Sandra White

28 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-21586 by Malcolm Chisholm on 22 January 2002, whether it will consider the introduction of legislation on the licensing of suntanning parlours following recent reports linking them with criminal activities.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive has no plans to introduce legislation requiring suntanning parlours to be licensed. <P>Any allegation of criminal activity is a matter for the police, who will rigorously investigate any information or complaints made to them.

15 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to enforce effective dredging and cleaning of the River Clyde.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The statutory powers for dredging and related cleaning operations of the River Clyde are the responsibility of Clydeport, as harbour authority. The statutory powers in the Clyde Port Authority Confirmation Act 1965 do not provide for any specific enforcement …

15 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the effectiveness of dredging and cleaning operations in the River Clyde.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Monitoring of the effectiveness of dredging and cleaning operations in the River Clyde is a matter for Clydeport, as harbour authority, under the relevant statutory provisions.

15 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to the setting up of a single planning authority for the River Clyde corridor.

Answer · Margaret Curran: None. In terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 a planning authority shall be the local authority and the district of the planning authority shall be the area of the local authority. Any changes in that arrangement would require primary le…

15 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated to each local authority to deal with drug misuse in each of the last three years.

Answer · Richard Simpson: Local authorities do not receive from the Executive an earmarked allocation for dealing with drug misuse. In February 2001, however, the Executive sent out information to drug action teams (DATs) and other local agencies detailing how the £100 million package…

15 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the sum allocated to each local authority to deal with drug misuse in each of the past three years was spent.

Answer · Richard Simpson: Local authorities are required to assess the care needs of those who misuse drugs in partnership with other local care providers and local drug action teams. Services are funded from general Grant Aided Expenditure. Much of this work is undertaken within gene…

15 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it is undertaking, in relation to the River Clyde, into (a) the condition of the river embankments, (b) flood management, (c) the use of the river and (d) the safety of the people who use the river.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive has not commissioned any studies in connection with the River Clyde. Studies of the kind referred to in the question are matters for the riparian owners and other landowners, developers, local authorities and local bodies, not the Execu…

13 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that there are adequate toilet facilities for disabled people at sports stadiums.

Answer · Elaine Murray: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-23051.

13 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the adequacy of provision of facilities for disabled spectators at sports stadiums.

Answer · Elaine Murray: The Scottish Executive has no responsibility for monitoring the adequacy of provision of facilities for disabled spectators at sports grounds. I also refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-23051 today.

13 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has in relation to the provision of toilet facilities for disabled people at sports stadiums.

Answer · Elaine Murray: The statutory framework is set mainly by the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990 and Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, but these do not confer specific powers on ministers, relating to the provision of toilet facilities for disabl…

13 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what regulations are in place on the provision of toilet facilities for disabled people at sports stadiums.

Answer · Margaret Curran: There are provisions within the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990, as amended. The present requirement within the Technical Standards for compliance with the regulations, which came into force in April 2000, stipulates a minimum number of wheelch…

12 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to introducing legislation on the licensing of lap-dancing clubs.

Answer · Jim Wallace: By virtue of the provisions of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976, such establishments are required to be licensed by<B> </B>local licensing boards for the provision of alcohol. A local authority Public Entertainment Licence, under the Civic Government (Scotla…

30 Jan 2002 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to ensure that there is an adequate public consultation process in respect of the proposed Glasgow Harbour development.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Scottish ministers are satisfied with the consultation arrangements and guidance available for land use planning and any associated harbour regulations.

28 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on any concerns that Communities Scotland will no longer recognise UNISON in respect of staff transferred to it.

Answer · Iain Gray: It is not the case that Communities Scotland will no longer recognise UNISON. That union may continue to represent members of staff on a personal basis. As the new agency does not have independent collective bargaining status and therefore has no delegated re…

25 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many projects which were eligible for European Structural Funding have not been set up due to the failure of the project to secure match funding in each of the last three years.

Answer · Andy Kerr: When project applicants apply for European Structural Funding, it is a requirement that the match funding is in place. Information is not available on potential projects which have not been established due to any lack of necessary co-finance in advance of the…

25 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many projects have been set up with the assistance of European Structural Funds in each of the last three years.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The following table shows how many projects have been funded in each of the past three years:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=340><TR><TD WIDTH="56%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD><TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P ALIGN="JUSTI…

25 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide education and awareness training in respect of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome for healthcare professionals.

Answer · Hugh Henry: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-22370.

25 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in order to increase awareness and understanding of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Answer · Hugh Henry: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-22370.

25 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in light of the report to the Department of Health by the Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The Executive is setting up a short-life action group to consider the most effective ways of improving the care and quality of life for those with CFS/ME, in the light of the <I>English Chief Medical Officer's Working Group Report</I>. In the interim, we will…

25 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to initiate further research into chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health services and patient care within the NHS in Scotland. <P>In response to the publication of the English Chie…

25 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given, in light of medical evidence suggesting health risks from the use of sun beds, to introducing a ban on the provision of public sunbed facilities.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive has not considered introducing a ban on the provision of public sunbed facilities.

23 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Glasgow Housing Association funding bid for housing stock transfer is satisfactory and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Margaret Curran: A Funders Panel was appointed by Glasgow City Council (GCC) and the Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) to consider funding issues highlighted in the GHA's outline business plan. The Funders Panel report has now been completed and initial indications from funde…

23 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the levels of rent currently paid by council house tenants in Glasgow.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Council house rent levels are a matter for individual councils.

23 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what level of grant will be available to any homeowners facing common ownership charges of between #7,500 and #9,500 should the Glasgow housing stock transfer takes place.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Homeowners in Glasgow whose properties may require to be improved as a result of the Glasgow housing transfer will be eligible to apply for assistance through the improvement and repairs grant scheme. The level of assistance available will depend on individua…

23 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the financial package put in place by the Glasgow Housing Association for the proposed housing stock transfer is sufficient for meeting the commitments made to tenants.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Glasgow City Council will assess the Glasgow Housing Association's Business Plan and submit a transfer proposal to the Executive. As part of this assessment the council will wish to ensure that the commitments made to tenants are met.

17 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish the result of its Review of Scotland's Cities.

Answer · Iain Gray: I expect the review to conclude in the spring of 2002.

17 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with its Review of Scotland's Cities.

Answer · Iain Gray: The explanatory, evidence gathering, phase of the review was concluded in December 2001. This has involved ministers and the review team visiting each of the five cities, two seminars on the "working city" and the "living city" and a range of bilateral meetin…

17 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) individuals and (b) groups have been invited to give evidence to, or otherwise participate in, any meetings it has held about its Review of Scotland's Cities with (i) the Sounding Board, (ii) the Academic Panel and (iii) any other public bodies.

Answer · Iain Gray: Over 225 organisations and individuals from the public, private and voluntary sectors have contributed their views and evidence to the review through a variety of meetings, visits or seminars held as part of the first phase of the review.

17 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Social Inclusion Partnership projects operating in Glasgow were closed down in each of the last three years.

Answer · Margaret Curran: One Social Inclusion Partnership project in Glasgow was closed down early from April 1999 to date.

17 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Social Inclusion Partnership projects operating in Glasgow have attracted funding from external agencies in each of the last three years.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Four hundred and thirty Social Inclusion Partnership projects attracted funding from external sources from April 1999 to date.