Parliamentary questions
Sandra White
1,617 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Feb 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the optimal working capacity for maternity hospitals is considered to be.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: NHS boards are responsible fordesigning healthcare services, including acute maternity services, to meet the needsof the populations for which they are responsible. Services are expected to meetquality and other standards established by NHS Quality Improvemen…
12 Feb 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its predictions are for population growth and subsequent numbers of births in Glasgow.
Answer · George Lyon: Information on Glasgow’s projectedfuture population, and the projected number of births in the city, is availablefrom the General Register Office for Scotland’s website through the following link:</p><p><ahref="http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/librar…
12 Feb 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many births there were in Glasgow in each year since 1999.
Answer · George Lyon: The information available isgiven in the following table.</p><p>Live Births, Glasgow City, 1999-2005</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td nowrap valign=bottom> <p>1999</p> </td> <td nowrap valign=bottom> <p align=center>…
12 Feb 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the decision to decrease the capacity of Glasgow’s maternity services, given that the decision was based on declining population predictions whereas current figures show an increase in population.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The agreed strategy for maternityservices will see services currently provided at the Queen Mother’s Hospital transferredto the Southern General Maternity Unit and the Princess Royal Maternity Unit. Capacityat both of these sites will be increased to handle t…
12 Feb 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the increase in migrants from Poland and elsewhere in Eastern Europe was taken into account when deciding that two maternity units were needed in Glasgow.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clydeadvise me that they undertook a detailed review of birth projections before theboard made the decision to move from three to two maternity units. This work whichwas carried out in partnership with the Registrar General’s Office, t…
12 Feb 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what increase in demand for maternity services in Glasgow is predicted as a result of centralisation of services and the downgrading of consultant units in outlying areas to midwife-led units.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde advise methat no increase in demand for maternity services is anticipated as a result ofproposed service changes in Glasgow or elsewhere.</p>
6 Feb 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many fatal accidents have occurred at Castle Craig Hospital since 1999, broken down by recorded cause of death.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: This information is not heldcentrally.</p>
6 Feb 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many referrals have been made to Castle Craig Hospital since 1999, broken down by NHS board area and showing the clinical reasons for referral.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: We do not hold centrally thenumber of referrals to Castle Craig Hospital.</p>
31 Jan 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Justice will meet parents whose son died, having been wrongly prescribed methadone, to discuss their concerns about the operation of fatal accident inquiries and the legal basis of methadone prescribing guidelines.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Firstly, I would like to expressmy sympathy to the family for their loss. Decisionson prescribing any form of treatment, including methadone, are ultimately ones fora clinician after considering the circumstances of the patient. The guidelines whichunderpin t…
25 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why families and children have been left without care provision if contingency measures to address potential care disruption were in place to ensure continuity of services through providers other than One Plus.
Answer · Des McNulty: The Executive worked closelywith local authorities to ensure there was scope for contingency plans to be putin place. Some disruption was inevitable in the circumstances surrounding the liquidationof One Plus but I would like to congratulate local authorities…
25 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it first discussed contingency measures for families and children affected by potential care disruption with those local authorities that work with One Plus.
Answer · Des McNulty: The Executive drew the attentionof local authorities to the possible need for contingency measures in mid December2006. Local authorities were contacted on 14 December 2006 or shortly thereafter.</p>
25 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what contingency measures for families and children affected by potential care disruption it developed with those local authorities that work with One Plus.
Answer · Des McNulty: The Executive worked with localauthorities to ensure that they had an opportunity to consider what contingencymeasures would be appropriate. The contingency measures put in place by each localauthority varied, but in the main concentrated on whether alternati…
25 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has appointed KPMG to carry out an independent investigation into the accounts of One Plus and, if so, what the cost of the investigation is estimated to be.
Answer · Des McNulty: No. KPMG has been appointed byOne Plus as the liquidator.</p>
25 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its reasons were for refusing to provide the additional funding requested by One Plus.
Answer · Des McNulty: The Executive gave careful considerationto the proposal of 9 January 2007 from One Plus for a refinancing of the company.</p><p>The key factors in arriving ata decision on the refinancing were whether it was a proper role for the Executiveto support One Plus …
25 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it became aware that One Plus was experiencing financial difficulties.
Answer · Des McNulty: The Executive first became awareof possible financial difficulties at One Plus on 7 December 2006.</p>
25 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been provided to One Plus in each financial year since 2000-01.
Answer · Des McNulty: Payments made to One Plus bythe Scottish Executive since 2000-01 are listed as follows:</p><p>European Structural Funds(ESF) (Objective 3 ESF programme, Objective 2 West ESF programme, European Regional Development Fund programme)Payments to One Plus</p><tabl…
22 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-30550 by Cathy Jamieson on 19 January 2007, whether the Minister for Justice will meet residents of Milton, Glasgow, to discuss the current situation in that area.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: As stated in the answer to questionS2W-30550 on 19 January 2007, the Executive is fully committed to working withthe Scottish police service and other partners to reduce violence within everycommunity in Scotland. The specific issues facing the community in M…
22 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what reasons it has been given for the closure of the Chirnsyde Community Initiative.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster,Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>A report to Glasgow City Council’sExecutive Committee on 8 December 2006 outlines the reasons for closure of the Initiative. Thisreport is ava…
22 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in ensuring replacement community facilities for the Milton area, in light of the closure of Chirnsyde Community Initiative.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is asfollows:</p><p>As owner of the premisesformerly hosting the Chirnsyde Community Initiative and majority funder of allactivities delivered there, Glasgow City…
22 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-30545 by Rhona Brankin in 18 January 2007, whether it considers it appropriate that, if allegations of malpractice come to light which in turn could lead to the withholding of a grant to a local authority, the local authority responsible for administ…
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is asfollows:</p><p>As the accountable body, thelocal authority is responsible for disbursing Community Regeneration Fund grantto organisations. Since the local a…
22 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-30545 by Rhona Brankin on 18 January 2007, whether it will give details of what is meant by “if allegations of malpractice in these groups come to light”.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster,Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>Under the terms and conditionsof the Community Regeneration Fund the grant recipient (local authority) is requiredto submit a full written rep…
22 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-30545 by Rhona Brankin on 18 January 2007, whether it will detail and explain those terms and conditions of Community Regeneration Fund grants that include the provision to withhold grants from local authorities if any allegations of malpractice come…
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is asfollows:</p><p>Full terms and conditionsassociated with the Community Regeneration Fund are published on CommunitiesScotland’s website <a href="http://www.co…
22 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much Glasgow City Council has received through the Community Regeneration Fund and other funds for investment in community groups and how the council has allocated this money, broken down by fund and group.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is asfollows:</p><p>The Community RegenerationFund and associated Community Voices Programme are allocated to communityplanning partnerships, not local authoritie…
22 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-30545 by Rhona Brankin on 18 January 2007, whether it will detail the various funds it provides to local authorities and community planning partners for investment in community groups, also indicating how it monitors how the funding is subsequently a…
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is asfollows:</p><p>Local authorities and CommunityPlanning Partnerships (CPPs) do not receive funding from the Scottish Executivefor investment exclusively in co…
22 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-30544 by Rhona Brankin on 18 January 2007, why it has not made any representations to Glasgow City Council regarding the administration of the Chirnsyde Community Initiative.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is asfollows:</p><p>The administration ofChirnsyde Community Initiative is a matter for Glasgow City Council. Locally,Communities Scotland in their role as Board …
22 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-30546 by Rhona Brankin on 18 January 2007, whether it will provide a breakdown of the investigations carried out into the Chirnsyde Initiative over the last five years and their outcomes.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is asfollows:</p><p>Administration of theChirnsyde Community Initiative is a matter for Glasgow City Council. Allinvestigations into the Initiative over the past …
12 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of all correspondence it has had with the UK Government in respect of Glasgow Housing Association, broken down by year and subject matter.
Answer · Des McNulty: This information is not heldcentrally. The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionatecost.</p>
12 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of all correspondence it has had with the European Parliament in respect of Glasgow Housing Association, broken down by year and subject matter.
Answer · Des McNulty: According to our records, the Scottish Executive has not had any correspondence with the European Parliament regardingGlasgow Housing Association. The European Parliament has not contacted the ScottishExecutive regarding petition number 0863/2005.</p>
12 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it received the administrative inquiry directly from the European Commission regarding European Parliament petition 0863/2005 in respect of the commercial properties acquired by Glasgow Housing Association or whether this request was forwarded from another UK body and, if so, from…
Answer · Des McNulty: The European Commission sendsall administrative inquiries to the United Kingdom Representation to the EuropeanUnion.</p>
12 Jan 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a copy of its reply and any other documents that it submitted to the European Commission relating to the administrative inquiry from the Commission regarding European Parliament petition 0863/2005 in respect of the commercial properties acquired by Glasgow Housing …
Answer · Des McNulty: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-31002 on 24 January 2007. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the search facilityfor which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…