Parliamentary questions

Patricia Ferguson

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

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its priorities are for the Gaelic language.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Ministers’ key priorityis to create a secure future for the Gaelic language in Scotland. In order to achieve this urgent attention needs to befocused on the growth, the usage and the status of the Gaelic language. Furtherdetail on how to make progress in thes…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will monitor the co-operation agreement with the government of Malawi.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: As part of theScotland-Malawi Co-operation Agreement a Joint Commission meets regularly tomonitor progress.

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will honour the co-operation agreement with the government of Malawi.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: We will continue towork with Malawi on the Scotland-Malawi Co-operationagreement.

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the next round of funding for international development.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: No decision has yetbeen reached on the timing of the next round of funding for international development.When it is, details will be posted on the Executive’s website.

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy is for international development.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: We are committedto Scotland, as a responsible nation, continuing toplay its part in assisting international development.

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its priorities are for Architecture and Design Scotland.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: We wish to see Architectureand Design Scotland carry forward its objective of inspiring betterquality development across the country and contributing towards the creation ofsuccessful and sustainable places. The detailed objectives of the organisation willbe …

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to fund and support Architecture and Design Scotland.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Executive willcontinue to fund Architecture and Design Scotland, and will support it in its important aim of creating a better built environmentfor the people of Scotland.

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to support Scotland’s historic houses.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: We will continueto support historic houses, as appropriate, through Historic Scotland’s grantsprogramme, their technical advice and guidance publications, and the sharing ofbest practice in a range of associated networks.

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the rationale for a merger of Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: In taking forwardpolicies to safeguard our heritage, our aim is to reduce duplication ofactivities. To this end, we are presently exploring the detailed implicationsof a potential merger between Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on theAncient and His…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce new legislation in respect of heritage and the built environment.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: A review of thecurrent legislation covering heritage protection is currently being undertakenand consideration of the need to legislate will be given once that review iscomplete.

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to support the concept of an escalator model for young people with creative talents.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-724 on 20 June 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/wa.sear…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue the policy of prioritising cultural entitlements for Scotland’s people.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: My priority is to expand access to andparticipation in cultural activity. I will consider the evidence ofpre-existing initiatives, such as the Cultural Pathfinder projects, and theresponses to the consultation on the Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill. I will then…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue the funding and promotion of the Cultural Co-ordinators in Schools programme.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: We are committedto ensuring that children and young people have the opportunity to access thewidest range of quality cultural activity throughout their schooling. Similarly,we will ensure that those with talent have sufficient chance to develop theirabilities…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue the funding and promotion of the Youth Music initiative.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: As I stated inParliament on 7 June 2007, I am currently considering the futurefor the Youth Music Initiative in schools.

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to work to establish Creative Scotland.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I will considerthe views expressed in the consultation on the Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill and will then bring forward proposals.

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue the policy of honouring the artistic independence of the Arts Council and Scottish Screen.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Yes.

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will define artists in relation to the grants scheme proposed in the SNP manifesto.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I am at presentconsidering an appropriate definition of artists for the purposes of the operationof the proposal referred to in the question.

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will introduce the Culture Bill which has now completed its consultation phase.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I will considerthe views expressed in the consultation on the Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill, and if we believe the Scottish Governmentneeds legislation to achieve its cultural policy aims, we will bring it to the Parliament.

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the administration and effectiveness of the register of private landlords.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Governmentis working closely with local authorities to strengthen the role of landlord registrationin raising standards in private rented housing and ensure it is effectively administered.The initial implementation process will be reviewed in due…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the legislation governing the operation of houses in multiple occupation.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: New provisions relatingto the licensing of houses in multiple occupation are included in part 5 of theHousing (Scotland) Act 2006 and are expected to be implemented in 2008. The implementationprocess will include consultation on various aspects which are subj…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider the re-regulation of buses.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There are no plansfor re-regulation of the buses. We are currently working with bus operators, transportauthorities and other key industry stakeholders to ensure the effective operationof the current bus regime.

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware that many people in Maryhill and in other parts of Glasgow are unable to visit friends and family or engage in social activity because there are no bus services in their area after 6 pm and at weekends.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-706 on 19 June 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/wa.sear…

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware that some workers, particularly shift workers in Glasgow Maryhill and elsewhere in Glasgow, are inconvenienced by a lack of bus services.

7 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the position of many people in Glasgow Maryhill and other parts of Glasgow who cannot easily access hospitals and health centres due to a lack of bus services in their area.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The provision of localbus services is a matter for bus operators and local transport authorities. Beyondthe commercial decisions of individual operators, it is the responsibility of therelevant transport authority to identify where there is a need for sociall…

31 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider extending its central heating initiative to homes where the only form of heating is provided by under-floor or warm air heating.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: For the next few years, the Central Heating Programme will focus entirely on the most vulnerable households: those lacking any form of central heating. We have already announced that the programme will be extended from 2004 so that 20,000 local authority dwel…

5 Sep 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why Historic Scotland has taken action to implement the VAT recovery scheme for Grade A listed churches before the guidelines for its commencement were in place.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Government has announced that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme will operate retrospectively from 1 April 2001 and payments will commence in the financial year 2001-02. As the project costs borne by church authorities are thus reduced, Historic Sc…

5 Sep 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the introduction of the VAT recovery scheme will have on renovation work carried out by Historic Scotland on Grade A listed churches.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Grants are awarded by Historic Scotland on behalf of Scottish ministers in support of repairs to the historic fabric of buildings regarded as being of outstanding historic or architectural importance. The Government's Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme wi…

29 Aug 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to promote the use of school grounds as an education resource available to both school pupils and the community.

Answer · Jack McConnell: Yes. Scottish ministers encourage the fullest possible use of all local resources. While decisions on the use of school grounds are matters for the education authorities and individual schools, I fully support the principle that school facilities generally sh…

29 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will allow payments for prescription season tickets to be spread over the course of a year.

Answer · Susan Deacon: We have no plans to do so.Prescription pre-payment certificates (PPCs) are available to cover periods of either 12 months or four months. We recognise that people who have difficulty in paying for the annual prescription season ticket may prefer to use the…

31 Jan 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to deal with any bullying and harassment experienced by health board staff.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Disciplinary action is a matter for the NHS employer. However, all NHS Scotland employers are required to adopt the values and principles of the Dignity at Work: Eliminating Bullying and Harassment in the Workforce guidance, which I launched last month…