Parliamentary questions
Cathy Jamieson
1,344 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
17 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the grant of £1,335,338 awarded to VisitScotland through the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007-13 for Lowlands and Uplands Scotland, under Priority 4 rural development funding, will be utilised.
Answer · Jim Mather: The recently awarded European Regional Development Fund Programme grant award for Lowlands and Uplands Scotland (and a similar award for the Highlands and Islands programme areas) will be used by VisitScotland to contribute to the delivery of the Homecoming S…
16 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to question S3W-09640 by Jim Mather on 28 February 2008, what targets it has set for participation in JobRotation in Ayrshire in each of the next three years.
Answer · Jim Mather: As the JobRotation programme is funded by the Ayrshire local authorities and with funding from the ESF programme, it is not for the Scottish Government to specify targets.</p>
16 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-09640 by Jim Mather on 28 February 2008, in which sectors people participated in JobRotation in Ayrshire in each of the last five years.
Answer · Jim Mather: The following table gives the requested information which has been provided by Workers'' Educational Association (WEA) Scotland, who manage the JobRotation project across Ayrshire.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td v…
16 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-09640 by Jim Mather on 28 February 2008, how many people participated in JobRotation in Ayrshire in each of the last five years.
Answer · Jim Mather: The following table gives the requested information which has been provided by Workers'' Educational Association (WEA) Scotland, who manage the JobRotation project across Ayrshire.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td valign=top >…
16 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has provided to each local authority for administering windfarm applications made under the Electricity Act 1989.
Answer · Jim Mather: Since 1 July 2005 the Scottish Government has paid Planning Authorities two thirds of any new application fee received under the Electricity (Applications for Consent) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The intention of this payment is to ensure the plann…
16 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-09363 by Jim Mather on 8 February 2008, which local authorities have now allocated funding to Homecoming Scotland and how much each authority has allocated.
Answer · Jim Mather: EventScotland is aware that a number of local authorities are considering providing funding in support of projects to celebrate Homecoming Scotland. Organisers of some of these projects have also submitted bids for funding from EventScotland to be part of the…
16 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-07989 by Jim Mather on 8 February 2008, what progress has been made on plans for the distribution of its share of funding from the UK unclaimed assets scheme.
Answer · Jim Mather: The consultation process will begin with an initial scoping seminar to be held in Edinburgh on 13 May 2008, hosted by the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations. This will involve the Big Lottery Fund, national umbrella and intermediary bodies and the vo…
16 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-08404 by Jim Mather on 28 January 2008, when the study it is undertaking into the economic value of sea angling will report.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The study into the economic impact of recreational sea angling in Scotland is being undertaken by Glasgow Caledonian University and is scheduled to report by the end of November this year.</p>
15 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what total amount of funding it has allocated to support events organised by community and other organisations that will feature as part of Homecoming 2009.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Homecoming team is currently undertaking contractual negotiations with a range of event organisers from the community, public and commercial sectors. Details on the allocation of funding will be available in the week commencing 26 May when it is planned t…
15 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the funding to support events as part of the Homecoming 2009 programme has been allocated.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Homecoming team is pleased with the response it has had from event owners and organisers around the country who are keen to run events in support of the Homecoming programme for 2009. The team is now working to conclude contractual negotiations with event…
15 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated to each of the individual funding streams to support events for the Homecoming 2009 programme.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Homecoming Scotland 2009 programme has three funding streams.</p> <p >The Signature Events Programme has a £1.5 million budget to develop a small number of high profile flagship events spaced throughout the year.</p> <p >The Themed Events Programme has …
15 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change or review the regulations on applications for refunds of the costs of prescription pre-payment certificates, in light of the recent reduction in prescription charges.
Answer · Shona Robison: In the light of the reduction of prescription charges on 1 April 2008, we have introduced new arrangements for partial refunds of Prescription Pre-payment Certificates (PPCs). The National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Regulatio…
7 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many whole-time equivalent hours have been worked by bank and agency staff in each NHS board in each of the last five years, broken down by discipline.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Information on bank nurses by board and agency nurses by board and discipline employed in NHSScotland in the last five years is published on the ISD Scotland website at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=WFE13.xls&a…
26 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring forward legislation to reverse the House of Lords judgment of 17 October 2007 to ensure that people with pleural plaques can continue to raise an action for damages.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: On 29 November 2007, we announced our decision to introduce a bill to reverse the House of Lords Judgment of 17 October 2007 in <i >Johnston v NEI International Combustion Ltd</i>. We also announced that the provisions of the bill would take effect from the d…
26 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to optimise the use of Scotland's economical coal reserves.
Answer · Jim Mather: Scottish opencast coal output remains healthy – in the range of five to eight million tonnes per annum over the last 10 years. In 2006 there was almost 30 million tonnes of consented reserves at Scottish opencast sites.</p> <p >Our policy for a balanced ene…
26 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to stimulate investment in clean coal technologies.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government maintains a dialogue with the energy sector to ensure that opportunities for the development of clean coal technologies are maximised. For example, discussions with OFGEM and National Grid on transmission charging aim to reduce costs a…
26 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to establish a forum to bring together trade unions, operators of coal-fired generators, coal producers and suppliers, and other relevant parties in the coal industry to find solutions and secure the long-term future of Scottish coal production.
Answer · Jim Mather: We are committed to the long-term future of Scottish coal production to support a balanced energy mix. I recently met with Scottish Resources Group and have made a commitment to them to convene a seminar of relevant industry stakeholders to discuss the coal s…
20 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8000 by Kenny MacAskill on 21 January 2008, when it will publish its consultation paper regarding juror issues.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: In view of the range of juror issues on which I now plan to seek views, my aim is to publish a consultation paper in the early summer.</p>
20 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce which individual projects will receive support under the first round of European Structural Funds.
Answer · Jim Mather: I announced the funding of projects to receive support in the first round of the Lowlands and Uplands Scotland 2007-13 European Structural Funds Programmes (ESEP) on 8 April 2008.</p> <p >Details of each individual project funded are available on the ESEP we…
6 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-9591 by Jim Mather on 25 February 2008, when it will make a determination on the proposed Kyle windfarm application.
Answer · Jim Mather: I refer to the answer given to parliamentary question S3W-9591 and restate that ministers expect to make a determination on this project shortly.</p> <p >All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search fa…
6 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost to hold the signature launch event for the 2009 Year of Homecoming.
Answer · Jim Mather: The final budget for the Burns-related launch event for the Homecoming next year is not yet finalised as the arrangements are still in the final stages of development. I have asked the Chief Operating Officer of EventScotland to write to you with this informa…
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which communities in South Ayrshire have the highest numbers of 10 to 19-year-olds living in the 15% most deprived areas.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) is the tool used by the Scottish Government to identify area concentrations of multiple deprivation. The SIMD is based on the small area statistical geography of data zones. Data zones are groups of census out…
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which communities in East Ayrshire have the highest numbers of 10 to 19-year-olds living in the 15% most deprived areas.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) is the tool used by the Scottish Government to identify area concentrations of multiple deprivation. The SIMD is based on the small area statistical geography of data zones. Data zones are groups of census out…
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be provided to communities in the Carrick, Cumnock, and Doon Valley parliamentary constituency as part of the Cashback for Communities programme.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The announcement made on the 15 February 2008 making £3 million available to fund youth projects through the CashBack for Communities programme will see every local authority area in Scotland benefit. The following table shows how funding will be distributed …
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates the Minister for Children and Early Years met parents’ representatives from Littlemill Primary School to discuss proposals by East Ayrshire Council to close the school.
Answer · Adam Ingram: I have not met with parents'' representatives of Littlemill Primary School on this matter.</p>
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates the Minister for Children and Early Years met parents’ representatives from Crossroads Primary School to discuss proposals by East Ayrshire Council to close the school.
Answer · Adam Ingram: I have not met with parents'' representatives of Crossroads Primary School on this matter.</p>
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates the Minister for Children and Early Years met parents’ representatives from Sorn Primary School to discuss proposals by East Ayrshire Council to close the school.
Answer · Adam Ingram: I have not met with parents'' representatives of Sorn Primary School on this matter.</p>
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates the Minister for Children and Early Years met parents’ representatives from St. Xavier’s Primary School to discuss proposals by East Ayrshire Council to close the school.
Answer · Adam Ingram: In my capacity as list MSP for the South of Scotland, and with the clear understanding that it was not in my role as minister, I met with parents of St Xavier''s Primary School on 27 January 2008.</p>
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals in the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley parliamentary constituency it expects to participate in occupational training programmes funded by Scottish Enterprise in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010.
Answer · Maureen Watt: From April this year operational responsibility, including all local level contracting arrangements, for the delivery of national training programmes, will transfer to Skills Development Scotland. It will therefore be for Skills Development Scotland to make a…
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals in Ayrshire it expects to participate in occupational training programmes funded by Scottish Enterprise in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010.
Answer · Maureen Watt: From April this year operational responsibility, including all local level contracting arrangements, for the delivery of national training programmes, will transfer to Skills Development Scotland. It will therefore be for Skills Development Scotland to make a…