Parliamentary questions

Linda Fabiani

2,507 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

3 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-19555, S2W-19556 and S2W-19557 by Lewis Macdonald on 27 October 2005, whether it has taken cognisance of the research of Mielke et al in Neurology 2005; 64: 1689-1695 which shows a link between low cholesterol and the onset of dementia.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: In developing evidence-based health services, we have to take cognisance of the whole body of research on any given subject. The article by Mielke et al adds to the body of research on the question of cholesterol and dementia.

3 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the infant mortality rate is and how this compares with other nations.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: This information is already in the public domain and can be downloaded from the General Register Office for Scotland website at: <a href="http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/">www.gro-scotland.gov.uk</a>. We do not hold the infant mortality rates for other …

3 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Gaelic-medium schools there have been in each local education authority area in each of the last 10 years and whether it is expected that any will close or new ones will open.

Answer · Peter Peacock: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-20307 on 15 November 2005. 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/web…

3 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage local authorities to provide and enhance Gaelic-medium education.

3 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote Gaelic language and culture.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive is committed to securing the status of the Gaelic language and has taken steps to ensure that the use and understanding of Gaelic is promoted across Scotland. The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 creates a statutory body, Bòrd na Gài…

3 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the Commonwealth Games in 2014 will “showcase modern Scotland to billions of people”, as stated by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport on 2 November 2005.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Commonwealth Games are arguably the most important and popular multi-sports event in the Commonwealth and are amongst the largest multi-sport events in the world. Over the period of the Games, if the Glasgow bid is successful, the whole of Scotland…

3 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that the European Institute for Technology is based in Scotland.

Answer · Allan Wilson: We shall consider what actions may be helpful in relation to the European Institute for Technology if the European Commission develops definite proposals for it, following the current consultation. I refer the member to the question S2W-19607 answered on 2 No…

3 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport’s comments that “Scotland may be a small country, but we have big ambitions”, the Executive will now support the C-Scot campaign for a Scottish Olympic team.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: No. I made clear the many reasons why the Executive will not be supporting any move to create a Scottish Olympic team when responding to the SNP’s debate on this subject on 6 October. The transcript of that debate can be found on the Scottish Parliament’s web…

3 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how the sports ministers for England, Wales and Northern Ireland intend to support Glasgow’s bid for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-20302 on 14 November 2005. 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/weba…

3 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the support pledged by the English, Welsh and Northern Irish sports ministers for Glasgow's bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014 was practical or verbal.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Both. My UK Sports Cabinet colleagues will help promote and garner support throughout the bid campaign period when the opportunity arises. Their input will be valuable in helping us gain sufficient support across the Commonwealth to secure these Games for Gla…

28 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which Scottish Acts can be disapplied by UK legislation, showing in each case the relevant UK legislation.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Any Scottish act may be disappliedor otherwise amended by UK legislation, though insofar as primary legislation isfor a devolved purpose it would normally be subject to the consent of the Scottish Parliament.

28 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-19645 by Robert Brown on 27 October 2005, under what UK legislation the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 can be disapplied.

Answer · Robert Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-2529 on 25 September 2005. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/…

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15758 by Peter Peacock on 28 April 2005, whether, in light of recent announcements by the First Minister on a protocol between the Executive and the Home Office, it will now seek to ensure compliance by the Home Office or its contractors with the ter…

Answer · Robert Brown: The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 does not place specific duties on the Home Office or on contractors who may be involved in the operation of Home Office facilities. The act places certain duties on local authorities relative to the provision of services to sa…

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-18938 by Malcolm Chisholm on 3 October 2005, how many developments have been completed, and how many approved, since the reintroduction of GRO grant funding and how many low-cost homes have been provided by these schemes, broken down into low-cost ho…

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows: From 1 April 2002 the number of GRO grant schemes for low cost home ownership and the number of homes provide from these schemes are as foll…

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the long-term post-operative survival rate is for patients suffering from oesophageal cancer.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The observed five-year survivalof Scottish residents diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the period 1997-2001who subsequently underwent surgery is 18.1% (1,136 cases). This includes patientsdiagnosed in later years who have less than five years of follow-up.…

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of child deaths occurs in the neonatal period.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: For the year 2004, there were 166 neonatal deaths registered. This equates to 62% of infant deaths (under 1 year), and 40% of all deaths under 16 years. Source: GROS.

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the suicide rate is in each prison and how this compares with that in the general population.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The following table sets out the number of self-inflicted deaths at each Establishment for the last six years.<table border=1 cellspaci…

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15681 by Peter Peacock on 26 April 2005, which relevant organisations have confirmed that they have files; which have confirmed that they do not have files, and whether any organisation has refused access to their files.

Answer · Peter Peacock: My officials have met with representatives of Barnardos, Quarriers, local authorities, the Church of Scotland, the Catholic Church and the Sisters of Nazareth. All agreed to provide details of a single point of contact for each organisation that could be publ…

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15681 by Peter Peacock on 26 April 2005, whether all relevant files, appropriately redacted, are now available for public inspection and, if not, which organisations have not allowed access to such files.

Answer · Peter Peacock: As indicated in my response to question S2W-15681, all relevant files held by the Scottish Executive are now available for public inspection. Officials have met with representatives of other organisations to discuss the records they hold. We are not aw…

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15682 by Peter Peacock on 26 April 2005, what cognisance it has taken of the Scottish Information Commissioner's Report on the Examination of the Scottish Executive Education Department's Procedures for the Identification and Provision of Access to R…

Answer · Peter Peacock: The report made recommendations about training for staff on the issue of refusal notices under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and about improving the procedures for searching and providing access to records. Mandatory training in the re…

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15682 by Peter Peacock on 26 April 2005, how the helpline is advertised.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The helpline advertisement carried on the Scottish Executive website and a press release was issued to national and local media. In addition, we funded a mailshot to members of the In Care Abuse Survivors (INCAS) support group drawing attention to this resour…

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15688 by Peter Peacock on 26 April 2005, what the group's membership is; what the ratio is of survivors to professionals on the group, and what the defined remit of the group is.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The National Reference Group on Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, which has been created to help implement the strategy for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, is made up of survivors, representatives from survivor agencies, a range of health …

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15683 by Cathy Jamieson on 27 April 2005, when it expects to make an announcement in respect of discussions and agreement with the Scottish Law Commission on timescales for review of the law on limitation.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Following extensive discussions, the Scottish Law Commission (SLC) has agreed to review and report to ministers on the law of prescription in relation to personal injury claims. The SLC will conduct that review in parallel with its existing review of limitati…

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-18018 by Patricia Ferguson on 16 August 2005, whether it will provide details of the activities of the Commonwealth Games (Scotland) Endowment Fund to date.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-19631 on 31 October 2005. 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/webap…

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-18015 by Patricia Ferguson on 16 August 2005, whether it will provide details of the proposals for the games of the XXX Olympiad which relate to Scotland as contained in London 2012's candidature file.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The venue schedule in the London 2012 candidature file shows that Hampden Park will stage football matches on 25, 26, 28, 29 and 31 July and 1, 3, 4 and 6 August 2012. There will be both men’s and women’s matches at Hampden.

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-18015 by Patricia Ferguson on 16 August 2005, what Scottish representation there is to inform decisions relating to planning and organising the games of the XXX Olympiad.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive and agencies such as sportscotland, Scottish Enterprise, VisitScotland and the Scottish Arts Council will develop their working relations with the UK Government and other key organisations responsible for delivering the Games and…

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-18018 by Patricia Ferguson on 16 August 2005, what match funds have been provided or committed from corporate and other sources to the Commonwealth Games (Scotland) Endowment Fund.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: No donations have been made to the fund itself but the trustees have been successful in securing support, in cash and in kind, for the work of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland (CGCS). The trustees have set up a business group which advises and assi…

3 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the financial implications of a European institute for technology would be for Scottish universities and research funding in Scotland.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-19607 on 2 November 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…

3 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would support a bid from one or more Scottish universities to become part of a European institute of technology network and, if so, what support would be forthcoming.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the question S2W-19607 answered on 2 November 2005. 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/webap…

3 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would support a bid from one or more Scottish universities to become a base for a European institute of technology and, if so, what support would be forthcoming.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The European Commission’s proposals for a European Institute for Technology (EIT) should offer some helpful opportunities for the Scottish higher education sector. The proposals are at a very early stage of development. The Commission’s public consultation do…