Fiona Hyslop

20 Aug 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of a motion of no confidence in its management having been passed by its security staff; if so, what actions have been taken to address the concerns raised, what further actions will be taken to address the concerns raised and what steps are being taken to ensure that …

Answer · Angus MacKay: The Scottish Executive is aware that a motion of no confidence was passed at a union meeting attended by security staff in July but no concerns following the motion have been raised with Security Branch management.

16 Aug 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why it did not provide the specific information on issues relating to asylum seekers, refugees and the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 requested in questions S1O-2628, S1W-6472, S1W-6475, S1W-3792, S1W-1981, S1W-1983, S1W-3650, S1W-3649, S1W-2542, S1W-1167, S1W-1166, S1W-142, S1W-163 and …

Answer · Jackie Baillie: Discussions between the Scottish Executive and the UK Government are normally conducted on a confidential basis. As stated in paragraph 11 of the Memorandum of Understanding, the principle that each administration will wish to ensure that the information that…

13 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to write to all those who have submitted details of their service with the Scottish Transport Group informing them of the progress of their applications with regard to the wind-up of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive issued a pro-forma as a means of verifying current addresses and basic details of service with Scottish Transport Group companies. This information will be used to update pension records before any distribution of ex-gratia payments can…

13 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to keep former employees of the Scottish Transport Group informed of the progress of the wind-up of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive maintains a website www.scotland.gov.uk/transport/stgpf on the matter of the Scottish Transport Group Pensions scheme and will update the information contained on its website when there are any substantial developments to report. In add…

25 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional exemptions to the right of tenants to purchase their own homes will be introduced if the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is passed as currently drafted.

Answer · Jim Wallace: None, although the proposed legislation, as currently drafted, would allow for the suspension of such rights while the community right to buy or crofting community right to buy is taking place. These tenants' rights would be resumed upon the conclusion of any…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the eligibility criteria for the central heating initiative.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: The central heating initiative is under review with a view to extending the programme to more people. An announcement will be made in the autumn.

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to divert monies allocated to the central heating initiative to other budgets and, if so, to which budgets.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: We keep all budgets and allocations under review to ensure that resources are used effectively for the benefit of all the people of Scotland.

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for review of the central heating initiative.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: The central heating initiative will be reviewed over the summer period with a view to extending the programme and an announcement will be made in the autumn.

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many pensioners in each local authority area meet the eligibility criteria for the central heating initiative.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: There are an estimated 40,000 pensioners in the private sector who meet the eligibility criteria for the central heating initiative. A further 23,000 tenants of local authorities and over 6,000 housing association tenants will also benefit and it is anticipat…

22 May 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to set up a forum for people or organisations involved with or affected by Houses in Multiple Occupancy licensing to facilitate discussion about common practices and concerns.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: We consider that a forum of this sort is unnecessary, since local authorities have already established an HMO Benchmarking Group in which they can discuss problems and best practice relating to mandatory licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Exec…

22 May 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to monitor any impact that fees for Houses in Multiple Occupancy licences have on (a) landlords and (b) tenants.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15911.

22 May 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to develop national standards or good practice guidelines for local authorities to ensure that Houses in Multiple Occupancy licensing is carried out to a consistently high standard across Scotland.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15911.

22 May 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any indications that the level of fee in any local authority area for a Houses in Multiple Occupancy licence is encouraging landlords to sell their properties or to evade licensing.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15911.

22 May 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what fee is payable to each local authority for a Houses in Multiple Occupancy licence.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15911.

9 May 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it intends to provide to pensioners in local authority houses in the Lothians which have old or partial central heating systems.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: Local authorities receive capital allocations from the Scottish Executive to enable them to repair and improve their own stock, including work in respect of old or partial central heating systems. The Scottish Executive Central Heating Programme is additional…

2 May 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review its position on support to pensioners with partial or old central heating systems.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: We have no present plans to review the position. Providing support in the way proposed would divert resources away from those who currently have no central heating at all.

1 May 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has used or is using any external agencies, organisations or persons in relation to the drafting of legislation, whether primary or otherwise, for consideration in the Scottish Parliament and, if so, who these persons, agencies or organisations are or were.

Answer · Tom McCabe: No.

26 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what income from the monitoring of imported cargo has been received by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in each of the last five years.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information requested is not held centrally.

26 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what checks are carried out, by whom and where to identify the content of imported cargo that may contain toxic waste.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is the enforcing authority for the regulations governing the import and export of waste to and from Scotland. The nature and frequency of the enquiries it makes and of the monitoring which it carries out is a matter …

26 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many warnings from Interpol and from other international agencies it or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency have received about the smuggling or illegal dumping of toxic waste since July 1999.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Executive has not received any such warnings from international agencies. Information on any warnings which may have been received by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is not held centrally.

26 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions of companies or individuals illegally using Scotland to dump toxic waste there have been since July 1999.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information requested is not held centrally.

26 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many illegal imports of toxic waste have been stopped from entering Scotland since July 1999.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information requested is not held centrally.

26 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to conduct an inquiry into the illegal dumping of toxic waste in Scotland similar to the inquiry that is currently being conducted by the Environment Agency for England and Wales.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: No. The enforcement of the controls covering the movement and disposal of toxic wastes, including investigations into illegal dumping of such wastes, is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

26 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any quantities of toxic waste have been accepted into Scotland from (a) England, (b) France and (c) elsewhere in the last 20 years and, if so, when and what amounts were involved.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The information requested is not held centrally.

18 Apr 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any delay in the central heating initiative due to start on 1 April 2001.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: No. Local authorities have already begun the process of installing central heating systems under the Executive-funded £350 million programme. Scottish Homes is making arrangements for the delivery of the programme in qualifying housing association properties.…

12 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar area and how it plans to further publicise the scheme in this area.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14987.

11 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S1O-3221 by Jackie Ballie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Aberdeenshire Council area and how it plans to further publicise the scheme in this area.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14987 on 30 April 2001.

11 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Dumfries and Galloway Council area and how it plans to further publicise the scheme in this area.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14987.

11 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Shetland Islands Council area and how it plans to further publicise the scheme in this area.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14987.

11 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3221 by Jackie Baillie on 29 March 2001, how many interim leaflets on its central heating scheme have been distributed in the Aberdeen City Council area and how it plans to further publicise the scheme in this area.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14987.