Parliamentary questions
Sandra White
1,617 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many disabled people over 40 have never worked, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The data requested is given intable 1. These figures are estimated from Labour Force Survey (LFS) data. The LFS,which is carried out by the Office for National Statistics, is the official sourceof employment and unemployment estimates.</p><p>The LFS has been …
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve dental health care among children aged around five years, in light of the findings of Monitoring Poverty and Social Exclusion in Scotland 2005 by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which stated that Glasgow had the worst dental decay among five-year-olds in the co…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: In 2004, surveys recorded the best ever oral health for five-year-olds in Scotland. Glasgow also recorded the best oral health ever for five-year-olds in 2004. Oral health is improving; the report from the Joseph Rowntree organisation, however, confirms the n…
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what research it plans to commission to examine why the trends in income poverty among disabled people appear to be rising.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: At present we have no plans tocommission research on the specific topic identified in the question. We do of courseclosely monitor research on poverty and disability undertaken in the wider researchcommunity, and the statistical trends relating to low income …
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to eradicate income poverty amongst working age disabled adults.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We are committed to tackling poverty and disadvantage among all groups and communities within Scotland.</p> <p>Through our Closing the Opportunity Gap approach we aim to: prevent individuals and families from falling into poverty; provide routes out of povert…
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the findings of Monitoring Poverty and Social Exclusion in Scotland 2005 by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, it is satisfied with the numbers of working age people, including disabled or lone parents and not officially registered as unemployed, who are unable to secure…
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive works with the UK Government to help more economically inactive people to take up job opportunities. Under Closing the Opportunity Gap we are setting a target to reduce the number of workless people, including the economically inactive,…
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to end discrimination against disabled people in Scotland who experience income poverty.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which is reserved to Westminster, protects disabled people from discrimination in employment, access to goods, facilities and services, the buying, renting or selling of land or property and education.</p> <p>The Disabi…
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the findings of Monitoring Poverty and Social Exclusion in Scotland 2005 by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, it has measured the total financial shortfall to the Scottish economy from not creating the right social, economic and employment environment to enable 200,000 …
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive has not measureddirectly any financial shortfall. The labour market has been improving since around1997 and we now have one of the highest employment rates in the EU and the OECD.Our <i>Framework for Economic Development in Scotland </i>is clear…
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the findings of Monitoring Poverty and Social Exclusion in Scotland 2005 by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, it has any concerns in respect of wage levels in Scotland.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive monitors earningsin Scotland through the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings producedby the Office for National Statistics. The latest publication showed that medianearnings in Scotland had increased at the second highest rate out of the 12stand…
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20684 by Mr Tom McCabe on 1 December 2005, which referred to the answer to question S2W-19841 which was not, at that point, available on the Parliament’s website, whether in future in these circumstances it will provide the member with a copy of the …
Answer · Margaret Curran: Parliamentary questions whichrefer to another question asked and, which is not yet on the Parliament’s websiteshould be sought from the Parliament’s Chamber Desk.</p>
29 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Lord Advocate has given advice in respect of the legal implications for Scottish public officials, including senior police officers, following the decision by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to use his legal powers under Article 52 of the European Convention on …
Answer · Elish Angiolini: The Scottish Executive does not generally disclose whether the advice of the Scottish Law Officers has been sought or obtained in relation to any particular matter. Any such advice would in any case be confidential. The request for information by the Secretar…
29 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Lord Advocate has clarified the legal implications of the activation of Article 52 of the European Convention on Human Rights to investigate the deprivation of liberty resulting from the conduct of officials of foreign agencies in respect of alleged rendition flights landing i…
Answer · Elish Angiolini: A request by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in terms of Article 52 is directed to national government, as a party to the Convention. As indicated in my previous answer to question S2W-21211 on 14 December 2005, the Scottish Executive will of c…
29 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty’s Government in respect of the use of rendition flights by foreign agencies, in particular the CIA, through Scottish airports, given reports that prisoners may be being transported to torture and detention camps and the potential impact of t…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-20910 on 7 December 2005. All answers to written questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search">…
29 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been asked to supply any details or information to either the UK Government or the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in respect of any potential breach of the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to rendition flights through Scottish airports.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive has not been asked to supply any information in relation to rendition flights to either the UK Government or the Council of Europe.</p>
29 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe’s decision to use his powers under Article 52 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to launch a formal inquiry into the use of rendition flights and in light of reports that terrorist suspects may have been se…
Answer · Elish Angiolini: While the Lord Advocate and the police have a duty to uphold the European Convention on Human Rights, their responsibility is for the investigation of crimes under Scots law. Torture, an attempt to commit torture, or conspiracy to commit torture are crimes pu…
28 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the performance of the Lord Advocate’s office is monitored.
Answer · Colin Boyd: The Lord Advocate is accountable to the Scottish Parliament, along with other Scottish ministers and consistent with the relevant provisions of the Scotland Act 1998. The act makes particular provision at sections 27 and 48 in relation to the Law Officers.</p…
28 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated in each year since 2002 to provide specialist workers and professionals to help integrate new immigrants and asylum seekers into the community.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Since 2002, the Scottish Executive has allocated the following amounts in core grant fund to the Scottish Refugee Council, including funding for professionals and specialist workers providing advice and integration opportunities to asylum seekers in their com…
28 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information is available to asylum seekers and new immigrants to encourage them to become involved in community groups.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: This information is not held centrally.</p> <p>Since 2003 the Executive has funded over 50 projects through the Equality Unit’s Scottish Refugee Integration fund. The provision of information to asylum seekers and refugees on local community groups or activit…
28 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities in the last 12 months in respect of the integration of services for asylum seekers and new immigrants.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive wrote to all Scottish local authorities on 4 October 2005 inviting them to develop appropriate language plans for the communities they serve. The letter drew attention to national policy in respect of service provision for speakers and users of …
28 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from Labour MPs in respect of future funding for Positive Action in Housing.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Minister for Communitieshas received one letter from Tom Harris MP, member for Glasgow South, requestinginformation about the funding of Positive Action in Housing from the Scottish Executive.Full information on funding policy, grants made and monitoring …
21 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish Prison Service and other relevant agencies, including the police, monitor the treatment and welfare of prisoners being transported or held at Scottish airports to ensure that no crimes are committed in Scotland.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Individuals being transported via a Scottish airport between a prison in Scotland and custody elsewhere the United Kingdom are escorted in Scotland by Reliance Custodial Services (RCS).</p> <p>The contract for the Prisoner Escorting and Court Custody Services…
21 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty’s Government with regard to the use of Scottish airports for the transporting of US prisoners from US detention centres to countries where they might be subjected to torture.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: My officials have discussed with UK Departments the allegations that Scottish airports have been used for the transportation of US prisoners to countries where they might be subjected to torture. UK officials have confirmed that Her Majesty’s Government is no…
21 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been notified that flights carrying US prisoners to countries where they might be subjected to torture are landing at Scottish airports for refuelling and, if so, when.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive is aware of the allegations that have been made on this issue. However, the Executive has not been notified that flights carrying US prisoners to countries where they might be subjected to torture are landing at Scottish airports.</p>
15 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the total known costs of administering and policing the G8 summit at Gleneagles in July 2005.
Answer · Tom McCabe: I refer the member to the to question S2W-19841 answered on 1 December 2005. 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/we…
15 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many Freedom of information requests it has received since 1 January 2005, broken down by (a) department and (b) division.
Answer · Margaret Curran: Between 1 January 2005 and 31 October 2005, the Scottish Executive received and recorded centrally 1,562 Freedom of Information requests. A breakdown of the number of requests received by department is provided in our six-monthly report, the first of which is…
15 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has communicated with the Home Office in respect of a legal requirement to have Disclosure Scotland certificates for Home Office officials directly involved in the deportation of children of asylum seekers and, if so, when it last did so.
Answer · Robert Brown: The Executive has not communicated with the Home Office about disclosure certificates for officials involved in the removal of asylum seekers. It is for the Home Office, as the employer, to decide whether disclosure checks are required.</p>
15 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any communications from Disclosure Scotland during the last year in respect of disclosure certificates for Home Office officials working in Scotland.
Answer · Robert Brown: The Executive has received no communication from Disclosure Scotland about disclosure certificates for Home Office officials during the last year. Disclosure Scotland would not normally be expected to inform the Scottish Executive about checks it carries out.…
15 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) have had independent auditors and consultants brought in by the Executive to scrutinise datasets generated by the NDPBs in each year since 2002.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The information requested is not held centrally. All statutory non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are subject to scrutiny by the Auditor General for Scotland (AGS). The use of consultants by NDPBs is a matter for individual bodies to consider within their…
15 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its officials were directly involved, either in a monitoring or consultative role, during raids to remove the children of asylum seekers living in Scotland in each year since 2002.
Answer · Robert Brown: None.</p>
15 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities in respect of the provision of housing for people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in each year since 2002.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p> <p>I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-20676 on 28 November 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on …
15 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors support services provided by the public sector for people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: As this information is neither collected or collated centrally the Scottish Executive does not monitor support services for people from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.</p>