Linda Fabiani

13 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-30235 by Malcolm Chisholm on 17 October 2002, what requests for liberalisation under the General Agreement on Trade in Services it has made.

Answer · Iain Gray: None.

13 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-30230, S1W-30231, S1W-30233 and S1W-30234 by Cathy Jamieson on 17 October 2002, why it answered each of these questions by stating that "the regulation of international trade is a reserved matter", given that the questions asked about the impact of…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The GATS negotiations are taking place at UK level and the Department of Trade and Industry has the lead. The Scottish Executive continues to be in regular contact with UK Departments about these negotiations and how they might impact on its responsibilities.…

13 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-30229 by Malcolm Chisholm on 17 October 2002, whether it will set out what the specific benefits of liberalisation under the General Agreement on Trade and Services have been, or are expected to be, to the health sector.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The information relating to any specific benefits of liberalisation to the health sector is not available at present.

13 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether liberalisation under the General Agreement on Trade in Services would be beneficial overall to the education sector.

Answer · Iain Gray: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-32594 today. 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/sear…

13 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether liberalisation under the General Agreement on Trade in Services would be beneficial overall to the health sector.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-30229 on 17 October 2002. 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.u…

13 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether liberalisation under the General Agreement on Trade in Services would prevent the reversal of its policy of encouraging public private partnerships.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Public private partnerships (PPPs) are one of a number of procurement tools available to the Executive and it's partners to increase investment in public services. There are no plans to reverse current policy towards use of PPP.

13 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29637 by Mr Andy Kerr on 7 October 2002, whether liberalisation under the General Agreement on Trade in Services is a motivating factor other than a key motivating factor in increasing the use of public private partnerships in public services.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Liberalisation under the General Agreement on Trade in Services is not a motivating factor in increasing the use of private finance initiative and public private partnership projects in public services. The Scottish Executive policy is ready to offer choice a…

12 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29399 by Ms Margaret Curran on 1 November 2002, what the duties of the neighbourhood wardens/patrols will be that do not require the wardens/patrols to intervene in situations without consent but do make a valuable contribution to community safety.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Wardens will provide a physical presence on the street which can act as a deterrent to crime and anti-social behaviour. They will also provide a reassurance to residents which reduces fear of crime, will provide surveillance for the police and will act as pro…

12 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29399 by Ms Margaret Curran on 1 November 2002, what the legal definition of a citi'en is.

Answer · Margaret Curran: There is no legal definition of citizen for these purposes. Community wardens will have the same powers as any member of the public.

12 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29399 by Ms Margaret Curran on 1 November 2002, whether citi'ens will have arrangements with neighbourhood wardens/patrols made on their behalf and, if so, whether citi'ens will have a right to make objections to any such arrangements.

Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-32584 today. 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/sear…

12 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29399 by Ms Margaret Curran on 1 November 2002, what opportunities citi'ens will have to make a contribution to the framing of the arrangements with neighbourhood wardens/patrols.

Answer · Margaret Curran: We are still considering how warden schemes should be delivered and managed. However, we will expect local people to be consulted about the appropriateness of warden schemes in their neighbourhoods and to be involved in the design, planning and management of …

12 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29399 by Ms Margaret Curran on 1 November 2002, whether it will define those parameters of the arrangements between the employer of neighbourhood wardens/patrols and citi'ens in those neighbourhoods that could be considered or would be accepted.

Answer · Margaret Curran: The detail of how schemes will operate is still under consideration. However, we will ensure that all neighbourhood wardens are accountable to appropriate agencies.

12 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29399 by Ms Margaret Curran on 1 November 2002, what benefits neighbourhood wardens will bring to the citi'ens in those neighbourhoods.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Wardens can perform a wide range of duties which will benefit neighbourhoods, including reducing crime or the fear of crime, reducing anti-social behaviour, improving environmental quality, promoting community cohesion, supporting vulnerable residents and bui…

10 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many credit unions have been created in each year since May 1999 and what information it has received about the number of applications to register as a credit union in each of those years.

Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-32282 on 17 December 2002. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:<P><A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliamen…

10 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18432 by Jackie Baillie on 5 October 2001, what protection is given to any pre-existing right to buy entitlement of tenants in houses transferred to a registered social landlord that has achieved charitable status since the Housing (Scotland) Act 200…

Answer · Margaret Curran: Registered social landlords which qualify for charitable status after the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 received Royal Assent will not be exempt from the right to buy as a result of obtaining charitable status. As a result, tenants of houses transferred to a re…

10 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16912 by Jackie Baillie on 9 August 2001, how many housing associations have now applied for charitable status since the Housing (Scotland) Bill was introduced and to how many of these consent has been given.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Since the introduction of the Housing (Scotland) Bill on 18 December 2000, 25 Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) have applied for charitable status, 19 of which have had consent given. The remaining six RSLs have applied for consent and are being processed.

10 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications are, with regard to Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights, of any disparity between England and Scotland in legal aid provision available to asylum seekers dispersed to Scotland by the National Asylum Support Service.

Answer · Hugh Henry: I am satisfied that the provision of legal aid in Scotland to asylum seekers is compatible with Article 14 of the convention.

10 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been made to Her Majesty's Government about the impact of World Trade Organisation rules on animal welfare.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Officials from the Scottish Executive are working closely with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials to try and ensure that the World Trade Organisation will take animal welfare issues into consideration when setting trade rules.

10 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29391 by Ms Margaret Curran on 30 September 2002, whether the further announcements referred to about the #20 million spending on child care will be made in advance of the Parliament election in May 2003.

Answer · Margaret Curran: I shall make further announcements about how this funding will be used in due course.

10 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29391 by Ms Margaret Curran on 30 September, whether the #20 million for child care is guaranteed to be spent in 2004-05.

Answer · Margaret Curran: The Scottish Executive is committed to spending £10 million for child care provision in 2004-05 and £10 million in 2005-06.

10 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29391 by Ms Margaret Curran on 30 September 2002, why the commitment to spend #20 million on child care in 2004-05 was made at that time.

Answer · Margaret Curran: The Scottish Executive announced the results of the Scottish Budget 2003-06 on 12 September, including its spending proposals for the three years, in order to meet the written agreement with the Parliament to present a draft budget by 20 September 2002. The c…

10 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29391 by Ms Margaret Curran on 30 September 2002, whether the commitment to spend #20 million on child care in 2004-05 is properly a matter for new ministers after the election to the Parliament in May 2003.

Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-32469 today. 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/searc…

9 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any consideration is being given to the reform of fire safety legislation.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The need to reform fire safety legislation was among a range of issues considered and recommendations made in the policy paper <I>The Scottish Fire Service of The Future</I> which we published on 29 April. We do not, however, plan to bring forward proposals f…

18 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many appeals its staff have made to the Civil Service Commissioners and what information it has on how many appeals were heard by the commissioners in each year since May 1999.

Answer · Andy Kerr: No appeals have been made by Scottish Executive staff to the Civil Service Commissioners in the period since May 1999.

8 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which minister is leading discussions with Her Majesty's Government on the implications for public services of the Competition Commission Appeal Tribunal's ruling in the case of BetterCare Group Limited v the Director General of Fair Trading.

Answer · Frank McAveety: The Minister for Health and Community Care would lead any such discussions.

8 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it was first advised of the appeal to the Competition Commission Appeal Tribunal in the case of BetterCare Group Limited v the Director General of Fair Trading and what steps it was taken to be kept up to date with developments in this case.

Answer · Frank McAveety: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-31405 today. 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/sear…

8 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when guidance will be issued to local authorities and other public bodies on the implications for public services of the Competition Commission Appeal Tribunal's ruling in the case of BetterCare Group Limited v the Director General of Fair Trading.

Answer · Frank McAveety: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-31405 today. 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/sear…

8 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it was first advised of the outcome of the appeal to the Competition Commission Appeal Tribunal in the case of BetterCare Group Limited v the Director General of Fair Trading and what steps it has subsequently taken to consider the implications of the tribunal's findings.

Answer · Frank McAveety: We were first made aware of the Competition Commission Appeal Tribunal's judgement on 20 September 2002. <P>The tribunal's judgement in the case of Bettercare Group Ltd and the Director General of Fair Trading stated that the Competition Act 1998 applied in t…

11 Oct 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many eligible applications for free central heating for the elderly under its central heating installation programme received from each postcode area in (a) East Kilbride, (b) Hamilton South and (c) Hamilton North and Bellshill parliamentary constituencies (i) are still being processe…

Answer · Hugh Henry: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-30388. 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/search_wa"…

11 Oct 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes in each postcode area in (a) East Kilbride, (b) Hamilton South and (c) Hamilton North and Bellshill parliamentary constituencies are eligible for free central heating for the elderly under its central heating installation programme and how many such homes have applied.

Answer · Hugh Henry: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-30388. All answers to written PQs are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">http://www.scottish…