Fiona Hyslop

8 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many households are currently excluded from re-housing by (a) council landlords and (b) housing associations because of previous rent or mortgage arrears.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: This information is not held centrally.

8 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government about the impact of housing benefit reform on (a) council tenants, (b) housing association tenants and (c) private rented sector tenants in Scotland.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: I refer to my answers of 14 July to Alex Neil (S1W-00298) and Fergus Ewing (S1W-00351). The implications of housing benefit reform for particular groups of tenants would depend on the nature and extent of any such reform.

8 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it proposes to take to ensure that where a local authority proposes to transfer all of its housing stock, local communities will have ownership and control of the organisation to which the stock is transferred and its decision-making processes.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The transfer of tenanted local authority housing requires the consent of Scottish Ministers. In arriving at a view on the management structure of the new landlord, Ministers will take account of the views of tenants, Scottish Homes' registration criteria and…

8 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice has been given to local authorities currently conducting feasibility studies into stock transfer as to the future status of the tenancy of their tenants after a successful stock transfer.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: This is set out in the booklet "New Housing Partnerships, the future for Scotland's communities" which was issued to all councils in June 1998. A copy has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. The Housing Green Paper sought vi…

8 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what were the projected number of properties (new build and improved, for rent, for sale or for part sale) planned under years one and two of the New Housing Partnership programme, as opposed to what has been achieved to date, and what is currently projected to be achieved.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Information on planned outputs from the New Housing Partnership programme is currently being collected from Scottish local authorities. I shall write to Ms Hyslop once this becomes available.

8 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place to audit the progress of projects funded under the New Housing Partnership.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: These are set out in a letter issued to councils on 15 July 1999. A copy has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

8 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that where local authorities transfer all or part of their housing stock, the statutory obligations imposed upon them for re-housing homeless people will be met.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: The operational responsibility for allocating houses must be transferred to new community landlords if they are genuinely to have control over their own affairs. Local authorities will, however, need to ensure that they have access to sufficient housing to e…

8 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new social landlords proposed under the New Housing Partnerships Programme will have to be incorporated as Industrial and Provident Societies, to become Registered Social Landlords.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Social landlords receiving funds under the 1999-2002 New Housing Partnerships bidding round are required to become Registered Social Landlords with Scottish Homes. Registered Social Landlords may be either Industrial and Provident Societies or companies, but…

18 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what rights of consultation and consent it will have under the terms of the Immigration and Asylum Bill currently being considered by the Westminster Parliament, specifically as they relate to clauses 71 and 87 of the Bill.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Secretary of State is required, under clause 71 (clause 76 in the current version) of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, to obtain the approval of Scottish Ministers to remove the name of a designated Scottish professional body, if he considers that that de…

18 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in the light of the proposed convention that the Westminster Parliament should not legislate on devolved matters, what consultation has taken place with the Scottish Ministers regarding the proposed amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, the Me…

Answer · Susan Deacon: There have been regular consultations with the Scottish Executive about the Immigration and Asylum Bill. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues.