Parliamentary questions
Patricia Ferguson
1,079 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-880 by Stewart Stevenson on 21 June 2007, what discussions it has had with Scottish Water or individual fire and rescue services regarding the issue of vandalism of fire hydrants.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: None. But my previous answerto question S3W-880 on 21 June 2007, noted that a city-wide partnership involvingGlasgow City Council, the police and fire and rescue services and Scottish Wateris in place to help address the issue of vandalism to fire hydrants.</…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-879 by Fergus Ewing on 21 June 2007, whether it would expect to be made aware of any incidents where fire crews have been hampered in their responses to a fire because of vandalised fire hydrants.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Yes, guidance in theform of <i>Dear Firemaster Letter 7/1999</i> (as amended), was issued to fire authoritiesrequesting that incidents of special interest be reported to HM Fire Service Inspectorate.Operational delay due to a vandalised hydrant would fall wit…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1052 by Maureen Watt on 21 June 2007, whether it considers that a consequence of an imposed council tax freeze could be to force local authorities to raise additional revenue from increased charges for council services in order to continue delivering…
Answer · John Swinney: The Government iscommitted to delivering a freeze in council tax at 2007-08 levels and we will bediscussing with COSLA and local authorities how best this can be achieved. It istoo early to speculate on the impact of what may emerge from those discussions.</p>
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-720 by Linda Fabiani on 21 June 2007, what considerations will determine her decision regarding a definition of artists for the purposes of the operation of the grants scheme proposal.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-1605 on 2 July 2007. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the searchfacility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.sea…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-720 by Linda Fabiani on 21 June 2007, when she will be in a position to provide a definition of artists for the purposes of the operation of the grants scheme proposal.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-1605 on 2 July 2007. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the searchfacility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.sea…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, further to the answer to question S3W-720 by Linda Fabiani on 21 June 2007 and in the absence of a definition of artists, the grants scheme proposal has not yet been costed and may therefore be undeliverable.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: The scheme referredto is being developed. An announcement will be made in due course about the detailedarrangements involved in its implementation.</p>
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-711 by Stewart Maxwell on 18 June 2007, whether the number of landlord registration applications to Glasgow City Council has exceeded expectations and, if so, by how many.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish government doesnot hold information on the number of landlords operating in Glasgow. Theconsultation paper on the implementation of private landlord registration estimatedthat, across Scotland, there were around 40,000 landlords. This was based o…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-711 by Stewart Maxwell on 18 June 2007, whether it has received any representations from local authorities regarding difficulties in relation to the implementation process of landlord registration.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Since the introduction of landlordregistration in March 2006 the Scottish government has received formal written representationson various aspects of the scheme from Stirling Council (March 2006), North AyrshireCouncil (June 2006), Orkney Islands Council (Aug…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-711 by Stewart Maxwell on 18 June 2007, how much it has allocated to Glasgow City Council to assist with the implementation process of landlord registration.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Glasgow City Council has been allocated £623,630 in grant for theimplementation of landlord registration. This covers the period February 2006 toMarch 2008.</p>
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-711 by Stewart Maxwell on 18 June 2007, when it will commence a review of the initial implementation process of landlord registration.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: No decisions have been made yeton the timing of the review.</p>
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-711 by Stewart Maxwell on 18 June 2007, what discussions it has had with local authorities regarding the process of landlord registration.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Ministers in the current governmenthave not yet had any discussions with local authorities regarding the process oflandlord registration. Officials are in contact with local authority registrationteams on a daily basis and attend meetings of the National Netw…
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-742 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, when it will be in a position to detail its decision about future funding in relation to the New Arts Sponsorship Scheme.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-1455 on 29 June 2007. Allanswers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website,the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.sea…
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-742 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, what considerations will determine its decision in relation to the New Arts Sponsorship Awards Scheme.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer themember to the question S3W-1455 answered on 29 June 2007. Allanswers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’swebsite, the search facility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.sea…
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-742 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, what future funding proposals it has received in relation to the New Arts Sponsorship Awards Scheme.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: I have received aproposal for the continuation of the Arts and Business scheme, which I amconsidering at present. Funding for the present financial year has beendistributed already, and I do not anticipate making any announcement aboutfunding for financial ye…
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-740 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, whether it believes that separating responsibility for the events strategy from the tourism strategy is acceptable.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: It is not the casethat our events strategy is any more separate from our tourism strategy than ithas ever been; they will continue to be very closely linked as essential driversof sustainable economic growth. The fact that our tourism policy, and our strategy…
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with regard to making the Gaelic digital broadcasting channel available on Freeview.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: This subject has been discussed by broadcasters, their regulator and interest groups. I plan to meet with the Gaelic Media Service and BBC to discuss this and other aspects of the Gaelic digital channel as soon as possible.</p>
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-737 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, when it will be in a position to detail its future plans regarding support and funding for the Gaelic digital broadcasting channel.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: Scottish ministers are giving close attention to the support and funding required for the operation of the Gaelic digital service and any further details will be announced as part of the Spending Review process. Discussions are also taking place with Ofcom, t…
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-737 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, how it will monitor the operation of the Gaelic digital broadcasting channel and for how long.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: Scottish ministers have a close interest in the preparations for the launch of the Gaelic digital channel. Ofcom has a key role in monitoring the Gaelic Media Service (GMS) and the operation of the digital service. An Ofcom working group which includes the BB…
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-728 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, when it will be in a position to detail its future plans for Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: We will be in a positionto detail our future plans for Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on theAncient and Historic Monuments of Scotland once we have completed our current explorationof the detailed implications of a potential merger of the two bodi…
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-728 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, when its exploration of the detailed implications of a potential merger between Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland will be completed.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: We expect our initialassessment of the detailed implications of a potential merger between Historic Scotlandand the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland to be completed by the autumn.</p>
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-728 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, which activities are duplicated by Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: Areas of possible duplicationbetween Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments ofScotland will be examined as part of our wider exploration of the possibilities forrationalisation of the work of public bodies. We will …
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-725 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, how it intends to expand access to and participation in cultural activity.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: First, we shall consider theevidence that emerges from ongoing initiatives, such as the Cultural Pathfinderprojects taking place across Scotland and targeting ways to overcome barriers to culturalparticipation in a wide variety of contexts. As stated in our M…
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-726 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, whether continued support for the concept of an escalator model for young people with creative talents is dependent upon the outcome of its consideration of the future for the Cultural Co-ordinators in Schools pr…
Answer · Linda Fabiani: No.</p>
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-724 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, what the considerations are that will determine its decision regarding the future of the Cultural Co-ordinators in Schools programme.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the member to thequestion S3W-1444 answered on 13 July 2007. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website the search facility forwhich can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.sear…
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-724 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, when it will be in a position to detail its plans for the future of the Cultural Co-ordinators in Schools programme.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: Further to my answerto question S3W-724 on 20 June 2007, I can confirm that the Cultural Co-ordinators in Schools programme willcontinue.</p><p>All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor whi…
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-723 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, what the considerations are that will determine its decision regarding the future of the Youth Music Initiative.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer to the memberto the answer to question S3W-1442 on 13 July 2007. Allanswers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website,the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.…
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-723 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, when it will be in a position to detail its plans for the future of the Youth Music Initiative.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: Further to the answerto question S3W-723 on 20 June 2007, I can confirm that the Youth Music Initiativewill continue.</p><p>All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at <…
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the answer to question S3W-722 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, whether it intends to transfer the budget for the creative industries from Scottish Enterprise to Creative Scotland, as promised in the SNP manifesto.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: I consider that creativeindividuals and enterprises will benefit from more integrated public assistancein relation to their creative and business objectives. I am presently consideringwith interested parties how this might be most effectively delivered.</p>
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-719 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, whether it will outline what its cultural policy aims are; what assessment has been made as to how they can be achieved, and what discussions have taken place with the cultural sector in this respect.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government’spolicy aims were set out in the SNP’s election manifesto. I believe each of theobjectives described there can be achieved and I and officials are involved in arange of discussions about how to do this.</p>
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-735 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, when the Joint Commission to monitor the Scotland-Malawi Co-operation Agreement will next meet; where it will meet, and who will participate in the meeting.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: The next meeting of the Joint Commission will take place in Malawi in July 2007. The Joint Commission will be attended by senior officialsfrom the Scottish Executive and representatives from relevant governmentministries in Malawi.</p>