Pauline McNeill

20 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide statistics on the incidence of cancer in the west of Scotland as compared to the rest of Scotland.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Comparative cancer incidence by health board areas for the years 1988 to 1997 is available for 26 cancer sites on ISD online at<P><A HREF="http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/cancer/cancer.htm"><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2>http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/cancer/canc…

20 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give consideration to standardisation of the Easter school holidays across Scotland to avoid annual variance in the length of the summer term given the adverse impact current arrangements may have on pupils from different year groups and local authorities sitting examinati…

Answer · Jack McConnell: Following representations received about different dates set in different areas, officials wrote to authorities in February last year to ask how holidays were currently co-ordinated between authorities and what could be done to improve liaison in the future. …

19 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the inquiries arising from the Chhokar case to report.

Answer · Colin Boyd: In my statement to the Parliament on 29 November 2000 I indicated that Dr Raj Jandoo had been asked to submit his report into the family liaison arrangements by April this year. I did not indicate a timescale for Sir Anthony Campbell's inquiry into the profes…

12 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12876 by Mr Jim Wallace on 9 February 2001, whether the number of Catholic prisoners is proportionate to the number of Catholics in Scotland.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<FONT FACE="Arial"><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">There are approximately 800,000 Roman Catholics (17%) residing in Scotland.<P>There are 1,621 Roman Catholic…

12 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the consultation on the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy and Funding, has been held at a time which maximises institutions' ability to respond and whether the dissemination of t…

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The council's intention to carry out a fundamental review of its policies and methods of funding research was announced in March 1999. The early announcement was intended to give higher education institutions and other interested parties an opportunity to pla…

12 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in what way the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy and Funding, promote an inclusive approach to public policy.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15062.

12 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made or plans to make to the proposal in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy and Funding, that those areas of research that receive a quality rating i…

Answer · Wendy Alexander: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15062.

12 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy and Funding, the funding levels of more traditional subjects such as law will be maintained a…

Answer · Wendy Alexander: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15062.

12 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether and, if so, to what extent, the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy and Funding, favour the more traditional subjects such as law at older u…

Answer · Wendy Alexander: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15062.

12 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy and Funding, will have on the regeneration of the economy.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15062.

12 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the proposals contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's consultation paper on the future recurrent funding of research in universities, Review of Research Policy and Funding, will have on the research base.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: SHEFC is now considering the responses to its consultation process, and it would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment at this stage. I have asked SHEFC to discuss its proposals with the Executive at the conclusion of the review; and to provide appropr…

12 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #15 million funding package to expand the use of information and communication technology each further and higher education institution will receive.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The allocation to further and higher education institutions of the £15 million being made available over the next three years is a matter for the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Councils.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>The specific allocations to H…

10 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to report on hutters following consultation on its research paper, Huts and Hutting in Scotland.

Answer · Iain Gray: The Executive published its consultation paper on 15 December 2000, inviting views on whether, in principle, the Executive should seek to promote legislation to give greater protection to hutters and the detailed provisions required if legislation were to be …

3 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects criminal record certificates under Part V of the Police Act 1997 to be available.

Answer · Jim Wallace: We are aiming to align as closely as possible the start date in Scotland with that in England and Wales and we now expect the certificates to become available here from 1 January 2002 following full and proper testing of the systems being put in place to proc…

2 Apr 2001 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what steps are being taken to ensure an adequate supply of Gaelic medium teachers.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The supply of Gaelic medium teachers continues to be a priority for Scottish Ministers. The Executive asked SHEFC to pursue ways to increase the supply of Gaelic-medium teachers for introduction in academic session 2001-2002. SHEFC have responded by allocatin…

26 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Greater Glasgow Health Board or have been made to it by the Board regarding any shortage of intensive care beds at Yorkhill Children's Hospital in Glasgow and what action is being taken to address any such shortage.

Answer · Susan Deacon: It is primarily for Yorkhill NHS Trust and Greater Glasgow Health Board, as the local service providers, to put in place the necessary facilities to meet the needs of the local population.<P>In addition, at a national level on 17 April I announced the creatio…

26 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when Scottish Homes will consult on their options appraisal for stock transfer in Anderston, Glasgow and how many tenants and how many owner-occupiers will be consulted.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: Scottish Homes has established an Options Appraisal Group to consider future options for this stock. Membership of the group, which first meets tomorrow, will include Scottish Homes, the Anderston Tenants &amp; Residents Association and individual tenants and…

26 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available to owner occupiers in former Scottish Homes housing in Anderston, Glasgow who are now facing bills of up to #35,000 over 30 years as their share of common maintenance costs in the Scottish Homes stock transfer.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: Responsibility for meeting the costs rests with the owners in the first instance. However we recognise that in the circumstances surrounding the Glasgow stock transfer the owners may require some assistance and the Framework Agreement states that a package of…

26 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to support charities and voluntary organisations in relation to water and sewerage charges.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Phasing in of water charges to all organisations affected by the decision to withdraw reliefs is being made over a period of 5 years. <P>Additionally, the water authorities have offered to install water meters free where this will reduce costs. This should ha…

23 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances it can give to passengers on the Glasgow Underground that the lines will be cleared of debris and that services will return to normal as quickly as possible, following a derailment on 22 March 2001.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The operation of the Glasgow Underground railway system is the responsibility of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive (SPTE). I understand that SPTE reinstated full services on 29 March.

18 Mar 2001 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the report of the review of licensing laws will take into account the Scottish Executive's strategy for tackling binge drinking.

Answer · Jack McConnell: Sheriff Principal Nicholson's Committee are reviewing the licensing laws. They will consider health and public issues, and I have no doubt they will take account of the Executive's Action Plan on Alcohol problems.

28 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken or plans to take to ensure that car parking at Glasgow Royal Infirmary does not desecrate in any way the North Burial Ground.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: This is a matter for North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust.

28 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the development of the Partick interchange remains on target for completion by the end of 2002.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The development of the Partick Interchange is a matter for Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (SPTA). SPTA currently estimates that the project will be completed in December 2002.

28 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what role it has had in the discussions between Railtrack plc and the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority over the legal ownership of the Partick interchange.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive has no role in the discussions between Railtrack PLC and the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority about ownership of the Partick Interchange, which is entirely a matter for the two parties concerned.

28 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the #7.5 million funding for the redevelopment of the Partick interchange.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Partick Interchange project is a matter for the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (SPTA). SPTA was awarded £3.5 million from the Public Transport Fund with the remainder of the funding to be met by SPTA and Railtrack.

27 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what partnership work Scottish Enterprise Glasgow is undertaking to support emerging and existing social firms.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Our strategy document <I>A Smart Successful Scotland</I> sets out that Scottish Enterprise has a key role in supporting the social economy by providing quality information and business development support.<P>Scottish Enterprise Glasgow co-funded Social Firms …

27 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving for setting up social firms.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Support for setting up social firms is available through the European Social Fund, administered in Scotland by the Scottish Executive.<P>Scottish Enterprise (SEn) has a key role in supporting the social economy by providing quality information and business de…

27 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many social firms or emerging social firms exist in (a) Scotland, (b) Glasgow and (c) Glasgow Kelvin.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: In Scotland it is estimated that there are 10 social firms and 15 emerging social firms.<P>There are three emerging social firms in Glasgow, one of which is located in Glasgow Kelvin.

27 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #150,000 announced by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 20 February 2001 for school Public/Private Partnerships in Glasgow will be spent on St Thomas Aquinas High School.

Answer · Jack McConnell: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13720.

27 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #150,000 announced by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs on 20 February 2001 for school Public/Private Partnerships in Glasgow will be spent on Notre Dame High School.

Answer · Jack McConnell: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13720.