Parliamentary questions
Elaine Murray
2,411 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28095 by Stewart Stevenson on 4 November 2009, whether it intends to declare properties and smallholdings purchased by the Scottish Office prior to the upgrade of the M74 in Dumfries and Galloway and now owned by the Scottish Ministers as surplus to …
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: It is our intention to declare the remaining properties owned by the Scottish Ministers which were acquired for the upgrade on the A74 in Dumfries and Galloway surplus to requirements. Raecleugh and Longbedholm Cottage have already been declared surplus and T…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28094 by Stewart Stevenson on 4 November 2009, which properties and smallholdings purchased by the Scottish Office prior to the upgrade of the M74 in Dumfries and Galloway and now owned by the Scottish Ministers are tenanted.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The residential properties known as Milagro and Cauldwellknowe Farm which are owned by the Scottish Ministers are tenanted. </p>
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28095 by Stewart Stevenson on 4 November 2009, which properties and smallholdings purchased by the Scottish Office prior to the upgrade of the M74 in Dumfries and Galloway are owned by the Scottish Ministers.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The properties acquired by the Scottish Office for the upgrade of the A74 in Dumfries and Galloway which remain in the ownership of the Scottish Ministers are:</p> <p >Raecleugh Farm,</p> <p >Longbedholm Cottage,</p> <p >Milagro and</p> <p >Cauldwellknowe…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28094 by Stewart Stevenson on 4 November 2009, when the tenancy of Nether Howcleugh will expire.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The tenancy of Nether Howcleugh will expire on 31 March 2010.</p>
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has plans for capital investment in HMP Dumfries and, if so, what expenditure.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >In the current financial year, an upgrade of the perimeter security and CCTV system was completed, at a total cost of £549,670. In additi…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its long-term plans are for the future of HMP Dumfries.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >There are no plans for any significant change at HMP Dumfries.</p>
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28049 by Alex Neil on 29 October 2009, whether the seven contractors in Dumfries and Galloway are the same as those previously involved with the Central Heating Programme.
Answer · Alex Neil: The seven contractors working in Dumfries and Galloway were all previously involved with the Central Heating Programme. The managing agent has advised that, wherever possible, Central Heating Programme contractors are used to carry out work under the Energy A…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28055 by Alex Neil on 29 October 2009, for what reason the average waiting period from application to installation under Stage Four of the Energy Assistance Package cannot be provided at local authority level.
Answer · Alex Neil: The managing agent is responsible for delivery of stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package and is contractually required to provide certain information to the Scottish Government. We are reviewing the information about customer journey times including the for…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28054 by Alex Neil on 29 October 2009, for what reason the demand for installations under Stage Four of the Energy Assistance Package requires stimulation when there were over 14,000 installations in 2008-09 under its Central Heating Programme.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Central Heating Programme was heavily subscribed because it was a <br> long-established programme with brand recognition and access was based on age rather than need. Many installations under the programme benefited households which were not fuel poor and…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that Stage Four of the Energy Assistance Package is (a) working as intended and (b) successful.
Answer · Alex Neil: Yes. The EAP is helping thousands of households in Scotland to heat their homes more cheaply and efficiently. To end September:</p> <p >Over 16,000 have taken up help,</p> <p >Benefits checks have achieved nearly £454,000 in extra income,</p> <p >400 ho…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the installation rate under Stage Four of the Energy Assistance Package is lower than that under the Central Heating Programme.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Energy Assistance Package is not simply a central heating replacement programme; it is a new programme offering a wider range of services to better tackle the three main causes of fuel poverty: low incomes; poor energy efficiency, and fuel costs. Help wit…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) applications and (b) eligible applications for the installation of enhanced measures under Stage Four of the Energy Assistance Package had been received by 30 September 2009, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Energy Assistance Package (EAP) is a holistic approach to tackling fuel poverty that addresses both the home and the householder, and includes services to maximise income, reduce fuel bills and improve energy efficiency. Stage 4 of the package offers a me…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) budget and (b) spend was for installations under the Central Heating Programme in each of the last three years.
Answer · Alex Neil: The information is contained in the following table.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td valign=top > <p align=center >Central Heating Programme</p> </td> <td valign=top > <p align=center >(a) Budget</p> </td> <td v…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the budget is and what the spend has been since April 2009 for the installation of enhanced measures under Stage Four of the Energy Assistance Package.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Energy Assistance Package is a holistic approach to tackling fuel poverty that addresses both the home and the householder, and includes services to maximise income, reduce fuel bills and improve energy efficiency. Stage 4 of the package offers a menu of …
2 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason unpaid carers are not included in its influenza A (H1N1) vaccination programme.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Social care staff employed to provide personal care to children and adults in care homes and the community will be vaccinated against influenza A (H1N1) in the initial priority group as announced on 13 August. These staff have been identified as an initial pr…
29 Oct 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its criteria are for classifying a school as refurbished or rebuilt.
Answer · Keith Brown: Each authority provides information to the Scottish Government on which of their schools have been refurbished or rebuilt for the School Estate Statistics. A school is recorded as having been substantially refurbished where total expenditure exceeds £500,000 …
27 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent issuing antisocial behaviour orders to under 16-year-olds under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, broken down by (a) year and (b) local authority area.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: This information is not held centrally. The Scottish Government allocated almost £7 million to local authorities between 2004-05 and 2007-08 for expenditure on programmes to support under 16-year-olds being considered for or subject to antisocial behaviour or…
27 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent issuing antisocial behaviour orders under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, broken down by (a) year and (b) local authority area.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The information requested is not held centrally.</p>
27 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued to under 18-year-olds each year under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Statistics on the number of antisocial behaviour orders issued to adults and under 16s between 1 October 2004 and 31 March 2008, by local authority area, can be found on our website at <a href="http://www.antisocialbehaviourscotland.com/">www.antisocialbehavi…
27 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued to under 16-year-olds each year under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Statistics on the number of antisocial behaviour orders issued between 1 October 2004 and 31 March 2008, by local authority area, can be found on our website at: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.antisocialbehaviourscotland.com/">www.antisocialbehaviourscotland.c…
27 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued each year under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28392 on 4 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/apps…
8 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive by what process a member of the public could purchase Nether Howcleugh with the intention of refurbishing it as a smallholding.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Once the property has been declared surplus to requirements, it will be offered back to the previous owner or their successor at current market value in accordance with the Crichel Down Rules. If the previous owner or their successor declines the offer, the p…
8 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is regarding Nether Howcleugh, a derelict smallholding that was acquired during the construction of the M74.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Nether Howcleugh remains in the Scottish ministers'' ownership and is currently tenanted.</p>
8 Oct 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth had with local authorities in relation to zero waste in finalising the single outcome agreements.
Answer · John Swinney: <i >This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor1008-01.htm">http://www.scott…
6 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many households have received the Stage Three package of standard insulation measures under the Energy Assistance Programme, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Alex Neil: The measures that can be provided under Stage 3 comprise cavity wall insulation and loft insulation if there is less than 60mm present. The following table provides the numbers of households who have chosen to receive cavity wall insulation and / or loft insu…
6 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason 43 times fewer central heating systems have been installed as part of the Energy Assistance Package compared with the central heating programme.
Answer · Alex Neil: Unlike the central heating programme, the Energy Assistance Package is a holistic approach to tackling fuel poverty that addresses both the home and householder and includes services to maximise income, reduce fuel bills and improve energy efficiency. Stage 4…
6 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for central heating system installation for applicants who qualify for Stage Four of the Energy Assistance Package, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Energy Assistance Package is a holistic approach to tackling fuel poverty that addresses both the home and householder and includes services to maximise income, reduce fuel bills and improve energy efficiency. Stage 4 of the package offers a menu of enhan…
6 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to increase the number of central heating systems installed as part of the Energy Assistance Package.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Energy Assistance Package is a holistic approach to tackling fuel poverty that addresses both the home and householder and includes services to maximise income, reduce fuel bills and improve energy efficiency. Stage 4 of the package offers a menu of enhan…
6 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to reduce the waiting period for central heating system installation for applicants who have qualified for Stage Four of the Energy Assistance Package.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Energy Assistance Package (EAP) is a holistic approach to tackling fuel poverty that addresses both the home and householder and includes services to maximise income, reduce fuel bills and improve energy efficiency. Stage 4 of the package offers a menu of…
6 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason there is a four to six-month wait in Dumfries and Galloway for a boiler to be installed in a household that has qualified for Stage Four of the Energy Assistance Package.
Answer · Alex Neil: The majority of eligible applicants in Dumfries and Galloway have been waiting for no more than three months, although some have been waiting longer. There may be several reasons for a delay in installation, other than simple pressures of demand, such as the …