Parliamentary questions

Cathy Jamieson

1,344 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

10 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24404 by Nicola Sturgeon on 9 June 2009, what other action has been taken to ensure that messages about the influenza A (H1N1) virus are covered in black and ethnic minority media outlets.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-24688 on 19 June 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Scottish Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliame…

10 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24404 by Nicola Sturgeon on 9 June 2009, how many times the influenza A (H1N1) virus TV commercial, Lift, has been screened on Asian TV channels and what assessment it has made of the penetration of this commercial into Asian households.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Swine Flu TV commercial Lift has been screened on 11 Asian TV channels delivering 913 30 second spots from 1 May to 14 May 2009. These stations cover Bangladeshi, Indian, South Asian, Pakistani and Afro Caribbean ethnic groups. There are no cover …

3 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment NHSScotland has made of the European Court of Justice ruling in relation to cases C-350/06 and C-520/06 on the carrying over of holiday entitlement during long-term sick leave and what additional cost is anticipated as a result of this decision.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government recognises the need to ensure that NHSScotland is complying with these rulings and issued a letter to all NHS boards in Scotland “ CEL (2009)17 “ on 30 April 2009. This letter clarifies the implications of the ruling for NHS employers …

3 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS staff are on long-term sick leave, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The number of employees1, by NHS board on long-term sick leave2, 3 as at 31 March 2009 were: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td nowrap > NHS Board Area </td> <td n…

3 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have been instigated with local community and interest groups regarding proposed changes to rail services between Stranraer and Ayr.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There have been discussions between ScotRail and SWESTRANS (regional partnership for transport) as part of the formal process of the December 2009 timetable consultation. Additionally, there has been several meetings on this issue between local communities, N…

3 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how proposed timetable changes to rail services between Stranraer and Ayr will improve connectivity and service the needs of local commuters.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: On the Stranraer line, the busiest flow identified is between Ayr and Girvan; these services have been retimed for December 2009. In particular, there will be a near hourly pattern at 16:30, 17:30 and 18:36 to Maybole and Girvan, this compares to existing non…

3 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how proposed timetable changes to rail services between Stranraer and Ayr will help increase passenger numbers.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-24527 on 15 June 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.…

3 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what timetable changes are proposed to rail services between Stranraer and Ayr.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The December 2009 timetable has the same number and frequency of services between Stranraer and Ayr as at present although there are some time changes, better to meet the needs of commuters on the route. The timetables currently proposed are as follows: …

28 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that information on the influenza A(H1N1) virus is communicated effectively to black and ethnic minority communities.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government is committed to providing information on influenza A(H1N1) in ways that are accessible to all sectors of the Scottish population. The national Swine Flu Information leaflet has been translated into 15 languages, including Benga…

27 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22887 by John Swinney on 21 April 2009, whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth intends to have discussions with South Ayrshire Council regarding the findings of the recent best value audit of the council carried out by Audit…

Answer · John Swinney: I wrote to the Leader of South Ayrshire Council on 23 April to express my concern about the Best Value audit report, and to urge that the council takes the necessary remedial action to address the shortcomings it highlighted. However, I have no immediate plan…

15 Apr 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers plan to meet the education convenor of South Ayrshire Council.

Answer · Adam Ingram : This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0423-01.htm">http://www.scott…

15 Apr 2009 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government considers that the inclusion of voluntary first responders in the statistics provides the public with an accurate representation of ambulance response times.

Answer · Alex Salmond: This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0423-01.htm">http://www.scott…

14 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Minister for Children and Early Years since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The table below details the number of ministerial engagements undertaken by the Minister for Children and Early Years, broken down by parliamentary constituency, for the period May 2007 to 14 April 2009. <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > …

14 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have taken place since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Answer · John Swinney: The information sought could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers have undertaken their probationary year in (a) east and (b) south Ayrshire in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in each year since the scheme began.

Answer · Keith Brown: The figures are published each year in Teachers in Scotland, available from the government website using the following link: <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/PubTeacherCensus">http://www.scotland.…

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers will carry out their probationary year in (a) east and (b) south Ayrshire in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in 2009-10.

Answer · Keith Brown: This information is not available at this time. Students who are eligible for the teacher induction scheme are allocated to local authorities during May, but it is not possible to predict with accuracy how many will commence their probationary year in the aut…

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in reducing class sizes in primary schools in (a) east and (b) south Ayrshire.

Answer · Keith Brown: Information of the progress made on class size reduction in East and South Ayrshire was published in Pupils in Scotland 2008 on 24 February 2009, available on the government website at the following link <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/D…

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support the manufacturing industry in Ayrshire.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government provides a wide range of support to manufacturing companies “ including in Ayrshire “ directly and through Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International, local authorities and Skills Development Scotland. This includes innova…

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussion it has had with COSLA regarding town-twinning.

Answer · Michael Russell: There have been no recent discussions with COSLA regarding town-twinning. The Scottish Government has no role or locus in twinning arrangements and decisions rest with each local authority.

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support town-twinning as part of Homecoming Scotland 2009.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Homecoming Scotland team are working in partnership with local authorities regarding Homecoming events. Some local authorities are proactively developing links with their twin towns in the context of their Homecoming activity however, the Scottish Executi…

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the target being promoted by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations of building 10,000 affordable homes for rent in the next 12 months.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government fully supports the aims of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations to deliver increasing numbers of affordable homes across Scotland. We are working with them, and their members, and providing record levels of investment to the…

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that no employee of the NHS Scotland is paid less than £7 per hour.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS pay is considered on a UK wide basis through the Pay Review Body process which makes recommendations for the consideration of UK ministers and ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There are no immediate UK wide plans to introduce a £7 per ho…

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it will make available to support town centre regeneration in (a) east and (b) south Ayrshire.

Answer · Alex Neil: Decisions on the amount of resources allocated to the regeneration of town centres is a matter for local authorities in consultation with partners. We announced on 30 April that a dedicated £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund was open for appli…

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussion it has had with South Ayrshire Council regarding job losses in the Carrick area.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is working with South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership to establish an employability group of stakeholders, from the public, third, and private sectors, which will include South Ayrshire Council. The group will aim to link close…

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussion it has had with East Ayrshire Council regarding the state of local roads.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I have not received a request from East Ayrshire Council to discuss the state of local roads in their area. The Scottish Government provides local authorities with funding for local roads through the core local government finance settlement and each …

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussion it has had with South Ayrshire Council regarding the state of local roads.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I have not received a request from South Ayrshire Council to discuss the state of local roads in their area. The Scottish Government provides local authorities with funding for local roads through the core local government finance settlement and each…

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with South Ayrshire Council regarding the condition of the school estate.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Minister for Children and Early Years undertook discussions with South Ayrshire officials in April during which school estate matters were considered.

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with South Ayrshire Council regarding the closure of the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr.

Answer · Michael Russell: The First Minister and Provost Sloan of South Ayrshire Council discussed the Gaiety Theatre as part of a wider conversation during their meeting at the Burns Light event on 25 January 2009. The First Minister has since written to Provost Sloan to str…

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with South Ayrshire Council regarding its proposal to close Dalmilling Golf Course in Ayr.

Answer · Shona Robison: It is a matter for South Ayrshire Council to consider as owners of the golf course.

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with South Ayrshire Council regarding its financial situation.

Answer · John Swinney: Discussions relating to local government finance issues are generally conducted through COSLA. However, I did visit South Ayrshire Council last July and discussed a range of issues as part of my 2008 summer tour programme.