Parliamentary questions
Trish Godman
601 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
25 Jan 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates the settlement date will be for the cost of repairs to the Erskine Bridge following the damage inflicted by an offshore structure.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: A debate on the parties’ pleadings will take place on 27 to 30 September 2005. The issue of liability and quantum of damages will be determined by the court if the parties are unable to reach agreement on these issues. It would, of course, be possible for the…
29 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent visits have been undertaken to shipyards by ministers and what matters were discussed on each visit.
Answer · Jim Wallace: During September and October this year I visited BAE Systems Naval Ships on the Clyde and Babcock BES in Rosyth. On both occasions I met with Local Management Teams to familiarise myself with the shipyard facilities and be appraised of the local business issu…
29 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency concerning the awarding of a contract for the construction of a fisheries protection vessel.
Answer · Ross Finnie: In the light of the recent Spending Review, I have agreed that the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency may invite tenders to replace the Fisheries Protection Vessels VIGILANT and NORNA.</p>
29 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many mature students have commenced social work training in each of the last four years and what proportion of the total number of trainee social workers these figures represent.
Answer · Euan Robson: Figures from Universities and Colleges Admissions Services show the following: </p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p>Year</p> </td> <td> <p>No of Mature Students (25 yrs+)</p> </td> <td> <p>Percentage of Total…
29 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are training to become social workers and whether this number will be sufficient to meet the requirements of social work departments in the next three years.
Answer · Euan Robson: Increasing numbers of students are completing social work training. </p><p>In 1999, 397 graduated as qualified social workers; </p><p>in 2000, 351; </p><p>in 2001, 340; </p><p>in 2002, 373, and </p><p>in 2003, 469. </p><p>The Fast-Track Graduate Recruitment S…
29 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place concerning the placing by Caledonian MacBrayne of an order for the construction of a passenger ferry vessel.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: We have been considering, in conjunction with Caledonian MacBrayne, future infrastructure and vessel investment requirements as part of the development of the final tender specification for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services tendering exercise. I hope to m…
28 Sep 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that private sector tenants are more aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Raising awareness, among both tenants and landlords, is a key element in theExecutive’s drive to improve standards in private rented housing.</p><p>At the end of August I launched an advertising campaign to encourage tenants and landlords to find out more abo…
22 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has regarding the role of the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman with regard to the settlement of issues raised by complainers against members of the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates.
Answer · Hugh Henry: We are developing a reformagenda on complaints handling by the legal profession which builds on therecommendations made by the former Justice 1 Committee. We will issue a publicconsultation paper at the end of the year on firm proposals to improve thecomplain…
22 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any examination has been undertaken in the last two years concerning the responses of the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates to recommendations made by the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman.
Answer · Hugh Henry: The Scottish Legal ServicesOmbudsman’s written report on a complaint, or Opinion, sets out herrecommendation on a case, and is sent only to the complainant, the practitionerand the professional body as required by section 34A of the Law Reform(Miscellaneous P…
22 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be made concerning the construction of a roundabout in Port Glasgow as part of the development plans for the waterfront.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: Road Orders giving legalauthority for construction of three new roundabouts at Port Glasgow town centrecame into force on 23 July 2004. Negotiations with the developers progressing thePort Glasgow town centre redevelopment scheme on the details of the work to…
31 Mar 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who holds primary responsibility and authority regarding anti-terrorism measures and the emergency services' responses to acts of terrorism in Scotland.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Primary responsibility and authorityfor anti-terrorism measures lies with the Security Service, which works closelywith police forces, and in particular Special Branches, in providing the UK’s counterterrorist response. Terrorism is reserved in terms of the S…
31 Mar 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether guidelines have been issued to assist with the implementation of measures to combat foetal alcohol syndrome.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: No guidelines have been issuedto deal specifically with the implementation of measures to combat foetal alcoholsyndrome.</p><p><i>A Framework for MaternityServices in Scotland,</i> published February2001, recognised that all women of reproductive age should b…
31 Mar 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to enable appropriate NHS teams to address foetal alcohol syndrome.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The report of the Expert Groupon Acute Maternity Services, published in 2002, recognised that risk assessmentis an essential part of maternity care. Women, and their babies, who, due to theirlifestyle or other factors, including alcohol use, are assessed as h…
17 Mar 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Communities Scotland will be providing funds in the next year for the construction of affordable housing in (a) Inverclyde, (b) Renfrewshire and (c) Scotland as a whole.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I have asked Angiolina Foster,Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>Out of a total Development Programmeof £264 million, Communities Scotland will in 2004-05 provide £5.4 million in Inverclyde,£9.6 million in Re…
17 Mar 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost has been of hiring private recruitment agencies in respect of the recruitment and selection of individuals for posts in the civil service in each of the last four years; which departments have been involved in such contractual arrangements, and which posts were filled…
Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive has in place contracts relatingto the recruitment and selection of both temporary and permanent staff. All contractswere let through a competitive tendering process.</p><p>In relation to temporary staff, the Scottish Executive has in pl…
17 Mar 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions private recruitment agencies have been engaged in respect of the recruitment and selection of individuals for posts in the civil service in each of the last four years.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive has in place contracts relating to the recruitment and selection ofboth temporary and permanent staff. All contracts were let through acompetitive tendering process.</p><p>In relation to temporarystaff, the Scottish Executive has in pla…
13 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in relation to Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002, how many money advisers have been recruited, selected and trained and by whom they have been employed.
Answer · Margaret Curran: In anticipation of theimpact of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002, the Scottish Executive has provided an additional £3 million per annum to boost the number of moneyadvisers in Scotland. This funding was allocated via local authoritiesr…
13 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with COSLA and other interested parties concerning the implementation of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 and what the main issues of concern were in such discussions.
Answer · Hugh Henry: Parts 2 and 3 of the DebtArrangement and Attachment Scotland Act 2002 came into force on 31 December 2002.Part 1 of the Act sets out the framework for a national statutory DebtArrangement Scheme which will be implemented by way of secondary legislation.</p><p…
13 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) males and (b) females (i) are currently serving apprenticeships in shipyards and (ii) were serving apprenticeships in shipyards in 1994.
Answer · Jim Wallace: This question is a matterfor Scottish Enterprise. The information is not held centrally.</p>
13 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with Caledonian MacBrayne anent ordering replacement vessels for its passenger ferry fleet.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: Caledonian MacBrayne’s needfor additional or replacement vessels is kept under review and there areregular discussions with the company on such matters. We recently announcedplans to make funding available to the company for a new £8.75 million shelteredwater…
13 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency anent ordering replacement vessels for the agency's fleet.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish FisheriesProtection Agency is keeping Scottish ministers informed of progress in theappointment of a shipyard to construct a replacement for FPV SULISKER.</p>
13 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with Her Majesty's Government anent changes to Scots law brought about by the implementation of EU directive 2000/78/EC.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The purpose of EU Directive2000/78/EC is to lay down a general framework for combating discrimination onthe grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation asregards employment and occupation, with a view to putting into effect in thememb…
13 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it will issue to voluntary organisations and the public sector in respect of the implementation of EU directive 2000/78/EC.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The purpose of EU Directive2000/78/EC is to lay down a general framework for combating discrimination onthe grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation asregards employment and occupation, with a view to putting into effect in thememb…
13 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with COSLA, the Scottish Trade Union Congress and employers' organisations about the implementation of EU directive 2000/78/EC.
Answer · Margaret Curran: Responsibility for equalopportunities legislation, including the matters dealt with by EU Directive2000/78/EC, is reserved. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and theDepartment for Work and Pensions provide information and guidance for employersin Eng…
12 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with Renfrewshire Council regarding the funding and implementation of effective flood prevention schemes in Renfrewshire.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive regularly discusses with Renfrewshire Council the implementation of itsplans to reduce flood risk in Renfrewshire and associated funding needs. Thisclose co-operation has allowed the council to construct three flood preventionschemes si…
8 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many households in (a) West Renfrewshire and (b) Scotland have benefited from the central heating installation programme and what the average waiting time is for such work to be completed.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Herresponse is as follows:</p><p>Information is not kept inthe form requested. For the private sector the information is held by postcodearea and in the PA postcode…
8 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funds are available for tenant and resident associations in areas of deprivation and low household incomes where such voluntary organisations seek to renovate local neighbourhoods and make them more secure.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her replyis as follows:</p><p>Direct funding for tenantand resident associations is the responsibility of individual landlords andshould be identified within their tena…
10 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been made available for the selection, training and appointment of debt counsellors under the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 and which organisations carried out the training.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: In anticipation of theimpact of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002, the Executivehas provided an additional £3 million per annum to boost the number of money advisersin Scotland. This funding resulted in an extra 120 advisersacross the s…
3 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many sheriff courts are fitted with CCTV systems for interviewing witnesses and how many of these are used for High Court hearings.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Seven sheriff courts havepermanently installed CCTV systems. These are at Edinburgh, Paisley, Aberdeen, Inverness,Stonehaven, Dundee and Glasgow.</p><p>The High Courts in Edinburghand Glasgow also have permanently installed CCTV facilities.</p><p>Whilst on ci…
3 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases have been abandoned or postponed in the (a) sheriff and (b) High Court because of the absence of members of juries in the last four years and what action has been taken in relation to those who were absent for spurious reasons.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: No cases have been abandonedor postponed in the High Court or Sheriff Court during the last four yearsowing to the absence of a juror. On occasion proceedings may be delayed for ashort time if a sitting juror is delayed in attending court owing to travelprobl…