Linda Fabiani

3 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Scottish universities, Universities Scotland and the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council regarding a European institute for technology.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive has corresponded with officials in Universities Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council on this issue, and will continue to consult these bodies as it develops a contribution to the UK’s response to the Commission’s consultation paper. I refer…

3 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the European Commission regarding the role of Scottish universities in a European institute for technology.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: None. I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-19607 on 2 November 2005 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search">http://www.scot…

29 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to research showing that high cholesterol in later life can be associated with a decreased risk of dementia.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-19555 on 27 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…

29 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considered possible links between low cholesterol and dementia when framing policy on the use of statins.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-19555 on 27 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/weba…

29 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what account it took of epidemiological studies into the links between cholesterol and dementia when framing guidance for doctors on cholesterol levels in patients.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: An article in <i>The Lancet</i> last month stated that cholesterol reducing statins may be useful in delaying or preventing the onset of dementia. I am also aware of the research (published by Dr. Thomas D. Rea et al at the University of Washington in July 20…

29 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken, or will undertake, research into links between bonemeal which may contain human remains and the pathologies of spongiform encephalopathies.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive is not currently funding any projects into the pathologies of spongiform encephalopathies. The Chief Scientists Office would be happy to look at any proposals for research.</p>

29 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken, or will undertake, research into the pathologies of spongiform encephalopathies, and in particular the pathology of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and its link with the new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, to determine the safety of meat imports for human…

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive is not currently funding any projects into the pathologies of spongiform encephalopathies. The Chief Scientists Office would be happy to look at any proposals for research.</p>

29 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has taken, or will take, steps to ensure that meat coming into Scotland comes from animals that have not been fed on bonemeal which may contain Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease prions.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: All meat, imported into the EU, must come from an approved country and establishment to ensure that the food safety, hygiene standards and animal welfare standards are compatible with those in the EU. The European Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO)…

29 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has taken steps to ensure that meat coming into Scotland undergoes the same rigorous safety checks as meat produced in Scotland.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Meat entering Scotland must come from an approved country and establishment which has food safety and hygiene standards compatible with European legislation. The European Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office undertakes inspections of the authorities of cou…

29 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that meat coming into Scotland is free from Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease prions.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Meat entering Scotland must come from an approved country and establishment which has food safety and hygiene standards compatible with European legislation. At the port of entry into the EU, documentary and physical checks may be undertaken on the boxed meat…

16 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-18038 and S2W-18654 answered by Rhona Brankin on 19 August and 13 September 2005 respectively, what definition of "written" its agencies and departments use in respect of responses to consultations.

Answer · Margaret Curran: There is no formal definition. In relation to Scottish Executive consultation exercises, we would generally regard a response as “written” if it is transmitted in a legible form by whatever means, for example post or e-mail, comments submitted through on-line…

16 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any responsibilities in relation to the ownership and use of mini motorbikes.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The Scottish Executive has given the police additional powers to seize, retain and dispose of vehicles, whether on or off-road, being used in an antisocial manner through the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004. The new powers improve the ability of poli…

15 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will update Professor Gavin McCrone's 1974 paper on the Scottish economy.

Answer · Tom McCabe: There are no plans to update the McCrone paper. The Executive’s existing annual publication<i> Government Expenditure &amp; Revenue in Scotland (GERS)</i> provides a comprehensive picture of Scotland’s current fiscal position.</p>

15 Sep 2005 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how many (a) members of the public and (b) representatives of organisations participated in activities organised by the Parliament's outreach services in each year since 1999.

Answer · Andrew Welsh: A dedicated outreach team was created in September 2004. The number of people participating in the sessions provided by the Outreach Services team is given in the table supplied in the answer to question S2W-19249 on 29 September 2005.</p> <p>However, this is…

15 Sep 2005 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will list the activities organised by the Parliament's outreach services and where these took place in each year since 1999.

Answer · Andrew Welsh: The SPCB did not have a dedicated outreach services team prior to September 2004 when a new team was created.  </p> <p>The four staff members cover outreach to communities, educational organisations and the Gaelic community.  However, other staff and teams wi…

15 Sep 2005 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what the annual budget for the provision of the Parliament's outreach services has been in each financial year since 1999-2000.

Answer · Andrew Welsh: The SPCB did not have an annual budget specifically for the provision of outreach services in any of the financial years prior to 2005-06.</p> <p>A dedicated outreach team was created in September 2004. This team has been allocated an annual budget of £179,55…

15 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which body enforces law and order on oil installations in the North Sea.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Grampian Police is responsiblefor maintaining law and order on Scottish North Sea offshore installations.</p>

15 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any estimate of how long the oil industry can be expected to continue providing employment in Scotland.

Answer · Allan Wilson: No estimates have been made by the Executive of how long employment will continue in the oil industry.</p> <p>Current employment levels within the oil industry are directly related to the economic life of production which depends on a broad range of factors, …

7 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the statements about welfare of children in the asylum system, including in immigration removal centres, by the Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland on BBC Radio's "Good Morning Scotland" on 1 September 2005 and whether it has made any representat…

Answer · Robert Brown: Responsibility for immigrationand asylum issues, including the detention and deportation of unsuccessful applicantsfor asylum, rests with the Home Office and the Immigration Service. The Executiveis in regular dialogue with the Home Office on a wide range of …

5 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what pilot schemes have been completed where grant funding was given to private developers for the provision of low-cost housing.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p> <p>A pilot project was carried out in 1998 in Kincardine O’Neil through the Scottish Homes Research and Innovation programme, where funding was…

5 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to the reintroduction of grant funding to private developers for the provision of low-cost housing.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p> <p>GRO grant funding for private developers for the provision of low-cost housing for owner occupation has been a long-standing mainstream prog…

5 Sep 2005 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what avenues are open to parliamentary appointees to refer to the Parliament approaches made to them seeking to influence their decisions for political ends.

Answer · Nora Radcliffe: Crown appointees are independent officeholders and should be able to deal with any such approaches by having a robust policy in place.</p> <p>Provision does exist in the legislation establishing the various offices for officeholders to lay annual reports befo…

5 Sep 2005 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what avenues are open to parliamentary appointees to refer to the Parliament for assistance.

Answer · Nora Radcliffe: There are no specific avenues provided for under the legislation for appointees of the Crown nominated by the Parliament to refer to the Parliament for assistance.</p><p>Provision does, however, exist in the legislation establishing the various offices for of…

5 Sep 2005 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what support it gives to parliamentary appointees to resist political pressure.

Answer · Nora Radcliffe: The SPCB is not aware of what is meant by political pressure.</p> <p>In any event, the legislation establishing the various offices provides that Crown appointees are not subject to the direction or control of the SPCB, any member of the Scottish Executive or…

5 Sep 2005 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what measures are in place to protect parliamentary appointees from political pressure.

Answer · Nora Radcliffe: To ensure their independence and to protect them from any political pressure the legislation establishing the various offices provides that crown appointees are not subject to the direction or control of the SPCB, any member of the Scottish Executive or any m…

5 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to introduce the Speed Enforcement Camera System to more roads in Scotland.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: We are currently not aware of any plans by safety camera partnerships to introduce the Speed Enforcement Camera System (SPECS) to more roads in Scotland. SPECS has been introduced on the A77 from Bogend to Ardwell as a trial and as part of an integrated road …

5 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring is in place to judge the effect of the Speed Enforcement Camera System on the A77.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Speed monitoring is carried out on an on-going basis by the SPECS system and other permanent recording equipment on the road. Personal injury crash and casualty records are also maintained on an on-going basis. All these statistics will be used over time to e…

5 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are classes or types of vehicles which cannot be captured by the Speed Enforcement Camera System on the A77.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Speed Enforcement Camera System (SPECS) detects all classes of vehicles with front-facing number plates. It does not detect motorcycles. Speeding motorcycles and other vehicles will be detected by normal road policing patrols in marked and unmarked vehicl…

5 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects the Speed Enforcement Camera System on the A77 to reduce the need for police officers to patrol this stretch of road.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Speed Enforcement Camera System (SPECS) does not affect road policing patrols on the road. The system is operated by Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership under the Scottish Safety Camera Programme. At the discretion of the Chief Constable, local police f…

5 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is offering the Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland to ensure that the office remains impartial and free from political pressure.

Answer · Robert Brown: The Executive provides £1.2 million per annum to the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body, which has direct responsibility for supporting the commissioner’s office and activities. The commissioner was appointed by Parliament and her accountability to Parliament…