Parliamentary questions
Linda Fabiani
2,507 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
24 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1351 by Tavish Scott on 29 July 2003, how much it has paid to Partnerships UK since July 2003, broken down by project.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The following table shows how much the Scottish Executive has paid to Partnerships UK since July 2003.</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p>Year</p> </td> <td> <p>Amount (£)</p> </td> <td> <p>Reason</p> </td>…
24 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1351 by Tavish Scott on 29 July 2003, whether Partnerships UK has repaid any of the fees paid by, or incurred any financial penalty repayable to, the Executive in relation to its work in the (a) Midlothian Council and (b) East Lothian Council area.
Answer · Tom McCabe: We are not aware of any basis for the Executive to seek reimbursement of fees from Partnerships UK in relation to its work in the Midlothian and Easy Lothian Councils’ areas.</p>
24 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1351 by Tavish Scott on 29 July 2003, what role was played by Partnerships UK in the PPP projects for schools in the (a) Midlothian Council and (b) East Lothian Council area.
Answer · Tom McCabe: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-10910 on 11 October 2004. 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…
24 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1351 by Tavish Scott on 29 July 2003, why it reimbursed (a) Midlothian Council’s and (b) East Lothian Council’s fees for Partnerships UK.
Answer · Tom McCabe: Both Midlothian and East Lothian Councils’ schools PPP projects were regarded as pathfinder projects as they were the early projects in the development of the current £2.5 billion schools PPP programme. Partnerships UK provided specialist advice and expertise…
24 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what role it played in the appointment of the directors of Partnerships UK.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The Executive is a minority shareholder and the role it plays over the appointment of directors of Partnerships UK is appropriate to the level of shareholding it holds. The board of PUK is made up of members from the private sector and two non-Executive Direc…
24 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1353 by Tavish Scott on 29 July 2003, whether it is able to sell its interest in Partnerships UK on the open market.
Answer · Tom McCabe: No, the Scottish Executive shares are held in a share category established specifically for a holding by ministers and not for open market trading. The share structure of Partnerships UK is intended to ensure a balance of private and public sector interests w…
24 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1353 by Tavish Scott on 29 July 2003, how much its interest in Partnerships UK is now worth and how that valuation was calculated.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The Scottish Executive’s shares in Partnerships UK (PUK) are held in a share category established specifically for a holding by ministers and are not for open market trading. PUK has a private sector classification and financial information is available from …
12 Aug 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any scheduled offsite training activities for operational firefighters at all levels of the profession were cancelled or curtailed during the firefighters' dispute and how many such activities, due to take place within the next six months, have been cancelled or curtailed.
Answer · Hugh Henry: Since the beginning of the dispute in 2002 some training courses at the Scottish Fire Services College, Gullane and the Fire Service College, Gloucestershirehave been postponed. These courses were rescheduled for periods when no industrialaction was planned. …
12 Aug 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how frequently operational firefighters at all levels of the profession attend offsite training courses.
Answer · Hugh Henry: This information is not held centrally. Fire Service training can take place at a number of facilities but this is arranged by Brigade Development Officers according to the needs of the brigade and the firefighter.</p>
12 Aug 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive where the training facilities for operational firefighters at all levels of the profession are situated.
Answer · Hugh Henry: The Scottish Executive offers centrally funded training at the Scottish Fire Services College, Gullane, East Lothian, and also funds training for Scottish Fire Service personnel at the Fire Services College, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire. Specialised trai…
11 Aug 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that (a) fully and (b) non-fully mutual housing co-operatives are able to obtain charitable status.
Answer · Margaret Curran: In the draft Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Bill we propose that any individual organisation meeting the charity test, by both having charitable purposes and being able to demonstrate that it provides a public benefit, will be eligible for charit…
30 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the mean average time was between first appointment and satisfactory completion of treatment in (a) Scotland and (b) each NHS board area in the last quarter for which figures are available.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Treatment in hospital cantake place in either an out-patient or in-patient setting. Information is notheld centrally on waiting times for completion of treatment or for treatmentwhich starts in an out-patient setting.</p><p>Information is availablecentrally f…
30 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the mean waiting times were for first (a) out-patient appointments and (b) in-patient/day cases in (i) Scotland and (ii) each NHS board area in the last quarter for which figures are available.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The mean waiting time for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant, following general medical/dental practitioner referral and for in-patient and day case treatment, by NHS Board area of residence, during the quarter ended 31 March 2004, is given in t…
25 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend concessionary travel fares to carers.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive’s commitments in relation to concessionary travel are set out in the partnership agreement and include a national free off-peak bus scheme for older people and people with disabilities and a scheme of national bus, rail and ferry concessionary t…
25 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that carers are more aware of their entitlement to benefits and to instigate an income maximisation scheme for carers.
Answer · Tom McCabe: Since the introduction of our Carers Strategy we have worked closely with carers’ organisations at a national level to ensure that carers of all ages have access to appropriate information on their rights and about support, including financial support, availa…
25 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following its recognition of carers as key partners in the provision of care, it will expand the provision of free flu vaccinations to carers.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advises all UK Health Departments on issues relating to vaccination and immunisation, based on currently available scientific evidence.</p><p>At its June meeting, the committee agreed that the 2004-05 progra…
25 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made towards meeting the policy priorities for carers outlined in The Carers' Manifesto 2003.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The resources allocated by the Executive to local authorities to support carers, including resources to develop respite services, have risen from £5 million in 1999-2000 to £21 million in 2003-04. The Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 places a dut…
23 Jun 2004 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what steps it has taken to ensure that the founding principles of the parliament have been implemented.
Answer · George Reid: The Scottish ParliamentCorporate Body strives to ensure all its work is guided by the foundingprinciples of the Parliament.</p><p>For example, in terms ofopenness and accessibility, since 1999, parliamentary committees have metoutwith Edinburgh over 50 times;…
23 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to fulfil its commitment to participative democracy.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive supports the principle of civic participation, and we are taking this commitment forward in a number of ways. Examples of specific activities include: providing support for the Scottish Civic Forum; promoting citizenship education in schools; su…
14 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-30051 by Mr Jim Wallace on 28 October 2002, when the relevant data will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>As part of the procurement of its contract for prisoner escort and court custody services, SPS collected data on prison-based escort …
14 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that Scottish cases heard before any newly-formed UK Supreme Court will receive a fair hearing under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, if the majority of judges are not qualified in Scots law.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Executive is satisfied thatthe composition of the proposed new UK Supreme Court satisfies the requirementsof Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.</p>
11 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2671 by Ms Margaret Curran on 7 October 2003, what the outcome was of the minister conveying to Her Majesty's Government the concerns of the Parliament about the detention of children at Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre, as referred to in th…
Answer · Margaret Curran: The concern of members’ aboutthe detention of children at Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre was noted by theHome Office. You will be aware that following the publication of the Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons inspectionreport on the centre, changes…
11 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2930 by Ms Margaret Curran on 23 October 2003, what the outcome was of the minister raising with the Home Office the specific issue of fingerprinting and photographing of visitors to Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I understand that fingerprintsand photographs of visitors are taken as part of security procedures at DungavelImmigration Removal Centre and are destroyed after seven days.</p>
11 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the responsibilities are of its ministers in relation to the operation of Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre, including any responsibilities arising from the detention of children within the centre.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The management and operation of Dungavel is the responsibility of the Home Office.</p>
11 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how many adults and children who are unrelated to each other will be detained in Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre's shared facilities, following any proposed further extension of the centre.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-8958 on 25 June 2004.</p>
11 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the current capacity of Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre, broken down into single person units, shared accommodation and individual family units, and what the capacity of the centre will be following any further proposed extension.
Answer · Margaret Curran: This Scottish Executive does not hold this detailed information as the Home Office is responsiblefor the operation and management of Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre.</p>
11 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether local residents have been advised of any further proposed extension of Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-8956 on 25 June 2004.</p>
11 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether South Lanarkshire Council has been advised of any further proposed extension of Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The Home Office is responsiblefor the operation and management of Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre and foradvising relevant parties about any developments at the centre.</p>
11 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2928 by Ms Margaret Curran on 23 October 2003, when it first became aware of any proposed further extension to Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre and whether there are any other plans to (a) extend or (b) make alterations to the centre.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-8953 given on 25 June2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’swebsite, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/w…
11 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations regarding the impact of any further proposed extension to Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-8953 given on 25 June2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’swebsite, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/w…