contribute. Further information for interested parties will follow in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:14.693","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285172,"EventID":"S4W-15357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:15.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:52:31.503","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to improve stoma care services across the country.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15356 on 13 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:15.067","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285173,"EventID":"S4W-15358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:15.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:52:31.503","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new ostomy patients there have been in each year since 2006 and how many people currently require stoma care appliances.","AnswerText":"The numbers of patients that have had a new ostomy fitted each year since 2006 are provided in the following table:\r\nYear\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\nOstomy\r\n2,025\r\n1,999\r\n2,157\r\n2,179\r\n2,373\r\n2,120\r\n2,113\r\nSource: Information Services Division (ISD).\r\nThe number of people currently requiring stoma care appliances is not held centrally. However ISD data suggests that the number of patients who were being prescribed stoma devices at the end of December 2012 was 33,200.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:15.427","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285174,"EventID":"S4W-15359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:15.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:52:31.503","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many stoma care clinical nurse specialists there have been in NHS hospitals in each year from 2004, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information regarding how many stoma care clinical nurse specialists there have been in NHS hospitals in each year from 2004, broken down by NHS board is not available as prior to the Agenda for Change (2007) information was not held at the level requested.\r\nThe following tables show the total number of stoma care clinical nurse specialists there have been employed in NHS boards, each year from 2004, however, the figures quoted will contain stoma care clinical staff from community and hospital based locations.\r\nTable 1. Number of stoma care clinical nurse specialists by NHS Board (WTE) from 31-03-2004 to 31-03-2012\r\nNHS Board\r\nMarch\r\n2004\r\nMarch\r\n2005\r\nMarch\r\n2006\r\nMarch\r\n2007\r\nMarch\r\n2008\r\nMarch\r\n2009\r\nMarch\r\n2010\r\nMarch\r\n2011\r\nMarch\r\n2012\r\nScotland\r\n26.1\r\n22.7\r\n29.4\r\n24.8\r\n27.8\r\n28.4\r\n28.0\r\n26.2\r\n27.2\r\nNHS Argyll and Clyde\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Borders\r\n0.8\r\n0.8\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Fife\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.8\r\n2.8\r\nNHS Highland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n2.6\r\n2.6\r\n2.7\r\n2.7\r\n3.0\r\n5.0\r\n3.8\r\n3.8\r\n3.8\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n8.5\r\n6.5\r\n9.7\r\n9.1\r\n8.3\r\n7.9\r\n8.7\r\n8.8\r\n9.8\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n4.0\r\n5.0\r\n5.0\r\n3.0\r\n5.5\r\n5.5\r\n4.5\r\n2.8\r\n2.8\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n1.4\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n0.8\r\n0.8\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\nState Hospital\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS24\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS National Services Scotland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Education for Scotland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Healthcare Improvement Scotland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nSource:  ISD Scotland.\r\nNote: NHS Argyll and Clyde ceased to exist at 1st April 2006. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Highland board areas were revised to include Argyll and Clyde.\r\nTable 2. Number of stoma care clinical nurse specialists by NHS Board (Headcount) from 31-03-2004 to 31-03-2012\r\nNHS Board\r\nMarch\r\n2004\r\nMarch\r\n2005\r\nMarch\r\n2006\r\nMarch\r\n2007\r\nMarch\r\n2008\r\nMarch\r\n2009\r\nMarch\r\n2010\r\nMarch\r\n2011\r\nMarch\r\n2012\r\nScotland\r\n28.0\r\n24.0\r\n31.0\r\n26.0\r\n29.0\r\n30.0\r\n30.0\r\n34.0\r\n29.0\r\nNHS Argyll and Clyde\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Borders\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Fife\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2.0\r\n-\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n-\r\n3.0\r\nNHS Highland\r\n-\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n2.0\r\n3.0\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n3.0\r\n-\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n5.0\r\n4.0\r\n1.0\r\n4.0\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n5.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n9.0\r\n7.0\r\n11.0\r\n10.0\r\n9.0\r\n9.0\r\n10.0\r\n12.0\r\n11.0\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n4.0\r\n5.0\r\n5.0\r\n3.0\r\n6.0\r\n6.0\r\n5.0\r\n4.0\r\n3.0\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n2.0\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\nState Hospital\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS24\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS National Services Scotland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Education for Scotland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Healthcare Improvement Scotland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nSource: ISD Scotland.\r\nNote: NHS Argyll and Clyde ceased to exist at 1st April 2006. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Highland board areas were revised to include Argyll and Clyde.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:15.8","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285175,"EventID":"S4W-15360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:16.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:52:31.503","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the arrangements for the provision of stoma care appliances to patients in the community.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15356 on 13 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:16.22","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285176,"EventID":"S4W-15361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:16.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:52:31.503","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it consults stoma patients on the quality of stoma care services in the community.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15356 on 13 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:16.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285177,"EventID":"S4W-15362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:16.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:53:12.397","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how stoma care services are monitored.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15356 on 13 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:16.94","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285178,"EventID":"S4W-15363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:17.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:53:12.397","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action has been taken to set up a national audit programme investigating the provision of stoma (a) care appliances and (b) patient service standards.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Stoma Forum audited patient opinion back in August 2010 to inform the development of a national audit system. Further work to establish a national group is to be taken forward and will be tasked with developing a national audit system building on patient opinion.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:17.297","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285179,"EventID":"S4W-15364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:17.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:53:12.397","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for auditing national service standards in respect of stoma care. \r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15356 on 13 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:17.877","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285180,"EventID":"S4W-15365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:18.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:53:12.397","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS boards are required to report on the provision of stoma care services as part of their annual review.\r\n","AnswerText":"Whilst there is no current requirement for NHS boards to report on the provision of stoma care services as part of the Annual Review process, it is possible that this could be discussed at a board review; especially if it is a particular area of strength or challenge for the relevant board.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:18.233","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285181,"EventID":"S4W-15375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:18.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:55:59.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to provide training for (a) clinical nurse specialists, (b) GPs, (c) pharmacists and (d) other NHS staff regarding (i) stoma care and (ii) working with new stoma care appliances.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHSScotland Boards are responsible for ensuring that they have an appropriately skilled workforce within their area to provide person-centred, safe and effective care. Individual Boards are supported and facilitated to meet training and continuous professional development needs by NHS Education for Scotland(NES).\r\nWith regard to stoma care, and new stoma care appliances, relevant healthcare staff are required to acquire and keep up to date their knowledge and skills to address the needs of their patients and to deliver high quality care, through medical journals, training and information from the Royal Colleges, GP magazines, national and local guidelines (e.g. British National Formulary and local formularies), NHS Knowledge Network, and others.\r\nIn addition to facilitating access to relevant information sources, NES also provides specific online stoma care presentations and webcasts that enable staff to gain greater insight into caring for the stoma patient, prescribing and common pharmaceutical care issues, and a ‘trouble-shooting’ workshop based upon case scenarios. These resources are reviewed regularly, and adapted as required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:18.593","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285182,"EventID":"S4W-15376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:18.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:55:59.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of clinical nurse specialists in stoma care have been trained in prescribing in each year since 2006, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not centrally held.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:18.983","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285183,"EventID":"S4W-15377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:19.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:55:59.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it decides which NHS staff should be responsible for the prescribing of stoma appliances.\r\n","AnswerText":"Prescribing may be under taken by appropriately qualified practitioners, on the NHS Boards list, within their area of competency and are accountable for all aspects of their prescribing decision.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:19.357","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285184,"EventID":"S4W-15378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:19.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:55:59.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that older people who require support with stoma care (a) at home or (b) in a care home receive this from an appropriately trained person.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects older people’s health or personal care needs to be clearly detailed within their care plans and, for them to be supported by appropriately trained staff, irrespective of whether they are at home or in a care home. The National Care Standards for Care at Home and Care Homes for Older People clearly set out the responsibilities of care providers and their duty to ensure that they have suitably qualified and appropriate numbers of staff to meet the health and welfare needs of their residents/clients.\r\nFree Personal and Nursing Care was introduced in Scotland in July 2002. Schedule 1 of the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 sets out that “where a person is fitted with a catheter or stoma, providing such assistance as is requisite to ensure cleanliness and that the skin is kept in a favourable hygiene condition, will not be charged for”.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:19.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285185,"EventID":"S4W-15382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:20.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T10:44:52.43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the possible environmental impact, what its position is on the transportation of exotic nuclear fuels by rail.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15191 on 6 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:20.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285186,"EventID":"S4W-15385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:20.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T11:42:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle transphobia.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government shows leadership in tackling inequalities that exist for transgender people, by taking opportunities to raise awareness of transphobia when speaking at public events, and ensuring issues for transgender people are embedded in relevant policy and legislative development.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s approach to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality is considered progressive in a European context, and we are regarded as the most advanced European country on transgender equality. This is attributed to Scotland’s use of an inclusive definition of gender identity in Hate Crime legislation where crimes have a transphobic motivation. We are also working to introduce the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill which will remove the requirement on transgender people to divorce before obtaining a full Gender Recognition Certificate.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government was the first government in Europe to provide direct funding to a transgender organisation. The Scottish Transgender Alliance has been funded by the Scottish Government since 2007, and its current grant is £125,000 per annum for the period 2012-15.\r\nOn 30 April 2013, the Scottish Government published its Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Report. Although most of the Equality Outcomes can be applied across the protected characteristics, there are two which specifically refer to gender reassignment in the associated activities:\r\nScottish Government directorates are by 2017 more confident in and better informed on equality and diversity matters and can engage with partners and stakeholders to effect change and improvement.\r\nProgress is made towards the reduction in violence against women by 2017 through a strategic and co-ordinated approach by agencies and women’s organisations.\r\nAs an employer, the Scottish Government is committed to treating every employee with dignity and respect. It is our policy to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that all staff have equality of opportunity in their terms and conditions of employment and are able to work, and undertake work-related activities, in an environment free from harassment, victimisation, discrimination and/or bullying. Our Fairness at Work policy sets out quite clearly the behaviours we expect from all our staff and is based on the premise that what is deemed to be unacceptable is based on the perception of the recipient. The policy makes specific reference to protection against bullying or harassment based on real or perceived gender identity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:20.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285187,"EventID":"S4W-15386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:20.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T11:42:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the rights of transgender men and women are being protected under the Equality Act 2010.","AnswerText":"Enforcement of the Equality Act 2010 is not the responsibility of the Scottish Government: it is a matter for the courts and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.\r\nThe Scottish Government does, however, act where it has a locus to act, for example, in relation to its Equality Outcomes and the protected equality characteristics of its staff.\r\nThere are two Equality Outcomes which specifically refer to gender reassignment in the associated activities: \r\n(1) Scottish Government directorates are by 2017 more confident in and better informed on equality and diversity matters and can engage with partners and stakeholders to effect change and improvement.\r\n(2) Progress is made towards the reduction in violence against women by 2017 through a strategic and co-ordinated approach by agencies and women’s organisations.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government has committed to have a more representative workforce through its equality outcome “90% of Scottish Government employees are responding to diversity monitoring by 2017 contributing to the Scottish Government workforce becoming broadly reflective of the Scottish population by 2025”.\r\nOur equality impact assessment process helps us to ensure that the rights of transgender men and women under the Equality Act 2010 are considered in relation to new and revised policies and practices.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:20.637","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285188,"EventID":"S4W-15387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:20.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T11:42:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages the business and retail sector to comply with equal opportunities requirements in respect of transgender people.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers and officials regularly speak to, meet and correspond with individual retailers and business organisations about a range of topics including equal opportunities, as part of on-going engagement with sectors of the economy. In addition, the Scottish Government has funded the Scottish Transgender Alliance project since 2007. The Scottish Transgender Alliance assists transgender people, service providers, employers and equality organisations to improve gender identity and gender reassignment equality, rights and inclusion in Scotland. \r\nAt present, issues in relation to equal opportunities are reserved to the UK Government and enforcement of the Equality Act 2010 is a matter for the courts and the Equality and Human Rights Commission. An independent Scotland has the opportunity to improve on the UK regulatory model, streamlining and reinvigorating its functions to make them compatible with and reflective of our values and ambitions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:20.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285189,"EventID":"S4W-15388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:21.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T12:32:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it first asked the Scottish Legal Aid Board to develop proposals for contracting with criminal legal aid suppliers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The issue of contracting is not a new one, and the Scottish Legal Aid Board has a statutory duty to keep the legal system under review and report to Ministers.\r\nMost recently, the Board has been looking at this as one of a range of options for responding to funding pressures.\r\nDiscussions continue with several interested parties. Once a package of possible measures emerges, there will be a consultation in the summer. This approach has been agreed with the Law Society.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:21.12","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285190,"EventID":"S4W-15389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:21.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T12:32:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what instructions it gave to the Scottish Legal Aid Board when asking it to develop proposals for contracting with criminal legal aid suppliers.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15388 on 14 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:21.447","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285191,"EventID":"S4W-15390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:21.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T12:32:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with the Scottish Legal Aid Board regarding the development of proposals for contracting with criminal legal aid suppliers.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15388 on 14 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:21.76","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285192,"EventID":"S4W-15391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:22.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T12:32:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it had contact with the Scottish Legal Aid Board regarding the development of proposals for contracting with criminal legal aid suppliers prior to the publication of the report, A Sustainable Future for Legal Aid.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15388 on 14 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:22.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285193,"EventID":"S4W-15392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T14:05:22.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T12:32:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the Scottish Legal Aid Board to report back with its findings on the development of proposals for contracting with criminal legal aid suppliers.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15388 on 14 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T14:05:22.383","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285194,"EventID":"S4W-15393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T16:56:42.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T12:44:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it or its agencies provided to O2 when it established the Skypark call centre facility in Glasgow and what conditions were attached.\r\n","AnswerText":"O2 was offered a regional selective assistance grant of £7,000,000 in 2005 to help attract the project to Glasgow rather than competing locations in Ireland. This was for a project that would create 1,522 jobs and involve investment by the company of £13,271,000.\r\nBy the end of the project, O2 had invested £13,762,000 and created 1,330 new jobs. £6,100,000 of the grant was paid.\r\nThe terms and conditions of the grant required the company to retain the assets and jobs associated with the grant until April 2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T16:56:42.66","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285195,"EventID":"S4W-15396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T16:56:42.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T13:54:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what grounds access to cetuximab has been restricted.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) published advice in July 2006 to confirm its acceptance of cetuximab for restricted use in combination with radiation therapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. The company stated in their submission that the target population they wish considered were those patients for whom chemoradiotherapy is not appropriate. The SMC advice restricted the use of cetuximab for this indication for patients who are not appropriate for or are unable to tolerate chemo-radiotherapy and who are of good performance status with no evidence of distant metastases. The use of cetuximab was also restricted to specialists in the management of head and neck cancer. The SMC advice can be viewed via the SMC website:\r\nhttp://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/SMC_Advice/Advice/cetuximab_2mg_ml_intravenous_infusion__Erbitux____________/cetuximab_2mg_ml_intravenous_infusion__Erbitux____________\r\nThe SMC advice on cetuximab published on 8 February 2010 confirmed its acceptance of cetuximab for restricted use within the NHS in Scotland for the first-line treatment of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with chemotherapy where they have not previously been treated with chemotherapy for their metastatic disease, with liver metastases only that are considered non-resectable but in whom potentially curative liver metastases resection would be undertaken if the lesions became resectable after treatment with chemotherapy and cetuximab. Within its licensed indication for the treatment of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with chemotherapy.\r\nThe submitting company requested that the SMC appraise a niche within the licensed indication for cetuximab specifically for patients who had not previously received chemotherapy for their metastatic disease and provided efficacy and safety data to reflect this niche. The manufacturer niched the economic analysis to patients whose metastatic disease is confined to the liver and is currently unresectable but which may become amenable to potentially curative liver resection after responding to chemotherapy plus cetuximab.\r\nhttp://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/SMC_Advice/Advice/543_09_cetuximab__Erbitux_/cetuximab__Erbitux_1\r\n\r\nOn 25 January 2012 NICE published Multiple Technology Appraisal (MTA) advice which confirmed that cetuximab monotherapy or combination chemotherapy is not recommended for the treatment of people with metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed beyond first-line chemotherapy. Healthcare Improvement Scotland published advice on the same day to confirm that the NICE advice was valid for Scotland. A link to the national advice for cetuximab in this indication is attached: http://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/SMC_Advice/Advice/Cetuximab_100mg_in_50ml_solution_for_infusion__Erbitux__174__/Cetuximab__Erbitux__\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T16:56:42.91","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285196,"EventID":"S4W-15397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T16:56:43.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T13:54:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards on restricting the provision of cetuximab.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15399 on 13 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T16:56:43.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285197,"EventID":"S4W-15398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T16:56:43.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T13:54:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all NHS boards have agreed that the restrictions on access to cetuximab are appropriate.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15399 on 13 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T16:56:43.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285198,"EventID":"S4W-15399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T16:56:43.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T13:54:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Medicines Consortium regarding the provision of cetuximab.","AnswerText":"Since it was set up in 2001 by the previous administration, the purpose of the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has been to appraise newly licensed medicines and to issue advice to all NHS boards in Scotland about their use, based on assessments of comparative clinical and cost-effectiveness of treatments. As the SMC operates its processes independently from the Scottish Government there are no discussions with them about drugs they are considering.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T16:56:43.923","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285199,"EventID":"S4W-15400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T16:56:44.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T13:54:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients are being treated with cetuximab.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T16:56:44.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285200,"EventID":"S4W-15401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T16:56:44.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T13:54:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many patients have requested cetuximab.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T16:56:44.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285201,"EventID":"S4W-15402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T16:56:44.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T13:54:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many individual patient treatment requests have been made for cetuximab and how many have been accepted, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"On the basis of IPTR monitoring information received from NHS Boards for the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde received 14 IPTRs for cetuximab during this timeframe of which eight were approved.\r\nFor the rest of Scotland, five IPTRs were received within the same timeframe of which two were approved. Further breakdown of these figures to geographical area is not appropriate due to patient confidentiality issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T16:56:44.89","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285202,"EventID":"S4W-15404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T16:56:45.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T13:54:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether resource issues have been a factor in discussions with the Scottish Medicines Consortium on the provision of cetuximab.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15399 on 13 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T16:56:45.217","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285203,"EventID":"S4W-15406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T16:56:45.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T13:54:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many individual patient treatment request decisions against the use of cetuximab have been appealed and how many appeals were accepted, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T16:56:45.577","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285204,"EventID":"S4W-15408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-30T16:56:45.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T14:56:12.383","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS staff can expect to receive their 2013 (a) pay award and (b) back pay and for what reason this has been delayed.\r\n","AnswerText":"Staff should see the cost of living rise in their June 2013 pay, and the intention is to pay arrears in the following month’s salaries. The NHS pay cycle begins on 1 April each year but it is not unusual for circulars to be issued later than this date for one reason or another. The Agenda for Change pay circular has been issued in May for the last two years. And in 2006, 2007 and 2008, it went out in June.\r\nThis year, the NHS review bodies recommended a 1% pay raise for all staff within their remits. However, in Scotland (unlike in England) we decided to go further in protecting the lower paid and to make a non-consolidated payment to staff earning under £21,000 to raise their overall salary in 2013-14 by a total of £250. Discussions around the logistics of how to make this additional payment delayed the publication of the Agenda for Change pay circular.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-13T16:56:45.95","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285228,"EventID":"S4W-15421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T09:59:14.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T17:23:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how many staff employed by its contractors in the Parliament are on zero-hour contracts.\r\n","AnswerText":"Our catering contractor employs eight individuals on zero-hour contracts. These are all students except for one person for whom it is an additional job. Most of the students are studying hospitality and this group of eight support evening events only on an ad hoc basis, typically working as waiters and waitresses.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T09:59:14.54","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Linda Fabiani","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285236,"EventID":"S4W-15275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:39.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T19:17:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures have been performed at the national treatment centre.\r\n","AnswerText":"A total of 39 patients have had transcatheter aortic valve implantation at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, since the national service started in September 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:40.193","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285237,"EventID":"S4W-15276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:40.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T19:17:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the supplementary to question S4O-01466 by Alex Neil on 14 November 2012 (Official Report, c. 13412), whether it will provide details of the \"hypothetical analysis of the numbers\" of patients accessing transcatheter aortic valve implantation treatment in the first year of operation of the national treatment centre.\r\n","AnswerText":"The analysis of patient numbers is set out in paragraphs 12 to 18 of the TAVI Short Life Group report published in June 2012. The report can be accessed at the following link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0040/00406819.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:40.847","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285238,"EventID":"S4W-15277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:41.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T19:17:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to providing a transcatheter aortic valve implantation  treatment centre in the west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"The performance of the national TAVI service is being closely monitored over the first 12 months, and consideration will be given to whether there is a need to introduce a regional model of service, or extend the service to two sites, if appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:41.377","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285239,"EventID":"S4W-15279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:41.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-27T19:17:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the supplementary to question S4O-01466 by Alex Neil on 14 November 2012 (Official Report, c. 13412), when it anticipates a transcatheter aortic valve implantation treatment centre being available in the west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15277 on 13 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:41.923","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285240,"EventID":"S4W-15395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:42.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T13:20:13.4","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish its plans for the regulation of financial services in advance of the white paper on independence, and whether the white paper will contain its proposals for these regulations in full.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Fiscal Commission Working Group report set out five key recommendations in areas such as currency and financial stability to assist the Scottish Government in shaping and designing a robust macroeconomic framework for an independent Scotland.\r\nIn April we set out our response to the currency proposals and we will set out our further responses to the remaining recommendations in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:42.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285241,"EventID":"S4W-15409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:42.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T15:49:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that the transfer of responsibility for children’s panel members to Children’s Hearings Scotland is on schedule, and what the reasons are for any delays.\r\n","AnswerText":"Reporting monthly to the implementation Programme Board across all key workstreams, Scottish Government officials have worked closely with Children’s Hearings Scotland staff over the past two years to ensure readiness for the transfer of responsibilities on 24 June 2013.\r\nAppropriate arrangements are in place for the National Convener to take on her full statutory responsibilities from the implementation date.\r\nImplementation is on schedule for 24 June, and we do not expect any delays to impact on the timely delivery of the modernised system.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:42.767","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285242,"EventID":"S4W-15410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:43.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T15:49:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that there will be no delay or disruption to children’s panels following the transfer of responsibility for the recruitment, training and support of children’s panel members to Children’s Hearings Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials have worked closely with the National Convener and Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) staff over the past two years to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place for the recruitment of panel members and the provision of their training and support once the National Convener takes on her full responsibilities on 24 June 2013.\r\nAs a result, there should be no delay or disruption to children’s panels following the transfer of responsibility for their administration.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:43.077","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285243,"EventID":"S4W-15411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:43.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T15:49:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that it collects accurate information on members of children's panels in relation to police checks and protection of vulnerable groups legislation, and whether this information will be transferred to Children’s Hearings Scotland in time for it becoming operational in June 2013.","AnswerText":"All appointments and reappointments to Children’s Panels are conditional on the completion of statutory background checks by Disclosure Scotland. Information about these checks is gathered and processed at local level and is then recorded on the central database held by the Scottish Government.\r\nA planned quality assurance review has been conducted on the accuracy of central records and will conclude before implementation on 24 June 2013.\r\nResponsibility for the central database, and associated information supporting the effective administration of the children’s panel, will transfer to Children’s Hearings Scotland in time for 24 June.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:43.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285244,"EventID":"S4W-15413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:43.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T15:49:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that no children’s panel hearings will be delayed or cancelled due to any problems that might arise with the transfer of information from it to Children’s Hearings Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials have worked closely with the National Convener and with Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) staff over the past two years to ensure that all required information is available to them in time for the implementation date of 24 June 2013.\r\nWe do not anticipate any disruption to hearings as a result of the transfer of the required information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:43.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285245,"EventID":"S4W-15414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:43.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T15:49:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that no children’s panel members will be suspended due to information regarding them in relation to police checks and protection of vulnerable groups legislation not being transferred to Children's Hearings Scotland. \r\n","AnswerText":"Relevant Disclosure Scotland information on panel members, and prospective panel members, is communicated by local authority Clerks to the Scottish Government and recorded on individual records on the central database. Responsibility for this database will transfer to Children’s Hearings Scotland in time for 24 June 2013. \r\nNo panel member will be suspended because information has not been transferred to Children’s Hearings Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:43.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285246,"EventID":"S4W-15415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:44.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T16:38:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the impact of the recent shortage of liothyronine (T3) on people with an underactive thyroid.","AnswerText":"The Department of Health (DH) has responsibility for UK medicines shortages and acts on behalf of all the UK Health Departments in these matters.\r\nDH and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have worked very closely with the company responsible for the manufacture and distribution of liothyronine, Amdipharm Mercury Company Ltd, to help ensure that supply returned to normal as quickly as possible and I understand that new stock is now available.\r\nI also understand that while the UK licensed product was in short supply, unlicensed alternatives were imported from abroad for use on an individual patient basis. The MHRA issued advice to healthcare professionals on 21 May 2013 to explain the situation and to provide clinical advice on the use of imported alternatives.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:44.14","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285247,"EventID":"S4W-15416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:44.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T16:38:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent drug shortages, whether it will investigate the reasons for their being only one supplier of liothyronine (T3) in the UK.","AnswerText":"It is a matter for individual pharmaceutical companies to decide whether they wish to apply for a marketing authorisation to allow them to market a particular product.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:44.45","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285248,"EventID":"S4W-15417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:44.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T16:38:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to avoid a future shortage of liothyronine (T3).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in regular dialogue with the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy wholesalers and pharmacists in order to minimise the impact of any supply chain problems on both patients and the NHS. In addition, officials are in regular contact with the Department of Health to consider any UK-wide implications.\r\nThe Department of Health has been in contact with the manufacturer of liothyronine (T3), Amdipharm Mercury Company Ltd, to discuss action the company may take to avoid future shortages.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:44.717","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285249,"EventID":"S4W-15418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:44.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T16:38:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of concerns expressed, whether it will investigate the price paid by the NHS for liothyronine (T3).\r\n","AnswerText":"The reimbursement arrangements for all drugs prescribed and dispensed by NHS Scotland are kept under constant review. With reference to liothyronine, the reimbursement price is based on that set by the single company manufacturing the product.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:44.95","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285250,"EventID":"S4W-15419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:45.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T16:38:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will investigate the cause of the recent shortage of liothyronine (T3).","AnswerText":"The Department of Health (DH) has responsibility for UK medicines shortages and act on behalf of all the UK Health Departments in these matters.\r\nDH has advised that the company responsible for the manufacture and distribution of liothyronine (T3), Amdipharm Mercury Company Ltd, experienced problems obtaining the active substance and, as a consequence, went out of stock. I understand that new stock is now available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:45.247","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285251,"EventID":"S4W-15420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:45.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T17:17:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on delivering IVF treatment locally for NHS Ayrshire and Arran patients.","AnswerText":"NHS Ayrshire and Arran provides IVF treatment for its patients through an agreed contract with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. NHS IVF treatment is carried out in specialist centres in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow on behalf of all NHS boards in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:45.497","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285252,"EventID":"S4W-15422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:45.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T09:49:58.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Fiscal Commission Working Group’s work in relation to options and opportunities for a tax system for Scotland includes consideration of the extension of VAT to food and children’s clothing.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the minutes of the meeting on 7 February 2013 of the Fiscal Commission Working Group. The minutes can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/Council-Economic-Advisers/FCWG\r\nThe Fiscal Commission is considering the principles of taxation not what should be taxed. As the Fiscal Commission Working Group has indicated, a paper will be published in due course.\r\nIt will be for all parties in Parliament to set out their plans for taxation in an independent Scotland ahead of the 2016 election.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:45.793","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285253,"EventID":"S4W-15423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:46.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T09:49:58.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Fiscal Commission Working Group’s meeting on 28 May 2013 included consideration of the extension of VAT to food and children’s clothing.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15422 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:46.027","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285254,"EventID":"S4W-15424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:46.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T09:49:58.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether ministers have instructed the Fiscal Commission Working Group to rule out consideration of the recommendation in Dimensions of Tax Design: The Mirrlees Review to extend VAT to food and children’s clothing.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15422 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:46.387","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285255,"EventID":"S4W-15425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:46.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T09:49:58.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Fiscal Commission Working Group’s meeting on 28 May 2013 included instruction from ministers to rule out consideration of the recommendation in Dimensions of Tax Design: The Mirrlees Review to extend VAT to food and children’s clothes.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15422 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:46.603","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285256,"EventID":"S4W-15426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:46.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T09:49:58.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the recommendation in Dimensions of Tax Design: The Mirrlees Review to extend VAT to food and children’s clothing was a factor in the invitation for Sir James Mirrlees to join the Fiscal Commission Working Group.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15422 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:46.807","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285257,"EventID":"S4W-15427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:47.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T09:49:58.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the statement in the minutes of the Fiscal Commission Working Group of 7 February 2013 that “the work of the Mirrlees Review would provide a helpful starting point”.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15422 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:47.027","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285258,"EventID":"S4W-15428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:47.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T09:49:58.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost to an average family of an independent Scotland applying VAT to (a) food and (b) children’s clothing.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15422 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:47.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285259,"EventID":"S4W-15429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:47.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T09:49:58.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on its poverty indicators of an independent Scotland applying VAT to (a) food and (b) children’s clothing.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15422 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:47.447","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285260,"EventID":"S4W-15430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:47.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T09:49:58.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in relation to an independent Scotland, it has a position on the statement in Dimensions of Tax Design: The Mirrlees Review that \"the policy rationale for the zero-rating of food and children’s clothing is extremely weak”.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15422 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:47.68","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285261,"EventID":"S4W-15431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:47.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T09:49:58.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in its proposals for a tax system for an independent Scotland, what weight it will give to the findings in Dimensions of Tax Design: The Mirrlees Review and whether such proposals will form part of the white paper on proposals for independence.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15422 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:#\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:47.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285262,"EventID":"S4W-15432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:48.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T09:49:58.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to an independent Scotland, what its position is on applying VAT to (a) food and (b) children’s clothing as suggested in Dimensions of Tax Design: The Mirrlees Review.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15422 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:48.133","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285263,"EventID":"S4W-15434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:48.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T09:49:58.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish a report on its preferred structure of tax in an independent Scotland prior to the white paper on proposals for independence and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15422 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:48.383","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285264,"EventID":"S4W-15435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:48.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T09:49:58.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Sir James Mirrlees on the design of a tax structure for an independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15422 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:48.6","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285265,"EventID":"S4W-15436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:48.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T09:49:58.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in relation to an independent Scotland, it has a position on the statement in Dimensions of Tax Design: The Mirrlees Review that “we should work towards a comprehensive system of congestion charging on the roads, replacing most of fuel duty”.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to replace fuel duty with a comprehensive system of congestion charging on the roads.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:48.803","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285266,"EventID":"S4W-15437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:49.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T10:07:01.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many decrofting applications are currently suspended by the Crofting Commission, broken down by parliamentary constituency.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are 44 decrofting applications held in abeyance by the Crofting Commission and these are broken down by parliamentary constituency in the following table:\r\nParliamentary Constituency\r\nNumber of Owner-Occupier Crofter Applications to Decroft held in Abeyance\r\nNa h-Eileanan an Iar\r\n1\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n2\r\nSkye, Lochaber and Badenoch\r\n16\r\nCaithness, Sutherland and Ross\r\n14\r\nShetland Islands\r\n10\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n1\r\nInverness and Nairn\r\n0\r\nMoray\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n44\r\n\r\nI indicated to the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee, during Stage 1 of the Crofting (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill on 22 May 2013, that there were 50 decrofting applications held in abeyance.\r\nHowever, as I indicated on 6 June 2013 during that Bill’s Stage 1 Debate, the Crofting Commission has undertaken further processing of those applications and it has been established that 6 of those 50 applicants do not meet the definition of “owner-occupier crofter” as set out in the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993, as amended by the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.\r\nThe Crofting Commission is holding these 44 applications in anticipation of the new legislation coming into force. This is subject, of course, to Parliamentary approval and the Bill receiving Royal Assent.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:49.147","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285267,"EventID":"S4W-15438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:49.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T10:23:48.863","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people from (a) England and (b) Wales have accepted places at universities in Scotland in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The number of English and Welsh domiciled entrants to higher education in Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the last five academic years is provided in the following table. (Latest figures are for the academic year 2011-12.)\r\nEntrants to higher education in Scottish HEIs by domicile, 2007-08 to 2011-12:\r\n\r\nDomicile of entrant\r\nEngland\r\nWales\r\n2007-08\r\n         7,020 \r\n            250 \r\n2008-09\r\n         7,460 \r\n            225 \r\n2009-10\r\n         8,370 \r\n            270 \r\n2010-11\r\n         7,585 \r\n            220 \r\n2011-12\r\n         7,360 \r\n            255 \r\nSource: Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA)\r\nThe table includes entrants to all levels of study in HEIs including: postgraduate, first degree and sub-degree.\r\nData rounded to nearest five.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:49.367","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285268,"EventID":"S4W-15439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-05-31T14:30:49.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-31T10:23:48.863","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been generated in fees from students from England and Wales who attend universities in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nThe Scottish Government regulates the number of places available to Scots-domiciled and EU students. Where students from the rest of the UK are concerned, recruitment is a matter for each individual university and is determined on the basis of issues such as the number of applications and overall capacity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-14T14:30:49.6","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285280,"EventID":"S4W-15441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2487,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T13:24:06.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T09:13:34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will address the concerns raised regarding boundary discrepancies in relation to the requirement for integrated arrangements for NHS boards and local authorities in the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill will bring forward legislation to remove Community Health Partnerships from statute. Instead, the Bill will create local integrated arrangements, which will be the joint and equal responsibility of health boards and local authorities. It will require local systems to remove constraints to providing integrated health and social care to communities so public bodies can focus on delivering better outcomes for their communities.\r\nAny mismatch of health board and local authority boundaries presents an administrative barrier to closer integrated working, complicating the planning and delivery of health and social care services. The Scottish Government will bring forward a Scottish Statutory Instrument to ensure that health board boundaries match the geographical boundaries of their local authority partners, further strengthening integrated arrangements and the relationship between health and social care service provision.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T13:24:06.66","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285287,"EventID":"S4W-15442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T14:25:11.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T09:44:48.007","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional needs assistants have been employed in schools in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The requested information on additional support needs auxiliary or care assistants, is collected as part of the teacher census in September each year and is given in the following table:\r\nFull-time equivalent numbers of additional support needs auxiliary or care assistants, 2008-2012(1)\r\nYear\r\nFull-time equivalent\r\n2008\r\n6,046\r\n2009\r\n6,016\r\n2010\r\n6,016\r\n2011\r\n6,077\r\n2012\r\n6,491\r\n(1) Includes all local authority schools and Jordanhill, the mainstream grant-aided school, but excludes all independent schools and the seven grant-aided special schools. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T14:25:11.353","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285288,"EventID":"S4W-15443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T14:25:11.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T10:24:20.053","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to promote healthy eating from a young age.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has a comprehensive range of initiatives aimed at promoting healthy eating from the very early years into adulthood. Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action published in 2011 has a number of specific actions around nutrition, from antenatal education to weaning.\r\nThe “Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008” ensure that all food and drink served in schools meet high standards. In addition, Curriculum for Excellence help pupils develop the skills they need to make healthy and balanced food choices.\r\nIn addition we fund the Scottish Cooking Bus which teaches healthy, practical cooking skills to pupils and teachers across Scotland. Complementing the good work in schools, we are developing a new Beyond the School Gate toolkit to provide guidance on promoting a healthier environment around school premises.\r\nWe are also in discussions with the food industry on draft proposals to take voluntary action to help rebalance Scotland diet. The draft proposals can be viewed at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Healthy-Living/Food-Health/HeathyChoices.\r\nOne particular focus of the proposals is children’s health. As part of this work we have teamed up with the British Standards Institution to develop a new Scottish marketing and advertising standard, across all forms of marketing and advertising to children as well as adults.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T14:25:11.883","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285289,"EventID":"S4W-15444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T14:25:12.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T10:24:20.053","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce compulsory foreign language classes in both primary and secondary education as part of the implementation of the curriculum for excellence.","AnswerText":"Scotland does not operate an education system which is based around compulsory subjects or lessons.\r\nThe Scottish Government sees modern languages as key to achieving the overall purpose of creating a more successful Scotland with opportunities for all to flourish through increasing sustainable growth. It is important for the nation’s prosperity that young people are attracted to learning modern languages and that they become confident and competent linguists, well equipped with the skills and capacities needed in the new Europe and in the 21st century global marketplace.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s commitment is to create the conditions whereby children and young people will have the opportunity to learn two languages in addition to their mother tongue.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T14:25:12.1","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285290,"EventID":"S4W-15445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T14:25:12.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T11:21:59.003","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its response to its consultation on a plastic bag tax.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not consulted on a plastic bag tax. Our safeguarding Scotland’s resources consultation on efficient use of materials included a proposal for regulations requiring retailers to charge at least 5p for all single use carrier bags, regardless of material, and donate the net proceeds to good causes. We intend to publish our proposals soon, together with consultation responses and analysis.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T14:25:12.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285291,"EventID":"S4W-15454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T14:25:12.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T11:51:50.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Highland Main Line upgrade project will reach the feasibility report stage.","AnswerText":"The 2012 High Level Output Specification states that phase two of the project will be delivered in Control Period 5 (2014-19). Due to the complexity of this project, detailed analysis must be undertaken to ensure that Ministers’ aspirations are achieved. Network Rail are expected to deliver a report on the options for phase two later this year.\r\nThe first phase of the Highland Main Line improvements has been completed delivering two extra trains each way per day from December 2011 and journey time improvements of up to 18 minutes from December 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T14:25:12.6","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285292,"EventID":"S4W-15455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T14:25:12.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T11:51:50.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will make a decision on which options to pursue for the Inverness-Aberdeen railway line improvements.","AnswerText":"Network Rail is continuing to undertake detailed development on the Inverness to Aberdeen Rail Improvements Project to ensure that the scheme better reflects the priorities and timings detailed in the Scottish Government’s High Level Output Specification, published on 21 June 2012.\r\nMy officials in Transport Scotland are continuing to work closely with Network Rail on the detailed requirements and timescales for the project. A decision on which options to pursue cannot be made until detailed proposals have been submitted to Transport Scotland by Network Rail.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T14:25:12.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285293,"EventID":"S4W-15462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T14:25:13.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:20:18.423","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to place an annual limit on the number of GP appointments that a person can have.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will not restrict patient access to GPs. The Scottish Government is committed to continuing to provide high quality health and social care to the people of Scotland and consider that any moves to restrict the number of visits a patient can make to their GP would be of potentially serious detriment to their health\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T14:25:13.21","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285294,"EventID":"S4T-00382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T12:57:32.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T10:53:40.593","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact a reduction in winter fuel payments would have on older people in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T12:57:32.72","MeetingDate":"2013-06-04T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285295,"EventID":"S4T-00383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T12:57:32.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T11:00:39.067","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to secure jobs and conditions at the O2 Skypark facility in Glasgow following the announcement by Telefónica that 3,000 jobs are to be outsourced to Capita.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T12:57:32.953","MeetingDate":"2013-06-04T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285296,"EventID":"S4F-01434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T12:57:07.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-30T14:51:37.287","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime Minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T12:57:07.61","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285297,"EventID":"S4F-01437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T12:57:08.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T09:45:39.443","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T12:57:08.097","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285298,"EventID":"S4F-01439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T12:57:08.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T11:02:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to improve treatment for people with dementia.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T12:57:08.627","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285299,"EventID":"S4F-01440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T12:57:08.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T11:10:03.293","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on how an independent Scotland would maintain research funding for universities.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T12:57:08.877","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285300,"EventID":"S4F-01442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T12:57:09.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T11:26:57.367","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what impact the UK Government's proposed spending reductions for 2015-16 will have on the Scottish Government's budget.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T12:57:09.39","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285301,"EventID":"S4F-01449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T12:57:11.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T11:58:38.94","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on recruitment and retention payments paid to senior management at the State Hospital.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T12:57:11.293","MeetingDate":"2013-06-06T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285302,"EventID":"S4W-15463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T16:42:00.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T15:53:09.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4F-01418 by Alex Salmond on 30 May 2013 (Official Report, c. 20501), what estimate it has made of how much money would be allocated to Scotland if all corporation tax due to be paid was collected.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that everyone, including businesses, should pay the tax that is due.\r\nWhile we do not have access to detailed HMRC data, it is possible to estimate the value of the “Tax Gap”, defined as the difference between the total expected liability for Corporation Tax and the estimated actual receipts collected in Scotland.\r\nBased on the HMRC’s most recent estimate of the “Tax Gap” for corporation tax at the UK level of 8.8% in 2010-11, we estimate that the value of the “Tax Gap” for onshore corporation tax in Scotland to be around £300 million in 2010-11.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T16:42:00.497","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285303,"EventID":"S4W-15464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-03T16:42:00.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T15:58:05.637","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions Transport Scotland has had with tourism stakeholders regarding the chartering of train services on the Borders railway link on Saturdays.\r\n","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland has not had any discussions with tourism stakeholders regarding the chartering of train services on the Borders Railway project. However, Network Rail has recently commenced discussions with tourist train operators who have enquired about available train paths and the operators have stated that a Saturday is the main day for charter train operation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-17T16:42:00.777","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285320,"EventID":"S4W-15440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:20.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-02T19:17:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many train journeys between Edinburgh and Inverness have been reduced by (a) 35 minutes, (b) 25 minutes and (c) 15 minutes in the last year.\r\n","AnswerText":"In the last year, two services from Edinburgh to Inverness have reduced journey times of 16 minutes by comparing the December 2011 timetable with the December 2012 timetable. Further journey time improvements are linked to future projects on the Highland Main Line.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:20.99","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285321,"EventID":"S4W-15447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:21.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T11:48:05.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) teaching and (b) non-teaching staff have been employed in the college sector in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Funding Council collects information on the number of staff employed in the college sector. The latest available data is set out in the following table.\r\nStaff headcount by type of staff, 2007-08 to 2010-11\r\nYear\r\nTeaching\r\nNon-teaching\r\n2007-08\r\n12,877 \r\n8,948 \r\n2008-09\r\n12,647 \r\n9,101 \r\n2009-10\r\n11,751 \r\n8,935 \r\n2010-11\r\n10,831\r\n8,715 \r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:21.457","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285322,"EventID":"S4W-15450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:21.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T11:48:05.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) teaching and (b) non-teaching staff it estimates will be employed in the college sector in 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not make estimates of this kind. It is for individual colleges, as independent employers, to plan and consider their staffing needs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:21.753","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285323,"EventID":"S4W-15453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:21.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T11:48:05.697","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any colleges have written to staff recently regarding compulsory redundancies and, if so, which.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual colleges as independent employers. The Scottish Government has repeatedly made clear to colleges our view that compulsory redundancies should be avoided.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:22.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285324,"EventID":"S4W-15465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:22.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T17:22:56.39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the dental equipment used at the Chalmers Dental Centre in Edinburgh is sterilised on site.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian advises that dental equipment is not sterilised at the Chalmers Dental Centre. Handpieces are processed at a compliant Specialist Primary Care and Community Dental Service decontamination unit in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian. All other items are processed at the hospital sterilisation and decontamination unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:22.237","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285325,"EventID":"S4W-15466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:22.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T17:22:56.39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what dental centres have (a) all and (b) some of their equipment sterilised at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.\r\n","AnswerText":"(a) NHS Lothian advises that the Edinburgh Dental Institute sends all equipment to the hospital sterilisation and decontamination unit (HSDU) at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE) to be sterilised.\r\nInstruments from St John’s Hospital dental unit clinics are also decontaminated and sterilised at the HSDU at the RIE. These include: Specialist services for older, frail patients; Out of Hours services; Orthodontics; Special Needs/ Sedation; Medical Photography - including items used to access the area/s to be photographed such, as mirrors, and their subsequent need to be decontaminated and sterilised.\r\nInstruments from the Paediatric department in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children and St John’s Hospital maxillo-facial OPD 4 are all decontaminated and sterilised at the HSDU at the RIE.\r\nTheatre sessions in which patients receive general anaesthetic for more invasive procedures are not classified as dental clinics. This includes Paediatrics and Oral Surgery. These instruments are decontaminated and sterilised at HSDU at RIE.\r\n(b) As reported in S4W-15465, some of the equipment from the Chalmers Dental Centre is sterilised at the HSDU at the RIE.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:22.487","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285326,"EventID":"S4W-15467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:22.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T17:22:56.39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh was late in returning dental equipment that it sterilised for (a) the Chalmers Dental Centre in Edinburgh and (b) other medical centres in 2012 and how many times it has been late in 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"(a) NHS Lothian has advised that there have been no reported late deliveries to Chalmers Dental Centre from the hospital sterilisation and decontamination unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.\r\nNHS Lothian confirms that there have been no incidents of late delivery reported through the DATIX system (the NHS Lothian system used to highlight risks, adverse events and near misses).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:22.72","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285327,"EventID":"S4W-15469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:22.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T17:22:56.39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many appointments at the Chalmers Dental Centre in Edinburgh have been cancelled due to a lack of equipment in the last six months.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian advises that no appointments at Chalmers Dental Centre have been cancelled due to a lack of equipment in the last six months.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:22.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285328,"EventID":"S4W-15470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:23.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T09:55:21.483","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors local government pension fund cash management arrangements.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ministers do not monitor the fund cash management arrangements for the Local Government Pension Scheme. Under the terms of The Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) (Scotland) Regulations 2010 that is a matter for the fund administering authorities. In particular Regulation 11(3) requires that “the local authority must invest, in accordance with its investment policy, any fund money that is not needed immediately to make payments from the fund”.\r\nThe Regulations also include the requirement for an investment policy, including the publication of a written statement of the principles governing its decisions about the investment of fund money. The authority must invest, in accordance with its investment policy, any fund money that is not needed immediately to make payments from the fund. The authority is required to obtain proper advice at reasonable intervals about its investments and must consider that advice.\r\nLocal authorities are independent corporate bodies with their own powers and responsibilities and are entirely separate from the Scottish Government. As long as they act lawfully, it is up to each local authority how it manages its day-to-day business and decision making processes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:23.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285329,"EventID":"S4W-15471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:23.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T09:55:21.483","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many local government pension funds have a cash management policy in place.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on the cash management policies of Local Government Pension Scheme funds (LGPS). Responsibility for the management and investment of the LGPS funds falls to the fund administering authorities in terms of The Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) (Scotland) Regulations 2010.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:23.423","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285330,"EventID":"S4W-15472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:23.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T11:43:28.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what type of adverse environmental effects could arise from sourcing wood overseas to burn in the biomass plant to be built at Grangemouth.","AnswerText":"The most likely cause of adverse environmental effects would be unsustainable forest management practices in the source country. However, the Scottish Government is addressing this risk by requiring that all forest derived fuels to be used in operating the development shall be certified by accepted sustainability certification systems.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:23.64","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285331,"EventID":"S4W-15473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:23.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T11:43:28.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the biomass plant to be built at Grangemouth will not cause significant adverse environmental effects as a result of unsustainable sourcing of wood.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have applied three conditions to the consent, conditions 4, 11 and 12, to ensure that biomass feedstocks are from sustainable and responsible sources.\r\nCondition 4 requires that a sustainability plan is approved by Scottish Ministers and shall be designed in consultation with statutory consultees. The development must be operated in accordance with this plan.\r\nCondition 11 requires all forest derived fuels to be certified by accepted sustainability certification systems.\r\nCondition 12 requires written records to be held, recording the quantities, nature and sources of the fuel including details of certification and method of transport to site. These records are to be available for inspection by Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:23.873","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285332,"EventID":"S4W-15474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:24.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T11:43:28.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what sustainability certification schemes exist for the international sourcing of wood to burn in power stations.","AnswerText":"The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) are two of the most widely recognised independent schemes for certifying sustainable forest management. Both operate internationally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:24.14","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285333,"EventID":"S4W-15475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:24.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T11:43:28.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what public body will be responsible for (a) monitoring and (b) enforcing the sustainability of wood used in the biomass plant to be built at Grangemouth; whether the body has enough (i) expertise and (ii) experience to do this, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"Sustainability issues were an important issue when determining this application.\r\nWe have imposed conditions 4, 11 and 12 in the consent to protect from direct or indirect impacts of large quantities of wood fuel being sourced from abroad.\r\nScottish Ministers shall have control of discharging condition 4 for the biomass sustainability plan. Scottish Ministers are satisfied that the consultation with statutory experts, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Planning Authority, will ensure the condition meets requirements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:24.357","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285334,"EventID":"S4W-15477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T13:44:24.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T11:43:28.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what sanctions are available if the fuel used at the biomass plant to be built at Grangemouth is deemed to be unsustainable.\r\n","AnswerText":"Condition 4 of the Port of Grangemouth consent does not allow commencement of operation of the plant until Scottish Ministers have approved a biomass sustainability plan. The company are also required by condition 12 of the consent to keep written records throughout the lifetime of the development recording the quantities, nature and sources of fuel including details of certification. This will ensure that only certified biomass fuel feedstock’s are used and to ensure that the plant operates according to sound sustainable principles and policies.\r\nIf the Grangemouth plant were to be operated using fuel of a kind which breached the terms of the conditions of consent action could be taken to seek interdict from the courts to prohibit the continued use of that kind of fuel. Also in terms of section 36(6) of the Electricity Act 1989 any person who without reasonable excuse operates the generating station other than in accordance with the consent granted by the Scottish Ministers would be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T13:44:24.56","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285335,"EventID":"S4W-15478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T16:57:30.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T11:50:35.243","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact on its revenues would be of a 3% reduction in corporation tax, and whether it will publish this information in the same format and over the same time period shown for capital stock and GDP in its paper, The Impact of a Reduction in Corporation Tax on the Scottish Economy.\r\n","AnswerText":"The impacts of a policy equivalent to a 3 percentage point reduction in the main rate of corporation tax from 23 per cent are set out in the paper referred to in the question on pages 3 and 11.\r\nThese findings must be seen in the context of Scotland’s stronger fiscal position than the UK as a whole, as outlined in Scotland’s Balance Sheet paper published earlier this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T16:57:30.613","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285336,"EventID":"S4W-15479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T16:57:30.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T11:50:35.243","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update the £384.7 million figure for a loss in revenues caused by a 3% reduction in corporation tax shown at table 2 of appendix A of its paper, The Impact of a Reduction in Corporation Tax on the Scottish Economy.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following answer was corrected on 25 June 2013\r\n \r\nThe paper referred to in the question outlines the impacts of a policy equivalent to a 3 percentage point reduction in the main rate of corporation tax from 23 per cent.\r\nThe £384.7 million figure referred to in the question is an estimate of a direct static change in corporation tax revenues and does not take into account the indirect impacts of the policy such as the broadening of the tax base. As outlined in the paper, such dynamic effects are estimated to be significant, with the additional economic activity generated by the policy estimated to create 27,000 jobs and boost GDP by 1.4% after 20 years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T16:57:30.923","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285337,"EventID":"S4W-15480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-04T16:57:31.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T12:13:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15091 by Alasdair Allan on 30 May 2013, whether Education Scotland's role at the institution will change as a result of the Scottish Prison Service's initiative, Improving Life Chances for Young People, and, if so, how.","AnswerText":"Education Scotland’s role will not change in relation to Improving Life Chances for Young People. Education Scotland’s commitment to supporting Scottish Prison Service is to help build opportunities for learning and skills acquisition and development for young people in HMYOI Polmont. The Agency will use its expertise in “curriculum” design and partnership working to help co-ordinate, build on and extend current learning opportunities. It will provide advice and training on a range of areas including literacy, numeracy, working with young people, assessment and additional support needs. This work will support the Scottish Prison Service to deliver on the initiative.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-18T16:57:31.127","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285355,"EventID":"S4O-02232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:41.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T11:06:32.85","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact family nurse partnerships have on people's wellbeing.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:41.57","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285356,"EventID":"S4O-02233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:42.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T10:37:44.077","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:42.21","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285357,"EventID":"S4O-02234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:42.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T11:04:31.927","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the health and wellbeing benefits of community transport for older people across rural South Scotland and the rest of the country as noted in Age Scotland's report, Still Waiting.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:42.523","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285358,"EventID":"S4O-02235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:42.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:07:59.857","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on The Range and Magnitude of Alcohol's Harm to Others, which was commissioned by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education in Australia.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:42.803","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285359,"EventID":"S4O-02236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:44.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:08:00.743","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage young people to learn to swim in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:44.053","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285360,"EventID":"S4O-02237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:44.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:08:01.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the NHS supports people with heart disease.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:44.427","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285361,"EventID":"S4O-02238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:44.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T13:20:30.563","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it makes available to multiple sclerosis national therapy centres.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:44.847","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285362,"EventID":"S4O-02239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:46.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T14:39:45.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met its accident and emergency waiting time target for Scotland as a whole.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:46.283","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285363,"EventID":"S4O-02240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:47.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T17:16:23.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has given to NHS boards in relation to cardiac rehabilitation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:47.453","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285364,"EventID":"S4O-02242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:48.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:08:04.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the adequacy of the enforcement of requirements and implementation of recommendations by the Care Inspectorate for the care of older people.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:48.03","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285365,"EventID":"S4O-02243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:49.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:08:05.55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what elements of its 20:20 vision for the NHS will focus on improved healthcare in Wester Ross, North West Sutherland and other remote areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:49.76","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285366,"EventID":"S4O-02244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:50.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T11:24:54.567","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the individual patient treatment request system meets the needs of patients.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:50.713","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285367,"EventID":"S4O-02245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:50.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:08:07.267","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action NHS Forth Valley has taken to improve waiting times for accident and emergency patients at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:51.01","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285368,"EventID":"S4O-02246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:53.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:08:08.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to people with motor neurone disease.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:53.023","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285369,"EventID":"S4O-02247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:53.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:08:11.307","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual cost is of prescribing drugs for prisoners with depression.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:53.443","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285370,"EventID":"S4O-02248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:53.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:08:14.347","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils and its member councils.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government support to the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils and its member councils is routed through sportscotland. For the year beginning 1 November 2012 to 31 October 2013 this investment will be up to 75% of its total costs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:53.757","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285371,"EventID":"S4O-02250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:54.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T17:23:42.657","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to pregnant women trying  to give up smoking.","AnswerText":"All women are advised of the risks of antenatal smoking at booking and throughout their pregnancy, if they continue to smoke they are offered help and support with smoking cessation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:54.88","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285372,"EventID":"S4O-02251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:56.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:08:19.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the level of take-up is for the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme.","AnswerText":"All men and women in Scotland between the ages of 50 and 74 are invited to participate in the bowel screening programme.\r\nThe current level of uptake in the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme is 54.5%. Of the 54.5%, 57.9% are women and 51% are men.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:56.11","MeetingDate":"2013-06-12T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285373,"EventID":"S4O-02252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:56.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:08:41.023","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the final report of the Scottish Islands Renewable Project.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:56.407","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285374,"EventID":"S4O-02253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:56.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T09:21:49.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on a possible strike by the Fire Brigades Union.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have been working in close partnership with the Fire Brigades Union and other stakeholders to seek the best solution for Scottish firefighters within the limitations placed on us all by Westminster.\r\nWe urge the Fire Brigades Union to continue negotiations with us to secure the best firefighters pensions outcome for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:56.687","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285375,"EventID":"S4O-02254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:56.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T10:53:59.213","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the implications are for the ambitions set out in Scotland's Digital Future: A Strategy for Scotland of the UK Government's super-connected cities initiative funding for Edinburgh not meeting state aid rules.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:56.97","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285376,"EventID":"S4O-02255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:57.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:08:43.6","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in conjunction with local authorities to tackle scamming.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:57.25","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285377,"EventID":"S4O-02257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:57.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T09:14:44.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote the uptake of the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme in rural areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:57.513","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285378,"EventID":"S4O-02258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:00:59.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:08:45.953","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to exploit the potential of Scotland's shale gas reserves.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:00:59.073","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285379,"EventID":"S4O-02259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:01:00.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T10:46:18.507","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish greenhouse gas inventory will show that the emission target for 2011 has been reached, and whether the shortfall resulting from the missed target in 2010 has been compensated for.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:01:00.137","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285380,"EventID":"S4O-02260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:01:01.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:08:47.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact Ministry of Defence rules for procurement of naval vessels will have on jobs in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:01:01.43","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285381,"EventID":"S4O-02261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:01:01.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T12:08:48.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the National Planning Framework 3 will support town centre regeneration.","AnswerText":"Our current consultation on the Main Issues Report for the third National Planning Framework supports town centre regeneration, and reflects the emerging findings from the Town Centres Review, including the need for a broader mix of uses in our town and city centres. Following consultation, we will consider this further in the Proposed National Planning Framework, which will be submitted to the Parliament later in the year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:01:01.773","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285396,"EventID":"S4W-15481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:50:48.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T15:32:34.1","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards have implemented the guidelines on the provision and repair of orthotic footwear, HDL(2000)23, as amended in 2002.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS boards were expected to update their patient pathways and design of services to ensure greater person centeredness and consistency in orthotics services following the publication of the orthotics guidelines in 2000 and as amended in 2002. There is no evidence centrally to suggest that NHS boards have not implemented these guidelines, although advice indicates that one NHS board continued to provide services additional to those set out. This is now being addressed locally as appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:50:48.897","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285397,"EventID":"S4W-15482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:50:49.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T15:59:40.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage (a) trade, (b) educational and (c) other links with China; whether it is encouraging airlines to establish direct flights between Scotland and China to help improve these links; whether it considers that the visa arrangements for Chinese citizens entering the UK has an impact on such links and, if so, what discussions it has had with the UK Government in this regard. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to developing a long-term relationship with China, based on shared values, partnership and trust. This is articulated in Working with China: A Five Year Strategy for Engagement between Scotland and the People’s Republic of China, published in December 2012.\r\nOn trade, Scottish Development International (SDI) actively works to cultivate business relationships and provides assistance directly in China through its offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Shanghai and across Scotland via SDI trade advisers and trade missions. In the last year we have seen SDI increase staff in China by nearly 30% (from 7 to 9) to provide on the ground support to more Scottish companies looking to export and explore opportunities in China.\r\nOn higher education, the Scottish Government encourages participation in initiatives which target the mobility and internationalisation of students, staff and researchers with China at all levels. This includes contributing funding to a number of inward and outward scholarship schemes such as Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships, Study China, Saltire Scholarships for Outward Mobility Fund and the Hong Kong–Scotland Partners in Post-Doctoral Research Initiative.\r\nThe Scottish Government has also taken a number of steps over the past four years to encourage people to learn Mandarin and Cantonese as well as learning about Chinese culture and history. This includes the launch of 13 Confucius Classrooms serving 17 local authorities across the country; the launch of new national qualifications in Chinese languages at Higher and Advanced Higher and funding for young people and accompanying teachers to undertake highly successful study visits and language immersion courses in China. \r\nWith regard to culture, the First Minister signed a four year Cultural Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Scotland and China on 5 December 2011 in Beijing with China’s Minister of Culture, Mr Cai Wu. The MOU covers four key areas: cultural collaboration; best practice and talent development; educational outreach and, networking opportunities. Since the signing of the MOU, there has been a significant increase in new cultural collaboration, deepening of existing relationships and increased exchanges between both nations. \r\nOn the issue of direct flights, the Scottish Government believes there is considerable potential for improving Scotland’s international air connections and the development of a direct air route between Scotland and China continues to be a key focus of our engagement with the Chinese Government and Chinese airlines. This is because securing a direct air route from China to Scotland will increase the attractiveness of Scotland for not only tourism but will lead to greater trade and investment to (and from) China. There is a demonstrated market demand with the Scottish Governments analysis of the route potential showing a mid-point forecast of some 58,000 passengers per annum.\r\nVisa policy and its enforcement is currently a matter reserved to the UK Government and dealt with by the Home Office. The Scottish Government welcomes visitors from China and the rest of the world, whether for business or tourism purposes and we need an immigration system which supports sustainable economic growth. Cost and processing time for visas can be a barrier to visitors; however, the UK/ China Approved Destination Status agreement recognises the value of visitors and seeks to make it easier for organised tours to visit the UK.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:50:49.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285398,"EventID":"S4W-15487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:50:49.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T15:59:40.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what visa requirements it expects would be in place for people from (a) China, (b) India and (c) the rest of the UK wanting to visit an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Details of our proposals on independence will be in the white paper to be published later this year. However we have already stated that an independent Scotland would negotiate to remain within the common travel area, maintaining an open border between Scotland and the rest of the UK. Visitors from the rest of the UK would not therefore require a visa to visit Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:50:49.46","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285399,"EventID":"S4W-15490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:50:49.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T15:59:40.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to encourage people to learn (a) Mandarin and (b) Cantonese.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has taken a number of steps over the past 4 years to encourage people to learn Mandarin and Cantonese as well as about Chinese culture and history. This includes the launch of 13 Confucius Classrooms serving 17 local authorities across the country; the launch of new national qualifications in Chinese languages at Higher and Advanced Higher; the funding for Headteachers to visit China and build up links; support for teachers from Tianjin schools linked with Scottish schools to live in Scotland and work in their partner schools, and funding for young people and accompanying teachers to undertake highly successful study visits and language immersion courses in China.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:50:49.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285400,"EventID":"S4W-15491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:50:50.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T15:59:40.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to small and medium-sized enterprises that want to do business with China.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government through its international trade and investment arm, Scottish Development International (SDI), has in place services to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) wanting to do business in and with China. SDI provides assistance directly in China through its offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Shanghai and across Scotland via SDI trade advisers.\r\nSDI utilises European funding to expand its reach to all entrepreneurs and companies in Scotland wishing to exploit opportunities in markets such as China. The support available is wide ranging and is aligned to customers’ needs. Assistance includes: market awareness events; export skills development; strategy development support; overseas market research and identification of business opportunities; exhibitions and missions; and partnering support and assistance to establish a presence in China. The Smart Exporter programme is one of the services which has been specifically designed to help develop the skills and capacity of SMEs aiming to trade internationally.\r\nAdditional assistance includes the SDI website which is designed to provide a one-stop shop for Scottish companies looking to export and grow their international business. International trade training modules are delivered online with the added benefit, particularly to SMEs, that they do not have to be away from their businesses to attend. \r\nPlans are also in place to enhance this online resource as part of the Scottish Business Portal project. It is aimed at ensuring a clearer path for companies to navigate and access all relevant information and public sector support that is available to their businesses.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:50:50.02","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285401,"EventID":"S4W-15492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:50:50.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T15:59:40.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers Chinese businesses that want to (a) set up in and (b) trade with Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"a) The Scottish Government through its international trade and investment arm, Scottish Development International (SDI), provides support to Chinese businesses that want to set up operations in Scotland and develop projects that will benefit the Scottish economy. SDI provides assistance directly in China through its offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Shanghai and can also advise across Scotland via SDI trade advisers.\r\nThe type of support provided would be tailored to the Chinese company and as such could cover a number of areas of interest including: helping to identify and access new markets, investments, technologies and innovations; offering advice on the economy, locations, recruitment and sector specific information; helping secure access to training and financial support; introductions to potential Scottish companies to partner with; advice on industry networks and clusters; and information on relocating to Scotland e.g. education, housing and lifestyle considerations.\r\nFinancial support includes advice on available grants and incentives including: Research and Development Assistance; Regional Selective Awards; and tax incentives e.g. patent box.\r\nb) SDI does not provide assistance to Chinese businesses wanting to trade with Scotland in the form of exports to Scotland. However, SDI can provide assistance with potential joint ventures and deals that will directly benefit Scotland’s economy. In those cases, SDI would cover areas of support already mentioned in part (a). \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:50:50.317","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285402,"EventID":"S4W-15493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T13:50:50.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-04T15:59:40.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many schools (a) are twinned and (b) have electronic links with schools in China and what encouragement it gives to schools wanting to develop such initiatives.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect data on the number of schools that are twinned with or have electronic links with schools in China. However, 12 of the 13 Confucius Classroom Hubs, covering 17 local authorities, are each twinned with schools in Tianjin in China. Details of these links are available at: \r\nhttp://www.strath.ac.uk/ciss/confuciusclassroomhubsinscotland/  \r\nThe remaining Confucius Classroom Hub is linked with a school in Chongqing.\r\nThe Scottish Government is keen to encourage schools here to develop links with schools in China. The Confucius Institute for Scotland Schools, which is supported by the Scottish Government, provides advice and guidance for any school wishing to develop links with schools in China. Evidence of schools’ increasing interest in China is provided by the increasing numbers of young people taking and passing National Qualifications in Mandarin, a trend we expect to continue as Chinese language learning becomes embedded within Curriculum for Excellence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T13:50:50.55","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285403,"EventID":"S4W-15459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T16:47:18.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T11:57:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the 2014 Commonwealth Games should adopt a comprehensive tobacco-free policy and what influence it will have in this regard.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recently announced its vision of a tobacco-free Scotland by 2034, defined as having fewer than five per cent of the population choosing to smoke, to reap a range of health, social and economic benefits. The Scottish Government is taking strong and decisive action, such as standardised packaging, increased education and introducing smoke free hospital grounds.\r\nThe Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games provides an opportunity to support the vision of a tobacco-free Scotland. Ahead of the public sale of tickets later in the summer, the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee is exploring how the Games can act as an exemplar for tobacco control at major sporting events.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:18.64","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285404,"EventID":"S4W-15461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T16:47:18.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-03T11:57:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role it sees for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in creating a tobacco-free generation of Scots by 2034.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15459 on 19 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:18.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285405,"EventID":"S4W-15496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T16:47:19.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T14:18:18.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent impact assessment it has made of fees charged to patients who want a copy of their medical records.\r\n","AnswerText":"There has been no recent impact assessment relating to the charging of patients to access their medical records in Scotland. Such charges, when imposed, are in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998) which sets a limit of £50.\r\nThis charge covers part of the actual administrative cost of locating, assembling, re-formatting, redacting and presenting a medical record held in many formats (paper and digital) on multiple clinical systems.\r\nHowever, health boards and GP practices are encouraged to share free of charge as much information with patients as possible as part of their normal care so that recourse to making a subject access request under the Data Protection Act can be avoided.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:19.203","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285406,"EventID":"S4W-15497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T16:47:19.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T14:57:30.59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it will carry out on its building targets for social housing and whether the target to build 6,000 affordable homes will be met in 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government aims to deliver at least 20,000 social rented homes from within its five year target of 30,000 affordable homes during the lifetime of this parliament. Almost 12,900 affordable homes were completed to the end of March 2013, including 9,926 social homes, and we are on track to deliver a further 6,000 affordable homes in 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:19.5","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285407,"EventID":"S4W-15498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T16:47:19.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T14:57:30.59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that its recently published statistics on house building indicate a potential shortfall in the number of new homes needed to meet demand.","AnswerText":"Whilst recent house building statistics are below the projections of household formation, the Scottish Government has put in place significant support to stimulate housebuilding activity across all tenures, including the private market. Nevertheless, operating conditions remain very challenging for Scotland’s house building industry.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:19.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285408,"EventID":"S4W-15499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T16:47:20.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T15:29:43.41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many fallen stock have been recorded on farms in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:20.31","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285409,"EventID":"S4W-15500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T16:47:20.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T15:29:43.41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the number of fallen stock on farms.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is helping to reduce fallen stock numbers on farms in a number of ways, for example by ensuring the welfare needs of livestock in Scotland are met; by ensuring the provision of an effective animal health and disease control infrastructure; by encouraging pro-active farm health planning and best practice; and by facilitating national campaigns such as BVD eradication in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:20.577","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285410,"EventID":"S4W-15502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-05T16:47:20.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T15:40:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complete wind turbine structures have been produced in Scotland in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:20.827","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285425,"EventID":"S4W-15504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:08:57.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T15:45:05","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how many officials are on secondment to it from UK civil service departments, broken down by (a) directorate and (b) grade, and from what departments.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body currently has one inward secondee in the Communications and Research Group at Grade 5. The host department is the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:08:57.467","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285426,"EventID":"S4W-15505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:09:01.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T15:45:05","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body to which departments of the UK civil service staff from the Scottish Parliament have been seconded, broken down by year.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has seconded staff to the following UK Civil Service Organisations in the last three years:\r\n2010/11 – The Scottish Government and Audit Scotland\r\n2011/12 – The Scottish Government\r\n2012/13 – The Scottish Government \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:09:01.54","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"David Stewart","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285431,"EventID":"S4W-15501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:26.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T15:40:15.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02203 by Kenny MacAskill on 5 June 2013, what the reasons are for the projected rise in prison population to an annual average of 8,300 in 2012-13.","AnswerText":"The projections are based on past trends and do not explicitly model the potential impact of future changes in policy or practice on the prison population. While there was a small dip in the population between 2009-10 and 2010-11, the overall trend over the past 20 years has been upward and this is reflected in the most recent projections. The main drivers of the trend are described in paragraphs 28-36 of the Prison Statistics and Population Projections Scotland: 2011-12 which can be accessed online at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PubPrisons.\r\nWhile the estimate of 8,300 for 2012-13 is for the main variant projection, the likely range of the projection is between 7,600 and 8,900. The methodology used for the projections is explained in section 4 of the publication.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:26.33","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285432,"EventID":"S4W-15503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:27.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T15:45:05","Title":"","ItemText":"To as the Scottish Government how many officials are on loan to it from other UK civil service departments, broken down by (a) directorate and (b) grade, and from what departments.\r\n","AnswerText":"At 7 June 2013 there were 8 staff on loan from another government department to the Core Scottish Government.\r\n1 employee at C1 grade assigned to Directorate for Digital from Cabinet Office.\r\n1 employee at Fast Stream grade assigned to Directorate for Health and Social Care Integration from Department for Work and Pensions.\r\n1 employee at Fast Stream grade assigned to The Quality Unit (Health and Social Care) from Department for Work and Pensions.\r\n1 employee at B2 grade assigned to Directorate for Safer Communities from HM Revenue and Customs.\r\n1 employee at C2 grade assigned to Directorate for External Affairs from Home Office.\r\n1 employee at C3 grade assigned to Directorate for Justice from Ministry of Justice.\r\n1 employee at C1 grade assigned to Directorate for Justice from Scottish Court Service.\r\n1 employee at B1 grade assigned to Ministerial Private Offices from Historic Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:28.043","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285433,"EventID":"S4W-15507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:30.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T16:44:16.983","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the dignity at work toolkit has led to a measurable decline in bullying.","AnswerText":"The latest NHSScotland staff survey launched on 27 May 2013 and will run until 5 July 2013. This survey aims to gather comprehensive views from staff about working for NHSScotland, including views on bullying and harassment.\r\nThe results of this survey will be available later this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:31.01","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285434,"EventID":"S4W-15508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:34.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T16:44:16.983","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that concerns raised by NHS staff using the National Confidential Alert Line will be actioned.","AnswerText":"The National Confidential Alert Line provides an additional level of support to NHSScotland employees should they feel unable to report cases of patient safety or malpractice directly to their board, or, if they feel they have exhausted procedures in place.\r\nAs part of its contract the Alert Line is required to provide tailored advice to the caller and, dependent on the nature of the call and in agreement with the caller, report valid whistleblowing concerns to the relevant Health board or, where appropriate, to the relevant regulator. All cases referred by the Alert Line will be dealt with in line with established procedure.\r\nFollowing the end of its one year contract, the Alert Line service will be independently evaluated. This will include, where possible, feedback from users and information on actions taken.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:34.207","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285435,"EventID":"S4W-15509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:36.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T16:44:16.983","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what surveys have been undertaken of staff opinion about bullying and harassment in the NHS and how this has influenced its strategy on lowering levels of bullying.","AnswerText":"The NHSScotland staff surveys in 2006, 2008 and 2010 sought staff’s opinions on bullying and harassment in NHSScotland. The 2013 survey, which is currently underway and will run until 5 July 2013, will also address this issue.\r\nThe Scottish Government is clear that bullying and harassment is unacceptable. We are continually reviewing our strategies to help boards to deal with it. Since 2007 much has been done across NHSScotland to tackle bullying and harassment in the workplace and to promote expected standards of behaviours. This includes:\r\nDevelopment of the Dignity at work Toolkit; \r\nReview of the Preventing and Dealing with Bullying and Harassment in NHSScotland Partnership Information Network (PIN) policy; \r\nA Dignity at Work Day of Commitment and re-launch of the Dignity at Work Toolkit and guidance, and up to £200,000 available to health boards to further expand the Dignity at Work Toolkit and regular national staff surveys.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:36.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285436,"EventID":"S4W-15510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:37.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T16:44:16.983","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the £200,000 it has made available to tackle bullying and harassment will be allocated to NHS boards.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government invited all Scottish health boards to submit proposals for activity relating to dignity at work and cultural issues.\r\nWe are currently in the process of assessing bids and funding will be allocated shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:37.7","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285437,"EventID":"S4W-15511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:38.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T16:44:16.983","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much NHS boards spend on tackling bullying and harassment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\nIt is for each board to decide how much it will spend on tackling bullying and harassment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:38.793","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285438,"EventID":"S4W-15512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:40.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T16:44:16.983","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what circumstances it allows non-disclosure clauses to be included in compromise agreements.","AnswerText":"This is an issue between individual NHS boards and their employees.\r\nNHSScotland does not have any policies which would prevent, or condone the prevention of staff from raising valid concerns about patient safety and quality. Quite the opposite, each Health board has a robust “Implementing & Reviewing Whistleblowing Arrangements in NHS Scotland” PIN policy in place.\r\nThese policies encourage staff to raise concerns and any clause which sought to prevent an individual from raising a protected whistleblowing disclosure would be illegal and therefore unenforceable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:40.133","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285439,"EventID":"S4W-15513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:41.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-05T16:44:16.983","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing’s comments in the letter to NHS boards dated 22 February 2013 that \"NHSScotland does not have any policies which would prevent, or would condone, the prevention of staff from raising concerns about safety and quality, not least because it would be illegal\" whether compromise agreements with non-disclosure clauses signed by former staff remain valid.","AnswerText":"This is an issue between individual NHS boards and their employees.\r\nUnder the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, any clause which sought to prevent an individual from raising a protected whistleblowing disclosure would be illegal and therefore unenforceable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:41.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285440,"EventID":"S4W-15514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:42.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:39:05.957","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost of the Scottish civil service has been in each of the last five years and what the cost would be in an independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s policy of no compulsory redundancies and pay restraint means we can provide staff with job security at an economically challenging time, while delivering the efficiency savings necessary to live within the tight financial settlement we have received from Westminster.\r\nScottish Government staff costs for each of the last five years are given in the following table:\r\nYear\r\nScottish Government\r\nAggregated Payroll\r\nCosts £m*\r\n2007-08\r\n529\r\n2008-09\r\n544\r\n2009-10\r\n577\r\n2010-11\r\n551\r\n2011-12\r\n533\r\nNote: *Figures are for Scottish Government Core and Agency staff and include wages, salaries, national insurance and pension costs.\r\nCosts in an independent Scotland would depend on the number of civil servants employed at the time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:42.613","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285441,"EventID":"S4W-15516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:43.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:39:05.957","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it has carried out on plans for a civil service in an independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s plans for a constitutional platform to enable the transfer of sovereignty from Westminster to Scotland are set out in “Scotland’s Future: From the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution, available at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/02/8079/3,\r\nThe constitutional platform would extend the powers of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government into all currently reserved policy areas, including matters relating to the civil service. It would also provide for legislation in all currently reserved areas, including any legislative provisions in respect of the civil service, to continue after independence with any necessary amendments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:43.02","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285442,"EventID":"S4W-15517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:43.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:39:05.957","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants work in the Scottish Government and how many would be required in an independent Scotland.","AnswerText":"Latest figures for Scottish public sector employment (Q1 2013), including Scottish Government civil servants, can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/06/9041\r\nUnlike the UK Government, which cut 5,800 civil service jobs in Scotland between 2007 and 2013 – including 2,700 in MOD, 2,100 in HMRC and 1,200 in DWP – the Scottish Government has a strong record of valuing public services in Scotland and is operating a policy of no compulsory redundancies within the devolved public sector.\r\nThe number of civil servants required to administer the full range of policies and services that will become the responsibility of an independent Scotland will be dependent on a number of variables, including the overall public sector landscape that is inherited at the point of independence and the decisions taken by Scottish Ministers on the delivery, transition to and design of Scottish policies and services thereafter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:44.02","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285443,"EventID":"S4W-15519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:44.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:39:05.957","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what transition plan it would put in place for civil servants if Scotland became independent.","AnswerText":"In the event of a vote for independence in the 2014 referendum, Scotland would subsequently take responsibility for matters presently reserved to the UK Government. There would therefore be a continuing need for public services currently delivered by UK Government Departments and public bodies. \r\nThe Scottish Government would take responsibility for the direct delivery of some new functions in Scotland and is also open to the continued sharing of certain UK Government services and structures where that provides an effective solution for an independent Scotland and for the rest of the UK. Civil Service jobs would therefore continue on independence, and some new opportunities would be created, but political accountability and some delivery structures would change. Providing continuity of services, including any arrangements for the transfer of UK Government staff into the Scottish Government where and when that is appropriate, would be a key feature of independence negotiations between the Scottish and UK Governments in due course.\r\nIn the Edinburgh Agreement both the Scottish and UK Governments committed to continue to work together constructively in the light of the outcome of the referendum in the best interests of the people of Scotland and of the rest of the United Kingdom. Within that spirit, the Scottish Government would take a pragmatic and responsible approach to independence negotiations. Existing expertise in Scotland would be drawn upon as and when functions transfer to Scotland and there will be full consultation with the Civil Service unions as the Scottish Government develops its detailed plans for independence.\r\nCivil servants currently employed by the Scottish Government would continue to be so on independence. Existing terms and conditions of employment, including pension rights, would not be affected.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:44.86","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285444,"EventID":"S4W-15520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:45.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:39:05.957","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time equivalent civil servants are working on the white paper on independence.\r\n","AnswerText":"Officials in policy teams across a number of areas in the Scottish Government are working on contributions which will be included in the White Paper.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:45.783","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285445,"EventID":"S4W-15526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:46.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:48:16.29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the (a) responses to and (b) analysis of the responses to its Safeguarding Scotland’s Resources consultation.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15445 on 17 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:46.78","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285446,"EventID":"S4W-15528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T14:10:47.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:48:16.29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce whether it plans to introduce legislation for a charge for single-use carrier bags.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15445 on 17 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T14:10:47.56","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285453,"EventID":"S4W-15533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T17:00:44.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T13:30:04.587","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-14016 and S4W-15103 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013 and 3 June 2013 respectively, for what reasons the relevant policy officials could not provide their records of engagement with officials and ministers from (a) the Government of Iraq, (b) Iraqi Kurdistan and (c) Turkey in order to answer question S4W-15103.","AnswerText":"In respect of the Scottish Government’s engagement with the Kurdistan Regional Government, I refer the Member to my answers to questions S40-02112, S4W-15535 and S4W-15105. As engagement can be interpreted as either contact in writing or by telephone it can be prohibitively resource intensive to capture all contact across the Scottish Government.\r\nIn terms of face to face contact I can confirm that on 12 June I met with Ms Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, UK High Representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government and Mr Zaid Izzadin Mohammed Noori, Iraq Consul General on 19 February 2013. Scottish Ministers have held no meetings with the Turkish Government in this period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T17:00:44.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285454,"EventID":"S4W-15534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T17:00:44.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T13:30:04.587","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15104 by Humza Yousaf on 3 June 2013, which parts of the document, Scotland’s International Framework, set out the policy objectives for its engagement with (a) Iraqi Kurdistan, (b) Iraq and (c) Turkey.  \r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to my previous answer (S4W-15104). All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at;\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to delivering maximum value for Scotland through its overseas engagement, it helps Scotland connect with the main players overseas in attracting opportunities for/to Scotland, thus contributing to this Government’s purpose of sustainable economic growth.\r\nOur priority markets remain Canada, China, Europe and EU, India, Pakistan, South Asia and the USA. We will also develop and strengthen our connections with other nations around the world which help us deliver our purpose.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T17:00:44.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285455,"EventID":"S4W-15535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T17:00:44.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T13:30:04.587","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02112 by Humza Yousaf on 15 May 2013 (Official Report, c. 19792), when the meetings between Scottish Government ministers and representatives of the Kurdistan Regional Government took place, in which locations, and which ministers were involved.","AnswerText":"The meetings are outlined in the following table:\r\nDate\r\nMinister\r\nMeeting\r\nLocation\r\n12 June 2013\r\nMr Yousaf, Minister for External Affairs and International Development\r\nMs Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, UK High Representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government\r\nScottish Parliament\r\n9 November 2011\r\nMr Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism\r\nPresident of the Kurdistan Regional Government\r\nBrussels\r\n26 October 2011\r\nFirst Minister \r\nHE Mr Karim Sinjari, Minister for the Interior at Kurdistan Regional Government\r\nBute House\r\n29 June 2011\r\nMr Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Toursim\r\nHE Sinan Celebi, Minister for Trade & Industry and HE Samir Abdullah Mustafa, Minister for Municipalities & Tourism\r\nScottish Parliament\r\n29 June 2011\r\nMs Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs\r\nAlso met the above delegation\r\nScottish Parliament\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T17:00:44.933","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285456,"EventID":"S4W-15536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T17:00:45.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T13:30:04.587","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02112 by Humza Yousaf on 15 May 2013 (Official Report, c. 19792), whether it will make a statement on the (a) nature and (b) extent of the development of business, cultural and educational links with Iraqi Kurdistan.","AnswerText":"There are no plans at present to publish a statement on the (a) nature and (b) extent of our developing links with Iraqi Kurdistan. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T17:00:45.277","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285457,"EventID":"S4W-15537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T17:00:45.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T13:30:04.587","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15103 by Humza Yousaf on 3 June 2013, whether it has had discussions with the Government of Turkey on the future of Iraqi Kurdistan in the last six months.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have had no discussions with the Turkish Government on the future of Iraqi Kurdistan in the last six months.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T17:00:45.637","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285458,"EventID":"S4W-15541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T17:00:46.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T14:25:36.74","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action Police Scotland (a) can and (b) does take against drivers of slow moving vehicles whose driving its officers consider could increase the likelihood of an accident; whether Police Scotland has plans to change its approach to dealing with such driving, and what information it (i) records and (ii) has on the number of accidents caused by this.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland is committed to influencing road user behaviour and making Scotland’s roads safer for everyone.\r\nDriving behaviour which can be construed as increasing the risk of a collision is dealt with under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Section 3 of this Act caters for offences of driving “without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or place”. Police officers who either detect or respond to a report of a driver travelling at a slow speed will deal with each incident as they deem appropriate. This will involve reviewing the individual circumstances and may result in the reporting of the incident to the Procurator Fiscal.\r\nFollowing the UK Government’s recent proposal to introduce a fixed penalty ticket for careless driving offences, Police Scotland is currently working with partners regarding its implementation in Scotland.\r\nWhilst all detected offences of careless driving and injury collisions are recorded by Police Scotland, the information is held in such a way that it could only be extracted at disproportionate cost.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T17:00:46.103","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285459,"EventID":"S4W-15546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T17:00:46.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T14:33:24.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the remarks by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs on 5 June 2013 that “I don’t need or want the culture or heritage sector to make a new economic or social case to justify public support for their work” and “we want to see cultural and creative industries making a growing contribution to employment and economic output” reflect a consistent approach to culture and to the economy.\r\n","AnswerText":"Yes. The comments in question absolutely reflect a consistent approach to culture and to the economy. As I stated, our public support for the work of the culture and heritage sectors is not dependent on them making any new economic or social arguments for their work. We already have a great deal of information about the many ways in which these sectors make significant economic and social contributions and I will continue to support them so that this contribution can grow and thrive.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T17:00:46.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285460,"EventID":"S4W-15550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T17:00:47.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T16:22:06.293","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether funding is available to credit unions to assist them to (a) grow their services and (b) develop services to mitigate the impact of welfare reform.","AnswerText":"Credit unions are eligible to apply for the Scottish Government third sector organisational support programmes and development funds and we encourage them to do so. We shall ensure that credit unions and their representative bodies are made aware of any new third sector funding as soon as it is available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T17:00:47.197","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285461,"EventID":"S4W-15551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-06T17:00:47.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T16:22:06.293","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether funding is available for credit unions to develop schemes offering accounts to welfare recipients to enable them to receive benefits and pay bills from the account.","AnswerText":"We are keen to do all that we can to support and promote credit unions, and recognise the valuable role they play in Scotland’s communities. Credit unions are encouraged to access our third sector organisational support programmes, including development funding which will be available later this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-20T17:00:47.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285471,"EventID":"S4W-15324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:36.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:42:44.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the figures published by Information Services Division in May 2013 suggesting that 'social unavailability for new outpatient appointments' in NHS Grampian in March 2013 was 9.4% compared with the national average of 2.6%. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government are aware of capacity issues in NHS Grampian in delivering waiting time standards particularly for general surgery and orthopaedics. The board have advised that the high level reflects patients indicating they would rather wait longer to receive their appointment locally rather than accept an appointment at an external provider within the waiting time standard. This means that the patient has agreed to a period of unavailability being applied to their waiting time.\r\nNHS Grampian have recently agreed a £16 million investment programme that will increase capacity by employing more doctors, nurses and support staff as well as increasing theatre capacity. This additional local capacity will be available in 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:37.46","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285472,"EventID":"S4W-15325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:38.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:42:44.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the figures published by Information Services Division in May 2013 suggesting that 'medical unavailability for new outpatient appointments' in NHS Grampian was 2.4% in March 2013 compared with the national average of 0.7%. \r\n","AnswerText":"We are aware that they a relate to a number of genetic patients who following their GP referral are asked to complete a form providing more information before a decision is made to determine what the most appropriate clinical action is.\r\nMy officials are currently in discussion with the Boards to get a better understanding of this and to work with the Board to confirm it is appropriately applying the guidance and that the arrangements they have in place are patient centred.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:38.427","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285473,"EventID":"S4W-15326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:38.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:42:44.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the figures published by Information Services Division in May 2013 suggesting that 'unavailable no response for new outpatient appointments' in NHS Grampian in March 2013 was 2.4% compared with the national average of 0.4%. \r\n","AnswerText":"We are aware of the higher level of unavailability due to no response to an appointment in Grampian. My officials are in discussion with the board to understand their booking arrangements and practices to confirm they are compliant with the current guidance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:38.783","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285474,"EventID":"S4W-15327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:39.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:42:44.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the figures published by Information Services Division in May 2013 suggesting that no more than three NHS boards exceeded the national average for level of referral back to GP in March 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are a number of reasons why patients may be returned to their GP many to do with patient behaviour for example a patient has not attended their appointment or have for the third time cancelled their agreed appointment date. GPs can of course re-refer any patient back to the hospital.\r\nWe expect all boards to continue to review their own local arrangements for booking scheduling and managing appointments. For example, if a patient agrees a reasonable offer of appointment some boards are phoning or texting patient to remind them of their appointment in a bid to reduce did not attends.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to review and monitor this with all boards as part of the normal performance management process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:39.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285475,"EventID":"S4W-15328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:39.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:42:44.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the number of patients waiting (a) six to eight and (b) more than nine weeks for an MRI scan.\r\n","AnswerText":"The vast majority of patients requiring any of the eight key diagnostic tests are seen within six weeks waiting time standard. The latest figures for March 2013 showed that 96.2% patients were seen within six weeks, the compliance rate is 95%. There are 11 NHS boards currently delivering above the 95% compliance rate. \r\n\r\nThere are three boards who have been experiencing difficulties in delivering the target; NHS Fife, Forth Valley and Lothian and my officials are actively working with these boards to support improvement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:39.563","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285476,"EventID":"S4W-15329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:40.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:42:44.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the figures published by Information Services Division in May 2013 suggesting that there has been an increase in people recorded in the monthly waiting times for all diagnostics from 127 in March 2011 to 3,143 in March 2013, with a 1,200 rise in the last quarter.\r\n","AnswerText":"As the Member will be aware, the current waiting time standard for the four key radiology tests is six weeks. The latest figures show that the number of patients waiting more than six weeks in March 2013 was 994.\r\nIn relation to the increase of 1,200 rise over 60% of the increase in the number of patients waiting more than four weeks relates to in NHS Fife and my officials are working with the board to support improvement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:40.19","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285477,"EventID":"S4W-15330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:40.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:42:44.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ask Information Services Division to carry out regular audits of waiting times for positronic emission scans.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no intention currently to ask ISD to undertake an audit of positronic emissions scans at this time as it is not currently part of the diagnostic waiting time standard.\r\nHEAT targets are reviewed each autumn with our stakeholder such as boards and the Royal Colleges. It looks at the range of targets for the year ahead. This may include positronic emissions scans.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:40.593","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285478,"EventID":"S4W-15331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:41.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:42:44.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Information Services Division (ISD) is unable to provide a quality assurance guarantee for the data collected for its reports on diagnostic tests waiting times.\r\n","AnswerText":"The diagnostic waiting time publication is based on an aggregated data return from NHS boards which means that ISD do not receive patient level information. This limits the amount of quality assurance that can be done.\r\nValidation is carried out on submission of the data. NHS boards provide assurance of the data through queries which ISD may ask about the information they have received. These queries will be about patterns/trends or significant changes in numbers. Preview of the publication data is also sent back to the boards to approve, further ensuring accurate figures are submitted and published. As part of any publication, ISD ensure that totals add up to the sum of the parts, and in cases where they don’t, provide commentary to explain differences. This is part of quality assurance section in the publication.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:41.173","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285479,"EventID":"S4W-15521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:41.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:43:20.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its increase in spending on private healthcare is a consequence of meeting waiting times guarantees.\r\n","AnswerText":"No – the overall spending on private healthcare represents less than 0.5% of  the NHS boards baseline resource budget.\r\nThe increase in the use of private healthcare relate mainly to two boards who are currently experiencing capacity issues - NHS Grampian and Lothian. In relation to NHS Lothian they are now dealing with the challenge that the ERI was planned with capacity that 20% lower than required to meet today’s needs. That is why they are currently making significant use of the private healthcare sector at a cost of £12 million until they increase sufficient local capacity and staff resources in their hospitals.\r\nGrampian have recently agreed a £16 million investment programme that will increase capacity by building new theatres and employing more doctors, nurses and support staff. This additional local capacity will be available in 2014 – this will significant reduce their need of the private healthcare sector from 2014-15.\r\nThe Scottish Government policy is clear that boards should only use the private healthcare sector to address short-term capacity issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:41.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285480,"EventID":"S4W-15522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:42.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:43:20.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact on the economy is of patients waiting for treatment.","AnswerText":"Waiting times for treatment in the NHS can reduce patients’ ability to participate in the labour market, leading to loss of income from work and may reduce productivity of those in work.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:42.107","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285481,"EventID":"S4W-15523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:42.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:43:20.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funds have been transferred between NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lanarkshire following the boundary changes announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing on 4 June 2013.","AnswerText":"The financial implications of these changes to health board populations will be taken into account and reflected as part of the annual NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee allocations process in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:42.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285482,"EventID":"S4W-15524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:43.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:43:20.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, by how much it plans to increase bed capacity in order to meet waiting times guarantees.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS boards are responsible for the organisation and planning of services to meet the needs of their resident population. Consequently it is for boards to decide the bed capacity needs to deliver services within the waiting time guarantee and standards.\r\nAs the Member will be aware, we announced on 8 May 2013, the development of a new capacity and performance planning tool to support boards. The tool is being developed to ensure that hospitals and communities have the right beds in place to treat patients as Scotland’s health service facing the challenges of an ageing population. \r\nThe bed planning tool is in the initial stages of development. It will be developed in consultation with clinical professionals from across NHSScotland to instil and ensure a consistent approach. This new tool will be used alongside the established workforce planning tool which have been made mandatory that all NHS boards use.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:43.073","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285483,"EventID":"S4W-15525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:43.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:43:20.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has spent on private healthcare to meet waiting times guarantees.","AnswerText":"Information obtained from NHS boards on the spend on the use of the independent healthcare sector to deliver acute hospital waiting times guarantee and standards in 2012-13 is provided in the following table.\r\nNHS Board\r\n2012-13\r\n£’000\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n1,079\r\nBorders\r\n168\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n330\r\nFife\r\n1,906\r\nForth Valley\r\n1,607\r\nGrampian\r\n5,200\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n1,178\r\nHighland\r\n193\r\nLanarkshire\r\n2,574\r\nLothian\r\n12,097\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\nShetland\r\n0\r\nTayside\r\n2,131\r\nWestern Isles\r\n25\r\nNHSScotland\r\n28,488\r\nThe Scottish Government’s policy is that NHS boards should use NHS funding to build sustainable capacity. The use of the independent healthcare sector should only be used to deal with short-term capacity issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:43.543","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285484,"EventID":"S4W-15529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:44.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:55:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are quotas relating to issuing (a) endorsable and (b) non-endorsable fixed penalty tickets.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested.\r\nThe Scottish Government sets the strategic direction for the Scottish Police Authority through the strategic police priorities that Scottish Ministers determine. The Scottish Police Authority and the Police Service of Scotland are then responsible for setting out how these priorities will be delivered and how progress against them will be measured.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:44.057","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285485,"EventID":"S4W-15530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:44.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:55:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many currently serving police officers have received emergency response training and how many are qualified in emergency response.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government. The training of police officers in emergency response driving is a matter for the chief constable and the Scottish Police Authority.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:44.307","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285486,"EventID":"S4W-15531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:44.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T11:55:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many emergency service workers have been charged with driving offences while responding to an emergency call in each of the last three years and what additional protection it provide to such workers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information centrally on the number of emergency service workers charged with driving offences while responding to an emergency call in each of the last three years.\r\nRoad traffic legislation including responsibility for providing exemptions to general requirements for emergency service vehicles is reserved. Section 87 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 provides that any provision imposing a speed limit on motor vehicles does not apply to any vehicle on an occasion when it is being used for Fire Brigade, Ambulance or Police purposes, if the observance of that provision would be likely to hinder the use of the vehicle for the purpose for which it is being used on that occasion. This is qualified by a need to demonstrate that compliance with the provision would hinder the purpose for which the vehicle was being used at the time rather than providing a blanket exemption. Similar provisions for exemption apply to a number of restrictions that might hinder the purpose for which an emergency service vehicle is being used on any occasion.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:44.51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285487,"EventID":"S4W-15538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:44.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T14:03:22","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the second supplementary to question S4O-02201 by Kenny MacAskill on 5 June 2013, what its policy is on charging event organisers for policing under a single police force.\r\n","AnswerText":"Chapter 13 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 sets out the arrangements allowing for the provision of, and charging for, certain services provided by the Police Service or the Scottish Police Authority. Section 86(9) of the Act makes clear that charges can only be made for police services “in connection with the maintenance of order, or the protection of persons or property from harm which are provided on, or in relation to land owned or occupied by the person who requests those services”. It is for the SPA to determine circumstances in which charges can be made and the scale of charges.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:44.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285488,"EventID":"S4W-15539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:45.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T14:03:22","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the second supplementary to question S4O-02201 by Kenny MacAskill on 5 June 2013, how his statement that \"the police are there to serve and not to operate as a business\" reflects the charging for policing of music festivals and other events.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15538 on 14 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:45.353","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285489,"EventID":"S4W-15540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:45.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T14:03:22","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the second supplementary to question S4O-02201 by Kenny MacAskill on 5 June 2013, how the charging of event organisers for policing inside and in the direct vicinity of events such as football matches and music festivals reflects the cabinet secretary's statement that \"the police are there to serve and not to operate as a business\".\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15538 on 14 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:45.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285490,"EventID":"S4W-15553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T14:07:46.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-07T10:27:08.553","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulation Agency proposal to regulate electronic cigarettes as medicines and what discussions it has had with the (a) agency with regard to this matter and (b) UK Government on whether the proposals are compliant with the EU directive on medicinal products for human use.\r\n","AnswerText":"The regulation of medicines is a reserved matter. As set out in our Tobacco Control Strategy, Creating a Tobacco Free Generation, following the announcement of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulation Agency on 12 June to regulate Electronic Cigarettes as medicines, we will now consider what further advice may be required for the benefit of public health in Scotland.\r\nThe UK Government has sought the views of the Scottish Government and the other Devolved Administrations in preparing a response to the proposals for a new European Commission Tobacco Products Directive. The Minister for Public Health last wrote to the UK Public Health Minister, Anna Soubry MP, about the proposal’s recommendation on Nicotine Containing Products on 23 May.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T14:07:46.18","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285497,"EventID":"S4W-15532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T15:45:49.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T13:29:22.523","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15192 by Richard Lochhead on 6 June 2013, what steps the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has taken to engage with communities and local authorities in Scotland. \r\n","AnswerText":"Further to the answer to question S4W-15192, engagement with communities and local authorities on the subject of movements of nuclear materials by rail from Dounreay is a matter for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).\r\nIn July 2011, the NDA published a joint Credible and Preferred Options paper on the management of the Dounreay Fast Reactor (DFR) breeder material at Dounreay. The NDA responses to stakeholder comments on the options were published in November 2011, when the decision to transfer the DFR breeder material to Sellafield by rail was announced.\r\nIn July 2012, the NDA wrote to every local authority in Scotland offering briefing on the proposals to transport nuclear material from Dounreay to Sellafield.\r\nThe NDA also regularly attends the Dounreay Stakeholder Group where they engage with community representatives about the NDA’s activities in relation to Dounreay.\r\nThe NDA consults on its business plan activities on an annual basis.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T15:45:49.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285498,"EventID":"S4W-15554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T15:45:49.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-07T14:25:26.547","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how town centre regeneration is supported through the National Performance Framework.\r\n","AnswerText":"The approach to town centre regeneration is outlined in our regeneration strategy, Achieving a Sustainable Future. The strategy takes an outcomes-based approach to regeneration that enables trends to be measured over time. These outcomes link to the national outcomes that underpin the National Performance Framework for Scotland.\r\nProgress towards the achievement of the outcomes and the government’s purpose is assessed through a set of diverse indicators. We publish this material in an impartial and transparent way on the Scotland Performs website:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Performance/scotPerforms \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T15:45:49.75","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285499,"EventID":"S4W-15555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-07T15:45:49.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-07T14:25:26.547","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how town centre regeneration is supported through single outcome agreements.","AnswerText":"Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs) set out a clear vision of what each Community Planning Partnership (CPP) wants to achieve for its area. Where a CPP decides to prioritise the regeneration of town centres in its area, this should be reflected in the SOA and the actions that flow from it. Furthermore, the guidance on SOAs requires each CPP to have a sharp focus on key policy priorities, like the economy and jobs, of particular relevance to town centres.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-21T15:45:49.967","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285500,"EventID":"S4W-15574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T13:55:31.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:32:48.007","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many carbon units will be credited to or debited from the 2012 net Scottish emissions account as a result of the operation of the EU Emissions Trading System.\r\n","AnswerText":"Aviation emissions have been included in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) since January 2012 and therefore, unlike the calculations made for 2010 and 2011, the calculation for 2012 must take account of both the traded sector and aviation.\r\nUnder the EU ETS, airlines surrender carbon units in relation to all their reportable emissions at a single operational hub and, very few airlines have registered Scotland as their operational hub. As a result the number of carbon units surrendered in respect of Scotland to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) is far smaller than total Scottish aviation emissions. In addition, the controversial inclusion of international flights within the EU ETS resulted in “stop the clock” provisions being introduced to enable flights starting/ending outside the EU to be temporarily excluded from the EU ETS in 2012.\r\nIn order to calculate the amount of carbon units to be credited to or debited from the net Scottish emissions account, Scottish Ministers are only able to take account of carbon units surrendered in Scotland to SEPA. The effect is that emissions in Scotland that have been cancelled by surrenders elsewhere in the EU are counted in Scotland as if there had been no such surrender, which means that the amount of aviation emissions in Scotland in 2012 will appear in the account to be greater than they actually are. \r\nAs a result of using the current methodology, carrying out the calculation as required by Regulation 8 of the Carbon Accounting Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2010 leads to the effect of aviation emissions being over-stated in the account.\r\nEven so, Scottish Ministers have as required made the calculation under the 2010 Regulations. Scottish Ministers have calculated that in relation to the operation of the EU Emissions Trading System in Scotland during 2012, 4,197,158 units will be debited from the 2012 net Scottish emissions account.\r\nThis is a provisional calculation and the Scottish Government will improve the methodology used to make the calculation in the 2010 Regulations so as to provide a more accurate calculation for aviation emissions from 2012 onwards, and intends to bring forward regulations for that purpose prior to the publication of the 2012 annual report in 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T13:55:32.1","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285501,"EventID":"S4W-15557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:55.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T10:29:34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on calls for the institution that will be established following the merger of Stow College, John Wheatley College and North Glasgow College to recognise Mary Barbour in its name.\r\n","AnswerText":"While college names are a matter for merging colleges to determine. It would be sensible for them to consider their local community, local history, and figures of local significance when considering their choices. The suggestion of Mary Barbour fits well in that regard and I note the positive support for it from Trade Unions and others.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:55.623","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285502,"EventID":"S4W-15558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:55.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:12:41.293","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what types of development must provide financial bonds in association with planning consent; what types of bonds there are, and what its position is on whether each provides adequate security.\r\n","AnswerText":"Planning legislation contains no requirement that any development must provide financial bonds in association with planning consent.\r\nPlanning authorities may, if they consider it appropriate, seek to ensure restoration of sites through planning conditions or planning obligations. These may require establishment of a financial bond. This would be a matter for the relevant planning authority to determine based on the circumstances of any individual case.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:55.873","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285503,"EventID":"S4W-15560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:56.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:12:41.293","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, where a restoration bond proves to be inadequate, who is responsible for ensuring that the restoration work is completed.\r\n","AnswerText":"Where responsibility rests may depend on the circumstances around any individual case. Where a planning condition or obligation exists that requires restoration of land, this may be enforceable against the landowner, developer or parties with an interest in the land, where they can be identified.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:56.107","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285504,"EventID":"S4W-15561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:56.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:12:41.293","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the liquidation of Scottish Resources Group and ATH Resources, what action it is taking to ensure that habitat and environmental impact regulations are maintained at open cast coal sites.\r\n","AnswerText":"The interim liquidators for The Scottish Coal Company Limited have applied to the Court of Session for directions on whether they have power to abandon or disclaim sites owned by the company and statutory licences, analogous to that which exists in England and Wales, and on the correct treatment in the liquidation of the costs associated with planning obligations. The Scottish Ministers, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage and a number of local authorities have submitted answers as part of the court process, and the case is due to be heard in early July 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:56.323","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285505,"EventID":"S4W-15562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:56.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:51:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it defines a town centre in relation to its policy on town centre regeneration.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not define a “town centre” in relation to its policy on town centre regeneration.\r\nUnder Scottish Planning Policy, local authorities are expected to identify a network of city, town and district centres through their development plans. Scottish Planning Policy (consolidated in 2010) sets out a range of attributes for town centres. Scottish Planning Policy is currently under review and the draft SPP, published for consultation from 30 April to 23 July  2013 proposes retaining this set of attributes for town centres.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:56.56","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285506,"EventID":"S4W-15563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:56.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:51:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13070 on 8 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:56.777","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285507,"EventID":"S4W-15564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:56.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:51:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the economic resilience of town centres.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not undertaken an assessment of the economic resilience of town centres.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:56.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285508,"EventID":"S4W-15565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:57.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:51:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what key performance indicators it uses to monitor town centre regeneration.","AnswerText":"As part of its framework for monitoring the implementation of the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Strategy Achieving a Sustainable Future, we will look at national and local level indicators to inform progress across a range of outcomes relative to regeneration. We do not have a set of indicators to monitor town centre regeneration specifically.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:57.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285509,"EventID":"S4W-15566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:57.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:51:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the report of the Town Centre Review group will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"The External Advisory Group of the Town Centre Review, established in September 2012, continues to consider their recommendations. We expect to receive the report in July.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:57.417","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285510,"EventID":"S4W-15567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:57.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:51:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the approved primary contractors are for its Energy Assistance Package.\r\n","AnswerText":"Stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package ended on 31 March 2013. It has been replaced by the new Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Energy Assistance Scheme.\r\nFor the new Energy Assistance Scheme, the approved primary contractors are:\r\nthe Energy Saving Trust, as package administrator\r\nScottish Gas, as managing agent, and\r\nBierce Technical Services Ltd, to provide inspection and ad hoc audit services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:57.62","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285511,"EventID":"S4W-15568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:57.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:51:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which subsidiaries of primary contractors to its Energy Assistance Package have won tenders from their parent companies.\r\n","AnswerText":"As explained in the answer to S4W-15567 on 24 June 2013, the approved primary contractors for the Energy Assistance Scheme are:\r\nthe Energy Saving Trust, as package administrator,\r\nScottish Gas, as managing agent, and\r\nBierce Technical Services Ltd, to provide inspection and ad hoc audit services.\r\nPlease note that the information provided in this answer is current as of June 2013 but is subject to change.\r\nThe Energy Saving Trust has five Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centres and has contracted the following four companies to run them:\r\nChangeworks Resources for Life: South East Scotland, Highlands and Islands\r\nThe Energy Agency: South West Scotland\r\nS.C.A.R.F. (Save Cash and Reduce Fuel): North East Scotland\r\nThe WISE Group: Strathclyde and Central Scotland\r\nScottish Gas has advised that they have contracted, or otherwise made arrangements with, the following companies to deliver elements of the service they provide:\r\nA and R Hepburn\r\nAlba Gas\r\nBaxi Heat team\r\nBCA Insulation\r\nBRB Electrical\r\nBSS Gas \r\nBuilding Insulation Services (BIS)\r\nCity Technical Services (UK) \r\nComplete Heat Scotland \r\nCool Planet\r\nDalex Systems \r\nDevine Electrics \r\nDimplex\r\nESP Pipelines\r\nFyrebrite Heating & Building Service\r\nGas Call Services \r\nGas Services Direct\r\nHeating 4 U Fife\r\nILM Highland\r\nMains Gas Services \r\nMcTear Electrical Services\r\nMitie Property Services (UK) \r\nMitsubishi Electric\r\nOmega Electrical Contractors\r\nPH Jones\r\nQuality Gas Services \r\nRDI Solutions\r\nRobertson and Peterson\r\nScotia Gas Networks\r\nScottish Power\r\nShetland Heatwise\r\nSouth East Heating Services \r\nScottish and Southern Energy\r\nTighean Innse Gall\r\nTK Murray Electrical \r\nWilliam Wilson Plc\r\nWiseman (Plumbing & Heating)\r\nWorcester Bosch\r\nThe Scottish Government does not hold information on the use of subsidiaries by Bierce Technical Services Ltd.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:57.823","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285512,"EventID":"S4W-15569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:58.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:51:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it offers to bidders that have been unsuccessful when tendering for a public contract.\r\n","AnswerText":"For public contracts below the OJEU threshold, unsuccessful suppliers will be notified via an unsuccessful letter. A supplier is entitled to ask for the reasons why their tender was unsuccessful. All feedback will be based on the objective criteria that was used to evaluate the tender response, and should cover the positive aspects and suggest areas for improvement of the unsuccessful bid. Suppliers will then have the opportunity to address these issues and improve their competitiveness in any future bids.\r\nFor public contracts above the OJEU threshold (excluding exempt contracts such as Part B service contracts), unsuccessful suppliers will be issued with a standstill notice in accordance with the EU Procurement Directives. The standstill notice will contain the contract award criteria, the score obtained by the tenderer and the successful tenderer, the name of the successful tenderer, a summary of the reasons why the tenderer was unsuccessful and the characteristics and relative advantages of the successful tender. If tenderers make a written request, additional de-brief information must be provided within 15 days. A debrief may also be provided face-to-face or via telephone as part of this process.\r\nFor exempt contracts above the OJEU threshold, unsuccessful suppliers will be notified via an unsuccessful letter. It remains procurement best practice to provide these unsuccessful suppliers with feedback on their tender submission in order to enable them to improve their competitiveness in any future bids.\r\nFurther guidance is available on the Procurement Journey and the Supplier Journey which set out procurement best practice guidance for the public sector and procedures for Suppliers, which are published on the Scottish Government’s website:\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Procurement/buyer-information/spdlowlevel\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Procurement/Selling/SupplierJourney\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:58.027","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285513,"EventID":"S4W-15570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:58.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:51:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-08649 by Nicola Sturgeon 23 July 2012, when it estimates each of the health centres will be (a) completed and (b) open to the public.\r\n","AnswerText":"Outline business case approval was given for each of the health centres in May, and it is currently anticipated that they will be completed and open in summer 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:58.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285514,"EventID":"S4W-15571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:58.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:51:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it provides to help companies promote research and development.\r\n","AnswerText":"Through the enterprise agencies and other intermediary bodies, the Scottish Government delivers a range of programmes to help companies engage in research and development. These include large collaborative research and development grants, discretionary grants to support technical and commercial feasibility studies and research and development projects; and access to Interface, which provides a free brokerage service and innovation vouchers for businesses seeking to collaborate with Scottish academia.\r\nIn addition to providing financial support, there are also a number of advisory services for companies seeking to participate in research and development. These include a service to support inventors; the Enterprise Europe Network, which promotes collaborative opportunities for Scottish businesses to work across Europe and beyond; and promotion of existing and future European Union competitive research and development funding programmes, currently being delivered through a series of Scottish-wide road shows.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:58.463","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285515,"EventID":"S4W-15572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:29:58.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:51:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it provides to support (a) the development of and (b) widening access to tennis training.\r\n","AnswerText":"sportscotland has invested £362,100 into Tennis Scotland for their financial year ending 30 September 2013 through their Scottish Governing Body annual investment process. This investment supports all aspects of the sport and the delivery of Tennis Scotland’s strategic plan “Tennis Scotland: Increasing Participation and Rallying the Next Generation of Winners 2012-2016”.\r\nIn financial year 2012-13, sportscotland awarded £293,269 to eight tennis specific facilities projects. Since 2004-05, sportscotland have awarded a total of £2,166,527 to tennis facilities projects. In February 2013, a further £117,900 was awarded to facilities projects with a significant tennis specific element through the first round of the Legacy 2014 Active Places fund. The development of and access to tennis will also have benefited through a significant number of multi-use sports facility awards, such as leisure centres and multi-use games areas.\r\nsportscotland supports the development of and access to tennis through a range of other programmes, that do not necessarily include direct financial support. This includes programmes such as Active Places and Community Sport Hubs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:29:58.663","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285516,"EventID":"S4W-15581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T14:35:20.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T14:00:55.81","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the report of the Expert Working Group on Welfare.\r\n","AnswerText":"I’m pleased to advise that the report of the Expert Working Group on Welfare will be published today. It can be accessed at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/welfarereform/EXPERTWORKINGGROUPONWELFARE.\r\nI am also publishing the Scottish Government’s initial response to the group’s report; it can be viewed alongside it.\r\nA copy of the group’s report and the Scottish Government’s initial response has been placed in SPICe (BIB numbers 55013 and 55014).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T14:35:20.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285517,"EventID":"S4T-00390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T13:12:03.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T10:43:15.687","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its 2011 climate change target.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T13:12:03.41","MeetingDate":"2013-06-11T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285518,"EventID":"S4T-00394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T13:12:04.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:27:27.743","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the new system for disability living allowance will have on poverty in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T13:12:04.627","MeetingDate":"2013-06-11T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285519,"EventID":"S4F-01453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T13:10:56.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-06T13:57:43.81","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T13:10:57.227","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285520,"EventID":"S4F-01456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T13:11:00.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T09:46:18.207","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T13:11:00.69","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285521,"EventID":"S4F-01457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T13:11:01.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T09:48:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government has been in contact with the UK Government regarding illegal surveillance activities in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T13:11:01.783","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285522,"EventID":"S4F-01458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T13:11:02.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T10:26:39.727","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T13:11:02.983","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285523,"EventID":"S4F-01460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T13:11:04.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:20:46.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to improve detection of cervical cancer.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T13:11:04.637","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285524,"EventID":"S4F-01469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T13:11:10.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T11:49:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how much it would cost annually for an independent Scotland to raise benefit payments to a level that the Scottish Government considers appropriate.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T13:11:10.893","MeetingDate":"2013-06-13T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285536,"EventID":"S4W-15582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T16:54:53.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T14:02:35.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent assessment was carried out prior to the recently reported land swap between Forestry Commission Scotland and Anders Holch Povlsen.\r\n","AnswerText":"All land involved in this land swap was independently valued. However, decisions on individual land purchase, sales and exchanges are for Forestry Commission Scotland, working within established procedures (such as those set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual) and the Scottish Government’s forestry policies and all processes and procedures are subject to annual audit.\r\nThe factors taken into account by Forestry Commission Scotland in considering this land swap were the key strategic targets for the National Forest Estate including those for timber production, new woodland creation, public access and conservation/biodiversity. Each component of the land swap was individually assessed and then reviewed for its wider public benefits.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T16:54:53.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285537,"EventID":"S4W-15583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-10T16:54:53.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T14:02:35.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what factors it considered prior to approving the recently reported land swap between Forestry Commission Scotland and Anders Holch Povlsen.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15582 on 26 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-24T16:54:53.81","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285548,"EventID":"S4W-15593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T10:46:52.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T10:23:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in carrying out the review of the Energy Efficiency Action Plan in accordance with section 60 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.\r\n","AnswerText":"The formal review of the Energy Efficiency Action Plan (EEAP) has been completed and a report on the review was laid before parliament and published on the Scottish Government website on 31 May setting out our statement of progress and conclusions. I can confirm that over 90% of the actions set out in the EEAP have been completed and that we remain on track to meet our 2020 target to reduce final energy consumption by 12%.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T10:46:52.667","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285549,"EventID":"S4W-15584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T13:46:00.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T15:38:01.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many houses in multiple occupation (HMO) licences were granted by each local authority in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13 and how many have been granted since April 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table provides information on the number of new and renewal Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence applications granted in 2011-12 (to 31 March 2012) by each local authority.\r\nHouses in multiple occupation: year ending 31 March 2012\r\nNew applications received under the mandatory licensing scheme\r\nRenewal applications received under the mandatory licensing scheme\r\nScotland\r\n1,682\r\nScotland\r\n7,670\r\nAberdeen City\r\n133\r\nAberdeen City\r\n280\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n25\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n27\r\nAngus\r\n1\r\nAngus\r\n7\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n1\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n0\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n1\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n2\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n7\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n37\r\nDundee City\r\n84\r\nDundee City\r\n239\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n2\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n4\r\nEast Lothian\r\n2\r\nEast Lothian\r\n11\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n8\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n950\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n4,919\r\nEilean Siar\r\n1\r\nEilean Siar\r\n14\r\nFalkirk\r\n2\r\nFalkirk\r\n5\r\nFife\r\n76\r\nFife\r\n443\r\nGlasgow City\r\n306\r\nGlasgow City\r\n1,027\r\nHighland\r\n16\r\nHighland\r\n60\r\nInverclyde\r\n4\r\nInverclyde\r\n5\r\nMidlothian\r\n9\r\nMidlothian\r\n0\r\nMoray\r\n7\r\nMoray\r\n6\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n2\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n4\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n0\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n0\r\nOrkney\r\n1\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n5\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n30\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n3\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n52\r\nScottish Borders, The\r\n11\r\nScottish Borders, The\r\n16\r\nShetland\r\n0\r\nShetland\r\n2\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n4\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n11\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n3\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n15\r\nStirling\r\n18\r\nStirling\r\n433\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n2\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n2\r\nWest Lothian\r\n6\r\nWest Lothian\r\n11\r\nSource: HMO returns by local authorities to the Scottish Government, Communities Analytical Services (Housing Statistics)\r\nNote: Figures for 2012-13 (to 31 March 2013) are currently being collected from local authorities and will be published towards the end of August 2013. Those for 2013-14 are due to be published in August 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T13:46:00.777","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285550,"EventID":"S4W-15585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T13:46:01.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T15:38:01.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of houses in multiple occupation (HMO) licences was granted by each local authority in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13 and have been granted since April 2013 for properties for people considered vulnerable because they (a) are homeless, (b) live in a hostel, (c) have mental health issues and (d) are recovering from substance misuse.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government.\r\nWe do collect information on the type of Houses in Multiple Occupation, and this can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/HMO. \r\nHowever, it should be noted that these figures relate to the number of licences in force as at 31 March 2012 rather than the number granted during the year.\r\nFigures for the number of licences in force for 2012-13 (to 31 March 2013) are currently being collected from local authorities and will be published towards the end of August 2013. Those for 2013-14 are due to be published in August 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T13:46:01.37","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285551,"EventID":"S4W-15587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T13:46:01.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T17:01:50","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Scottish Natural Heritage and Marine Scotland will hold a public meeting on Arran to discuss the proposed South Arran Marine Protected Area.","AnswerText":"We are developing management options for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) where scientific advice suggests that some form of management may be necessary to achieve the conservation objectives for each proposed protected feature in each possible MPA. The approach to identifying management options for each activity, including those for impacts of creelers and anglers, will be risk-based, which means options will be presented where there is a risk to the achievement of the conservation objectives.\r\nThe management options will be informed by discussion with stakeholders and will be consulted on this summer. If new information becomes available during the consultation, the management options may be revised. We recognise that stakeholders can provide local, practical environmental knowledge and more detailed information on activities, including in relation to intensity, frequency, and methods. This additional information will help us to develop more specific management options, focussed on interactions between features and activities. To better understand this and to raise awareness of the proposal for the South Arran possible MPA, we intend to invite members of the Arran community, and any other interested parties, to attend a joint Marine Scotland and SNH drop in session on MPAs towards the start of the summer consultation. We are in discussions with the Community of Arran Seabed Trust over arrangements for this event on Arran.\r\nIn addition there is also a review period every six years to assess the efficacy of the network in achieving its conservation objectives, where the first review would be held in 2018-19.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T13:46:01.787","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285552,"EventID":"S4W-15588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T13:46:03.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T17:01:50","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will review the management options for marine protected areas and publish that review.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15587 on 24 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T13:46:03.24","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285553,"EventID":"S4W-15589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T13:46:03.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T17:01:50","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether management options for marine protected areas take account of the impacts on non-mobile stakeholder groups such as creelers and anglers.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15587 on 24 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T13:46:03.62","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285554,"EventID":"S4W-15590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T13:46:03.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans there are to establish a lipid clinic in the NHS Lanarkshire area.\r\n","AnswerText":"We want people with lipid disorders to get diagnosed and access to treatment as swiftly as possible in order to minimise the risk of complications.\r\nNHS Lanarkshire has reported that lipid disorders such as familial hypercholesterolemia are part of their Coronary Heart Disease Managed Clinical Network’s (MCN) current work plan. The MCN has undertaken a workshop looking to optimise the current patient pathway and is in the process of developing a set of service proposals, one of which is to establish a Lipid clinic within NHS Lanarkshire.\r\nThis proposal is expected to be considered by the board later this summer before a decision is made on whether or not to establish a Lipid clinic in NHS Lanarkshire.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T13:46:04.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285555,"EventID":"S4W-15591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T13:46:04.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) full- and (b) part-time bank nurses have been employed by NHS Lanarkshire in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested on how many (a) full time and (b) part time bank nurses have been employed by NHS Lanarkshire in each year since 2007 is not centrally held.\r\nInformation that is held centrally on bank nurses can be found on the ISD website by following the link below.\r\nhttps://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2013-05-28/Bank_Nurses_M2013.xls?40608722\r\nFurther information on the statistics, including information on how the data are collected and notes to aid interpretation, is given in the “Background Information” section of the Workforce statistics website at www.isdscotland.org/workforce.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T13:46:04.653","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285556,"EventID":"S4W-15592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T13:46:04.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15227 by Humza Yousaf on 5 June 2013, how much funding each organisation received each year.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following tables show the funding each organisation has received for each year through the Scottish Government International Development Fund as part of the Malawi Development Programme and also the most recent funding round. This is shown by each funding round since 2005.\r\n\r\nMalawi Development Programme (2013-16)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nORGANISATIONS\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n£137,099\r\n£126,265\r\n£136,035\r\nMeningitis Research Foundation\r\n£97,410\r\n£33,990\r\n-\r\nScotland Malawi Business Group\r\n£105,463\r\n£110,169\r\n£121,105\r\nJust Trading Scotland\r\n£90,905\r\n£150,050\r\n£35,300\r\nThe Global Concerns Trust\r\n£35,203\r\n£34,013\r\n£40,522\r\nScotland-Malawi Mental Health Education Project \r\n£132,550\r\n£124,030\r\n£125,600\r\nUniversity of Strathclyde \r\n£148,227\r\n£124,174\r\n£115,941\r\nMicroLoan Foundation UK \r\n£85,545\r\n£149,517\r\n£142,240\r\nOxfam Scotland\r\n£158,028\r\n£133,232\r\n£108,740\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n£64,704\r\n£47,462\r\n£46,126\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh\r\n£116,918\r\n£139,510\r\n£139,817\r\nConcern Worldwide\r\n£126,229\r\n£139,006\r\n£134,765\r\nChristian Aid, Scotland Office\r\n£139,624\r\n£124,809\r\n£121,530\r\nMary's Meals\r\n£120,607\r\n£143,227\r\n£136,011\r\nScottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF)\r\n£129,313\r\n£127,593\r\n£121,318\r\n\r\nMalawi Development Programme (2012-15)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nORGANISATIONS\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nThe Co-operative College\r\n£128,975\r\n£125,021\r\n£143,791\r\nChristian Blind Mission\r\n£97,838\r\n£115,670\r\n£103,789\r\nChance for Change\r\n£128,286\r\n£129,736\r\n£127,792\r\nActive Learning Centre\r\n£100,130\r\n£79,325\r\n -\r\nScotland Malawi Partnership\r\n£68,402\r\n£58,767\r\n£65,304\r\nImani Development\r\n£142,535\r\n£125,155\r\n£92,193\r\nInternational Resources and Recycling Institute \r\n£182,702\r\n -\r\n -\r\nOxfam Scotland \r\n£114,383\r\n£133,034\r\n£134,821\r\nScotland Malawi Business Group \r\n£22,727\r\n -\r\n -\r\nChallenges Worldwide\r\n£159,640\r\n£161,295\r\n£79,056\r\nVoluntary Service Overseas Scotland\r\n£120,245\r\n£131,617\r\n£147,565\r\nSue Ryder\r\n£54,940\r\n£90,920\r\n£94,985\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh, Global Health Academy \r\n£111,122\r\n£165,037\r\n£123,288\r\nUniversity of St Andrews \r\n£96,880\r\n£98,340\r\n£64,936\r\nUniversity of Dundee\r\n£136,881\r\n£55,120\r\n£49,680\r\nImpact, University of Aberdeen\r\n£137,813\r\n£126,975\r\n£132,998\r\nLink Community Development Scotland \r\n£156,754\r\n£105,408\r\n£119,364\r\nThe Healthy Lifestyle Project (North Lanarkshire Council)\r\n£35,900\r\n£26,700\r\n£26,700\r\nMary’s Meals\r\n£117,787\r\n£132,067\r\n£150,146\r\n\r\nMalawi Development Programme (2010-13)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nORGANISATIONS\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\nThe Active Learning Centre\r\n£161,300\r\n£117,608\r\n£120,493\r\nOpportunity International (UK)\r\n£65,982\r\n£161,944\r\n£171,098\r\nScottish CROP Research Institute\r\n£158,554\r\n£113,729\r\n£69,410\r\nTearfund Scotland\r\n£135,000\r\n£135,000\r\n£129,000\r\nChurch of Scotland \r\n£86,490\r\n£103,300\r\n£98,800\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh\r\n£57,140\r\n£171,430\r\n£171,430\r\nUniversity of Strathclyde\r\n£173,187\r\n£116,382\r\n£109,089\r\nWaverley Care\r\n£106,815\r\n£91,249\r\n£103,005\r\nScotland-Malawi Mental Health Education Project \r\n£180,000\r\n£120,000\r\n£100,000\r\nMary's Meals\r\n£128,500\r\n£75,850\r\n£80,850\r\nMacaulay Land Use Research Institute\r\n£108,215\r\n£95,260\r\n£95,260\r\nThe Active Learning Centre\r\n£137,204\r\n£110,482\r\n£118,979\r\nOxfam Scotland\r\n£111,594\r\n£83,135\r\n£87,907\r\nEurotalk Interactive\r\n£23,875\r\n£23,500\r\n£27,725\r\nVenture Trust Malawi\r\n£149,018\r\n£129,718\r\n£52,700\r\nScottish Agricultural College\r\n£134,550\r\n£133,327\r\n£132,123\r\nSense Scotland\r\n£144,928\r\n£123,383\r\n£129,153\r\nChristian Blind Mission\r\n£59,764\r\n£169,500\r\n£170,736\r\nNHS Tayside Emergency Medicine Service\r\n£181,959\r\n£150,211\r\n£43,955\r\nChristian Aid\r\n£210,577\r\n£132,096\r\n£57,255\r\nConcern Worldwide\r\n£161,300\r\n£117,608\r\n£120,493\r\nConcern Worldwide\r\n£65,982\r\n£161,944\r\n£171,098\r\nChallenges Worldwide\r\n£158,554\r\n£113,729\r\n£69,410\r\nThe Open University \r\n£135,000\r\n£135,000\r\n£129,000\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMalawi Development Programme (2008-09)\r\n\r\n\r\nORGANISATIONS\r\n2008-09\r\nAdam Smith College\r\n£130,800\r\nSense Scotland\r\n£34,937\r\nUniversity of Strathclyde\r\n£63,193\r\nStirling University\r\n£241,100\r\nTearfund\r\n£112,801\r\nThe Healthy Lifestyl","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T13:46:04.92","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285557,"EventID":"S4W-15594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T13:46:05.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T10:40:48.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to assist non-resident parents who are tenants of a local authority and in receipt of housing benefit and are considered to have an extra bedroom as their child does not stay with them permanently.","AnswerText":"Scottish social landlords, including local authorities, may exercise discretion to allocate an additional bedroom or bedrooms in this situation, helping to meet the needs of children and their families. However, the UK Government’s under-occupancy measure for working age tenants in receipt of housing benefit may result in a loss of housing benefit for those households. The Scottish Government has consistently opposed this measure.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T13:46:05.153","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285588,"EventID":"S4W-15332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:04.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:44:52.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it can ensure that staff employed by GPs receive the pay increase outlined in its pay policy.","AnswerText":"The vast majority of GP practices in Scotland operate as independent contractors within the NHS and are contracted by local health boards under the terms of a UK negotiated general medical services contract.\r\nAs independent contractors, practice partners are free to decide (within the context of the services they must provide under contract with boards) exactly how they set up their operations in terms of employing staff, including pay and conditions. As most practice staff are employees of the practice their employment conditions are agreed with the practice owners, partners or management. Issues relating to particular employee terms and conditions are therefore matters for individual GP ownerships or partnerships.\r\nThis also means practices are also free to offer terms and conditions with elements which are more generous, if this is felt appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:04.877","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285589,"EventID":"S4W-15368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:06.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:55:09.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether patient choice is at the heart of the stoma care service.","AnswerText":"The selection of the appropriate stoma appliance to be prescribed for a particular patient is a clinical matter for the specifying clinician taking into account the needs and preferences of the patient concerned.\r\nHealth board joint formularies are in place to assist specifying clinicians in addressing patient needs cost effectively. NHS boards also purchase samples for patients’ own evaluation, and these may include items both on the hospital formulary or not where that item may better meet the requirements of an individual patient.\r\nThis is intended to ensure that patients can get access to the samples of products which the clinician has identified as likely to be suitable for them, and avoids NHSScotland having to rely on the provision of free samples which may not be either the most suitable or the most cost-effective for patients’ needs.\r\nAll NHS board formularies are advisory, with any variance of usage managed through each individual board’s local arrangements.\r\nAll manufacturers wishing to supply stoma appliances to NHSScotland are encouraged to offer products for evaluation and to highlight innovation in their design. Should a supplier then have additional innovative products, these may be added after discussion and review with the clinical group.\r\nThe Scottish Government believes that this process assists specifying clinicians to cost effectively meet the needs of their patients from all the products which manufacturers may be making available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:06.077","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285590,"EventID":"S4W-15369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:06.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:55:09.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the procurement process for stoma care appliances (a) maintains and (b) protects (i) patient and (ii) clinician choice.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15368 on 25 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:06.5","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285591,"EventID":"S4W-15370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:07.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:55:09.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S3W-35393 by Nicola Sturgeon on 9 August 2010, how many of the 1,460 stoma service suppliers still supply the NHS.","AnswerText":"As of 17 June 2013, there were 23 dispensing appliance contractors registered with NHS national procurement as stoma appliance suppliers. In addition, there were 1236 community pharmacy contractors and 47 dispensing practices who were also eligible to provide this service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:07.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285592,"EventID":"S4W-15371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:07.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:55:09.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the hospital formulary system is advisory and whether all (a) patients, (b) stoma care clinical nurse specialists and (c) clinicians are aware of the option of choosing other stoma care appliances.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15368 on 25 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:07.653","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285593,"EventID":"S4W-15372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:08.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:55:09.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how product innovation is encouraged in the procurement process for stoma care appliances.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15368 on 25 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:08.013","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285594,"EventID":"S4W-15373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:08.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-05-29T13:55:09.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the discontinuing of the provision of free samples has had on the (a)  opportunities for stoma care clinical nurse specialists to assess products and (b) cost of stoma care supplies to the NHS.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15368 on 25 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877/aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:08.417","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285595,"EventID":"S4W-15575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:08.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:48:37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people graduated from dental school in 2013 and how many have secured a vocational training placement.\r\n","AnswerText":"172 Dental students graduated from Scottish dental schools this year.\r\n153 dental graduates have secured vocational training places to date and we are confident that the remaining Scottish graduates will be placed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:08.823","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285596,"EventID":"S4W-15576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:09.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:48:37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a shortfall in dental vocational training placements and, if so, of how many.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s commitment is to match the number of dental Vocational Training (VT) places available in Scotland to the Scottish dental schools graduate output.\r\nThe 2013 Scottish dental schools graduate output is 172 and, as of today, NHS Education for Scotland (NES) has secured 172 likely dental VT posts, a small number of which are still being assessed to ensure they meet the training criteria. NES continues to actively explore the potential for further dental VT places within the salaried and hospital dental services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:09.493","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285597,"EventID":"S4W-15577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:09.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:48:37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14422 by Michael Matheson on 9 May 2013, when NHS Education for Scotland became aware of the need to provide additional dental vocational training places for 2013-14 graduates; what action (a) NHS Education for Scotland and (b) the Scottish Government has taken, and how many additional places have been made available.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Education for Scotland (NES) first became aware of a need for additional dental Vocational Training (VT) places at the conclusion of its round one recruitment exercise at the end of January 2013.\r\nIn accordance with its procedures, following an evaluation of the outcome from round one recruitment, NES subsequently informed the Scottish Government of a need for additional VT places and of their intentions to instigate a round two recruitment exercise. The Scottish Government endorsed that approach, which commenced on 19 April 2013, while also requesting that NES explore whether training capacity existed within other areas of dental services in Scotland, such as within the Salaried and hospital dental services.\r\nFollowing round two recruitment, which concluded end May 2013, an additional 32 places were identified as possible VT training posts, bringing the total number of likely VT places available in Scotland to 172.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:09.823","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285598,"EventID":"S4W-15595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:10.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T13:06:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on how the UK Government's proposals in its response to the UK Parliament's Business, Innovation and Skills Committee’s 2012 report, Pub Companies, might impact on the licensed trade, and which of the potential legislative powers the response refers to are devolved.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) issued a consultation document on the possible introduction of legislation to create a statutory code and pub adjudicator. That consultation recognised that the proposals were not a reserved issue. Discussions with BIS are on-going to determine whether or not these proposals should be extended to Scotland. This consultation closed on 14 June. We encouraged Scottish interests to respond to the consultation on the basis that while we have not come to a formal view on whether to support this measure, if it were to progress as a UK Bill, Scottish industry interests will have been considered.\r\nWhile we do not hold statistical data on the makeup of the pub trade, through discussions with the industry we have established that in England around 70% is leasehold and 30% freehold, whereas the Scottish industry is made up of 65% freehold and 35% leasehold (of which, less than half fall within the control of the larger Pub Companies). Of the seven large Pub Companies in operation in the UK, only three operate in Scotland. The interest of these large Pub Companies covers around 800 pubs (or around 16% of the market) in Scotland.\r\nFergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism met with representatives from the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign to discuss the proposed introduction by the UK Government of an adjudicator and statutory code. The Scottish Government will work with the group to identify all relevant research to help understand the implications for Scotland. Official-level discussions have been held with the Scottish Licenced Trade Association, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, Heineken UK and the Pubs Independent Rent Review Scheme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:10.273","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285599,"EventID":"S4W-15597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:10.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T13:06:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign, which calls for a code of practice to protect the tenants and licensees of so-called pubcos.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15595 on 24 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:11.023","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285600,"EventID":"S4W-15598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:11.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T13:06:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many licensed premises in Scotland are owned by so-called pubcos.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–15595 on 24 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:11.71","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285601,"EventID":"S4W-15599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:12.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T13:06:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Licensed Trade Association regarding how so-called pubcos operate.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–15595 on 24 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:12.023","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285602,"EventID":"S4W-15600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:12.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T13:06:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out research on how so-called pubcos deal with their tenants and licensees.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–15595 on 24 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:12.333","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285603,"EventID":"S4W-15601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:12.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T13:06:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding introducing legislation to prevent so-called pubcos in Scotland from overcharging tenants and licensees for the products that they are obliged to sell.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–15595 on 24 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:12.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285604,"EventID":"S4W-15602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:13.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T13:06:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legislative powers it has to ensure that tenants and licensees of so-called pubcos are not exploited regarding the price of beer that they are contractually obliged to purchase.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–15595 on 24 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:13.037","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285605,"EventID":"S4W-15603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:13.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T14:20:44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) under five-year-olds, (b) five to 17-year-olds and (c) adults have been classified as (i) overweight and (ii) obese in each of the last five years, broken down by gender.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not available in the format requested. Estimates for age groups (a) 2-4 year olds, (b) 5-15 year olds and (c) adults aged 16+ are provided in the following tables from the Scottish Health Survey. \r\nPrevalence of overweight and obesity among males in Scotland, 2008-11\r\n\r\nAge\r\n2-4\r\n5-15\r\n16+\r\n%\r\n%\r\n%\r\nOverweight \r\n(but not obese1)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2008\r\n19.2\r\n19.3\r\n42.4\r\n2009\r\n14.6\r\n14.7\r\n41.1\r\n2010\r\n18.8\r\n14.8\r\n40.4\r\n2011\r\n21.4\r\n16.0\r\n41.1\r\nObese2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2008\r\n10.4\r\n18.5\r\n26.0\r\n2009\r\n9.6\r\n16.6\r\n26.9\r\n2010\r\n17.0\r\n15.3\r\n27.4\r\n2011\r\n16.6\r\n17.7\r\n27.7\r\nSource: Scottish Health Survey\r\n1. Overweight adults with BMI greater than 25 and less than 30. Overweight children with BMI between the 85th and 95th percentile of the reference population.\r\n2. Obese adults with BMI greater than 30. Obese children with BMI greater than the 95th percentile of the reference population.\r\nPrevalence of overweight and obesity among females in Scotland, 2008-11\r\n\r\nAge\r\n2-4\r\n5-15\r\n16+\r\n%\r\n%\r\n%\r\nOverweight \r\n(but not obese1)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2008\r\n14.0\r\n13.5\r\n34.3\r\n2009\r\n15.0\r\n12.6\r\n33.5\r\n2010\r\n13.5\r\n16.1\r\n33.5\r\n2011\r\n18.7\r\n13.8\r\n32.0\r\nObese2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2008\r\n11.4\r\n13.7\r\n27.5\r\n2009\r\n13.8\r\n14.9\r\n27.6\r\n2010\r\n8.2\r\n14.1\r\n28.9\r\n2011\r\n9.7\r\n14.7\r\n27.6\r\nSource: Scottish Health Survey\r\n1. Overweight adults with BMI greater than 25 and less than 30. Overweight children with BMI between the 85th and 95th percentile of the reference population.\r\n2. Obese adults with BMI greater than 30. Obese children with BMI greater than the 95th percentile of the reference population.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:13.347","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285606,"EventID":"S4W-15606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:13.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T14:20:44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths there have been in each of the last five years in which obesity was mentioned on the death certificate, broken down by gender.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the following table. These are the numbers of deaths, registered in Scotland in the latest five years for which final figures are currently available, for which the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code for Obesity (E66) was recorded for either the underlying cause of death or for one of the factors which contributed to the death, due to obesity or an equivalent term having been mentioned on the death certificate.\r\nDeaths in Scotland for which Obesity (ICD-10 code E66) was mentioned on the death certificate: 2007-11\r\nRegistration Year\r\nFemale\r\nMale\r\nTotal\r\n2007\r\n92\r\n89\r\n181\r\n2008\r\n98\r\n91\r\n189\r\n2009\r\n100\r\n96\r\n196\r\n2010\r\n96\r\n102\r\n198\r\n2011\r\n104\r\n108\r\n212\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:13.613","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285607,"EventID":"S4W-15607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:13.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T15:07:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14692 by Alex Neil on 21 May 2013, which NHS boards will print the National Confidential Alert Line number on June 2013 payslips.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wrote to all NHS Boards on 6 June 2013 asking them to include information about the National Confidential Alert Line on the June and or July 2013 payslips. We have been advised by health boards that the information will be included on payslips in the following months:\r\n\r\nJune 2013: NHS Dumfries and Galloway; NHS Lothian; NHS Fife; NHS Lanarkshire; NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde; NHS Western Isles; The State Hospital Board for Scotland; The National Waiting Times Centre; NHS Health Scotland.\r\n\r\nJuly 2013: NHS Tayside; NHS 24; NHS Education Scotland; NHS Healthcare Improvement Scotland; National Services Scotland.\r\n\r\nJune and July 2013: NHS Forth Valley; NHS Highland; NHS Borders; NHS Grampian; NHS Orkney; NHS Shetland; The Scottish Ambulance Service.\r\n\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran provided information about the alert line on payslips issued in April 2013 and will include further information on payslips later this summer.\r\n\r\nWe will continue to engage with all Scottish health boards to make sure all NHSScotland employees are aware of this important resource.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:13.91","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285608,"EventID":"S4W-15608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:14.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T15:31:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the role is of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR); how it is funded, and which minister it is accountable to.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is the independent regulator and registrar of Scottish Charities.\r\nThe role of OSCR is to: \r\nDetermine whether bodies are charities\r\nKeep a public register of charities\r\nEncourage, facilitate and monitor compliance by charities with the provisions of The Charities and  Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005\r\nIdentify and investigate apparent misconduct in the administration of charities and to take remedial or protective action in relation to such misconduct\r\nGive information or advice, or to make proposals, to Scottish Ministers on matters relating to OSCR’s functions \r\nOSCR is a Non-Ministerial Department; is part of the Scottish Administration; and is accountable to the Scottish Parliament. The OSCR Board is recruited through the public appointments process and is appointed by Scottish Ministers.\r\nOSCR’s funding is approved by the Scottish Parliament annually as part of the Budget (Scotland) Act.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:14.173","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285609,"EventID":"S4W-15612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:14.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T15:47:50.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) other support it provides to its Climate Justice Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has a Manifesto commitment to work with partners in business, charitable foundations and non-governmental organisations to co-ordinate efforts to build a Scotland-wide Climate Justice Fund.\r\nWe have already gone further than this and provided £3 million for this innovative fund, additional to our international development funding, and in the first round of funding announced in November 2012, the Scottish Government are supporting five water-related projects in Malawi and Zambia.\r\nFurther discussions have been held with officials regarding options for subsequent rounds of the Climate Justice Fund and other complementary activity undertaken in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme regarding sustainable energy for all. Furthermore, my colleague, the Minister for External Affairs and International Development attended a meeting on 5 June 2013 convened by the 2020 Climate Group which looked at options for developing the fund, including potential sources of funding. We look to engage with businesses in supporting Climate Justice when we hold our Climate Justice conference in Edinburgh on 9 October 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:14.627","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285610,"EventID":"S4W-15613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:14.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T15:47:50.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the proposed Procurement Reform Bill will support (a) fair and ethical trading and (b) tax transparency.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Procurement Reform Bill is aimed at ensuring public procurement processes are transparent, streamlined and proportionate and take into account social and environmental sustainability. Alongside this, the Scottish Fair Trade Forum has agreed to work with the Scottish Government to progress the uptake of fair and ethically traded goods and services through public procurement. Under existing legislation, it is possible to exclude any company from bidding if it has failed to fulfil any of its obligations in relation to the payment of taxes, and for higher value contracts companies will normally be asked to disclose any failures as part of the process of being selected to bid.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:14.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285611,"EventID":"S4W-15614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:15.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T15:47:50.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the concept of global citizenship education for all.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Government recognises the importance of developing children and young people as global citizens so as to prepare them for life in the 21st century.\r\nGlobal citizenship education is a key learning context within the Curriculum for Excellence and is firmly embedded as a cross-curriculum theme across all ages and stages and the experiences of all learners in schools. A whole-school approach to global citizenship education, including citizenship, international and sustainable development education, will help ensure that children and young people are able to play a full and active part in society, politically, socially, environmentally and culturally and understand Scotland’s role within the wider world. Education Scotland supports global citizenship education in schools through a wide range of resources for schools and by supporting professional learning for teachers.\r\nIn addition we are also investing £108,000 in Scotland’s Development Education Centres over 2013-14 and 2014-15. This will enable the centres to raise awareness of a range of issues including poverty and the effects of climate change on the developing world, in schools across Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:15.19","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285612,"EventID":"S4W-15615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:15.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T15:47:50.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses the impact of its international development work.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to rigorous monitoring and evaluation procedures for all Scottish Government funded activity. The monitoring, reporting and evaluation system for Scottish Government funded projects is outcomes focussed and structured to enable disaggregation of monitoring outcomes at project, programme and policy levels. Applications to the Scottish Government International Development Fund are assessed on their commitment and capacity to conduct thorough and rigorous monitoring and evaluation and effective project and programme management, and adherence to these requirements is a condition of the grant contract. All applications are assessed by an independent contractor. Successful applicants are required to provide six monthly and annual reports for their projects evidencing progress made toward achieving their project outcomes and impact.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently undertaking a review of the monitoring and evaluation framework. The cost of this activity will not be drawn from the International Development Fund.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:15.483","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285613,"EventID":"S4W-15616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-11T16:57:15.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T15:53:53.033","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-08143 by Richard Lochhead on 9 July 2012, what progress has been made toward increasing plastic recycling capacity.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 include bold actions to ensure that valuable resources, including plastics, are put to productive economic use. Specifically, from 1 January 2014 onwards: all waste producers in Scotland will be required to separate plastic for recycling; all local authorities will have a duty to offer plastic recycling service to households; and rigid plastics will be banned from incineration.\r\nZero Waste Scotland is able to offer technical assistance and communications support to local authorities and others working to increase collections of plastics.\r\nIn addition, Zero Waste Scotland is working to develop a viable market for recycled plastics in Scotland through a number of grant and loan schemes aimed at developing plastics recycling and reprocessing infrastructure, and working with manufacturers to increase the use of recycled plastics in products and packaging.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-25T16:57:15.797","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285614,"EventID":"S4W-15611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T15:01:44.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T15:40:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities last visited each of Scotland’s cities; whom she met, and what was discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"All ministerial engagements are proactively published on the Scottish Government Website. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T15:01:46.047","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285615,"EventID":"S4W-15617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T15:01:46.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T16:32:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it is not participating in the OECD Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials are currently liaising with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to determine the feasibility and cost of participating in the third round of the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). This round of PIAAC will commence in 2014-15 and results will be available for Scotland in 2019-20. Advice for mnisters’ consideration is being prepared and a decision from ministers will follow.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T15:01:46.573","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285616,"EventID":"S4W-15618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T15:01:46.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T16:32:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses have received a flexible training opportunities grant since the introduction of the scheme; what the average grant award is, and how much has been awarded in total.\r\n","AnswerText":"I will ask the chief executive of Skills Development Scotland to respond to you.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T15:01:46.883","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285617,"EventID":"S4W-15619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T15:01:47.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T10:05:22.573","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) fires and (b) fatal fires have taken place in houses in multiple occupation (HMO) properties since 2001, broken down by local authority area, and how many were in properties for people considered vulnerable because they (i) are homeless, (ii) live in a hostel, (iii) have mental health issues and (iv) are recovering from substance abuse.\r\n","AnswerText":"HMO\r\n(a) The following table provides information on the total number of fires attended by Scottish Fire and Rescue Services for dwelling HMOs from 2009-10 to 2011-12. Prior to 2009-10 fires in HMOs could not be identified in the data.\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nAberdeen City\r\n2\r\n7\r\n2\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\nAngus\r\n0\r\n1\r\n3\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n5\r\n2\r\n1\r\nDundee City\r\n10\r\n11\r\n5\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEast Lothian\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n11\r\n4\r\n5\r\nEilean Siar\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFalkirk\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFife\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\nGlasgow City\r\n9\r\n5\r\n2\r\nHighland\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\nInverclyde\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nMidlothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nMoray\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n0\r\n3\r\n0\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\nScottish Borders\r\n0\r\n1\r\n3\r\nShetland Islands\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nStirling\r\n1\r\n2\r\n3\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nWest Lothian\r\n0\r\n1\r\n5\r\nScotland\r\n47\r\n50\r\n38\r\nSource: IRS Dataset 2011-12.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. p – provisional.\r\n2. The data provided here uses the definition of HMOs that is used for the Incident Recording System (IRS). The data provided includes dwellings that are HMOs and are sub-categorised as: “licensed”, “unlicensed” and “licensed unknown”. The dwelling category excludes hotels, hostels and residential institutions.\r\n(b) There was one fatal fire in a dwelling HMO in 2010-11 in Aberdeen city.\r\nHostels\r\n(a) Information is not centrally held on fires involving people considered vulnerable because they (i) are homeless, (ii) have mental health issues and (iv) are recovering from substance misuse. The following table provides information on the total number of fires attended by Scottish Fire and Rescue Services in hostels between 2009-10 and 2011-12. Prior to 2009-10 fires in hostels could not be identified in the data.\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12p\r\nAberdeen City\r\n3\r\n1\r\n2\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nAngus\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDundee City\r\n5\r\n5\r\n3\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEast Lothian\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n11\r\n6\r\n12\r\nEilean Siar\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nFalkirk\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nFife\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nGlasgow City\r\n23\r\n19\r\n14\r\nHighland\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nInverclyde\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nMidlothian\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nMoray\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n1\r\n2\r\n3\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n0\r\n3\r\n2\r\nScottish Borders\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nShetland Islands\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nStirling\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nWest Lothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nScotland\r\n47\r\n48\r\n51\r\nSource: IRS Dataset 2011-12.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. p – provisional.\r\n2. The data provided here uses the definition of hostels that is used for the Incident Recording System (IRS). \r\n3. Hostels include all types of hostels except youth hostels. \r\n4. In fire data HMOs and hostels are different categories of premises.\r\n(b) There were no fatal fires recorded in hostels in the last three years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T15:01:47.423","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285618,"EventID":"S4W-15622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T15:01:47.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T10:09:26.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to improve community transport links throughout the west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"We provide local authorities with funding for community transport services as part of the block local government finance arrangements. \r\nIn addition, we paid over £1.5 million in bus service operators grants to community transport providers across Scotland in 2012-2013; and we are providing funding to the Community Transport Association in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 to support its operations in Scotland.\r\nWe do not hold disaggregated data for the West of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T15:01:47.713","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285619,"EventID":"S4W-15623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T13:47:01.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T10:11:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much income (a) Justice of the Peace court fines, (b) fiscal direct penalties and (c) police antisocial behaviour penalties generated for the Scottish Court Service in 2012-13 and are expected to generate in 2013-14.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T13:47:02.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285620,"EventID":"S4W-15625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T13:47:02.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T10:11:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the income generated for the Scottish Court Service by (a) fiscal direct penalties and (b) police antisocial behaviour penalties is calculated.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T13:47:02.317","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285621,"EventID":"S4W-15626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T13:47:02.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T10:11:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the Scottish Court Service’s anticipated income from (a) fiscal direct penalties and (b) police antisocial behaviour penalties in 2013-14 will be lost as a result of the closure of 16 Justice of the Peace courts.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T13:47:02.597","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285622,"EventID":"S4W-15627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T13:47:02.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T10:11:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, how it has calculated any reduction in the Scottish Court Service’s anticipated income from (a) fiscal direct penalties and (b) police antisocial behaviour penalties in 2013-14 as a result of the closure of 16 Justice of the Peace courts.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T13:47:02.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285623,"EventID":"S4W-15628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T15:01:47.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T10:45:00.713","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reported incidence of (a) early and (b) late onset group B streptococcus infection has been in each year since 2003.","AnswerText":"The number of laboratory confirmed reports of invasive group B streptococcal infections in neonates with early and late onset (as defined below) infection for the period of 2009 to mid-June 2013 for Scotland are summarised in table 1. Figures for 2003-08 are unavailable due to comparable data not being available for these years.\r\nTable 1: Number and incidence of confirmed laboratory reports of invasive Streptococcal Group B infections by year (2009-2013 up to mid-June) in those aged up to 90 days:\r\n\r\nNumber of invasive Streptococcal Group B reports by year\r\n \r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013*\r\nEarly onset (defined as less than 7 days of age when sample taken) number of reports\r\n27\r\n27\r\n27\r\n27\r\n7\r\nEarly onset estimated incidence per 1000 births\r\n0.46\r\n0.46\r\n0.46\r\n0.47\r\n0.26\r\nLate onset (defined as 7-90 days of age when sample taken) number of reports\r\n15\r\n19\r\n21\r\n20\r\n10\r\nLate onset estimated incidence per 1000 births\r\n0.25\r\n0.32\r\n0.36\r\n0.34\r\n0.37\r\nNumber of births per year (National Records Scotland)\r\n59046\r\n58791\r\n58590\r\n58027\r\nNot available as yet * *\r\nThe following caveats should be borne in mind when considering this data:\r\nInvasive illness in this situation is defined as any report in which blood or CSF has been taken for clinical diagnosis. This is the closest comparative we have in Electronic Communication of Surveillance in Scotland (ECOSS) as information on the clinical diagnosis of individuals is incomplete and often not reported.\r\nThe date the first sample was taken from an individual has been used as a proxy for date of onset of illness as we do not have detailed information on date of onset of illness in ECOSS.\r\n* Note that the figures for 2013 are provisional, based on reports received up to mid-June and will change as more data including retrospective reports are received throughout the year.\r\n\r\n**Incidence estimated based on average birth cohort size from previous four years - assuming that by mid-June 5.5/12 of birth have occurred\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T15:01:47.96","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285624,"EventID":"S4W-15629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T15:01:48.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T10:45:00.713","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS microbiology laboratories follow the UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations: Processing Swabs for Group B Streptococcal Carriage.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. However, the UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations (SMI) are endorsed by the Scottish Microbiology Forum (now superseded by the Scottish Microbiology and Virology Network) and each laboratory in Scotland uses these standards as the basis for developing and maintaining their own local standard operating procedures for laboratory investigations. The SMI standards are used as a basis for assessment Clinical Pathology Accreditation inspections and laboratory are therefore expected to adhere to standards recommended by the SMI.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T15:01:48.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285625,"EventID":"S4W-15630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T15:01:48.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T10:45:00.713","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to educate health professionals about the suitability of different tests for group B streptococcal carriage.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are no specific national educational initiatives commissioned by the Scottish Government about the suitability of different tests for group B streptococcal carriage.\r\nHealthcare professionals will have to demonstrate knowledge, skills and competence relevant to their profession during their undergraduate and postgraduate training, including in areas of diagnosis and appropriate treatments. It is also a professional obligation that such staff participate in continuous professional development activities in order to keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date.\r\nIn the absence of specific national educational initiatives, healthcare staff are expected to follow professional guidance from their respective Royal Colleges, such as the recently revised guidance “The Prevention of Early-onset Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease” from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, issued in June 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T15:01:48.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285626,"EventID":"S4W-15631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T15:01:48.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T10:45:00.713","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to make testing of pregnant women in Scotland for group B streptococcal infection as described in UK Standards Microbiology Investigations: Processing Swabs for Group B Streptococcal Carriage available on request, and what the timetable is.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is given independent advice by the UK National Screening Committee (NSC), the independent expert advisory group who advise ministers and the NHS in the four UK countries about all aspects of screening.\r\nThe NSC reviewed the policy for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in November 2012. This review considered all the available medical evidence regarding the risks and benefits of screening all pregnant women. The Committee recommended that a national screening programme for Group B Streptococcus should not be introduced.  The NSC will continue to keep screening for Group B Streptococcus under review and will consider the policy again in 2015-16, or earlier, if significant new evidence emerges.\r\nThe Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) issued revised guidelines, ‘The Prevention of Early-onset Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease’, in June 2012. This recommends an approach to antibiotics administration based on maternal risk factors. NHS boards in Scotland are expected to follow professional guidance issued by the RCOG to identify which women, based on maternal risk factors, should be screened for GBS during pregnacy.\r\nThe UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations: Processing Swabs for Group B Streptococcal Carriage (SMI B58) endorses and supports the recommendations that only those pregnant women assessed as being at high risk should be tested. The document provides a recommended method for such testing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T15:01:48.63","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285627,"EventID":"S4W-15632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T15:01:48.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T10:45:00.713","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the 2003 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guideline, The Prevention of Early-onset Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease, on the incidence of group B streptococcal infections in newborn babies in Scotland and what it expects the impact will be of the 2012 update.","AnswerText":"As set out in the answer to question  S4W-15628 on 26 June 2013, the number of laboratory confirmed reports of early onset invasive group B streptococcal infections has not changed significantly over the last four years (2009- 2012), for which data collection is complete. Figures for 2013 are provisional, based on reports received up to mid-June and will change as more data, including retrospective reports, are received throughout the year.\r\nCurrent practice for testing for Group B Streptococcal (GBS) infection in Scotland is based on the current Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ‘Green-top’ guideline updated in July 2012 and current testing methods in Scotland, as for the rest of the UK, are based on the culture of the organism as described in the Health Protection Agency’s document UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations-Processing Swabs for Group B Streptococcal Carriage.\r\nThe revised RCOG guideline looked at whether all pregnant women should be offered bacteriological screening for GBS. The guideline states that there is currently no conclusive evidence that routine antenatal screening would reduce mortality rates and that it could carry disadvantages for the mother and baby including: anaphylaxis; increased medicalisation of labour and the neonatal period; and possible infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms, particularly when broad-spectrum antibiotics such as amoxicillin are used for prophylaxis.\r\nThe approach recommended is on risk-factor basis only, therefore pregnant women in Scotland are not currently routinely offered testing for Streptococcal Group B infection as part of their antenatal care.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T15:01:48.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285639,"EventID":"S4O-02262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:13.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:10:22.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what rail infrastructure investments it plans for the Perth to Edinburgh route.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:13.717","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285640,"EventID":"S4O-02263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:13.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:10:22.863","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the structure and operation of the community transport system across the country.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:14.013","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285641,"EventID":"S4O-02264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:14.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:10:23.223","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to the private housing sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:14.823","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285642,"EventID":"S4O-02265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:15.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:10:23.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to promote integrated ticketing and the multimodal use of public transport.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:15.06","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285643,"EventID":"S4O-02266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:15.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T09:26:59.713","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed Procurement Reform Bill will seek to ensure that public sector contracts should only be awarded to companies that pay the living wage. \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:15.607","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285644,"EventID":"S4O-02267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:16.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T09:12:45.733","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made by its cities strategy.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:16.527","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285645,"EventID":"S4O-02269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:16.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T12:32:50.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the first phase of the Edinburgh Glasgow  Improvement Programme will be delivered.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:16.87","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285646,"EventID":"S4O-02270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:17.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T11:20:38.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when people and businesses in Shetland will be advised whether their area will be included in the 75% of the islands that Highlands and Islands Enterprise has stated will have access to superfast broadband.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:17.117","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285647,"EventID":"S4O-02271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:19.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T14:39:57.437","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with CalMac Ferries Ltd.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government hold regular discussions with CalMac Ferries Ltd regarding management of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract, sponsorship of the company as a public body and other matters of mutual interest.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:19.163","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285648,"EventID":"S4O-02272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:19.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T10:58:35.143","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving from its International Development Fund for people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories of Gaza and the West Bank. \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:19.41","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285649,"EventID":"S4O-02273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:19.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:12:02.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what input it will have to Creative Scotland’s new vision statement.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:19.677","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285650,"EventID":"S4O-02274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:22.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:12:04.19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what priorities it has set for Creative Scotland for the forthcoming year.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:22.483","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285651,"EventID":"S4O-02275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:22.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:12:05.243","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with BBC Scotland regarding the impact of reductions in its budget.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:22.89","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285652,"EventID":"S4O-02276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:23.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:12:06.087","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking regarding the free-to-air broadcasting of major events.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:23.123","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285653,"EventID":"S4O-02277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:23.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:12:06.373","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the contribution that local arts festivals make to communities in regeneration areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:23.39","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285654,"EventID":"S4O-02278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:24.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:12:07.86","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the European Commission and what matters will be discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:24.73","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285655,"EventID":"S4O-02279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:24.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T11:24:34.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last attended a meeting of the Nordic Council.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:24.98","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285656,"EventID":"S4O-02280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:25.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T09:50:56.187","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its commemoration of the First World War will include conscientious objectors and the role of peace groups.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:25.247","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285657,"EventID":"S4O-02281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:25.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:12:09.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the Turkish consul.\r\n","AnswerText":"Building on our strong bilateral relationship, the Scottish Government is planning to meet the Turkish Honorary Consul, Mr Ian Wittet, in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:25.463","MeetingDate":"2013-06-19T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285658,"EventID":"S4O-02282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:26.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T11:31:33.7","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the prohibition of convicted prisoners from voting in elections is compatible with its commitment to incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights into an independent Scotland's written constitution.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:26.883","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285659,"EventID":"S4O-02283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:27.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:15:29.79","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on delivering the new Haddington hospital.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:27.773","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285660,"EventID":"S4O-02284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:28.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:15:30.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to help people with mental health issues remain in employment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:28.04","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285661,"EventID":"S4O-02285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:29.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T11:44:58.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which policies in the Draft Scottish Planning Policy will inform local authority development plans in relation to housing needs for older people.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:29.66","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285662,"EventID":"S4O-02286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:31.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:15:30.897","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take regarding restrictions imposed on funfair licences by local authorities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:31.313","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285663,"EventID":"S4O-02287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:31.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T15:06:01.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on attracting GPs to rural practices.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:31.58","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285664,"EventID":"S4O-02288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:31.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T12:15:31.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that recent actions by Police Scotland reflect a change in emphasis in local policing.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:31.94","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285665,"EventID":"S4O-02289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:32.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T09:56:06.347","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage golf tourism and what impact this will have on the west of Scotland economy.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:32.283","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285666,"EventID":"S4O-02290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:32.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-11T16:44:54.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding immigration, in light of its impact on jobs in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the contribution that talented and highly skilled migrants are making to Scotland’s economy and society. The Scottish Government has lobbied the UK Government many times to provide an immigration system that can attract the talented individuals who will benefit our economy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:32.767","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285667,"EventID":"S4O-02291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T14:29:33.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-10T14:26:59.49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether a significant quarrying operation should proceed without the completion of an environmental impact assessment.","AnswerText":"The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 require an environmental impact assessment is undertaken before determining any planning application, or review of any mineral permission, for a quarry which is likely to have a significant effect on the environment. It is a matter for the planning authority to ensure that all relevant regulatory requirements are met before such applications are determined.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T14:29:33.063","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285676,"EventID":"S4W-15633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T16:43:40.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T10:45:32.573","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to carry out research on the impact of (a) habitat loss and (b) intensive farming on the bee population.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently carrying out research on the impact of (a) habitat loss and (b) intensive farming on the bee population, as a joint-funder of the Insect Pollinator Initiative (IPI)\r\nThe IPI researches the causes and consequences of insect pollinator decline. It is jointly funded by the Scottish Government, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs , the Natural Environment Research Council and the Wellcome Trust, under the auspices of the Living With Environmental Change programme. The funders came together because innovative research was urgently needed to provide a solid evidence base with which to inform new policies and approaches to reduce threats to pollinator insects.\r\nThis initiative was set up in 2010, in part through the lobbying by British bee-keepers, and runs until 2014. There are nine separate IPI projects: one of these examines the impacts of habitat structure in a farmed landscape on bumblebees and two others examine how changes in agricultural land use and land management practices are affecting bees and other wild pollinators.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T16:43:40.99","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285677,"EventID":"S4W-15634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T16:43:41.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T10:45:32.573","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported decline in the bee population; whether it plans to take action to tackle this and, if so, whether this will include the development of a bee action plan.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware that research has shown that declines have been observed for 4 of the 12 Scottish species of social bumblebees as the result of losses of flower-rich habitats: bilberry (Bombus monticola), moss carder (B. muscorum), red-shanked carder (B. ruderarious) and the great yellow bumblebee (B. distinguendus). The other species are believed to be either stable or increasing.\r\nScottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has supported and promoted several initiatives, including working in conjunction with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, to address the decline of bumblebees and other wild bees and the potential consequences to Scottish biodiversity. \r\nSNH is in the early stages of preparing a bee action plan. They will liaise with the relevant organisations and individuals to ensure a pragmatic and evidence-based way forward. The plan will address the complexity of issues which compound to cause declines in bumblebee populations and, in particular, it will recognise the large-scale measures which are necessary to halt or reverse declines. Reversing the impact of agricultural intensification and the loss of unimproved grassland on bee populations will be key to this: such objectives are heavily dependent on mechanisms to support large-scale, sympathetic management of habitat, including those that might be available under the Scotland Rural Development Programme.\r\nIn addition to influencing core management practices, SNH will also be considering action to monitor the effects of the ban on neonicotinoids and developing the licensing system to prevent the introduction of invasive non-native species in pollination boxes. SNH will be preparing publications which encourage citizen science involvement in record collection to help gain a better understanding of the distribution of some of our native bees.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T16:43:41.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285678,"EventID":"S4W-15636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T16:43:41.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T14:05:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the amount that will be available for projects under the Landfill Communities Fund following the devolution of additional taxation powers and how this compares with the current level of funding.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2010-11, the most recent year for which full figures are available, the maximum amount that landfill operators were able to pay into the landfill tax credit scheme that supports the current UK Landfill Tax Communities fund was set at 5.5% of their total tax liability. In that year, around £5 million was contributed to projects in Scotland [out of a total distributed UK-wide of £71 million]. Over the past five years, the fund has distributed between £4 million and £5 million annually to projects in Scotland.\r\nThe Landfill Tax (Scotland) Bill includes provision to establish a landfill tax credit scheme for Scotland. This will replace the current UK schemes as it applies to Scotland.\r\nAs set out in our consultation (Protecting Our Resources: a Consultation on a Scottish Landfill Tax), the Scottish Government intends to raise the tax credit threshold to increase the maximum amount that landfill operators in Scotland will be able to pay into the fund by 10 per cent over the UK system, for the first three years of its operation. As with the current UK scheme, the total amount available through the scheme will be proportionate to receipts from landfill tax in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T16:43:41.597","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285679,"EventID":"S4W-15637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T16:43:41.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T15:03:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been adopted in each year since 1999.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is published by the National Records of Scotland, and can be found in Table P1b of the 2012 Births, Deaths and Other Vital Events Preliminary Annual Figures statistical release, which is available via:\r\nhttp://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/vital-events/general/bmd-preliminary/2012.html.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T16:43:41.973","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285680,"EventID":"S4W-15638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T16:43:42.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T15:03:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contact it has had with St Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society regarding the recent ruling by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator that its policies discriminate against same-sex couples.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers and Scottish Government officials have engaged with the representatives of St Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society through meetings and written communication on a number of occasions since the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator’s ruling.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T16:43:42.237","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285681,"EventID":"S4W-15639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T16:43:42.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T15:03:52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many children would be affected if St Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society was to close.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have any information on how many children would be affected if St Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society was to close.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T16:43:42.457","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285682,"EventID":"S4W-15640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T16:43:42.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T16:04:00.507","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is consulting on the introduction of compulsory microchipping of dogs and, if so, who would enforce any resulting legislation; who would (a) fund and (b) operate the relevant database; whether there would be exemptions; whether financial assistance would be available for people on low incomes, and whether dogs would have to be re-registered to new owners.\r\n","AnswerText":"I recently met with the Dogs Trust and confirmed that the Scottish Government would be consulting on the issue of compulsory microchipping soon. The issues related to enforcement, financial support and database operation may be covered in the consultation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T16:43:42.673","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285683,"EventID":"S4W-15642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-12T16:43:42.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T16:09:36.977","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much land it estimates will be required to house the number of turbines needed to meet its renewable energy targets.\r\n","AnswerText":"We expect and want a wide range of renewable technologies to be developed to help Scotland meet its target, and that includes onshore and offshore wind turbines in the right places, guided by a planning and consent process which we will ensure remains fit for purpose. The amount of land required will depend upon what is submitted through the planning process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-26T16:43:42.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285695,"EventID":"S4W-15643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:36:56.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T16:56:09.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14139 by Richard Lochhead on 13 May 2013, what the qualifying criteria are for receiving the aid; how much has been paid, and when the first payment was made. ","AnswerText":"The Weather Aid Scheme opened for applications on 3 June 2013 and detailed notes for guidance are available on the Scottish Government website:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/grants/WeatherAidScheme.\r\nThe eligibility criteria takes into account the impact of the severe weather on businesses and the type and extent of losses they suffered.\r\nThe scheme closes for applications on 5 July 2013 and the Weather Aid Industry Group will set the payment rates once all applications have been assessed. The aim is to make as many payments as possible in early August.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:36:57.243","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285696,"EventID":"S4W-15644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:36:57.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T16:56:09.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14141 by Richard Lochhead on 7 May 2013, what the qualifying criteria are for receiving the aid; how much has been paid, and when the first payment was made.\r\n","AnswerText":"Farmers will be eligible to receive financial aid if they have used a fallen stock collection service during the period 1 March 2013 to 31 May 2013.\r\nThe financial aid will be administered by the National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo). Farmers who are members of NFSCo need to take no action at this stage. Farmers who are not members of NFSCo need to complete an application form providing their name, address and bank details. This form should be submitted to NFSCo along with evidence to show that they have paid for collections made in the relevant period by an operator approved to collect and dispose of fallen stock by 31 July 2013.\r\nApplication forms are available to download at http://www.nfsco.co.uk/news.php or by emailing member@nfsco.co.uk or by calling the NFSCo helpline on 08450 548888.\r\nPayments will commence in August 2013 and any subsidy payments to farmers will be calculated according to collections made.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:36:57.79","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285697,"EventID":"S4W-15645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:36:58.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T16:56:09.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) remit, (b) timescale and (c) membership will be of the group carrying out the review of agricultural tenancy legislation. \r\n","AnswerText":"As stated on 28 May 2013, in my speech to the NFUS Conference-A Shared Vision for Land Tenure, I will make an announcement after the summer break indicating how we will carry out the review of agricultural holdings legislation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:36:58.04","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285698,"EventID":"S4W-15646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:36:58.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T16:56:09.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce legislation based on the recommendations of the Land Reform Review Group’s final report and, if so, when.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill is currently proceeding and any relevant recommendations that the review group can make within the Bill timescale, will be taken forward as part of that Bill. The Bill team and review group are liaising closely to ensure that this happens.\r\nThe Scottish Government will look to take any necessary action to legislate on the proposals in the group’s final report, as quickly as possible following the production of the report but we don’t wish to prejudge the outcome of the review group’s work at this time, given that the second phase of its work is in its early stages and in advance of ministers having the opportunity to consider the review group’s findings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:36:58.257","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285699,"EventID":"S4W-15647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:36:58.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T16:56:09.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role it has in the work of the Land Reform Review Group. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Land Reform Review Group was announced in July 2012, by the First Minister. It was set up by the Scottish Government to develop innovative and radical proposals that will contribute to Scotland’s future success.\r\nRichard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary Rural Affairs and the Environment, in discussion with Scottish Government officials, appointed the three original members of the review group. These were Dr Alison Elliot (Chair), Professor Jim Hunter (Vice Chair) and Dr Sarah Skerratt (Vice Chair).\r\nThe appointment of the group’s 13 advisers also took into account recommendations from the review group chair, Alison Elliot.\r\nReplacements for Professor Hunter and Dr Skerratt, involved discussion between ministers, Scottish Government officials and the review group themselves.\r\nThe Scottish Government provide administrative support for the group, as well as paying fees for the review group members. The review group’s advisers do not receive fees, but are paid expenses.\r\nScottish Ministers commented on the initial work programme and have been consulted and interviewed as part of the process, as have representatives of a wide range of political, community and personal opinion.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:36:58.493","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285700,"EventID":"S4W-15648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:36:58.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T16:56:09.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings it has had with the Land Reform Review Group; when these took place; who attended, and what was discussed. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has met with the Land Reform Review Group on seven occasions. These are as follows:\r\n\r\n23 August 2012 - Visit and photo opportunity at Neilston Development Trust with the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment and the Land Reform Review Group (Alison Elliott, Sarah Skerratt, Jim Hunter).\r\n\r\n2 October 2012 - Meeting to discuss the Group’s work plan between the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, the Minister for Environment and Climate Change and the Land Reform Review Group (Alison Elliott, Sarah Skerratt, Jim Hunter) and Scottish Government officials.\r\n\r\n20 November 2012 - Meeting to discuss links between the review and the work on the Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill. Present: Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Minister for Local Government and Planning, the Land Reform Review Group (Alison Elliot, Jim Hunter, Sarah Skerratt) and Scottish Government officials.\r\n\r\n18 December 2012 – Meeting to discuss details of Review Group’s plans on urban issues to link with Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill. Present: Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Minister for Local Government and Planning, the Land Reform Review Group (Alison Elliot, Jim Hunter and via phone, Sarah Skerratt), and Scottish Government officials.\r\n14 March 2013 – Meeting to update on review progress. Present: Paul Wheelhouse (Minister for Environment and Climate Change), Alison Elliot (Chair, Review Group) and Scottish Government officials.\r\n\r\n8 May 2013 – Meeting to update on links with Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill, options for ensuring that liaison between review group and Bill team continue, and any options for early legislation through the Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill, that have been identified during phase 1 of the review. Present: Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Minister for Local Government and Planning, and the Land Reform Review Group (Alison Elliott, Sarah Skerratt, Ian Cooke) and Scottish Government officials.\r\n\r\n13 June 2013 – Update on progress and ideas for phase 2 approach. Present: Minister for Environment and Climate Change, the Land Reform Review Group (Alison Elliot, Ian Cooke, John Watt), and Scottish Government officials.\r\nIn addition, Scottish Government officials act as the secretariat for the group and have constant contact with them on operational matters.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:36:58.727","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285701,"EventID":"S4W-15649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:36:58.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T16:56:09.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings (a) it and (b) Forestry Commission Scotland has had with Anders Holch Povlsen or his representatives since 2007, and what was discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government through Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) began discussion with representatives of Glenfeshie estate regarding the land swap in February 2010. There were no discussions prior to that although the estate asked FCS to consider an off-market sale of Tolvah forest for several years’, such approaches were declined as straight sale was not in the public interest.\r\nThe land swap that took place was complex over a number of sites and involved significant dialogue over close to three years. Matters discussed for the various sale and acquisition subjects included: valuation; preservation of a Forest Research experiment; Glenfeshie’s future management objectives for the woodlands they “acquired”; detailed assessment of the property purchased in the Borders for woodland creation by FCS; assessment of the Leasehold property in Glenmore and extensive conveyencing and other legal communication between the parties.\r\nThere have been no other formal meetings with Mr Povlsen or his representatives however the Minister for Environment and Climate Change was introduced to Mr Povlsen and a number of Cairngorm National Park Authority’s stakeholders at a Cairngorm National Park Authority event this month.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:36:59.007","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285702,"EventID":"S4W-15650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:36:59.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T16:56:09.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when (a) it and (b) Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) entered discussions with Anders Holch Povlsen or his representatives regarding the recently reported land swap between Mr Holch Povlsen and FCS.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government through Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) began discussing the land swap with representatives of Glenfeshie Estate in February 2010. There were no discussions prior to that although the estate asked FCS to consider an off-market sale of Tolvah forest for several years’, such approaches were declined as a straight sale was not in the public interest.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:36:59.303","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285703,"EventID":"S4W-15651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:36:59.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T16:56:09.123","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was advised of Forestry Commission Scotland's decision to transfer land to Glenfeshie Estate, and what its response was.\r\n","AnswerText":"Forestry Commission Scotland has delegated authority from the Scottish Government to manage the National Forest Estate (via Forest Enterprise Scotland). This includes purchase, sale or exchange of land.\r\nTherefore there was no requirement for Forestry Commission Scotland to advise the Scottish Government of its decision to transfer land to Glenfeshie Estate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:36:59.57","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285704,"EventID":"S4W-15652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:36:59.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T19:29:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Glasgow City Council and (b) SECC Ltd regarding construction of The Hydro arena being completed on time and in budget.\r\n","AnswerText":"At a meeting on 17 April 2013 regarding the potential for business tourism in Glasgow, the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism enquired of SECC when The Hydro arena would be completed. The Scottish Government is not aware of any other discussions with either Glasgow City Council or SECC regarding completion of the construction of The Hydro arena.\r\nMatters relating to any acceleration agreements or discussions with lend Lease are the operational responsibility of SECC.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:36:59.803","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285705,"EventID":"S4W-15653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:00.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T19:29:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Glasgow City Council and (b) SECC Ltd regarding any acceleration agreements and associated costs to complete construction of The Hydro arena on time.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15652 on 4 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:00.067","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285706,"EventID":"S4W-15654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:00.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T19:29:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Glasgow City Council and (b) SECC Ltd has made acceleration agreements and agreed associated costs with Lend Lease to mitigate any delay in the construction of The Hydro arena and, if so, what the financial implications are.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15652 on 4 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:00.317","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285707,"EventID":"S4W-15655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:00.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T19:29:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Glasgow City Council and (b) SECC Ltd is in discussion with Lend Lease regarding acceleration agreements and associated costs in relation to the construction of The Hydro arena and, if so, what the financial implications are.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15652 on 4 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:00.55","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285708,"EventID":"S4W-15656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:00.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-12T17:29:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ban the promotions firm, Bounty, from NHS maternity wards.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, NHS hospitals decide locally whether to allow Bounty representatives on to maternity wards.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not hold any central contracts with Bounty or have any influence over the conduct of their sales representatives. But as with all hospital visitors, we would expect them to respect the privacy of all women and their families. This is an operational matter for NHS boards.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:00.8","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285709,"EventID":"S4W-15657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:01.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:15:00.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of people subject to a short term detention certificate has been released from hospital without being considered by a Mental Health Tribunal in each year since 2003-04.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:01.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285710,"EventID":"S4W-15658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:01.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:15:00.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of people subject to a short term detention certificate was prescribed antidepressants, in each year since 2003-04.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:01.567","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285711,"EventID":"S4W-15659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:02.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:15:00.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of people subject to compulsory orders has been involved in incidents of restraint in each year since 2003-04.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:02.063","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285712,"EventID":"S4W-15660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:02.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:15:00.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times Tasers have been used to restrain people subject to compulsory orders in each year since 2003-04.\r\n","AnswerText":"The deployment and use of Tasers is an operational matter for the police. I understand from the Police Service of Scotland that the requested information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:02.61","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285713,"EventID":"S4W-15661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:03.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:15:00.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been recorded under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 as having experienced ill-treatment in each year since 2003-04.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:03.11","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285714,"EventID":"S4W-15662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:03.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:15:00.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many mental health professionals have been charged under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 with making false statements on a relevant document in each year since 2003-04.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is an offence under section 318 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (“the Act”) to make a false statement on a relevant document.\r\nThe Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has not received any charges under this section of the Act since 2003.\r\nCOPFS does not hold information on whether the police have charged any person under section 318 of the Act and which have not been reported to COPFS.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:03.703","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lesley Thomson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285715,"EventID":"S4W-15663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:04.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:15:00.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what percentage of cases a designated medical practitioner has disagreed with the responsible medical officer about the need to compel a patient to take unwanted medication in each year since 2003-04.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:04.2","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285716,"EventID":"S4W-15664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:04.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:15:00.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of people subject to compulsory orders has died in each year since 2003-04.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:04.78","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285717,"EventID":"S4W-15665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:05.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:15:00.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how the life expectancy of people subject to compulsory treatment compares with the national average.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:05.31","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285718,"EventID":"S4W-15666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:05.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:16:48.293","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the stated view of the Swedish Medical Products Agency and the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare that breast implants made by Poly Implant Prothèse should be removed for preventative reasons.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has noted the Swedish report and remains in contact with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The advice remains that all patients should be offered a clinically appropriate package of care by their healthcare providers. The NHS will support removal of NHS PIP implants if, after clinical assessment, a woman with her doctor decide that it is medically necessary do so.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:05.84","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285719,"EventID":"S4W-15667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:06.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:16:48.293","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the stated view of the Swedish Medical Products Agency and the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare that clinics should be advised to contact women with Poly Implant Prothèse implants to keep them informed about the implants.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is expected that private providers will follow the guidance issued by the Chief Medical Officer during 2012 and are expected to provide a clinically appropriate package of care to their patients. The first port of call for all patients who have undergone breast augmentation in the private sector is their original provider.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:06.4","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285720,"EventID":"S4W-15672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:06.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:26:03.923","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15081 by Alex Neil on 5 June 2013, how many trainee perfusionists will be needed in each of the next five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not centrally collected.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:06.917","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285721,"EventID":"S4W-15673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:07.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:26:03.923","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15081 by Alex Neil on 5 June 2013, what criteria was used to project a need for one trainee perfusionist at the Golden Jubilee Hospital and none at the other NHS boards.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland boards are expected to follow workforce planning guidance as outlined in NHS CEL 32(2011). It is the responsibility of each health board to produce workforce plans on an annual basis and to take into consideration the training and development needs of their staff. Demand is based upon NHS board workforce projections for staffing groups while supply is determined by the current stock of trainees.\r\nWe are advised by the Golden Jubilee Hospital that its projection to recruit a trainee clinical perfusionist for academic year September 2014, forms part of its workforce planning arrangements, taking into account future succession planning, and potential plans to establish a national training centre or programme at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital for trainee clinical perfusionists.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:07.417","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285722,"EventID":"S4W-15674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:08.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:26:03.923","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15082 by Alex Neil on 5 June 2013, on what basis NHS boards hire locum perfusionists instead of taking on new staff.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS boards will use locum perfusionists in cases where they have been unable to recruit permanent staff through recruitment. An action plan for perfusionists has been developed and is currently under discussion between the Scottish government and NHS Scotland employers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:08.337","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285723,"EventID":"S4W-15675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:08.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:26:03.923","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15083 by Alex Neil on 5 June 2013, for what reason NHS Lothian uses a recruitment and retention premium and the other NHS boards do not.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian is the only board in Scotland who have applied for a recruitment and retention premium for perfusionists. In order to put a recruitment and retention premium in place, an NHS board must apply through the agreed procedure, providing evidence to support the application. This is then considered by the Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee, the partnership body which oversees the Agenda for Change system in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:08.82","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285724,"EventID":"S4W-15676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:09.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:26:03.923","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15085 by Alex Neil on 5 June 2013, whether it will place a note of the April 2013 meeting in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerText":"NHS Education for Scotland have advised that there was no note taken of the discussion between the Healthcare Science Programme Manager at NHS Education for Scotland and the President of the College of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:09.397","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285725,"EventID":"S4W-15677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:09.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:59:09.323","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14855 by Alex Neil on 3 June 2013, what meetings have been attended by officials representing the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing.\r\n","AnswerText":"Officials attended technical stakeholder meetings as well as update meetings and teleconferences with the Department of Health officials. Update meetings have been held on an almost monthly basis since May 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:09.91","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285726,"EventID":"S4W-15678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T14:37:10.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T10:59:09.323","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14856 by Alex Neil on 3 June 2013, when the meeting with Earl Howe, due to take place on 3 July 2013, was requested.\r\n","AnswerText":"I requested a meeting with the Secretary of State for Health on 15 January 2013 to discuss value based pricing and its impact on access to new medicines in Scotland. My request for a meeting was subsequently passed to Earl Howe, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Quality.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T14:37:10.41","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285734,"EventID":"S4W-15681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T16:52:21.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T11:56:25.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments of the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment in his speech of 17 April 2013, what modelling (a) its analysts and (b) the James Hutton Institute has carried out regarding the change from historic to area-based payments in pillar 1 of the reform of the common agricultural policy; whether it will publish the results, and what the timescale is for future modelling.\r\n","AnswerText":"My speech on 17 April 2013 at the “CAP Moving Forward” conference was to introduce the results of modelling work that had already been carried by the James Hutton Institute on behalf of Scottish Government.\r\nThe modelling covered a range of scenarios that had been discussed in advance with stakeholders. The results of the modelling have been published on the Scottish Government website at: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/CAP/regulations/Meetings-2013\r\nFollowing the conference and discussion with our CAP Stakeholder Group, a further phase of more detailed modelling on is now underway with a reduced number of payment options but with an expanded range of factors such as voluntary coupled support and the proposed re-distributive payment.\r\nA further phase of modelling will be required once the final outcome of the CAP negotiations is known so that we can consider aspects such as internal convergence and capping.\r\nWe plan to consult on the way forward for Scotland towards the end of this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T16:52:21.28","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285735,"EventID":"S4W-15682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T16:52:21.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T13:16:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the possible environmental impact, whether the MOD (a) consults it on and (b) informs it of the movement of nuclear materials in Scotland and whether consultation is required with local authorities.\r\n","AnswerText":"The MOD has arrangements in place to inform Police Scotland in advance of movements of nuclear weapons and special nuclear material, including new or used submarine reactor fuel. There is no requirement to notify the Scottish Government or local authorities of the movement of such material.\r\nThe routine off-site disposal of radioactive waste from MOD premises is covered by letters of agreement or approval with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency which are similar to authorisations for radioactive waste disposal granted to civilian operators under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. Consultation takes place with other agencies, relevant local authorities and the public as it would for a similar a Radioactive Substances Act authorisation. Arrangements are also in place for Scottish Government to be consulted on the contents of these letters as they would be for a Radioactive Substances Act authorisation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T16:52:21.607","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285736,"EventID":"S4W-15685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T16:52:21.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T14:37:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prosecutions of retailers there have been under the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010; how many were for offences related to the sale of tobacco (a) to under-18s and (b) while not registered on the Scottish Tobacco Retailers Register, and how many of these led to (i) a fine, (ii) imprisonment or (iii) both a fine and imprisonment.\r\n","AnswerText":"Three people were prosecuted in 2011-12 where the main offence was under the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010.\r\n(a) One was for offences under section 4(1) ‘sale of tobacco products to persons under 18’, and two were under section 6(1) ‘purchase of tobacco products on behalf of persons under 18’. One person was convicted under each section and both received  a fine.\r\n(b) Under the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010, The Sale of Tobacco (Register of Tobacco Retailers) Regulations 2010 came into force on 1 April 2011. There were no prosecutions under Section 20 of the Act recorded in the available data to 2011-12.\r\nInformation for 2012-13 will not be available until publication of the Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2012-13 Statistical Bulletin. This is due to be published in November 2013.\r\nThe dates of all Scottish Government Official and National Statistics publications are pre-announced, and the up to date list of future publications can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Search/Forthcoming.\r\nSource: Scottish Government Court Proceedings data.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T16:52:21.95","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285737,"EventID":"S4W-15694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T16:52:22.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T15:23:13.247","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) meetings, (b) correspondence and (c) communications the Minister for Local Government and Planning has had with representatives of local authorities regarding the impact of the so-called bedroom tax on local authority (i) tenants, (ii) housing and (iii)  budgets and what issues were considered.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of our partnership working ministers are in regular contact with local government on a range of issues including the UK Government’s reforms to the welfare system.? The latest COSLA and Scottish Government political meeting to discuss welfare reform took place on 4 June 2013. The Deputy First Minister and the Minister for Local Government and Planning, both attended this meeting and discussed the so-called bed\r\nroom tax.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T16:52:22.2","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285738,"EventID":"S4W-15695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T16:52:22.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T15:53:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14093 by Roseanna Cunningham on 29 April 2013, when it will deliver the alcohol and drug quality improvement framework.\r\n","AnswerText":"The focus of the third phase of delivery of Scotland’s drug strategy, The Road to Recovery, is ensuring quality is embedded across all services in Scotland;quality in the provision of care, treatment and recovery services; and quality in the data that will evidence the medium and long term outcomes of people in recovery; delivered by a quality workforce. The Quality Improvement Framework, which is guided by a Short Life Working Group (SLWG), will begin to be implemented from March 2014.\r\nAs part of this the SLWG has agreed a set of Quality Principles for the effective delivery of services. In the summer of 2013 we will consult on these principles with Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), service users and people in recovery.\r\nTo support ADPs effectively report outcomes to community planning partnerships the Scottish Government will publish updated planning and reporting guidance in July 2013.\r\nAccess to quality data is a key part of ensuring quality in services, consultation on a new single integrated national Drug and Alcohol Information System, including recovery indicators, is on-going and will close on 12 July 2013. This will inform the development of a data system which is expected to be implemented in 2015.\r\nIn support of embedding quality in services across Scotland, The Scottish Government has in place a Workforce Development Programme which is underpinned by the 2010 statement Supporting the Development of Scotland’s Alcohol and Drug Workforce:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/254429/0110090.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T16:52:22.497","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285739,"EventID":"S4W-15696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T16:52:22.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T15:53:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14093 by Roseanna Cunningham on 29 April 2013, whom it has asked to deliver the alcohol and drug quality improvement framework.\r\n","AnswerText":"In keeping with the established Framework for Local Partnerships on Alcohol and Drugs:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/270101/0080412.pdf.\r\nThe Quality Improvement Framework will be delivered at a local level under the leadership of Alcohol and Drug Partnerships and drug and alcohol treatment and support services, for the benefit of service users and their families.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T16:52:22.793","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285740,"EventID":"S4W-15697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T16:52:23.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T15:53:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14093 by Roseanna Cunningham on 29 April 2013, whether it will consult on the alcohol and drug quality improvement framework.\r\n","AnswerText":"To define the purpose and scope of the Quality Improvement Framework, Scottish Government officials established a short life working group on Quality Standards (SLWG). This is a reference group of senior stakeholders comprising representatives from Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), the NHS, alcohol and drug treatment and support services, scrutiny bodies, and the third sector. In collaboration with service users and people in recovery, the SLWG produced a set of draft Quality Principles for services. The inclusion of this lived experience has put people at the heart of the Quality Improvement Framework and continues to influence its development. The Quality Improvement Framework has been developed in a consultative way and the various outputs from the SLWG will continue to be consulted upon and tested by ADPs, services and service users, and people in recovery.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T16:52:23.06","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285741,"EventID":"S4W-15698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T16:52:23.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T15:53:15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14096 by Roseanna Cunningham on 29 April 2013, whether the implementation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Technology Appraisal TA114, Methadone and buprenorphine for the management of opioid dependence, has been completed by all NHS boards and what sanctions there are for boards that do not comply with guidance.\r\n","AnswerText":"For Scotland, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Technology Appraisals are taken forward by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) who have responsibility for considering the applicability of NICE Technology Appraisals within the Scottish context.\r\nNICE Technology Appraisal TA114, methadone and buprenorphine for the management of opioid dependence has been considered by HIS and guidance is available on the HIS website using the following link:\r\nhttp://www.qisstaging.scot.nhs.uk/HIS/our_work/technologies_and_medicines/mta_resources/appraisal_114.aspx.\r\nNHS boards are expected to implement the HIS guidance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T16:52:23.307","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285742,"EventID":"S4W-15699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-13T16:52:23.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T16:07:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of (a) male and (b) female births were registered with (i) a single forename, (ii) two forenames, (iii) three forenames, (iv) four forenames, (v) more than four forenames and (vi) no forename in each of the last five years for which information is available.\r\n","AnswerText":"Statistical information about babies' names is published annually by the National Records of Scotland. It is available via:\r\nhttp://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/vital-events/births/popular-names/index.html, and includes a chart (which is called \"Figure A\" in the latest edition) on the percentages of babies of each sex who were given one, two, three and four or more forenames.\r\nHowever, that chart does not provide the precise figures that were requested, so they are given in the following table.\r\nBabies whose births were registered in Scotland from 2008 to 2012, by the number of forenames that they were given.\r\n\r\nNone\r\n1\r\n2\r\n3\r\n4\r\n5+\r\nAll\r\nBoys\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2008\r\n0.0%\r\n16.9%\r\n64.9%\r\n16.9%\r\n1.1%\r\n0.1%\r\n100%\r\n2009\r\n0.0%\r\n16.3%\r\n64.7%\r\n17.6%\r\n1.2%\r\n0.2%\r\n100%\r\n2010\r\n0.0%\r\n16.1%\r\n65.4%\r\n17.3%\r\n1.1%\r\n0.2%\r\n100%\r\n2011\r\n0.0%\r\n15.4%\r\n64.6%\r\n18.6%\r\n1.2%\r\n0.1%\r\n100%\r\n2012\r\n0.0%\r\n15.6%\r\n64.4%\r\n18.7%\r\n1.2%\r\n0.1%\r\n100%\r\nGirls\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2008\r\n0.0%\r\n23.8%\r\n63.0%\r\n12.2%\r\n0.9%\r\n0.1%\r\n100%\r\n2009\r\n0.0%\r\n23.1%\r\n63.1%\r\n12.8%\r\n1.0%\r\n0.1%\r\n100%\r\n2010\r\n0.0%\r\n23.4%\r\n62.5%\r\n13.1%\r\n0.9%\r\n0.1%\r\n100%\r\n2011\r\n0.0%\r\n22.7%\r\n62.9%\r\n13.3%\r\n1.0%\r\n0.1%\r\n100%\r\n2012\r\n0.0%\r\n22.3%\r\n62.5%\r\n13.9%\r\n1.1%\r\n0.1%\r\n100%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-27T16:52:23.573","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285743,"EventID":"S4W-15679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:52:55.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T11:44:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost was of the recent Police Scotland raids on saunas in Edinburgh.\r\n","AnswerText":"The cost associated with the recent raids on Saunas in Edinburgh is an operational matter for the Chief Constable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:52:56.423","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285744,"EventID":"S4W-15680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1828,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:52:56.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T11:44:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police officers were involved in the recent raids on saunas in Edinburgh, broken down by local policing area.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of officers involved in the recent raids on Saunas in Edinburgh is an operational matter for the chief constable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:52:56.75","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285745,"EventID":"S4W-15687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:52:56.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T14:53:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether schools are required to provide (a) support or (b) training for children with asthma or food allergies who have to self-administer medication in the case of an adverse reaction.","AnswerText":"The guidance on the Administration of Medicines in Schools makes it clear that It is for NHS boards to ensure that appropriate agreements are in place with education authorities, which determine the respective responsibilities of each in relation to the administration of medicines in schools (local protocols and procedures, including training). NHS boards, education authorities. and schools should work in co-operation to determine need and plan and co-ordinate effective local provision. Children will be advised on managing their medication by their health professional.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:52:57","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285746,"EventID":"S4W-15688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:52:57.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T14:53:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) support or (b) training there is for (i) teachers and (ii) other school staff regarding the administration of medication for pupils with severe allergies.\r\n","AnswerText":"The guidance on the Administration of Medicines in Schools recommends education authorities should liaise with NHS boards to ensure that all staff involved with pupils with health care needs have received a basic understanding of those needs and to ensure staff who are willing to administer medication to pupils receive the appropriate level of training, provided by the school health team, supplemented as required by health specialists.\r\nThe guidance also indicates that training for staff should include the recognition of the signs and symptoms of mild and severe allergic reactions, first aid procedures including the protection of airways and the recovery position, administration of medication including the use of auto-injectors and emergency procedures.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:52:57.373","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285747,"EventID":"S4W-15689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:52:57.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T14:53:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training is provided to all educational staff on the (a) recognition and (b) treatment of allergic reactions.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15688 on 26 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:52:57.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285748,"EventID":"S4W-15690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:52:57.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T14:53:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the legal status is of protection against prosecution for school staff who have helped to administer or have administered medication to pupils.\r\n","AnswerText":"As the employer of staff in schools who administer medication to pupils this is a matter for education authorities. The guidance on the administration of medicines in schools makes clear that it is for education authorities to ensure that their insurance/indemnification arrangements provide full cover for staff who volunteer to administer medication within the scope of their employment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:52:57.967","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285749,"EventID":"S4W-15691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:52:58.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T14:53:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many school children have been diagnosed with asthma or a severe allergy.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of pupils with asthma or a severe allergy are not collected or held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:52:58.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285750,"EventID":"S4W-15692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:52:58.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T14:53:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of schools are equipped with emergency inhalers or medication to treat severe allergic reactions.","AnswerText":"Pupils individual health care needs, and the plans to meet these healthcare needs, which include emergency procedures, determine the medication which is held in schools. The specific information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:52:58.513","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285751,"EventID":"S4W-15693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:52:58.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T14:53:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its review of The Administration of Medicines in Schools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed to review the guidance on the Administration of Medicines in Schools following the conclusion of the review of guidance on children unable to attend school due to ill health. This review is due to conclude in January 2014. It is intended that work on the review of the guidance on Administration of Medicines will begin in March 2014 and revised guidance made available in during 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:52:58.827","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285752,"EventID":"S4W-15700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:52:59.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T19:01:47.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the £25 million toward the Youth Employment Scotland Fund from it and the European Social Fund that it announced on 12 June 2013 is the same money announced in the 2013-14 draft budget statement on 20 September 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"In the draft budget statement of 20 September 2012, the Scottish Government announced £15 million towards employer recruitment schemes in 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:52:59.107","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285753,"EventID":"S4W-15701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:52:59.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T19:01:47.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it initially planned to launch the Youth Employment Scotland Fund earlier than June 2013 and, if so, when.\r\n","AnswerText":"The application process for the Youth Employment Scotland Fund opened on 25 March 2013 and grant letters from the Scottish Government were sent to all local authorities on 30 May 2013. ?A number of dates were considered for announcing the outcome of that process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:52:59.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285754,"EventID":"S4W-15702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:52:59.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T19:01:47.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons the Youth Employment Scotland Fund was not launched before June 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The application process for the Youth Employment Scotland Fund opened on 25 March 2013 and grant letters from the Scottish Government were sent to all local authorities on 30 May 2013. ?A number of dates were considered for announcing the outcome of that process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:52:59.653","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285755,"EventID":"S4W-15703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:52:59.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T19:01:47.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it faced any difficulties in setting up and launching the Youth Employment Scotland Fund and, if so, what.\r\n","AnswerText":"Setting up any scheme such as this requires challenges to be overcome. These include ensuring best value, compliance with EU funding rules and determination of the practicality of projects. The development of the Youth Employment Scotland Fund did not differ from a wide range of other projects in this regard.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:52:59.903","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285756,"EventID":"S4W-15704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:00.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T19:01:47.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the £25 million of in-kind support toward the Youth Employment Scotland Fund from employers and local authorities will be in wages.\r\n","AnswerText":"Employer recruitment incentives funded through the Youth Employment Scotland Fund cover fifty per cent of the salary costs for the first 26 weeks of a new youth job. The remaining salary costs will be paid by employers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:00.15","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285757,"EventID":"S4W-15705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:00.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T19:01:47.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the main types of in-kind support toward the Youth Employment Scotland Fund  from employers and local councils will be. \r\n","AnswerText":"Recruitment incentives funded by the Youth Employment Scotland Fund cover fifty per cent of the salary cost for the first 26 weeks of a new youth job. The contribution from employers will be the other fifty per cent. The main contribution from local authorities is supporting the delivery of recruitment incentives to local employers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:00.433","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285758,"EventID":"S4W-15706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:00.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T19:01:47.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the First Minister described the Youth Employment Scotland Fund and the SME Growth Programme as \"a further £88 million investment\".\r\n","AnswerText":"The Youth Employment Scotland Fund and SME Growth Fund are additional to expenditure made by the Scottish Government and partner organisations previously in reducing youth unemployment from 25.4% in December 2011 (Labour Force Survey, Aug-Oct 2011) to 15.2% in June 2013 (Labour Force Survey, Feb-Apr 2013).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:00.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285759,"EventID":"S4W-15707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:00.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T19:01:47.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the £88 million for the Youth Employment Scotland Fund and the SME Growth Programme had not been announced prior to 12 June 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"All Scottish Government budgets are announced first as part of the budget process laid out to Parliament each year between September and the following February. Following the budget, the Scottish Government subsequently announced more specific plans for how budgets will be deployed. The first time the full details of the Youth Employment Scotland Fund and the SME Growth Programme were made public was on 12 June 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:00.993","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285760,"EventID":"S4W-15708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:01.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T19:01:47.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the SME Growth Programme funding has been ring-fenced for people age 16 to 24.\r\n","AnswerText":"The SME Growth Programme has been designed to maximise the opportunities for young people to benefit from the jobs  that will be created, for example through, the alignment of the Business Gateway additional growth services, with the employer recruitment incentive also being delivered by local authorities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:01.32","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285761,"EventID":"S4W-15709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:01.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T19:01:47.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the £15.1 million announced on 12 June 2013 for the SME Growth Programme from the European Regional Development Fund was included in the money that was announced by the Scottish Government on 9 May 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"The announcement on 9 May 2012 set out the Scottish Government’s commitment to focus remaining structural funds allocations towards youth employment. The announcement on 12 June 2013 was to provide the detail of the additional support services that will be offered to SMEs across Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:01.603","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285762,"EventID":"S4W-15710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:01.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T19:01:47.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the £22.75 million of support from Scottish Enterprise and Business Gateway for the SME Growth Programme that was announced on 12 June 2013 will be provided by (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Business Gateway.\r\n","AnswerText":"32% (£7.2 million) is provided by Scottish Enterprise, 36% (£8.25 million) is provided by Highlands and Islands Enterprise with the remaining 32% (£7.3 million) being provided by Business Gateway/local authorities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:01.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285763,"EventID":"S4W-15712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:02.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T19:01:47.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the £22.75 million of support from Scottish Enterprise and Business Gateway for the SME Growth Programme that was announced on 12 June 2013 will be cash.\r\n","AnswerText":"All match funding for European structural funds projects has to be cash. This can include specific additional staff costs to directly support businesses.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:02.133","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285764,"EventID":"S4W-15713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:02.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T19:01:47.823","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the £22.75 million of support from Scottish Enterprise and Business Gateway for the SME Growth Programme that was announced on 12 June 2013 is money that had not previously been announced.\r\n","AnswerText":"None of the £22.75 million has been previously announced. This is match funding for new European Regional Development Fund activity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:02.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285765,"EventID":"S4W-15714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:02.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T18:08:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update the code of practice of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 to take account of the new national policing structure and, if so, how.\r\n","AnswerText":"Revised Codes of Practice on covert surveillance and covert human intelligence sources will be issued for public consultation in summer, this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:02.68","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285766,"EventID":"S4W-15715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:02.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T10:18:38.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings (a) it has and (b) its officials have had since 1 March 2013 with European Commission officials to discuss imposing a public service obligation on the air route between London and Inverness Dalcross.\r\n","AnswerText":"None.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:02.913","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285767,"EventID":"S4W-15717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:03.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T10:18:38.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legal advice it has sought regarding the possibility of imposing a public service obligation on the air route between London and Inverness Dalcross.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not sought legal advice regarding the possibility of imposing a public service obligation on the air route between London and Inverness.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:03.223","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285768,"EventID":"S4W-15718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:03.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T10:18:38.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it would support an application for imposing a public service obligation on the air route between London and Inverness Dalcross to protect take-off and landing slots, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The imposition of a public service obligation on an air route does not guarantee the provision or protection of slots at airports. I welcome easyJet’s recent announcement of the basing of an aircraft at Inverness which will facilitate early and late connections between Inverness and Gatwick from March 2014. This is a way forward which should be welcomed throughout the Highlands and Islands.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:03.49","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285769,"EventID":"S4W-15719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:03.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T10:18:38.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) meetings and (b) discussions it has had with the Department of Transport in the last year to discuss (i) access to London airports by flights from Scotland and (ii) the imposition of public service obligations on routes between Scotland and London.\r\n","AnswerText":"The issue of access to London airports by flights from Scotland’s airports was raised by the First Minister at the Joint Ministerial Committee on 19 September 2012 which was attended by the Secretary of State for Transport. The issue was also raised with the Department for Transport on 12 October 2012 at a stakeholder event for the UK Government’s Draft Aviation Policy Framework Consultation.\r\nThe Scottish Government has had no discussions or meetings with the Department for Transport in the last year about the imposition of public service obligations on routes between Scotland and London.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:03.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285770,"EventID":"S4W-15720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:04.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T10:18:38.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what options it has considered to ensure the continuity of air services between Inverness and London and whether this has included the potential use of RAF Northolt for services from Inverness and other Scottish airports.\r\n","AnswerText":"I welcome easyJet’s recent announcement of the basing of an aircraft at Inverness which will facilitate early and late connections between Inverness and Gatwick from March 2014. This follows positive engagement between the Airline and Highlands and Islands Airports Limited and is a way forward which should be welcomed throughout the Highlands and Islands.\r\nWe have not considered the potential use of RAF Northolt which is not currently available for use by scheduled air services.\r\nAt the root of the problems being experienced by regional air services is the punitive Air Passenger Duty levels being imposed by the Treasury which is regularly cited by airlines and airports as an obstacle when it comes to securing new routes and maintaining existing routes. Devolving Air Passenger Duty would enable the development of a regime more suited to Scotland’s needs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:04.037","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285771,"EventID":"S4W-15721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:04.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T11:47:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14388 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, how many training roles for (a) officer cadets and (b) ratings on the services will be established because of Serco’s election to the tonnage tax scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"Following Serco NorthLink’s election into the tonnage tax regime, they will take on four Officer cadets per year. Currently they have four Officer cadets (three deck and one engine) and this number will be added to by a further four from October 2013, and again by a further four each year going forward.\r\nWhile there is no obligation to take on Rating trainees, as a consequence of their election into the tonnage tax regime, Serco NorthLink are working with Orkney College to introduce new entrants to the industry.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:04.3","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285772,"EventID":"S4W-15722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:04.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T11:47:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14388 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, what maximum additional public subsidy Serco can receive to help meet increases in fuel costs in each year of the 2012-18 contract.\r\n","AnswerText":"Under the terms of the Northern Isles ferry services contract, any rise in the cost of marine fuel falls to the Scottish Government. No maximum sum is set down for this in the Northern Isles ferry services contract.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:04.643","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285773,"EventID":"S4W-15723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:04.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T11:47:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14388 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, what the revised annual subsidy is for the remainder of the 2012-18 contract, broken down by (a) vessel leasing, (b) chartering and (c) maintenance costs.\r\n","AnswerText":"While the overall cost of the Northern Isles ferry services contract has already been announced, the Scottish Government does not provide a further breakdown of the various elements of our ferry service contract costs.\r\nIn addition, the costs of leasing and chartering vessels are covered by confidentiality agreements between their owners and the ferry operators.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:05.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285774,"EventID":"S4W-15724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:05.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T11:47:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14388 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, what formula is used to calculate extra public subsidy for additional annual fuel costs for the 2012-18 contract.\r\n","AnswerText":"The fuel cost element of the annual subsidy will be the actual cost of the fuel used.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:05.457","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285775,"EventID":"S4W-15725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:06.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T11:47:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14388 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, when it became aware that Serco was applying to join the tonnage tax scheme and what role it played in the company’s discussions with the UK Government regarding this.\r\n","AnswerText":"Serco NorthLink advised of their intention to seek election into the tonnage tax regime during the tender process for the Northern Isles ferry services contract. The Scottish Government had no role in the process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:06.017","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285776,"EventID":"S4W-15726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:06.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T11:47:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14388 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, how much Transport Scotland will spend in each of the next five years on infrastructure to support the Northern Isles services.\r\n","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland does not have responsibility for maintaining the ports and harbour infrastructure that support the Northern Isles ferry services. That responsibility lies with the individual ports and harbours.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:06.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285777,"EventID":"S4W-15727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:06.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T11:47:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14385 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, who will carry out the report on the breakdown of the MV Hamnavoe and when it will (a) receive and (b) publish the (i) report and (ii) operator’s response.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Transport Scotland officials to prepare a report on the breakdown of the MV Hamnavoe. That report is currently being drafted. The report will include an assessment of the operator’s response to the breakdown. Once the report has been produced I will further consider how best to make its findings available to stakeholders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:06.673","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285778,"EventID":"S4W-15728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:06.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T11:47:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14385 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, whether the breakdown of the MV Hamnavoe will lead to an increase in the cost of the 2012-18 Northern Isles contract and, if so, how much.\r\n","AnswerText":"The full extent of the costs of the Northern Isles ferry services contract in the current contract year will only be finalised when the end year reconciliation takes place later this summer.\r\nThe detailed compensation mechanism in the Northern Isles contract does allow for certain costs to be shared between Serco NorthLink and the Scottish Government. However, other compensating factors will also come into play including the performance deductions from Serco NorthLink’s subsidy payments arising from the loss of the Hamnavoe. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285779,"EventID":"S4W-15729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:07.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T11:47:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14385 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, how many (a) sailings, (b) foot passenger journeys and (c) road freight journeys have been lost to date on the Scrabster to Stromness route as a result of the breakdown of the MV Hamnavoe.","AnswerText":"As a result of the serious mechanical breakdown suffered by the vessel, the MV Hamnavoe missed 59 return sailings between 26 April and 22 May 2013.\r\nHowever, from 2 May 2013 until the Hamnavoe returned to service, the freight vessel the MV Helliar was brought on to the route and operated to the published timetable.\r\nSerco’s contingency plans meant that all passengers and freight were able to be accommodated on the preferred day of travel and therefore these passenger and freight carryings were not “lost”.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:07.327","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285780,"EventID":"S4W-15741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:07.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:57:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much income (a) Justice of the Peace court fines, (b) fiscal direct penalties and (c) police antisocial behaviour penalties generated for the Scottish Court Service in 2012-13 and are expected to generate in 2013-14.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:07.657","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285781,"EventID":"S4W-15742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:08.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:57:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the income generated for the Scottish Court Service by (a) fiscal direct penalties and (b) police antisocial behaviour penalties is calculated.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:08.06","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285782,"EventID":"S4W-15743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:08.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:57:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the Scottish Court Service’s anticipated income from (a) fiscal direct penalties and (b) police antisocial behaviour penalties in 2013-14 will be lost as a result of the closure of 16 Justice of the Peace courts.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:08.373","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285783,"EventID":"S4W-15744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T14:53:08.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:57:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, how it has calculated any reduction in the Scottish Court Service’s anticipated income from (a) fiscal direct penalties and (b) police antisocial behaviour penalties in 2013-14 as a result of the closure of 16 Justice of the Peace courts.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T14:53:08.717","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285805,"EventID":"S4W-15730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:53.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:04:29.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the development of air services to Skye.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans for future air services from Skye. An air service from Skye would require significant initial capital investment and ongoing subsidy. We expect any funding to be identified at a local level by the Highland Council, as the owner of the aerodrome, and HITRANS.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:53.42","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285806,"EventID":"S4W-15731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:53.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:04:29.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work will be carried out by (a) Transport Scotland, (b) Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd and (c) Highlands and Islands Enterprise in connection with proposals to restore air services to Skye.","AnswerText":"This is a local initiative and, although Transport Scotland and Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) have no plans to undertake any work in connection with proposals to restore air services to Skye, at a recent meeting with the FlySkye campaign group I confirmed that HIAL would be available to offer advice on specific regulatory/operational issues. Highlands and Islands Enterprise are a member of the steering group that has been formed to take the proposals forward and will be involved in work undertaken by the group.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:53.793","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285807,"EventID":"S4W-15732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:54.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:04:29.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions (a) ministers and (b) officials have had with the European Commission regarding public service obligation in relation to air links with Skye.","AnswerText":"None.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:54.06","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285808,"EventID":"S4W-15733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:54.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:04:29.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with The Highland Council regarding the transfer or lease of the Broadford airstrip to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.","AnswerText":"None.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:54.323","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285809,"EventID":"S4W-15734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:54.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:04:29.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the possibility of using the new programme of structural funds for the development of airport facilities in Broadford, Skye.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made no assessment of the possibility of using the new programme of structural funds for the development of airport facilities in Broadford, Skye. Although as the owner of the airport facilities it would primarily be for Highland Council to make any such assessment, at a recent meeting with the FlySkye campaign group I confirmed that Transport Scotland would be able to offer advice on this.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:54.607","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285810,"EventID":"S4W-15735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:54.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:04:29.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Civil Aviation Authority regarding a possible derogation of statutory obligations in connection with air services from Skye.  \r\n","AnswerText":"None. Although any such discussions would be a matter for the airport operator/owner, in this case Highland Council, at a recent meeting with the FlySkye campaign group I confirmed that Highlands and Islands Airports Limited would be available to offer advice on specific regulatory / operational issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:54.87","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285811,"EventID":"S4W-15736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:55.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:04:29.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Air Discount Scheme would apply to passengers from the Highlands and Islands using air services from Skye.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Air Discount Scheme currently applies to residents of Caithness, Colonsay, Islay, Jura, North West Sutherland, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles who benefit from discounted air fares when travelling to and from those places.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:55.137","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285812,"EventID":"S4W-15737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:55.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:04:29.627","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether route development funding will be available for air services from Skye.\r\n","AnswerText":"The group of Scottish Government agencies responsible for promoting air connectivity (known as “Team Scotland”) will take every opportunity in their ongoing engagement with airlines to promote the start-up of new routes and the expansion of existing services from Scotland. Should Skye Airport become operational then the same type of support would be available to it as is available to other Scottish airports.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:55.447","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285813,"EventID":"S4W-15738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5078,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:55.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:44:33.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date Scottish data from the 2011 Census will be made available to the public.","AnswerText":"Scottish data from the 2011 Census is already available to the public online via the Scotland’s Census website http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk:\r\nPopulation estimates from the 2011 Census were published in December 2012. Population estimates at local authority level were published in March 2013. More detailed results, based upon answers to all the questions included in the 2011 Census questionnaire, will continue to be released throughout 2013. A full plan of our release schedule can be found in our Census Outputs Prospectus (available from the Scotland’s Census website).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:55.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285814,"EventID":"S4W-15739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5078,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:55.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:44:33.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the data on religion in Scotland from the 2011 Census will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"Release 2 outputs from Scotland’s Census, which will include statistics relating to religion, are due to be published from late summer 2013. Detail about this release and further information is available from the National Records of Scotland publication: Scotland’s Census 2011 Outputs Prospectus which can be found via:\r\nwww.scotlandscensus.gov.uk.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:55.977","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285815,"EventID":"S4W-15740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5078,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:56.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T13:44:33.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the data on religion from the 2011 Census is released later in Scotland than in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"Although the census was carried out on the same date in all UK countries, Scotland developed its own separate timetable and approach for releasing the data, designed to ensure outputs are of high quality and relevant to users of Scottish data.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:56.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285816,"EventID":"S4W-15751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:56.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T14:45:43.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it collects regarding foodbanks.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not routinely collect information on food banks. However, we are aware that the Trussell Trust, a key provider of food aid in the UK, is operating 17 food banks in Scotland with a further 18 in development. In the last 12 months, the Trussell Trust reports that they had more than 14,000 referrals to their food banks in Scotland. It is important to note, however, that the Trussell Trust is only one of many different providers of food aid. Currently, the Scottish Government is exploring the feasibility of routinely monitoring food-aid provision and demand in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:56.447","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285817,"EventID":"S4W-15752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:56.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T14:45:43.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it gathers information on the (a) use and (b) scale of demand for foodbanks and, if so, whether it will publish this.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15751 on 27 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:56.71","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285818,"EventID":"S4W-15754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:56.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T14:45:43.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many foodbanks there are in each local authority area.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15751 on 27 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:56.993","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285819,"EventID":"S4W-15755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-14T15:51:57.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T14:45:43.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on producing guidance regarding setting up foodbanks and how they should operate.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not provide guidance regarding the set-up or the operation of food banks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-06-28T15:51:57.29","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285833,"EventID":"S4W-15746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:10.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T14:44:26.067","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15478 by John Swinney on 12 June 2013, whether the information needed to produce a chart of the loss of government revenues resulting from a reduction of 3% in corporation tax over a 50-year period can be obtained from the simulation model used to create the other charts in its publication, The Impact of a Reduction in Corporation Tax on the Scottish Economy.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15749 on 5 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:11.113","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285834,"EventID":"S4W-15747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:11.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T14:44:26.067","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15478 by John Swinney on 12 June 2013, for what reason the answer did not include a chart showing the loss of government revenues arising from a reduction of 3% in corporation tax in a similar format to the charts contained in its publication, The Impact of a Reduction in Corporation Tax on the Scottish Economy.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15749 on 5 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:11.83","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285835,"EventID":"S4W-15748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:12.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T14:44:26.067","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15478 by John Swinney on 12 June 2013, whether the simulation model used in its publication, The Impact of a Reduction in Corporation Tax on the Scottish Economy, has an output indicator of the change to government revenues arising from policy changes input into the model.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15749 on 5 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:12.33","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285836,"EventID":"S4W-15749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:13.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T14:44:26.067","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15478 by John Swinney on 12 June 2013, for what reason its analysis on page 11 of the publication, The Impact of a Reduction in Corporation Tax on the Scottish Economy, does not set out the \"immediate negative impact on the revenues collected by that tax\" over a similar time period to the chart on the percentage change in gross domestic product included on the same page.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government report, The Impact of a Reduction in Corporation Tax on the Scottish Economy provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of cutting corporation tax and focuses on the impacts on key economic variables, such as output, employment and investment.\r\nAs outlined in the paper, whilst a lower tax rate can reduce revenues for a given level of profits, by stimulating economic activity it can grow the tax base which can in turn lead to higher tax revenues. The potential economic benefits from the policy are significant, with the additional activity generated by cutting corporation tax estimated to create 27,000 jobs and boost GDP by 1.4% after 20 years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:13.217","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285837,"EventID":"S4W-15750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:13.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T14:44:26.067","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the results of its modelling work on a reduction in corporation tax of 3% on the same basis as Figure 4.2 in the Economic Advisory Group report, The Impact of Reducing Corporation Tax on the Northern Ireland Economy, which was cited as a source in its paper, Devolving Corporation Tax in the Scotland Bill, to show (a) the year in which a break-even point for government revenues is modelled to occur and (b) an estimate of loss of government revenues in each year until a break-even point is modelled to occur.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15749 on 5 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:13.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285838,"EventID":"S4W-15764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:14.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T15:08:24.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it (a) tracks the location of eagle nests and (b) informs landowners and occupiers when an eagle is nesting in their area.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not track the location of eagle nests directly, however Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee fund periodic surveys of all known golden eagle territories in Scotland. The surveys are undertaken by the Raptor Study Group and RSPB and the next survey is due in 2015. For the reintroduced white-tailed eagle, SNH contracts RSPB to monitor all the territories in Scotland on an annual basis.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not inform landowners or occupiers of nests on their land. Eagles are territorial birds which hold a territory all year, and in the case of golden eagle are usually long established. There are usually several nests within a territory which get used alternately, although some may only have one or certain favoured nests. Most landowners and occupiers are aware of the presence of eagles on their land, though may not know all nest sites. With golden eagles those people monitoring the territory will often inform the landowner of the nest, but this does not always happen and in some cases information is not shared due to suspicions about persecution or disturbance. With white-tailed eagles, the RSPB does inform landowners or occupiers without publicising the locations more widely.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:14.387","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285839,"EventID":"S4W-15765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:15.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T15:08:24.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions are in place to protect white-tailed eagles and their nests.","AnswerText":"Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, birds of prey, including white-tailed eagles, are protected. The provisions of the Act make it an offence if a person recklessly or intentionally kills, injures or takes a bird of prey.\r\nIt is also an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to: take, damage, destroy or otherwise interfere with a bird of prey nest, including white-tailed eagle, whether in use or being built; obstruct or prevent a bird of prey, including white-tailed eagle, from using its nest; take or destroy the egg of a bird of prey, including white-tailed eagle; intentionally or recklessly disturb a bird of prey, including white-tailed eagle while it is in a nest or is building a nest, or is on, in or near a nest \tcontaining eggs or young; and intentionally or recklessly disturb the dependent young of a bird of prey, including white-tailed eagle.\r\n\r\nWhite-tailed eagles are also listed on Schedules A1 and 1A of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedules A1 and 1A (Scotland) Order 2013) came into force on 18th March 2013 and added golden eagle to Schedule A1 and 1A of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and hen harrier and red kite to Schedule 1A only. Schedule A1 of the 1981 Act lists bird species whose nests are protected at all times from disturbance, including outwith the breeding season and Schedule 1A of the 1981 Act lists those bird species which are protected from harassment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:15.23","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285840,"EventID":"S4W-15766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:15.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T15:08:24.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing further legislation to protect white-tailed eagles and their nests.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not believe that further legislation to protect white-tailed eagles, or any other bird of prey, and their nests is necessary and therefore, at this time, has no plans to introduce any further legislation in this respect. However on 1 July 2013 the Scottish Government announced a number of new measures aimed at tackling wildlife crime as set out in the answer to question S4W-15812 on 15 July 2013 and it would be inappropriate to prejudice or constrain the work of the proposed review of how wildlife crime is treated in the criminal justice system.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:15.777","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285841,"EventID":"S4W-15767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:16.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T15:08:24.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions are in place to protect birds of prey and their nests from persecution.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15765 on 15 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:16.197","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285842,"EventID":"S4W-15768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:17.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T15:08:24.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing further legislation to protect birds of prey and their nests from persecution. \r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15766 on 18 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:17.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285843,"EventID":"S4W-15769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:17.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T15:08:24.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the robustness of vicarious liability under the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 to deal with the persecution of birds of prey and their nests and what advice it has sought on the matter.","AnswerText":"The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 inserted provisions relating to vicarious liability for certain offences into the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The new provisions were the subject of careful consideration by the Scottish Government Legal Department and by Parliamentary Counsel, as well as by the Parliament.\r\nThe new provisions came into force in January 2012. Vicarious liability can be considered in relation to all relevant offences that are investigated or prosecuted. When any investigation for a relevant offence is ongoing, the possibility of an arrest or prosecution under the vicarious liability provisions will be considered.\r\nHowever, to date vicarious liability has not so far been tested in the courts. Decisions on what charges to bring in any case are solely a matter for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. The Scottish Government has no reason to believe that the vicarious liability provisions are not robust. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:17.633","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285844,"EventID":"S4W-15770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:18.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T15:08:24.853","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that sentencing limits for people convicted of wildlife crimes are an adequate deterrent.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government announced on 1 July 2013 that a group would be set up to carry out a review to report to ministers on how wildlife crime is treated within the criminal justice system, including examining whether the penalties available for wildlife crime properly reflect the seriousness of the damage caused to vulnerable wildlife and fragile habitats and ecosystems. Part of this review will also consider whether the maximum sentences available are an adequate deterrent.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:18.163","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285845,"EventID":"S4W-15771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:18.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T17:20:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings and correspondence the special adviser (a) Geoff Aberdein, (b) Stuart Nicolson, (c) Noel Dolan, (d) Liz Lloyd, (e) Alexander Anderson, (f) Malcolm Fleming, (g) John MacInnes, (h) Alex Bell, (i) Ewan Crawford, (j) Colin McAllister, (k) David Hutchison, (l) John McFarlane and (m) Delancy Johansson has had with representatives of Yes Scotland and on what dates.\r\n","AnswerText":"Special advisers meet and correspond with Yes Scotland on a regular basis and the details requested of those meetings and correspondence could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.\r\nSpecial advisers act in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and other relevant Scottish Government guidance; in particular, the Scottish Government’s Advice Note on Approaching the Referendum which states at paragraph 28:\r\nAmong their appointed duties, special advisers provide a legitimate channel of communication between the Scottish Government, the governing political party and outside interest groups with which the governing party may be associated, including groups formed to campaign for a particular outcome in the referendum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:18.867","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285846,"EventID":"S4W-15772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:19.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-16T14:56:45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase the penalties that can be imposed in relation to animal fights under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.\r\n","AnswerText":"Penalties in relation to animal fights are imposed under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and there are no current plans to increase these. However, penalties for offences are kept under review.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:19.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285847,"EventID":"S4W-15777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:20.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T09:45:55.1","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recourse a member of the public has who is dissatisfied with the outcome of a Social Work Complaints Review Panel.","AnswerText":"A member of the public who is dissatisfied with the outcome of a local authority’s Social Work Complaints Review Committee may refer their complaint to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman for investigation.\r\nShould they still not be satisfied with the outcome, they may seek a judicial review.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:20.143","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285848,"EventID":"S4W-15778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:20.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:09:24.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when (a) its officials and (b) the Cabinet Secretary for Justice became aware that the interim chief executive officer (CEO) of the Scottish Police Authority had chosen (i) not to be considered for the permanent CEO vacancy and (ii) to resign from the organisation.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and the Cabinet Secretary have been aware for some months that the Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) did not intend to apply for the position on a permanent basis and that she would step down in September 2013.\r\nThe SPA has outlined its organisational vision and governance arrangements as we embark on a new phase of reform, following a successful transition on 1 April 2013, and is working on the detail in close partnership with Police Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:20.94","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285849,"EventID":"S4W-15779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:21.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:09:24.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when (a) its officials and (b) the Cabinet Secretary for Justice became aware that the interim chief executive officer of the Scottish Police Authority would announce to staff on 11 June 2013 that she had resigned.\r\n","AnswerText":"The interim chief executive of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has not resigned.\r\nThe SPA advised the Scottish Government on 11 June 2013 that the interim chief executive would be informing her staff that she would be not be applying for the permanent chief executive’s role. Scottish Government officials then advised the Cabinet Secretary for Justice of this information.\r\nThe SPA has outlined its organisational vision and governance arrangements as we embark on a new phase of reform, following a successful transition on 1 April 2013 and is working on the detail in close partnership with Police Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:21.503","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285850,"EventID":"S4W-15780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:22.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:09:24.21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when (a) its officials and (b) the Cabinet Secretary for Justice became aware of the date that the interim chief executive officer of the Scottish Police Authority will leave the organisation.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15778 on 15 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:22.33","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285851,"EventID":"S4W-15781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:23.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:16:37.373","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public charging outlets for electric vehicles there are on trunk roads and how many there were in (a) 2012, (b) 2011 and (c) 2010, broken down by (i) rapid, (ii) fast and (iii) standard outlets.\r\n","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland’s programme to install charging facilities at least every 50 miles on the trunk road network has been widened to include some major local roads. Charge point locations are as close as practically possible to these roads, with selection based on factors such as safety, availability of power supply and amenities for the charging facility user. Plans for the financial year 2013-14 will focus on the on-going rollout of the high powered interoperable network to ensure the whole of Scotland has a sufficiency of high powered charging facilities to allow a mixture of short and long journeys to be undertaken.\r\nNew installs each year are as follows:\r\n(a) 2012-13, (i) 23 rapid (50kW), (ii) 18 quick (20kW), (iii) 80 fast (7kW), (iv) 0 standard (3kW) outlets\r\n(b) 2011-12 (i) 2 rapid, (ii) 8 quick, (iii) 46 fast, (iv) 0 standard\r\n(c) 2010-11 (i) 0 rapid, (ii) 0 quick, (iii) 0 fast, (iv) 6 standard.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:23.17","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285852,"EventID":"S4W-15782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:23.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:16:37.373","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any trunk roads have charging outlets for electric vehicles every 50 miles.\r\n","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland’s programme to install charging facilities at least every 50 miles on the trunk road network has been widened to include some major local roads. Charge point locations are as close as practically possible to these roads, with selection based on factors such as safety, availability of power supply and amenities for the road user.\r\nOf Scotland’s 41 trunk roads, charging facilities have been installed in or near 24 of these roads, at least every 50 miles. These facilities are currently being commissioned for operation during Summer 2013. As funding allows, Transport Scotland are continuing the phased rollout of the high powered interoperable network of charging facilities to ensure the whole of Scotland has sufficient charging outlet coverage.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:23.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285853,"EventID":"S4W-15783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:23.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:16:37.373","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many ferry terminals have charging outlets for electric vehicles.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with Caledonian Maritime to install electric vehicle rapid charging infrastructure at five ferry terminals: Brodick; Islay (Port Ellen); Kennacraig; Oban; and Harris (Tarbert). We are also working with other ferry terminal operators to install rapid charging infrastructure at four other locations: Pentland Ferries-Gill’s Bay; Scrabster Harbour Trust; Ullapool Harbour Trust; and Stornoway. These outlets will become operational during summer 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:23.997","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285854,"EventID":"S4W-15784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:24.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:16:37.373","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of its vehicle fleet are/is (a) electric or (b) hybrid vehicles.  \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has 4 electric (2%) and 22 hybrid vehicles (10%) in its fleet.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:24.357","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285855,"EventID":"S4W-15785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:24.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:16:37.373","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of vehicles used by Transport Scotland are/is (a) electric and (b) hybrid vehicles.\r\n","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland has a small fleet of vehicles comprising four cars, of which one (25%) is electric. The electric car is used for essential staff business travel between Buchanan House in Glasgow and the Traffic Scotland Control Centre in South Queensferry. Charging infrastructure has also been installed to support this return journey.\r\nTransport Scotland’s Travel Plan 2010-2013 promotes public transport use for essential business journeys.\r\nTransport Scotland has signed up to the 2020 Climate Group Transport Challenge which requires signatories to pledge action to promote the uptake of electric vehicles by trialling them in their fleet. The agency will continue to look at opportunities to install further charging infrastructure and consider use of electric and hybrid vehicles for any future vehicle fleet requirements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:24.73","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285856,"EventID":"S4W-15790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:25.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:23:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the £35 million that it has pledged to the UN to deal with female genital mutilation and what information it has on how it will be spent and whether it will be spent in the UK and abroad.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government contacted the UK Government when the fund was announced to ask for details and check that Scottish based diaspora organisations will be included in the allocation of grants. We understand that part of the fund will be used to support diaspora organisations in the UK, including in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:25.107","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285857,"EventID":"S4W-15791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:25.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:23:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to open a clinic specialised in female genital mutilation.","AnswerText":"Opening a clinic specialised in female genital mutilation (FGM) would be a matter for health boards to decide. Currently in Scotland, the NHS offers all available assistance to ensure positive health outcomes for women identified as being victims of FGM.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:25.387","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285858,"EventID":"S4W-15792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T14:04:25.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:23:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take in relation to the number of cases brought under the Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005.","AnswerText":"Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a form of physical abuse of women and girls and a violation of their human rights under the guise of culture and/or religion.\r\nTo date there have been three reported incidents of FGM in Scotland, with no prosecutions or court convictions. The Scottish Government tackles FGM through a multi-agency approach which includes a variety of preventative and supportive interventions to encourage reporting involving voluntary and community groups. We also work proactively with key partners such as the police, health, social services and education to ensure that FGM continues to be a priority.\r\nAll cases reported to Police Scotland under the Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005 are investigated and appropriate action taken with the records being kept for monitoring purposes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T14:04:25.62","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285859,"EventID":"S4T-00402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T12:41:38.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:25:52.003","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with VisitScotland regarding the organisation's website.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T12:41:38.787","MeetingDate":"2013-06-18T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285860,"EventID":"S4F-01472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T12:41:03.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-13T15:12:55.287","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime Minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T12:41:03.453","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285861,"EventID":"S4F-01474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T12:41:04.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-16T10:32:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the security services regarding the emergency landing at Prestwick Airport on 15 June 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T12:41:04.203","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285862,"EventID":"S4F-01477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T12:41:05.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T09:50:32.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T12:41:05.34","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285863,"EventID":"S4F-01478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T12:41:05.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T10:01:33.127","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T12:41:05.73","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285864,"EventID":"S4F-01484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T12:41:07.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:32:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T12:41:07.277","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285865,"EventID":"S4F-01491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T12:41:09.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:56:04.153","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what impact the recent decision by three senior executives to leave the Scottish Police Authority will have on its IT strategy.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T12:41:09.63","MeetingDate":"2013-06-20T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285874,"EventID":"S4W-15756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T16:54:53.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T15:07:28.947","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its statement in paragraph 30 of the Scottish Government’s initial response to Expert Working Group on Welfare Report that final welfare proposals will not be published until 2014, whether this means that welfare policies will not be included in its white paper on independence.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish a detailed white paper with positive proposals that will illustrate the gains of independence in the autumn.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T16:54:53.057","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285875,"EventID":"S4W-15757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T16:54:53.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T15:07:28.947","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its statement in paragraph 30 of the Scottish Government’s Initial Response to Expert Working Group on Welfare Report that final welfare proposals will not be published until 2014, whether an indicative amount for increased welfare spending will be included in its white paper on independence, prior to receipt of the final report from the expert group.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15756 on 1 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T16:54:53.29","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285876,"EventID":"S4W-15758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T16:54:53.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T15:07:28.947","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its statement in paragraph 30 of the Scottish Government’s Initial Response to Expert Working Group on Welfare Report that final welfare proposals will not be published until 2014, whether there are other areas of policy that will not be included in its white paper on independence and, if so, which.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15756 on 1 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T16:54:53.493","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285877,"EventID":"S4W-15759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T16:54:53.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T15:07:28.947","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its white paper on independence will include indicative costings for policy options that it is promoting.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15756 on 1 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T16:54:53.713","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285878,"EventID":"S4W-15760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T16:54:53.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T15:07:28.947","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15210 by Humza Yousaf on 10 June 2013, whether it will set out its understanding of the identification document requirements for visitors travelling from Scotland to Ireland by (a) air and (b) ferry.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Home Office website states that within the Common Travel Area (CTA) “passengers are not required to carry a passport or national identity document for immigration purposes”.\r\nFurther information can be found on the Home Office website:\r\nhttp://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/customs-travel/Enteringtheuk/arrivingatukborder/travellingtocommontravelarea/ \r\nand the Irish Citizens’ Information website:\r\nhttp://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_abroad/freedom_of_movement_within_the_eu/common_travel_area_between_ireland_and_the_uk.html\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T16:54:53.917","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285879,"EventID":"S4W-15762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T16:54:54.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T15:07:28.947","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the tweet by the Minister for External Affairs and International Development on 10 June 2013 that “International development based on justice rather than charity could create lasting progress in developing world”, whether it will (a) confirm its position on this matter and (b) set out what previous analysis of UK international development policy it has undertaken.\r\n","AnswerText":"The conceptualisation of international development as a question of justice rather than charity is based on an understanding of the negative impacts of particular global economic and financial policies on the world’s poorest nations and people. Examples include the tax losses to developing countries from multi-national companies operating in those countries while taking advantage of international tax secrecy; and the reported net transfer of $5,740.6 billion from developing economies to the developed over the period 1998-2010 (United Nations General Assembly A/65/189, July 2010, International Financial System and Development, Report of the Secretary-General). These flows include e.g. trade, debt, intellectual property rights and the “brain drain”. A truly effective approach to development must address these issues. \r\nAnalyses of UK development policy are available from a variety of sources, including for example the Organisation for Economic Development - Development Assistance Committee peer reviews. These include analysis of approaches to aid, but also of “policy coherence for development” across government policies. The Center for Global Development’s “Commitment to Development Index” seeks to rank governments according to the extent to which their policies in the round help poor countries, that index includes aid; trade; investment; migration; environment; security and technology components.\r\nThe tweet related to an article in the Guardian on 10 June 2013 on the human rights based approach and, summarised this sentence from it “international development based more on justice and rights than charity and aid has the potential to create lasting progress in the developing world.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T16:54:54.197","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285880,"EventID":"S4W-15763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T16:54:54.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-14T15:07:28.947","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the tweet by the Minister for External Affairs and International Development on 13 June 2013 that “While welcoming UK hosted \"Nutrition for Growth\" summit is vital we ask critical/probing questions on how UK does aid” whether it will (a) confirm its position on this matter and (b) set out what previous analysis of UK aid policy it has undertaken.\r\n","AnswerText":"Analyses of UK aid policy are available from a variety of sources, including for example the Organisation for Economic Development - Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC) peer reviews and the work of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI). The Center for Global Development’s “Commitment to Development Index” seeks to rank governments according to the extent to which their policies in the round help poor countries, that index also includes an aid component.\r\nWhere appropriate the Scottish Government welcomes the good work of the Department of International Development. However, various non-governmental development organisations have nevertheless this year expressed concern over the risk of securitisation of aid, following comments made by the Prime Minister earlier this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T16:54:54.477","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285881,"EventID":"S4W-15775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T16:54:54.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-16T19:01:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money recorded by the National Fraud Initiative in Scotland in each of the last five years as overpayment (a) has been and (b) is still to be paid back.\r\n","AnswerText":"The National Fraud Initiative (NFI) in Scotland is a counter-fraud exercise led by Audit Scotland and undertaken every two years. Audit Scotland assists the Auditor General in helping to ensure that public money is spent properly, efficiently and effectively. This role is independent of the Scottish Government and includes reporting in public and to the Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit Committee.\r\nWhile the Scottish Government has a high degree of commitment to the National Fraud Initiative, as noted in the most recent published report available on the Audit Scotland website: http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/nfi.php, it is not directly involved in the monitoring or reporting of its results.\r\nThe estimated outcomes from the National Fraud Initiative to the public purse since 2008, is valued at £50.6 million; detailed analysis is provided in each report. As highlighted in the 2012 report, “National Fraud Initiative overpayments are usually subject to the same recovery processes that apply to other debt. Most bodies do not keep separate records of NFI recoveries. Indeed, Audit Scotland would prefer that bodies devoted their resources to investigation work, rather than require them to record NFI amounts that are often recovered by frequent small payments over long periods of time.” \r\nAudit Scotland therefore do not know how much money recorded as an overpayment (a) has been recovered and (b) is still to be paid back.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T16:54:54.68","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285882,"EventID":"S4W-15793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T16:54:55.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:25:07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme would work in an independent Scotland given that the next phase of the scheme has been awarded to a consortium led by the UK Energy Saving Trust.","AnswerText":"The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme will be delivered under a commercial contract. This arrangement will be in place for a period of up to 4 years from 1 August 2013.\r\nThe Energy Saving Trust is an independent charity and carries out its work in Scotland on a fully devolved basis. The Energy Saving Trust has over 50 staff based in Edinburgh who manage delivery of all Scottish work and will be responsible for the delivery of the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T16:54:55.617","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285883,"EventID":"S4W-15794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T16:54:56.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:25:07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has awarded the next phase of the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme to a consortium led by the UK Energy Saving Trust.\r\n","AnswerText":"There was a fair and open procurement process undertaken for the next phase of the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme. The successful bid is a consortium led by the Energy Saving Trust. The consortium will ensure a high calibre approach, coupled with best value for money.\r\nThe consortium includes a number of social enterprises located in Scotland, all with experience in local communities. Staff will therefore be based in a variety of locations across the whole of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T16:54:56.583","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285884,"EventID":"S4W-15795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T16:54:56.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T13:27:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will establish a managed clinical network for allergy.","AnswerText":"The Children and Young People’s Allergy Network was established in April 2011 to strengthen and develop specialist services for children with severe allergies. The network has recurring funding from 2011-12 for a lead clinician and administrator. An application for the formalisation of the network’s future status as a national managed clinical network will be considered by the National Specialist Services Committee in August 2013.\r\nThe Scottish Government currently has no plans to establish an adult managed clinical network for allergy. NHS boards have statutory responsibility and accountability for the delivery of services. Updated guidance on the role of managed clinical networks was issued to NHS boards in:\r\nhttp://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_29.pdf.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T16:54:56.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285885,"EventID":"S4W-15796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T16:54:57.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T13:27:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to continue the work of the Children and Young People’s Allergy Network Scotland at the end of the current funding period.","AnswerText":"The Children and Young People’s Allergy Network has recurring funding from 2011-12 for a lead clinician and administrator. An application for the formalisation of the network’s future status as a national managed clinical network will be considered by the National Specialist Services Committee in August 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T16:54:57.8","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285886,"EventID":"S4W-15797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-17T16:54:58.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T15:20:54.967","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14301 by Joe FitzPatrick on 1 May 2013, for what reason the letter sent by Hugh Henry MSP on 21 December 2012 was replied to by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing on 28 March 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Convenor of the Greensyde Carers Group emailed all Scottish Ministers and MSPs on 17 December 2012. Mr Hugh Henry then sent a separate email to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing regarding the same correspondence on 21 December 2012.\r\nOn the 22 January 2013 an official response was issued to the Convenor of the Greensyde Carers. There was an administrative oversight where Mr Henry was not copied into that response. This was remedied on 28 March 2013, when a copy of the response which was sent to the Convenor of the Greensyde Carers on 22 January 2013 was sent to Mr Henry for his records.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-15T16:54:58.08","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285887,"EventID":"S4W-15786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T13:51:28.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:17:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it or the Scottish Court Service has carried out regarding the impact on accessibility of the proposed closure of sheriff courts.\r\n","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T13:51:29.01","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285888,"EventID":"S4W-15787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T13:51:30.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:17:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the staffing implications are for Edinburgh Sheriff Court of the closure of Haddington and Peebles sheriff courts.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T13:51:30.303","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285889,"EventID":"S4W-15788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T13:51:30.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:17:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investment will be required to increase the capacity at Edinburgh Sheriff Court as a result of the proposed closure of Haddington and Peebles sheriff courts.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T13:51:30.647","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285890,"EventID":"S4W-15789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T13:51:30.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T11:17:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the proposed closure of sheriff courts, what representations it or the Scottish Court Service has received regarding accessibility for disabled people (a) travelling to sheriff courts and (b) in the buildings housing sheriff courts.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T13:51:30.96","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285891,"EventID":"S4W-15798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T13:51:31.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T09:44:53.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHS provides all health services to patients free of charge.","AnswerText":"The primary purpose of any NHS organisation is to provide NHS care and the NHS provides treatment free of charge at the point of access.\r\nUnless legislation allows, the NHS cannot charge patients. For example, previously prescription charges were in place, but legislative change led to the abolition of such charges.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T13:51:31.257","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285892,"EventID":"S4W-15799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T13:51:32.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T10:53:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) it has and (b) local authorities have spent on capital projects since 1999, in both cash and real terms.","AnswerText":"Information relating to (a) can be found in the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts. These published accounts date back to March 2002 and are available from the Scottish Government website by way of the following links:\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2002\r\nThe 2000-01 and 1999-00 accounts are available from the stationery office.\r\nInformation relating to (b) can be found in the Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics. These published statistics are available from the Scottish Government website by way of the following link:\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/PubScottishLGFStats.\r\nInformation relating to real terms for both (a) and (b) can be measured by way of the latest Gross Domestic Product deflators which can be viewed as a measure of general inflation in the domestic economy. These can be found at the UK Government’s website by way of the following link.\r\nwww.gov.uk/government/publications/gdp-deflators-at-market-prices-and-money-gdp.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T13:51:32.083","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285893,"EventID":"S4W-15800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T13:51:32.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T10:53:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) it has and (b) local authorities have spent on housing since 1999, in both cash and real terms.","AnswerText":"Information relating to (a) can be found in the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts. These published accounts date back to March 2002 and are available from the Scottish Government website by way of the following links:\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2002\r\nThe 2000-2001 and 1999-2000 accounts are available from the stationery office.\r\nInformation relating to (b) can be found in the Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics. These published statistics are available from the Scottish Government website by way of the following link:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/PubScottishLGFStats.\r\nInformation relating to real terms for both (a) and (b) can be measured by way of the latest Gross Domestic Product deflators which can be viewed as a measure of general inflation in the domestic economy. These can be found at the UK Government’s website by way of the following link.\r\nwww.gov.uk/government/publications/gdp-deflators-at-market-prices-and-money-gdp\r\nAs spending periods overlapped, it is more meaningful to look at these figures on an annual basis.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T13:51:32.69","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285894,"EventID":"S4W-15801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T13:51:32.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T10:53:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) it has and (b) local authorities have spent on affordable housing capital projects since 1999, in both cash and real terms.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has spent a total of £5.2 billion on the Affordable Housing Supply Programme in the financial years from 1999-00 to 2011-12. In real terms this is £5.8 billion at 2011-12 prices.\r\nThe following table shows Scottish Government spend on affordable housing in each year in both cash and real terms. As spending review periods overlapped, it is more meaningful to look at these figures on an annual basis:\r\n£m\r\n1999-00\r\n2000-01\r\n2001-02\r\n2002-03\r\n2003-04\r\n2004-05\r\n2005-06\r\nCash terms \r\n201\r\n208\r\n215\r\n257\r\n292\r\n340\r\n449\r\nReal terms\r\n262\r\n268\r\n274\r\n318\r\n353\r\n400\r\n516\r\n\r\n£m\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nTotal\r\nCash terms \r\n562\r\n594\r\n530\r\n673\r\n516\r\n366\r\n5203\r\nReal terms\r\n630\r\n650\r\n564\r\n706\r\n527\r\n366\r\n5834\r\nFigures for local authority spend on affordable housing capital projects are not available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T13:51:33.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285895,"EventID":"S4W-15802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T13:51:33.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T10:53:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) it has and (b) local authorities have spent on capital projects in each spending review period since 1999, in both cash and real terms.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15799 on 10 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T13:51:33.253","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285896,"EventID":"S4W-15803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T13:51:33.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T10:53:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) it has and (b) local authorities have spent on housing in each spending review period since 1999, in both cash and real terms.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15800 on 10 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T13:51:33.487","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285897,"EventID":"S4W-15804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T13:51:33.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T10:53:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) it has and (b) local authorities have spent on affordable housing capital projects in each spending review period since 1999, in both cash and real terms.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15801 on 10 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T13:51:33.783","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285898,"EventID":"S4W-15805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T13:51:34.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T11:19:29.457","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14629 by Margaret Burgess on 17 May 2013, whether the assessment that it is carrying out with COSLA  has been completed and, if so, what the number is, also broken down by the number for women who are seeking emergency refuge.\r\n","AnswerText":"The assessment has not yet been completed.\r\nSubsequent to my previous reply the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has clarified that the housing costs for supported housing which does not come within the definition of ‘exempt’ supported housing will be met via universal credit and the benefit cap will apply. In particular local authority owned supported housing will not fall within the definition of exempt supported accommodation and will be subject to the cap.\r\nIn May 2013 the Housing Support Enabling Unit together with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Homeless Action Scotland published a report of a survey of housing support across all sectors. The report can be accessed at:\r\nhttp://www.ccpscotland.org/hseu/information/Welfare-Reform/supported-exempt-accommodation-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important.\r\nThe report showed, among other things, that:\r\nA significant proportion of housing support providers thought that a significant proportion of their provision would fall outside the DWP definition of supported exempt housing;\r\nScottish Women’s Aid has calculated that local authorities are the landlords of some 30% of women’s refuge accommodation in Scotland. This equates to 152 accommodation places.\r\nWe are now considering with COSLA how best to gather information to identify the total number and types of supported accommodation which will fall outside the DWP exempt categories and which will therefore be subject to the benefit cap.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T13:51:34.047","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285899,"EventID":"S4W-15806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T13:51:34.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T11:20:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement by the Minister for Learning, Sciences and Scotland's Languages on 18 June 2013, which schools have received musical instruments following the £1 million investment programme, broken down by local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available at a school level.\r\nThe £1 million musical instrument fund is being distributed in two phases. 50% (£500,000) has already been distributed to local authorities on the basis of the formula used for the Government’s Youth Music Initiative. The remaining 50% is being distributed based on bids submitted by local authorities with criteria designed to ensure disadvantaged young people have increased opportunities to access a musical instrument. This funding is still in the process of allocation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T13:51:34.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285921,"EventID":"S4W-15807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T16:43:41.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T13:12:22","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14922 by John Swinney on 28 May 2013, whether it will provide the information requested in relation to a draft credit rating.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers will decide in the light of all the circumstances when to seek a credit rating.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T16:43:43.157","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285922,"EventID":"S4W-15808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T16:43:43.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T13:12:22","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15300 by John Swinney on 12 June 2013, whether it considers that an appropriate time to seek a draft credit rating would be before the referendum on Scottish independence.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15807 on 24 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T16:43:43.623","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285923,"EventID":"S4W-15809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T16:43:43.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T15:24:13.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, whether it will provide a breakdown of recorded religious hate crimes in 2012-13 expressed as the number of incidents per 1,000 members of each religious affiliation, also broken down by incidents recorded under section (a) 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 and (b) 1 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"The reports titled Religiously aggravated offending in Scotland 2012-13 and ‘Charges reported under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 were published on 14 June 2013 and presented information on the number of charges that were reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) by the police in 2012-13 under section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 and section 1 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.\r\nThe following table shows religious aggravation charges that were reported to COPFS in 2012-13 for conduct which was derogatory to each religion under the two pieces of legislation. The final column presents the number of charges per 1,000 members of each, as recorded in the 2001 census.\r\nIt is important to note that reported charges only contain information about the nature of the offensive conduct and not about the religious affiliation of the victims of incidents. In 40% of charges, the victim of the conduct was a police officer and in 12% of charges the victim was a worker. This suggests that many of the charges were not directed towards members of religious groups and were more arbitrary in nature. \r\nTable: Religious aggravation and offensive behaviour at football charges derogatory to religions in Scotland in 2011-12 per 1,000 members\r\n \r\nReligious aggravation charges in 2012-13 [1]\r\nOffensive behaviour at football charges in 2012-13\r\nThe religion that conduct was derogatory towards [5]\r\nNumber of charges [2]\r\nNumber of Members [3]\r\nCharges per 1,000 Members\r\nNumber of charges [2]\r\nNumber of members [3]\r\nCharges per 1,000 members\r\nChristianity[4], [5] \r\n592\r\n3,294,545\r\n0.18\r\n104\r\n3,294,545\r\n0.03\r\nof which:\r\nRoman Catholicism \r\n388\r\n803,732\r\n0.48\r\n88\r\n803,732\r\n0.11\r\nProtestantism \r\n199\r\n2,146,251\r\n0.09\r\n16\r\n2,146,251\r\n0.01\r\nJudaism\r\n27\r\n6,448\r\n4.19\r\n2\r\n6,448\r\n0.31\r\nIslam\r\n80\r\n42,557\r\n1.88\r\n0\r\n42,557\r\n0.00\r\nUnknown\r\n4\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\n0\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nOther\r\n3\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\n0\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nTable notes: \r\n1. Information on religious aggravations is taken from Religiously Aggravated Offending in Scotland 2012-13 and information on offensive behaviour at football charges is taken from Charges reported under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012, published on the Scottish Government website on 14 June 2013.\r\n2 The number of charges refers to the religion that the conduct was derogatory towards and not the number of charges where victims had the relevant affiliation. Information about victims’ religious affiliations are not recorded by the police.\r\n3 Religious group membership information data are taken from the 2001 census. Available online at: http://scotland.gov.uk/publications/2005/02/20757/53570.\r\n4 There are 5 charges in the Christianity total for religious aggravations charges that referred to conduct which was offensive to Christianity in general and were not directed towards Protestantism or Roman Catholicism.\r\n5 Religious group membership data is based on self-reported affiliation in the 2001 census. Christian denominations are presented in the census under three categories: ‘Roman Catholic’, ‘Church of Scotland’ and ‘other Christian.’ For the purpose of this table only ‘Church of Scotland’ membership has been attributed as ‘Protestant’ because ‘other Christian’ may include a mixture of Protestant and non-Protestant denominations. As a consequence this may lead to an under-reporting of the ‘charges per 1,000 members’ in the Protestant category.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T16:43:43.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285924,"EventID":"S4W-15810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-18T16:43:44.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T15:56:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding is available specifically for sexual abuse counselling services.\r\n","AnswerText":"We are providing £3.6 million to support rape victims for 2012-15 which enables us to support a wide variety of projects and organisations, many who provide services including counselling.\r\nWe are supporting the Rape Crisis Helpline which will receive £260,000 of Scottish Government funding a year for 2012-15 (Total £780k). The helpline offers free and confidential support and information for women and men who have experienced sexual violence.\r\n \r\nThe 14 Scottish Rape Crisis Centres over Scotland are funded through our Rape Crisis Specific Fund. They will receive £50,000 each per year, a total of £700,000 per year for the next 3 years (£2.1m 2012-15). Providing emotional and practical support, information and advocacy to anyone affected by sexual violence, regardless of whether that abuse may have happened recently or in the past.\r\n \r\nIn addition SurvivorScotland was allocated £850,000 to take forward the National Strategy for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse in 2012-13 and a further £800,000 for 2013-14.\r\n \r\nThis funding is supporting 22 statutory and voluntary organisations to develop a wide range of services for survivors, including counselling.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-16T16:43:44.81","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285928,"EventID":"S4O-02292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:13.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:03:41.543","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a mechanism for insisting that local authorities follow the Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People's guidance on consulting with children and young people on school closures and other significant changes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:14.11","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285929,"EventID":"S4O-02293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:14.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T11:27:19.94","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered issuing maximum travel times for journeys to school in rural and island areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:14.67","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285930,"EventID":"S4O-02295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:14.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T16:42:33.703","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provision is made in local authority schools for access to educational psychology services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:14.997","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285931,"EventID":"S4O-02296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:15.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T10:24:44.987","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on college mergers in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:15.28","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285932,"EventID":"S4O-02297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:15.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:03:44.57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to avoid colleges being re-classified as public bodies.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:15.543","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285933,"EventID":"S4O-02298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:15.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T13:50:10.307","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has with universities when they are replacing senior posts, such as principals.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:15.857","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285934,"EventID":"S4O-02299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:16.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:03:46.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will promote a more diverse school education system.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:16.107","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285935,"EventID":"S4O-02300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:16.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:03:46.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is promoting the Employability Fund to colleges and training providers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:16.45","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285936,"EventID":"S4O-02301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:16.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:03:47.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress there has been in respect of further education college mergers in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:16.683","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285937,"EventID":"S4O-02302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:17.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:03:47.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the number of probationary teachers finding employment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:17.073","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285938,"EventID":"S4O-02303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:17.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T11:44:25.89","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is responding to the conclusions on childcare and early years education in the Equal Opportunities Committee's report, Women and Work. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:17.323","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285939,"EventID":"S4O-02304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:17.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:03:48.44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported comments of Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski and other panel members of the Review of Higher Education Governance in Scotland on the draft Scottish code of good higher education governance.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:17.557","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285940,"EventID":"S4O-02305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:17.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:03:49.143","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what savings will be made as a result of the merger of Langside, Anniesland and Cardonald colleges.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:17.913","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285941,"EventID":"S4O-02306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:18.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:03:49.64","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made regarding the regionalisation of Adam Smith College and Carnegie College.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:18.273","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285942,"EventID":"S4O-02307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:18.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:03:50.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what further and higher education is doing to support sustainable economic development through engineering and other fields of study.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:18.523","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285943,"EventID":"S4O-02308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:18.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T10:23:40.86","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the curriculum for excellence will generate the skills necessary for the growing renewables industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:18.883","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285944,"EventID":"S4O-02309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:19.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:03:51.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how important classroom assistants are in enabling young people to achieve their full educational potential.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:19.133","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285945,"EventID":"S4O-02310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:19.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:03:51.42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve numeracy in the later years of primary school.","AnswerText":"We are committed to improving numeracy levels in Scotland and monitoring performance through the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy. In response to the numeracy survey published last year, Education Scotland published a suite of practical resources to support primary and secondary teachers, and undertook a series of events around the country to promote their effective use in the classroom.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:19.507","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285946,"EventID":"S4O-02311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:19.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T11:28:06.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has issued to further education colleges on the need to provide education and training opportunities for disabled people.","AnswerText":"In my strategic guidance, I have asked the SFC to work in partnership with Enable, the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disabilities and other partners in securing improvements in retention, attainment and progression for college students with learning disabilities.\r\nThis has led to the SFC building partnerships to improve outcomes for disabled learners through a range of measures, including the creation of support posts in colleges and a new good practice guide.\r\nSpecific guidance to colleges is then provided by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) who are responsible for negotiating college outcome agreements, which include targets for students with additional support needs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:19.757","MeetingDate":"2013-06-26T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285947,"EventID":"S4O-02312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:20.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T11:42:59.483","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assistance it has provided to creative industries across the country.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:20.113","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285948,"EventID":"S4O-02313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:20.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:04:10.453","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Amazon has received in regional selective assistance grants in the last year.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:20.38","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285949,"EventID":"S4O-02314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:20.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:04:11.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its strategy for measuring wellbeing, in light of the publication of Shifting the Dial in Scotland, by the Carnegie UK Trust.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:20.723","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285950,"EventID":"S4O-02315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:20.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T15:57:05.247","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with stakeholders regarding improving the transport links between West Scotland and the rest of the country.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:20.957","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285951,"EventID":"S4O-02316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:21.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:04:11.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what further support it will provide to help the regeneration of small-to-medium sized town centres.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:21.19","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285952,"EventID":"S4O-02317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1778,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:21.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T14:27:41.817","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost to repair the defects in roads in Fife.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:21.473","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285953,"EventID":"S4O-02318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:21.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:04:13.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it helps communities that want to achieve Blue Flag status for their beaches or marinas.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:21.767","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285954,"EventID":"S4O-02319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:22.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:04:13.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the distribution of funds from the Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland is calculated.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:22.063","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285955,"EventID":"S4O-02320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:22.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:04:14.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on deciding on the location of the proposed national performance centre for sport.\r\n","AnswerText":"The closing date for submission of stage 2 bids is 5 July 2013. The bids will then be assessed by the steering group who will offer advice and recommend a preferred bidder which I expect to be in a position to announce on schedule this summer.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:22.5","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285956,"EventID":"S4O-02321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:24:22.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-17T12:04:14.837","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made with the UK Government regarding the repatriation of income from the red meat levy.","AnswerText":"We have continued to press the UK Government on this issue. It’s clearly not right that this year alone approx. £1.4 million of levy income paid by Scottish farmers is not available to promote our fabulous red meat brands. The UK Government had the prefect platform to announce its intention to repatriate levy income to Scotland when the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary of State attended the Royal Highland Show last Friday.\r\nSadly Owen Paterson chose not to do so.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:24:22.737","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285957,"EventID":"S4W-15817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:38:41.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T18:58:45.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made regarding the tax incremental financing project in the Falkirk area and when it expects to sign a legal agreement with the local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"Consideration of Falkirk Council's Tax Incremental Business case is on-going and Ministers hope to make an announcement about their decision by the end of summer 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:38:41.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285958,"EventID":"S4W-15819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:38:42.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T10:59:07.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15303 by Alex Neil on 12 June 2013, when guidance will be issued on the bed planning tool.","AnswerText":"On 8 May 2013, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing announced in Parliament the “development of a bed-management tool.” We envisage that the bed planning tool will help NHS boards to develop their local delivery plans, at least in part, for the financial year 2014-15 and fully from 2015-16 onwards. We expect guidance on the bed planning tool to be issued in 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:38:42.183","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285959,"EventID":"S4W-15820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:38:42.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T10:59:07.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15304 by Alex Neil on 12 June 2013, when consultation on the bed planning tool with clinical professionals will take place.","AnswerText":"On 8 May 2013, I announced in Parliament the “development of a bed-management tool.” We have started to engage with key stakeholders, including the Scottish Partnership Forum, the Unscheduled Care Expert Group and the Joint Strategic Commissioning National Steering Group. Further engagement will take place over the next few months.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:38:42.697","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285960,"EventID":"S4W-15821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:38:43.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T10:59:07.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15305 by Alex Neil on 12 June 2013, who is heading the development of the bed planning tool.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Directorate for Health Workforce and Performance is leading on the development of the bed planning tool. The directorate will be working closely with a range of clinical professionals and national groups to develop the bed planning tool and its associated guidance during the initial development phase.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:38:43.213","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285961,"EventID":"S4W-15822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T13:38:43.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T10:59:07.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15303 by Alex Neil on 12 June 2013, what guidance is available for NHS boards that are reducing bed numbers.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are responsible for the planning and delivery of local services and will be able to use the bed planning tool to support the development of their local delivery plans.\r\nThese must be consistent with national policies, guidelines and frameworks, including the service redesign guidance “Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Care Services”, guidance around “Reshaping Care for Older People”, “Local Delivery Planning Guidance”, the “Quality Strategy” and the “Route Map to the P2020 Vision for Health and Social Care”.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T13:38:43.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285983,"EventID":"S4W-15811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:23.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T17:19:43.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the vicarious liability provisions in the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 are (a) understood and (b) enforced.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 inserted provisions relating to vicarious liability for certain offences into the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The new provisions came into force in January 2012.\r\nThe Scottish Government has worked with stakeholders through the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland to raise awareness of these provisions and has assisted with the production of guidance by PAW partners. \r\nDecisions on whether to prosecute cases under the vicarious liability provisions are solely a matter for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:23.03","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285984,"EventID":"S4W-15812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:23.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T17:19:43.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what further steps it is planning to address wildlife crime.\r\n","AnswerText":"On 1 July 2013 the Scottish Government announced new measures aimed at tackling wildlife crime. These are:\r\nThe Lord Advocate has instructed the specialist prosecutors in the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit to work with Police Scotland to ensure that law enforcement utilises all investigative tools at their disposal in the fight against wildlife crime.\r\nA group will be established to carry out a review and report to ministers on how wildlife crime is treated within the criminal justice system, including examining whether the penalties available for wildlife crime properly reflect the seriousness of the damage caused to vulnerable wildlife and fragile habitats and ecosystems. \r\nScottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will be asked, in their capacity as the authority for licensing decisions under Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, to examine how and in what circumstances they can restrict the use of General Licences to trap and shoot wild birds on land where they have good reason to believe that crimes against wild birds have taken place. These General Licences allow the holders to carry out actions that would otherwise be unlawful if undertaken without any reference to SNH. The Scottish Government regards the use of General Licences as a privilege that should not be extended in circumstances where there is evidence that their use may be facilitating illegal activities.\r\nIn addition to the above measures, the Scottish Government also intends, in the second half of this year, to bring forward a consultation on whether we should extend the powers of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as regards the investigation of wildlife crime. \r\nThe Scottish Government will also in the second half of the year be laying in Parliament an annual report on wildlife crime in 2012. This report will have a role to play in guiding the best use of resources in tackling wildlife crime.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:23.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285985,"EventID":"S4W-15813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:23.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T17:19:43.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many wildlife crime officers Police Scotland has and whether it plans to maintain or increase the number.\r\n","AnswerText":"Figures obtained from Police Scotland show there are currently 109 wildlife crime officers within Police Scotland. There is also a national wildlife crime co-ordinator, at sergeant level. There has been no change in the level of this resource since the advent of Police Scotland and there are currently no plans to review the present number.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:23.497","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285986,"EventID":"S4W-15814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:23.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T17:19:43.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police wildlife crime officers there have been, and what the annual budget was, in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. There is no specific wildlife crime budget within Police Scotland. All operational policing is managed locally and budgets are therefore held locally. As operational policing is devolved to local commanders, any budget would be held and managed within individual divisions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:23.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285987,"EventID":"S4W-15816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:23.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-18T17:19:43.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how wildlife crime officers have been deployed in each local policing area by Police Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are currently 109 wildlife crime officers operating across Police Scotland and they play a critical role in the fight against wildlife crime in Scotland. Operationally based within the Specialist Crime Division of Police Scotland, there are five full-time wildlife crime liaison officer’s (WCLO) and nine part-time WCLO posts.\r\nIn addition there is also a full-time wildlife crime coordinator (policy) and 95 part-time wildlife crime officers. The deployment of these officers within Police Scotland is an operational matter for the Chief Constable.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:23.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285988,"EventID":"S4W-15823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:24.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T11:54:34.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what social impact bond projects there are in Scotland and what monitoring it carries out of these.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware that a number of third sector organisations, partners and potential investors are exploring alternative social impact funding models. This includes the YMCA’s Living Balance social impact bond pilot. This is part of the DWP’s Innovation Fund and is not monitored by the Scottish Government. However, we are engaged with YMCA to ensure that lessons learned from the project can be shared across Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:24.217","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285989,"EventID":"S4W-15824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:24.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T11:54:34.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on identifying potential projects for piloting social impact bonds.\r\n","AnswerText":"We are working in partnership with a range of people and organisations to develop and test social investment models that deliver social and economic impacts. We are very interested in the results of the Perth YMCA living balance social impact bond, and are supporting them to produce practical tools that will help others set up social investment partnerships.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:24.45","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285990,"EventID":"S4W-15825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:24.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T11:54:34.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has not included the use of social impact bonds in its projects related to public-social partnerships.\r\n","AnswerText":"Many of the existing Public Social Partnerships (PSPs) were already established before the first social impact bond pilot was developed and launched in Peterborough. To date, none of the service providers and funders involved in the development of more recent PSPs has brought forward proposals for the use of social impact bonds in their partnerships.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:24.683","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285991,"EventID":"S4W-15826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:24.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T11:54:34.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what average number of hours per week convicted prisoners have been engaged in purposeful activity (a) across the prison estate and (b) in each penal establishment, in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nPurposeful activity as a performance measure has existed in the Scottish Prison Service since 2010-11 with the average number of hours per week convicted prisoners have been engaged in purposeful activity being measured since 2011-12.\r\nPurposeful activity is defined as any structured and/or supervised activity that contributes to reducing reoffending and in terms of Rule 84(2) purposeful activities include:\r\nWork\r\nEducation of any kind, including physical education\r\nCounselling and other rehabilitative programmes\r\nVocational training; and\r\nWork placement outside the prison\r\nPrior to that, the Scottish Prison Service measured offender development hours. This measurement included education and training for work but excluded actual work activities and rehabilitative programmes. It should not therefore be used as a direct comparison with purposeful activity.\r\nOffender Development Hours:\r\nTotals 2008-2009 average population as a whole (convicted and remand)\r\n\r\nAverage Weekly Hours per prisoner\r\nAberdeen\r\n62,038\r\n5\r\nBarlinnie\r\n251,323\r\n3\r\nCornton Vale\r\n197,304\r\n9\r\nDumfries\r\n70,607\r\n7\r\nEdinburgh\r\n193,057\r\n6\r\nGlenochil\r\n252,099\r\n7\r\nGreenock\r\n76,228\r\n5\r\nInverness\r\n66,248\r\n8\r\nOpen Estate\r\n448,696\r\n25\r\nPerth\r\n159,507\r\n4\r\nPeterhead\r\n125,592\r\n8\r\nPolmont\r\n238,749\r\n7\r\nShotts\r\n149,769\r\n5\r\nAddiewell\r\n-\r\n-\r\nKilmarnock\r\n165,303\r\n5\r\nTotal per Activity\r\n2,456,518\r\n6\r\n\r\nTotals 2009-2010 average population as a whole (convicted and remand)\r\n\r\nAverage Weekly Hours per prisoner\r\nAberdeen\r\n87,876\r\n7\r\nBarlinnie\r\n254,864\r\n3\r\nCornton Vale\r\n256,314\r\n13\r\nDumfries\r\n60,297\r\n6\r\nEdinburgh\r\n269,921\r\n6\r\nGlenochil\r\n242,632\r\n7\r\nGreenock\r\n68,874\r\n5\r\nInverness\r\n61,803\r\n8\r\nOpen Estate\r\n361,460\r\n26\r\nPerth\r\n189,419\r\n5\r\nPeterhead\r\n144,298\r\n9\r\nPolmont\r\n240,606\r\n6\r\nShotts\r\n152,166\r\n5\r\nAddiewell\r\n178,518\r\n5\r\nKilmarnock\r\n175,861\r\n6\r\nTotal per Activity\r\n2,744,908\r\n7\r\n\r\nPurposeful Activity Hours:\r\nTotals 2010-2011 average population as a whole (convicted and remand)\r\n\r\nAverage Weekly Hours per prisoner\r\nAberdeen\r\n163392\r\n14\r\nBarlinnie\r\n672962\r\n9\r\nCornton Vale\r\n229662\r\n12\r\nDumfries\r\n152546\r\n15\r\nEdinburgh\r\n488085\r\n10\r\nGlenochil\r\n736793\r\n22\r\nGreenock\r\n223639\r\n16\r\nInverness\r\n142887\r\n20\r\nOpen Estate\r\n308033\r\n23\r\nPerth\r\n420728\r\n12\r\nPeterhead\r\n327247\r\n26\r\nPolmont\r\n511569\r\n13\r\nShotts\r\n495509\r\n18\r\nAddiewell\r\n606642\r\n17\r\nKilmarnock\r\n664630\r\n23\r\nTotal per Activity\r\n6144324\r\n15\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotals 2011-2012\r\nTOTAL\r\nAverage Weekly Hours per prisoner\r\nAverage Weekly Hours per convicted prisoner\r\nAberdeen\r\n199801\r\n16\r\n23\r\nBarlinnie\r\n762138\r\n10\r\n15\r\nCornton Vale\r\n242160\r\n14\r\n20\r\nDumfries\r\n175451\r\n17\r\n19\r\nEdinburgh\r\n522169\r\n11\r\n15\r\nGlenochil\r\n917184\r\n24\r\n24\r\nGreenock\r\n237895\r\n18\r\n22\r\nInverness\r\n146286\r\n20\r\n31\r\nOpen Estate\r\n304855\r\n22\r\n22\r\nPerth\r\n451854\r\n13\r\n16\r\nPeterhead\r\n227781\r\n30\r\n30\r\nPolmont\r\n446804\r\n12\r\n16\r\nShotts\r\n462124\r\n16\r\n16\r\nTotal per Activity public prisons\r\n5096501\r\n17\r\n21\r\nAddiewell\r\n762114\r\n19\r\n23\r\nKilmarnock\r\n797970\r\n24\r\n28\r\nAll Total\r\n6656585\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotals 2012-2013 (until end November 2012)\r\nTotal\r\nAverage Weekly Hours per prisoner\r\nAverage per convicted prisoner\r\nAberdeen\r\n158,544\r\n17\r\n27\r\nBarlinnie\r\n805,337\r\n13\r\n20\r\nCornton Vale\r\n232,255\r\n16\r\n22\r\nDumfries\r\n161,189\r\n16\r\n18\r\nEdinburgh\r\n523,407\r\n11\r\n15\r\nGlenochil\r\n624,504\r\n18\r\n19\r\nGreenock\r\n235,961\r\n18\r\n21\r\nInverness\r\n78,300\r\n12\r\n18\r\nLow Moss\r\n818,284\r\n24\r\n28\r\nOpen Estate\r\n261,231\r\n23\r\n23\r\nPerth\r\n441,132\r\n13\r\n16\r\nPeterhead\r\n155,630\r\n24\r\n24\r\nPolmont\r\n411,113\r\n12\r\n16\r\nShotts\r\n440,138\r\n16\r\n16\r\nTotal per Activity public prisons\r\n5,347,025\r\n16\r\n20\r\nAddiewell\r\n796,595\r\n20\r\n24\r\nKilmarnock\r\n759,096\r\n25\r\n29\r\nAll Total\r\n6,902,716\r\n17\r\n20\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:24.9","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285992,"EventID":"S4W-15827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:25.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T11:54:34.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of (a) adult prisoners and (b) young offenders has attended education programmes in each of the last six months.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nSPS does not collate information on the percentages of adult and young offenders that attend education programmes. However, SPS learning and skills providers are required to record information on the number of individual prisoners and young offenders engaging with the learning centre during each month. This information does not detail whether the learner is an adult prisoner or a young offender.\r\nThe following table details the number of prisoners and young offenders engaging with the learning centres in each of the last six months:\r\nNumber of Prisoners Engaging with the Learning Centres\r\nDec 2012\r\nJan 2013\r\nFeb 2013\r\nMar 2013\r\nApr 2013\r\nMay 2013\r\n2,288\r\n2,507\r\n2,583\r\n2,631\r\n2,536\r\n2,415\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:25.137","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285993,"EventID":"S4W-15828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:25.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T11:54:34.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were prosecuted for offences under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 in 2012-13.","AnswerText":"Information for 2012-13 will not be available until publication of the Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2012-13 Statistical Bulletin. This is due to be published in November 2013.\r\nThe dates of all Scottish Government Official and National Statistics publications are pre-announced, and the up to date list of future publications can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Search/Forthcoming.\r\nFor available information on offences under this act, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-11677 on 10 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:25.37","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285994,"EventID":"S4W-15829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:25.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T11:54:34.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) prisoner-on-prisoner and (b) prisoner-on-staff assaults were reported in each prison in 2012.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The Scottish Prison Service publishes information in its annual report in relation to financial years. The following table illustrates the total number of prisoner on prisoner assaults and prisoner on staff assaults broken down by each prison. Included are serious, minor and non injury assaults for the period from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013.”\r\nPrisoner on Prisoner assaults\r\nPrisoner on Staff assaults\r\nAberdeen\r\n59\r\n9\r\nAddiewell\r\n120\r\n17\r\nBarlinnie\r\n128\r\n13\r\nCornton Vale\r\n103\r\n43\r\nDumfries\r\n31\r\n2\r\nEdinburgh\r\n193\r\n22\r\nGlenochil\r\n100\r\n4\r\nGreenock\r\n37\r\n1\r\nInverness\r\n36\r\n1\r\nKilmarnock\r\n136\r\n20\r\nLow Moss\r\n155\r\n10\r\nOpen estate\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPerth\r\n120\r\n15\r\nPeterhead\r\n33\r\n2\r\nPolmont\r\n505\r\n19\r\nShotts\r\n53\r\n9\r\nTotal\r\n1809\r\n187\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:25.603","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285995,"EventID":"S4W-15830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:25.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T13:25:07.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it asked the Scottish Funding Council to consider the implications of the reclassification of colleges by the Office for National Statistics.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wrote to the college sector and the Scottish Funding Council at the point it became aware of ONS’ decision in 2010, alerting them to the potential implications at that time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:25.823","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285996,"EventID":"S4W-15831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:26.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T13:25:07.597","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Funding Council provided information to the college sector regarding the implications of the reclassification of colleges by the Office for National Statistics.\r\n","AnswerText":"Following ONS’ decision on the reclassification of colleges in 2010, there followed a period of extensive negotiation with HM Treasury on the basis for the decision, the timing of implementation and the scope for mitigating its implications in Scotland.\r\nOnce it became apparent that HM Treasury would offer no flexibility or mitigation, on 13 May 2013, Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, and John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, along with representatives of the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), met with college Chairs, Principals and Regional Leads to discuss the impact of the decision.\r\nSince then a project team, led by SFC staff and supported by SG officials and external experts including college representatives, has been established and has held a number of constructive meetings with the college sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:26.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285997,"EventID":"S4W-15832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:26.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T14:13:29.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to consult on compulsory microchipping of dogs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government plans to consult on compulsory microchipping of dogs before the end of 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:26.307","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285998,"EventID":"S4W-15833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-19T16:47:26.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T14:50:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14411 by Fergus Ewing on 8 May 2013, what the names are of the three recipients of support from the Renewable Energy Investment Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"At the All-Energy conference in May 2013, I announced a loan to Gigha Green Power Ltd from the Renewable Energy Investment Fund.\r\nDetails of further investments by the fund are commercial in confidence and will be announced following financial closure and in accordance with the individual legal and commercial agreements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-17T16:47:26.54","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":285999,"EventID":"S4W-15844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-20T13:59:41.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T10:46:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it helps promote the work of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills’ employer ownership of skills fund and how often it meets the UK Government and the other devolved administrations to discuss the work of the commission.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Employer Ownership of Skills is a competitive fund open to employers to invest in their current and future workforce in England only. The Scottish Government has not been involved in its promotion. The Minister for Youth Employment and representatives from the other devolved administrations last met with Matthew Hancock MP on 10 June 2013 to discuss matters relating to the work of UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES). Plans for any further meetings have not been formalised. Scotland has a dedicated national Commissioner who promotes Scottish interests within UKCES.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-18T13:59:42.103","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286000,"EventID":"S4W-15845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-20T13:59:43.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T10:46:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Commission for Employment and Skills regarding the maritime skills base.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have not had any recent discussions with the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) regarding the maritime skills base.\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government enjoys strong relationships with the UKCES and seeks to influence development of Scottish qualifications through regular contact with the two commissioners based in Scotland. We also hope to benefit from the closer relationship and greater understanding that the UKCES Chief Executive Michael Davies has developed with Scottish industry and skills contacts through his role with the independent commission for developing Scotland's young workforce.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-18T13:59:43.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286001,"EventID":"S4W-15846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-20T13:59:43.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T10:46:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) training, (b) apprenticeship and (c) employment opportunities were available to seafarers in the most recent year for which information is available.\r\n","AnswerText":"Seafarers can access a range of training opportunities delivered by our national skills body, Skills Development Scotland, which committed to deliver a minimum of 46,500 training places in 2012-13.\r\nThrough the Energy Skills Challenge Fund, Orkney College delivered a full range of maritime safety training to 164 individuals.\r\nA modern apprenticeship framework for maritime occupations was developed last year, and approved by the modern apprenticeship group in November 2012. As at 31 March 2013 there were two apprentices following this framework.\r\nIn Scotland, all apprentices must be employed, linking apprenticeships to real and sustainable jobs. As such, the programme is demand led and is therefore reliant upon employers offering apprenticeships in their sector.\r\nWith regard to employment opportunities, no data is held centrally. However, the Scottish Government provides funding to support young people into employment through a range of employer recruitment incentives.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-18T13:59:43.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286002,"EventID":"S4W-15847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-20T13:59:43.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T10:46:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many apprenticeship places at colleges are available for people seeking a career in the maritime industry and what the (a) duration and (b) take-up rate is for each course.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed to offer 25,000 new modern apprenticeships starts in each year of the current Parliament. In 2011-12 and again in 2012-13 we have in fact surpassed this ambitious target.\r\nIn Scotland, all apprentices must be employed, linking apprenticeships to real and sustainable jobs. As such, the programme is demand led and is therefore reliant upon employers offering apprenticeships in their sector.\r\nModern apprenticeship frameworks are not designed with set duration for completion, rather, they should be undertaken at the pace of the learner.\r\nA modern apprenticeship framework for maritime occupations was developed last year, and approved by the Modern Apprenticeship Group in November 2012. As at 31 March 2013 there were two apprentices following this framework.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-18T13:59:43.587","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286003,"EventID":"S4W-15848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-20T13:59:43.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T10:46:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many seafarer (a) ratings and (b) officers are being (i) trained and (ii) sponsored by CalMac Ferries Ltd, and how many (A) were in 2011-12 and (B) will be in 2013-14. \r\n","AnswerText":"The information on seafarers trained and sponsored by CalMac Ferries Limited is as follows: \r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013–14\r\nEmployees Trained - Officers\r\n9\r\n10\r\nTotal number still to be finalised\r\nEmployees Trained – Ratings\r\n2\r\n10\r\nTotal number still to be finalised but 4 Ratings confirmed to date\r\nCadets Sponsored\r\n40*\r\n40*\r\n40*\r\n*The cadet sponsorship programme ordinarily takes each cadet three years to complete. Consequently of the 40 cadets in training at any one time there are cadets completing their training after three years, there are also cadets midway through their training and a third group starting their training.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-18T13:59:43.82","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286004,"EventID":"S4W-15849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-20T13:59:44.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T10:46:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14388 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the training of (a) rating and (b) officer seafarers as a result of Serco NorthLink’s election to the tonnage tax scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT\r\nWRITTEN ANSWER\r\n15 July 2013\t\r\nIndex Heading: Transport Scotland\r\n Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14388 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the training of (a) rating and (b) officer seafarers as a result of Serco NorthLink’s election to the tonnage tax scheme.\r\n\r\n(S4W-15849)\r\nKeith Brown:I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-15721 and S4W-15725 on 28 June 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-18T13:59:44.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286020,"EventID":"S4W-15850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-20T16:48:26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T13:43:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it collates crime statistics.\r\n","AnswerText":"The statistical return, from which most of the figures in the annual statistical bulletin are taken, is a simple count of the numbers of crimes and offences recorded, and cleared up, by the police in Scotland. One return is made for each council area in Scotland and these are aggregated to give a national total. Returns from the eight Scottish home forces are included in the annual bulletin.\r\nOn 1 April 2013, the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 brought together the existing eight police forces into a single Police Service of Scotland. While data will no longer be returned by eight police forces, 2013-14 data will still be collected for the single Police Service of Scotland. As a result, the geographical levels at which data are presented in future statistical bulletins will be reviewed.\r\nFurther details are provided in Section 7 of the statistical bulletin Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2012-13 which was published on 18 June 2013 and is available via the following web link:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/06/9697\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-18T16:48:26.093","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286021,"EventID":"S4W-15851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-20T16:48:26.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T13:43:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many alleged offences have been reported to procurators fiscal in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of criminal reports received by the Procurators Fiscal in each year are as follows:\r\n2007-08\r\n306,770\r\n2008-09\r\n285,398\r\n2009-10\r\n275,503\r\n2010-11\r\n265,830\r\n2011-12\r\n276,080\r\n2012-13\r\n280,942\r\nThe reports can be received against one or more individuals and often include multiple charges, which can be amalgamated for the purposes of prosecution in court.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-18T16:48:26.467","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286022,"EventID":"S4W-15852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-20T16:48:26.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T13:43:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many alleged offences have been recorded by the police in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"Statistics relating to crimes and offences recorded by the police are available in the Recorded Crime in Scotland bulletin series. 2012-13, statistics were published on 18 June 2013 and are available via the following web link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/06/9697.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-18T16:48:26.7","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286023,"EventID":"S4W-15853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-20T16:48:26.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T13:43:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many charges of alleged assault on police officers have been dropped in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following figures reflect the number of charges which have been discontinued in each year since 2007 in relation to section 41(1)(a) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967. The figures relate to assaults on police officers as opposed to resisting, obstructing, molesting or hindering police officers.\r\nIn terms of prosecution policy, there is a strong presumption against accepting pleas of not guilty to charges involving assaults on police officers, however there are limited circumstances in which accepting a plea of not guilty to these charges would be appropriate. No action is taken in cases for a variety of reasons which include there being insufficient admissible evidence.\r\nProsecutors have recently been reminded of the robust prosecution policy in this area.\r\n2007-08 \r\n2,613\r\n2008-09\r\n2,297\r\n2009-10\r\n1,896\r\n2010-11\r\n1,817\r\n2011-12\r\n2,057\r\n2012-13\r\n1,458\r\nThe information has been extracted from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal’s Service case management database. The database is a live, operational database used to manage the processing of reports submitted to Procurators Fiscal by the Police and other reporting agencies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-09-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-18T16:48:26.933","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286024,"EventID":"S4W-15854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-20T16:48:27.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T13:43:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people who were subsequently convicted have had previous charges against them dropped since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-18T16:48:27.153","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286025,"EventID":"S4W-15855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-20T16:48:27.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T13:43:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many charges have been dropped by police crime managers in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-18T16:48:27.37","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286026,"EventID":"S4W-15856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-20T16:48:27.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T13:43:57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what stages a crime report goes through before it is sent to a procurator fiscal for consideration.\r\n","AnswerText":"A crime report is raised when a crime is reported to or discovered by the police. Crime reports are used to assist investigative work and to provide statistical information. A crime report would not be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.\r\nThe police provide the Procurator Fiscal with a standard police report, when they consider there is sufficient evidence to libel a charge against a particular individual. The standard police report notes the charge libelled and provides a summary of the evidence, a list of productions and witnesses in the case and any other relevant information.\r\nIt is the responsibility of individual police officers to determine when a sufficiency of evidence exists for the arrest of an individual. Following arrest, a standard police report is compiled and is then scrutinised by the reporting officer’s supervisor. Finally it is passed to the case management unit to ensure the evidence contained within meets the required standard of proof and that the report and evidence contained within are of a suitable quality prior to submission to the Procurator Fiscal.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-18T16:48:27.607","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286036,"EventID":"S4W-15861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-21T13:25:38.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T13:21:46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a new policy statement on architecture and place.","AnswerText":"I will this morning, 24 June 2013, be launching the Scottish Government’s new policy statement on architecture and place. The policy statement is available from the Scottish Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 55045), and will be available on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/06/9811.\r\nThe launch will take place at Hillhead Primary School in Glasgow, an award winning building which itself exemplifies the benefits of good design and showcases Scotland’s architectural talent.\r\nScottish Ministers recognise the important role that Scotland’s architecture and places play in supporting a high quality of life, developing our economic potential and in reflecting our vibrant and creative culture. Our new architecture and place policy statement contains a series of commitments to support Scottish architecture and placemaking for the benefit of Scotland’s communities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-19T13:25:39.373","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286041,"EventID":"S4W-15834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-21T13:41:14.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T17:27:59.363","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the findings of the research it commissioned from the University of Glasgow into the incidence of tail injuries in working dogs will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"The research commissioned from the University of Glasgow in 2011 has now been completed. Drafts of the two papers intended for submission are currently being considered by the project steering group, which includes representatives from the Scottish Gamekeepers Association and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation. It is expected that the papers will be submitted for publication by the researchers in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-19T13:41:14.81","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286042,"EventID":"S4T-00407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T12:59:04.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T10:54:24.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on tenant farmers' right to buy in light of the comments by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment at the Royal Highland Show on 20 June 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T12:59:04.9","MeetingDate":"2013-06-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286043,"EventID":"S4T-00416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T12:59:07.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:59:45.237","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the affordability and public reporting concerns raised in Audit Scotland's report, Scotland's key transport infrastructure projects.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T12:59:07.457","MeetingDate":"2013-06-25T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286044,"EventID":"S4F-01492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T12:58:43.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T13:20:28.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T12:58:44.143","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286045,"EventID":"S4F-01493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T12:58:44.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T09:27:27.92","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to reduce the number of assaults against police officers.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T12:58:44.563","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286046,"EventID":"S4F-01498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T12:58:46.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T09:46:37.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T12:58:46.14","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286047,"EventID":"S4F-01500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T12:58:47.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:13.57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what economic benefits a direct air link to China would bring to Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T12:58:47.107","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286048,"EventID":"S4F-01502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T12:58:47.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:20:22.003","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action is being taken to address the number of cases of type 2 diabetes.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T12:58:47.56","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286049,"EventID":"S4F-01504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T12:58:48.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:31:37.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what effect the 2015-16 Spending Review will have on the Scottish Government's budget.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T12:58:48.357","MeetingDate":"2013-06-27T17:30:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286050,"EventID":"S4W-15835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:43.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T16:35:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will respond to the findings and recommendations of the Federation of Master Builders' report, Improving public procurement for construction SMEs.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have asked Robin Crawford and Ken Lewandowski to carry out an independent review of the way in which the public sector in Scotland procures construction work, and they have consulted the Federation of Master Builders as part of their review.\r\nThat report is expected later this summer, and Scottish Ministers will respond to its recommendations then.\r\nImproving speed of payment to sub-contractors is one of the key thrusts of the Federation of Master Builders’ report, and Mr Crawford and Mr Lewandowski have already made one early recommendation in this regard, to trial the use of project bank accounts in Scotland. I have accepted this recommendation, and a suitable trial is now being sought.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:43.3","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286051,"EventID":"S4W-15836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:43.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T16:35:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the proposed Procurement Reform Bill will reflect the findings of the Federation of Master Builders' report, Improving public procurement for construction SMEs.\r\n","AnswerText":"Our proposals for the Bill were developed through extensive consultation with stakeholders, including business representatives. The recommendations set out in the Federation of Master Builders report serve as welcome conformation that businesses, especially smaller firms, are keen that we use the Bill to tackle issues such as pre-qualification processes, provision of debriefing and advertising of contract opportunities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:43.707","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286052,"EventID":"S4W-15837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:43.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T16:35:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual value is of public sector construction contracts and what percentage of construction output they represent.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect information on the annual value of public sector construction contracts.\r\nSpending on construction in 2011-12 recorded by public sector bodies on the Scottish Government’s Procurement Information Hub was £2.437 billion, which was 23.4% of construction output. The figures for 2010-11 were £2.122 billion and 18.5%. For 2009-10 they were £2.114 billion and 21.4%.\r\nNote that the Scottish Government spending on construction and Scottish construction output figures are not directly comparable. This is because government construction spending in a given year does not immediately translate to measured Scottish output in the same year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:43.987","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286053,"EventID":"S4W-15838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:44.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T16:35:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of public sector contracts is awarded to Scottish small and medium-sized enterprises.\r\n","AnswerText":"Based on information from the Public Contracts Scotland portal, the information requested is set out in the following table:\r\n\r\n2010*\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\nScotland-based small enterprises**\r\n36% \r\n48% \r\n53% \r\nScotland-based medium sized enterprises***\r\n19% \r\n17% \r\n15% \r\nTotal Scotland-based SMEs\r\n55% \r\n65% \r\n68% \r\n* 2010 figures are for October to December only as this is when reporting functionality on the size and location of suppliers became available in Public Contracts Scotland.\r\n** Scotland-based and employee numbers according to the information provided by suppliers when registering on Public Contracts Scotland. Small enterprises are those with under 50 employees.\r\n*** Medium sized enterprises are those with 50 – 249 employees.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:44.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286054,"EventID":"S4W-15839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:44.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T16:35:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the construction industry is made up of small and medium-sized enterprises.","AnswerText":"The latest official statistics for enterprises operating in Scotland are available from the Scottish Government Businesses in Scotland 2012 publication. The publication shows that: As at March 2012, there were 56,720 enterprises in the construction sector. Of these, 99.8 per cent were classed as either small or medium in size.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:44.563","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286055,"EventID":"S4W-15840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:44.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T16:35:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to develop a consortium support system for small and medium-sized enterprises in the construction sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that small and medium sized businesses have fair access to public sector contracts in Scotland and have made it easier for SMEs to do business with the public sector. In 2012, 82% of suppliers awarded contracts through Public Contracts Scotland were SMEs, following year-on-year increases.\r\nScottish Enterprise and Co-Operative Development Scotland (CDS) offer training for businesses wishing to increase their market share through joint collaborative bids with other businesses. CDS particularly promote the “co-operative consortium” in which member businesses share equally in a new entity which is formed to undertake some agreed activity on behalf of members. The “consortium co-operative” is increasingly popular in Scotland, including construction.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:44.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286056,"EventID":"S4W-15841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:45.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T16:35:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it plans to introduce the proposed Procurement Reform Bill.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15200 on 23 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:45.25","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286057,"EventID":"S4W-15842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:45.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T16:35:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed Procurement Reform Bill will require public sector jobs of an established minimum salary to be posted on the Public Contracts Scotland online portal.","AnswerText":"The Procurement Reform Bill will apply to the award of commercial contracts for goods, works and services, not to contracts of employment which involve a salary. Similarly, Public Contracts Scotland is not intended for contracts of employment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:45.53","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286058,"EventID":"S4W-15843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:45.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-19T16:35:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the data in the Federation of Master Builders' report, Improving public procurement for construction SMEs, on the success rates of small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK in competing for public sector jobs are representative of success rates in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect information which measures the ratio of wins to bids of individual SMEs competing for public works contracts.\r\nBased on information submitted to the Scottish Government’s Procurement Information Hub, where the size of the supplier firm was known, spending on construction recorded by public sector bodies was £2.09 billion in 2011-12, of which 47% went to firms classed as SMEs. In 2010-11 it was £2.00 billion (44% to known SMEs) and in 2009-10 it was £1.97 billion (43% to known SMEs).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:45.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286059,"EventID":"S4W-15857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:46.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-20T15:33:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children aged (a) up to 10, (b) 11 to 13 and (c) 14 to 16 were treated for (i) an eating disorder, (ii) anorexia nervosa, (iii) bulimia nervosa and (iv) binge eating in each NHS board area in (A) 2010-11, (B) 2011-12 and (C) 2012-13.","AnswerText":"The number of people in Scotland treated for an eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating in each NHS board area is not available centrally.\r\nIt is not possible to provide reliable estimates, for the requested age groups, of the number of people in Scotland who had a contact with a GP or practice nurse for these conditions due to the very small number of cases involved.\r\nSome information is available from the Practice Team Information (PTI) scheme, which can provide national estimates of the number of people consulting either a GP or practice-employed nurse where an eating disorder was noted as one of the reasons for consulting. Other information is available on patients admitted to hospital but, because hospital admission is rare for these conditions, this will only relate to a small proportion of people treated for an eating disorder. People with eating disorders may however be seen in other settings, such as hospital outpatients or counselling services, for which detailed information is not available, therefore it is not possible to provide complete numbers from national data.\r\nPTI records indicate reasons for consultation but this does not specify whether treatment was provided. The PTI sample covers approximately 6% of general practices in Scotland and their population is regarded to be broadly representative of Scotland as a whole in terms of their age, gender and deprivation profile. They cannot be used to estimate figures by individual NHS board area.\r\nFor the most recent three financial years for which PTI data is available, the estimated number of people aged 0 to 16 consulting either a GP or practice-employed nurse where an eating disorder was noted as one of the reasons for consulting is included in Table 1. A further breakdown by each of the specifically defined eating disorders is included in Table 2:\r\nTable 1 – Estimated number of patients in Scotland aged 0-16 consulting a GP or practice-employed nurse for an eating disorder in financial years 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. Estimated numbers1, with 95% confidence intervals2\r\n\r\nFinancial Year\r\nPatient Estimate\r\nPatient Estimate Confidence Interval\r\n2009-10\r\n650\r\n(410-880)\r\n2010-11\r\n430\r\n(140-730)\r\n2011-12\r\n560\r\n(310-810)\r\n1. Based on data from 60, 59 and 59 PTI practices that submitted complete GP and practice nurse data for the years ending 31st March 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. Figures are standardised to the gender, age and deprivation distribution of the Scottish population.\r\n2. These are estimates based on a sample of practices that may vary between years. The 95% confidence intervals (in parentheses) give an indication of the relative degree of certainty around the estimates. For relatively rare conditions the confidence intervals will be fairly large.\r\nTable 2 - Estimated number of patients in Scotland aged 0-16 consulting a GP or practice-employed nurse for an eating disorder in financial years 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 by type of disorder. Estimated numbers1, with 95% confidence intervals2\r\nFinancial Year\r\nAnorexia nervosa\r\nBulimia nervosa\r\nEating disorders - unspecified\r\nOther\r\nAny eating disorder (total)3\r\n2009-10\r\n130\r\n(40-220)\r\n30\r\n(0-70)\r\n350\r\n(190-500)\r\n140\r\n(0-290)\r\n650\r\n(410-880)\r\n2010-11\r\n140\r\n(0-320)\r\n10\r\n(0-20)\r\n290\r\n(60-520)\r\n30\r\n(0-50)\r\n430\r\n(140-730)\r\n2011-12\r\n60\r\n(0-130)\r\n10\r\n(0-20)\r\n470\r\n(230-720)\r\n20\r\n(0-40)\r\n560\r\n(310-810)\r\n1. Based on data from 60, 59 and 59 PTI practices that submitted complete GP and practice nurse data for the years ending 31 March 2010, 2011 and 2011 respectively. Figures are standardised to the gender, age and deprivation distribution of the Scottish population.\r\n2. These are estimates based on a sample of practices that may vary between years. The 95% confidence intervals (in parentheses) give an indication of the relative degree of certainty around the estimates. For relatively rare conditions the confidence intervals will be fairly large.\r\n3. Some patients may have consulted f","AnswerDate":"2013-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:46.14","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286060,"EventID":"S4W-15862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:46.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T16:31:53.527","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it planned to make available for shared equity schemes in 2012-13, also broken down by scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2012-13, the Scottish Government allocated £25.80 million to its Open Market Shared Equity Scheme and £2.50 million to its New Supply Shared Equity with Developers Scheme. There was not a separate budget for the New Supply Shared Equity programme delivered through councils resource planning assumptions. However, we expect this programme to spend around £11 million each year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:46.39","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286061,"EventID":"S4W-15863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:46.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T16:31:53.527","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spent on shared equity schemes in 2012-13, also broken down by scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2012-13, the Scottish Government spent £20.60 million through the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme, £1.49 million through the New Supply Shared Equity with Developers Scheme and £9.564 million through New Supply Shared Equity Scheme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:46.67","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286062,"EventID":"S4W-15866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5109,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":101,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:46.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T09:45:25.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what capital projects it has funded or part-funded, or expects to fund or part-fund, in Edinburgh between 2007 and 2016; what the value is or will be of its contribution for each project, and what the overall value is or will be of each project.\r\n","AnswerText":"Edinburgh has benefitted and will benefit from a wide range of capital investment between 2007 and 2016. Information relating to major projects which are completed or which are currently in construction within the Edinburgh area and which the Scottish Government has provided funding or part funding for since 2007, is provided in the following table:\r\nProject Name\r\nStatus\r\nCapital Value\r\nScottish Government Proportion of Funding\r\nForth Replacement Crossing\r\nIn Construction\r\n£1.45bn-£1.60 billion\r\n100%\r\nEdinburgh to Glasgow Rail Improvement Programme\r\nIn Construction\r\n£650 million\r\n100%\r\nEdinburgh Tram Link project\r\nIn Construction\r\n£500 million\r\n64%\r\nParliament House Redevelopment\r\nCompleted\r\n£60 million\r\n100%\r\nNational Museum of Scotland\r\nCompleted\r\n£47 million\r\n33%\r\nNational Museums Collections Centre\r\nIn Construction\r\n£11.8 million\r\n100%\r\nScottish National Portrait Gallery\r\nCompleted\r\n£17.1 million\r\n42%\r\nNHS Lothian Royal Victoria Hospital\r\nCompleted\r\n£44 million\r\n100%\r\n\r\nInformation relating to those major projects which the Scottish Government plan to provide funding or part funding for from 2013 to 2016 can be found in the Scottish Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan which was published in December 2011 and subsequent update which was published in February 2013. Major projects include for example, the NHS Lothian Royal Hospital for Sick Children/Department of Clinical Neurosciences NPD project (£155 million), the NHS Lothian Reprovision of Royal Edinburgh Hospital project (c £181 million) as well as James Gillespie's High School, Boroughmuir High School and St John's Primary School which are all included within the £1.25 billion “Scotland’s Schools for the Future Programme” which will deliver 67 new or refurbished schools by 2017-18.\r\n\r\nBoth publications can be found on the Scottish Government website by way of the following link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/IIP\r\n\r\nThrough a range of funding initiatives, the Scottish Government has supported a number of housing projects between the period 2007 and 2012 and will continue to support over the 2012-16 period.\r\n\r\n2007-12 \r\nDuring the period 2007-12, funding of £192.9 million was approved which resulted in the completion of 2,870 affordable homes through the traditional grant funding programme. In total these figures were achieved over 105 projects. In addition, over the 2007-12 period through the Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) programme (including Homestake), funding of £50.334 million was approved resulting in the purchase of some 1,202 properties. New Supply Shared Equity with Developers was launched in 2010-11. In Edinburgh we have supported the purchase of 20 homes over the 2010-12 period and £0.482 million funding.\r\n\r\n2012-15\r\nOver the period 2012-15 the Scottish Government has allocated £78.744 million funding to the City of Edinburgh Council which is expected to result in over 1,500 new affordable homes being approved although this number may change to reflect the recent changed targeted grant level per unit. A further £2.424 million funding was allocated in July 2013 given a total allocation of £81.168 million. In 2012-15 the Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) programme is continuing with a significant out-turn expected. For example in 2012-13 the OMSE out-turn figures in Edinburgh were 124 approvals with spend of £4.947 million. The recent announcement on the increase in this funding now totalling £90 million (Scotland wide) is expected to result in higher approvals in Edinburgh up to April 2015. During the 2012-15 period there is also a range of alternative funding models being taken forward including the National Housing Trust (NHT) on lending and unsubsidised housing. The NHT model in particular will provide 422 homes with no grant but rather a government guarantee. An additional 250 units are being considered using this funding model.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:46.967","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286063,"EventID":"S4W-15867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:47.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T10:30:13.53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Student Awards Agency For Scotland. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government announced an additional investment of £2m in the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) in May 2013.\r\nSAAS opened for applications for the 2013-14 academic session in April 2013 and improvements include:\r\nIncreased opening hours and capacity of the SAAS student helpline;\r\nIncreased processing capacity;\r\nA new website, developed with the input of student representatives, to make information more readily available;\r\nNew videos to help guide student through the application process.\r\nSAAS are now looking at how to improve its on-line and digital services in the longer term in order to give students an even better and quicker service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:47.183","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Russell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286064,"EventID":"S4W-15926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-24T16:51:47.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T10:58:55.52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to standardise the eligibility criteria for kinship carers allowance across all local authority areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"Under the Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009 kinship care allowances are payable to kinship carers of looked after children. The Scottish Government is undertaking a review of the financial support available to kinship carers which should be completed by the end of this year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-22T16:51:47.403","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286082,"EventID":"S4W-16013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:27.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T13:18:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many local authorities it has contacted on the disposal of the remains of deceased children by crematoria (a) without their parents being informed and (b) where remains were recovered but parents were initially told that there would be no remains following cremation.\r\n","AnswerText":"I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:28.033","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286083,"EventID":"S4W-16014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:28.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T13:18:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what response it received from each local authority on the disposal of the remains of deceased children by crematoria (a) without their parents being informed and (b) where remains were recovered but parents were initially told that there would be no remains following cremation.\r\n","AnswerText":"I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:28.703","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286084,"EventID":"S4W-16015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:28.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T18:02:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce compulsory microchipping of dogs, in light of its introduction or planned introduction in other parts of the UK. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware that Northern Ireland has introduced compulsory microchipping of dogs and that England and Wales plan to introduce it soon. We propose to consult on compulsory microchipping and aim to issue the consultation before the end of 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:28.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286085,"EventID":"S4W-16016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:29.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T18:23:44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding its proposal to ask the European Commission to ease restrictions on the cultivation of genetically modified crops.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the UK Government at both official and Ministerial level and discusses a wide range of GM issues. The UK Government is well aware of our distinct views on GM crop cultivation.\r\nUnder the correct constitutional arrangement, in the event of any move by Scottish Government to invoke the safeguard clause, to allow temporary restriction or a ban on a GM crop, on the basis of new scientific evidence that it may harm human or animal health or the environment, the Scottish Government would have to persuade UK Government, on its behalf, to submit a safeguard action. With the UK Government’s apparently positive stance on GMOs, this may prove difficult.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:29.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286086,"EventID":"S4W-16017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:29.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T18:23:44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with other EU member states regarding the UK Government's proposal to ease restrictions on the cultivation of genetically modified crops.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any direct discussions with other EU member states on the UK Government’s proposals as, under the current constitutional arrangements, the UK Government leads for the UK at the European Council of Ministers. However, the Scottish Government has made its distinct views on GM crop cultivation known at every opportunity and will continue to do so.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:29.953","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286087,"EventID":"S4W-16018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:30.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T18:23:44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it plans to take to protect Scotland's agricultural produce if restrictions are eased on the cultivation of genetically modified crops.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is watching these developments closely. However, there are a number of Member States in the EU who share our concerns about growing GM crops and there is no indication that they will change their views in light of the UK Government’s recent proposal.\r\nI refer the member to the answer to question S4W-16016 on 18 July 2013 regarding constraints on the Scottish Government under current constitutional arrangements. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:30.263","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286088,"EventID":"S4W-16019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:30.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T18:23:44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ensure that Scotland remains a GM-free zone.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will continue to take a precautionary approach to Genetically Modified Organisms. We remain opposed to the cultivation of GM crops and remain committed to protecting the integrity and image of our valuable food and drink sector and prevents any potential harm to either human or animals health or, indeed, harm to the wider environment and biodiversity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:30.577","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286089,"EventID":"S4W-16030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:30.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T09:48:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to respond to Healthcare Improvement Scotland's review report of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s paediatric cardiac service.","AnswerText":"It is very encouraging to see that significant improvements have been made over the last year and that children’s heart surgery in Glasgow continues to deliver a safe and sustainable service.\r\nHowever, to strengthen resilience and improve safety even further NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will continue to work with NHS National Services Division and other NHS boards to implement these further recommendations made by the independent review panel.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:30.92","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286090,"EventID":"S4W-16031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:31.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T09:48:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to address Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s concerns regarding NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's out-of-hours cover for paediatric cardiac surgery.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-16030 on 16 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:31.2","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286091,"EventID":"S4W-16032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:31.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T09:48:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s recommendation that it consider combining national paediatric and adult congenital cardiac services and what implications this would have for patient care.","AnswerText":"As both the adult congenital cardiac and paediatric cardiac surgery services are nationally designated and commissioned by the National Services Division of NHS National Services Scotland, I have asked the National Specialist Services Committee (NSSC) to assess the implications of the recommendation to combine paediatric and adult cardiac national services. I will consider any recommendation(s) for change the NSSC may make in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:31.467","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286092,"EventID":"S4W-16033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:31.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T10:11:35.777","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its banking strategy will encourage banks to make budget accounts more widely available.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government banking strategy (Sustainable, Responsible Banking; a strategy for Scotland) sets out the principles that should apply to encourage a responsible approach to providing banking services, that meets the needs of all customers, including those who have previously been financially excluded.\r\nIt states banks should be ready to adopt socially and financially excluded individuals as customers when an individual feels ready to do so and their circumstances allow.\r\nSuch actions are intended to help improve the accessibility and range of banking services to all individuals in Scotland, including the provision of budget accounts.\r\nThe provision of budget accounts is a commercial decision for the banks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:31.717","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286093,"EventID":"S4W-16034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:31.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T11:02:31.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for its proposed consultation on the compulsory microchipping of dogs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not yet set a date but aims to issue the consultation on compulsory microchipping before the end of 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:31.98","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286094,"EventID":"S4W-16035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:32.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T11:09:07.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will complete a new project execution plan for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project.\r\n","AnswerText":"The project execution plan is complete.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:32.23","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286095,"EventID":"S4W-16036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:32.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T11:09:07.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it expects the unit charges will be for the non-profit distribution contract for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project.","AnswerText":"Whilst the competitive dialogue for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route Balmedie to Tipperty scheme is underway, this information is commercially sensitive.\r\nThe current estimate is affordable within the scope of Scottish Government spending plans.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:32.62","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286096,"EventID":"S4W-16037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:33.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T11:09:07.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will update the Parliament on progress on securing the funding package for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project.","AnswerText":"A full update will be provided at the conclusion of the financial close of the project which is planned for Autumn 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:33.183","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286097,"EventID":"S4W-16038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:33.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T11:09:07.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Audit Scotland's statement in its report, Scotland's key transport infrastructure projects, that \"There are significant risks to Transport Scotland in securing the procurement of the M8 bundle and AWPR/B-T projects using NPD finance at an affordable price.\"","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is confident that both projects will be delivered within affordability limits. The current estimates and mitigation measures take account of known risks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:33.493","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286098,"EventID":"S4W-16039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T13:51:33.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T12:03:25.083","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Lockerbie air disaster.","AnswerText":"Previous anniversaries of the Lockerbie air disaster have been commemorated in a manner decided by the wishes of the bereaved families. With the 25th anniversary approaching later this year, the Scottish Government will be guided by the wishes of the bereaved families in terms of how such a terrible tragedy should be commemorated appropriately.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T13:51:33.807","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286116,"EventID":"S4W-16040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T16:50:48.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T12:17:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) are able to thrive and that public procurement processes are fit for purpose and do not disadvantage SMEs.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the vital contribution small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make to our economy and is committed to maintaining a supportive environment to allow SMEs to continue to thrive. For example, on 12 June 2013, we announced £88 million investment in helping Scotland’s young people into work and supporting small business growth. The investment package includes a £37.85 million SME Growth Programme to support businesses to grow and create an expected 3,000 jobs in small businesses across Scotland.\r\nWe are working with SMEs and the third sector to improve access to public contracts. Representatives from the private, public and third sectors sit on the Public Procurement Advisory Group. In addition, the Supplier Engagement Working Group brings together the public, private and third sectors to look at ways of improving public procurement. We have also developed the online supplier journey which is a simple, one stop help and guidance for anyone interested in bidding for public work.\r\nPublic Contracts Scotland (PCS) was set up in 2008 and now has over 63,000 registered users. Following an extensive consultation with business and the wider public sector we have introduced a standardised suite of questions to test supplier capacity and capability, which include the standard Pre-Qualification Questionnaire. This will help ensure that only questions that are proportionate to the risk involved in a contract are asked. We are also taking economic SME impact into account in collaborative procurement strategies e.g. by splitting national requirements into specialist or geographical lots and supporting SME consortia and supply chain opportunities wherever possible.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T16:50:49.24","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286117,"EventID":"S4W-16043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T16:50:49.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T12:17:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to win public procurement contracts.","AnswerText":"The Government has taken a number of steps to assist small and medium sized companies bidding for public contracts. Examples are:\r\nLaunched in October 2008, Public Contracts Scotland provides a free point of access for public sector contract opportunities. Registration is not necessary to browse opportunities, but once registered users can receive free e-mail alerts when opportunities relevant to their business area are published. Over 63,000 users are now registered on the system and over 5000 buyers in over 550 contracting authorities are now placing their opportunities on the system. In addition main contractors on public sector contracts can advertise sub-contract opportunities, giving smaller firms the chance to bid for contracts further down the supply chain \r\nIssuing policy guidance, that public bodies should take steps to ensure that financial requirements (e.g. requirements relating to turnover and insurance levels), do not act as a barrier to participation by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); producing the supplier journey, a comprehensive online guide that: explains the process of awarding a public sector contracts, sets out what buyers expect suppliers to do at each stage in that process; gives practical information on how to find out about business opportunities, how to bid for business, and what to expect when delivering the contract; tells suppliers what support is available to help them win business, and what they can do if they are unsuccessful; simplifying the pre-qualification process by producing standard pre-qualification templates for use by public bodies and providing functionality that allows for suppliers to store and reuse their answers to standard questions; taking SME impact into account in collaborative procurement strategies e.g. splitting national requirements into specialist or geographical lots and supporting SME consortia wherever possible; promoting the involvement of SMEs in public procurement by issuing the six simple steps guidance to public bodies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T16:50:49.69","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286118,"EventID":"S4W-16044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T16:50:49.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T13:10:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Scottish Water will begin work on upgrading the sewage treatment works and the associated sewage disposal system in Fintry.\r\n","AnswerText":"Fintry Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) received a £1M capital investment upgrade in 2006 which included increasing the design population of the WWTW from the then 500 to a figure of 870. Further work is planned at Fintry during 2014 to upgrade the mechanical screens.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T16:50:49.957","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286119,"EventID":"S4W-16045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T16:50:50.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T13:10:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what upgrading of the sewage system in Fintry will be carried out over the next three years and what work will remain outstanding.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Water is required to meet legislative standards relating to the operation of Wastewater Treatment works. The specific nature of the investment necessary to meet these standards is a matter for Scottish Water and SEPA to agree. I have asked SEPA and Scottish Water to meet you to discuss your concerns.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T16:50:50.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286120,"EventID":"S4W-16046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T16:50:50.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T13:10:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reported concerns regarding infiltration from the field drain and culverted water courses of the sewage disposal system in the Fintry area.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-16045 on 22 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T16:50:50.61","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286121,"EventID":"S4W-16047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T16:50:50.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T13:10:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's decision to take no action against Scottish Water following alleged licence breaches with regard to the sewage system in the Fintry area.\r\n","AnswerText":"SEPA is responsible for ensuring that Scottish Water meets the required standards regarding discharges of wastewater to the environment and in this instance has written to Scottish Water. SEPA as the appropriate regulator will decide how best to engage with Scottish Water regarding any alleged licence breaches and SEPA will keep me informed of any necessary action to be taken in respect of improvements to address any discharge into the environment. I will ask SEPA to also maintain close contact with you on progress.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T16:50:50.907","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286122,"EventID":"S4W-16048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T16:50:51.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T13:10:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will use its compliance assessment scheme to measure the performance of the Fintry sewage treatment works.\r\n","AnswerText":"The utilisation of the compliance assessment scheme is an operational matter for SEPA. As set out in answer S4W-16045 I have also asked SEPA and Scottish Water to meet with you to discuss your concerns on Fintry Wastewater Treatment Works and to explain how any performance issue will be addressed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T16:50:51.22","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286123,"EventID":"S4W-16065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-25T16:50:51.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-25T15:40:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15640 by Richard Lochhead on 25 June 2013, on what date it plans to begin its consultation on the microchipping of dogs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not yet set a date but aims to issue the consultation on compulsory microchipping before the end of 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-23T16:50:51.58","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286133,"EventID":"S4W-16078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3758,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":76,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T11:40:28.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-26T11:30:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether local authorities will continue to deliver the Scottish Welfare Fund beyond the period of the interim arrangements.","AnswerText":"Following the successful launch of the interim fund, we have agreed with COSLA leaders that local authorities are best placed to take on delivery of the Scottish Welfare Fund on a permanent basis. We will continue to work together to share good practice, overcome any concerns and help develop further accessibility and delivery alternatives for the fund. This includes working together to set up a new reference group to develop the necessary legislation. The group will include representatives from local authorities, Child Poverty Action Group, Citizens Advice Scotland, Poverty Alliance, Shelter, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Inclusion Scotland and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-06-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T11:40:28.853","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286134,"EventID":"S4W-15881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:53.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government at what rate it would seek to set (a) national insurance contributions, (b) corporation tax, (c) fuel duties, (d) tobacco duties, (e) alcohol duties, (f) capital gains tax, (g) the climate change levy and (h) inheritance tax in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15868 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:53.823","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286135,"EventID":"S4W-15887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:54.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T10:50:51.893","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what resources it would need to support it in independence negotiations with the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"Negotiations will be led by Scottish Government Ministers supported by civil servants. The Scottish Government will invite representatives of other political parties and civic Scotland to contribute to the negotiations. More specialist expertise from outside the government will be drawn on as required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:54.09","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286136,"EventID":"S4W-15890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:54.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T10:50:51.893","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the size of the foreign and diplomatic service in an independent Scotland; how much it would cost to operate, and how many staff would (a) work directly for it and (b) be shared with the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"An independent Scotland would be represented overseas by a network which worked in the national interests of Scotland. In addition, Scottish Ministers would be open to the sharing of services and facilities with the rest of the UK or with other countries where there was mutual benefit to this. Such arrangements already exist between the UK and other nations, for example, Canada. At present taxes levied in Scotland are used to pay for the UK foreign and diplomatic service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:54.323","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286137,"EventID":"S4W-15891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:54.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the (a) initial and (b) ongoing costs to the (i) public and (ii) private sectors of separate PAYE and personal and business tax assessment and collection systems in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15876 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:54.557","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286138,"EventID":"S4W-15892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:54.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T10:50:51.893","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent Scotland would try to recruit staff from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to its foreign and diplomatic service and, if so, how many staff it would aim to recruit.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will ensure that all its services are provided by qualified staff, who may come from a range of backgrounds and experience, through opportunities arising from existing open recruitment policies and the possibility of transfers where that is appropriate or desired.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:54.79","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286139,"EventID":"S4W-15893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:55.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) approach to fiscal policy and (b) implications for business taxation would be in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Independence would provide the Scottish Government with the key economic and fiscal levers to promote sustainable economic growth and to tackle inequalities as set out in the Fiscal Commission Working Groups first report. The paper can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/02/3017.\r\nScotland is in a stronger fiscal position than the UK and would continue to manage Scotland’s finances in a responsible manner under independence. A robust and stable fiscal framework would provide the foundations of a competitive business environment.\r\nDecisions on all specific taxes, including tax rates, allowances and credits will be made by the parliament and government of an independent Scotland. Political parties, stakeholders, and individuals will have their own preferences for the policies to be pursued in an independent Scotland and the arguments for and against, and between, the range of policy choices available to an independent Scotland will form a central part of the national debate before the referendum and then in the run up to the 2016 Scottish election.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:55.04","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286140,"EventID":"S4W-15894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:55.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T10:50:51.893","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how many (a) embassies and (b) consulates an independent Scotland would require; where these would be based, and how much it would cost to operate them.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15890 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:55.273","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286141,"EventID":"S4W-15895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:55.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the governance arrangements for the Scottish treasury and the revenue collection authority would be in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15876 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:55.51","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286142,"EventID":"S4W-15897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:55.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how corporate profits earned outwith Scotland would be treated for tax purposes in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-15868 and S4W-15876 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:55.773","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286143,"EventID":"S4W-15898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:56.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what tax relief would be available on (a) pension contributions and (b) savings products in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-15868 and S4W-15876 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:56.04","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286144,"EventID":"S4W-15899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:56.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T10:50:51.893","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any diplomatic missions shared between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK would have (a) staff who were dedicated to looking after Scottish interests and, if so, how many and (b) a shared ambassador.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15890 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:56.273","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286145,"EventID":"S4W-15900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:56.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Gift Aid would apply in an independent Scotland and, if so, whether rates would be different to those in the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will ensure that charities continue to benefit from tax relief on donations. I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-15868 and S4W-15876 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:56.507","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286146,"EventID":"S4W-15904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:56.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what tax rates and relief would be available to the oil and gas sector in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published Maximising the Return from Oil and Gas in an Independent Scotland on 23 July 2013. This paper sets out the high-level principles that should underpin key aspects of oil and gas policy in an independent Scotland. The paper can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/07/5746/0 \r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:56.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286147,"EventID":"S4W-15905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:57.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in an independent Scotland, what impact inheritance tax would have on spouses and partners domiciled outside of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-15868 and S4W-15876 on 30 August 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:57.07","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286148,"EventID":"S4W-15907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:57.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it would seek to continue the UK Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme in an independent Scotland and, if so, what work it has undertaken on how this would operate.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15876 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:57.35","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286149,"EventID":"S4W-15909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:57.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether research and development tax credits would continue to be available in an independent Scotland and, if so, what work it has undertaken on how this would operate.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-15868 and S4W-15876 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n\r\n\r\nSCOTTISH GOVERNMENT\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:57.6","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286150,"EventID":"S4W-15910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:57.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much a TV licence would cost in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to alter the value of the licence fee after independence. Political parties, stakeholders, and individuals will have their own preferences for the policies to be pursued in an independent Scotland and the arguments for and against, and between, the range of policy choices available to an independent Scotland will form a central part of the national debate before the referendum and then in the run up to the 2016 Scottish election. However, it is a matter of concern that some members of the Conservative party have stated they are not committed to public service broadcasting and would consider privatising those services or abolishing support for them.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:57.85","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286151,"EventID":"S4W-15911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:58.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T10:50:51.893","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how an independent Scotland's diplomatic interests would be represented in the period before it established its own diplomatic missions.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish its detailed white paper with positive proposals on the opportunities and gains of independence in the autumn. Material on the referendum and the Scottish Government’s proposals for an independent Scotland can be found at: \r\nwww.scotreferendum.com, including published papers and speeches. This site will be regularly updated with additional material including the Scottish Government’s white paper in the run up to the referendum.\r\nIn delivering these functions, an independent Scotland would ensure continuity of services including transition from the current arrangements to which Scotland currently contributes fully through taxes and fees levied in Scotland by the UK Government. An independent Scotland would not simply replicate UK structures but would develop services based on the needs of Scotland, best practice and the views of our stakeholders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:58.097","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286152,"EventID":"S4W-15912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:58.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what tax relief would be available to (a) video game companies, (b) film companies and (c) other creative enterprises in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-15868 and S4W-15876 on 30 August 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nThe Scottish Government has repeatedly argued for the use of tax incentives to assist video games companies, film production and creative industries. The Scottish Government remains disappointed that after securing a commitment from the previous UK Government to introduce tax incentives for video games companies, this was initially dropped by the current UK Government and has yet to be fully introduced.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:58.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286153,"EventID":"S4W-15914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:58.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the compliance and adaptation costs of business if Scotland became independent.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scotland would comply with EU regulations which affect the conduct of business. Consequently, businesses operating in an independent Scotland would continue to be subject to these compliance requirements as they currently are within the UK; however, within these parameters, Scotland would be able to tailor policies to better reflect the needs of the Scottish economy. Retaining a common currency would facilitate continued trade and investment flows between Scotland and the UK, which is in the interest of businesses in both countries.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:58.69","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286154,"EventID":"S4W-15915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:58.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has undertaken to establish the impact of an independent Scotland on Scottish companies that sell most of their goods and services to the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of the EU single market, companies would continue to benefit from access to markets across Europe, including the UK. An independent Scotland would retain Sterling as part of a formal monetary union. Retaining a common currency would facilitate continued trade and investment flows between Scotland and the UK, which is in the interest of businesses in both countries.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:58.94","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286155,"EventID":"S4W-15916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:59.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what body would undertake the functions of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council if Scotland became independent.\r\n","AnswerText":"In delivering these functions, an independent Scotland would ensure continuity of services including transition from the current arrangements to which Scotland currently contributes fully through taxes and fees levied in Scotland by the UK Government. An independent Scotland would not simply replicate UK structures but would develop services based on the needs of Scotland, best practice and the views of our stakeholders.\r\nThe Scottish Government will publish its detailed white paper with positive proposals on the opportunities and gains of independence in the autumn. Material on the referendum and the Scottish Government’s proposals for an independent Scotland can be found at:\r\nwww.scotreferendum.com, including published papers and speeches. This site will be regularly updated with additional material including further reports from the Fiscal Commission Working group and the Scottish Government’s white paper in the run up to the referendum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:59.267","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286156,"EventID":"S4W-15917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:59.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there would be a distinct Scottish (a) import and export licensing regime for controlled goods and (b) version of the Export Control Organisation to provide guidance and advice to businesses if Scotland became independent.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15916 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:59.55","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286157,"EventID":"S4W-15918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:05:59.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T10:57:23.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent Scotland would automatically become a member of (a) NATO and (b) the United Nations and, if not, what the timetable would be for becoming a member.\r\n","AnswerText":"Following a vote for independence the Scottish Government will formally declare its intention to remain a member of NATO following normal procedures.\r\nSimilarly Scotland would also signal its intention to remain a member of the United Nations. Given that Scotland, as part of the UK, already meets membership requirements we do not anticipate any barriers to Scotland’s timely membership of international organisations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:05:59.86","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286158,"EventID":"S4W-15919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:06:00.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how legislation relating to corruption and bribery would operate in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The main legislation relating to corruption and bribery in Scotland is the Bribery Act 2010. This legislation modernised bribery law across the UK and extended to Scotland with the agreement of the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. The 2010 Act would continue to operate in an independent Scotland at the point of independence. Any changes would be the responsibility of a future Scottish Government.\r\nThe Scottish Government will publish its detailed white paper with positive proposals on the opportunities and gains of independence in the autumn. Material on the referendum and the Scottish Government’s proposals for an independent Scotland can be found at: www.scotreferendum.com, including published papers and speeches. This site will be regularly updated with additional material including the Scottish Government’s white paper in the run up to the referendum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:06:00.11","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286159,"EventID":"S4W-15920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:06:00.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of separation from the rest of the UK on (a) access to and support from the Green Investment Bank, (b) the Business Growth Fund, (c) the UK Corporate Governance Code and (d) Scottish brands selling to the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"The decision to site the Headquarters of the UK Green Investment Bank in Edinburgh was based on the city’s strengths in finance, the green economy and innovation. These strengths will continue after independence, and the Green Investment Bank would continue to provide essential financial services to Scotland and the rest of the UK.\r\nSimilarly, the Business Growth Fund is an independent company backed by five of the UK’s main banks and we are confident that the fund will continue to be commercially active in an independent Scotland. In delivering specific functions, an independent Scotland would ensure continuity of services, including transition from the current arrangements to which Scotland currently contributes fully through taxes and fees levied in Scotland by the UK Government. An independent Scotland would not simply replicate UK structures but would develop services based on the needs of Scotland, best practice and the views of our stakeholders.\r\nAs part of the EU single market, companies would continue to benefit from access to markets across Europe, including the UK. An independent Scotland would retain Sterling as part of a formal monetary union. Retaining a common currency would facilitate continued trade and investment flows between Scotland and the UK, which is in the interest of businesses in both countries. The attributes that underpin the success of Scottish brands would remain and businesses would have opportunity to increase their profile across existing and new markets.\r\nThe Scottish Government will publish its detailed white paper with positive proposals on the opportunities and gains of independence in the autumn. Material on the referendum and the Scottish Government’s proposals for an independent Scotland can be found at: www.scotreferendum.com including published papers and speeches. This site will be regularly updated with additional material including further reports from the Fiscal Commission Working group and the Scottish Government’s white paper in the run up to the referendum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:06:00.423","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286160,"EventID":"S4W-15924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:06:00.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what supervisory, regulatory and tax regimes would be put in place governing takeovers, mergers and acquisitions in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"An independent Scotland will continue to meet EU requirements in this area. However, within these parameters, an independent Scotland would have scope to ensure that codes of principles and regulations reflect Scottish needs and priorities. At present most aspects of competition policy, including mergers and takeovers, are reserved to Westminster by the Scotland Act 1998; an independent Scotland would have the opportunity to design competition policy to meet the needs of Scotland and our businesses.\r\nIn an independent Scotland, the remit of the takeover panel would become the responsibility of the body responsible for competition regulation. Our proposals for competition regulation in an independent Scotland were laid out in the discussion paper Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland. This can be found online at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/02/1911.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:06:00.673","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286161,"EventID":"S4W-15927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:06:00.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what corporate governance regulatory body and regimes would be put in place for (a) company directors, (b) accountants, (c) auditors and (d) actuaries in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answers to questions S4W-15914 and S4W-15924 on 30 August 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:06:00.923","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286162,"EventID":"S4W-15928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:06:01.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T10:57:23.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it expects an independent Scotland would contribute to the regular budget of the United Nations.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scotland’s contribution to the United Nations’ budgets would be agreed as part of the process of moving from being a member as part of the UK to being an independent member.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:06:01.217","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286163,"EventID":"S4W-15929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:06:01.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what body would undertake the functions of (a) the Financial Reporting Council, (b) Companies House and (c) the Competition Commission in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Our proposals for competition regulation in an independent Scotland were laid out in the discussion paper Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland. This can be found online at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/02/1911.\r\nIn delivering these functions, an independent Scotland would ensure continuity of services, including transition from the current arrangements to which Scotland currently contributes fully through taxes and fees levied in Scotland by the UK Government. An independent Scotland would not simply replicate UK structures but would develop services based on the needs of Scotland, best practice and the views of our stakeholders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:06:01.467","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286164,"EventID":"S4W-15901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:18.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in an independent Scotland, what the taxation position will be for (a) Scots with equity investments listed on the London Stock Exchange and (b) foreign investors in companies registered in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-15868 and S4W-15876 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:18.727","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286165,"EventID":"S4W-15902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:18.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the need for a double taxation treaty between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"Tax affairs between the two countries would be governed by negotiated agreements and these would enable businesses to plan their future operations and also ensure that an independent Scotland is an attractive and competitive place to do business.\r\nThe passing of the Scotland Act 2012 already means that very shortly we will have different tax systems in Scotland and the rest of the UK.\r\nThe two countries would both have an incentive to negotiate agreements that made tax affairs for companies operating in both jurisdictions as straightforward as possible.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:18.993","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286166,"EventID":"S4W-15930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:19.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether firms in an independent Scotland would be expected to adhere to the existing UK Corporate Governance Code.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15914 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:19.26","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286167,"EventID":"S4W-15935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:19.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T10:57:23.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects an independent Scotland to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15918 on 30 August 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:19.507","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286168,"EventID":"S4W-15936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:19.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of what role the Supreme Court would have in the appeals process of an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has said in Scotland's Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution that it will provide for the Supreme Court of an independent Scotland. The supreme court structure will build upon the existing infrastructure and judicial talent that we have in Scotland. The Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary will continue to hear some cases at first instance and appeals from the lower courts as is the case currently.\r\nThe Scottish Government will publish its detailed white paper with positive proposals on the opportunities and gains of independence in the autumn. Material on the referendum and the Scottish Government’s proposals for an independent Scotland can be found at:\r\nwww.scotreferendum.com including published papers and speeches. This site will be regularly updated with additional material including the Scottish Government’s white paper in the run up to the referendum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:19.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286169,"EventID":"S4W-15937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:19.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of what would be the final court of appeal in an independent Scotland before a case was referred to the European Court of Justice.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15936 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:19.99","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286170,"EventID":"S4W-15938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:20.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T10:57:23.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of an independent Scotland's possible loss of influence with the United Nations Security Council.\r\n","AnswerText":"The only way to ensure the interests and values of the people of Scotland are promoted in international organisations is through a government that reflects those values and which commands the support of the electorate.\r\nThe Scottish Government would not, for example, engage in illegal international wars, such as the 2003 war in Iraq.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:20.287","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286171,"EventID":"S4W-15939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:20.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the international legal obligations that currently apply to the UK that an independent Scotland would have to adhere to.\r\n","AnswerText":"As an independent nation, Scotland would continue to meet all legal obligations that flow from its membership of international organisations and would intend to continue with other current treaty rights and obligations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:20.523","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286172,"EventID":"S4W-15940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:20.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T10:57:23.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for an independent Scotland's interests to be represented if it is not given a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15918 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:20.757","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286173,"EventID":"S4W-15941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:20.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of who would be responsible for policing cross-border (a) rail and (b) air services in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The policing of rail services is presently performed by the British Transport Police (BTP). The Scottish Government has repeatedly made the case for the integration of BTP services with the Police Service in Scotland (PSS). Independence would ensure that the functions currently provided by the BTP were provided by the PSS, improving the integration of policing in Scotland.\r\nThe policing of air services takes place predominantly at and around airports. This service is presently performed by the PSS, and this situation would continue post-independence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:20.99","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286174,"EventID":"S4W-15942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:21.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of how cross-border trading standards cases would be (a) investigated and (b) enforced in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"An independent Scotland would comply with the European framework for consumer protection, including cross-border regulations. Following a vote for independence the Scottish Government would work closely with the UK Government to ensure consumers and legitimate businesses in both jurisdictions are appropriately protected.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:21.223","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286175,"EventID":"S4W-15944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:21.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how independence might impact on areas of Scotland that rely on mobile telephone masts located in England, and whether people in such areas might be subject to international call roaming charges.\r\n","AnswerText":"Roaming charges are currently applied at the discretion of companies and up to specific EU limits. They are not automatic. The European Commission has cut charges for voice calls, texts and internet access by 75% since 2007, and Commissioners voted in June 2013 to abolish mobile roaming charges from as early as July 2014. It is regrettable that the UK Government has decided to issue a misleading statement suggesting roaming charges could be introduced at the very time a decision has been taken to abolish them.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:21.473","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286176,"EventID":"S4W-15945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:21.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent Scotland would have its own (a) driver and vehicle licensing and (b) driving standards agency and, if so, how much it would cost to (i) establish and (ii) run.\r\n","AnswerText":"These functions are currently reserved, and on independence would become the responsibility of the parliament and government of an independent Scotland. In delivering these functions, an independent Scotland would ensure continuity of services and would fully meet its international obligations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:21.723","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286177,"EventID":"S4W-15946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:21.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether people would have to reapply for driving licences if Scotland separated from the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"No. The Scottish Government will ensure all licences granted by the DVLA are recognised in Scotland at the point of independence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:21.973","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286178,"EventID":"S4W-15948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:22.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent Scotland would automatically become a member of the European Defence Agency and, if not, what the timetable for becoming a member would be and what impact there would be on Scottish involvement in the agency's work in the interim.\r\n","AnswerText":"An independent Scotland would play a full and active part in the EU, including in the European Defence Agency. Arrangements to do so would be agreed with the relevant parties following a vote for independence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:22.237","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286179,"EventID":"S4W-15949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:22.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of Scotland separating from the rest of the UK on (a) broadband infrastructure investment, (b) investment in satellite broadband technologies, (c) current UK internet domain name registration processes, (d) the cost to business of replacing the internet suffix,.uk, and (e) internet protocol television (i) services and (ii) provision.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is already making a significant investment in broadband infrastructure. Our Step Change programme will see an investment of over £410 million to deliver fibre broadband to 85 per cent of Scottish properties by the end of 2015 and around 95 per cent by the end of 2017. Independence will offer Scotland the opportunity to use the full range of levers, aligned to this investment, to support our world class digital ambition. It will allow Scotland to take lessons from the regulatory and policy regimes of European leaders like Sweden where they introduced a 99 per cent coverage obligation as part of the 3G and 4G spectrum auctions which has helped deliver extensive coverage in rural and remote areas.\r\nWe do not anticipate any impact on the UK internet domain name registration processes or the cost to businesses as anyone in any country can apply to use dotuk. The Scottish Government is supporting a bid to the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for the dotscot domain. The bid was lodged in June 2012 by Dot Scot Registry, an independent not-for-profit company, and is currently being evaluated. The dotscot domain may be available by late 2014, early 2015.\r\nWe do not anticipate any particular impact of Scotland becoming independent on internet protocol television services and provision.\r\nDecisions relating to: (a) broadband infrastructure investment, (b) investment in satellite broadband technologies, (c) current UK internet domain name registration processes, (d) the cost to business of replacing the internet suffix,.uk, and (e) internet protocol television (i) services and (ii) provision; will be for the government of an independent Scotland elected in 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:22.503","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286180,"EventID":"S4W-15951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:22.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of an independent Scotland's defence budget.\r\n","AnswerText":"Ministers have set out their view, including in evidence to the House of Commons Defence Committee on 02 July 2013, that the budget for defence and security in an independent Scotland should be £2.5 billion, a potential saving of nearly £1 billion compared with the amount of money Scottish tax-payers currently contribute to UK spending on defence and security. It would also be well above recent UK defence spending in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government will publish its detailed white paper with positive proposals on the opportunities and gains of independence in the autumn. Material on the referendum and the Scottish Government’s proposals for an independent Scotland can be found at: www.scotreferendum.com including published papers and speeches. This site will be regularly updated with additional material including the Scottish Government’s white paper in the run up to the referendum.\r\nOur plans will ensure that Scotland’s people, territory and interests are secure. They will include detail on the scale and capabilities of Scottish defence and security forces, and the means by which Scotland’s defence and security procurement would support, and be supported by, its defence and security industries.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:22.737","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286181,"EventID":"S4W-15952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:22.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of Scotland separating from the rest of the UK on the (a) attractiveness of the country to and (b) pricing structures of internet service providers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish its detailed white paper with positive proposals for the opportunities of independence in the autumn. Political parties, stakeholders, and individuals will have their own preferences for the policies to be pursued in an independent Scotland and the arguments between the range of policy choices available to an independent Scotland will form a central part of the national debate before the referendum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:23.017","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286182,"EventID":"S4W-15954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:23.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable would be for the transfer of responsibility between the British armed forces and an independent Scotland's defence forces.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:23.283","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286183,"EventID":"S4W-15958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:23.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what interim arrangements would be put in place to protect an independent Scotland's interests while responsibility is being transferred from the British armed forces to Scottish defence forces.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:23.563","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286184,"EventID":"S4W-15960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:23.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of (a) personnel, (b) armoured vehicles and (c) bases in an independent Scotland's army.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:23.893","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286185,"EventID":"S4W-15961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:24.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in an independent Scotland, what arrangements it would put in place to ensure cooperation between Police Scotland and forces in the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are well-established arrangements to ensure effective cross-border cooperation between Police Scotland and forces in the rest of the UK. The arrangements operate effectively to ensure public safety for citizens. The Scottish Government would continue to work with the UK on independence to ensure that these arrangements operate for the benefit of all.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:24.127","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286186,"EventID":"S4W-15962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:24.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in an independent Scotland, what arrangements it would put in place to ensure cooperation between the Scottish intelligence and security agencies and those in the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"As I said at the Foreign Affairs Committee on 28 January 2013, there would be a very close relationship between Scotland and the rest of the UK. It would clearly be in the interests of the rest of the UK and Scotland to work together to ensure the continued security of our shared island.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:24.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286187,"EventID":"S4W-15963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:24.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of (a) personnel, (b) ships, (c) submarines and (d) bases in an independent Scotland's navy.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:24.843","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286188,"EventID":"S4W-15964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:25.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of an independent Scotland's need to negotiate separate extradition treaties with other countries.\r\n","AnswerText":"An independent Scottish Government would continue with the treaty rights and obligations of the UK which currently apply in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:25.077","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286189,"EventID":"S4W-15965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:25.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what relationship an independent Scotland would have with the proposed National Crime Agency.\r\n","AnswerText":"Well-established arrangements exist to ensure effective cooperation between Police Scotland and the Serious Organised Crime Agency, and will continue once the National Crime Agency becomes operational later this year. Police Scotland will continue to work with the rest of the UK as appropriate to ensure that these arrangements operate in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:25.31","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286190,"EventID":"S4W-15966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:25.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of (a) personnel, (b) planes, (c) helicopters and (d) bases in an independent Scotland's air force.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n\r\n\r\nSCOTTISH GOVERNMENT\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:25.547","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286191,"EventID":"S4W-15967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:25.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for an independent Scotland's cross-border cooperation on serious and organised crime and how it would compare with the current UK-wide system.\r\n","AnswerText":"Serious and organised crime does not respect or recognise borders between countries. Cross-border information sharing powers already exist in legislation and operate effectively, across the rest of the UK and wider. Current arrangements are equally beneficial for all countries involved. The Scottish Government will work with the rest of the UK to ensure that these arrangements continue.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:25.827","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Kenny MacAskill","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286192,"EventID":"S4W-15968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:08:26.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent Scotland's defence forces would include special forces and, if so, how many.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:08:26.123","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286193,"EventID":"S4W-15969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:00.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for an independent Scotland's representation in foreign embassies and consulates.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15890 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:00.05","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286194,"EventID":"S4W-15970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:00.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how an independent Scotland would provide for the UK-wide counter terrorism responsibilities currently carried out by the Metropolitan Police and at what cost.","AnswerText":"The Police Service of Scotland is currently responsible for counter-terrorism policing in Scotland with some specialist capacity provided by partners and this situation would continue post-independence. We do not expect this to give rise to increased costs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:01.003","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286195,"EventID":"S4W-15971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:01.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the size of the territorial army in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:01.97","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286196,"EventID":"S4W-15972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:02.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the recruitment of officers and civilians trained in counter terrorism for an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Building on the responsibilities that it currently discharges, an independent Scotland will have an appropriate range of capabilities to deal with counter terrorism. In the event of independence, the recruitment and training of officers and civilians will be an operational matter for the agencies concerned.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:02.92","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286197,"EventID":"S4W-15973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:03.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-21T17:33:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the external (a) crime and (b) security threats to an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"As I indicated at the Foreign Affairs Committee on 28 January 2013, in common with many other countries, the threats that an independent Scotland would face include: cyber threat, international terrorism, the threat that comes from global instability and the possibility of failed states, and serious organised crime.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:03.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286198,"EventID":"S4W-15974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:04.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what type of planes an independent Scotland's air force would have, broken down by number.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:04.747","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286199,"EventID":"S4W-15975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:05.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what type of ships an independent Scotland's navy would have, broken down by number.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:05.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286200,"EventID":"S4W-15976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:06.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact independence would have on the contracts to assemble HMS (a) Queen Elizabeth and (b) Prince of Wales at Rosyth.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not aware of any impact on the contract to assemble HMS Queen Elizabeth or HMS Prince of Wales that would come from independence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:06.493","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286201,"EventID":"S4W-15977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:07.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government to how many contracts relating to Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers it is a signatory.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers are procured by the UK Government. Scottish taxpayers contribute towards the cost of, and therefore have a significant stake in, defence assets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:07.413","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286202,"EventID":"S4W-15978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:08.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on future orders for the workforce at Rosyth after completion of its current contracts for Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise are in regular contact with Babcock. In addition to Babcock’s major role in the build of the Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, the company has been pursuing a plan to secure work in key commercial markets which utilise key facilities and engineering skills at Rosyth. A recent example of this is their contract with BP to build over 70 subsea modules, as part of their QUAD 204 project in the North Sea.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:08.613","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286203,"EventID":"S4W-15979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:09.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many government orders are expected to be placed with an independent Scotland's shipyards and for what type of ships.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:09.55","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286204,"EventID":"S4W-15980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:10.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent Scotland would have access to the services of an aircraft carrier after 2020.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:10.47","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286205,"EventID":"S4W-15981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:11.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with shipyard workers or their representatives about the consequences of independence.\r\n","AnswerText":"There have been discussions with shipyard workers and their representatives this year:\r\n13 February 2013 – Deputy First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth met Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions (CSEU) trade union representatives: Jamie Webster, GMB; John Dolan, GMB; Duncan McPhee, UNITE; Billy Mckay, UNITE \r\n28 February 2013 – the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth had a teleconference with CSEU representatives\r\n31 May 2013 – The Minister for Transport and Veterans addressed a meeting of shop stewards from the defence and manufacturing sector who are members of CSEU unions\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:11.423","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286206,"EventID":"S4W-15982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:12.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether British army personnel who joined up in Scotland would be expected to transfer to an independent Scotland's defence forces.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nScotland has suffered disproportionate reductions in its defence footprint. Between 2000 and 2012 the total number of service and civilian MOD personnel dropped by 53,510 (just under 20%). The reduction disproportionately affected Scotland, with a drop of 8,800 of just over 35%. Scottish Ministers believe that defence service personnel should have reassurance that they will not face compulsory redundancy during their service contract.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:12.703","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286207,"EventID":"S4W-15983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:13.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the same range of career opportunities would be available to members of an independent Scotland's defence force as the British armed forces.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nScottish Ministers also believe that defence service personnel should have reassurance that they will not face compulsory redundancy during their service contract.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:13.59","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286208,"EventID":"S4W-15984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:14.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the minimum number of experienced personnel who would be required to transfer from the British armed forces in order for an independent Scotland's defence forces to be viable.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:14.76","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286209,"EventID":"S4W-15985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:15.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of jobs in Scotland dependent on Ministry of Defence contracts.\r\n","AnswerText":"It cannot be assumed that all defence industry jobs in Scotland are dependent on Ministry of Defence contracts. It should be noted that the numbers working in defence-related industries has been falling from its peak as work on the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers nears completion. Following a ‘yes’ vote the Scottish Government and its agencies Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International would continue to support Scotland’s indigenous defence industries in existing, new and emerging markets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:15.743","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286210,"EventID":"S4W-15986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:16.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of defence sector jobs in Scotland that would be required by an independent Scotland's defence forces.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:16.633","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286211,"EventID":"S4W-15987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:17.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:03:38.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of defence sector research and development jobs that there would be in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:17.443","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286212,"EventID":"S4W-15988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-09-03T09:59:25.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent Scotland would have its own (a) security and (b) signals intelligence and, if so, how much it would cost to (i) establish and (ii) operate.","AnswerText":"As I indicated at the Foreign Affairs Committee on 28 January 2013, it is envisaged that Scotland would have independent domestic intelligence machinery sitting alongside our police service.","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286213,"EventID":"S4W-15989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:19.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:31:02.897","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable would be for an independent Scotland to establish intelligence sharing protocols with other countries.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish its detailed white paper with positive proposals on the opportunities and gains of independence in the autumn. Material on the referendum and the Scottish Government’s proposals for an independent Scotland can be found at: www.scotreferendum.com\r\nincluding published papers and speeches. This site will be regularly updated with additional material including the Scottish Government’s white paper in the run up to the referendum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:19.393","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286214,"EventID":"S4W-15992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:20.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:31:02.897","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent Scotland would receive a proportionate share of GCHQ's resources.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish people provide a proportionate contribution to the assets and functions of GCHQ and we expect that this will be reflected in the settlement and any agreements post-independence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:20.253","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286215,"EventID":"S4W-15994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:21.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:31:02.897","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made regarding how separation from the rest of the UK would impact on jobs in the (a) defence and (b) security sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:21.22","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286216,"EventID":"S4W-15995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:22.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:31:02.897","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what military resources an independent Scotland would have to protect its overseas interests.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:22.187","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286217,"EventID":"S4W-15996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:23.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:31:02.897","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to military procurement policy in an independent Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:23.343","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286218,"EventID":"S4W-15997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:24.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:31:02.897","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost of an independent Scotland losing any economies of scale associated with the UK's military procurement policy.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:24.31","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286219,"EventID":"S4W-15998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:25.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:31:02.897","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the search and rescue capacity would be in an independent Scotland, broken down by (a) ships, (b) aeroplanes, (c) helicopters and (d) personnel. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government takes its search and rescue responsibilities extremely seriously and we disagreed strongly with the UK Government’s decision in 2010 to cancel the Nimrod MRA4 programme, leaving the UK with no current maritime patrol aircraft capability. The Scottish Government will ensure that appropriate arrangements for search and rescue (SAR) will continue in an independent Scotland (including cross border agreements), based on capabilities currently its responsibility under devolved arrangements and a process of transition from current arrangements, where those are currently the responsibility of the UK Government.\r\nPolice Scotland are responsible for co-ordination of land-based SAR operations and in a SAR emergency the individual Mountain Rescue Teams are tasked by, and operate on behalf of, Police Scotland to undertake any mountain SAR service required, assisted by the military as necessary. The Department for Transport recently announced that the contract for the provision of UK SAR helicopter services has been awarded to the Aberdeen-based company, Bristow Helicopters Ltd. The new contract is due to commence progressively from 2015, with a term of up to 10 years, with nine helicopters based across Sumburgh, Stornoway, Prestwick and Inverness. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is currently responsible for SAR at sea.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2013-08-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2013-07-24T14:42:25.527","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Nicola Sturgeon","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":286220,"EventID":"S4W-16000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2013-06-26T14:42:27.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2013-06-24T11:36:28.93","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale would be for establishing a financial regulator in an independent Scotland; how much it would cost to (a) establish and (b) operate; what its governance arrangements would be, and what degree of autonomy it would have.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Fiscal Commission Working Group has set out a robust macroeconomic framework for Scotland post-independence including financial regulation.\r\nIn delivering these functions, an independent Scotland would ensure continuity of services, including transition from the current arrangements to which Scotland currently contributes fully through taxes and fees levied in Scotland by the UK Government. An independent Scotland would not simply replicate UK structures but would develop services based on the needs of Scotland, best pract