Parliamentary questions
Dr Sylvia Jackson
415 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
17 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards the 2005 electronic service delivery target.
Answer · Andy Kerr: We have today published the Executive's 4th Electronic Service Delivery Progress Report. Overall, 83% of services provided by the Executive, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are now available online to some degree. This represents a 3% increase…
12 Mar 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to regenerate deprived communities.
Answer · Margaret Curran: Both the <I>Community Regeneration Statement</I> and the Social Justice Annual Report published last year set out the action being taken by the Scottish Executive to regenerate deprived communities across Scotland. <P>As I indicated earlier this week in Stirl…
19 Feb 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will improve air quality.
Answer · Ross Finnie: <I>The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland </I>sets out a comprehensive framework of policy measures<I> </I>which aim to improve air quality in the short- to medium-term. The Executive is working closely with Scottish Enviro…
12 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-28163 by Ross Finnie on 30 August 2002, what action it is taking to reduce littering and flytipping.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Currently, the Scottish Executive provides annual core funding of £234,000 to Keep Scotland Beautiful which runs a number of anti-litter initiatives. Over the last year, additional funding of £900,000 has been allocated to support elements of this programme.<…
12 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in introducing regulations for the body piercing industry.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive is currently considering the legislative options available to regulate the body piercing industry.
12 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing plans for an accessible online pollution inventory.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Improving public access to clear and reliable information on the environment is a core part of the Scottish Executive's commitment to environmental justice.<P>As I explained in the answer given to question S1W-29496 on 25 September 2002, the Scottish Environm…
12 Feb 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what further action it will take to improve road safety on the A84 and A85 trunk roads.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-32803 on 14 January 2003. In addition, the Scottish Executive undertakes an annual analysis of trunk road accidents in order to identify sites where appropriate treatment would be expected to improve road…
6 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31518 by Ross Finnie on 25 November 2002, whether it has now had any further discussions with Superfast Ferries regarding implementation of the pet passport scheme on the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry route.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Superfast Ferries sent the first draft of their methods of operation for the carriage of pet dogs and cats to my officials on 17 January 2003. This is being considered and my officials will give the company any comments shortly.
15 Jan 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will produce a consultation paper on urban regeneration companies.
Answer · Margaret Curran: We intend to commence consultation in March.
19 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in improving safety on the A84 and A85.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The following works on the A84/85 were completed last year: <P>verge safety fences were replaced;<P>carriageway warning signs were erected and two surface dressing schemes carried out at Glen Ogle;<P>road maintenance scheme between Dunbeg and Oban Phase 1, an…
19 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will introduce a 30 mph speed limit on the A84 through Lochearnhead.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: It is anticipated that the 30 mph speed limit on the A84 through Lochearnhead will come into force in February 2003.
17 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is in place regarding public access to the December 2002 electoral register.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Matters relating to electoral registration are reserved and for the Electoral Commission who are responsible for issuing such guidance.
4 Dec 2002 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to highlight road safety during the festive season.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland is conducting an enforcement campaign, focussing on drink driving, drug driving, speeding and seat belt use from 9 December to 6 January. The Scottish Road Safety Campaign has arranged complementary publici…
27 Nov 2002 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many young students' bursaries have been awarded since they were introduced.
Answer · Iain Gray: The Young Students' Bursary is provided as an entitlement based on the level of parental income. Eligibility for the bursary is assessed as part of the overall assessment of eligibility for student support. <P>In academic year 2001-02, there were 13,579 recip…
13 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29677 by Ross Finnie on 2 October 2002, whether it has had any further discussions with Superfast Ferries regarding implementation of the pet passport scheme on the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry route.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Officials still await receipt of Superfast Ferries' proposed methods of operation for the carriage of pet dogs and cats. Discussions will resume once these have been received and evaluated.
31 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many female offenders that defaulted on a fine in 2001 received at (a) all sheriff summary courts, (b) Glasgow Sheriff Summary Court, (c) Kilmarnock Sheriff Summary Court and (d) Glasgow Stipendiary Court were sent to prison as a result of that default.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The available information is given in the following table. The information held centrally cannot link a reception into custody for fine default…
31 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many female offenders receiving a fine in 2001 at (a) all sheriff summary courts, (b) Glasgow Sheriff Summary Court, (c) Kilmarnock Sheriff Summary Court and (d) Glasgow Stipendiary Court defaulted on that fine.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The information requested is not held centrally.
31 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many female offenders convicted or sentenced in 2001 at (a) all sheriff summary courts, (b) Glasgow Sheriff Summary Court, (c) Kilmarnock Sheriff Summary Court and (d) Glasgow Stipendiary Court received a (i) resultant custodial sentence, excluding those defaulting on a fine, or (ii) …
Answer · Jim Wallace: The latest available information, for 2000, is given in the following table. The statistics on court proceedings in 2001 are expected to be published later this year.<P>Female Offenders Proceeded Against in Selected Scottish Courts, 2000: Number Given a Custo…
31 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many female offenders that appeared at (a) all sheriff summary courts, (b) Glasgow Sheriff Summary Court, (c) Kilmarnock Sheriff Summary Court and (d) Glasgow Stipendiary Court were sentenced or convicted in 2001.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The latest available information, for 2000, is given in the following table. The statistics on court proceedings in 2001 are expected to be published later this year.<P>Female Offenders Proceeded Against in Selected Scottish Courts, 2000: Number with a Charge…
31 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve public access to angling on rivers and lochs.
Answer · Allan Wilson: A review of the existing system of Protection Orders, made under the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976, is scheduled to begin in March 2003.
23 Oct 2002 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to meet the Association of Scottish Colleges and the EIS to discuss on-going industrial relations issues in the further education sector.
Answer · Iain Gray: I plan to meet the General Secretary of the EIS in the near future to discuss a range of issues, including industrial relations in the further education sector. I have also arranged to meet the Chairman and the Chief Executive of the Association of Scottish C…
14 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-27563 by Malcolm Chisholm on 9 August 2002, whether the Health Technology Board for Scotland has investigated the use of needle fasciotomy as a treatment for Dupuytren's Contracture and, if so, what the conclusions were.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) has not investigated the use of needle fasciotomy as a treatment for Dupuytren's Contracture, nor is this topic on its work programme. To be investigated by the HTBS, the topic would need to be proposed to the H…
14 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is promoting early detection and intervention for children suffering from dyslexia.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive is providing local authorities with over £8 million this year, and for the next three years, for the in-service development and training of classroom-based staff and others working with children with special educational needs (SEN), inc…
14 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assist learning amongst adult sufferers of dyslexia.
Answer · Iain Gray: £4.5 million is being made available over three years to implement the inclusiveness recommendations from the Beattie Committee to improve support for students in further education. The BRITE (Beattie Resources for Inclusiveness in Technology and Education) C…
25 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the provision of an accessible online pollution inventory.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Good progress has been made. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is currently preparing to collect the data required for the European Pollutant Emission Register (EPER). Statutory notices, requiring those affected to report on emissions for 2002…
24 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in compiling comprehensive economic and social data in respect of each electoral ward.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The statistical service of the Scottish Executive is developing a range of small area information through the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics (SNS) project. This is a major project aimed at significantly increasing and improving the availability, quality an…
20 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-25871 by Ross Finnie on 28 May 2002, whether it has had any further discussions with Superfast Ferries regarding implementation of the pet passport scheme on the Rosyth to Zeebrugge route.
Answer · Ross Finnie: My officials and officials from the State Veterinary Service are in regular contact with Superfast Ferries. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 3 October and will take place at Rosyth. Officials from the local authority, Port Authority and Her Majesty'…
2 Aug 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what input it has had into the SCOTS national road maintenance condition survey.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Executive fully supports the work of SCOTS in taking forward the local authority condition survey of local roads. An official from the Executive's Roads Network Management and Maintenance Division is a member of the project working group which is monitori…
2 Aug 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the review of regulations covering litter and flytipping.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The review is well advanced and is expected to be completed in the autumn.
1 Aug 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that key workers in rural areas have access to the housing market.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-28144.