Margo MacDonald

8 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what average (a) percentage and (b) number of four-year trained PE students secure permanent contracts at the end of their probationary years.

Answer · Maureen Watt: The information requested is not held centrally.</p>

8 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to balance the number of PE teachers in training with the permanent vacancies available at the end of their probationary years.

Answer · Maureen Watt: The form of contract under which teachers are employed are matters for local authorities as employers. The Scottish Government carries out an annual teacher workforce planning exercise to estimate the number of new teachers required in the years ahead at nati…

7 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funds are being made available to NHS boards and special health boards for 2008-09 with special reference to NHS Lothian.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS boards and specialhealth boards have been given an initial general revenue allocation of £8,048.2million for 2008-09, an average increase over the equivalent 2007-08 allocationof 3.3%.</p><p>All NHS boards and specialhealth boards have received a standard…

23 Jan 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, following the Registrar General for Scotland¿s projection that the city population in Edinburgh is set to increase by 17.2% by 2031, what additional financial assistance it plans to make to the council as a result.

Answer · John Swinney: Population changesare taken directly into account in distributing the resources in the local governmentsettlement between councils, under the formula agreed with COSLA. Under these arrangements,increases in Edinburgh’s population will therefore be directly re…

21 Jan 2008 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what discussions it has had with personnel at the Palace of Holyroodhouse or Our Dynamic Earth regarding the attraction of greater numbers of visitors on Sundays.

Answer · Tricia Marwick: Officials have regularmeetings with the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Our Dynamic Earth. Discussions were held aroundopening times and visitor patterns. Each institution submitted confidentialinformation about their 2007 patterns to inform the SPCB’s discussion…

21 Jan 2008 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body by what process it decided to close the Parliament building to members of the public, other than those who are accompanied by pass holders, on Sundays.

Answer · Tricia Marwick: The issue of openingtimes and days was considered by the previous SPCB to ensure that resources werebeing used effectively. It noted that a fuller review should be carried out in 2007when more data was available.</p><p>The process adoptedby the SPCB included:…

21 Jan 2008 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what investigations it has initiated into the cause of the ingress of water around the windows of the MSP block.

Answer · Alex Johnstone: Following the heavy rain andwater ingress experienced recently in the MSP building, investigations werecarried out on Sunday 20 January to identify possible sources of water ingress.A potential solution has been identified, a trial of which is planned to beun…

21 Jan 2008 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what retentions in respect of the Holyrood complex are still being held.

Answer · Alex Fergusson: <p class=MsoHeader>The SPCB is still holdingthe following balances in respect of the Holyrood Building Project:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <tr> <td valign=top> <p class=MsoHeader>Construction Manager</p> </td> <td valign=top> <p cl…

21 Jan 2008 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether the cost of repairs to the foundations and structures of the building in the area adjacent to the garden level restaurant will be borne by it or the relevant contractors.

Answer · Alex Johnstone: We are determined to pursuerecovery of the costs of the works undertaken from the original trade packagecontractor.</p>

21 Jan 2008 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it will be able to determine the nature and extent of the water penetration in the foundations and structures of the building in the area adjacent to the garden level restaurant.

Answer · Alex Johnstone: Water penetration andassociated work in the area adjacent to the garden level restaurant relates toon-going car park leaks. Investigations, both desk top and physical, areongoing into the water ingress and we hope to identify an acceptable solutionby the end …

29 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will instigate a pilot study of the teaching of Latin as part of language learning in schools.

Answer · Maureen Watt: The curriculum forLatin is part of the on-going review of the curriculum, <i>Curriculum for Excellence</i>.The draft outcomes and experiences for classical languages were released for engagementon 10 December on the Curriculum for Excellence website:</p><p><a…

24 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a report of the First Minister’s visit to the United States of America in October 2007.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: A report on the FirstMinister’s recent visit to theUnited States of America has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib.number 43943).</p>

11 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of people who have undertaken government-sponsored literacy and numeracy programmes in the last five years did not complete the course.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The activity fundedthrough the Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland strategy operates under a social practice model. This is based on a lifelonglearning, learner centred approach to programmes where adults’ learning needs andabilities are assessed and indi…

11 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the comparative success rate has been between the people in each age group who have taken part in government-sponsored literacy and numeracy courses in the last five years.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This information isnot held centrally.</p><p>From 2001 to March2007 around 180,000 new adult learners have accessed literacy and numeracy provision.This figure is not broken down by age group.</p><p>Scotland operates a social practice strategy for literacyand…

11 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have undertaken government-sponsored courses to address literacy and numeracy problems in the last five years, broken down by age group.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Since 2001 to March2007, around 180,000 new adult learners have accessed help to address their lowlevels of literacy and numeracy. Details of age groups are not held centrally.</p>

11 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any measurable improvement among people with literacy and numeracy problems who have taken part in government-sponsored programmes designed to overcome these difficulties in the last five years.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This information isnot held centrally.</p><p>Scotland operates a social practice strategy for literacyand numeracy. The strategy is based on a lifelong learning, learner centred approachto programmes where adults’ learning needs and abilities are assessed and…

11 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the figure of one in five adults with literacy and numeracy problems, as referred to in the current TV public information campaign, was calculated.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The figure is takenfrom the 1997 International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) which indicated that around23% of adults in Scotland have low literacy skills.</p><p>The Scottish Governmentis considering commissioning research into how best to determine the curren…

12 Sep 2007 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is willing to legislate to oblige councils to freeze council tax.

Answer · John Swinney: The government’s intentionis that a council tax freeze at 2007-08 levels can best be achieved through constructivediscussion and agreement with local government. This is the course of action I ampursuing.</p>

26 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any mechanisms are established between the Scottish Government and Scotland Office to coordinate trade missions abroad.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: When conducting any licence reviewunder the Water Environment (Controlled Activities)(Scotland) Regulations2005 (CAR), SEPA must comply with the procedural requirements established by thatregime. It is these due process arrangements that will ensure that an a…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will assist local authorities, such as the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian and West Lothian councils, to implement the single status conditions of employment, as required by equal pay legislation, without low-paid male workers having to sustain any cut in salary.

Answer · John Swinney: Local authorities are independentcorporate bodies and it is for local authorities themselves to implement equal paylegislation and the agreement they have entered into on single status.</p>

29 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish Government plans to ensure that sports parks and facilities owned by local councils are refurbished and maintained to a standard that will encourage people to become more active.

Answer · John Swinney: The new organisational structurehas led to some changes in roles and responsibilities. Some redeployment has alreadytaken place. For example a small number of staff have moved to other roles as aresult of the reduction in the number of ministerial private off…

24 May 2007 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the answer to question S2W-31152 by Kenny MacAskill on 29 January 2007, what stage has been reached in assessing the energy efficiency rating of the Parliament under the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC).

Answer · Alex Fergusson: We are in contact with the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA) on this matter and understand theyare working with professional organisations to identify members who can do theeventual certification work. Progress is at an advanced stage with theChartere…

13 Mar 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions in the last 20 years the Crown Office has considered prosecutions for war crimes and on how many of these occasions charges were (a) made and (b) not made.

Answer · Elish Angiolini: Allegations that persons livingin Scotland were responsible for war crimes committed during theSecond World War were investigated by a specialised Crown Office unit formed in1991. The results of those investigations were reported to Crown Counsel, who decided…

13 Mar 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what input the Crown Office has had in discussions about the definition of aggression in the Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Answer · Elish Angiolini: International negotiations,as a reserved matter in terms of the Scotland Act 1998, is the responsibilityof the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.</p><p>The Assembly of StateParties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court has establishedthe “Spec…

2 Mar 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the exemption from the payment of water and sewerage charges extended to Church of Scotland congregations will be continued after 2010 when the current scheme is due to end.

Answer · George Lyon: Although benefits is a reservedmatter, I understand that a local authority is not permitted to deduct communitycharge arrears from housing benefit payments. The only debts that can be recoveredfrom on-going payments of housing benefit are housing benefit over…

2 Mar 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the exemption from the payment of water and sewerage charges extended to Church of Scotland congregations will be continued after 2010.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-31878 on 2 March 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.s…

28 Feb 2007 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, as part of its strategies in respect of healthy living, it will consider, and provide the opportunity for an open debate on, introducing a structured scheme whereby older people may be prescribed exercise by their GP rather than conventional medication.

Answer · Andy Kerr: General practitioners in manyhealth boards already refer patients on to exercise. The most common model thatexists is where a general practitioner or other professional allied to medicinerefers a patient to facilities such as leisure centres or gyms for super…

26 Jan 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the recent judgement in the case of The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (William Alexander’s Application) and The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (David Elstone and Martin Williams’s Applications), regarding the di…

Answer · Johann Lamont: The Opinion of the Court of Sessionhas been received and its terms and implications are being considered. Any furtherappeal would be to the House of Lords. At this stage it would be inappropriate tomake any further comment.</p>

22 Jan 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the joint ministerial (a) committee and (b) sub-committee meetings held since November 2005, including attendees.

Answer · Margaret Curran: There have been no meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee since 1 November 2005.</p><p>The following table providesa complete list of Scottish Executive ministerial attendance at all Joint MinisterialSub-Committee meetings that have taken place since 1 N…

18 Jan 2007 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what preparations have been made regarding compliance with Articles 7, 8 and 9 of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (92002/91/EC) in respect of the Parliament building.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer to my answer toquestion S2W-31152 for information on how compliance to article&nbsp;7, regarding the calculation of the building's energyrating, will be achieved at the Parliament. As to Articles 8 and 9, oninspection of boilers and air conditioning p…