Parliamentary questions
Sandra White
1,617 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
14 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues on the treatment of sufferers of dyslexia.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive has issued guidance on educational provision and support for pupils with special educational needs, including dyslexia. The guidance, Circular ED 4/96 <EM>Children and Young Persons with Special Educational Needs - Assessment and Record…
14 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues on the prescribing of drugs to treat sufferers of dyslexia.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Medicines Control Agency, the UK medicines regulatory authority, has confirmed that there are no medicines licensed in the UK for the treatment of dyslexia.
10 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it has had with EU Commissioners concerning the compliance of the Glasgow housing stock transfer proposals with EU law.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The Commission has written to the Executive for further information so that an evaluation can be made into the allegation that financial assistance to the Glasgow Housing Association failed to comply with EU legislation. The UK Government has responded indica…
7 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to introducing business improvement districts in its review of Scotland's cities.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) was one of a number of issues raised during the course of the Cities Review. The review's recommendations and report will be published in the autumn. <P>We indicated, in our response to the Local Government Committee's Re…
21 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what priority it gives in its education budget to providing sprung flooring for school halls and gymnasiums.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The annual allocation to local authorities of consent to incur capital expenditure is a general consent for expenditure on their non-housing capital programmes, including education. The consent is distributed amongst authorities on the basis of a formula agre…
21 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-24436 by Ms Margaret Curran on 16 May 2002, when the investigation into the transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock transfer in relation to compliance with EU laws will be completed; whether this investigation will affect the timescale for t…
Answer · Margaret Curran: It is not possible at this stage to give a specific indication, either when the investigation will be complete or what the possible consequences might be.
21 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-24436 by Ms Margaret Curran on 16 May 2002, what issues in respect of Glasgow City Council's housing stock transfer in relation to compliance with EU laws are under investigation and what the nature of the investigation is.
Answer · Margaret Curran: A number of implied challenges have been made suggesting that the Glasgow housing transfer will not comply with competition or procurement law. The investigation involves ascertaining all of the potentially relevant facts and relevant law and consideration of…
16 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether many voluntary organisations in Glasgow may face financial ruin if required to pay commercial rents for properties let from Glasgow City Council and whether it can provide any guarantees that voluntary organisations will not be adversely affected following the Glasgow housing stoc…
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-25948.
16 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what rent protection will be in place for voluntary organisations leasing commercial properties at a discounted price from Glasgow City Council if these properties transfer to the Glasgow Housing Association and whether such protection will be legally binding.
Answer · Margaret Curran: As indicated in the answer given to question S1W-24649 on 13 May 2002, the Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) will take over the existing leases of all the commercial properties transferring as part of the housing transfer. The terms of future leases will be a…
16 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S1W-24584, lodged on 27 March 2002.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-24436 on 16 May 2002.
16 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S1W-24436, lodged on 25 March 2002.
Answer · Margaret Curran: Question S1W-24436 was answered on 16 May 2002.
16 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S1W-24585, lodged on 27 March 2002.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-24436 on 16 May 2002.
16 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities contribute to the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority and how much each local authority contributed in the most recent year for which figures are available.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The 12 local authorities that contribute to the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority, and the sums contributed in 2001-02 are listed in the following table:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=293><TR><TD WIDTH="61%" VALIGN="TOP"><P>Constituen…
1 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the review of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
Answer · Peter Peacock: I understand that the independent task group set up to review the licensing provisions contained in the 1982 act will shortly be consulting on its emerging findings prior to reporting to ministers with their recommendations later this year. Furthermore, the n…
1 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what main areas are under consideration in the review of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Firstly, the various licensing provisions are being reviewed by the independent task group who will be consulting on its emerging findings shortly with a view to reporting to ministers later this year with any recommendations for legislative change. Secondly,…
1 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23745 by Peter Peacock on 17 April 2002, which groups and individuals the independent task group reviewing the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 has consulted.
Answer · Peter Peacock: In reviewing the licensing provisions of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 it is for the independent task group to determine what consultations are required in the context of their deliberations. However, by consulting on their emerging findings, the t…
1 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who serves on the independent task group reviewing the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The members of the independent task group reviewing the licensing provisions of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 are:<P>Ms Leslie Evans, Chair and Head of Local Government Constitution and Governance Division within the Scottish Executive;<P>Chief Sup…
1 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the independent task group reviewing the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The remit of the task group is to re-examine the principles and mechanisms of licensing as they are set out in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, and, having done so, review the existing provisions and any proposals for change submitted to the Scottish…
17 Apr 2002 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the proposed boundary revision at Braehead will impact on job opportunities in the area.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The proposed boundary change at Braehead will have no direct effect on job opportunities in the area.
2 Apr 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Glasgow housing stock transfer includes the transfer of commercial properties held by Glasgow City Council to the Glasgow Housing Association.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The Glasgow housing transfer will include some shops and offices currently held on the Housing Revenue Account.
28 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the leasing of commercial properties by Glasgow City Council will be affected by the proposed Glasgow housing stock transfer.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The Glasgow Housing Association intends to take over the leases of those commercial properties which are transferring as part of the housing stock transfer.
27 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the view of Her Majesty's Government in respect of the application of EU procurement rules to large-scale voluntary transfer, set out in Arms Length Management of Local Authority Housing - A Consultation Paper in December 2000 and whether any procurement of Glasgo…
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-24436.
27 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive (a) whether it considered the application of EU rules on state aid and competition before announcing its decision to make up to #300 million available to the Glasgow Housing Association in repayable grant and (b) whether its decision complies with those rules.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-24436.
25 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed transfer of Glasgow City Council's housing stock complies with EU laws on competition, public procurement, monopolies and state aid.
Answer · Margaret Curran: A number of questions have been raised in respect of EU laws, these are currently being investigated.
6 Mar 2002 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-22024 by Ms Margaret Curran on 28 February 2002, which project was closed down and what the reason was for this action.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The CHEAF project, based in Milton, Glasgow was closed because it was unable to find suitable premises. CHEAF aimed to provide training, counselling and diversionary activities for 12 to 25-year-olds.
5 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration was given in the review of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to changes in the laws concerning entertainment licences.
Answer · Jim Wallace: An independent task group was set up to review all the licensing provisions contained in the act, including those relating to places of public entertainment. I understand the group will shortly be consulting widely on their emerging findings.
5 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given in the review of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to changes in the law relating to the consumption of alcohol on licensed premises.
Answer · Jim Wallace: None. A separate review of Scottish liquor licensing law is being conducted at present by an independent committee representing relevant interests, under the chairmanship of Sheriff Principal Gordon Nicholson. It is expected the committee will report early in…
5 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given in the review of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to changes in the law relating to planning.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, does not include provisions relating to land use planning.<P>However, the Executive is currently conducting a review of the legislative and administrative arrangements for strategic planning. This review is likely to …
5 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 review group will be published.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The independent task group, set up by ministers to review the licensing provisions contained in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, will consult on their emerging findings shortly. It is anticipated that the task group will report to ministers with its …
28 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to instigating an investigation into the operation of sunbed parlours following recent reports linking them with criminal activities.
Answer · Jim Wallace: This is a matter for the police, who will rigorously investigate any information or complaints made to them. Anyone with information which relates to any suspected criminal activity in this area should therefore report it to the police.