Parliamentary questions
Karen Gillon
705 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
15 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to disperse civil service jobs to Clydesdale.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive is committed to the dispersal of public sector jobs and wants to see all areas of Scotland benefit from the policy, including areas of most need. When relocation is being considered, no parts of the country are targeted, nor are any ruled out. E…
15 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the number of PE teachers.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The provision of 400 additional PE teachers to support aims arising from the PE Review is part of the Partnership for a Better Scotland commitment to increase visiting specialists working across the primary/secondary boundary, and sits within the context of o…
15 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost to implement target 2 of National Strategy for Sport in Scotland, Sport 21 2003-07.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive will be carrying out a study, to look at all the implications of the Physical Education Review Group’s recommendations and my response to them. Part of this study will focus on the cost of providing two hours physical education for each…
15 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the implementation of target 2 of National Strategy for Sport in Scotland, Sport 21 2003-07.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Target 2 of Sport 21 commits the Scottish Executive Education Department to make progress towards all schoolchildren taking part in at least two hours of high quality physical education classes a week by 2007. </p><p>In my response to the Physical Education R…
4 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in Clydesdale are currently undertaking a modern apprenticeship.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The detail of the number of modern apprentices participating in the programme in a specific geographical area is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and is not held centrally.</p>
4 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in Clydesdale have benefited from its central heating initiative.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>Information is not kept in the form requested but by postcode area. In the ML postcode area 83 systems were installed in 2001-02, 167 in 2…
4 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in Clydesdale have benefited from the Sure Start programme.
Answer · Euan Robson: As explained in the response to S1W-26341 in June 2002, data on the Sure Start Scotland programme is only available at a Scotland level. Raw data available at local authority level would not be of sufficient quality and completeness to support analysis or to …
4 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the first train to run on the Larkhall to Milngavie line.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: We anticipate that the first services will be operational by late 2005.</p>
4 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to prevent small local businesses being adversely affected by any increase in large out-of-town shopping developments.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: National Planning Policy Guideline 8: <i>Town Centres and Retailing</i> setsout in clear terms the Executive’s objective to sustain and enhance the vitality,viability and design quality of town centres as the most appropriate location forretailing and other r…
4 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has in place to address adult literacy and numeracy issues in Clydesdale.
Answer · Jim Wallace: South Lanarkshire Community Learning Strategy Partnership has been allocated£1.6 million over three years to March 2006 to help raise levels of adult literacyand numeracy. The partnership has submitted an action plan which estimates thatover 6,000 adults acro…
4 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering any application for funding to replace the Airborne Initiative at Braidwood House.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive has not received any formal funding application to replace the Airborne Initiative. It has, however, received an outline proposal for a new residential programme for young male offenders. The future use of Braidwood House is a matter fo…
4 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects broadband to be available in the remote parts of Clydesdale.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Our aim is to ensure that broadband is available to every community in Scotland by the end of 2005. Currently around 63% of the population of Clydesdale can access broadband services and we expect coverage to reach nearly 95% next summer.</p>
4 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote tourism in Clydesdale.
Answer · Frank McAveety: The promotion of tourism in Clydesdale is an operational matter for both VisitScotland and Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board. Both organisations are working to promote the area to potential visitors.</p>
4 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve opportunities for small businesses in Clydesdale.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The provision of advice and support for business start-ups and growing businesses in Scotland is primarily an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. In the Scottish Enterprise area the Business Gateway provides a firs…
14 Apr 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the pre-school education sector requires development in respect of qualifications and career progression routes.
Answer · Peter Peacock: TheExecutive recognises that work needs to be done in both these areas, and willtake this work forward as soon as possible.</p>
12 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make an announcement on the proposal to build a 142.6 megawatt wind-powered generating station at Blacklaw, near Forth in South Lanarkshire.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I can announce that the Scottishministers have granted consent on this proposal in terms of section 36 of theElectricity Act 1989. Additionally this consent carries deemed planningpermission in terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland)Act 1997.</p><p>…
6 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when work on the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link is expected to commence.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The contractor is currentlyundertaking preparatory work and I expect substantial work to start on sitebefore the end of February.</p>
30 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to monitor the use of biosolids in the restoration of former opencast sites.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Monitoring the use ofbiosolids in the restoration of former opencast sites is an operational matterfor the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).</p><p>In the case of Dalquhandy,it appears that the sludge is to be spread under a paragraph 9 exemption …
28 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the farm income figures for 2003.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive is today publishing estimated Scottish farm income figures and Iwelcome the forecast rises in income that these show. These estimates show thatTotal Income From Farming (TIFF) rose by 29% in 2003 to £471 million. Theforecast rise in the…
22 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how planning guidelines for wind farms could be altered to take greater account of local concerns and natural heritage issues.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: Planningguidance already takes full account of these important issues. <i>NPPG 6: Renewable Energy Developments</i> confirms that “developmentsshould not be permitted where they would have a significant long termdetrimental impact on the amenity of people liv…
17 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been undertaken to assess the impact of spreading biosolid materials on watercourses.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5087 on 5 January 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament…
17 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been undertaken to assess the impact on human and animal health of the spreading of biosolid materials.
Answer · Ross Finnie: In 1996 the Royal Commissionon Environmental Protection published its report <i>Sustainable Use of Soil </i>(Col. 1365),which included examination of the transmission of pathogens from sewage sludge,or biosolids. This was reviewed by the commission in March 2…
17 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what environmental impact assessment is made of the use of biosolids on land.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The relevant planningauthority will consider a formal Environmental Impact Assessment where this is requiredunder the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999, asamended.</p><p>The Scottish EnvironmentProtection Agency assesses the impact o…
17 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to monitor the use of biosolids in the restoration of former landfill sites.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The use of biosolids in therestoration of former landfill sites is subject to planning permission from theplanning authority, and to the appropriate environmental regime overseen by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Monitoring arrangements are a mat…
13 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that initial and on-going teacher training equips teachers to assist in the early identification of a wide range of special needs, including dyslexia.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Measures are already inplace. The Executive publication, <i>The Standard for Initial Teacher Educationin Scotland </i>(the Standard)<i>, </i>details the broad range of skills andattributes that programmes of initial teacher education are designed to enablestu…
14 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the report by the Inquiry Reporters Unit into the Lower Clydesdale Local Plan will be concluded.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: The reporter has advisedthat the report he is contracted by South Lanarkshire Council to prepare iscomplete. The report was delivered to the council on 10 November 2003.</p>
2 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support the extension of the provision of further and higher education in Lanarkshire.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive set out in its Framework for Higher Education how it is working withthe Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) and the higher education(HE) sector to ensure that those who have the talent and potential to succeedwithin HE are…
2 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve the provision of rural housing in areas such as Clydesdale.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I have asked Angiolina Foster, acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Herresponse is:</p><p>In the current year £57 millionwill be invested in rural affordable housing through the Communities ScotlandDevelopment Programme: this represents…
1 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent progress has been made with the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: In early August, tenderswere invited for the construction work for the Larkhall/Milngavie project. Tenderproposals have now been returned and are currently being considered by NetworkRail. Network Rail will present their evaluation of the tenders to Strathcly…
1 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve the provision of physical education (PE) in schools.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive has established a PE review group to review the wider perspective of PEin the school curriculum and to consider how schools can be supported toprovide a quality PE educational experience. Its report is due by the end of the year. In add…