Questions · Cathy Jamieson

13 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much finance will be distributed to each local authority from April 2008 to provide an intensive support and monitoring service.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The terms of the concordat betweencentral and local government commit to a reduction in central government monitoringof local government spending lines – this is reflected in the removal of ring-fencedresources for a significant amount of activity.Fund…

13 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects that an intensive support and monitoring service will be available in every local authority area.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: We propose to revise the regulationsIntensive Support and Monitoring (Scotland) Regulations 2006 to allow all local authorities to useMovement Restriction Conditions with an electronic tag through the Children’s Hearingssystem for young people under 16-year-o…

13 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects every local authority to utilise finance to be provided from April 2008 for the specific purpose of rolling out intensive support and monitoring services.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-7833 on 16 January 2008. Allanswers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website,the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…

13 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce any financial disincentives, as part of overall local authority funding, for any local authority that proposes to close small rural schools.

Answer · Maureen Watt: Funding arrangements forlocal authorities over the next three years have been set out in the LocalGovernment Settlement announced last month in the context of the concordat signedwith COSLA on 14 November.The government has alreadysignalled an intentio…

13 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce a mechanism of local authority finance which will provide authorities with an incentive to maintain small rural schools.

Answer · Maureen Watt: Funding arrangements forlocal authorities over the next three years have been set out in the LocalGovernment Settlement announced last month in the context of the concordat signedwith COSLA on 14 November.The government has alreadysignalled an intentio…

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what role it sees for seaside towns in the promotion of tourism.

Answer · Jim Mather: VisitScotland promotesScotland to potential visitors using a range of examplesof our wonderful landscape, scenery, and rich mix of rural and urban attractions.One valuable asset that is used in the promotion of Scotland as a visitor attraction is our legacy o…

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will provide to help to regenerate seaside towns as holiday destinations and promote tourism.

Answer · Jim Mather: The overarching objectiveof the Scottish Government is to promote economic growth across the whole of Scotland and for the benefit of all. We have committed supportof £435 million over the next three years to regenerate communities across Scotland. There is n…

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to help to regenerate seaside and coastal towns.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-7524 on 13 December 2007. Allanswers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website,the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it will provide to promote the regeneration of the seaside in each of the next three years.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-7524 on 13 December 2007. Allanswers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website,the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to utilise funding allocated to it by the UK Government as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review for the regeneration of seaside towns.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The overarching objectiveof the Scottish Government is to promote economic growth across the whole of Scotland and for the benefit of all. There are no plans to introducea specific funding stream for seaside towns. We have committed to a range of actionsthat …

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated to it by the UK Government as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review for the regeneration of seaside towns.

Answer · John Swinney: The ComprehensiveSpending Review allocation to the Scottish Government is calculated on thebasis of allocations to Whitehall Departments. It is for those Departments tothen decide how they wish to allocate the settlement between spendingprogrammes, in the sam…

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Environment will respond to my letter dated 6 September 2007 (ref: 2007/0031198).

Answer · Michael Russell: An interimresponse to the member’s letter dated 6 September 2007 was issued on 6December, and the member should now be in receipt of a full response.

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the funding it has provided through Scottish Enterprise to Quality Meat Scotland in each of the last three years has been used for purposes which are compatible with the nutritional guidelines set out in Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer, published by…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The World Cancer ResearchFund, Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition and Food Standards Agency all giveslightly different advice in relation to meat. Quality Meat Scotland follows theguidance of the Food Standards Agency as the independent government dep…

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the funding it has provided through Scottish Enterprise to Quality Meat Scotland in each of the last three years has been used for purposes which are compatible with the nutritional guidelines provided by the Food Standards Agency.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Quality Meat Scotland’s activities are compatible with the guidelines providedby the Food Standards Agency.

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the funding it has provided through Scottish Enterprise to Quality Meat Scotland in each of the last three years has been used for purposes which are compatible with the nutritional guidelines produced by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scientific AdvisoryCommittee on Nutrition is an advisory committee of independent experts that providesadvice to the Food Standards Agency, NHS, government agencies and departments. Itsremit includes matters concerning nutrient content of individual foods…

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the support provided to Quality Meat Scotland through Scottish Enterprise in each of the last three financial years has been used for.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The following providesa detailed breakdown of the financial support provided by Scottish Enterprise toQuality Meat Scotland in each of the last three financial years.<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td valign=top> <p align=c…

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it has provided to Quality Meat Scotland in each of the last three financial years.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The following table shows detailsof assistance provided to Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) from the Scottish Government’sMarketing Development Scheme in each of the last three financial years.<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 width=624> <thead> <tr…

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6636 by Shona Robison on 29 November 2007, whether it will make any recommendations or representations to the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition regarding the relationship between meat consumption and cancer in response to the findings of the…

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Governmentwill continue to be advised by the Food Standards Agency on this matter and theyin turn are advised by their scientific advisory committees. The Food StandardsAgency is aware of the review of iron and health being carried out by Scienti…

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any further advice, research or representations regarding the relationship between the consumption of meat and cancer, following the findings of a recent report by the World Cancer Research Foundation.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Governmentcontinues to be advised by the Food Standards Agency on this matter. The World CancerResearch Fund goes further than current government advice which continues to recommendmoderate consumption of red meat as part of a healthy balance die…

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6636 by Shona Robison on 29 November 2007, whether it will make any recommendations or representations to the Food Standards Agency regarding the relationship between meat consumption and cancer in response to the findings of the report by the World …

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Governmentcontinues to be advised by the Food Standards Agency on this matter. The Food StandardsAgency’s advice relating to meat consumption remains unchanged and continues torecommend that meat can be eaten in moderation, as part of a healthy b…

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6612 by Stewart Maxwell on 29 November 2007, how many of the buildings approved for Housing Association Grant were abandoned or derelict prior to being approved for the grant in 2006-07.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked JamesHynd, Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. His response isas follows.Communities Scotland does not record information about projects approved forHousing Association Grant (HAG) in this way. We therefore cannot g…

5 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6612 by Stewart Maxwell on 29 November 2007, whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the condition of buildings approved for Housing Association Grant prior to being approved for the grant in 2006-07.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked JamesHynd, Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. His response isas follows.Communities Scotland does not record information on projects approved forHousing Association Grant (HAG) in this way. We therefore cannot prov…

3 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it will allocate in the budget for partner programmes to provide support to victims of domestic abuse.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Governmentis currently considering its allocation of funding for partner support programmesin light of the outcome of Spending Review 2007.

3 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which local authority areas have partner programmes providing support to victims of domestic abuse.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Currently the ScottishGovernment funds four partners support projects, they are:The Women’s Service – EdinburghWorking with Men Project – EdinburghWomen and Children’s Worker – West LothianWomen’s Services Worker– Clackmannanshire,…

3 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it will allocate in the budget for the development of additional perpetrator programmes for people convicted of crimes relating to domestic abuse.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Governmenthas supported the development of an accredited domestic abuse programme for menconvicted of crimes relating to domestic abuse, (the Caledonian programme). TheCaledonian Advisory Group has been invited to submit a proposal for the furthe…

3 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which local authority areas have perpetrator programmes for people convicted of crimes relating to domestic abuse.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Six local authorityareas are specifically funded by the Scottish Government under section 27(1) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to provide groupwork perpetratorprogrammes for people convicted of domestic abuse crimes:Angus CouncilCity of …

3 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the money recovered in seized assets will be allocated to Crimestoppers.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-7306 on 12 December 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…

3 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it will provide to Crimestoppers in the budget.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: We are currently indiscussions with Crimestoppers Scotland about funding for next financial year.The CrimestoppersScotland call centre is managed by the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA)and the costs of employing staff and providing accommodati…

3 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of money recovered in seized assets will be made available to local communities to provide diversionary activities for young people.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-7306 on 12 December 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…

29 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to make money recovered in seized assets available to local communities to provide diversionary activities for young people.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I announced in Parliamenton 6 June 2007 that thanks to increasing amounts of moneybeing confiscated from criminals through the Proceeds of Crime Act, the ScottishGovernment will establish a new approach to reinvesting that money to benefit Scotland’s communit…