Parliamentary questions
Patricia Ferguson
1,079 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Sep 2011 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on an independent Scotland joining the European Free Trade Association rather than being a member of the EU.
12 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the European and External Relations Committee concerning the Scottish Government's proposals for the Parliament’s delegation to the Committee of the Regions.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: As with all nominations to the Committee of the Regions since 2007, the composition of Scotland’s established share has been discussed in the Parliamentary Bureau. Scottish ministers are aware that the Parliamentary Bureau intends to seek a view on the issue …
12 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has undertaken concerning its proposals for the Parliament’s delegation to the Committee of the Regions.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Scottish ministers have discussed the issue with the political parties represented in the Parliamentary Bureau and also with representatives of COSLA. Scottish ministers are aware that the Parliamentary Bureau intends to seek a view on the issue of future rep…
12 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its proposals are for the Parliament’s delegation to the Committee of the Regions.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is responsible for making proposals to the Scottish Parliament on nominations to Scotland’s established share of representation within the Committee of the Regions, as set out in the 1997 White Paper on Scotland’s Parliament. This is t…
12 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the rationale is for its proposals for the Parliament’s delegation to the Committee of the Regions.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Committee of the Regions is a consultative body, not a decision-making body. Scottish Ministers consider that the diversity of Scotland's regions is best reflected by the eight regions of Scotland as defined by Paragraph 2 of schedule 1 to the Scotland Ac…
6 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive by what date it expects the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 to be fully implemented.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government expects the Act to be fully implemented by 1 October 2012.
6 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will launch the consultation on the code of conduct for property managers and factors as set out in section 14 of the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government aims to issue the draft Code of Conduct for public consultation by the end of September.
6 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what work has been carried out to implement the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is prioritising work on implementation of the act, as all provisions will come into force on 1 October 2012. We aim to issue the draft Code of Conduct for public consultation by the end of September. In addition, regular dialogue is o…
25 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of its international development spending in Malawi, what discussions it has had with the UK Department for International Development regarding the reported civil unrest there.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: All Scottish Government funding under the Malawi Development Programme goes directly to Scottish based organisations, working with their local partners in country. The Scottish Government has been monitoring the reported civil society unrest and continues to …
25 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of its international development spending in that country, what contact it has had with the government of Malawi regarding the reported civil unrest there.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: All Scottish Government funding under the Malawi Development Programme goes directly to Scottish based organisations, working with their local partners in country. The Scottish Government has been in contact with the Honorary Consul of Malawi in Scotland foll…
21 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to extend the scope of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Answer · Bruce Crawford: The Scottish Government consulted on extending the scope of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 last year. Its formal response to the consultation, which was published in January 2011, is available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/FOI/ResponseP…
21 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering extending coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to include additional public bodies and, if so, which ones.
Answer · Bruce Crawford: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01811 on 19 August 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybu…
21 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce legislation to amend the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Answer · Bruce Crawford: As previously announced, the Scottish Government remains committed to introducing legislation to amend the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 in this Parliamentary session.
21 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to introduce the freedom of information amendment bill proposed in its response to the findings of the consultation on the extension of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Answer · Bruce Crawford: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01812 on 19 August 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearc…
21 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its response to the consultation on extending the coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, when it will reassess the arguments for extending the coverage of the act and whether it plans to carry out further consultations or inquiries.
Answer · Bruce Crawford: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01811 on 19 August 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearc…
21 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will cooperate with the Leveson inquiry.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government does intend to cooperate with the Leveson Inquiry. Lord Justice Leveson has indicated that he wishes to begin public hearings in September 2011. The Scottish Government has not to date, been in contact with the inquiry.
21 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been in contact with the Leveson inquiry.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01809 on 16 August 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearc…
5 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when ministers were advised of the resignation of the chief executive of Glasgow 2014.
Answer · Shona Robison: Ministers were advised that the resignation of the Chief Executive had been accepted immediately after the extraordinary Glasgow 2014 Board meeting on 27 June 2011.
5 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing a town centre regeneration fund in the current parliamentary session.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Town Centre Regeneration Fund was always intended to be a one year capital fund. The current Scottish Budget constraints preclude a repeat of that. However, we are considering options for how best to use available sources to deliver continued support for …
5 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions ministers have had with Scottish Executive officials concerning the resignation of the chief executive of Glasgow 2014.
Answer · Shona Robison: Scottish Government officials work closely with the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee and informed Ministers about the resignation.
5 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to amend its International Framework to address human rights issues through its dealings with other countries.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I advised the European and External Relations committee that we will conduct an exercise to refresh the Scottish Government’s International Framework over the coming months. The framework will continue to set out the rationale and context for Scotland’s inter…
5 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that music tuition is embedded in the school curriculum.
Answer · Michael Russell: Expressive Arts is one of eight core curriculum areas within Curriculum for Excellence – these areas underpin all learning and teaching, with the Expressive Arts experiences and outcomes enabling all young people to develop skills and abilities in the areas o…
5 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of its plans to run a cultural programme in conjunction with the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Answer · Shona Robison: The formal Glasgow 2014 cultural programme will be delivered by Glasgow Life on behalf of the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee. In 2009, the Scottish Government mandated the Scottish Arts Council, now Creative Scotland, to take a national leadership role for…
5 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for the expansion of community radio.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the question S4W-01538. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.
5 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that support for the arts will be included in the outcome agreements negotiated with local authorities.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The contents of the Single Outcome Agreement for each Local Authority area are determined by the Community Planning Partnership in discussion with Scottish Government. I am keen to maintain an active and collaborative dialogue with local authorities in relati…
5 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of its plans to encourage the public to engage in the process of architectural design.
Answer · John Swinney: In accordance with our manifesto commitment, we will continue to encourage communities to engage more effectively in the design of developments through a range of initiatives. These include the Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative Charrette Mainstreami…
5 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide more information on its plans to encourage the expansion of community radio.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is currently undertaking research on the nature of community radio in Scotland. This will be published by the end of the year and the research will inform development of plans, including any associated budget allocations and targets, t…
5 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will consult on its plans to "sharpen the focus in its international development work on the areas of policy expertise to which Scotland’s academic and scientific institutions, businesses and civic partners can best contribute" (Official Report, c. 1057).
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-1531. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.
5 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what budget it has set to run a cultural programme in conjunction with the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Answer · Shona Robison: A number of the elements of the cultural programme associated with the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be organised and funded by the Organising Committee to which the Scottish Government is providing 80% of the public contribution. The Organising Commit…
5 Jul 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to set 12-month budgets in the current parliamentary session.
Answer · John Swinney: Section 1 of the Public Finance and Accountability Act 2000 requires the Scottish Government to set an annual budget each financial year.