Parliamentary questions
Linda Fabiani
2,507 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
16 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-24724 by Ms Margaret Curran on 20 May 2002, whether any monies indicated as underspends have been (a) reallocated to other projects or priorities or (b) re-absorbed into central funds.
Answer · Hugh Henry: The underspends within the Social Inclusion Partnerships programme of £2.2 million in 1999-2000 and £2.6 million in 2000-01 were subject to the End Year Flexibility arrangements, resulting in a carry forward within the partnerships programme of £1.5 million a…
8 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26295 by Lewis Macdonald on 5 July 2002, whether it will publish the responses it received from its consultation process on the proposed wind farm at Whitelee Forest.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: There are no plans to publish the responses we have received.<P>When Scottish ministers have arrived at a determination, we will ensure that the decision letter is placed on the Planning Register at the relevant local authorities. The letter itself will conta…
8 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26295 by Lewis Macdonald on 5 July 2002, whether it will publish a full list of consultees to whom the plans to construct a wind farm at Whitelee Forest were issued.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The following bodies were consulted on the proposal to build a wind farm at Whitelee Forrest:<U><P>External</U><P>British Telecom<P>CAA Directorate of Airspace Policy<P>CAA Safety Regulation Group<P>Crown Estate<P>Defence Communications Services Agency (RAF)<…
8 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26295 by Lewis Macdonald on 5 July 2002, whether it intends to meet with consultees other than the National Air Traffic Services, the Civil Aviation Authority and Scottish Airports Ltd.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: There are no further meetings with consultees planned at present.
8 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26295 by Lewis Macdonald on 5 July 2002, which consultees, other than the National Air Traffic Services, the Civil Aviation Authority and Scottish Airports Ltd, it has met.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive has also met Scottish Natural Heritage and the Meteorological Office to discuss the proposed wind farm at Whitelee Forrest.
8 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26295 by Lewis Macdonald on 5 July 2002, whether, in light of the concerns expressed, it considers the proposed wind farm at Whitelee Forest to be a potential danger to aviation.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: No consent will be issued unless I am convinced that the issue of air safety has been completely resolved, nor would the civil aviation authority permit an airport to operate if it did not continue to meet the most stringent safety standards.
8 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26295 by Lewis Macdonald on 5 July 2002, what the outcome was of the meeting between its officials, National Air Traffic Services, the Civil Aviation Authority and Scottish Airports Ltd.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Following this meeting, it was agreed to explore further technical options for resolving concerns related to air safety.
8 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26295 by Lewis Macdonald on 5 July 2002, whether it will publish the response it received from Scottish Airports Ltd.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: As this proposal is still being considered by Scottish ministers, it would not be appropriate to publish any consultation response at this time.
8 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff currently work in its Constitutional Policy Unit.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Seven members of staff currently work in the Executive's Constitutional Policy Unit.
8 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its staff are involved in planning for possible future constitutional changes.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Executive's Constitutional Policy Unit works on a range of subjects, including issues relating to the operation of the Scotland Act and the devolution settlement.
4 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to submit the next recommendations of the Housing Improvement Task Force to any other body prior to publication.
Answer · Margaret Curran: It is for the task force itself to decide whether to propose that its recommendations should be the subject of further consultation, but there are no plans at present for this in advance of submitting its views to the Scottish Executive.
4 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the next recommendations of the Housing Improvement Task Force will be made to it and when these recommendations will be published.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The task force will make its recommendations to the Executive in its final report to be published early in 2003.
4 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on private sector housing grants in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02, broken down by local authority.
Answer · Hugh Henry: The figures for 1999-2000 and 2000-01 are shown in the table. Figures are not yet available for financial year 2001-02.<P>(a) Local Authority Gross Capital Expenditure 1999-2000 (£000)<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=2 WIDTH=572><TR><TD WIDTH="27%" VAL…
4 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-24724 by Ms Margaret Curran on 20 May 2002, what the administrative costs were of each of the social inclusion partnerships listed for 1999-2000 and 2000-01.
Answer · Margaret Curran: Details of the administrative costs of the Social Inclusion Partnerships for 1999-2000 and 2000-01 are shown in the following table:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 WIDTH=463><TR><TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="BOTTOM" HEIGHT=20><P>SIP</TD><TD WIDTH="30%" VALIGN="BOTTOM" …
4 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which social inclusion partnerships (a) underspent and (b) overspent their budgets in 2001-02 and by how much.
Answer · Margaret Curran: Out-turn information in respect of 2001- 02 is not yet available.
18 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the Housing Benefit (Withholding of Payment) Bill will have on the provision of social rented housing.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-26834 on 1 July 2002.
18 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the Housing Benefit (Withholding of Payment) Bill in its current form would have on social justice in the context of the European Convention on Human Rights and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-26834.
18 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any Ministers have been involved in making representations to Her Majesty's Government about amendments to the Housing Benefit (Withholding of Payment) Bill and, if so, which ones.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-26834.
18 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the impact in Scotland of the Housing Benefit (Withholding of Payment) Bill.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-26834.
18 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26232 by Ms Margaret Curran on 6 June 2002 giving its position that it is for landlords, local authorities and the police to determine the most effective response to anti-social behaviour, whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Governm…
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-26834.
18 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact of proposals to remove housing benefit from any individual not subject to any court order, but living with a tenant who meets the criteria proposed in the Housing Benefit (Withholding of Payment) Bill, would be on social justice in the context of the European Convention on…
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-26834.
18 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what specific representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government about the impact in Scotland of the Housing Benefit (Withholding of Payment) Bill.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-26834.
18 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consult the Parliament before reaching a position on the impact in Scotland of the Housing Benefit (Withholding of Payment) Bill.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-26834.
18 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8553 by Sarah Boyack on 19 July 2000, whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre copies of the latest Route Accident Reduction Plan studies carried out on the A725 trunk road between Whirlies Roundabout, East Kilbride and Whi…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The A725 Whirlies Roundabout to Whistleberry Toll Route Accident Reduction Plan (RARP) study report was submitted to the Scottish Executive in February 2000 and its recommendations have in the main been addressed. No further RARPs have been carried out on thi…
17 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many road traffic accidents there were on (a) the A725 and (b) the A71 in (i) 2000 and (ii) 2001 in each local authority area and how many fatalities and serious injuries there were in each case.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form. These returns cover only road accidents in which one or more people were injured: they do not cover damage only acc…
17 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering any legislation to tackle anti-social behaviour of residents who are not tenants.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 introduced a new civil order - the Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO) - to tackle anti-social behaviour. Local authorities, in consultation with the police, can apply to a sheriff for an ASBO to prohibit an individual over 16 …
17 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the compatability of the terms of the Housing Benefit (Withholding of Payment) Bill with its aims to eradicate poverty and promote social inclusion.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-26834.
17 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what changes to Scots law would be required if the Housing Benefit (Withholding of Payment) Bill becomes law.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-26834.
17 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact of the Housing Benefit (Withholding of Payment) Bill would be on the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The Housing Benefit (Withholding of Payment) Bill proposes that, in certain circumstances, there should be a change in entitlement to housing benefit, which is a reserved matter. The Department for Work and Pensions is currently considering the amendments it …
17 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many special constables were recruited in each police force in each year since the establishment of the Parliament; how many such constables were female, and how many were from ethnic minority groups.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The information, relating to financial years, is shown in the following tables.<P>Recruitment of Special Constables<P>1999-2000<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=2 WIDTH=564><TR><TD WIDTH="32%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=17><P>Force</TD><TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="…