Parliamentary questions
Elaine Murray
2,411 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
27 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to Dumfries and Galloway Council’s most recent PPP application for improvement of its school estate.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Executive has responded witha conditional offer of financial support for the council’s rescoped PPP project.</p>
27 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether private care providers working with older people are required to provide training for unqualified care staff and, if so, what the minimum standard of training required is.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Care services defined in theRegulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001, whether in the public, private or voluntarysectors, are regulated by the Care Commission. Providers are required by regulationsto ensure that their employees receive training appropriate to t…
27 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is issued to local authorities and other social agencies in respect of the provision of aids and adaptations to elderly and disabled people.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Guidance on the provision of equipment and adaptations to people of all ages is summarised in <i>Using the Law to Develop and Improve Equipment and Adaptation Provision</i> published by The Scottish Executive in 2003, a copy of which is available in the Scott…
27 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how its response to the recommendations of the Kerr report will affect the way in which the needs of frail older people who are being cared for in the community will be monitored.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The needs of frail older people will continue to be assessed by GPs, health visitors, OTs and social workers as required. However <i>Delivering for Health </i>(Bib. number 37847), the Scottish Executive’s response to the <i>Kerr Report</i> (Bib. number 36608)…
27 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to improve the delivery of health care to older people in remote and rural communities which are distant from hospital facilities.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: <i>Delivering for Health</i> (Bib. number 37847) makes it clear that we will expand the range of services provided in the community. Patients will see more diagnosis, more day case surgery, more rehabilitation and more advice and outreach in the community.</p…
27 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to take forward the recommendations of the Kerr report in respect of the care of frail older people.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: <i>Delivering for Health </i>(Bib. number 37847), The Scottish Executive’s response to the <i>Kerr Report</i> (Bib. number 36608), makes it clear that we now expect NHS boards and Regional Planning Groups to use the <i>Kerr Report</i> to drive their service i…
26 Oct 2005 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to implement the A76 Route Action Plan.
Answer · Tavish Scott: All the road safety and Route Accident Reduction Plan measures in the plan have been implemented as have the traffic calming and traffic management measures at various communities along the route. The provision of overtaking opportunity schemes is being devel…
12 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has provided to (a) local authorities and (b) members of the public regarding charges for meals on wheels delivered to older people assessed as being eligible for free personal care.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Our guidance indicates that meals on wheels services are not included in free personal care. The guidance issued to local authorities explicitly states this, and the free personal care leaflet and the Scottish Executive website, which are aimed at members of …
12 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 prohibits local authorities from charging for meals on wheels delivered to older people assessed as being eligible for free personal care.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: No; the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 specifies the services that people can receive as free personal care and these do not include meals on wheels.</p>
10 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost has been to it of applications for wind turbine developments referred under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.
Answer · Allan Wilson: No separate figures are kept for the cost of processing applications for consent for wind farms, but since the beginning of financial year 2002-03 the cost to the Energy and Telecommunications Division of dealing with all Electricity Act applications for cons…
10 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who, in cases where a planning application has been refused by a local authority and an appeal is subsequently made by the developer to the Executive, is responsible for the cost of the appeal and whether further fees are payable by the developer.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: There is no fee payable for parties submitting a planning appeal. Parties to an appeal are, however, normally expected to meet their own expenses.</p>
10 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what fees are payable to the Scottish Executive for a planning application for a wind turbine development of over 50 megawatts, referred to it under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, and how such fees relate to the cost of processing the application.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The fees for such applications,as amended by The Electricity (Applications for Consent) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations2005 (2005 No. 295), which came into effecton 1 July 2005, are as follows:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> …
10 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what fees are payable to a local authority for a planning application for a wind turbine development of under 50 megawatts and how such fees are related to the cost of processing the application.
Answer · Johann Lamont: Fees for planning applications were introduced in 1981, so that potential beneficiaries of a planning permission could contribute to the processing costs incurred by local authorities. It is government policy to achieve full recovery of authorities’ costs in …
7 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it provides any guidance to local authorities regarding the supervision of primary school children in school playgrounds during break periods in the school day and, if so, whether it will provide details of such guidance.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Schools (Safety and Supervision of Pupils) (Scotland) Regulations 1990 place a duty upon every education authority to take reasonable care for the safety of pupils when under their charge, and without prejudice to such supervision as is required to comply…
7 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether rural community transport initiatives would be eligible for consideration for charitable status under the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and, if so, what criteria they would have to fulfil to be considered.
Answer · Tavish Scott: Under the Charities and TrusteeInvestment (Scotland) Act, any body may apply for charitable status. The Officeof the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) will decide whether or not they meet thecriteria. OSCR is under a duty to produce guidance on how it will de…
23 Sep 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware that the Forestry Commission is relocating seven jobs from Ae in Dumfries and Galloway to Edinburgh and whether it considers that this move is contrary to the Executive's relocation policy.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Forestry Commission has identified scope for increased efficiencies in its human resources division, by combining the roles of two units: the change management team and forestry training services, given the changing nature of learning and development. The…
23 Sep 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider extending the powers of local authorities to penalise owners of town centre premises who carry out alterations that cause the property to be unsuitable for use and therefore assessed as zero rated for business rates.
Answer · Tom McCabe: We have no plans to do so. Local authorities already have a wide range of powers which they can use in this regard, as set out in the answer to question S2W-8788 answered on 17 June 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Par…
23 Sep 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average annual payment is to independent dental practitioners for providing services under the NHS.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: In the year ending March 2005 the average annual payment made to independent dental practitioners for providing services under the NHS was £85,828<sup>1,2</sup>.</p> <p>Source: MIDAS (Management Information & Dental Accounting System).</p><p>Notes:</p><p>…
23 Sep 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the British Dental Association supported government proposals in 1991 to reduce the number of graduates in dentistry by closing the Edinburgh Dental School.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Yes.</p>
23 Sep 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in renegotiating the NHS contract with independent dental practitioners.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: A number of measures have been introduced following the introduction of the Action Plan for Improving Oral Health and Modernising NHS Dental Services and Scottish Executive officials are in regular discussion with the dental profession on taking matters forwa…
23 Sep 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-13929 by Nicol Stephen on 11 February 2005, whether its review of the Trunk Road and Motorway Tourist Signage Policy document is now complete and when the findings will be published.
Answer · Tavish Scott: My officials have completed the Review of Trunk Road and Motorway Tourist Signing Policy and are arranging for the document to be printed for consultation. I expect to consult widely on the proposals in November.</p>
23 Sep 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what powers local authorities have to take action against individuals or companies that obstruct the construction of infrastructure necessary for public safety.
16 Sep 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the inquiry into the draft Solway Regulating Order will be complete and, if the inquiry finds in favour of progressing the order, how long it will take to lay it before the Parliament.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967 under which Regulating Orders are made and which makes provision for the inquiry procedure does not stipulate a timeframe for the completion of an inquiry or the provision of advice to ministers by the inspector appointe…
16 Sep 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether fishery protection staff and vessels are available at night and during weekends.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Depending on location, shore-based fishery protection staff operate a shift system that provides 24 hour coverage or a flexible working regime between the hours of 0700 and 2300 which do not include weekends. Arrangements are made to meet exceptional requirem…
16 Sep 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to prevent gangs of illegal cockle fishers from outwith the area cockling at Powfoot on the Solway Firth.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency is responsible for enforcing fisheries legislation in Scotland and is using its full range of powers to enforce the closure of the Solway Firth to cockle fishing. The agency will seek to prosecute whoever is involved i…
7 Sep 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether registered social landlords can refuse to house a prospective tenant referred to them by their local authority under section 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and, if so, what reasons for refusal would be considered to be valid.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Section 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 requires that an RSL must comply, within a reasonable period, a local authority’s request to provide accommodation for a homeless household, which is unintentionally homeless with a priority need, unless it has goo…
7 Sep 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether grants are available to assist communities or individuals to gain satellite or wireless access to broadband in locations where the exchange will not support ADSL broadband.
Answer · Tavish Scott: BT confirms that all its exchanges are capable of supporting ADSL broadband. The Executive has a contract with BT to upgrade 378 exchanges to provide broadband by the end of the year. We are working with the company to identify communities with broadband acce…
7 Sep 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will guarantee broadband access to the community of Ewes, near Langholm, by the end of 2005.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive’s aim is toallow broadband access in all Scottish communities, and to this end we have acontract with BT to enable 378 exchanges to deliver ADSL broadband by the endof this year. We are working with BT to identify communities with accessproblems…
5 Sep 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is encouraging the use of solar panels in new-build properties.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Within the current Scottish building regulation energy standards, there are compliance options that take account of the positive influence of any solar panels installed in new buildings. A review of these energy standards is in progress and the options for fu…
22 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were made to evict tenants of registered social landlords or local authorities under anti-social behaviour legislation during 2003-04 and how many such applications resulted in an eviction being granted.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive does not hold data on the number of applications made by registered social landlords (RSLs) or local authorities during this period to evict tenants under anti-social behaviour legislation, only the number of cases which proceeded to co…