Parliamentary questions
Dorothy-Grace Elder
645 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
23 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive to list the health board areas which provide funding for beta interferon prescribing and, further to the answer to question S1W-496 by Susan Deacon on 22 July 1999, whether figures for the number of patients currently receiving treatment using beta interferon are held by individual health…
Answer · Susan Deacon: There are patients with multiple sclerosis in all health board areas receiving beta interferon treatment. In December 1999, there were 181 patients with multiple sclerosis receiving beta interferon treatment. This information is given on a national basis in o…
16 Nov 1999 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer how many staff the Parliament's full complement of security staff comprises; how many security staff have left since May 1999; what the reasons for security staff leaving were and, in particular, whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body considers that low wage levels, in compariso…
Answer · David Steel: The full complement comprises 87 full time operational staff, 60 of whom are employed on a shift-rota system with the remainder on permanent day shift. All shifts are of 8 hours duration. In addition, the Parliament Security Office employs 6 adminis…
16 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to acknowledge or honour the work of Nigel Tranter in promoting, through his many books, Scottish history and other Scottish causes on the occasion of his 90th birthday on 23 November.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: It gives me great pleasure to honour Nigel Tranter's 90th birthday. Through his writing over many decades he has brought alive to generations of readers in Scotland and beyond a fascinating array of people and events from our rich and varied history. He is to…
16 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has plans to expand the teaching of Scottish history in both primary and secondary schools.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: There are no plans to expand the current teaching of Scottish history which is covered within the 5-14 curriculum guidelines, at Standard Grade and within the Higher Still programme.
10 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is being provided for the NHS Direct initiative due to be piloted in Scotland next year.
Answer · Susan Deacon: £2.5 million is available over the next two years for the NHS Direct initiative to be piloted in Scotland.
4 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken for the removal of asbestos from schools and to protect children, school staff and maintenance workers from asbestos in schools.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Local authorities are responsible for the management of school premises, and information about the measures they may be taking in relation to matters such as this is not held centrally. There is well established guidance on asbestos in buildings from a number…
4 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary schools and primary schools, broken down by local authority, have asbestos in their buildings.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The information requested is not held centrally.
3 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what emergency planning provision has been made to prepare for the possibility of year 2000 computer problems affecting the shiplift and other facilities at the Clyde Naval Base given the potential environmental and health consequences of any accidents.
Answer · Angus MacKay: Health and environmental consequences are uppermost in the priorities of the Ministry of Defence, emergency services, local authorities and health boards when preparing emergency plans. These are regularly rehearsed, reviewed and revised to take account of al…
29 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review existing legislation on child pornography in the light of the increase in the availability of such material via the internet and other sources and in particular whether it will act on Lord Cullen's expressed concerns about restrictions on the length of sentences ava…
Answer · Jim Wallace: We take very seriously the menace presented by child pornography, whatever its source. The law on child pornography already reflects this, with a maximum penalty of 3 years' imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both, for those who publish, circulate or possess…
21 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of all plans regarding reductions in radioactive discharges in Scotland which were submitted to the Oslo Paris Convention on Marine Pollution in the North East Atlantic (OSPAR) International Group chaired by France prior to 15 September 1999, highlighting i…
Answer · Sarah Boyack: A report setting out the UK's intentions for action to implement the OSPAR Strategy on radioactive substances was submitted to the OSPAR Secretariat on 25 October 1999. A copy of that report has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Public Information Centre…
21 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the high rate of childhood leukaemia in the area around the Ministry of Defence firing range at Dundrennan and whether these plans include an investigation into the possible links between the use of depleted uranium ammunition and the high rate of leukaemia in…
Answer · Susan Deacon: The incidence of leukaemia and other cancers is continually monitored by the Information and Statistics Division of the National Health Service in Scotland.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>There is no evidence to support the suggestion that there is a high risk o…
21 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to protect the marine and coastal environments of Scotland, and the livelihoods of those who work in related industries and businesses, from the effects of pollution caused by the discharge of plutonium into the Irish Sea and whether such plans take account of a recent s…
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Several studies have shown that marine currents carry radioactivity discharged to the Irish Sea to considerable distances from the point of discharge, in this case the Sellafield site. The levels of activity detected, however, are very small.<FONT FACE="Aria…
21 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to ensure the health and safety of janitors in schools with coal fired boilers in relation to (a) the moving and handling of coal and ashes and (b) potential respiratory problems.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Local authorities are responsible for health and safety issues relating to their employees, including school janitors.
21 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools in Scotland have (a) coal fired boilers, (b) gas fired boilers and (c) oil fired boilers, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The information is not available centrally.
21 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been taken to ensure that Glasgow Royal Infirmary will function effectively during the millennium celebrations taking place in the George Square and High Street areas of Glasgow between 30 December 1999 and 1 January 2000.
Answer · Susan Deacon: Planning for the millennium celebrations throughout Glasgow has been co-ordinated by Greater Glasgow Health Board and Glasgow Royal Infirmary is only one of the many service providers involved. <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">I understand that a major Casualty Clearance S…
21 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for a specialist bed for patients with anorexia nervosa.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The care and treatment of individuals with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia is covered by the Framework for Mental Health Service in Scotland, published in 1997. Health Boards and NHS Trusts are expected to develop such specialist services…
21 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many specialist beds are provided in Scotland for the treatment of anorexia nervosa by (a) the NHS and (b) the private sector, broken down by region.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The care and treatment of individuals with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia is covered by the Framework of Mental Health Service in Scotland, published in 1997. Health Boards and NHS Trusts are expected to develop such specialist services …
21 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to review the services, except cardiac services, provided by Yorkhill Hospital, Glasgow.
Answer · Susan Deacon: Work on the optimal disposition of paediatric tertiary services for Scotland as a whole is already being taken forward by the Acute Services Group. That work touches on a number of highly specialised services provided at Yorkhill and the other paediatric cent…
8 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take action to prevent private firms from setting up accident and emergency units in Scotland.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive is unaware of any proposals from private firms to set up accident and emergency units in Scotland.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>The independent health care sector is currently regulated under the provisions of the Nursing Homes Registrat…
8 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-765 by Susan Deacon on 8 September 1999, what future plans does it have to consult local people about the creation of a secure unit at Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow.
Answer · Susan Deacon: Local consultation with communities is an important responsibility of Trusts and Health Boards. I understand that Greater Glasgow have recently held a series of public meetings about the proposals to develop a Local Forensic Unit at Stobhill. The outcome of t…
7 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the creation of a secure unit at Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow.
Answer · Susan Deacon: It is for Greater Glasgow Health Board and Greater Glasgow Primary Care Trust to plan the provision of a Local Forensic Unit for Glasgow taking into account the views of local representatives and communities. It is the role of this Parliament to ensure that w…
6 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been attacked on roads and motorways in Scotland whilst waiting for emergency service vehicles, broken down by gender and age group for the last five years.
Answer · Angus MacKay: While we do compile statistics on crimes of assault, the available information recorded by the Police does not distinguish this level of detail.
6 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients with multiple sclerosis, considered eligible for beta interferon treatment, are being denied such treatment on grounds of cost.
Answer · Susan Deacon: There is no information available on the number of patients with multiple sclerosis who may be eligible for beta interferon treatment. The question of whether patients might benefit from beta interferon treatment is a matter for the clinical judgement of the …
6 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients with multiple sclerosis are currently receiving beta interferon treatment, broken down by area health board.
Answer · Susan Deacon: As of December 1999 181 patients with multiple sclerosis were receiving beta interferon treatment in Scotland.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>This information is given on a national basis in order not to disclose information that may relate to an individual pati…
30 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its view would be on members taking a second public oath against involvement in any dealings with commercial lobbyists, as the first oath of May 12 1999 did not contain any pledge on ethical standards.
Answer · Tom McCabe: Under the terms of Section26 of the Scotland Act, this is a matter for the Presiding Officer. I understand the Standards Committee is considering a Code of Conduct for Members which may include a reference to the Oath of Allegiance.
30 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will express its view on the request by the Royal Navy at Coulport to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to transport nuclear waste associated with Trident, including materials which have absorbed tritium.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The application by the Ministry of Defence for a letter of agreement to dispose of radioactive waste from Coulport is currently being considered by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. I expect to be consulted on the terms of any letter of agreement pr…
29 Sep 1999 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its view would be on members taking a second public oath against involvement in any dealings with commercial lobbyists, as the first oath of May 12 1999 did not contain any pledge on ethical standards.
Answer · Tom McCabe: Under the terms of Section26 of the Scotland Act, this is a matter for the Presiding Officer. I understand the Standards Committee is considering a Code of Conduct for Members which may include a reference to the Oath of Allegiance.
28 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will acknowledge the work of Skill, Scotland, in assisting students with disabilities at the universities and colleges of Scotland and whether it will make available the necessary #60,000 per annum funding to prevent its possible closure after December when its current lottery …
Answer · Henry McLeish: A meeting has been arranged with representatives of Skill in Scotland to discuss the organisation's request for funding from the Scottish Executive.
28 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-687 by Donald Dewar on 26 August 1999, what the total cost is to date, broken down by month, of employing the current seven special advisers including salary, expenses and travel and support staff and whether it is yet in a position to make an announ…
Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer to Donald Dewar's replies to question S1W-1612 on 16 September 1999, to question S1W-2650 on 22 November 1999 and to question S1W-3302 on 6 March 2000. As indicated in the answer to S1W-2650, the pay ranges were increased by 2.9% on 1 April in line wi…
22 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will formulate legislation to ensure that the act of shaking an infant to its injury results in mandatory charges of attempted murder and not lesser charges in recognition of the extreme frailty of babies.
Answer · Jim Wallace: No; we prefer the flexibility of existing Scots common law<B> </B>to a rigid statutory formula. This allows each case to be assessed on its individual merits. It also recognises that the charge of attempted murder is appropriate to deal with attacks where, ha…