Parliamentary questions
Linda Fabiani
2,507 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
23 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether further education colleges have the capacity and funding to deliver vocational and specialised skills for work courses from 2006 for all pupils interested in the subjects referred to in Lifelong Partners: Scotland's Schools and Colleges Building the Foundations of a Lifelong Learn…
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has delivered substantial resources to increase the capacity of colleges to provide learning opportunities for school pupils, including the provision of Skills for Work courses. In addition to existing resources currently provided to co…
23 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the subjects previously offered in the vocationally based Highers and Advanced Highers now being withdrawn will be taught within any other Higher or Advanced Highers offered in schools.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Qualifications Agency (SQA) has not yet made any announcement concerning the withdrawal of specific National Courses. However, it is anticipated that the SQA will shortly be communicating with all centres to provide an update on the development o…
23 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation there has been with industry and further education colleges prior to the withdrawal of vocationally-based Highers and Advanced Highers.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Qualifications Authority’s (SQA) low uptake policy has been agreed by key strategic groups (such as the National Qualifications Steering Group, the SQA Qualifications Committee and the SQA Advisory Council) which include representatives from indu…
23 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources and facilities were made available to schools and teachers to teach the vocationally-based Highers and Advanced Highers that are now being withdrawn.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Qualifications Agency (SQA) has not yet made any announcement concerning the withdrawal of specific National Courses. However, it is anticipated that the SQA will shortly be communicating with all centres to provide an update on the development o…
23 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what detailed analysis was carried out prior to the decision to offer within the school system the vocationally-based Highers and Advanced Highers which are now being withdrawn and whether this analysis identified a demand.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The current system of National Qualifications was introduced by the Higher Still Development Programme in 1999, and involved extensive consultation with stakeholders from across the educational spectrum. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has not yet…
23 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what detailed analysis was carried out prior to the decision to withdraw up to 20 vocationally-based Highers and Advanced Highers from the school year beginning in 2006.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has a statutory responsibility to keep under review and to develop its qualifications portfolio. SQA has developed a set of criteria for reviewing “low uptake” subjects – this policy has been endorsed by the Nationa…
23 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many video installations in private properties for the purposes of surveillance at the request of the police there have been in the last full year for which figures are available and how many prosecutions have resulted, broken down by police force area.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-18233 on 2 September 2005, in which I explained that the figures are not held in the format requested. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament's website, the search facili…
15 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Skye Bridge and Inverness Airport provided models for buying out PFI contracts which it intends to replicate in respect of other PFI contracts.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The Executive does not have a general policy for buying out PPP contracts. PPP contracts are for the long term and this is the spirit in which the public sector enters into these contracts. They provide important safeguards for the public sector because of th…
29 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recourse an individual has if it is beleived that the police have not sent sufficient information to the Procurator Fiscal to allow a fair assessment of whether or not proceedings should be taken in a criminal case.
Answer · Elish Angiolini: If the Procurator Fiscal considers that a police report contains insufficient information on which to base a decision as to how to proceed, he or she may instruct the police to carry out further enquiries. However, it is open to any individual to disclose inf…
29 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the definition is of “public interest” used by the Procurator Fiscal when using that criterion to determine whether or not to take proceedings in a criminal case.
Answer · Elish Angiolini: The factors relevant to aProcurator Fiscal’s assessment of the public interest are described in the <i>CrownOffice and Procurator Fiscal Service’s Prosecution Code</i>, at Section 6 (page8) “Public Interest Considerations”. A copy of the Code is available in …
29 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many persons were subject to a police investigation into the crime of fraud which was passed to the Procurator Fiscal and, of these, how many persons subsequently appeared in court on a charge of fraud in the last full year for which figures are available, broken down by police force…
Answer · Colin Boyd: Three thousand, nine hundredand fifty-four people were reported to procurators fiscal by the police in the financialyear 2003-04 for allegedly committing an offence involving fraud. Criminal proceedingsin court were taken in respect of 2,343<b> </b>ofthese pe…
29 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many video installations in private properties for the purposes of surveillance at the request of the householder have there been in the last full year for which figures are available; how many reports to the Procurator Fiscal have resulted and, of these, how many cases subsequently …
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Information about the deployment of video surveillance is not recorded in the format that you have requested.</p> <p>The Chief Surveillance Commissioner publishes details in his annual report of the number of authorisations given under the Police Act 1997 for…
29 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients are currently waiting for orthopaedic surgery in the NHS Lanarkshire area.
Answer · Andy Kerr: On 30 June 2005, 2,548 residents of Lanarkshire NHS Board were waiting for hospital admission for in-patient or day case treatment in the specialty of orthopaedics.</p>
29 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question 11087 by Mr Andy Kerr on 25 October 2004, whether NHS Lanarkshire meets the agreed target for the length of time for completion of treatment of orthopaedic patients in Lanarkshire.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The current national maximum waiting time for inpatient and day case treatment, including orthopaedic surgery, is nine months. Lanarkshire NHS Board consistently meets this commitment.</p> <p>The guaranteed maximum waiting time for in-patient and day case tre…
29 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-11086 by Mr Andy Kerr on 25 October 2004, what targets are set by NHS Lanarkshire for waiting times for patients to secure orthopaedic surgery following the first out-patient appointment with a consultant.
Answer · Andy Kerr: NHS Lanarkshire is committed to ensuring that it meets the Executive’s national, maximum waiting times targets.</p> <p>If at a first out-patient consultation an orthopaedic consultant decides that a patient requires surgery and places them on the waiting list…
29 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-11089 by Mr Andy Kerr on 11 November 2004, what the average waiting time is for orthopaedic surgery in each NHS board area and what the (a) shortest and (b) longest waiting time was in each board area in the year ending 30 June 2005.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The majority of patients who require in-patient and day case treatment, including orthopaedic surgery, are treated quickly. Nearly 55% of patients treated inNHSScotland hospitals receive immediate treatment and never join a waiting list. Of those who do wait …
21 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that immigration rules do not impact on the Edinburgh Festival and associated events.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Immigration is a reservedmatter for which the Home Office is responsible. Applications for entry intothe United Kingdom are dealt with on a case by case basis under theImmigration Rules.</p>
21 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Home Office about the refusal of visa entry to competitors in sporting events and cultural events in Scotland.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-18029 on 4 August 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/webapp/…
21 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it supported the Homeless World Cup.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive wasan official sponsor of the Homeless World Cup, contributing £30,000 towards thecost of hosting the tournament and hosting the opening reception at MeadowbankStadium on 19 July. The Executive also provided resources for the tournament…
21 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any future Scottish bid for the Commonwealth Games would be hampered by immigration rules.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-18025 on 11 August 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the searchfacility for which can found at <ahref="http://scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.searc…
21 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether immigration rules inhibit the bringing of major sporting events to Scotland.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Immigration is a reservedmatter for which the Home Office is responsible. However, there is no evidenceto suggest that immigration rules inhibit our ability to attract major eventsto Scotland. Applications for entry into the United Kingdomare dealt with on a …
21 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits would accrue to Scotland from having its own Olympic team.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-18013 on 11 August 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the searchfacility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.s…
21 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a Scottish Olympic team would help recognise and nurture sporting talent.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-18013 on 11 August 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the searchfacility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.s…
21 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether having a Scottish Olympic team would help attain the visions of Sport 21 and, in particular, achieving and sustaining world class performances in sport.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-18013 on 11 August 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the searchfacility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.s…
21 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland to seek national Olympic committee status and, if so, how it will support the council in that aim.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The International Olympic Committee decides on which Olympic Committees it will recognise. The Scottish Executive has no plans to explore the possibility of Scotland having its own Olympic Committee.</p><p>The remit of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotl…
21 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it takes advice on the promotion of sport from Scotland’s Olympians.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-18014 on 11 August 2005. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: <a href="http://scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.s…
21 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how Scotland can benefit from the games of the XXX Olympiad.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to theanswers given to questions S2W-17561 and S2W-17564 answered on 18 July 2005. Allanswers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p><p><ahref="http://w…
21 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it supports the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Since 2000, the Scottish Executive, via <b>sport</b>scotland, has awarded an annual grant of £100,000 to the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland (CGCS) for core administration and strategic planning. I announced on 15 August 2005 that this award has been …
21 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote the sports that make up the Commonwealth Games.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-18014 on 11 August 2005. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…
21 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many national sports bodies there are in Scotland which are recognised by the International Olympic Committee as being affiliated to the relevant international body.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: This is a matter for the IOCbut our understanding is that the IOC has no process for recognising nationalgoverning bodies of sport.</p>