Parliamentary questions
Nora Radcliffe
316 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
19 Apr 2000 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to safeguard the provision of EU subsidised milk for schools.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive supports fully the EU School Milk Subsidy Scheme and wishes to see it continue on its present form. This is reflected in the UK Government's negotiating stance in the Council of Ministers in Brussels where a decision on the future of th…
14 Apr 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5275 by Mr Jim Wallace on 24 March 2000, whether it will monitor the number of mobile phone related accidents in Scotland and whether it will publish figures for recent years.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Statistics relating to mobile phone related road accidents are not available.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">A comprehensive review of research about the safety of hands-free and hand-held mobile phones was carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory and the results …
14 Apr 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to announce the four successful operating companies who will manage Scotland's motorway and trunk road network following the results of "The Road Ahead" consultation process.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: I expect to announce the four successful operating companies once tenders for the competitions have been received and analysed. This should be possible towards the end of this year.
14 Apr 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the removal of local authority involvement in trunk roads will deprive them of economies of scale and increase their unit costs in dealing with local roads, and whether the measure is consistent with its goals of an integrated approach to transport and best value for the public pu…
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The allocation of maintenance work on the trunk road network must conform to EU procurement directives and UK legislation and consequently the need for an open competition between competent providers is mandatory. Local authority consortia have been invited, …
14 Apr 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in considering bids for the maintenance of trunk roads, due consideration will be given to the impact on local authorities, given that all purpose trunk roads are an integral part of the surrounding local authority maintained road network particularly in rural areas.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The bids for the future maintenance of the trunk road network will be considered in light of the acceptability proposals and on the basis of price.
30 Mar 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to issue further guidance or training to GPs in order to address the problem of abuse of vulnerable adults.
Answer · Susan Deacon: I refer to my answer to question S1W-5759.
30 Mar 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance and training is currently in place to inform GPs about the problem of abuse of vulnerable adults.
Answer · Susan Deacon: Abuse of vulnerable adults can take a variety of forms, but are generally of a psychiatric or psychological nature, whether in relation to the victim or to the abuser.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Psychiatry and psychology form a strong element in the training of genera…
30 Mar 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends that the protection from abuse of vulnerable adults, whether cared for at home, in the voluntary sector, in hospitals or in residential nursing homes will be addressed by the Scottish Social Services Council or by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care.
Answer · Iain Gray: The establishment of both the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council will strengthen the protection of vulnerable adults.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The Commission will be the regulator of care services, whoever provide…
30 Mar 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a training programme for all people employed in providing care for vulnerable adults, either through the Scottish Social Services Council, the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care, or otherwise.
Answer · Iain Gray: The Scottish Social Services Council will regulate all people who provide care for vulnerable adults. It will do this through the publication and promotion of codes of conduct and practice for the whole workforce. It will also register priority groups of staf…
29 Mar 2000 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the next local government elections will be held in the year 2002 and what electoral system will be used for these elections.
Answer · Frank McAveety: We have recently consulted on the timing of local government elections and other matters as part of the Executive's response to the McIntosh recommendations. The cross-party Renewing Local Democracy Working Group is also currently considering the most appropr…
10 Mar 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government requesting the introduction of legislation specifically preventing the use of mobile phones whilst driving.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive has no plans to make representations to the UK Government. If using a mobile phone results in failure to exercise proper control of a vehicle, then that is already an offence under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 19…
2 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether documents issued for consultation by the Scottish Executive and its agencies are advertised and made available in languages other than English to ensure that minority groups in Scotland are allowed equality of access to the consultation process.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: Printed information material is regularly made available in minority languages, Braille, large print and audiotape. The most recent was the Social Justice Strategy published on 22 November. The availability of a minority languages and other formats is publici…
27 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made towards the introduction of an independent appeals mechanism for farmers suffering penalties in relation to their European Union subsidy claims.
Answer · Ross Finnie: We are currently reviewing and considering the possible options. We aim to build a system, including if necessary a judicial element, which fully meets the requirements of the ECHR. We will consult with industry before the end of the year about our plans and …
27 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the independent appeals mechanism for farmers suffering penalties in relation to their European Union subsidy claims will accept retrospective appeals from farmers who have already been penalised as a result of genuine errors made in their subsidy applications.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer to my answer to S1W-1186, given on 10 September.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>The ECHR confers no rights to retrospection but any implications of decisions by the appeal body on previous decisions taken by SERAD will be looked at.
27 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to guarantee the independence of the appeals mechanism for farmers suffering penalties in relation to their EU subsidy claims.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer to my answer to S1W -1186, given on 10 September.
28 Jun 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle poverty and social inclusion.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: We are announcing today the formation of the Poverty and Inclusion Task Force. Its membership is:<DIR><P>Wendy Alexander MSP, Minister for Communities<P>Jackie Baillie MSP, Deputy Minister for Communities<P>Sam Galbraith MSP, Minister for Education and Child…