Parliamentary questions
Rhoda Grant
2,396 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers to be the right balance between formative and summative assessment.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28939 on 26 November 2009. 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/App…
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the role of formative assessment in primary schools and in informing and reassuring parents regarding their children’s development and progress.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the strategic vision for assessment published on 24 September:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence/assessmentandachievement/index.asp">http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence/assessmentanda…
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that parents can have confidence in the new system replacing assessment levels A to F in the 5 to 14 curriculum.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28939 on 26 November 2009. 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/Ap…
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that parents are sufficiently informed about the planned changes to assessment and learning levels.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: It is the responsibility of local authorities, schools and headteachers to support the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence by identifying priorities and providing opportunities for parents to learn about the changes to the education system.</p> <p >…
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the replacement of the assessment levels A to F in the 5 to 14 curriculum reduces expectations on primary schools.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28939 on 26 November 2009. 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/App…
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what benchmarks teachers will be encouraged to use to give parents feedback on their children’s progress and performance prior to the end of P4.
Answer · Michael Russell: Teachers will apply the standards and expectations set out in the curriculum guidance and the strategic vision for assessment which my predecessor published on 24 September 2009 at all stages, including prior to the end of P4.</p> <p ><a href="http://www.lt…
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers an assessment of pupils’ progress and ability prior to the end of P4 unnecessary.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28941 on 7 December 2009. 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/App…
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the replacement of the existing levels A to F in the 5 to 14 curriculum by two wider levels of measuring attainment will raise standards in primary schools.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Yes. Within Curriculum for Excellence progression up to the end of S3 will be through curriculum levels early, first, second, third and fourth, paving the way for work towards qualifications in the senior phase at the SCQF level appropriate to the needs and a…
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the replacement of existing levels A to F in the 5 to 14 curriculum by two wider levels at primary stages will have an effect on rigour or on the raising of aspiration in primary schools.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28939 on 26 November 2009. 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/App…
3 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether people with anorexia nervosa are given bone-strengthening medication as part of their treatment.
Answer · Shona Robison: Decisions on treatment options rest primarily with the clinician, in consultation with the individual, and where appropriate, the carer and family. Treatments will be based on a through assessment and tailored to the needs of the individual to achieve the bes…
3 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether people with anorexia nervosa are routinely screened for osteoporosis.
Answer · Shona Robison: The NHS Quality Improvement Scotland''s <i >Eating Disorders in Scotland Recommendations for the Management and Treatment</i> highlight the importance of both tailored physical assessments and the need for DXA scans to estimate bone density which can be an in…
3 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how long the waiting list is for each centre offering specialist care to people with anorexia nervosa.
Answer · Shona Robison: Specialist NHS inpatient care is provided by the Eden Unit at the Royal Cornhill Hospital Aberdeen which serves north of Scotland NHS boards and under contract with the independent providers at The Priory, Glasgow and Edinburgh Huntercombe Hospitals which ser…
3 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in which NHS board areas specialist care for people with anorexia nervosa is offered.
Answer · Shona Robison: All NHS board areas provide a range of specialist inpatient and community-based care for people with anorexia nervosa, either directly or through arrangements with the independent sector.</p> <p >The Eden Unit, which is a specialist NHS eating disorder inpat…
3 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what public authorities offer staff the opportunity to donate blood at organised group sessions and whether such staff continue to be paid while taking time to donate blood.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), which organises and collects blood donations, currently works with a number of, but not all, public authorities, including fire and police organisations, local councils, universities, colleges and hospi…
1 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what standard of staffing and equipment is required for a designated accident and emergency unit.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The staffing and equipment required to run an accident and emergency unit is a matter for NHS boards and varies depending on the size of the unit and the number of attendees. A wide range of health professionals, which includes consultants, doctors, nurses an…
1 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been issued to NHS boards regarding working with schools and parents on young people's health.
Answer · Shona Robison: A significant amount of guidance has been issued to NHS boards regarding working with schools and parents on young people''s health. This includes guidance, which may not be primarily addressed to NHS boards but requires them to work in partnership with local…
1 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22474 by Shona Robison on 27 April 2009, what the timescale is for every NHS board area to have an orthoptist pre-school screening programme in.
Answer · Shona Robison: As stated in my previous answer, a date has not been specified. The NHS boards who have not yet introduced an orthoptist pre-school screening programme are working towards doing so, or towards introducing a programme supervised by an orthoptist or an optometr…
1 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W–22473 by Shona Robison on 27 April 2009, what plans it has to ensure that NHS Highland has an orthoptist pre-school screening programme in place.
Answer · Shona Robison: Scottish Government Officials are in contact with NHS Highland to monitor the situation and expect to receive an update from NHS Highland in the next few weeks.</p> <p >The Scottish Government Health Directorates will issue a Chief Executive Letter (CEL) in …
1 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22472 by Shona Robison on 27 April 2009, what plans it has to ensure that NHS Highland is fully compliant with the report, health for all children 4: Guidance on Implementation in Scotland.
Answer · Shona Robison: The work to address the variation in implementation of certain aspects of health for all children 4 across Scotland continues. This includes NHS Highland. The Scottish Government Health Directorate will issue a Chief Executive Letter (CEL) in late 2009 to rei…
30 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason there were no actual sales under the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme in (a) Orkney, (b) Shetland, (c) the Western Isles and (d) Argyll and Bute in 2008-09.
Answer · Alex Neil: There were no sales under the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme in Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and Argyll and Bute in 2008-09 as these areas were not included in the pilot at that time.</p>
30 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason there were no new supply shared equity completions in Argyll and Bute in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09.
Answer · Alex Neil: My previous answer to the question S3W-27821 on 28 September 2009, has been revised as there had been new supply shared equity completions in Argyll and Bute in 2007-08 and 2008-09. In 2007-08, there were 39 new supply shared equity properties completed. In 2…
30 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason there were no new supply shared equity completions in the Western Isles in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09.
Answer · Alex Neil: New supply shared equity is one mechanism available to support first-time buyers. Housing completions in the Western Isles in 2007-08 and 2008-09 reflect the strategic priorities of the local authority, as set out in its Local Housing Strategy. This saw inves…
30 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason no new supply shared equity houses in Shetland (a) were completed in 2007-08 and (b) are estimated to be completed in 2009-10.
Answer · Alex Neil: New supply shared equity is one mechanism available to support first-time buyers. Housing completions in Shetland in 2007-08 and 2009-10 reflect the strategic priorities of the local authority, as set out in its Local Housing Strategy. This saw investment tar…
30 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason no new supply shared equity houses in Orkney (a) were completed in (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09 and (b) are estimated to be completed in 2009-10.
Answer · Alex Neil: New supply shared equity is one mechanism available to support first-time buyers. Housing completions in Orkney in 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 reflect the strategic priorities of the local authority, as set out in its Local Housing Strategy. This saw investm…
30 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason no council houses in the Highlands and Islands parliamentary constituencies (a) were completed in 2007-08 and (b) are anticipated to be completed in 2009-10.
Answer · Alex Neil: Local authorities provide statistical returns to the Scottish Government on a quarterly basis. The returns from 2007-08 show that there were no council house completions.</p> <p >The statistical returns for 2009-10, from local authorities, will provide deta…
30 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the take-up rate was for (a) new supply shared equity or shared ownership homes, (b) open market shared equity homes and (c) rural home ownership grants in the Highlands and Islands region under the (i) Homestake Open Market Pilot and (ii) Low-cost Initiative for First-Time Buyers sc…
Answer · Alex Neil: The following table shows the number of unit approvals in a financial year for (a) new supply shared or shared ownership (b) open market shared equity and (c) rural home ownership grants in the Highlands and Islands since 1992-93.</p> <table border=1 cellsp…
30 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27284 by Alex Neil on 23 September 2009, when it expects to make a decision on the future of the Open Market Shared Equity Pilot scheme.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government committed to a one year temporary expansion of the Open Market Shared Equity Pilot scheme and this is being successfully delivered. We plan to carry out an independent evaluation of the Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT) …
30 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of funding was in (a) 1999-00, (b) 2000-01, (c) 2001-02, (d) 2002-03, (e) 2003-04, (f) 2004-05, (g) 2005-06, (h) 2006-07 and (i) 2007-08 for affordable housing projects in the Highlands and Islands region.
Answer · Alex Neil: Nearly £260 million of grant funding from the Affordable Housing Investment Programme has been invested in the four Local Authorities in the Highlands and Islands, namely Highland Council, Orkney Island Council, Shetland Islands Council and Comhairle nan Eile…
28 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives are in place to encourage people to give blood.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service launched a new, integrated marketing strategy in June 2008. This has already led to an increase of 70,000 new donors and the return of 40,000 donors. The service is working with management in the private and pub…
28 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports blood donors being paid time off work to give blood.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government supports the World Health Organization advice that blood donation should be based on the altruistic principle of voluntary, unpaid donation as the cornerstone of blood safety. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service works close…