Dorothy-Grace Elder

22 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the most recent estimate is of the number of houses that would be demolished under the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock.

Answer · Margaret Curran: In its business plan the Glasgow Housing Association has stated that it intends to demolish an estimated 10,854 properties.

22 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it is currently estimated that the Glasgow Housing Association will be liable to pay in VAT in respect of its projected capital programme.

Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18239.

22 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what criteria registered social landlords may choose not to accept homeless applicants when requested to do so by local authorities.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: Section 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 sets out the duties of registered social landlords with respect to housing a homeless person when requested to do so by a local authority. Section 5(3) states that "a registered social landlord must, within a reaso…

22 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what the estimated cost is of providing any translation services in respect of the pre-statutory and statutory consultations on the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock and (b) from which budget any such cost will be allocated.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Glasgow City Council (GCC) is using its existing translation service to produce consultation material in relation to the proposed housing transfer. Any additional costs are included in resources allocated to GCC for tenant consultation under the New Housing P…

22 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made to provide translation services and otherwise assist those with language difficulties in respect of the pre-statutory and statutory consultations on the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Glasgow City Council has made arrangements to ensure that all relevant consultation material is printed in a range of languages.

22 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether asylum seekers located in Glasgow will be permitted to vote in the ballot on the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Asylum seekers do not have individual tenancy agreements with Glasgow City Council, therefore, they will not be permitted to vote in the ballot on the proposed Glasgow housing transfer.

22 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7529 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 16 June 2000, whether there have been any changes in the composition of the panel of independent advisers approved by Scottish Homes for the purpose of providing independent advice to tenants in the housing stock transfe…

Answer · Jackie Baillie: The table lists the approved members of Scottish Homes' panel of independent advisors as at 1 October 2001. Changes which have taken place since answer to question S1W-7529 on 16 June 2000 are annotated: <TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=5 WIDTH=614><TR…

22 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be in place for the re-housing of tenants and owner-occupiers of any buildings demolished as part of the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Detailed arrangements for the re-housing of tenants affected by demolitions will be discussed and agreed at local level. Owner-occupier homes affected by demolitions will be purchased at the market level as estimated by the District Valuer. Where necessary ar…

22 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6807 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 30 May 2000, whether it would intervene in any plans to demolish housing stock in Glasgow that were not supported by the results of the consultations with tenant-led landlords, tenants and others.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Decisions regarding the Glasgow Housing Association's proposed demolition programme will be a matter for the Glasgow Housing Association in consultation with local housing organisations. Tenants will play a key role in developing proposals for demolition and …

22 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6643 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 7 June 2000, (a) whether the estimated costs of conveyancing and other legal fees in respect of the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock are now known and, if so, what those estimated costs are and (…

Answer · Margaret Curran: £1.23 million has been earmarked for legal and conveyancing costs expected to arise in 2001-02. It is for Glasgow City Council to determine whether the work involved is to be carried out in house or externally.

10 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17550 by Jackie Baillie on 13 September 2001, what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Treasury about writing off Glasgow City Council's housing debt without any requirement for the council's housing tenants to vote for housing stock transfer.

Answer · Margaret Curran: On 18 September it was announced that the debt arrangements which apply to the housing transfer programme in England would be extended to Scotland (and Wales). These arrangements will only apply where a council transfers its housing stock into community owner…

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to ensure that Glasgow City Council housing tenants receive independent advice concerning the council's proposed housing stock transfer to the Glasgow Housing Association.

Answer · Margaret Curran: In 2000-01, £0.31 million of New Housing Partnership resources was made available for the provision of independent advice to tenants. A further £0.972 million has been made available to Glasgow City Council in 2001-02.

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the inquiry by Fife Constabulary on Strathclyde Police Force's handling of the demonstration at Govanhill Pool on 7 August 2001 will be concluded.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The investigation Fife Constabulary is conducting on behalf of the Regional Procurator Fiscal in Glasgow, into the conduct of a number of Strathclyde Police officers involved in policing the demonstrations, is expected to conclude in mid-December 2001. This t…

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the health and safety arrangements in place at Holyrood Secondary School in Glasgow are satisfactory.

Answer · Jack McConnell: The overall responsibility for health and safety arrangements at schools in Glasgow lies with Glasgow City Council, and the Scottish Executive does not have a monitoring role in this regard.

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many council houses in Glasgow will have central heating installed under the central heating installation programme in the financial years (a) 2001-02, (b) 2002-03. (c) 2003-04 and (d) 2004-05.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: The City of Glasgow Council have been allocated resources under the Central Heating Programme which will allow them to install around 1,900 central heating systems in their own stock in 2001-02. Resources for future years will ensure that all council stock wh…

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what alternative course of action it plans to take should Glasgow City Council housing tenants vote against housing stock transfer

Answer · Jackie Baillie: Should tenants in Glasgow decide that they do not wish to transfer their housing into community ownership, the housing will remain in the ownership of Glasgow City Council.

2 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and other public bodies have taken responsible and appropriate action with regard to the application for a licence to operate a cattle incinerator in Carntyne, Glasgow.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The authorisation of industrial processes under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). However, in this case, I am aware that Sacone Environmental Ltd, the new owner of the Carntyne i…

2 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures necessary to the safeguarding of public health are in place at the proposed cattle incinerator in Carntyne, Glasgow and, if not, what action it will take to ensure that such measures are in place before the incinerator's licence to operate is granted.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issued a Variation Notice to the current operators of the plant, requiring them to demonstrate that statutory environmental controls were in place, when ownership of the plant was transferred earlier this year…

2 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is regarding the proposed reopening of the cattle incinerator in Carntyne, Glasgow.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) served prohibition and enforcement notices on Sacone Environmental Ltd on 9 October 2001 in response to complaints about smoke and odour nuisance from the incinerator in Carntyne. The prohibition notice withdr…

17 Sep 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration is being given to re-opening local slaughterhouses and adopting a policy of transportation of carcasses only.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Most areas of rural Scotland producing prime stock are generally well served by abattoirs. Although the financial viability of abattoirs is key, my department would be happy to consider proposals from commercial concerns for establishing alternative facilitie…

17 Sep 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to review arrangements for the transportation of livestock.

Answer · Ross Finnie: European Community Directive 91/628EC which underpins the transport of animals legislation in this country is presently being reviewed. The Executive shall take every opportunity to press for stricter enforcement throughout the EU and for the highest possible…

13 Sep 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in deciding whether a complaint of maladministration against a local authority is warranted.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The information requested is given in sections 2 and 3 of the Annual Reports for 1998-99 and 1999-2000, published by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in 1999 and 2000 respectively, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Referen…

13 Sep 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints of maladministration were received by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in relation to Glasgow City Council and what the outcome was of each complaint in each of the past three years.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The information requested is given in the Appendices to the Annual Reports for 1998-99 and 1999-2000, published by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in 1999 and 2000 respectively, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference…

13 Sep 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints of maladministration and other matters were (a) received, (b) investigated and (c) found to be warranted and what subsequent action was taken by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in each of the past three years.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The information requested is given in Appendix 1 of the Annual Reports for 1998-99 and 1999-2000, published by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland in 1999 and 2000 respectively, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Cen…

12 Sep 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take in relation to any delays in seeing a consultant being experienced by hip replacement patients in Glasgow.

Answer · Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive set out our commitment to work with NHSScotland to reduce waiting times through increased investment and improved working practices and to ensure that this is a priority for local NHS boards.<P>NHS Greater Glasgow is currently working t…

20 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any guidance is given to local authorities regarding the replacement of old or dangerous windows in local authority housing.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: All window replacement must comply with the Building Standard (Scotland) Regulations 1990-1999. No specific guidance is given by the Executive regarding the replacement of old or dangerous windows in local authority housing.

20 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether special funds will be made available to local authorities for the replacement of old or dangerous windows in local authority housing.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: Window replacement in local authority housing is funded through councils' Housing Revenue Account capital programmes. There are no special funds available for this purpose.

18 Jun 2001 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer what plans there are to increase the number of places available for people with disabilities in the public gallery of the new Parliament building.

Answer · David Steel: Permanent space will be provided for six wheelchair users in the public gallery of the new Parliament building. That number can be<B> </B>increased (subject to health, safety and fire evacuation regulations) for special occasions, through planned flexibility,…

7 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to commission a report into the standard and provision of medical equipment for older or disabled people, and in particular hearing aids, similar to the report of the Audit Commission, Fully Equipped - The provision of equipment to older or disabled people by NHS …

Answer · Susan Deacon: A Joint Future Group Strategy Forum has been established to review existing equipment and adaptation services and how they interact, and to develop a programme of change that will result in a better-focused and more effective service for the user. The Rehabil…

7 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in the light of the report by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, Audiology in Crisis - Still Waiting to Hear.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Officials are currently considering in consultation with RNID how the institute's research might be used to help inform the proposed wide-ranging review of audiology services.