Parliamentary questions
Karen Gillon
705 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
31 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that cottage hospitals play a valuable role in the delivery of health services and, if so, how it will support the further development of such hospitals.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland''s health care challenges require us to continue to shift the balance of care towards community based services. The Scottish Government is committed to the development of effective community hospitals which will have an important part to play in achi…
31 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that NHS Lanarkshire spreads its investments across its area from 2008 to 2011.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: It is a matter for NHS Lanarkshire to identify their service priorities, taking into account value for money, which will provide the greatest benefit to the people of Lanarkshire.</p>
31 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports a shift in the balance of care from the acute to the primary care sector in the NHS.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government is committed to shifting the balance care towards the primary and community care sectors through the delivery of agreed pathways of care that will improve outcomes for patients and local communities. This is reinforced in the <i >Bette…
31 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources it will make available to NHS Lanarkshire following the NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee’s recommendations and when such resources will be available.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I announced on 22 February 2008 that I have accepted NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC)''s recommendations in relation to changes to the Arbuthnott Formula. This does not affect the 2008-09 allocation of funds which was announced on 8 February 2…
29 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will increase the uptake of self-directed support for people with learning disabilities.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is fully committed to increasing the uptake of self-directed support for all those eligible for it, including people with learning disabilities, and is currently undertaking research to identify best practice for supporting local autho…
18 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail expenditure from the International Development Fund in 2007-08 to date and identify projected expenditure to 31 March 2008.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: The total expenditure to date from the International Development Fund (2007-08) is £3,930,078.04. Identified projected expenditure is £569,641.00. A breakdown of expenditure and identified projected expenditure to date are as follows:</p> <p >2007-08 Expend…
18 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will open applications for a further funding round for the International Development Fund.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-8635 on 28 January 2008. 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…
18 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance it has provided through the International Development Fund in 2007-08 and to which organisations.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-8673 on 4 March 2008. 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/wa…
17 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support Scottish fishermen to maximise the opportunities from the conservation credit scheme.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Conservation Credit Schemegives us the flexibility to reward our fishermen with additional days at sea wherethey can demonstrate that they are signed up to initiatives which have an appreciableimpact on the conservation of fragile fish stocks.</p><p>A Con…
17 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to the textile industry.
Answer · Jim Mather: Scottishministers provide a wide range of support to the textiles industry through the EnterpriseNetworks, Scottish Development International and Regional Selective Assistance,our national scheme of financialassistance to industry.</p><p>The Textiles Teamin S…
17 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its negotiating approach to the December fisheries council would have differed from that of the UK Government and, if so, how it would have differed and what specific different outcomes it considers would have been achieved.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The deal securedat the EU December Council was good for Scotland’s fishing industry and good for Scotland’s marine environment. It was also positive for all other parts of the UK, and I was pleased with the positive collaborativeworking, particularly with my …
17 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the range of services available to adults with learning disabilities.
Answer · Shona Robison: The provision of support servicesfor people with learning disabilities is the responsibility of local governmentto be drawn from the local government settlement of £34.7 billion over three years.</p><p>The Scottish Government is alsocommitted to increasing th…
17 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the GAE for South Lanarkshire Council is for investment in the non-trunk roads network.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: GAE is not funding. Rather, it is a means of distributingthe grant that the Scottish Government provides to local government. Generally itis the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resourcesavailable to it on the basis of lo…
17 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to replace the Chief Executive of sportscotland.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The replacementof the chief executive of sportscotland is a matter for the board of sportscotland.There are no plans to replace Stewart Harris the current chief executive of sportscotland.</p>
17 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many vulnerable two-years-olds in the South Lanarkshire Council area have been provided with nursery places as a result of ring-fenced funding in 2007-08.
Answer · Adam Ingram: I refer the member to the answerto question S3W-8612 on 29 January 2008.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/webapp/wa…
17 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much was allocated to South Lanarkshire Council for 2007-08 to provide nursery places to vulnerable two-year-olds and how much will be allocated to it as part of the local government settlement that was previously ring-fenced for this purpose in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-1…
Answer · Adam Ingram: No specific funding was allocated to South Lanarkshire Council for 2007-08 to provide nursery places for vulnerable two year olds. The local government finance settlement for 2008-11 sees a move away from a focus on such inputs and targets to focussing on out…
17 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £45 million previously allocated by the Scottish Government for flood alleviation and now part of the local government settlement will be allocated to South Lanarkshire Council in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.
Answer · Michael Russell: The local government settlement included £42.346 million in flood prevention/coast protection grant previously committed for the years 2008-11 for such schemes which were already underway.</p> <p >The settlement for South Lanarkshire Council for 2008-09 incl…
17 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which third sector organisations will be funded directly by the Scottish Government and how much each organisation will receive in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government willsupport a number of third sector organisations over the coming spending period.The number and identity of organisations, together with associated levels of funding,cannot be determined at this stage as many funds are competitive in…
17 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-7864 by Adam Ingram on 17 January 2008, how much of the £34 million will be allocated to South Lanarkshire, regardless of whether or not it has been ring-fenced.
Answer · Adam Ingram: the Scottish Government is investing record levels of funding in local governmentand creating a new relationship built on mutual trust and respect. As describedin the Concordat this gives local government increased local flexibility andreduced bureaucracy to …
14 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministerial approval is required before (a) Highlands and Islands Enterprise and (b) the Forestry Commission can dispose of assets at less than open market value to local voluntary, community-led organisations.
Answer · Jim Mather: Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Forestry Commission Scotlandare required to dispose of assets in accordance with the Scottish Public FinanceManual. This requires that parliamentary approval is sought for the disposal ofland at below market value.</p>
14 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances it considers it appropriate for Highlands and Islands Enterprise to dispose of assets at less than open market value.
Answer · Jim Mather: Highlands and Islands Enterprise is required to dispose of assets in accordance with the Scottish Public Finance Manual which includes the provisions pertaining to disposalof assets at less than open market value.</p>
14 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the Forestry Commission in disposing of assets at less than open market value to voluntary, community-led organisations.
Answer · Michael Russell: Forestry Commission Scotlandis required to dispose of assets in accordance with the Scottish Public Finance Manual. This requires that parliamentary approval is soughtfor the disposal of land at below market value. I have asked for a review of thecircumstance…
14 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances it considers it appropriate for the Forestry Commission to dispose of assets at less than open market value.
Answer · Michael Russell: Forestry Commission Scotlandis required to dispose of assets in accordance with the Scottish Public Finance Manual. This requires that parliamentary approval is soughtfor the disposal of land at below market value. I have asked for a review of the circumstanc…
14 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers it appropriate for the Forestry Commission to seek to maximise receipts from the sale of assets when the disposal is to a local voluntary, community-led organisation.
Answer · Michael Russell: Forestry Commission Scotlandis required to dispose of assets in accordance with the Scottish Public Finance Manual. I have asked for a review of the circumstancesunder which we might ask Parliament for approval to dispose of national forestland at below marke…
13 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing’s Ministerial Statement on Health Strategy on 12 December 2007, whether it will include Lanark in the pilot scheme for a nurse-led minor injuries clinic.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The <i>Better Health, BetterCare</i> Action Plan, published on 12 December 2007, highlighted the Scottish Government’s commitment to improve availabilityof primary care services. As part of the package of planned improvements in thisarea, we will establish fi…
13 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that the forthcoming Criminal Justice Bill should include provisions to strengthen the law on corporate culpable homicide.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The government’s legislativeprogramme for future years will be announced in due course. As set out in myanswer to question S3O-1344 on 22 November 2008,we have no plans to change the common law on culpable homicide. We consider that the Corporate Manslaughter…
13 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £34 million allocated to Scotland to invest in after-school and respite care for families with disabled children has been allocated to South Lanarkshire Council.
Answer · Adam Ingram: Consistent with the concordatwith local government and in order to improve flexibility and reduce bureaucracy,resources flowing as consequential from the May 2007 announcement of £340 millionto support disabled children in England have been rolled into the ma…
5 Dec 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its policy in relation to the NHS National Resource Allocation Committee¿s report submitted to ministers in September 2007.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I am currently consideringthe NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee’s report and the views submitted tome by the Health and Sport Committee and by health boards. I expect to make a decisionbased on the report, and all the comments I have received, early i…
23 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that sufficient resources are available to South Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire to fulfil the requirements of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.
Answer · Shona Robison: Spend on mentalhealth services will be drawn from the record funds allocated to NHS boards andlocal government. It is the responsibility of South Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire to work in partnership and to allocatefunds from the total financial reso…
23 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be allocated to South Lanarkshire Council specifically to support the reduction of class sizes to 18 in primary 1 to primary 3.
Answer · Maureen Watt: There are substantialadditional resources available within the local government finance settlement tohelp all local authorities, including South Lanarkshire Council, to secure lowerclass sizes. This includes investment of an extra £115 million for the first y…