Parliamentary questions
Karen Gillon
705 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
24 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the Larkhall to Milngavie rail line to open for public trains.
Answer · Tavish Scott: Construction of the Larkhallto Milngavie rail line is proceeding to plan and I expect services to be runningby the end of this year.</p>
24 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many new PE teachers have been employed in each year since 1999.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The following table sets out the number of PE teachers on the teacher induction scheme since its inception in 2002. Earlier information is not available. In addition there will be experienced teachers who have moved to Scotland for whom information is not ava…
17 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation should be carried out before ambulance services are removed from a local area.
Answer · Andy Kerr: I have been assured by the Scottish Ambulance Service that any proposals which would result in fundamental changes being made to the way in which it delivers its services would be discussed with the local health board, GPs and other stakeholders before any fi…
10 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in Clydesdale benefit from a free nursery place.
Answer · Euan Robson: One thousand, five hundred and six children attended pre-school education in Clydesdale in January 2004, the latest date for which figures are available.</p>
10 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its consultation on plans to change the law on corporate culpable homicide.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: This is a complex issue. I have therefore decided to set up a small expert group to consider the issue further and report back to me. I will announce membership of that group shortly.</p>
4 Feb 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional money has been given to NHS Lanarkshire to improve audiology services.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: NHS Lanarkshire have been allocated a total of £730,050 over financial years 2003-04 and 2004-05 to improve audiology services.</p>
4 Feb 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage an increased take-up of the combined MMR vaccine.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive, in collaboration with partner organisations including Health Protection Scotland, NHS Education Scotland and NHS Health Scotland has undertaken a number of initiatives to encourage increased uptake of MMR vaccine. These include the dev…
4 Feb 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many specialist beds are available within the NHS for people suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: It is not possible to provide an answer. Myalgic encephalomyelitis is not a separate specialty, and sufferers may be seen by a variety of specialists.</p>
4 Feb 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many requests for information it has received following the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 coming into force.
Answer · Margaret Curran: Every request forinformation which the Scottish Executive receives is handled in line with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Requests for information which is notheld or which is routinely handled as part of daily business are not recordedor cou…
4 Feb 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to announce the results of its consultation on a revised National Planning Policy Guideline: NPPG16 Opencast Coal and Related Minerals: March 1999 (amended May 2001).
Answer · Johann Lamont: Responses to the consultation paper have been published on the internet at <ahref="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/planning/papers.aspx">www.scotland.gov.uk/about/planning/papers.aspx</a>. Finalised guidance should be issued in spring2005.</p>
4 Feb 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the recommendations of Sir John Orr's review of marches and parades will not adversely impact on local gala days, festivals and common ridings.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: When implemented, the recommendations from the Review of Marches and Parades will apply to all processions. A number of the recommendations require legislation to implement and we are consulting on these in <i>Supporting Police, Protecting Communities </i>(IS…
4 Feb 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that there is a consistent approach to the assessment of wind farm applications.
Answer · Johann Lamont: <i>National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 6: Renewable Energy Developments </i>sets out the factors which planning authorities should take into account when preparing development plans and when determining planning applications. The policies in NPPG 6 also…
4 Feb 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the roundabout at the junction of the A702 and A73 to be operational.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: It is expected that the A702/A73 Maidencots Roundabout will be operational by the end of April 2005.</p>
4 Feb 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional physical education teachers were recruited in 2004-05.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Information on the main subject taught by teachers is collected through the teacher census. Comparative figures between 2003-04 and 2004-05 will not be available until the results of the 2004 census are published later this year.</p><p>Eighty-one PE teachers …
4 Feb 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote greater participation in team sports.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Executive recognises themany benefits that participation in team sports can bring to individuals andcommunities alike. However, not everyone is attracted to team sports and it isimportant that opportunities are also made available for those wishing topart…
18 Jan 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-12347 by Rhona Brankin on 1 December 2004, how other areas will be considered for "designated area" status in respect of recruitment allowances for dentists.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: If an NHS board wishes consideration to be given to classifying all or part of its area as a “designated area” then the board should make a written request, providing justification for such classification, to my officials.</p>
18 Jan 2005 · SPCB Oral Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what progress has been made in providing an occupational pension scheme for MSPs' staff.
Answer · Duncan McNeil: The SPCB is not providing an Occupational Pension scheme for MSPs’ staff. MSPs employ their own staff, the costs of which are met from the Allowances Scheme. It will be a contractual matter between the MSP and his or her staff on the provision of an Occupatio…
9 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with BBC Scotland on the outcome of its recent review process.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Broadcasting is a reserved matter. The Scottish Executive has thus far had no formal discussions with BBC Scotland on the outcome of the BBC’s recent review process.</p>
9 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the proposed changes at BBC Scotland will have on educational programming.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Broadcasting is a reserved matter. The Scottish Executive values the commitmentof BBC Scotland to deliver services to education and for young people. There isno reason to suppose that the BBC’s recent announcement implies any reduction inits commitment to edu…
9 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the proposed changes at BBC Scotland will have on regional programming.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Broadcasting is a reserved matter. However, the Scottish Executive welcomes the BBC’s commitment, in its announcement on 7 December, to enhance local and regionalservices.</p>
9 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the proposed changes at BBC Scotland will have on Gaelic broadcasting.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Broadcasting is a reserved matter. However, the Scottish Executive is responsible for funding the Gaelic Media Service. There is no reason to suppose that the BBC’s recent announcement implies any reduction in its commitment to Gaelic broadcasting.</p>
8 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what review is taking place of pre-release procedures at the State Hospital, Carstairs.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: A review is underway lookingat unescorted leave of absence for restricted patients from the state hospital.The review will consider the current decision-makingprocess in respect of unescorted leave from the State Hospital including:</p><p>the arrangements for…
18 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used when deciding which areas are “designated areas” in respect of grants and allowances for general dental practitioners.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The only allowances which attract an additional payment where the dentist is in a “designated area” are the recruitment allowances. The “designated areas” were chosen because severe access problems were being experienced in the whole Board area, e.g. Borders,…
18 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the results of its review of the Scottish Dental Access initiative.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: Proposals on the future of the Scottish Dental Access Initiative will comprise part of the Executive’s response to the <i>Modernising NHS Dental Services in Scotland</i> consultation which we hope to make shortly.</p>
20 Oct 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in closing the opportunity gap.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We have been making good progress in closing the opportunity gap. Absolute poverty has been reduced by 42% since 1997 and the number of children living in relative poverty has been reduced by 100,000 since 1997.</p><p>We announced our high level Closing the O…
20 Oct 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in ending a “two-tier workforce” in the health service.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The Public <i>Private Partnership in Scotland – Protocol and Guidance</i>, which issued in November 2002, advised that in the future there should be no two-tier workforce in PPPs. The guidance applies to NHSScotland employers and, therefore, no new PPP scheme…
29 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage students from rural areas such as Clydesdale to access further education.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Councils (SFEFC and SHEFC) have a range of measures in place to widen access to and participation in further and higher education for under-represented groups, including under-represented groups in rural areas…
29 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage new businesses to set up in Clydesdale.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-8768 answered on 17 June 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliamen…
16 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that broadband internet access is available in areas where ADSL broadband is currently unviable.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-8939 on 23 June 2004.All answers 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/webap…
15 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the likely timescale is for the implementation of target 2 of National Strategy for Sport in Scotland, Sport 21 2003-07.
Answer · Peter Peacock: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-9046 on 28 June 2004.All answers 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/webap…