Parliamentary questions
Irene McGugan
716 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
17 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1557 by Sam Galbraith on 28 September 1999, whether it intends to introduce a new statutory basis for funding family mediation and marriage support services, following the consultation on The Scottish Office document Improving Scottish Family Law.
Answer · Jim Wallace: We are still considering the way forward on this matter and others in the light of the consultation and I will make an announcement in due course.
17 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial and other assistance it intends to make available to allow high quality cycle training to be delivered and to enable local authorities to implement its guidance document Safer Routes To School.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive provides funding to the Scottish Road Safety Campaign to enable it to develop road safety education and publicity initiatives. Following the Comprehensive Spending Review, the resources allocated for this work were increased by £1 milli…
17 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be an opportunity for the Parliament and interested agencies and individuals to suggest amendments to the draft Census Order in Council either before or once laid before the Parliament and if so, what format will this take and over what period of time.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Interested agencies and individuals have had the opportunity to comment on the UK Government proposals for the 2001 Census, issued in March 1999, in a White Paper (Cm 4253 <I>The 2001 Census of Population</I>). Scottish Ministers have taken account of the pro…
16 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-2723 on 7 December 1999, when the draft Census Order in council is to be laid before the Parliament.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The draft Census Order in Council was laid before the Parliament on 10 January.
10 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to address the position in food labelling rules which apply to the manufacturing and catering sectors associated with the meat industry whereby the country of origin does not require to be displayed on the meat product pack.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Meat products are defined in EC law and the current labelling requirements are largely harmonised at EC level. These requirements are implemented in Scotland by the Food Labelling Regulations 1996. While it is not compulsory to provide the particulars of coun…
10 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to implement EC Council Regulation No. 820/97 which establishes a system of identification and registration of bovine animals and for the labelling of beef and beef products.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Registration details are required for all bovine animals born in Scotland since July 1996. These details are held by the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) at Workington, together with information on registrations and movements of animals born since 28&nb…
3 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why guidance on how the new Agenda 2000 measures will be implemented has not yet been issued.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer you to my answer to your previous question, and my statement of 7 December. Guidance had not previously been issued because final details of the various schemes had not been provided by the European Commission. However, outline details of the new beef…
3 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates being able to provide farmers and relevant agencies with the necessary guidance on the implementation of Agenda 2000 measures.
Answer · Ross Finnie: As outlined in my statement of 7 December, my officials are now in the process of writing to every cattle producer in Scotland with outline details of the new beef schemes introduced under Agenda 2000. Full details of all new schemes will be provided as soon …
2 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, during its discussions with Her Majesty's Government on the implications for Scotland's trading position of any multi-lateral agreement on investment (MAI), it has expressed support for the aims of the Scottish MAI Coalition.
Answer · Henry McLeish: The negotiation of International Trade Agreements, including World Trade Organisation talks, is a reserved matter and consultations with interest groups are a matter for the UK Parliament.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>The Scottish Executive is in regular conta…
26 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the terms of the proposed Freedom Of Information Bill, it will be possible for the Lord Advocate to make available to Skye Bridge protesters the letter of instruction from the Crown Office to the Procurator Fiscal in Dingwall, dated 6 November 1995.
Answer · Andrew Hardie: No. The letter dated 6 November 1995 contained more than just instructions given by Crown Counsel (including a former Lord Advocate) to a Procurator Fiscal about legal issues arising in this class of case. The Procurator Fiscal was also instructed to undertak…
23 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the report from the Scottish Executive to the European Commission on the proposed rural stewardship scheme and, if not, why not.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive have submitted scheme proposals to the European Commission for technical scrutiny. These will need to be adapted to take account of the EC Rural Development Regulation prior to formal submission as part of the Rural Development Plans required by…
23 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1886 by Mr Jim Wallace on 20 October 1999, when the content of the 2001 census will be finally determined.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Proposals will be announced when the draft Census Order in Council is laid before the Scottish Parliament shortly.
23 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which agencies and organisations approved the final proposal to the European Commission in respect of the rural stewardship scheme.
Answer · Ross Finnie: It is for Scottish Executive Ministers to approve such proposals and I did so on 7 July after a wide-ranging consultation exercise involving around 120 organisations and individuals. Following consideration of 63 written submissions, including those from Scot…
11 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are which must be considered prior to decisions regarding closure of rural schools.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Decisions must depend on the merits of individual proposals. In reaching decisions, education authorities should take account of all relevant considerations, including educational, financial and community issues.
11 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to increase the funding available from the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund to the level recommended by Scottish Women's Aid.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: The Scottish Executive has put together the best package possible given the availability of finance.
11 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available from the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund to women's aid groups to sustain their existing work.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: Local authorities will continue to be responsible for funding local women's aid groups under existing arrangements.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>However, the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund makes provision for extending those arrangements.
11 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assurance can be given to projects beyond the two year funding timeframe of the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund announced by the Deputy Minister for Communities on 27 October 1999.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: Bids will be expected to offer a high degree of sustainability to carry them beyond the initial funding package.
11 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when local authorities and their partners can expect to be given a decision on their proposals and begin to receive funding from the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: Funding will be available from 1 April 2000. Decisions on specific applications are expected to be announced in March 2000.
11 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the additional resources available from the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund will be allocated to local authorities and their partners by means of a formula used to apportion shares or on a first come, first served basis.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: All bids will be considered in accordance with the bidding guidance and grants will be made for those projects which best fulfil the aim of developing multi-agency working to improve local service provision.
11 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be a maximum limit on the amount allocated to any project funded from the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: Bidding guidance has yet to be developed but it is likely that there will be a maximum grant
4 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the current guidance relating to school exclusion to ensure that all children and young people are given the opportunity to appeal against exclusion.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: The current guidance makes clear that children or young people should have their views taken into account and represented in appeals against exclusion. We have no plans to review it further.
3 Nov 1999 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the current guidance relating to school exclusion to ensure that all children and young people are given the opportunity to appeal against exclusion.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: The current guidance makes clear that children or young people should have their views taken into account and represented in appeals against exclusion. We have no plans to review it further.
29 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive further to the answer to question S1W-1794 by Lord Hardie on 26 October 1999, whether, where there is a statutory requirement to publish a statutory instrument, failure to do so provides a reasonable excuse in defence of any person accused of non-compliance with any such statutory instrum…
Answer · Andrew Hardie: Section 3(2) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 provides for a defence as detailed in my answer to question S1W-1794. If however a defence of reasonable excuse were to be advanced it would be a question of law for the Courts to determine as to whether or n…
26 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost is of the review of acute services currently being undertaken by Tayside Health Board in the light of the announcement by the Board to commission FRMC Management Solutions and System 3 to establish 12 focus groups as part of this review and whether the establishment of…
Answer · Susan Deacon: The review process is currently underway and Tayside Health Board indicates it is not, therefore, in a position to give a total cost of the review of acute services.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>We expect Tayside Health Board to ensure the public is engaged me…
6 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has plans to amend the census format to include a question on the Scots language in order to assist in the promotion and provision of Scots in education and other areas.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The topics proposed by the UK Government for the 2001 Census of Population were announced in the White Paper (Cm 4253) published on 4 March 1999. The White Paper did not contain a proposal to include a question on Scots language in the Census in Scotland.<P>T…
6 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage the sale of Scottish products in retail outlets throughout Scotland
Answer · Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive is keen to encourage the success of Scottish products both within Scotland and elsewhere. Within Scotland specifically it provides assistance through events such as the Royal Highland Show and the Aviemore Trade Fair.
1 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1350 by Lord Hardie on 17 September, whether the statutory defence afforded by section 3(2) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 is available to defendants in cases brought under statutory instruments which have been classified as 'local non-prints'…
Answer · Andrew Hardie: Section 3(1) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 provides <I>inter alia "</I>Regulations made for the purposes of this Act shall make provision for the publication by Her Majesty's Stationery Office of lists showing the date upon which every statutory …
1 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish the report Scottish Culture in the Curriculum.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: I have received advice from the Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum based on responses to their recent consultation paper<I>, The School Curriculum and the Culture of Scotland</I>, and will respond shortly. I have placed copies of the consultation…
30 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that the discounting of the tolls collected on the Skye Bridge at double the rate of inflation will mean that the length of the concession will be extended by at least three years, and will give Skye Bridge Ltd an extra profit of #10 million.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The contract signed in 1991, properly separates discounting and inflation. It provides that toll revenue collected each year is adjusted to 1991 prices using the actual change in the Retail Price Index and is discounted at 6% in real terms. Discounting is nec…
30 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why Skye Bridge Ltd does not have to remove, as part of its contract, the toll barriers and booths at the end of its concession.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The contract between Scottish Ministers and Skye Bridge Ltd requires the company to remove the toll collection facilities at the end of the concession period. Toll collection facilities are defined in section 39(4) of the New Roads and Street Works …