Patricia Ferguson

22 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-732 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, when it will publish its strategy for international development.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Ministers areconsidering the role Scotland plays in international development andwill inform Parliament of the outcome in due course.</p>

22 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers it acceptable that bus operators receive public funding through schemes such as free concessionary bus travel for older people and disabled people but are under no obligation to provide bus services to the communities most likely to benefit from such schemes.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Concessionary travelfunding provides reimbursement to bus operators to ensure that they are no betterand no worse off as a result of their participation in the scheme to deliver freebus services for older and disabled people.</p><p>The provision of localbus s…

22 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers it acceptable that bus operators can choose to provide services on only the most profitable routes without being required also to serve communities in most social need.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The provision of localbus services is a matter for bus operators and local transport authorities workingtogether to meet the needs of local communities. Beyond the commercial decisionsof individual operators, it is the responsibility of the relevant transport…

22 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-709 by Stewart Stevenson on 19 June 2007, whether it is satisfied that the current bus regime is capable of delivering regular and reliable bus services to all communities.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We are committed toimproving the public transport experience for passengers thereby providing maximumbenefit and easing the commute. To deliver these aims we are taking forward theimplementation of <i>Moving into the Future – an Action Plan for Buses</i> whic…

22 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-709 by Stewart Stevenson on 19 June 2007, what dialogue has taken place with bus operators, transport authorities and other key industry stakeholders to ensure the effective operation of the current bus regime.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: As part of the implementationof <i>Moving into the Future – an Action Plan for Buses</i> the Scottish Executiveis looking at the best way of ensuring effective implementation of the regulatoryregime. A steering group of keyindustry stakeholders is overseeing …

20 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring the use of the £1 million additional funding made available by the previous administration to address issues arising from the Moving Forward review of NHS wheelchair and seating services.

Answer · Shona Robison: The additional fundinghas been divided between the five wheelchair centres in Scotland, on the basis of the Arbuthnott formula shares of theNHS board(s) they provide services to, following the submission of business caseswhich have been approved by the Scotti…

20 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring the implementation of the recommendations of the Moving Forward review of NHS wheelchair and seating services.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-1284 on 2 July 2007. Within its first 12 months the Wheelchair and SeatingServices Project Board will produce a National Action Plan on the delivery of therecommendations identified, including planned outcomes a…

20 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made toward establishing a project board to progress the results of the Moving Forward review of NHS wheelchair and seating services.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Wheelchair andSeating Services Project Board held its first meeting on 20 June 2007. The board includes rehabilitation professionals, a serviceuser and carer and a disability equality representative to look at the recommendationsflowing from the independe…

20 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that out-of-hours and weekend support should be provided by the five regional wheelchair centres to people who use wheelchairs.

Answer · Shona Robison: This proposal is containedwithin recommendation 29 of <i>Moving Forward: the</i> <i>Review of NHS Wheelchairand Seating Services in Scotland</i>. The recently formed Wheelchair and SeatingServices Project Board will consider this and the other 39 recommendati…

20 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who will represent it at the British-Irish Council meeting in July 2007.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The First Minister representedScotland at the British-Irish Council on 16 July.</p>

20 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its priorities are for the British-Irish Council meeting in July 2007.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government’spriority for the British-Irish Council is to engage constructively with the othermember administrations.</p>

20 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who will be responsible for monitoring its co-operation agreement with the Northern Ireland Assembly government.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The FirstMinister will review progress on the joint statement he signed with the FirstMinister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.</p>

20 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will monitor its co-operation agreement with the Northern Ireland Assembly government.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Progress acrossthe areas for co-operation outlined in the joint statement will be routinelymonitored by Scottish ministers and reviewed by the end of the year.</p>

14 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can guarantee that any council tax freeze imposed on Glasgow City Council by the Executive will not prevent the council from building the new schools planned for Milton and Ruchill in the Glasgow Maryhill constituency.

Answer · Maureen Watt: Discussions are taking place with local government, as part of the on-going spending review process, with a view to delivering a council tax freeze from 2008-09. At this stage, it is too early to speculate on the impact of what may emerge from those discussio…

14 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what effect its proposed council tax freeze will have on Glasgow City Council’s ability to deliver the best educational opportunities to Glasgow’s young people.

Answer · Maureen Watt: Discussions are takingplace with local government, as part of the on-going spending review process, witha view to delivering a council tax freeze from 2008-09. At this stage, it is tooearly to speculate on the impact of what may emerge from those discussions.…

13 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to distribute the balance of the International Touring Fund for national performing companiesestablished by the previous administration, following its grant to the National Theatre of Scotland.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The 2007-08 InternationalTouring Fund of £350,000 has been allocated as follows:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <tr> <td width=192 valign=top> <p align=center>Company</p> </td> <td width=77 valign=top> <p align=center>Amount</p> </td> …

13 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to fund and support the Museums Recognition scheme.

12 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fund research to inform the design of a vandal-proof locking mechanism for fire hydrants.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Fire hydrants areinstalled by Scottish Water for the fire and rescue services. Any decision to undertakeand fund research into the design of a vandal-proof locking mechanism for fire hydrantsis a matter for Scottish Water and individual fire and rescue servic…

12 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any incidents where fire crews have been hampered in their responses to a fire because of vandalised fire hydrants.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Executiveis not aware of any incidents where fire crews have been hampered in their responseto a fire due to a vandalised hydrant.</p>

12 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it holds statistics detailing the number of incidents of vandalism to fire hydrants.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This is a matter forindividual fire and rescue services. The information is not held centrally.</p>

12 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted research into the effect on water pressure to residents in areas where water hydrants are vandalised.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: As this is an operationalmatter for Scottish Water, I have asked the Chief Executive to reply to your enquirydirectly.</p>

12 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted research on the amount of water lost due to the vandalism of fire hydrants.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: As this is an operationalmatter for Scottish Water, I have asked the Chief Executive to reply to your enquirydirectly.</p>

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to support contemporary music.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: At present contemporarymusic will continue to be supported by the Scottish Arts Council which has a varietyof grant funding that is available to musicians and music events.</p><p>Contemporary musicwill also be supported this year by the Scottish Music Futures…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to fund and support the New Arts Sponsorship Awards scheme.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-742 on20 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for whichcan be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.sea…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recognises the success of the New Arts Sponsorship Awards scheme.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Since its launch inMarch 2006, the Scottish Executive New Arts Sponsorship Awards Scheme, has madea total of 70 awards (36 in 2006-07 and 34 in 2007-08). That is 70 projects whichmight not have taken place without the scheme. I think that is a tremendous achi…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to support and fund the Museums Recognition scheme.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Yes, the ScottishExecutive will continue to support the Significance Scheme for Scotland’s non-national museums and galleries. In fact, I intendto announce the first collections to receive the status of “Recognised Collections of National Significanceto Scotl…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue its major events strategy.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Yes, we do intendto continue the major events strategy to build on Scotland’s reputation as a world-class events destination. The vision was, and stillis, to become one of the world’s foremost events destinations by 2015. Therefore,I would like to assure you …

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline its strategy for engagement with Europe.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The ScottishExecutive places great importance on Scotland’srelationship with Europe. Careful consideration is currently beinggiven to a strategy on Scottish Executive engagement with Europe which will set out how the Executive intends tosecure a stronger voic…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its priorities are for Gaelic-medium education.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Within theframework of the National Plan for Gaelic, Scottish ministers recognise thevital role that Gaelic medium education plays in creating a sustainable futurefor Gaelic in Scotland. Our priorities will be to look at ways of increasingnumbers within Gaeli…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue the policy of support and funding for the Gaelic digital broadcasting channel.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Gaelic televisionis an important aspect of the promotion of Gaelic in Scotland. We welcome the progress that has been made towards a digital channel andwe are keen to monitor the operation of this to ensure it offers clear benefitsfor Gaelic speakers and to t…