Parliamentary questions
Pauline McNeill
2,367 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
5 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether electronic tagging restriction of liberty orders as an alternative to custody have been effective in reducing crime.
Answer · Hugh Henry: It is too early to say whateffect these orders have had on re-conviction rates since restriction ofliberty orders only became available nationally from 1 May 2002 and as a directalternative to custody under provisions in the Criminal Justice (Scotland)Act 200…
5 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received on the need for an orthoptic school.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive hasnot received any recent representations about the need for anorthoptic school.</p><p>The last representations made to the Scottish Executive about orthoptic services in Scotland were received in December2002.</p>
5 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a shortage of orthoptists.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: At present there is noindication of a shortage of orthoptists in NHSScotland.</p>
5 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4417 by Nicol Stephen on 10 December 2003, how it has responded to the representations that it has received on re-regulating the bus industry.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: Responses to representationsrefer to the “toolkit” of options provided under the Transport (Scotland)Act 2001 for local authorities to enhance the provision of bus services. This“toolkit” includes quality partnerships and quality contracts. Responses alsomake…
5 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what stage it has reached in planning new prisons.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron,Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>SPS has identified preferredsites for two new prisons at Low Moss and Addiewell and has submitted planningapplications for the propose…
5 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the prison population is at its highest recorded level.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron,Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is asfollows:</p><p>No. The prison populationreached its highest recorded level of 6,744 on 18 September 2003. Its levelwas 6,391 on 2 January 2004. It is the hi…
5 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3188 by Cathy Jamieson on 3 November 2003, when it will end slopping out in prisons.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is asfollows:</p><p>As I said in November weanticipate that slopping out can be ended about a year after the completion of the second of the two new prisons ann…
5 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how private prison provision compares to public provision in its impact on reducing offending.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron,Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is asfollows:</p><p>No such comparison ispossible.</p><p>Both public and privateproviders provide similar opportunities for offenders to address theiroffending b…
5 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to address overcrowding in prisons in light of the Chief Inspector of Prisons' comments in his annual report for 2002-03 on its impact on improving prison conditions, safety and the ability to address offending behaviour.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron,Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>High prisoner numbers arebeing tackled through record levels of investment by SPS in existing and newprisons. SPS is implementing deve…
5 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to improve protection for private rented sector tenants against any landlords who retain deposits unfairly.
Answer · Margaret Curran: We see the management of tenancy deposits as an integral part of good management and so do not at present have proposals to establish a separate system for controlling the management of deposits.</p><p>We are committed to encouraging high standards of managem…
15 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for building the proposed two new prisons.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron,Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is asfollows:</p><p>The current aim, subject toplanning permission being granted at Low Moss and Addiewell and to thenecessary financial provision being approved…
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the proposal for a five-way merger of further education colleges in Glasgow.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive is committed to a world class further education sector which deliversthe maximum value for the record levels of funding now being invested. We lookto the colleges’ boards of management to work together, where possible, to identifyareas …
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the proposal for a review of the further education curriculum before a determination of the reconfiguration of college estates in Glasgow.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Issues relating to thecurriculum offered by further education colleges are a matter for their boardsof management and for the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC),which has overall responsibility for ensuring the adequate and efficientprovision …
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Further Education Funding Council about the future of further education in Glasgow.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive and the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC) are engagedin regular dialogue on a wide range of issues and developments across thefurther education sector in Scotland. Part of that dialogue involves the provision ofinformat…
11 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues in respect of the operation of court custody officers.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Officials in the JusticeDepartment are currently working with the police to produce operationalguidance on police custody and security officers. The Sheriffs Association andthe Scottish Courts Service will also be invited to comment on the terms of theguidanc…
11 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what services the National Services Division of the Common Services Agency funds at the Queen Mother's Hospital in Glasgow.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The national services whichNational Services Division funds at the hospitals on the Yorkhill site whichare relevant to the review of maternity services are:</p><p>Paediatric Cardiac Surgeryand Interventional Cardiology</p><p>Newborn Screening</p><p>Extra Corp…
11 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact of the closure of the Queen Mother's Hospital in Glasgow will be on services located at the hospital that are funded by the National Services Division of the Common Services Agency.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Information onthis point will be contained in National Services Division’s formal response tothe consultation process.</p>
11 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the National Services Division of the Common Services Agency has had with NHS Greater Glasgow regarding the impact of the closure of the Queen Mother's Hospital in Glasgow.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: National ServicesDivision has had informal discussions with NHS Greater Glasgow and has beenassured that the board’s plans will take account of their potential impact onthe national services provided at the Queen Mother’s Hospital.</p>
11 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations the National Services Division of the Common Services Agency made to NHS Greater Glasgow's review of maternity services.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: National ServicesDivision has not yet made a formal response to the consultation document, butintends to do so within the timeframe set for the consultation process.</p>
10 Dec 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received with regard to Greater Glasgow NHS Board's maternity services review.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The HealthDepartment has received a number of letters about NHS Greater Glasgow’s reviewof maternity services. These have been forwarded to the NHS board so that theviews expressed can be formally recorded and considered under the on-goingpublic consultation …
3 Dec 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the changes in telephone directory enquiry services have affected Scottish businesses.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Telecomsregulation is reserved. It is currently undertaken by Oftel and, from laterthis month, by OFCOM. Oftel introduced the changes to directory enquiryservices and a preliminary report on their effect is available on theregulator’s website. It is too early…
27 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to making representations to Her Majesty's Government about the proposal by the Refugee Scotland Project that open door hostel accommodation should be developed as an alternative to detention at Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre which would also allow the…
Answer · Margaret Curran: Asylum and immigrationmatters, including the detention of asylum seekers, are reserved. The HomeOffice is responsible for considering the suitability of alternatives toaccommodation in Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre. Useful discussionsbetween the Home Of…
26 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2078 by Ross Finnie on 9 September 2003, how it defines doorstep collection of household waste recycling.
Answer · Ross Finnie: “Doorstep collection” isanother term for kerbside collection. Annex B of the National Waste Plan describeskerbside segregated collection as “any regular collection of recyclable orcompostable materials from premises”. It excludes collection services delivered…
26 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2078 by Ross Finnie on 9 September 2003, what subsidy is being given to local authorities to implement household waste recycling targets.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-4439 on 10 December 2003. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/…
26 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question SW2-2078 by Ross Finnie on 9 September 2003, whether any pilot projects are in place, or are planned, with regard to household waste recycling.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Through the strategic waste fundall local authorities have already received funding to undertake householdwaste recycling projects. In addition, more than £230 million is available tolocal authorities over the next three years from the fund to enable localaut…
26 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2078 by Ross Finnie on 9 September 2003, what the reasons are for any differences in household waste recycling targets between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The National Waste Plan (Bib.Number. 26101) sets out our policies on sustainable waste management to 2020.Targets set out in the plan were established on the basis of the findings of 11Area Waste Plans, which determined the best practicable environmental opti…
26 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question SW2-2078 by Ross Finnie on 9 September 2003, what information it has on how the national targets for recycling household waste as outlined in A Partnership for A Better Scotland compare to the target in the Household Waste Recycling Act 2003 that by 2010…
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Household WasteRecycling Act 2003 requires English waste collection authorities, from 31December 2010, to make arrangements for the collection of at least two types ofrecyclable waste together or individually separated from the rest of thehousehold waste …
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will address underperformance in Scottish Qualifications Authority exams amongst pupils from areas with the highest poverty levels.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The National Priorities inEducation and the school improvement framework are the vehicles through whichwe work with education authorities and schools to seek improvement ineducational outcomes for all pupils. As part of the drive for improvement, allpublicly …
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to assist Glasgow City Council to improve Scottish Qualifications Agency exam performance amongst its pupils.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The National Priorities inEducation and the school improvement framework are the vehicles through whichwe work with education authorities and schools to help secure improvement. the Executive supports education authorities and schools to reflect upon howimpro…
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any added liability placed on a seller in the pilot sellers' survey schemes.
Answer · Margaret Curran: There are no plans to amendthe current common law principle of <i>caveat emptor </i>or “buyer beware”<i>.</i></p>