Parliamentary questions
Trish Godman
601 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
9 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether thrombosis kills more people each year in Scotland than the combined totals of breast cancer, HIV/Aids and traffic accidents.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: In each of the last five years, the number of deaths from all forms of thrombosis (coronary, cerebral, peripheral arterial, vascular and from other conditions caused by thrombosis) is significantly higher than the number of deaths from breast cancer, HIV/AIDS…
23 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, given that proposals anent GP opening hours will include other members of practice teams, hospital technicians will be available during evenings and weekends to process blood tests carried out during GPs’ clinics.
Answer · Shona Robison: Most laboratory tests can safely be stored overnight and processed routinely the next day. All boards have in place out of hours emergency laboratory on call services to deal with any urgent tests required on the basis of clinical need. Whether or not the sam…
23 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in proposals anent GP opening hours, consideration has been given to addressing the issue of patients who do not attend or cancel booked appointments.
Answer · Shona Robison: The core hours arrangements for patients missing appointments will apply in extended hours.</p> <p >Within the regulatory framework, it is for the practice to determine appropriate action for patients missing appointments. This may be a warning or for persis…
18 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many military veterans have been given manual or powered NHS wheelchairs in the last three years and whether funds were provided by the Ministry of Defence for this equipment.
Answer · Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally. Veterans access services provided by NHSScotland, including rehabilitation technology services, in the same way as the general population.</p>
18 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether proposals are to hand to modify the eligibility criteria for powered wheelchairs in order to include individuals who require attendant-controlled powered wheelchairs.
Answer · Shona Robison: The project board and project manager will review and update the eligibility criteria for powered wheelchairs, including attendant-controlled powered wheelchairs, as part of the wheelchair and seating services project.</p>
18 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether proposals are to hand anent the review of the previous administration’s decision that each NHS board should retain responsibility for wheelchair and seating services in preference to a nationally administered and financed service.
Answer · Shona Robison: Locating health services close to communities supports the provision of faster and more effective treatment. To achieve this, there is a need for services to join up, co-locate and share resources to provide a seamless patient journey. One of the main routes …
18 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with NHS boards anent the ring-fencing of boards’ contributions to wheelchair centres.
Answer · Shona Robison: NHS boards have a responsibility to provide adequate funding for wheelchair and seating services. The Chair of the Wheelchair and Seating Services Project Board has written to NHS boards, setting out the importance attached to the wheelchair project and that …
18 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a decision has been taken recently to implement a year-on-year increase in NHS wheelchair and seating services under the provisions of the spending review.
Answer · Shona Robison: The 2007 Spending Review has identified a total of £16 million over the next three years for the development and modernisation of wheelchair and seating services (£4 million in 2008-09, £6 million in 2009-10 and £6 million in 2010-11). This demonstrates the S…
18 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether proposals are to hand anent the inclusion of NHS wheelchair and seating services in the waiting times initiative.
Answer · Shona Robison: The wheelchair and seating services are currently reviewing their management of waiting times with a view to achieving the 18-week target for all patients by 2011. The project board will maintain an overview to ensure this is realised.</p> <p >Investment in …
27 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it anticipates that the new Caledonian MacBrayne possenger ferry now under construction in a Polish shipyard will be delivered on time in compliance with contract requirements.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The order for the new Islay ferry was placed in November 2007 by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL). CMAL are liaising with the shipbuilders Remontowa and are closely monitoring progress of the contract. The work is progressing according to plan and CM…
27 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether plans are in hand to award a contract for the construction of an additional fisheries protection vessel as a consequence of recent developments in the management of the fishing grounds policed by Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency patrol vessels.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The maintenance of the most effective and appropriate fleet disposition for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency is an on-going priority for the Scottish Government.</p> <p >Due to a range of considerations, including discussions in the context of the f…
27 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8816 by Richard Lochhead on 1 February 2008, whether the consultation period on the implementation in April 2008 of administrative penalties for illegal fishing activities and other matters closed on 1 February 2008, while an identical consultation c…
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government held a standard 12 week consultation on the introduction of administrative penalties. This was launched on 8 November 2007 and closed on 1 February 2008 although late responses were accepted and included in the analysis. In England and…
27 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8816 by Richard Lochhead on 1 February 2008, whether automatic licence suspension for illegal fishing activities is compliant with (a) Scots law, (b) UK legislation and (c) EU regulations and directives.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The system of licence suspension operated by the Scottish Government was first approved by the Commission in May 2006 and notified in 2008 under Regulation 40/2008 dated 16 January. It is considered that the system is fully compliant with Scots law (whether m…
27 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is in respect of the implementation of obesity-management programmes for children and young people.
Answer · Shona Robison: Information on current locally managed programmes is not held centrally.</p> <p >A new NHS HEAT target has been set by which NHS boards will be expected to deliver Scottish Government approved healthy weight intervention programmes to a specified proportion…
27 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to implement health programmes for morbidly obese patients.
Answer · Shona Robison: This is a matter for individual health boards.</p> <p >Both the NICE and the SIGN obesity guidelines provide advice for health boards to assess the suitability of interventions. The Scottish Government will publish further guidance to assist health boards in…
27 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given, in relation to proposals anent GP practice opening hours, to the provision of funding for multi-disciplinary teams to work alongside GPs in the evening or at weekends.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: In discussions with the Scottish General Practitioners Committee we have made clear that, while the extended opening hours proposals relate to additional GP surgeries, practices may consider it sensible to include clinics led by other members of the practice …
27 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in relation to proposals anent GP practice opening hours, consideration has been given to the funding of private security personnel in order to meet the safety and security requirements of GPs when working, alone or otherwise, in the evenings or at weekends.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: No. Scottish Government officials had preparatory discussions last month with the profession's representatives in Scotland about our extended opening hours proposals, including the security of GPs and practice staff. They discussed ways in which practices mig…
27 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with representatives of GPs anent their security and protection when working alone or with colleagues and ancillary staff outwith normal daytime hours.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish Government officials had preparatory discussions last month with the profession's representatives in Scotland about our extended opening hours proposals, including the security of GPs and practice staff. Negotiations will continue.</p>
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether recent discussions have taken place with representatives of the Scottish Prison Service, job centres and the armed services anent the recruitment of ex-service personnel to the Scottish Prison Service.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Although the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) engages regularly with job centres regarding recruitment, there has been no discussion between the two parties relating specifically to the recruitment of ex-service personnel.</p> <p >The Scottish Prison Service ha…
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether recent discussions have taken place with representatives of police authorities, chief constables and the armed services anent the recruitment of ex-service personnel to Scottish police forces.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: No discussions have taken place. It is for individual police forces to assess the suitability of potential recruits against a range of factors which includes skills, physical fitness and previous work experience.</p>
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has anent the number of (a) ex-servicemen and (b) ex-servicewomen who joined Scottish police forces in each of the last seven years.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This information is not heldcentrally. Data on the previous occupations of police officers is retained by individualpolice forces.</p>
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive where Scottish Fisheries Protection vessels undergo their annual surveys; how long such surveys last, and where any resultant repairs are carried out.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Annual surveys for Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency vessels are harmonised with the time of their annual three-week refits which include a dry docking. These are carried out in ship repair yards with suitable facilities which are identified after an open …
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has anent the number of (a) ex-servicemen and (b) ex-servicewomen who joined the Scottish Prison Service in each of the last seven years.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond.</p> <p >His response is as follows:</p> <p >There is no system in place to gather this information.</p>
29 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether European Union citizens from outwith the United Kingdom have to undergo an English language test before being employed on Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency vessels and Scottish fisheries research vessels and whether there are health and safety regulations which require a basic …
Answer · Richard Lochhead: There are numerous regulations that relate to the use of the English language on British vessels, and the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) complies with these regulations. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency Code of Safe Working Practice for Seamen …
29 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations or companies have responsibility for the recruitment, selection, training, employment and determination of terms and conditions of employment of the officers and crew-members of (a) Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency vessels and (b) Scottish fisheries research vessel…
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) is responsible for the recruitment, selection, training, employment and the determination of terms and conditions of employment of the officers and crew-members on the vessels operated by the SFPA.</p> <p >In r…
29 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are anent the system of financial penalties imposed on the skippers and owners of fishing vessels for illegal fishing practices.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Under the current system financial penalties are imposed on the skipper and/or owners of a fishing vessel for illegal fishing practices through the criminal system with sheriffs operating under maximum penalty guidelines. The Scottish Government has no direct…
29 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) UK-registered fishing vessels operating from Scottish ports, (b) UK-registered fishing vessels from outwith Scotland and (c) fishing vessels from other EU member states were detained by Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency vessels in each of the last five years and what (i) r…
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The power to escort fishing vessels to port and detain them there pending further investigation or court proceedings, is exercised by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) in only a few of all cases referred by them to the Procurator Fiscal each yea…
23 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with representatives of the UK Government and other interested parties anent the protection of wrecks and vessels on the seabed surrounding the Scottish mainland and islands.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: Historic Scotland officials have had discussions with the Department ofCulture, Media and Sport and with the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland and Wales about the development of new legislation toprotect the marine historic environment, and further…
23 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place anent the withdrawal of fishing rights from the skippers and owners of fishing vessels involved in convictions for illegal fishing activities.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: There are a numberof enforcement mechanisms in place to tackle illegal fishing activity includingreferral to court. The Scottish Government is implementing a system of administrativepenalties in April 2008 and also has in place a system of automatic licence s…
23 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has anent the number of (a) UK-registered and (b) other EU-registered fishing vessels permitted to fish in the waters patrolled by vessels of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Patrol Vesselsof the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency operate in Scottish Territorial Waters,EU waters under Scottish jurisdiction and International waters to the west of Scotland. With the exception of Scottish Territorial Waters, allEU and UK regist…