Questions · Pauline McNeill

17 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what Scottish Enterprise posts have been removed through voluntary redundancies in the last year; what severance packages were available for affected staff, and what the cost was of each package paid.

Answer · Jim Mather: Voluntary severance programmes and related costs are operational matters for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its chief executive to write to you.

17 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the introduction of a replacement for the Graduates for Business scheme by Scottish Enterprise following the scheme’s closure.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government welcomes the new programme which has been developed by Scottish Enterprise, in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Funding Council, Skills Development Scotland and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisor…

17 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it has had in the creation of the replacement for the Graduates for Business scheme.

Answer · Michael Russell: We are monitoring the programme''s development and delivery through regular discussions with Scottish Enterprise and the other organisations involved. To assist with the co-ordination of the new programme, the Scottish Government is providing £60,000 to suppo…

17 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what interest there has been in the replacement for the Graduates for Business scheme.

Answer · Michael Russell: I am advised by Scottish Enterprise that there has been a healthy interest in the new programme.

17 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the objectives will be of the replacement for the Graduates for Business scheme.

Answer · Michael Russell: I am advised by Scottish Enterprise that the objectives of the new programme will be to: stimulate business growth in Scotland; attract and retain the best talent in Scotland; develop graduates'' understanding of business and innovation, and attract skilled p…

17 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the replacement for the Graduates for Business scheme will start.

Answer · Michael Russell: I have been advised by Scottish Enterprise that the programme will roll out from the end of June with the official launch date expected to be in August 2010. Account managers are already recruiting companies with suitable projects.

1 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Clarence Drive, Glasgow, will be included in the Scottish Water programme for flooding prevention in the next spending round.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: External Sewer flooding works in Clarence Drive, Glasgow, are not included in Scottish Water''s investment programme for the regulatory period 2010-15. Ministerial objectives for future regulatory periods have not yet been decided and will be set following pu…

1 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-33615 by Fiona Hyslop on 27 May 2010, whether the responsibility for immigration will be devolved to the Scottish Government.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has previously made clear that if the proposals contained in version 1 of the first ballot paper in Scotland''s Future: Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill Consultation Paper were enacted, the Scottish Parliament would be responsible for …

18 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the respondents to its consultation on the draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: We look forward to publishing the responses to the consultation on the Scottish Government website in due course, where respondents have given us permission to do so.

18 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses it received to its consultation on the draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: Two hundred and twenty-to written responses were received. This compares with similar technical consultations on elections related legislation; for example Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 where the consultation on the draft Bill received 187 responses, a…

18 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a referendum Bill in 2010.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: Yes.

14 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether responsibility for immigration would be devolved to the Scottish Government under version 1 of the first ballot paper in Scotland’s Future: Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill Consultation Paper.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: If the proposals contained in version 1 of the first ballot paper in Scotland''s Future: Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill Consultation Paper were enacted, the Scottish Parliament would be responsible for all laws, taxes and duties in Scotland. The exc…

13 May 2010 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the operation of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: We are committed to evaluating and monitoring the impact the Act is having. In the immediate term, we are using the Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill to strengthen some provisions and put right some problems identified during implementation. In the longer t…

28 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will work with local authorities to implement Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s action plan to increase the number of Gaelic speakers.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33410 on 10 May 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Bu…

28 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it considers the aims of Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s action plan to increase the number of Gaelic speakers will fit into the Curriculum for Excellence.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33410 on 10 May 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Bu…

28 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to help Bòrd na Gàidhlig meet the aims of its action plan to increase the number of Gaelic speakers.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33410 on 10 May 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Bu…

28 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the achievability of the aims of Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s action plan to increase the number of Gaelic speakers.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: We need to focus our resources on key areas of Gaelic development in order to increase the numbers of Gaelic speakers and thus secure the future of the language. The b²rd has identified action areas which are key areas of Gaelic development and has identified…

28 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how Bòrd na Gàidhlig will administer its funds to meet the aims of its action plan to increase the number of Gaelic speakers.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33410 on 10 May 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Bu…

22 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its Pakistan plan.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is working with the Pakistani Consul General to bring together key stakeholders in the Pakistani community in Scotland to identify the existing links and engagement between Scotland and Pakistan as well as opportunities for mutual bene…

22 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it is allocating to its Pakistan plan.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Pakistan Plan being prepared forms part of the wider Programme of Engagement with South Asia. It is being developed within existing resources.

21 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will lay the order to increase fines for landlords illegally operating houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Answer · Alex Neil: The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Commencement No. 8, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2010 was made on 20 April 2010. This will bring into effect the HMO provisions within Part 5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 on 31 August 2011. …

20 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects that the grants scheme to support artists operated by Creative Scotland will be broadly similar to that operated by the Scottish Arts Council.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33273 on 29 April 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busines…

20 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive by what process artistic bodies will apply for grants from Creative Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This will be a matter for Creative Scotland itself to decide once it comes into existence. We have ensured that the legislation allows Creative Scotland the maximum flexibility in developing its framework for financial and other support. The Scottis…

13 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage better awareness of diabetes across Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: We recognise the importance of raising awareness of diabetes so that the condition can be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Raising awareness of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes is one of the issues that will be addressed in the revised Scot…

13 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that people with type 1 diabetes are aware of the impact of not taking their medication.

Answer · Shona Robison: For people with type 1 diabetes, insulin regimes are essential for good glucose control, to ensure that the risks of diabetes-related complications are minimised. People with type 1 diabetes are made fully aware of the importance of taking insulin when they a…

30 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reassess plans to change the governance arrangements of further education colleges.

Answer · Keith Brown: Ministers keep the governance arrangements of further education colleges under ongoing review. Officials plan to meet representatives of stakeholders, including the Scottish Funding Council, the STUC, NUS Scotland and the organisation Scotland''s Colleges, on…

30 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will assess the suitability of the New Campus Glasgow project, given that it is a unique merger in Glasgow.

Answer · Keith Brown: Any proposal by the Scottish Funding Council to offer financial support in excess of its delegated authority requires to be approved by ministers. In such cases ministers would give close consideration to the business case, including the educational, financia…

30 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will satisfy itself that the New Campus Glasgow project is fit for purpose in terms of students and courses.

Answer · Keith Brown: Any proposal by the Scottish Funding Council to offer financial support in excess of its delegated authority requires to be approved by ministers. In such cases ministers would give close consideration to the business case, including the educational, financia…

30 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what process the New Campus Glasgow project will follow once it comes before ministers.

Answer · Keith Brown: Any proposal by the Scottish Funding Council to offer financial support in excess of its delegated authority requires to be approved by ministers. In such cases ministers would give close consideration to the business case, including the educational, financia…

30 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether discussions are ongoing with Stow College regarding its position on the New Campus Glasgow project.

Answer · Keith Brown: No direct discussions between the Scottish Government and Stow College have taken place, or are planned, regarding the colleges position in any merger or in the New Campus Glasgow estates project.