Parliamentary questions
Dorothy-Grace Elder
645 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Jun 2000 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to investigate the types and safety of herbicides used in some of the GM crop trials.
Answer · Ross Finnie: All pesticides used in this country, including those which are applied to GM crops, are subject to strict statutory control and are only approved following thorough scientific investigation and evaluation of the risk that they pose to people, wildlife and to …
15 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made to the Church of Scotland following their request for #175,000 in government funding to cover the cost of vetting volunteers when new child protection safeguards are introduced.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Church of Scotland's concern about the cost of criminal record checks for their volunteers is being considered by the Part V Voluntary Issues Review Group which is chaired by Jackie Baillie, Deputy Minister for Communities. The Review Group, which include…
15 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to investigate any discontent within the social work profession.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: No.
15 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the ruling of unfair dismissal by an industrial tribunal, social workers employed by Glasgow City Council should be reinstated.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: This matter is entirely for Glasgow City Council
15 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate the provision of social work services in Glasgow in view of the possible strike action later this month.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: The Social Work Services Inspectorate is undertaking a review of social work services in all local authorities as part of its obligation to write an annual report. This includes Glasgow.
14 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the installation of confectionery and soft drinks vending machines in some schools is in line with its healthy diet and dental care policies.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The Scottish Diet Action Plan <I>Eating for Health</I>, which provides the framework for the Scottish Executive's drive towards healthier eating, says that schools should take steps to ensure that tuck shops and vending machines provide a range of healthy foo…
14 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate death rates among homeless people and the quality of hospital care they receive.
Answer · Susan Deacon: If homeless people are admitted to hospital or seek help from an Accident and Emergency department, they should be given exactly the same quality of care and attention as anyone else.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Death certificates do not record a person's address and i…
14 Jun 2000 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidelines to local authorities regarding schools supplementing income by installing vending machines which sell soft drinks and confectionery and, if so, what these guidelines will be.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The responsibility for the provision of vending machines rests with local authorities.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The Scottish Diet Action Plan <I>Eating for Health</I> included nutritional guidelines for catering specifications for the public sector, targeted primari…
7 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Department of Health communicated with it over soya bean oil breast implants.
Answer · Susan Deacon: Medical devices are regulated at UK level by the Medical Devices Agency. The Scottish Office was informed in February 1999 of the proposed withdrawal of these implants from the market in March 1999. An Independent Expert Group was established at that point to…
7 Jun 2000 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it intends to take regarding women who have received soya breast implants and are now perceived to be at risk.
Answer · Susan Deacon: I refer the member to the answer to question S1W-7723.
2 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make immediate funds available to the Glasgow Rape Crisis Centre and in particular in relation to its current court action regarding the Mike Tyson fight.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: Public funding of local groups is a matter for local authorities. It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Executive to provide funding in these circumstances and no application has been made.
2 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ambulance services throughout Scotland were fully consulted before proposals were drawn up concerning acute service reviews of hospitals.
Answer · Susan Deacon: This is a matter for the relevant health boards and their NHS Trusts.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">I have, however, made it clear that before taking decisions affecting local communities, it is essential that those who plan and provide services enter into full and meani…
1 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to make financial assistance available to families of murder victims who may face high costs on attending murder trials.
Answer · Angus MacKay: The Executive has received no representations on this matter and has no such plans at present.
1 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the role is of the External Relations Division and with which external bodies it relates.
Answer · Jack McConnell: The External Relations Division within the Scottish Executive supports and provides advice and guidance to Ministers and Scottish Executive staff in their dealings with other administrations, including the UK Government, other devolved administrations, foreig…
1 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what are (a) the salary of the newly appointed head of the External Relations Division, (b) the number of staff assigned to the head of the Division and (c) the overall estimated cost in salaries and expenses of the head of the Division's staff and facilities.
Answer · Jack McConnell: (a) Individual salaries are not published in order to protect the privacy of the individual. The Head of External Relations Division post is in Senior Civil Service Pay Band 2 (£47,138 - £75,601).<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">(b) The division has a staff of 18.<P ALIGN=…
25 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will submit all Executive documents for scrutiny by the "Plain English Campaign" prior to release.
Answer · Jack McConnell: The Scottish Executive is a corporate member of the Plain English Campaign and we are currently looking at the use we make of that organisation and at how we adopt the plain English principles in the documents we publish.
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many post-operative patient appointments at the Scottish Cardiac Transplant Patient Unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary have been cancelled in the years 1998, 1999 and in the current year to date, and what were the reasons for the cancellations.
Answer · Susan Deacon: I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-7161.
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate any cancellations of post-operative patient appointments at the Scottish Cardiac Transplant Patient Unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Answer · Susan Deacon: Post-operative clinics are a vital part of the heart transplant service at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. No post-operative patient appointments are actually cancelled but some are from time to time rescheduled. Patients would be given as much notice of a re-arrang…
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will cancel the use of silicon breast implants in the NHSiS immediately in response to the inquiry into their safety announced by the European Commission.
Answer · Susan Deacon: Medical devices are regulated at UK level by the Medical Devices Agency who advise that there are no plans to alter policy in relation to the use of silicone gel breast implants. Such policy is determined on the basis of advice on the safety of these implants…
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what commitments it will give in relation to the environmental regeneration of current nuclear sites in Scotland as a result of statements on nuclear disarmament by the UK at a recent United Nations meeting in New York.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: While recognising the lengthy timescale required to complete decommissioning, the Scottish Executive is committed to remediation in line with the principle of sustainable development.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">In accordance with the polluter pays principle, site oper…
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to disallow dumping of toxic waste at Paterson's Landfill site in Mount Vernon, Glasgow.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The type and quantity of waste which may be accepted for disposal at landfill sites is authorised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) by means of conditions included in the waste management licence for the site. In considering applications fo…
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what effect existing bus/taxi/cycle lanes and gates have had on small businesses and private hire cars in Glasgow since their introduction.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The operation of bus/taxi/cycle lanes and gates in Glasgow is a matter for Glasgow City Council. No studies have been carried out by the Scottish Executive on the effect of these traffic management measures on small businesses and private hire cars.
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to increase the allocation of Additional Costs of Teaching monies to general practice in recognition of the increase in community-based teaching.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The level of funding provided for General Practice Undergraduate Teaching is for negotiation between the relevant health board, NHS Trusts and university.
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the Financial Services Authority having an office in Scotland.
Answer · Henry McLeish: The Financial Services Authority has an office in Scotland, at 108-114 Dundas Street, Edinburgh.
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to ensure that suitably qualified first aiders and first aid equipment are available at all times in schools.
Answer · Peter Peacock: It is for authorities to make appropriate arrangements for first aid cover in schools, having regard to their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and to the advice in the revised Approved Code of Practice and Guidance published i…
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to bring in legislation to cover the training and supervision of voluntary first aiders with respect to the provision of first aid at public events.
Answer · Susan Deacon: UK health and safety legislation places a duty on the organisers of such events to ensure that they discharge fully their responsibilities, including provision of appropriate first-aid and medical cover. Advice on the appropriate competence of first aid provi…
19 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been consulted over the possible use of the National Stadium for a boxing match featuring Mike Tyson and what response it has given.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: I made the SFA, as managers of Hampden Stadium, aware of the concerns of Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament about the staging of the match at Hampden.
17 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what provision will be made for people with disabilities in the east end area of Glasgow following the closure of the Easterhill day centre in Baillieston.
Answer · Iain Gray: That is a matter for Glasgow City Council.
16 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to Her Majesty's Government and, in particular, the Home Secretary over the proposed boxing match involving Mike Tyson in Glasgow.
Answer · Angus MacKay: I refer the member to the reply I gave to PQ S1O-1765.
16 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any response to the submission by UNISON and others that the public consultation period over the review of Glasgow hospitals be extended from three months to six months.
Answer · Susan Deacon: I refer to the answer I gave to question S1W-6903.