Parliamentary questions
Jackie Baillie
9,397 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
25 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Elsie Inglis Nursing Home was last inspected by Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS) or the Care Commission and what the result was.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I am advised by SCSWIS that the last inspection it carried out at the Elsie Inglis Nursing Home took place on 16 May 2011. The results of this inspection form part of an ongoing police investigation.
25 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints have been received about the Elsie Inglis Nursing Home in the last four years and what action has been taken by Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS) or the Care Commission.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I understand that the Care Commission received three complaints in the period January 2006 to March 2011 and SCSWIS received two complaints about this service in April 2011. Five complaint investigations were carried out resulting in two complaints being uphe…
25 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it was first informed of problems at the Elsie Inglis Nursing Home and what action it took.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: As the First Minister explained during First Minister’s Question Time on 2 June 2011, Edinburgh City Council received a complaint about the standards of care within Elsie Inglis on 25 March 2011 and the regulator undertook a full inspection in April 2011. On …
24 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued guidance on wind farm developments (a) in or adjacent to national parks and (b) in nature conservation areas.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Online planning guidance regarding onshore wind developments is available on the Scottish Government's website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/212607/0114118.pdf. This does not address national parks or nature conservation areas specifically but…
24 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what Scottish Natural Heritage's position is on wind farm developments (a) in or adjacent to national parks and (b) in nature conservation areas.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) advise the relevant consenting authority, which is either the local planning authority or the Scottish Government, on potential impacts on the natural heritage from wind farm developments and their position is set out in Scotti…
23 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will meet its aim of creating a mentally flourishing Scotland.
Answer · Michael Matheson: We will work with our partners and continue to build on the success of delivering a wide range of policies including the towards a mentally flourishing scotland (TAMFS) policy and action plan designed to improve mental health and wellbeing and making a step c…
23 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is provided to NHS boards regarding the provision of mental health services for LGBT people.
Answer · Michael Matheson: NHS boards and their partners are expected to plan and deliver services in line with relevant legislation including the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 which has at its heart fundamental principles to ensure equal access to health care:…
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of Argyll and Bute Council to discuss the proposed closure of schools.
Answer · Michael Russell: There have been no meetings between Scottish ministers or Scottish Government officials with representatives of Argyll and Bute Council specifically to discuss the council's school closure proposals. On 17 March 2011, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Su…
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the delay in publication of the planned additional guidance on the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-138 on 6 June 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusines…
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of COSLA to discuss the planned guidance for the proposed closure of schools.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Cabinet Secretary met with COSLA reps on 28 June 2011 regarding the subject of the rural education commission.
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider bringing forward amendments to the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 and, if so, what the likely timetable is.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-00138 on 6 June 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybus…
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring forward further guidance on the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.
Answer · Michael Russell: A short-life working group was launched in November 2010 with a remit to review and update the statutory guidance associated with the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. The group, as well as others, recognised that the legislation has not worked in e…
16 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to create new jobs and tackle unemployment in West Dunbartonshire, given that research by the TUC indicates that the area has the highest rate of claimants per vacancy in Britain, with over 40 claimants applying for every vacancy.
Answer · John Swinney: Based on the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (April 2011), West Dunbartonshire has a claimants to vacancies ratio of 30.5, which is the fourth highest in Britain. Against this backdrop, we remain firmly committed to supporting a more su…
16 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will initiate a campaign to raise awareness of the reality of living in poverty and to tackle prejudice toward people living in poverty, as recommended in the Poverty Alliance's The 100 Day Challenge: Anti-Poverty Priorities for the next Scottish Government.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-00074 on 2 June 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA…
16 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to implement the recommendations in the Poverty Alliance's The 100 Day Challenge: Anti-Poverty Priorities for the next Scottish Government.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Eradicating poverty is a priority for the Scottish Government. The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy and I will be considering a wide range of issues and views as we decide on how best to step up the fight against poverty in Scotland…
16 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) existing and (b) additional funding it will provide for services such as (i) childcare, (ii) support for sick and disabled people and (iii) independent advice to mitigate the impact of budget reductions on vulnerable groups, as recommended in the Poverty Alliance's The 100 Day Ch…
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-00074 on 2 June 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA…
16 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a Scottish living wage unit, as recommended in the Poverty Alliance's The 100 Day Challenge: Anti-Poverty Priorities for the next Scottish Government.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-00074 on 2 June 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA…
16 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether responsibility for tackling poverty will be co-ordinated by the First Minister's office.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Responsibility for tackling poverty falls within the remit of the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy.
16 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconvene the Tackling Poverty Board and broaden its membership to involve people in poverty and other stakeholders in the ongoing development of anti-poverty policy, as recommended in the Poverty Alliance's The 100 Day Challenge: Anti-Poverty Priorities for the next Scott…
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-00074 on 2 June 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA…
8 Mar 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many senior civil servants are employed in its health directorate.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-40433 on 16 March 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p >http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2…
8 Mar 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many senior managers are employed in each (a) NHS board and (b) Special Health Board.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-39384 on 24 February 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p >http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Ap…
8 Mar 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers to be the options for flexible working practices that reduce costs.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Public Sector Pay Policy for 2011-12 sets out the circumstances in which employers may wish to identify flexible working practices that reduce costs while maintaining headcount and services. These should be appropriate to workforce circumstances …
8 Mar 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what budget reduction has been applied to Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland for 2011-12.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS) has up to £35.9m available to it in 2011-12. That is the same figure as the 2010-11 baseline, ie the cost in that year of the corresponding functions in SCSWIS''s three predecessor bodies. The total av…
8 Mar 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will deliver cash savings of at least 20% over the next four years in reducing scrutiny and what impact this will have on health and social care scrutiny bodies.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: As part of its 2010 Spending Review, the government made a commitment to achieve savings on the direct costs of external scrutiny over the next four years. These will be delivered through: a reduction in administration and management costs as a result of the …
8 Mar 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its assessment is of the value of surplus NHS land and buildings.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally. The day-to-day management of NHSScotland assets including the sale of surplus land and buildings is a matter devolved to NHS boards to undertake following well established guidance and mandatory procedures as directed b…
8 Mar 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will maximise receipts for the sale of surplus NHS land and buildings.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Although held in the name of Scottish Ministers, the day-to-day management of NHS property is a matter devolved to individual NHS boards to undertake following well established guidance and mandatory procedures as directed by the NHSScotland Property Transact…
8 Mar 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what capital projects in health are (a) legally committed, (b) at final business case stage and (c) at outline business case stage.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: a) In relation to capital projects which are legally committed could I please refer the member to my answer to question S3W-40462 on 22 March 2011.</p> <p >b) There are no capital projects with approved final business cases which are not yet legally committe…
8 Mar 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what health projects that are (a) legally committed, (b) at final business case stage and (c) at outline business case stage will be funded under the capital allocation for 2011-12.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Scotland health boards prepare annual local delivery plans supported by a balanced financial plan for discussion and agreement with Scottish Government. Financial plans include a rolling five-year programme of capital expenditure. Draft Plans for 2011-12 …
8 Mar 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what capital projects in health will be supported by the financial allocation for 2011-12, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) amount allocated.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Scotland health boards have prepared draft Local Delivery Plans for 2011-12 supported by financial plans for discussion and agreement with Scottish Government. When finalised these documents will provide details of which capital projects will be taken for…
8 Mar 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the capital allocation is for the health budget in 2011-12.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The net capital budget for health in 2011-12 is £488 million. I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-39569 on 11 February 2011 which provides details of initial resources, including capital, being made available to NHS boards and Special Health Boar…