Parliamentary questions
Sandra White
1,617 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
2 Apr 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact of alcohol and football-related violence across Scotland.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The extent of alcohol misuse in Scotland means that we need to tackle this head on. That is why we have set out a robust and proportionate package of measures to rebalance Scotland''s relationship with alcohol, reduce alcohol-related harm and contribute to a …
27 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding Glasgow Housing Association has received in each year since 2003, broken down by type of funding.
Answer · Alex Neil: The funding received by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) since 2003 is as follows:</p> <p >Glasgow Housing Association Funding by Type and Financial, Years 2002-03 to 2008-09.</p> <p >Paid to GHA</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead…
12 Mar 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths of residents in care homes have been the subject of investigation over alleged malpractice in the last five years and how many complaints have been upheld.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Good quality care in care homes is a high priority for the Scottish Government. The Care Commission regularly inspects care homes against the National Care Standards and various related regulations. The standards clearly state that a resident can expect that …
10 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the organisations representing faith groups that have received Scottish Government grants since May 2007 and the value of the grants received.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21701 on 19 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliamen…
10 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the organisations representing faith groups that received grants from the Scottish Government equalities budget in each financial year between May 2003 and May 2007, also showing the value of grants received.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government provides funding for specific projects as part of its work with faith communities. The following table lists funding from the Scottish Government''s Equality Unit to organisations delivering such projects from May 2003:</p> <table bo…
27 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what budgets have been provided to community health partnerships, community health and care partnerships and community planning partnerships in Glasgow, broken down by partnership.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government provides NHS boards with a total budget to provide health services for its population. It does not provide budgets directly to Community Health Partnerships (CHPs) or Community Health and Care Partnerships (CHCPs). NHS Greater Glasgow …
27 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the operational effectiveness of community health partnerships, community health and care Partnerships and community planning partnerships.
Answer · Shona Robison: 1. The Scottish Government has commissioned a study of Community Health Partnerships (including Community Health and Care Partnerships) which will be completed in March 2010. The study will consider their early operation and progress against their original ob…
27 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the effectiveness of community health partnerships, community health and care partnerships and community planning partnerships are monitored.
Answer · Shona Robison: 1. Community health partnerships (CHPs) are not separate statutory bodies. They have been established as committees or sub committees of NHS boards and are accountable for their performance to NHS boards. Where a NHS board and local authority have established…
26 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities can apply for a trunking order to be granted.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: A local authority may make a request to Scottish ministers to consider trunking a local road. Scottish ministers may consider any such request and if satisfied that it is expedient for the purposes of extending, improving or reorganising the trunk road networ…
26 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering a review of the trunk road network.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The strategic motorway and trunk road network was last reviewed in the public consultation <i >Shaping the Trunk Road Network</i> in 1994-95 which was linked to the reorganisation of local government at the time (the previous review was 1946). Following this …
26 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the Care Home Development Group to publish its cost of care study.
Answer · Shona Robison: The cost of care study has been commissioned by the Care Home Development Group to help inform its work on securing the long term viability of the care home sector. Publication of the report is a matter for that group, and I understand that they will discuss …
26 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what groups are represented on the Care Home Development Group.
Answer · Shona Robison: The group was set up by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and the following organisations are represented on it:</p> <p >COSLA;</p> <p >Association of Directors of Social Work;</p> <p >Scottish Government;</p> <p >Care Commission;</…
26 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Care Home Development Group has met and whether minutes of these meetings are available.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Care Home Development Group was set up by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and has met five times since its inception in April 2008. The minutes are routinely circulated only to members of the group, but copies can be requested from:</…
26 Feb 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to support women seeking financial compensation through the legal system from partners convicted of domestic violence.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill : <i > This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0226-01.htm">http://www.scot…
13 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to provide further support for healthy living centres in 2009-10.
Answer · Shona Robison: I am pleased to announce that the Scottish Government will continue the Healthy Living Centre (HLCs) transition fund in 2009-10. The fund will allow further time for HLCs to secure sustainable local funding for their services.</p> <p >We will provide up to …
1 Oct 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what economic and technological opportunities for Scotland can be gained as a result of the International Astronautical Congress being held in Glasgow from 29 September to 3 October 2008.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This event, which I was delighted to help launch, was a very useful one in helping to showcase Scotland''s significant interests and capabilities in space technology to an international audience. This consisted of some 3,000 people including space scientists …
23 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its criteria are for informing the public about any shortcomings in safeguards at Hunterston nuclear power station under civil contingency arrangements.
Answer · Jim Mather: Officials are in regular touch with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) about the off site emergency response implications of its safety work and would work with HSE to take whatever action is required when information comes to our attention.</p>
23 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has records of how many shortcomings in safeguards there have been at Hunterston nuclear power station in order to ensure proper civil contingency plans are in place.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government does not hold any such information. Nuclear safety is a reserved matter for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who regulate safety at civil nuclear installations. Safety at specific sites such as Hunterston are a matter for the site…
23 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was made aware of the fire hazard at the Hunterston nuclear power station identified by Her Majesty’s Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.
Answer · Jim Mather: Scottish Government officials are in regular touch with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on issues which may impact on civil nuclear contingency planning arrangements. HSE produce regular summaries of site inspections for the local liaison committees on …
23 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has regular dialogue with those who run Hunterston nuclear power station about safety measures at the facility.
Answer · Jim Mather: Nuclear safety is a reserved matter for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who regulate safety at civil nuclear installations. Safety at specific sites such as Hunterston are a matter for the site operator and HSE. On nuclear contingency planning arrangeme…
10 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish its anti-poverty framework following its publication of Taking Forward The Government Economic Strategy: A Discussion Paper on Tackling Poverty, Inequality and Deprivation in Scotland.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: We will publish a Framework to Tackle Poverty, Inequality and Deprivation in Scotland in November of this year.</p>
8 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been vaccinated against tuberculosis in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally. NHS boards will be in receipt of information on the total number of vaccines used by age group, but it is difficult to determine the total number of people currently eligible for the BCG vaccination. In the context of t…
8 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are taken to identify those at a higher risk of contracting tuberculosis.
Answer · Shona Robison: In Scotland the delivery of the targeted vaccination programme has relied on individual NHS boards developing a mechanism for the best local delivery of their vaccination programme based on the existing vaccination infrastructure and the target population.</p…
8 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider reintroducing the tuberculosis screening and immunisation programme.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-12751 on 15 May 2008. 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/webapp/w…
26 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that people from ethnic minorities are made aware of available health screening services.
Answer · Shona Robison: All patients registered with a GP will receive information about relevant screening services at the appropriate time. Information leaflets on the screening programmes are produced in a number of languages to encourage uptake.</p> <p >In addition, many health…
13 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how local residents may apply to be considered for representation on the bodies charged with the delivery of Glasgow 2014.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The delivery of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, and the group structure to support that work, is a matter for the Glasgow 2014 Organising Company.</p>
13 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that local communities will be represented on bodies charged with the delivery of Glasgow 2014.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The delivery of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, and the group structure to support that work, is a matter for the Glasgow 2014 Organising Company.</p>
13 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what economic benefits to Scotland it estimates there would be from a high-speed rail link between Scotland and England.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has not carried out an appraisal to estimate the economic benefits to Scotland of a high-speed rail link between Scotland and England.</p>
13 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Network Rail to assess the feasibility of a high-speed rail link between Scotland and England.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There have been no specific discussions with Network Rail on the feasibility of a high-speed rail link between Scotland and England. Our focus has been on improving journey times generally. The Department for Transport (DfT) have lead responsibility for cross…
13 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government to assess the feasibility of a high-speed rail link between Scotland and England.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No discussions have yet taken place but we have written to the UK government requesting a meeting to discuss the issue of a high-speed rail link between Scotland and England.</p>