Cathy Jamieson

19 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the supplementary to question S30-1147 by Linda Fabiani on 8 November 2007, what further information the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture has received from the Scottish Arts Council regarding the establishment of artist-in-residence schemes.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-6615 on 7 January 2008. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for whichcan be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…

19 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place between Scottish ministers or officials and the Scottish Arts Council regarding artist-in-residence schemes.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: There have not beenany specific discussions on this issue. However, the Scottish Arts Council supportsa number of residencies of different types. These include ones which allow artistsan opportunity to spend a period of time concentrating on developing their …

19 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review existing powers relating to compulsory purchase orders.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The ScottishGovernment recently instructed Officials to undertake a review of the compulsorypurchase order process.</p><p>The key challengeis not to extend the already considerable legal powers available to localauthorities and others, but to encourage and fa…

19 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing incentives or support for registered social landlords to acquire and develop derelict buildings and bring them back into use for housing.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked JamesHynd, Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response isas follows.</p><p>Communities Scotland already provides housing association grant (HAG) to RegisteredSocial Landlords to allow them to provide affordable housing…

19 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what financial incentives or support are available for registered social landlords to acquire and develop derelict buildings and bring them back into use for housing.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked JamesHynd, Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response isas follows.</p><p>Communities Scotland provides housing association grant (HAG) toregistered social landlords to provide affordable housing for rent. This includ…

19 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether co-operative businesses will be represented on the regional advisory boards to be set up as part of the new structure for Scottish Enterprise.

Answer · Jim Mather: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-4699 on 12 October 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…

19 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether social enterprises will be represented on the regional advisory boards to be set up as part of the new structure for Scottish Enterprise.

Answer · Jim Mather: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-4699 on 12 October 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…

1 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, given the recent decision by the Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks programme to award funding to Girvan Community Developments Ltd, what financial support the Executive can provide to progress the Girvan Gateway project.

Answer · Jim Mather: Whilst the Big LotteryFund’s decision will inevitably have been disappointing to all those with an interestin the Girvan Gateway project, the Scottish Government cannot provide the financialsupport being sought since it does not provide direct support for suc…

24 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of installed renewable electricity capacity is supplied to the national grid by (a) onshore wind, (b) hydro, (c) biomass and (d) wave power.

Answer · Jim Mather: The information inthe following tables, which relates to 2006, is taken from the September 2007 editionof <i>Energy Trends</i>, published by the Department for Business Enterprise &amp;Regulatory Reform (BERR). It is available online at <ahref="http://www.ber…

24 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Community Safety next plans to meet Nil by Mouth.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I fully recognisethe constructive role that voluntary organisations can play in tacklingsectarianism and religious intolerance in Scotland, and am aware that there are already many voluntary groups making apositive contribution to this agenda. That is why I i…

24 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when its officials last met Nil by Mouth.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Governmentofficials have an ongoing dialogue with Nil by Mouth. The last contact betweenthem was on 29 October 2007. In addition, officials have given acommitment to meet with Nil by Mouth’s campaign director and key trustees atNil by Mouth’s earliest conveni…

24 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Community Safety last met representatives of Nil by Mouth.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I last met Nil byMouth’s campaign director on 25 September 2007 at theartwork event which I hosted to recognise the achievements of young people whohad created a range of anti-sectarian images and slogans.</p>

24 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1520 by Nicola Sturgeon on 16 July 2007, what range of support services it considers necessary in (a) Ayr and (b) Crosshouse hospitals to take appropriate account of local circumstances in the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley constituency.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I expect all NHSboards to plan and provide health care services which meet the needs of their localcommunities.</p>

24 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make a decision on the (a) Mark Hill, (b) Arecleoch, (c) Dersalloch, (d) Afton, and (e) Kyle windfarm applications under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Mark Hill, Arecleoch,Dersalloch, Afton and Kyle wind farm applications are currentlybeing processed under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. Scottishministers will determine each consent application after careful and thorough considerationof all mate…

19 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will determine the additional funding to be provided to (a) East Ayrshire Council and (b) South Ayrshire Council for local regeneration following the reorganisation of Scottish Enterprise.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Governmentis working with interested stakeholders to determine the exact nature and timingof the regeneration activity to be transferred to local authorities. Decisions onfunding will be made when these details are known, subject to the outcomes …

19 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4687 by Jim Mather on 15 October 2007, whether it will list precisely which national trade union representatives it consulted prior to announcing its reforms to the enterprise networks.

Answer · Jim Mather: The national tradeunion representatives to which I referred in the answer to question S3W-4687 on15 October 2007, were from the STUC.</p><p>All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which c…

19 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4686 by Jim Mather on 12 October 2007, whether it will list precisely which organisations, individuals and businesses were consulted during the process to develop the enterprise networks reform proposals.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Cabinet Secretaryfor Finance and Sustainable Development and I, as well as officials, held a numberof meetings, including with the enterprise networks, local authorities and the businessorganisations during which the reforms were discussed. I held a stake…

19 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4698 by Jim Mather on 12 October 2007, whether it will ensure that trade unions are invited to become members of the regional business advisory boards.

Answer · Jim Mather: Detailed decisionshave not yet been taken as to the precise membership of regional business advisoryboards.</p>

19 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give consideration to purchasing the additional rolling stock required to provide a half-hourly rail service between Glasgow and Kilmarnock.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Our considerationhas concluded that we will ask the franchisee to lease the additional rolling stockrequired to provide a half hourly service between Glasgow and Kilmarnock.</p>

19 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4425 by Stewart Stevenson on 12 October 2007, why it has no plans to purchase the rolling stock required to provide a half-hourly rail service between Glasgow and Kilmarnock.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: In view of the timescalefor this project we believe leasing is the most efficient way to secure rollingstock.</p>

19 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4423 by Stewart Stevenson on 12 October 2007, what the annual cost will be of leasing the two additional trains required to provide a half-hourly rail service between Glasgow and Kilmarnock.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The cost of leasingrolling stock is subject to the strength of the market. However, we estimate thatthe annual cost of leasing the two additional trains required to provide a half-hourlyrail service between Glasgow and Kilmarnock will be around £500,000.</p>

19 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4426 by Stewart Stevenson on 12 October 2007, who will meet the financial cost of leasing the additional rolling stock required to provide a half-hourly rail service between Glasgow and Kilmarnock.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland will meet the financial cost of leasing the additionalrolling stock required to provide a half hourly rail service between Glasgow and Kilmarnock. The finance will be provided to the franchiseethrough the franchise agreement.</p>

19 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4426 by Stewart Stevenson on 12 October 2007, whether the franchisee will be provided with any additional government funding to lease additional rolling stock required to provide a half-hourly rail service between Glasgow and Kilmarnock.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The cost of leasingthe additional rolling stock required to provide a half hourly service between Glasgow and Kilmarnock will be provided to the franchisee, throughthe franchise agreement, by Transport Scotland.</p>

19 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support the future development of clean coal technologies.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Governmenthas pressed the UK Government for assurances that the timetable for the competitionto support a full-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstrator project willnot slip any further. Representations have also been made to encourage …

19 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will meet COSLA to discuss extending the free school meals entitlement to families in receipt of maximum child tax credit and maximum working tax credit.

Answer · Adam Ingram: Discussions with COSLAare on-going.</p>

19 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when families in receipt of working families tax credit in (a) East Ayrshire and (b) South Ayrshire will receive free school meals.

Answer · Adam Ingram: This will depend onour on-going discussions with COSLA about outcome agreements.</p>

17 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4416 by Adam Ingram on 1 October 2007, what funds are directly targeted to provide services for the estimated 80,000 to 100,000 children affected by parental alcohol misuse.

Answer · Shona Robison: Local authoritiesreceive a funding settlement to assist with the delivery of services to children,including those affected by parental alcohol misuse. It is for local authoritiesto decide how to allocate these resources to best meet the needs of these childre…

17 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4416 by Adam Ingram on 1 October 2007, what funds are directly targeted to provide services for the estimated 10,000 to 20,000 children in Scotland living with parental drug abuse.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The Scottish Governmentprovides a funding settlement to local authorities to assist in the delivery ofservices to children and young people, including those affected by parental substancemisuse. Authorities have discretion within their own budgets to allocate…

17 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4416 by Adam Ingram on 1 October 2007, how many children it estimates live with parents affected by alcohol misuse, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Shona Robison: This information isnot held centrally.</p>

17 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4416 by Adam Ingram on 1 October 2007, what the basis is for its estimate of between 80,000 and 100,000 children in Scotland affected by parental alcohol misuse.

Answer · Shona Robison: The estimate of between80,000 and 100,000 children in Scotland affected by parental alcohol misuse originatesfrom the 2003 Scottish Executive report <i>Getting our priorities right: Good practiceguidance for working with families affected by substance misuse<…