Parliamentary questions

Margaret Jamieson

534 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

23 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to clarify Scottish Enterprise’s financial situation.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: My statement to Parliament of30 March 2006 on Scottish Enterprise covered the financial situationof that body and explained that detailed discussions with regard to Scottish Enterprise’sbudget for 2006-07 are taking place and should be concluded soon.

22 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to parliamentary question S2W-23443 which received a holding reply on 9 March 2006.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I replied to question S2W-23443on 6 April 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search">http://www.scott…

15 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether an audit has taken place of the implementation of Respect and Responsibility: Strategy and Action Plan for Improving Sexual Health and, if so, whether it will publish details of that audit, broken down by NHS board for the years for which data are available.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Executive has written to all NHS boards copied to local authoritiesasking for information on progress with regard to the recommendations withinthe strategy and about their inter-agency strategies and clinical plans. This will be reported to the National S…

15 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance on long acting reversible contraception in relation to Respect and Responsibility: Strategy and Action Plan for Improving Sexual Health.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The national strategy makesclear that the Executive would expect the full range of contraceptive methodsto be made available to patients.The National Sexual HealthAdvisory Committee has set up a number of sub-groups to consider theimplementation of var…

15 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase prescription and other National Health Service charges.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: We shall today lay before the Parliament regulations (SI no. 2006/149) to increase prescription and other NationalHealth Service charges in Scotland from 1 April 2006. There will be a cash increase in the prescription chargeof 15 pence (2.3%) from £6.50 to £6…

15 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what costs have been incurred in 2005-06 in the implementation of the regulation of the private security industry.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The project to implement regulationin Scotland has completed its planning and initiation stage. Thetotal cost of this initial work is £500,000 for the year 2005-06 and, under commonlaw powers, we intend to make a payment to the Security Industry Authority for…

9 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what stage negotiations with trades unions have reached in respect of the Rule of 85 for current members of the Scottish local government pension scheme.

Answer · Tom McCabe: Discussions on the plan to removethe rule of 85 from the Local Government Pension scheme are continuing and the Executiveis considering options for a solution to this issue in Scotland. The draft Regulations proposed to implement the changeswill be published …

9 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it hopes to conclude negotiations with trades unions representing current members of the Scottish local government pension scheme in respect of the Rule of 85.

3 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23289 by Mr Andy Kerr on 28 February 2006, how it will monitor the success of its additional investment of £4.5 million in respect of its sexual health strategy across Scotland.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Executive will regularlyreview progress on the implementation of the strategy.In addition, all NHS boardswill submit an annual report on progress against the actions outlined in both theirLocal Interagency Sexual Health Strategies and their Clinica…

3 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23289 by Mr Andy Kerr on 28 February 2006, what methods of distribution have been undertaken by NHS boards which have decided to provide STI diagnostic kits.

Answer · Andy Kerr: This is a matter for the NHSboards. The information requested is not held centrally.However, the national sexualhealth strategy, Respect and Responsibility, contains actions for the Scottish ExecutiveHealth Department to consider the potential of devel…

3 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23289 by Mr Andy Kerr on 28 February 2006, how many NHS boards have provided postal testing kits for chlamydia.

3 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23289 by Mr Andy Kerr on 28 February 2006, how many NHS boards have implemented Respect and Responsibility.

Answer · Andy Kerr: I expect all NHS boards to implementthe national strategy. The action plan which accompanies the strategy sets out whatneeds to be done and by whom, including a number of actions for NHS boards to takeforward.Each board has identified anexecutive direc…

2 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take against any Scottish local authority found to be ignoring legal requirements to pay the statutory minimum wage.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The Executive does not have anypowers to take action against local authorities, or any other employer, found tobe ignoring legal requirements to pay the statutory minimum wage. The responsibilitylies with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on behalf of Department …

2 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be represented on an Equal Opportunities Commission investigation into pay inequalities in Scottish local government.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: As far as the Scottish Executive is aware there is no Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) investigationinto pay inequalities in Scottish local government currently underway.However, the EOCdid launch a general formal investigationinto the role and sta…

23 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22919 by Nicol Stephen on 22 February 2006, what provision has been made for consultation with all MSPs by Scottish Enterprise regarding the local impact of proposed changes.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to thequestion S2W-22919 answered on 22 February 2006. As indicated ScottishEnterprise has sought to hear the views of MSPs through the appropriatecommittee and taken those into account in shaping its proposals on structuralchange.Al…

22 Feb 2006 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that its relocation decisions offer greater benefit to communities throughout Scotland.

Answer · George Lyon: To ensure relocationdecisions offer greater benefit to communities throughout Scotland we are currently working with localauthorities and enterprise companies to identify the local communities which wouldbenefit from the policy. This local information, which …

20 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to provide free test kits for sexually transmitted infections.

Answer · Andy Kerr: As set out in the national sexual health strategy Respect and Responsibility the Scottish Executive Health Department is considering the possible extension of the Chlamydia postal testing kit which has been a feature of the Healthy Respect Initiative i…

2 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when MSPs will be consulted by Scottish Enterprise on the impact of proposed changes on the areas that MSPs represent.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Scottish Enterprise met the Enterprise and Culture Committee on 17 January 2006 and presented details of their developing proposals. Further to this the committee met again on 24 January, and then wrote to Scottish Enterprise offering comments.

2 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had in respect of the possibility of Careers Scotland becoming part of Learn Direct Scotland.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: On 30 March, I announced in Parliamentthat Careers Scotland will be moving out of Scottish Enterprise. I intend, overthe coming months, to seek the views of all interested parties, including CareersScotland staff, users of Careers Scotland’s services, the edu…

2 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what powers Scottish Enterprise has to choose which Executive policies it will implement and what impact any such choices could have on Executive policy.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Smart Successful Scotlandsets out the Executive’s strategic direction to the Enterprise Networks. ScottishEnterprise is required to follow this in drawing up its Operating Plan and in amanner so as to achieve progress against the measures set ou…

2 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what directions it has given to Scottish Enterprise to continue to implement the Executive’s social inclusion policies.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive’sstrategic direction for the Enterprise Networks, A Smart, Successful Scotland, requires ScottishEnterprise to promote economic growth in a way that supports closing theopportunity gap.

2 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what stage Scottish Enterprise has reached in its proposal to restructure.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Scottish Enterprise have been taking soundings from a wide range of industry representatives and partners as they consider a new structure. There have also been discussions with the Enterprise and Culture Committee. Ministers will consider Scottish Enterprise…

12 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with HM Treasury in respect of the funding of pension schemes for teachers and NHS Scotland and civil service employees following the agreement of 18 October 2005 on reform of public sector pension schemes and what the outcome has been.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The Scottish Executive is represented by the Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) in discussions at the UK level on progress on the reform of the teachers’ and NHS pension schemes which were included under the framework principles agreed at the UK Public Se…

12 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with trade unions representing local government employees in respect of the Local Government Pension Scheme and what the outcome has been.

Answer · Tom McCabe: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-22238 on 23 January 2006. 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…

12 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with COSLA in respect of the differences between the Local Government Pension Scheme in Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom and what the outcome has been.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) held separate discussions on proposals for changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in Scotland during 2005 with COSLA and with local government union representatives. A joint advisory group consisting o…

12 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S20-8020 by Mr Tom McCabe on 10 November 2005, what discussions it has had with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in respect of the Local Government Pension Scheme and what the outcome of these discussions has been.

30 Nov 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure full compliance with NHS Quality Improvement Scotland¿s (QIS) report, Effectiveness of Strategies for the Secondary Prevention of Osteoporotic Fractures in Scotland.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: This report of an audit of current osteoporosis services, which was funded by QIS, represents the views of its authors. Its recommendations will be a useful tool for NHS boards in the planning and delivery of osteoporosis services in Scotland.

25 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact lack of investment in enterprise activity by Scottish Enterprise has on the effectiveness of public spending in Ayrshire.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Scottish Enterprise hasmade, and is continuing to make, significant investment in Ayrshire. This will beparticularly effective when it is co-ordinated with spending by others includingthe local authorities. The proposal for regenerating Irvine Bay providesan …

25 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how Scottish Enterprise balances its accountability to ministers with its relationship with the business sector.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Scottish Enterprise isaccountable to ministers for pursing the strategic direction set out in A Smart,Successful Scotland. In designing activities to promote economic growth,the needs of its customers including those in the business community mu…

25 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its report and an update on the summit held by the then Deputy First Minister in Ayrshire on 30 March 2005 and whether it will provide the necessary funding to implement the summit's recommendations.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The report was issued to thosewho participated in the summit on 13 May 2005. Asrecognised in the report, many of the areas identified are either already beingtaken forward by, or are for, local partners to pursue. Progress is, and will continueto be, reported…