Linda Fabiani

31 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been issued by Scottish ministers to NHS staff regarding verification that application of physical restraint to persons undergoing treatment is lawful and whether it will place a copy of this guidance in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The law concerning physical restraint centres around the use of reasonable force. Following recommendations from the inquiry into the death of the psychiatric patient David Bennet, NHS Education Scotland has developed training standards on <i>Prevention and T…

31 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who has statutory authority to apply physical restraint to persons undergoing treatment by NHS staff.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: NHS staff have a duty of care not to cause unnecessary harm to patients. Under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, where a decision is made to administer urgent medical treatment under the act and this treatment is to be administered b…

31 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any staff within its areas of responsibility have authority to restrain asylum seekers (a) inside and (b) outwith Dungavel House immigration removal centre.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The management and operation of Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre is the responsibility of the Home Office.</p><p>Outwith Dungavel, Scotland’s police force, prison service or medical staff may use retraint on asylum seekers as they would for any other indiv…

31 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken by staff working on behalf of the NHS to ensure that any person brought to their attention for treatment, who is under physical restraint, is lawfully restrained.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The law concerning physical restraint centres around the use of reasonable force. NHS staff have a duty of care not to cause unnecessary harm to patients. Where a decision is made under the Mental Health Act (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, the stron…

31 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Sewel motions since 1999 have resulted in increased (a) powers to the Parliament, (b) powers to Scottish ministers and (b) responsibilities for Scottish ministers.

Answer · Margaret Curran: There have been no bills, and hence no Sewel motions, to amend the powers of the Parliament. There have been Sewel motions for 44 Bills amending the functions of the Scottish ministers. The term “functions” is interpreted in line with the Scotland Act as incl…

28 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authority-owned residential properties there are in each local authority area and, of these, how many properties are (a) considered difficult to let, (b) vacant and not scheduled for reletting and (c) scheduled for demolition.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Of the information requested, only the number of local authority-owned dwellings is available centrally, which is shown in table 1.</p><p>Responsibility for assessing housing needs and conditions rests with local authorities as part of their Local Housing Str…

27 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, following the repeal of section 54 of the Housing Act 1988, what arrangements will be put in place to mitigate the financial effect on any organisations, including housing co-operatives, that remain subject to an assessment for corporation tax.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her reply is as follows:</p><p>Discussions are continuing with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations about measures to mitigate any effects arising from the withd…

27 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the repeal of section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 will come into force.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her reply is as follows:</p><p>The repeal of Section 54 of the Housing Act 1988 will come into force on 31 March 2005.</p>

27 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether owners who become tenants of registered social landlords through the Mortgage to Rent scheme can thereafter exercise the right to buy and, if so, how many times this right has been exercised.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Successful applicants under the Mortgage to Rent scheme, established in February 2003, are granted the Scottish Secure Tenancy which confers the right to buy under modernised terms. The earliest that anyone assisted under the Mortgage to Rent scheme would be …

27 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases there have been of tenants exercising the right to buy on more than one occasion.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The information requested is not held centrally.</p>

27 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) lowest, (b) highest and (c) average discount is that has been granted to tenants who purchased their home through right to buy *in each local authority area*, expressed in monetary terms.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The following table contains the minimum, maximum and mean discounts granted between 1979 quarter 2 and 2004 quarter 2, to tenants who purchased their home through right to buy, broken down by local authority. Data are at 2004 prices.</p><p>Discounts Granted …

27 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have applied for pressured area status; when each such application was made, and when a decision on each application will be given.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: One local authority, South Ayrshire Council, has applied for designation of housing areas as pressured under section 45 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.</p><p>The application was made on 14 October 2004, but further information is required from South Ayrsh…

27 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will carry out a review of progress towards meeting its target that, by 2012, permanent accommodation will be available for all applicants deemed unintentionally homeless.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We remain committed to meeting this target. As required by the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003, we will consult on and publish a statement later this year which will set out the steps which we and local authorities have taken, and will take in the future…

27 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes purchased under right to buy currently house tenants in receipt of housing benefit, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The information requested is not held centrally.</p>

27 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what organised meetings ministers hold with members of parliamentary committees outwith scheduled committee meetings.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Ministers maintain regular contact with committee members.</p>

26 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what recommendations have been made by the Judicial Appointments Board on each judicial appointment.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Since the board was establishedin 2002, it has made recommendations for filling vacancies to the Office of Senatorof the College of Justice, Sheriff Principal, permanent sheriff and part-time sheriff.All of these recommendations have been accepted by Scottish…

26 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what rules it has regarding the ownership of a financial interest in private prisons by judges, sheriffs and stipendiary magistrates and how the application of such rules is monitored.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive does not make rules about the conduct of the independent judiciary. Members of the judiciary are expected to conduct personal business in a way which avoids the risk of any compromise to their independence when handling cases which come…

13 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Sexual Health and Relationships Strategy, referred to by the Minister for Health and Community Care on 4 November 2004 as due to be published before the end of 2004 (Official Report c 11579), will be published.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The strategy and action plan are being published today. Copies are being placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 35112).</p>

13 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4807 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, what the difference in median wait and mean wait was for the quarter ended (a) 30 June 1997, (b) 30 June 1999, and (c) 30 September 2004, broken down by NHS board area.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The differences between the median wait and mean wait for in-patient/day case treatment and new out-patient appointments for the quarters ending: 30 June 1997,30 June 1999 and 30 September 2004, by NHS board of residence were asfollows:</p><table border=1 cel…

13 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4807 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 January 2004, what the difference in median wait and mean wait was for the quarter ended (a) 31 December 2003, (b) 31 March 2004, (c) 30 June 2004 and (d) 30 September 2004.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The differences between the median wait and mean wait for in-patient/day case treatment and new out-patient appointments for the quarters ending: 31 December 2003, 31 March 2004, 30 June 2004 and 30 September 2004 were as follows:</p><p>Difference in Median a…

12 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next publish the Social Justice Annual Report.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Our new Closing the Opportunity Gap approach has refocused our social justice strategy, and set out new objectives and targets, and action to deliver those targets. The targets were announced in the Scottish Parliament on 9 December 2004 S2W-12888, and more i…

10 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be made on whether Berebriggs Road, Strathaven, will be closed, as proposed by South Lanarkshire Council.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: South Lanarkshire Council promoted the South Lanarkshire Council (Berebriggs Road, Strathaven) (Stopping Up Order) 2004 under Section 68 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. Several objections were received to this Order and, as required by legislation, it was f…

6 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-12962 by Malcolm Chisholm on 23 December 2004, which interested parties were invited to discuss the relevant issues on affordable housing; which interested parties participated in such discussions, and what form these discussions took.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We engaged with a range of stakeholders who have an interest in the delivery of affordable housing through the planning system. These included officials in COSLA, selected local authorities – both planning and housing – and housing providers including Homes f…

16 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the Scottish Refugee Integration Forum Action Plan.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive will be publishing a second report on the implementation of the Scottish Refugee Integration Forum Action Plan during spring 2005. This will take account of any changes in priorities since the action plan was published.</p>

14 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the First Minister&#39;s study into the Irish model of addressing institutional child abuse.

Answer · Peter Peacock: Ministers’ study into theIrish model of addressing institutional child abuse considered the ongoingdevelopments in Ireland but decided not to follow that model.  I set out theExecutive’s thinking about institutional child abuse to the Public PetitionsCommitte…

13 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to ensure that Scottish legislation complies with the EU Directive on asylum procedures.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Home Office is responsible for ensuring that the United Kingdom complies with any EU Directive on asylum related issues. However, Home Office officials liaise with Scottish Executive officials to ensure that, where appropriate, Scottish legislation enable…

13 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what concordats have been signed with Scottish Power in respect of Whitelees Wind Farm and what the community benefit will be in each of the local authority areas affected by the wind farm.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The provision of community benefit by a developer is a matter for that developer and the communities concerned. The Executive has not discussed these matters with Scottish Power nor has it signed any concordats.</p>

13 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS boards carry out hearing tests for digital hearing aids.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: All NHS boards have the capacity to carry out hearing tests for digital hearing aids. Each NHS board area has its own programme for modernisation and has therefore reached a different stage in the modernisation process.</p><p>The Executive is currently settin…

13 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is to receive a hearing test for a digital hearing aid.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Executive is committed to modernising and improving audiology services across NHSScotland. We are investing almost £20 million over the five year period 2002-03 to 2006-07 to ensure NHS boards are equipped with the necessary facilities, equipment, staff a…

13 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage site acquisition costs represented of the overall development cost of sites developed in each year since 1980 by housing associations or co-operatives, or their agents, and funded in full or in part by (a) the Housing Corporation, (b) Scottish Homes and (c) Communities Sco…

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>The following table gives details of the proportion site acquisition costs represented of overall development costs for all housing constructi…