Parliamentary questions
Jackie Baillie
9,397 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
24 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering improvements to the legislative rights of disabled people so that they receive essential services, in order to make independent living a realisable goal for them.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Some legislative rights,for example, those relating to employment and benefits, are contained in legislationreserved to Westminster.</p><p>In the Scottish context,Scottish ministers are considering what steps need to be taken to advance independentliving in S…
24 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish an independent living task force to consider properly how independent living concerns can be fully integrated into public policy.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Governmentrecognises the specific references to independent living in work carried out bythe Disability Rights Commission and by the Scottish Parliament’s Equal OpportunitiesCommittee and is currently considering what further steps need to be tak…
24 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether current legislation properly reflects its commitment to independent living and, if not, what steps it intends to take to rectify this.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: A number of piecesof relevant legislation relating to independent living, including employment andbenefits legislation and anti-discrimination legislation, is reserved to Westminster.</p><p>In Scotland, the Scottish Government is currently considering whatste…
24 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the lack of explicit structures in public policy to consider independent living for disabled people is hampering efforts by it, NHS boards and local authorities to implement the ideal of independent living.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The public sectorduty to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people, which came into forcein December 2006, provides an opportunity for public bodies to focus on the needsof disabled people and develop work on independent living. Other recent initiat…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how often it meets NHS boards and local authorities to discuss mental health issues; when the last such meeting took place, and what was discussed.
Answer · Shona Robison: Regular meetingstake place with NHS boards and local authorities to discuss a wide range ofmental health issues. Most recently, meetings with NHS board chief executiveson 20 June, and NHS board chairs on 23 July included a progress report on themental health …
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is implementing its whole-systems approach to mental health care.
Answer · Shona Robison: Our approach tomental health has a wholepopulation focus to maintainthe mental wellbeing of the people of Scotland; andimprove the situation of those with mental ill-health. The approach focuses onpromoting attitudes and behaviour which leads to improved ment…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the long-term learning disability services provided in hospitals earmarked for closure will be effectively delivered by newer community-based facilities.
Answer · Shona Robison: NHS Quality ImprovementScotland published a national overview in 2006 thatreviewed services across the country against four Quality Indicators for LearningDisabilities selected as strongly representative of key elements of hospital closure.These were making s…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the overlapping powers of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 are effective in addressing mental health care.
Answer · Shona Robison: Takentogether, the 2000 Act, the 2003 Act and the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007, (the 2007 Act)provide a comprehensive framework for supporting, protecting and safeguardingthe interests of vulnerable adults in Scotland. Each piece of legisl…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why, in general terms, men are subject to proportionally longer detentions than women under the current system of mental health care.
Answer · Shona Robison: The admissionrate for males under the Mental Health Act has been consistently higher thanfor females in the years 2000–05 (the latest years for which we have completedata). There is also a much greater tendency for men to be subject to mentalhealth orders fol…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to encourage better use of short-term compulsory treatment orders under new mental health legislation.
Answer · Shona Robison: Since theimplementation of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, (the 2003 Act), the Executive hasencouraged better use of short-term detention certificates which are intendedfor assessment and/or treatment of people in hospital. TheMent…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the increase in detention under mental health legislation for people with learning disabilities.
Answer · Shona Robison: Therehas been a small overall rise in people with learning disabilities who aresubject to compulsory detention under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003 (the 2003 Act). The numbers have risen from 239 people in2004 to 252 people in 2006.…
16 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it views the Electoral Commission’s recommendation about the number of members of the European Parliament to represent Scotland.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Electoral Commission’srecommendation is fair under the terms of the legislation by which it is bound.Nevertheless, on behalf of Scottish ministers I have written to both the ElectoralCommission and the Secretary of State for Justice stating our opposition…
16 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that projected trends in population growth should be taken into account when determining the number of members of the European Parliament to represent Scotland.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: Under current legislationperiodic reviews mean that MEP numbers are determined with reference to actual numbersof electors.</p>
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how regularly it meets non-governmental organisations, such as the Scotland Malawi Partnership, to discuss relevant international development issues.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: Both I and my officials have met with bodies such as the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland and the Scotland-Malawi Partnership, as well as relevant non-governmental organisations to discuss international development and that will …
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what grants have been made from the Humanitarian Health Fund since its inception.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: There have been two funding rounds for the Humanitarian Health Fund and a call for applications for the 3rd round closed 17 August 2007. A review panel for this round will be held on 6 September.</p> <p align=left >So far the amount disbursed totals £91,459…
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to increase the total funding available for the Humanitarian Health Fund.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Humanitarian Health Fund is part of the International Development Fund. The Fund and Policy are presently under review as a conversation takes place to assess the most strategic way forward for Scotland’s investment in international development. Decisions…
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of resources will be released by the closure of the Jeanie Deans Unit in Helensburgh and whether those resources will be wholly spent in Helensburgh and Lomond.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Highland have informed me that resources of approximately £700,000 will be released by the closure of the Jeannie Deans Unit. The allocation of these resources is a matter for NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Council.</p>
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the resources released by the closure of the Jeanie Deans Unit in Helensburgh will be used.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The resources released from the closure of continuing care inpatient beds at the Jeannie Deans will be used to develop and enhance community care services that will improve access to local services enabling older people to stay within their homes for as long …
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing considered the outcome of the Social Work Inspection Agency report for Argyll and Bute Council’s social work services before arriving at her decision to close the Jeanie Deans Unit in Helensburgh and, if so, whether she is satisfied t…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I considered all available information in coming to a view on NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Council’s proposals to redesign older people’s services in Helensburgh and Lomond. I am aware that the Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA) are carrying out a progr…
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that Argyll and Bute Council will spend the resources allocated for services to older people for that purpose.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-3292 on 27 August 2007. 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/webapp/w…
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the grant aided expenditure awarded to Argyll and Bute Council for older people’s services for each year since 1999 and the amount spent.
Answer · Shona Robison: The information requested is shown in the following table.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td width=86 valign=top > <p align=center > </p> </td> <td width=166 valign=top > <p align=center >Grant …
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that Argyll and Bute Council has the necessary resources to provide services for older people.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is aware that Argyll and Bute Council spends less than its grant aided expenditure allocation on community care services. That is a matter for the council. The council is required to meet its statutory responsibilities for the assessme…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether plans to transfer rolling stock to the Airdrie-Bathgate rail line from other parts of the rail network will place undue pressure on the capacity of rolling stock across the network.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The rolling stockprocurement plan continues to be developed by Transport Scotland alongside the wider procurement plan to address the requirementsof both the Major Projects, including Airdrie to Bathgate, and the increasing demandsfor rail services. Transport…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the plans to procure the rolling stock for both the Airdrie-Bathgate rail line and the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, both due for completion in 2010, will place undue demand on the supply of rolling stock and whether, in the context of higher demand, the projected cost of between £30…
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The rolling stockprocurement plan continues to be developed by Transport Scotland alongside the wider procurement plan to address the requirementsof both the Major Projects, including Airdrie to Bathgate, and the increasing demandsfor rail services. Transport…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has finalised the procurement plans for the Airdrie-Bathgate rail line rolling stock and whether it will meet the procurement deadline of December 2010.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The rolling stockprocurement plan continues to be developed by Transport Scotland alongside the wider procurement plan to address the requirementsof both the major projects, including Airdrie to Bathgate, and the increasing demandsfor rail services. Transport…
27 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the proposed timetable is for the completion of new school buildings to be financed under PPP schemes.
Answer · John Swinney: The timetable (actualand estimated) for the completion of new school buildings under PPP schemes canbe found on the Scottish Executive Financial Partnerships Unit’s website at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/futuredea…
27 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it anticipates any delay in proceeding with new school buildings to be financed under PPP schemes.
Answer · John Swinney: The Government hasquickly confirmed that we will honour existing offers of financial support for schoolPPP projects. As a result, we do not anticipate any delays.</p>
27 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will proceed with the rebuilding of the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven academies under the previously agreed PPP scheme.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-2573 on 14 August 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/wa.…
27 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that there are no reductions in services as a consequence of its commitment to freeze council tax levels in the next financial year.
Answer · John Swinney: Discussions areon-going with local government on how best to deliver a council tax freeze. Throughoutthese discussions I have made it absolutely clear that we are working towards astrategic agreement on a range of measures that will enable local authorities t…
27 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will meet its commitment to freeze council tax in the next financial year.
Answer · John Swinney: The government’s commitmentto freeze council tax levels at 2007-08 levels will be taken forward as part of the Spending Review. The outcome of the Spending Review will be announced laterthis year. Discussions with local government are on-going as to how best …