Parliamentary questions
Patricia Ferguson
1,079 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
29 Jun 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of any discussions that it has had with the Glasgow 2014 organising committee on issues relevant to the resignation of its chief executive.
Answer · Shona Robison: At an Extraordinary Meeting of the OC Board on 27 June 2011 the representatives of the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Commonwealth Games Federation were informed that John Scott had submitted his resignation for…
24 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent guidance it has issued to NHS boards concerning the provision of car parking at NHS facilities for staff and visitors.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: No recent guidance has been issued recently about the provision of car parking at NHS facilities.
24 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde concerning the provision of car parking for patients and staff at its facilities.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: No recent discussions have been held with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde about the provision of car parking at its facilities.
7 Mar 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-38548 by Nicola Sturgeon on 24 January 2011, whether it will provide an update on its meeting with the Scottish Muscle Network in February 2011.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: A statement setting out the Scottish Government''s response to the recommendations in the Scottish Muscle Network''s strategic review of neuromuscular services, and those in the Mackie Report, is now available on the Scottish Government website at:</b></p> <…
10 Feb 2011 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it attaches to the recommendations in The Mackie Report.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Following my participation in the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign''s annual conference in October 2010, I made a very strong statement in support of the recommendations in the Mackie Report.</b></p> <p >These are endorsed by the recommendations in the Scottish M…
27 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37769 by Keith Brown on 20 January 2011, whether it has advised Strathclyde Partnership for Transport how much it will contribute to Fastlink in (a) total, (b) 2011-12 and (c) future years and, if so, when this advice was given.
Answer · Keith Brown: No. Budgets at that detailed level for 2011-12 have not yet been disclosed. Budgets for the years 2012-13 and 2013-14 are indicative high-level figures and the details of the budgets for these years will be decided after the May 2011 elections.</p>
27 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37769 by Keith Brown on 20 January 2011, whether the funding contribution set aside in its 2011-12 budget represents the total contribution it expects to make toward Fastlink and, if not, whether it will provide details of funding contributions in fu…
Answer · Keith Brown: We have published indicative high-level budget figures for the years 2012-13 to 2014-15. The details of the budgets for these years will be decided after the May 2011 elections.</p>
27 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37769 by Keith Brown on 20 January 2011, how much has been set aside in its 2011-12 budget as a funding contribution toward Fastlink.
Answer · Keith Brown: Budgets at that detailed level are not disclosed but any contribution towards the cost of Fastlink would come from the £25.1 million Support for Sustainable and Active Travel Budget.</p>
27 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-38673 by Keith Brown on 20 January 2011, when it expects to have completed its considerations of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport’s proposals for the modernisation of the Glasgow subway.
Answer · Keith Brown: The modernisation of the Glasgow Subway is clearly an important issue, which we must consider with due care. I will report the outcome of our scrutiny when it is complete.</p>
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is content with the performance of the Scottish Ambulance Service patient transport service in relation to ensuring that patients are (a) delivered punctually for and (b) picked up punctually following appointments.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38680 on 19 January 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at</p> <p > <a href="http://www.scottish.parliam…
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been necessary to take any action to address deficiencies in the operation of the Scottish Ambulance Service patient transport service in the last five years and, if so, whether it will detail the action taken.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38680 on 19 January 2011. 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/Apps…
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how and (b) how often it monitors the performance of the Scottish Ambulance Service patient transport service.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38680 on 19 January 2011. 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/Apps…
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it issues to the Scottish Ambulance Service in relation to the operation of the patient transport service.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38680 on 19 January 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at </p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliam…
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it provides to the Scottish Ambulance Service in relation to the operation of the patient transport service.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The operation of the patient transport service (PTS) is the responsibility of the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), the Scottish Government does not issue specific guidance to the service. However, Scottish Government ministers and officials are in regular di…
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37770 by Stewart Stevenson on 6 December 2010, whether it has now completed its consideration of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport’s final proposals for the modernisation of the Glasgow subway and, if so, whether it will provide details of its de…
Answer · Keith Brown: Consideration of SPT''s proposal for the modernisation of the subway continues. We will report the outcome when those considerations are complete.</p>
10 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of plans to review the 2005 UK shared framework for sustainable development, One future - different paths and, if so, what (a) process such a review will adopt and (b) consultation with stakeholders in Scotland will be undertaken.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38670 on 21 January 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/Business…
10 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Executive regarding the current and future role of the 2005 UK shared framework for sustainable development, One future - different paths.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38670 on 21 January 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/Business…
10 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24913 by Richard Lochhead on 17 June 2009, whether it remains committed to sustainable development as defined in the 2005 UK shared framework for sustainable development, One future - different paths.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government remains committed to sustainable development, as defined in the 2005 UK shared framework for sustainable development, One future “ different paths. This commitment is reflected in the Government Economic Strategy and through a range of…
22 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S3W-37769, which received a holding answer on 8 December 2010.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-37769 on 20 January 2011. 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/Apps…
22 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37100 by Shona Robison on 3 November 2010, whether a ministerial meeting has taken place with representatives of the Scottish Muscle Network to discuss the recommendations in The Mackie Report and the report by the Scottish Muscle Network on its revi…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The meeting with representatives of the Scottish Muscle Network to discuss the recommendations in both these reports is now scheduled to take place in February.</b></p>
16 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37982 by Fiona Hyslop on 16 December 2010, whether it will provide a breakdown of the funds already allocated to Malawi for 2011-12 and details of the projects involved.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Details of funding already allocated for projects in Malawi in 2011-12 are contained in the following table. Information on each of the projects is available on the Scottish Government''s website.</p> <p >Malawi Development Programme - Commitments for 2011-1…
10 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have received budgets reduced by more than the 2.6% agreed with the leadership of COSLA.
Answer · John Swinney: The reduction in the package of revenue funding agreed with COSLA was a 2.6% average reduction. Once the total revenue funding was distributed between all 32 local authorities using the relative needs-based distribution formula, which was inherited from the p…
10 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether all local authorities have had the same reduction in budget levels.
Answer · John Swinney: Local authority funding is distributed using a formula inherited from the previous administration and as agreed between the Scottish Government, COSLA and council leaders for the 2011-12 settlement on the basis of relative need. Therefore each local authority…
10 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it arrived at the budget allocated to Glasgow City Council.
Answer · John Swinney: Funding for all local authorities, including Glasgow City Council, is distributed using a needs-based distribution formula inherited from the previous administration and as agreed between the Scottish Government, COSLA and council leaders.</p>
10 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether budget allocations to local authorities are needs based.
Answer · John Swinney: Local authority funding is distributed using a relative needs-based distribution formula inherited from the previous administration and as agreed between the Scottish Government, COSLA and council leaders.</p>
6 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37227 by Alex Neil on 11 November 2010, how many homes benefited from the insulation measures delivered at stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010.
Answer · Alex Neil: Households that have benefitted from the insulation measures delivered at stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package are shown in the following table:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td width=143 valign=top > <p > </p> </…
6 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37227 by Alex Neil on 11 November 2010, how many homes benefited from the insulation measures delivered at stage 3 of the Energy Assistance Package in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010.
Answer · Alex Neil: Households that have benefitted from the insulation measures delivered at stage 3 of the Energy Assistance Package are shown in the following table:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td width=111 valign=top > <p align=center >1…
30 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis it decided not to ring-fence an allocation for work in Malawi in the 2011-2012 draft budget.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: There has been no change to the Scottish Government''s policy commitment to ring-fence at least £3 million as part of the International Development policy. As I explained in evidence to the European and External Relations Committee on 7 and 14 December 2010, …
30 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of its international development budget for 2011 -2012 will be allocated to work in Malawi.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: As I set out in my evidence to the European and External Relations Committee on 7 and 14 December 2010, a minimum of £3 million has been allocated for our work in Malawi in 2011-12.</p>
26 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it arrived at the figure of £426 million when calculating the resources required to fund the commitments contained in the agreement between COSLA’s leadership and the Scottish Government as outlined in Scotland’s Spending Plans and Draft Budget 2011-12.
Answer · John Swinney: The figure of around £426 million represents the additional revenue funding allocated to local government as a result of the Scottish Government and COSLA''s Leadership agreeing to maintain local government''s share of the overall Scottish Budget at 2010-11 l…