Parliamentary questions
Patricia Ferguson
1,079 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
24 Nov 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £55.8 million Energy Assistance Package funding will be provided to benefit and money advice organisations and agencies, such as Citizens Advice Direct, to ensure that they can manage the expected increase in contacts following the introduction of the package.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18198 on 3 December 2008. 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…
24 Nov 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £55.8 million Energy Assistance Package funding will be provided to the Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre network to ensure that it can manage the expected increase in contacts following the introduction of the package.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: This is in the process of being finalised. We are currently discussing with the various partners who will help us deliver the Energy Assistance Package the details of implementation and the most appropriate allocation of resources to achieve this.</p>
25 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-14053 by Adam Ingram on 19 June 2008, what progress has been made on its plan to consult on the possibility of a truth and reconciliation forum for victims of historical abuse.
Answer · Shona Robison: Following discussions with the national reference group set up to take forward SurvivorScotland, the national strategy for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, the Scottish Government has developed a discussion paper for a truth and reconciliation forum…
25 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15883 by Shona Robison on 2 September 2008, whether it plans to review the method of calculating mileage rates for volunteer ambulance drivers.
Answer · Shona Robison: No. The method used to calculate mileage rates for volunteer ambulance drivers is an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service.</p> <p >The service will continue to review the rates on a monthly basis.</p>
25 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15883 by Shona Robison on 12 September 2008, whether it is content that the method of calculating mileage rates for volunteer ambulance drivers provides a rate sufficient to cover the costs associated with the service provided.
Answer · Shona Robison: This is an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service and I am content with the assurances from them that the method used provides a rate sufficient to cover costs associated with the service provided. The service will continue to review the rates …
25 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-13596 by Shona Robison on 5 June 2008, which expressed an expectation that, given the continuing increase in fuel costs, mileage rates for volunteer ambulance drivers would increase, why the rates remained unchanged when the AA reported an increase i…
Answer · Shona Robison: The rates remain unchanged because they continue to cover costs.</p>
25 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-13596 by Shona Robison on 5 June 2008, whether it communicated to the Scottish Ambulance Service the expectation that, given the continuing increase in fuel costs, mileage rates for volunteer ambulance drivers would increase.
Answer · Shona Robison: The answers to all parliamentary questions that are related to their operation are communicated to the Scottish Ambulance Service.</p>
25 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15883 by Shona Robison on 12 September 2008, whether it is content that the current mileage rates for volunteer ambulance drivers are sufficient.
Answer · Shona Robison: This is an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) and I am content with the assurances from them that the rate is sufficient to cover costs associated with the service provided, but the SAS will keep this rate under review.</p>
25 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15883 by Shona Robison on 12 September 2008, whether it will provide details of the factors other than the price of fuel that are taken into account by the Scottish Ambulance Service when considering mileage rates for volunteer ambulance drivers.
Answer · Shona Robison: Other than fuel costs, which includes both diesel and petrol, the factors taken in to account are maintenance costs, car tax and car insurance.</p>
16 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines there are for procurators fiscal in relation to the independent scrutiny of the translation into English of evidence in other languages.
Answer · Frank Mulholland: The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has provided guidance to procurators fiscal on commissioning translations. Where translation is required an appropriate translation agency will be instructed. The guidance instructs that, where possible, …
16 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines there are for procurators fiscal in relation to the translation into English of evidence in other languages.
Answer · Frank Mulholland: The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has provided guidance to procurators fiscal on commissioning translations. Where translation is required an appropriate translation agency will be instructed. The guidance instructs that, where possible, …
16 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines there are for police forces in relation to the independent scrutiny of the translation into English of evidence in other languages.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-16320 on 24 September 2008. 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/we…
16 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines there are for police forces in relation to the translation into English of evidence in other languages.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The translation into English of evidence in other languages is an operational matter for individual chief constables to determine. The Working Group on Interpreting and Translation, whose members include the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, t…
29 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the answers to questions S3W-14677 and S3W-15349 by Shona Robison on 18 July 2008 and Nicola Sturgeon on 14 August 2008 respectively, what increase in fuel would have to take place in order for the expectation outlined in the answer to question S3W-13596 by Shona Robison on 5…
Answer · Shona Robison: These are operational decisions for the Scottish Ambulance Service. The mileage rates were last reviewed in August during which month fuel prices fell. I have been assured by the Scottish Ambulance Service that the current rate remains sufficient to cover the…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the needs of women asylum seekers fleeing domestic abuse will be addressed in the strategic framework on violence against women that it is currently considering.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15791 on 18 September 2008. 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/w…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what emergency funding it makes available to assist women asylum seekers fleeing domestic violence who do not otherwise have recourse to public funds.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15791 on 18 September 2008. 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/w…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funds it makes available to assist women asylum seekers fleeing domestic violence who do not otherwise have recourse to public funds.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government does not provide any funding, emergency or otherwise, to women asylum seekers, fleeing domestic abuse, who have no recourse to public funds, as immigration and benefit issues are reserved to Westminster. This is a matter which I have r…
4 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-14677 by Shona Robison on 18 July 2008, what effect the July review of mileage rates payable by the Scottish Ambulance Service to volunteer drivers has had on rates.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Ambulance Service has advised that, following the July review of mileage rates, they remain satisfied that the current rates cover costs. They will, however, continue to review this on a monthly basis and will amend the rates should this become a…
31 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it still plans to introduce home reports, including single surveys, on 1 December 2008.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Yes, the home report will be introduced to the Scottish housing market on 1 December 2008.</p>
22 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it values the relationship between families and health visitors.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government recognises the important contribution made by the skills of health visitors in meeting the needs of patients.</p>
22 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which healthcare professionals it considers should be responsible for the routine immunisation of children and babies.
Answer · Shona Robison: NHS boards are responsible for the delivery of the routine childhood vaccinations and it is a matter for boards to decide how such vaccination services are delivered and which professionals should provide vaccinations.</p> <p >Individual clinical responsibil…
22 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that service users should be consulted before any changes are made to the provision of health services in their area.
Answer · Shona Robison: To fulfil their responsibilities for public involvement, NHS boards should routinely communicate with and involve the people and communities they serve in designing, developing and delivering the health care services they provide for them.</p> <p >A copy of…
22 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that GPs should be consulted before any changes are made which affect their working relationship with health visitors.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15130 on 1 August 2008. 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/webapp…
22 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that health visitors should be allocated to particular GP practices.
Answer · Shona Robison: It is for health boards to decide whether health visitors should be allocated to particular GP practices.</p>
22 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that consultation with health visitors is required before major changes are made in their working situation.
Answer · Shona Robison: I would expect that any group of staff whose working conditions were to change would be consulted. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have said that any proposed changes to health visiting services must be strongly influenced by the input of local GPs, and those p…
22 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde concerning its recent review of health visiting services.
Answer · Shona Robison: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have advised the Scottish Governemnt of the outcomes of its review of health visiting service which was conducted as part of its wider policy of integrating services for children and young people in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde …
22 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that health visitors are a vital part of the primary care team.
Answer · Shona Robison: I consider the skills health visitors contribute to be an important part of meeting the needs of patients. I also know, from recent correspondence from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in relation to their review of health visiting services, that they also see h…
25 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many volunteer drivers have been available to the Scottish Ambulance Service in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board area.
Answer · Shona Robison: The following table details the number of volunteer ambulance car drivers since 2004, broken down by NHS board area. Information is not held for the years prior to 2003-04.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td valign=to…
25 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-13596 by Nicola Sturgeon on 5 June 2008, what effect the monthly review of mileage rates payable by the Scottish Ambulance Service to volunteer drivers has had to date on rates.
Answer · Shona Robison: This is an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service. They have advised that the June review of mileage rates did not result in an increase, as the service remain satisfied that the rates cover costs.</p>
24 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it envisages as the future role for the creative industries’ offices.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-14575 on 22 July 2008. 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/Apps2/Bu…