Parliamentary questions

Patricia Ferguson

1,079 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

26 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1447 by Linda Fabiani on 25 July 2007, what evidence has emerged from the Cultural Pathfinder projects taking place across Scotland.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Just as individualprojects have been varied in their methodology and have different ultimate objectives,so the lessons which are beginning to emerge have demonstrated elements unique toindividual project target groups. Most of these lessons are positive. The …

26 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-3173 by Linda Fabiani on 3 September 2007, when it will be in a position to announce whether it has identified any duplication of functions between organisations within the cultural portfolio.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I have announced plansto establish Creative Scotland, through an amalgamation of the Scottish Arts Counciland Scottish Screen. In the longer term, our intention is to simplify Scottish publicservices and reduce the number of public bodies operating in Scotlan…

26 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-3470 by Stewart Stevenson on 4 September 2007, whether it will provide specific information on what discussions it has had since May 2007 with British Waterways concerning future funding.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government’scontinuing grant support for British Waterways in Scotland over the next three years will be announced later this month as part of the outcome of the Strategic Spending Review.

26 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the doubling of the international aid budget announced on 23 August 2007 will be immediate or incremental.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-4132on 18 September. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available onthe Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.sea…

26 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-3643 by Linda Fabiani on 4 September 2007, when it will be in a position to announce which African countries it will provide with aid and when such aid will be provided.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The review of theInternational Development Policy, which I launched on 23 August 2007, only closed on 31 October. Once all the responses havebeen properly assessed, I will confirm which other countries will receive our supportand when the International Develo…

26 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in relation to the proposed merger of the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments and Historic Scotland.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: We are currently consideringthe commitment to merge RoyalCommission on Ancient and Historical Monuments (RCAHMS) with Historic Scotland within our wider proposalsto simplify the Scottish public sector landscape. Our intention is to simplify Scottishpublic ser…

26 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-3878 by Linda Fabiani on 25 September 2007, which of the wide-ranging commitments to support the development of Gaelic in Scotland have been put in place since May 2007.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-3878 on 25 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/…

26 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4701 by Jim Mather on 12 October 2007, whether it considers the creative industries to be a nationally significant sector with potential for growth.

Answer · Jim Mather: The government recognisesthe creative industries as a successful and growing part of the Scottish economy.Specific elements of the creative industries, such as the digital media sector,have been identified by Scottish Enterprise as having particular significa…

24 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received estimates from local authorities of the timeframe in which they can meet its commitment to reduce class sizes to 18 in primary 1 to primary 3.

Answer · Adam Ingram: No estimates of thetime frame to deliver class size reduction in primary 1 to primary 3 to amaximum of 18 have been received from local authorities.

24 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received estimates from local authorities of their costs in meeting its commitment to reduce class sizes to 18 in primary 1 to primary 3.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The Director of Educationand Cultural Services for West Lothian Council has indicated that the additionalteachers in his authority would cost £4.165 million and that capital costs wouldbe £27.75 million. No other estimates have been received from local author…

24 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received estimates from local authorities of the number of additional teaching spaces needed to fulfil its commitment to reduce class sizes to 18 in primary 1 to primary 3.

Answer · Maureen Watt: The Director ofEducation and Cultural Services at West Lothian Council has written to theCabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and included an estimateof the number of class bases which could be required in connection withreducing primary 1 to…

24 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received estimates from local authorities of the number of additional teachers needed to fulfil its commitment to reduce class sizes to 18 in primary 1 to primary 3.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The Director of Educationand Cultural Services for West Lothian Council has written to the Cabinet Secretaryfor Education and Lifelong learning and included an estimate of the number of teachersrequired to reduce Primary 1 to Primary 3 classes to 18. Estimate…

10 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is committed to the continuation of the Community Regeneration Fund.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Decisions about theCommunity Regeneration Fund will be taken by ministers in the context of the imminentStrategic Spending Review. An announcement about the Spending Review will be madein due course.

27 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth on 26 September 2007 on enterprise networks (Official Report c. 2071), what consideration has been given to the role of the enterprise companies in supporting the creative industries.

Answer · Jim Mather: As the CabinetSecretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth announced in the statement toParliament, the enterprise networks will focus on supporting regionally andnationally significant sectors and businesses with growth potential.Further to thisthe Sc…

25 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide additional funding to Historic Scotland to protect historic sites from the effects of climate change.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: We will determinefuture funding priorities in the context of the Scottish Government’s Spending Reviewand Historic Scotland’s forthcoming Corporate Plan for 2008-11.

25 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the recent report by the Scottish Coastal Archaeology and the Problem of Erosion group, what action it will take to protect historic sites from the effects of climate change.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Contrary torecent press reports, the Scottish Coastal Archaeology and the Problem ofErosion (SCAPE) Trust’s report has not yet been published. Indeed, it has yetto be submitted in final form to Historic Scotland, who commissioned it andwill be paying for it. …

25 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive under which Historic Scotland budget line its contribution to the purchase of Dumfries House will be allocated.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The contribution tothe Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust for the purchase of DumfriesHouse will be allocated to the grants line in the accounts of Historic Scotland.

31 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-3171 by Linda Fabiani on 27 August 2007, whether the proposed merger of the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments (RCAHMS) and Historic Scotland was discussed at the meeting with the Chair and Chief Executive of RCAHMS.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The possible alternativesfor a merger involving the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monumentsof Scotland (RCAHMS) formed part of my discussions with the Chair and Chief Executiveof RCAHMS on 17 July 2007.

31 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2900 by Linda Fabiani on 27 August 2007, what rationale it will use to decide which countries it assists.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-3643 on 4 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…

31 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2900 by Linda Fabiani on 27 August 2007, what discussions it has had with the Secretary of State for International Development concerning its increased involvement in international development.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-3698 on 13 September 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/…

31 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2900 by Linda Fabiani on 27 August 2007, what other countries with links to Scotland it intends to assist through the international development budget.

31 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2898 by Linda FabianI on 24 August 2007, how many of the wide-ranging commitments to support the development of Gaelic in Scotland have been put in place since May 2007.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Governmentis committed to creating a sustainable future for Gaelic in Scotland and we recognise the valuable contributions made to thisagenda by a number of authorities, bodies and organisations. We continue to workto build on this progress. Our …

31 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2898 by Linda Fabiani on 24 August 2007, what measures to attract Gaelic teachers into the profession have been put in place since May 2007.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Gaelic-medium educationhas a vital role to play in the future of Gaelic in Scotland. In the answer to questionS3W-2898 on 24 August 2007, I acknowledged that a range of measures arein place to attract Gaelic teachers into the profession. We will build on, str…

24 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it will use to decide how to disburse its international aid budget.

24 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it will use to decide which additional African countries to provide with aid.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Governmenthas invited Scottish Aid Agencies to contribute to a discussion on the future ofits International Development Policy and International Development Fund. We willconsider their expert advice and use that to inform our decisions.

24 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, following the announcement made by the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture on 23 August 2007, when the additional funding for international development will be made available to Scottish non-governmental organisations and charities.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The increasedbudget for the International Development Fund will be made available in the contextof discussions with Scottish Aid Agencies on the future direction of the policyand as part of the on-going Spending Review.

20 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had since May 2007 with British Waterways concerning future funding.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We are in regularcontact with British Waterways about a wide range of matters.

17 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what priority it will give to financial support for British Waterways during the forthcoming spending review.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We will use the strategicspending review to set plans that will enable us to fulfil our purpose and achieveour strategic objectives. Future funding of British Waterways will be part of thatconsideration.

17 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will order a full public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the Stockline disaster which killed nine workers in a factory in Maryhill.

Answer · Elish Angiolini: An inquiry will beheld, in public, into the circumstances and causes of the explosion whichoccurred at the ICL Plastics factory in Maryhill on 11 May 2004.I am considering theform and remit of the inquiry and, in particular, whether the issues may be p…

17 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider establishing dedicated prosecutors to deal with alleged breaches of health and safety legislation.

Answer · Elish Angiolini: All Procurators Fiscalare provided with the necessary training, development opportunities and guidancematerial to enable them to carry out their wide range of duties, including dealingwith breaches of health and safety legislation.The Crown Office andP…