Jackie Baillie

22 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6023 by John Swinney on 19 November 2007, whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth considers that the way the answer quotes from Guidance on Scottish Parliamentary Questions is in keeping with his obligations to the Parliament…

Answer · Bruce Crawford: The answer providedto question S3W-6023 fully complied with the terms of the Scottish Ministerial Code.</p><p>All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at <ahref="http://…

22 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6023 by John Swinney on 19 November 2007, whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth agrees with the full text of paragraph 68 of Guidance on Scottish Parliamentary Questions, issued by the civil service, which states that “Wher…

Answer · Bruce Crawford: For the reasons explainedin the answer to question S3W-6023, the approach adopted when answering questionS3W-4824 adhered to the terms of the guidance.</p><p>All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search f…

21 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who is responsible for enforcing the Scottish Ministerial Code if it is breached by the First Minister.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-5914 on 13 November 2007. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, thesearch facility for which can be found at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/we…

21 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who is responsible for enforcing the Scottish Ministerial Code if it is breached by cabinet secretaries or ministers.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: The ScottishMinisterial Code is the First Minister’s document and it sets out the standardsof conduct which he expects of government ministers. The First Minister is the ultimate judge of the standards of behaviourexpected of a minister and the appropriate co…

21 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure the highest standard of behaviour by ministers in the Parliament.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: The ScottishMinisterial Code is both a code of conduct for Scottish Ministers and also aguide on the procedures and processes which they are expected to observe incarrying out their Ministerial duties, including when in the Parliament. Arevised version of the…

21 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that there should be independent oversight of the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-6786 on 3 December 2007. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, thesearch facility for which can be found at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/web…

21 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will adopt the approach taken by Prime Minister, Gordon Brown MP, to have an independent adviser to investigate breaches of the Scottish Ministerial Code to ensure a culture of openness and transparency in government.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: No decisions willbe taken until our review of the Scottish Ministerial Code has concluded.</p>

21 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for the review of the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-6782 on 3 December 2007. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, thesearch facility for which can be found at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/web…

21 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the review of the Scottish Ministerial Code has been undertaken independently of the civil service and ministers.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: The Scottish Ministerial Code is being reviewed by Scottish Government officials and will be approved by the First Minister, as has been the case after each Scottish Parliament election.</p>

21 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the outcome of the review of the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: The revisedScottish Ministerial Code will be published once the review has concluded.</p>

21 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the review of the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: The routinepost-election revision of the Scottish Ministerial Code is expected to concludein the near future and a revised version of the Code will be published shortlyby the First Minister.</p>

21 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6022 by John Swinney on 20 November 2007, what domestic visits have been undertaken by the unpaid special adviser referred to; how the visits have been funded, and what the total cost was of such visits.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-6777 on 6 December 2007. Allanswers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website,the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.…

21 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6022 by John Swinney on 20 November 2007, whether the overseas visit referred to is included in the expenses information provided in the answer to question S3W-4830 by John Swinney on 31 October 2007.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the memberto the question S3W-6777 on 6 December 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questionsare available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search">h…

21 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6022 by John Swinney on 20 November 2007, what overseas visit has been undertaken by the unpaid special adviser referred to and when.

Answer · John Swinney: Professor Sir NeilMacCormick undertook one trip to Brussels on 11 and 12 July 2007. The related expenses were included in the answer toquestion S3W-4830 on 31 October 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’swebsit…

16 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to implement the conclusions of the report by independent expert, Tom Shaw, of his investigation into historical institutional abuse in the care sector.

Answer · Adam Ingram: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-6410 on 22 November 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…

15 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on the progress being made by the Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reference Group.

Answer · Shona Robison: The first year’s achievementsof the National Strategy for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse ReferenceGroup were presented at a major national conference, the first of its kind in Scotland, in February 2007. Since then the group has worked withthe Scot…

15 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the report by independent expert, Tom Shaw, of his investigation into historical institutional abuse in the care sector.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The <i>Historical Abuse Systemic Review: ResidentialCare for Children and Young People in </i><i>Scotland</i><i> 1950-1995<b> </b></i>has been<b> </b>published today. It is available on the Scottish Government website and a copy will be placed in the Scottish…

15 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the independent expert, Tom Shaw, appointed to investigate historical institutional abuse in the care sector will report to Scottish ministers.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The <i>HistoricalAbuse Systemic Review:</i> <i>Residential Care for Children and Young People in</i><i>Scotland</i><i> 1950-1995</i> by the independent expert, Tom Shaw, was submitted tothe Scottish Government on 15 November 2007.</p>

14 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning will make a ministerial statement to the Parliament on class sizes.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The CabinetSecretary will make a statement on class sizes on 5 December 2007.</p>

14 Nov 2007 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve neonatal services.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: We are undertakinga comprehensive review of all aspects of neonatal services. The first draft of thereport will be available at the end of this year. The Scottish Government will give full consideration tothe findings and recommendations of the report when it…

8 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-5873 by Bruce Crawford on 7 November 2007, whether any responses to the First Minister’s letter have been received and, if so, from which states.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: We have received responsesfrom the following states:</p><p>Austria</p><p>Cameroon</p><p>Germany</p><p>Grenada</p><p>Guyana</p><p>Indonesia</p><p>Ireland</p><p>Lesotho</p><p>Mexico</p><p>Norway</p><p>Philippines</p><p>Romania</p><p>Senegal</p><p>Sweden</p><p>U…

8 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-5873 by Bruce Crawford on 7 November 2007, whether it will list the recipients of the First Minister’s letter identified by state.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: The information requestedis as follows:</p><p>London-Based Embassies</p><table class=MsoHyperlinkFollowed border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td width=252 valign=top> <p>Name</p> </td> <td width=120 valign=top> <p>Position</p> </t…

8 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-5391 by Bruce Crawford on 7 November 2007, which of the invitees listed attended the A National Conversation – Scotland’s Future without Nuclear Weapons conference.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: The list of thosewho attended the conference is as follows:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <tr> <td width=215 valign=top> <p>Mungo Bovey </p> </td> <td width=309 valign=top> <p>QC</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width=215 valign=top> <p>Ste…

6 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any Scottish ministers have commissioned since 31 October 2007 any external legal advice that is likely to incur public expense in respect of their personal liability for costs incurred in discharge of their responsibilities.

Answer · John Swinney: I am not aware ofany such instance.</p>

5 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the first supplementary to question S3O-905 by Stewart Maxwell on 25 October 2007 (Official Report c. 2740), what representations have been made to Scottish Power on ending the backcharging of prepayment meter customers.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have written toJosé Luis Del Valle, the Managing Director of Scottish Powerinviting him to meet with me as soon as possible to discuss this important issue.</p>

5 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the first supplementary to question S3O-905 by Stewart Maxwell on 25 October 2007 (Official Report c. 2740), whether he has yet met Scottish Power.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have written toJosé Luis Del Valle, the managing director of ScottishPower inviting him to meet with me as soon as possible to discuss thisimportant issue.</p>

2 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4825 by John Swinney on 15 October 2007, whether immigration status was a factor in Ms Erickson’s employment status with the Executive.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-6024 on 19 November 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…

2 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executivefurther to the answer to question S3W-4825 by John Swinney on 15 October 2007, whether there is any bar on citizens from nations outwith the United Kingdom working for the civil service.

Answer · John Swinney: UK nationals or people with dual nationalitywith one part being British may apply for any post in the civil service. In addition,about 75% of Civil Service posts are open to Commonwealth citizens and nationalsof any of the member states of the European Econom…

2 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-4824 and S3W-5415 by John Swinney on 15 October 2007, whether it is appropriate to use questions initiated by the Executive to provide information as an alternative to answering parliamentary questions already submitted on the same subject.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Governmentguidance to staff on the answering of parliamentary questions states that when answeringquestions which are very similar or identical to previous questions it is acceptedpractice to refer the member to the question answered previously. …

2 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4830 by John Swinney on 31 October 2007, whether rules 4.15 and 7.22 of the Scottish Ministerial Code have been observed in relation to unpaid advisers.

Answer · John Swinney: Paragraph 7.22 of the Scottish Ministerial Code has been applied to the expenditure involved in oneoverseas visit by the one member of the special adviser team who is unpaid. Paragraph4.15 would apply only to an unpaid adviser who is not a special adviser.</p>