Parliamentary questions
Jackie Baillie
9,397 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
7 Jul 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what encouragement is being given to local authorities, NHS boards and other social care providers to move towards self-directed support.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is funding a project hosted by NHS Lothian that is investigating the use of health monies in self-directed support (SDS) packages, the learning from this will be shared across all health boards.</p> <p >CoSLA is represented on the SDS…
7 Jul 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what role direct payments have in the development of self-directed support in the provision of social care.
Answer · Shona Robison: Direct payments will continue to be a choice for individuals eligible for social support and the Scottish Government is working to increase the uptake nationally.</p>
7 Jul 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it views the relationship between direct payments and self-directed support in the provision of social care services.
Answer · Shona Robison: Direct payments from local authority budgets usually form the main component of an individual''s complete self-directed support package. Self-directed support encompasses direct payments as well as the other funding streams that an individual may be eligible …
7 Jul 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to evaluate the impact of direct payments on the lives of people with learning disabilities and others who access social care services.
Answer · Shona Robison: The evaluation of the Scottish Government self-directed support test sites will investigate the impact of direct payments on the lives of all client groups. Some of the test sites have a particular focus of people with learning disabilities. </p>
25 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the forcible injection of a drug to a person detained under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 prior to a tribunal hearing does not constitute a breach of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Answer · Shona Robison: There are three ways in which a person may be deprived of their liberty or subjected to compulsory measures of treatment under the civil regime in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (the 2003 Act), namely (a) emergency detention, (b) s…
24 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24423 by Shona Robison on 11 June 2009, when NHS Scotland will evaluate its dissemination strategy for Facing Dementia with NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and whether the outcome will be published.
Answer · Shona Robison: NHS Health Scotland is continuing to monitor demand and ensure further distribution of this publication through NHS board Health Promotion Departments, Dementia Integrated Care Pathway Coordinators, the Alzheimer Scotland Helpline, the Dementia Services Devel…
24 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many grants from the Cashback for Communities scheme have been awarded to applicants in (a) West Dunbartonshire and (b) Argyll and Bute and what the value of these grants was.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: To date, the Scottish Government has committed to invest over £13 million in the CashBack for Communities programme which includes diversionary and participatory projects for young people across Scotland.</b></p> <p >£3 million of this investment was allocat…
24 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24182 by Roseanna Cunningham on 8 June 2009, when it will complete consideration of the Knowle Burn Flood Prevention Scheme 2007.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Knowle Burn Flood Prevention Scheme 2007 was confirmed, without modification, by the Scottish ministers on 18 June 2009. The reasons for our decision and the report of the public local inquiry were published on 30 June 2009 and can be found at:</p> <p ><…
24 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will take forward the recommendation of the Repossessions Working Group that the Financial Services Authority be asked to require lenders to provide regional data in order to understand better the level of repossessions in Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom.
Answer · Alex Neil: I wrote to the Financial Services Authority on 13 May and 7 July to press them to introduce collection and publication of regional data on repossessions, including separate data for Scotland. In my second letter, I highlighted the Repossessions Group''s recom…
23 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24572 by Alex Neil on 11 June 2009, what budget is allocated to the Private Sector Housing Grant for 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Answer · Alex Neil: The budget allocated to Private Sector Housing Grant for 2009-10 is £67.335 million.</p> <p >Funding for 2010-11 will be confirmed later in the autumn when final decisions have been taken by the Scottish Government on the impact of the UK Government''s decis…
23 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question by S3W-24575 by Alex Neil on 11 June 2009, what constitutes a priority need for which a grant is mandatory.
Answer · Alex Neil: Neither the legislation nor the guidance issued by the Scottish ministers prescribes what constitutes a priority need. It is a matter for local authorities to judge whether the amenity to be provided is essential to the needs of a disabled person and to deter…
22 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the terms of reference for the public inquiry into Clostridium difficile, chaired by Lord Coulsfield.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-25227 on 25 June 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/B…
15 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing a point of sale register to restrict the purchase of boilers, cookers and fires to gas-safe registered engineers.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Gas safety, including the installation of gas fittings and the registration of gas engineers, is a reserved matter dealt with by the Health and Safety Executive.</p>
15 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to strengthen regulations in relation to unlicensed gas engineers.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Gas safety, including the installation of gas fittings and the registration of gas engineers, is a reserved matter dealt with by the Health and Safety Executive.</p>
15 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the penalties are for gas engineers who are not registered with the Gas Safe Register.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The installation of gas fittings is regulated by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, made by the Secretary of State under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The maximum penalty on conviction on indictment for failure to comply wi…
15 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were killed or injured as a result of (a) carbon monoxide poisoning or (b) gas explosions in 2008.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) report that there were 17 deaths in 2008 as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. No deaths in 2008 were due to gas explosions being mentioned on death certificates.</p> <p >According to Information Services …
11 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24353 by Stewart Stevenson on 10 June 2009, what type of rolling stock will be deployed for services west of Airdrie to Helensburgh Central station.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The current assumption is that class 334''s will be used between Airdrie and Helensburgh from the commencement of services in December 2010.</p>
11 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24356 by Stewart Stevenson on 10 June 2009, how the revised additional passenger boardings of 13,878 between 7 am and 7 pm compare with the (a) original passenger boarding assumption set out in the business case and (b) actual passenger boarding numb…
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: (a) The original business case assumed 12,678 passenger boardings for the hours between 7 am to 7 pm.</p> <p >(b) Daily passenger numbers (boarding and alighting combined) for the existing lines (Helensburgh/Drumgelloch and Bathgate to Edinburgh Waverley) a…
11 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24356 by Stewart Stevenson on 10 June 2009, what percentage growth in patronage was assumed when planning the procurement of rolling stock.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Patronage growth for the Airdrie to Bathgate route was assumed to be 3% year-on-year when planning the procurement of rolling stock. In addition, Transport Scotland has taken account of modelling work which allows for a further 750 passengers per day at the p…
11 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24358 by Stewart Stevenson on 10 June 2009, which peak services will operate as 2 x 3 coach units and how this compares with the current capacity of trains at peak times.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The timetable for Airdrie to Bathgate is currently under detailed development by First ScotRail and until such time as this is concluded we are unable to confirm individual trains which will comprise of six coaches.</p> <p >The detailed development will ide…
11 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24359 by Stewart Stevenson on 10 June 2009, what the capacity is of the line west of Airdrie to Edinburgh Waverley in terms of (a) seating and (b) number of coaches.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The precise details of the number of coaches which will be used during the peak times of 7 am until 10 am on the line west of Airdrie to Edinburgh Waverley is still work in progress. The minimum number of coaches being planned during this peak time will be 5…
11 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the Debt Action Forum are.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Debt Action Forum (DAF) was a group of stakeholders and academics invited by Scottish ministers to consider measures that might create a coherent debt package to respond to the current financial climate. Minutes of the DAF meetings are available on the Ac…
11 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whom it consulted on the Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2009 (SS1 2009/234).
Answer · Fergus Ewing: There was no formal consultation on the Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2009 (SS1 2009/234). The Accountant in Bankruptcy did however run a series of workshops with stakeholders and met regularly with the money advice sector at variou…
11 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans for trust deeds to be administered by the Accountant in Bankruptcy and, if so, how much this will cost.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The trust deed process was discussed as part of the work of the Debt Action Forum (DAF). There has not been any policy decision to change trust deeds at this time. Work is ongoing with stakeholders to consider the whether changes are required to trust deeds.<…
11 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost the Accountant in Bankruptcy to administer the Debt Arrangement Scheme.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The estimated cost of developing the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) case management system to meet the immediate demands of changes to regulations is £32,000.</p> <p >This figure also provides for an assessment on the future suitability of the DAS IT system w…
11 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it costs the Accountant in Bankruptcy to administer the low income, low assets (LILA) scheme.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The low income, low asset (LILA) route into bankruptcy came into force on 1 April 2008, the same date from which debtor applications for bankruptcy were made directly to the Accountant in Bankruptcy rather than to the courts as previously.</p> <p >LILA is an…
11 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will remove the £100 fee required for access to bankruptcy through low income, low assets (LILA).
Answer · Fergus Ewing: A review of the low income, low asset (LILA) route into bankruptcy published in October 2008 concluded that the application fee was reasonable and minimised the administration cost to the public purse. The report is available on the Accountant in Bankruptcy w…
11 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average debts are for people who have applied for bankruptcy through low income, low assets (LILA).
Answer · Fergus Ewing: A review of the low income, low asset (LILA) route into bankruptcy, published in October 2008, is available on the Accountant in Bankruptcy website at <a href="http://www.aib.gov.uk/">www.aib.gov.uk</a>.</p> <p >Based on a sample of 2,011 debtors who became…
11 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people it anticipated would apply for bankruptcy through low income, low assets (LILA).
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Based on the findings of a working group on debt relief and Citizen''s Advice Scotland figures, it was estimated that between 4,500 and 6,500 debtors who were stuck in the debt cycle and urgently requiring debt relief would apply for bankruptcy through low in…
11 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have applied for bankruptcy through low income, low assets (LILA).
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Accountant in Bankruptcy maintains the Register of Insolvencies in Scotland and publishes statistics on personal insolvencies in Scotland, quarterly on their website at <a href="http://www.aib.gov.uk/">www.aib.gov.uk</a> and by financial year in their ann…