Parliamentary questions
Trish Godman
601 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
23 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average number is of Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency vessels on surveillance and related activities at any one time.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: In 2007 the four PatrolVessels of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency were operational for a totalof 1,135 Effective Patrol Days. An Effective Patrol Day is any 24 hour period duringwhich a vessel is available for operational deployment. The average numb…
23 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the two aircraft employed in surveillance of fishing vessels working the Scottish fishing grounds operate on a full-time or part-time basis and what the criteria are for their deployment.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The two aircraft ownedby the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency are operated on a full-time basis. Theyare available to fly seven days a week. A private contractor provides air and groundcrew to enable the aircraft to be deployed for up to 1,900 hours per a…
23 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what area of sea is patrolled by vessels of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency, measured in square (a) kilometres and (b) miles.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Patrol Vesselsof the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) patrol Scottish Territorial Waters(0 to 12 miles) and waters under Scottish jurisdiction (12 to 200 miles). The areaof sea is approximately 130,000 square nautical miles (449,900 square kilo…
14 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when I can expect a reply from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice to my letters dated 15 August, 26 September and 29 October 2007 concerning travelling people.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have nowwritten to Ms Godman addressing the issues she raised and apologising for theunacceptable delay in replying to her earlier correspondence.</p>
13 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is now in a position to authorise the signing of a contract for the construction of a fisheries protection vessel for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Governmentis not in a position to authorise the signing of a contract. For the time beingthe Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency will continue to carry out its presentmarine monitoring and surveillance tasks with four vessels and two aircraft.</…
13 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-889 by Richard Lochhead on 27 June 2007, whether the findings of the review of the Fleet Renewal Programme have been scrutinised by ministers and whether the review itself will be published.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The review findingsare in the process of being scrutinised. As stated on 27 June 2007 in the answer to question S3W-889 a copy of thereview will be placed in due course in the Scottish Parliament InformationCentre and a further copy will also be made availabl…
6 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to provide funding for a Scottish task force on human trafficking.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: We have no plansat present to establish a Scottish Government task force on human trafficking. the Scottish Government is part of the UK Interdepartmental Ministerial Group onHuman Trafficking and Scottish Government officials sit on the group responsiblefor …
6 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to address the implications for Scotland of the UK Government signing the Council of Europe convention on action against trafficking in human beings.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Scottish ministerssit on the UK Interdepartmental Ministerial Group with responsibility foroverseeing implementation of the UK Action Plan on Human Trafficking and forensuring that the UK is fully compliant with the provisions of the Council ofEurope Conventi…
29 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide adequate funding for NHS provision of wheelchairs that meet the medical, postural and social needs of all people who require them, including those who require attendant-controlled powered wheelchairs.
Answer · Shona Robison: It is primarily amatter for NHS boards to provide appropriate wheelchairs that meet the medical,postural and social needs of people who need them in their local communities,based on clinical assessment and national eligibility criteria, from thegeneral fundin…
29 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to end the practice by the NHS wheelchair service of refusing access to powered wheelchairs under the NHS to people who are unable to operate their own wheelchairs due to physical or learning disabilities.
Answer · Shona Robison: The fivewheelchair centres in Scotland have a responsibility to assess serviceusers’ eligibility for a powered wheelchair, on an individual basis. This isbased on clinical assessment and national eligibility criteria and takes intoaccount the type and extent …
19 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4009 by Nicola Sturgeon on 12 September 2007, what consideration has been given to the setting up and funding of pilot schemes in Scotland in order to develop a range of services to bereaved families of armed services personnel killed in Iraq or Afgh…
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Given theexisting services that are in place, the Scottish Government has no plans toset up and fund pilot schemes in Scotland in order todevelop a range of services for bereaved families of armed forces personnelkilled in Iraq or Afghanistan.</p><p>However, …
19 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4007 by Nicola Sturgeon on 12 September 2007, whether it will list the Scottish-based members of the Veterans’ Programme Scotland (VSP) Steering Group, also showing the name of the organisation that each represents; when the VSP Steering Group (a) la…
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The VeteransProgramme (Scotland) Steering Group is chaired by an official from the SocialInclusion Division of the Scottish Government and the membership list includesrepresentatives from PoppyScotland, The Royal British Legion Scotland, ERSKINE,Scottish Vete…
19 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4011 by Nicola Sturgeon on 12 September 2007, whether its close liaison with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) includes regular meetings of representatives of the Executive, the MoD and Scotland’s veterans’ organisations and, if so, when the last such me…
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Officials from the Scottish Government’s Social Inclusion Division chair the Veterans’ Programme (Scotland) Steering Group which last met on 19 February 2007 and will meet again on 23 October.</p><p>As well as officialsfrom the Scottish Government, Ministry o…
4 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations have been received from COSLA, voluntary organisations and other interested parties anent the construction of affordable social housing for former members of the armed services wounded or injured in Iraq or Afghanistan or during United Nations peace-keeping ope…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: There have been norecent representations on these issues.</p>
4 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has sought from the Ministry of Defence anent the treatment, care, rehabilitation and rehousing of service personnel discharged from the armed services as a result of wounds and injuries suffered in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Governmenthas not sought funding from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in relation to the treatment,care, rehabilitation and re-housing of service personnel discharged from the armedforces as a result of wounds or injuries suffered in Iraq or Afghan…
4 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with the appropriate authorities and interested parties concerning the employment of former service personnel discharged from the armed services as a result of wounds or injuries they have suffered in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Employment isreserved to the UK Government. In addition, the MOD have responsibility for theresettlement, which includes employment opportunities, of former servicepersonnel who have been medically discharged.</p><p>There have beenno discussions specific to t…
4 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with the appropriate voluntary organisations and COSLA anent the provision of assistance and care for the families of service personnel killed in Iraq or Afghanistan where such help has been sought.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: A range of servicesare available to bereaved families and loved ones, including provision by mainstreamsocial work services, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), and veterans’ charities andorganisations. The Scottish Government will continue to liaise closely with …
4 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with representatives of the Ministry of Defence and NHS Scotland anent the recruitment of medical specialists and ancillary staff who have the most appropriate medical skills to treat service personnel who have suffered serious wounds in Iraq or Af…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: There have been norecent discussions with representatives of the Ministry of Defence and NHSScotlandon this issue.</p>
4 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations have been received from the families of service personnel wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan and from voluntary organisations representing their interests in relation to the rehabilitation, rehousing, welfare and employment and other related needs of these veteran…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Governmenthave not received any recent representations on these issues either from familiesof service personnel or representative organisations in relation to the needs ofservice personnel wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan.</p><p>The Scottish Govern…
4 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with representatives of the Ministry of Defence, NHS Scotland, COSLA and other appropriate organisations anent the treatment, rehabilitation and rehousing of service personnel severely wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: There have been nospecific discussions on these issues. However, the Scottish Government, NHS Scotlandand the Ministry of Defence have regular contact on treatment and rehabilitationissues.</p>
4 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether information is now to hand anent the number of wounded service personnel treated in Scottish hospitals following their evacuation from Iraq or Afghanistan.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This information isnot held centrally.</p>
4 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with ministers at the Ministry of Defence anent the treatment and care of service personnel wounded or injured recently in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government,NHS Scotland and the Ministry of Defence have regular contact on treatment and rehabilitationissues. However, there have been no recent discussions with ministers at the Ministryof Defence.</p>
13 Jun 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many new schools will be built during this session of the Parliament.
Answer · Maureen Watt: In response to KennethMacintosh’s earlier question I explained our clear manifesto commitment to matchthe school building investment plans which were in place prior to the election.As I said, beyond that we shall wish to consider, with authorities, in the con…
12 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12 by Richard Lochhead on 7 June 2007, what the terms of reference will be of the review of the Fleet Renewal Programme; which persons will conduct the review; what the professional and occupational qualifications are of those conducting the review; …
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The terms of referenceof the review are to:</p><p>Consider whether theperformance aims of the agency can be achieved effectively through refurbishmentof one or both of the two existing older vessels;</p><p>Consider whether thereis a case for an increase in th…
24 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when there will be an announcement anent the placing of a contract to construct a passenger ferry vessel for Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Invitations to Tender to constructa new vessel to serve on the routes between Kennacraig and Islay were issuedto six shipyards on 30 May 2007 by CalMac Ferries Ltd on behalf of Caledonian MaritimeAssets Ltd. It is currently expected that the order for the ves…
14 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to authorise the signing of a contract for the construction of a new fisheries protection vessel for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Fleet Renewal Programme hasled to an important improvement in the capability of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) to deliver its fisheries enforcement duties, andby the end of this year three out of four of the SFPA’s vessels will be new. Th…
14 Mar 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with representatives of the Care Commission anent confidential reports or complaints from employees of residential care homes for elderly people, in both the private and public sectors, about inadequate care or neglect of residents of such homes an…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The investigation of complaints is an operational matter forthe Care Commission. The Care Commission published its current complaintsprocedure in September 2004 following the approval of Scottish Ministers.Details of the Complaints Procedure can be found on t…
1 Mar 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether discussions have taken place with ministers and officials at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) anent the construction of a lightly-armed fisheries protection vessel under the aegis of the MoD which, when in service, would be operationally managed by the Scottish Fisheries Protection A…
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive is notaware of any discussions having taken place on the subject.</p>
28 Feb 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are in place to increase the maximum sum that a consumer can claim under the small claims procedure for faulty goods or services from the current £750.
Answer · Johann Lamont: It is for Members ofParliament to set the appropriate levels on consideration of the Orders laid indraft by ministers.</p><p>All the issues in relationto this matter are under consideration and an announcement will be made as soonas is appropriate.</p><p>As r…
28 Feb 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with UK ministers anent the encouragement and expansion of community-based credit unions in Scotland.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: We are in regular contact withthe UK government to ensure Scotland benefits from UK government activity in respect of the credit union movement.Most recently liaison with UK Departments has focused on reviewing credit unionlegislation and the operation of the…