Parliamentary questions
Karen Whitefield
555 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
17 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the outcome of the December European Community Fisheries Council meeting.
Answer · John Home Robertson: I attended the Fisheries Council meeting on 16 December along with my UK Ministerial colleagues, Elliot Morley, MAFF, and Brid Rodgers, Northern Ireland Executive Committee.<P>The main item for decision was the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for European Unio…
10 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether changes are being considered to the present arrangements for making appointments to public bodies.
Answer · Jack McConnell: The Executive believes that the time is now right to consider carefully whether the current procedures enable Ministers to meet fully and effectively the objectives of transparency and equal opportunities in post-devolution Scotland, and if not, what changes …
10 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the next report on Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland.
Answer · Jack McConnell: The Scottish Executive is today publishing <I>Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland 1997-98</I>.
6 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was consulted over the amendments to The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 which have been prepared by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for the whole of Great Britain.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Those Regulations govern the packaging recovery scheme, by which means the UK discharges compliance with the recycling and recovery provisions of Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste. They came into effect on 6 March 1997 and have since been re…
6 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what conclusions it has reached on the case for a single social tenancy following the recent Housing Green Paper and what implications there are, if any, for the Right to Buy.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: A paper entitled <I>A New Single Social Tenancy for Scotland: Rights, Obligations and Opportunities</I> is today being placed in the Scottish Parliament Document Supply Centre. This sets out our proposals for delivering the commitment we made in <I>Making it …
1 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any studies have been undertaken comparing the rent levels of local authority housing providers and housing associations and, if so, whether it will provide details.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: In 1998-99 the average housing association rent in Scotland was £37.40 per week. By comparison the average local authority rent in 1998-99 was £35.58 per week.
19 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a Social Inclusion Strategy.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: I am today publishing <I>Social Justice - A Scotland Where Everyone Matters</I>, which sets out our vision, targets and milestones on social justice for Scotland. This provides the framework of how working together, and in partnership with the UK Government, …
19 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish draft guidance about the new statutory regime for contaminated land.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Draft statutory guidance on the new regime for clearing up contaminated land and bringing it into productive use is being published, for consultation today. The new contaminated land regime will form an important part of the armoury of powers available to loc…
19 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has reached a decision about the proposal to transfer to local authorities DSS resources currently spent on young people leaving local authority care.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: Consultation on this proposal finished on 29 October. The wide range of thoughtful and considered responses from local authorities and the voluntary sector was welcomed. We have decided that the general principle of a unified fund has merit. Legislation will …
16 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to continue and expand the Strathclyde Police Witness Protection Programme after the current funding of the programme terminates in April 2000.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Research into the effect of the Strathclyde Witness Protection Programme has been encouraging and we are currently considering whether to extend its funding further.
15 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used in deciding how and where the additional funding granted to Scottish Homes for the provision of refuge places will be spent.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: All bids for the funding from Scottish Homes will be considered in accordance with the bidding guidance and grants will be made for those projects which best fulfil the aim of improving local provision of refuge places and move on accommodation.
15 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used in deciding how and where the #6 million for the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund will be spent.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: All bids will be considered in accordance with the bidding guidance and grants will be made for those projects which best fulfil the aim of developing multi-agency working to improve local service provision.
13 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for implementing the Scottish provisions of the Health Act 1999.
Answer · Susan Deacon: My answer to Question S1W-285 on 30 June to Mike Watson indicated that we hoped to commence the provisions of the Health Act 1999 relating to the management and organisation of the NHS in Scotland on 1 September 1999 and promised to keep members inf…
17 Jun 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make a statement on improving the quality of bus services in Scotland.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: <FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica" SIZE=4>The UK Government published in March a consultation paper setting out proposals for improving local bus services. Comments were invited by 25 June. Our Transport Bill will propose changes in the way bus services are orga…
16 Jun 1999 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make a statement on improving the quality of bus services in Scotland.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The UK Government published in March a consultation paper setting out proposals for improving local bus services. Comments were invited by 25 June. Our Transport Bill will propose changes in the way bus services are organised emphasising improvement in qual…