Irene McGugan

23 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is being made available to improve the availability, accessibility and affordability of indoor sporting facilities to allow all-weather training for elite sportspersons and to ensure that the potential of other sportspersons can be realised.

Answer · Allan Wilson: There are a number of ways in which the issue of providing access to indoor training facilities for elite athletes is being addressed. <P>The Scottish Institute of Sport has nine programme sports for which it will provide not only a full time coach but also a…

19 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will evaluate the outcomes for families of the Sure Start initiative in order to ensure the best possible delivery of services.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17052.

19 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to monitor and evaluate implementation of the Sure Start guidelines by local authorities to ensure compliance with the aims and objectives of the programme..

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer given in S1W-17052.

19 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has requested reports from all local authorities in order to ascertain whether its funding for Sure Start Scotland has been used appropriately.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17052.

19 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the evaluation of the Sure Start Scotland initiative will begin and when the first report of its findings is expected.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17052.

19 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to monitor the impact of the investment made through Sure Start Scotland.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17052.

17 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2606 by Susan Deacon on 30 November 2000, whether children who are immune-suppressed in mumps, measles and rubella fall into the clinical category where single vaccines could be made available.

Answer · Susan Deacon: The Health Department's publication <I>Immunisation against</I> <I>Infectious Disease 1996</I>, states that MMR vaccine should be given irrespective of a history of measles, mumps or rubella infection. If there is any doubt about a child's immunity to mumps, …

17 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14602 by Malcolm Chisholm on 20 April 2001, when the Partnership in Practice agreements due to be submitted in June 2001 will be made publicly available.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Partnership in Practice agreements form part of local authorities' Community Care Plans which are required to be publicly available in accordance with Section 5A(2) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. Individual plans are published once they have been fo…

17 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been allocated to each local authority to implement the Sure Start initiative and what measures it is taking to ensure that this funding has been used appropriately.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Sure Start Scotland seeks to give a positive start to very young children's lives by providing broad-based support to children and families from deprived areas. The Scottish Executive has allocated a total of £80m for this from 1999-2004. Information on indiv…

10 Jul 2001 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether the granite to be used in the building of the new Scottish Parliament will originate from Kenmay as previously indicated and whether the role of Kenmay or any other Scottish quarry will be more than processing granite sourced from outwith Scotland.

Answer · David Steel: I can confirm that the granite for cladding the MSP office building is demonstrably from Kemnay Quarry in Aberdeenshire. The Trade Package containing the granite required for the remainder of the building has not yet been awarded. The tender specification for…

9 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be an increase in the number of composite classes in primaries 1, 2 and 3 as a result of its policy to reduce the maximum class si'e to 30 in those year groups.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The formation of classes in schools is a matter for education authorities taking account of local circumstances. Class formation is likely to be influenced by a number of factors including pupil numbers, class size maxima, the capacity of rooms and the staff …

9 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in primaries 1, 2 and 3 were in composite classes in 2000-2001 and how many it anticipates will be in such classes in 2001-2002.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The numbers of primary 1 to primary 3 children in publicly funded primaries in composite classes in 2000 - 01 are set out in the table. Decisions on the allocation of pupils to classes are matters for local authorities and no central projections are made of t…

9 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers will affect plans to establish a pilot Scottish Berry Project in Tayside.

Answer · Ross Finnie: A revised proposal for a pilot project from the Scottish Berry Group was received by the Scottish Executive recently and this is currently under consideration. It is for the Group to consider the implications of the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers …

9 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether cheap raspberry pulp will continue to be produced for use by mass catering outlets following the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16899 on 16 August 2001.

9 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will advise remaining fruit growers to concentrate on production of high quality fruit rather than pulp following the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers.

Answer · Ross Finnie: There are markets and supply routes for both fresh and pulp fruit. It is a matter for growers to decide which market they should pursue. The recently published <I>Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture</I> suggested that, in considering the options for the…

9 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive how many fruit growers it anticipates will leave the industry following the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The future plans of each individual grower is a matter for them. There are other organisations to which growers may be able to commit their fruit and I understand that a successor body to SSFG is in the process of being established.

9 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the liquidation of Scottish Soft Fruit Growers, it will encourage any new organisation to take over responsibility for its free'ing and packing plant and, if not, what plans there are for the future of the plant's processing equipment.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Disposal of the assets of SSFG is a matter for the appointed liquidator. However, I hope that a buyer will be forthcoming for the freezing and packing plant and that it will continue to be used for the benefit of the soft fruit industry in Scotland.

28 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the minimum qualifications are for boxing coaches and whose responsibility it is to monitor compliance with these requirements.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The minimum qualification for boxing coaches is the Coaching Certificate issued by the former Scottish Amateur Boxing Association/Scottish Amateur Boxing Federation (SABA/SABF) or Amateur Boxing Scotland Ltd (ABS Ltd).<P>The ABS Ltd Director of Development is…

28 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who carries responsibility for the safety of those taking part in boxing matches and/or receiving coaching in community clubs and gyms.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Official in Charge of Show, attending doctors and the Referee carry the responsibility for the safety of those taking part in boxing matches. The Head Coach of individual clubs carries the responsibility for the safety of those receiving coaching in commu…

28 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the minimum age is below which children are not permitted to take part in boxing.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Children are not permitted to box until the year in which their 12th birthday falls.

28 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Amateur Boxing Association is required to adhere to particular medical standards and, if so, which body sets these standards and whose responsibility it is to ensure that they are complied with.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Amateur Boxing Scotland Ltd is required to adhere to the medical standards as set by the Medical Commission of the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA), the world governing body. It is the responsibility of the General Council, the Medical Commissi…

28 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what rules, regulations and/or guidance apply to children, amateurs and professionals taking part in boxing.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The rules, regulations and/or guidance applying to children, amateurs and professionals taking part in boxing are contained within the Memorandum of Association and Bye Laws of Amateur Boxing Scotland Ltd. Copies can be obtained from ABS Ltd.

27 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to offer discounts via the Powershift programme to purchasers of hybrid electric-petrol cars.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Under the Powershift programme funding is now available in Scotland to assist purchase of hybrid electric-petrol vehicles.

27 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether funds exist to subsidise the purchase of hybrid electric-petrol cars.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Funds have recently been made available through the Powershift programme to assist purchase of hybrid electric-petrol vehicles in Scotland.

26 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12600 by Mr Jim Wallace on 1 February 2001, what progress is being made in relation to the establishment of the central registered body to process applications for criminal record checks for volunteers; how this body will be organised; what si'e of w…

Answer · Jim Wallace: We believe there would be considerable benefit for all concerned in establishing the central body within an existing organisation that already has a strong connection with volunteers and the voluntary sector. With that in mind we have been examining with Volu…

26 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether all voluntary sector organisations will have to register with the central registered body being established to process applications for criminal record checks for volunteers; if so, what the registration process will involve and, if not, how organisations will access and implement…

Answer · Jim Wallace: It is not envisaged that voluntary sector organisations will have to register as such with the central registered body. The central body will, however, need to be satisfied about the bona fides of those organisations on behalf of which it countersigns applica…

26 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to off-setting the additional administrative costs to voluntary organisations of processing checks under Part V of the Police Act 1997.

Answer · Jim Wallace: We are providing £1 million per annum so that volunteers working with children and vulnerable adults in the voluntary sector will not have to pay for criminal record checks under Part V. In addition, up to £250,000 per annum is being made available to establi…

26 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when relevant information, guidance and publicity will be provided to the voluntary sector regarding the implementation of Part V of the Police Act 1997.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Publicity about Part V of the Police Act 1997 will start to become available shortly. A programme of seminars is also being planned and the Executive will be issuing guidance and a Code of Practice. The central body being established to process applications f…

22 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that the WPGA International Matchplay event scheduled to take place at Gleneagles in September 2001 will not be postponed owing to a lack of funding given this event's importance in relation to Scotland's bid for the 2009 Ryder Cup.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Positive discussions have been held and I hope to make an announcement about this event shortly.

22 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to publicise Scotland's bid for the 2009 Ryder Cup; when the bid's official website was created, and how often it is updated.

Answer · Allan Wilson: We continue to promote Scotland's Ryder Cup bid at a range of golf, media and tourism events together with our bid partners in the public and commercial sectors. Recent events have included a media reception promoting our prospective venues hosted by Bank of …