Sandra White

1 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to set up a recognised, funded and permanent structure to enable the participation of older people at all levels of government.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: A new unit will be established within the Executive to co-ordinate older people's issues. Part of their remit will be to establish arrangements for participation and engagement of older people and external organisations.

1 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to establish a national partnership body to work with older people.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: This is one of the recommendations of the Better Government for Older People Programme Steering Committee report, to which we will be responding in the New Year.

1 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to develop an integrated transport strategy.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive's integrated transport policy is being delivered through action across a wide front, in particular:<UL><LI>The Transport (Scotland) Bill will equip the Executive and local authorities with the powers to promote integration, address prob…

31 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to produce, in conjunction with local authorities, advice on the best way to prepare an integrated strategy for an ageing population.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: This is one of the recommendations of the <I>Better</I> <I>Government</I> <I>for</I> <I>Older</I> <I>People</I> report referred to in the answer I gave to question S1W-10833. We will be responding to those recommendations in the New Year. However, work has al…

31 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote the use of modern communication technologies by older people.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Through its Digital Scotland initiative, the Scottish Executive is working towards pervasive and affordable access to the web for people of all ages in Scotland. We are committed to achieving universal access to the web by 2005.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Specific act…

31 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to ensure the inclusion of ethnic minorities and disabled older people in the policy making process.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: The Scottish Executive's Equality Strategy, which was launched on 6 November, includes proposals for ensuring that all communities, including ethnic minorities, disabled people and older people, are included in the policy making process. We will work with the…

9 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what date it is proposing for the commencement of work on the M74 northern extension.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-10341.

9 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it is currently involved in, or is proposing to have, concerning the completion of the M74 northern extension.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-10341.

9 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance it intends to provide for the completion of the M74 northern extension.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-10341.

9 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost to complete the M74 northern extension.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-10341.

9 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what timescale it envisages for the completion of the M74 northern extension.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-10341.

9 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which of the current proposals is its preferred option for the M74 northern extension.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I announced on 28 September that the Executive is committed to a strategic link between Fullarton Road and west of the Kingston Bridge. On 10 October I met the leaders of Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Councils and agreed that officials should ur…

9 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many infection control nurses are currently employed in the NHSiS.

Answer · Susan Deacon: This information is not held centrally.

9 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address outbreaks of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in hospitals.

Answer · Susan Deacon: A range of policies and procedures is in place to prevent and control outbreaks of MRSA in hospitals. <I>Our National Health: A Plan for Action, a Plan for Change</I> set out our commitment to take steps to strengthen and monitor infection control procedures …

9 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus have there been in the last five years for which records are available.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Data on the number of cases of <I>Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus </I>(MRSA) are not available centrally, because the International Classification of Diseases code does not make a distinction between MRSA<I> </I>and other forms of <I>Staphylococcu…

3 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7190 by Mr Jim Wallace on 7 June 2000, what the timescale is for publication of its proposals to regulate the security industry including private investigators, whom it has consulted or plans to consult concerning its proposals and what representatio…

Answer · Jim Wallace: It is the Scottish Executive's intention to issue a consultation paper to all interested parties later this year outlining options for regulation of the private security industry in Scotland.

19 Sep 2000 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer what consideration has been given to the provision of sign language interpreters for deaf people during meetings of the Parliament.

Answer · David Steel: A sign language interpretation service is currently provided on request for meetings of the Parliament and for committee meetings. Requests can be made through the Parliament's Visitor Centre and the service is provided under a contract arrangement. To date, …

14 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to address any shortfalls in the level of social work services for the deaf.

Answer · Iain Gray: Over £1.1 billion has been allocated to local authorities for social work expenditure in Scotland, an increase of 4% on last year. People with a hearing impairment will benefit from these resources through a range of services. It is the responsibility of loca…

14 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many social workers are dedicated to working with deaf people in each local authority area.

Answer · Iain Gray: This information is not held centrally.

13 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations regarding the impact on small businesses run from home of the standard of postal deliveries in Scotland.

Answer · Henry McLeish: No representations have been received.

12 Sep 2000 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what response it plans to make to the request from Glasgow City Council that it provide funds for the completion of the M74 Northern Extension.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The report took eight months to prepare and reached me only on 12 September. Given the scale of the project and enormity of the costs, I need more than eight days to respond.

8 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what level of grant can be accessed by students studying for nursing qualifications.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Nursing students on diploma courses are supported by a non-means tested grant. The basic allowances are £5,409 for those over 26 and £4,803 for those under 26. Additional means tested support is provided for students with dependants, and excess placement trav…

8 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what level of loan can be accessed by students studying for nursing qualifications.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Half of the support for nursing students on degree courses is in the form of access to a non-means tested student loan, subject to eligibility conditions. Their loan entitlement is up to £1,825 per annum.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Nursing students on diploma courses …

10 Aug 2000 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether the contracts to supply the Scottish Parliament with IT equipment and stationery were put out to competitive tender and, if so, whether best value was a criterion in this process.

Answer · David Steel: Much of the original IT infrastructure for the Parliament was bought through the services of the former Scottish Office Purchase and Supply Division, using a combination of existing contracts and specific competitive exercises. Subsequently, IT equipment has …

4 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7963 by Susan Deacon on 13 July 2000, what the nature is of the training for the three surgeons in the cardiac transplant unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Answer · Susan Deacon: All three surgeons have spent periods of training in transplant centres in the past and therefore have some experience of heart transplantation. The purpose of the latest training, tailored to each surgeon's needs, is to provide an update on recent developmen…

4 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-7963 by Susan Deacon on 13 July 2000, what the nature is of the nurses' training in the cardiac transplant unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Answer · Susan Deacon: I refer to the answer to question S1W-09052.

3 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what public investment will be available to improve the transport infrastructure of the Glasgow area as a result of Her Majesty's Government's Spending Review 2000.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: As the Minister for Finance announced on 18 July,<B> </B>the<B> </B>Scottish Executive is currently considering its spending priorities in the light of the UK Government's Spending Review, with a view to presenting a draft Budget to Parliament by the end of S…

3 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether funds will be made available to finance the Glasgow crossrail scheme as a result of Her Majesty's Government's Spending Review 2000.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The DETR Transport 10 Year Plan makes reference to a number of capital schemes, including a new Rail Modernisation Fund which is to be administered by the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority. The procedures and criteria for the Fund have yet to be developed.

3 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether funds will be made available to finance the Glasgow Airport direct rail link as a result of Her Majesty's Government's Spending Review 2000.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-9018.

12 Jul 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2135 by Sarah Boyack on 6 July 2000, whether it will consider allocating any of the #17.5 million for bus priority measures which are still under consideration, to other projects such as the Glasgow north/south crossrail scheme.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: No; awards have already been made from the Public Transport Fund for projects in Glasgow totalling £17.5 million. Glasgow City Council and West Dunbartonshire Council were awarded a total of £12.6 million for bus priority measures in the City and the SPTA wer…