Parliamentary questions
Ms Wendy Alexander
505 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
8 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on use of, or referral to, complementary and alternative medicine practitioners by GPs.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive believes that complementaryand alternative medicine (CAM) may offer relief to some people suffering from awide variety of conditions. A GP may refer a patient for CAM if, inhis or her clinical judgement, it is appropriate. The GP remains respons…
18 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much national lottery funding has been allocated in total and per head of population to non-national organisations in each postcode area of (a) Paisley and (b) the Renfrewshire Council area.
Answer · Frank McAveety: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-909 today. 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/search_…
18 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much national lottery funding has been allocated in total and per head of population in each postcode area of (a) Paisley and (b) the Renfrewshire Council area.
Answer · Frank McAveety: The distribution of national lottery funds is a matter for the Lottery Distribution Bodies: Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Screen, <B>sport</B>scotland, New Opportunities Fund, Community Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and Millennium Commission. The information …
17 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a response to Determined to Succeed: A Review of Enterprise in Education.
Answer · Iain Gray: We are today publishing our response to <I>Determined to Succeed</I>, copies have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. The response signals our determination to effect a step change in the delivery of enterprise in education. To this end, we have…
13 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-34332 by Mr Andy Kerr on 11 March 2003, whether it will give details of each of the 12 projects in negotiation and the 28 further projects in health, schools and waste management.
Answer · Andy Kerr: Details of Public Private Partnership projects in Scotland can be found in the Project List on the Financial Partnerships Unit's website (<A HREF="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/fpu">www.scotland.gov.uk/fpu</A> then select "Project List" from the menu down the le…
5 Mar 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote the use of broadband services in both the public and private sectors.
Answer · Iain Gray: I published our broadband strategy update last December. It details the steps we are taking to promote broadband throughout Scotland in both public and private sectors. We are also pursuing a new initiative, worth up to £24 million, which aims to accelerate a…
27 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what education public private partnership projects it currently supports; what each such project will deliver, and what stage each project has reached.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The information requested is set out in the following table. <TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=2 WIDTH=606><TR><TD WIDTH="30%" VALIGN="TOP"><P>Project Name</TD><TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP"><P>Project Status</TD><TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><P>Project De…
27 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which public private partnership (PPP) projects currently under negotiation, including those in the education sector, could be cancelled before commencement (a) with and (b) without incurring a penalty.
Answer · Andy Kerr: There are currently 12 PPP projects at the negotiation stage. If these projects were cancelled compensation may be due to the bidders for aborted bid costs, either in full or in part. The circumstances of each individual project would need to be considered.
27 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact will be of cancelling all (a) current and (b) projected expenditure on public private partnership construction projects.
Answer · Andy Kerr: (a) Public private partnership (PPP) projects are for the long-term, typically 25 to 30 years. Nearly 80 contracts have already been signed delivering a capital investment value of £2 billion. If the public sector requested early termination of these projects…
26 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it has provided to Reid Kerr College in each year since 1996-97 and how many students have attended the college in each year.
Answer · Iain Gray: With regard to support to Reid Kerr College, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-31837 on 3 December 2002. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found …
26 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what legislative provisions it has introduced to tackle anti-social neighbours since May 1999 and what the impact of each such provision has been.
Answer · Jim Wallace: New measures have been introduced in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill, which was approved by the Scottish Parliament on 20 February 2003, to tackle anti-social behaviour more effectively. We have introduced interim Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), ex…
27 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the targets are for installations by the Eaga Partnership Scotland under its central heating installation programme in the Renfrewshire Council area in respect of (a) all households and (b) pensioners' homes.
Answer · Des McNulty: Eaga manage the central heating programme for owner-occupiers and private renters. The main criteria for inclusion in the programme as administered by Eaga are that the head of household or spouse must be aged 60 or over and that the dwelling must lack centra…
27 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) households and (b) pensioners' homes in the Renfrewshire Council area are estimated to be eligible for free central heating under its central heating installation programme.
Answer · Des McNulty: The central heating programme provides grant to install central heating, insulation and safety alarms in (a) dwellings owned by local authorities and housing associations which currently lack any form of central heating, and (b) dwellings occupied by home own…
27 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) households and (b) pensioners' homes in the Renfrewshire Council area (i) benefited in 2001-02 and (ii) are expected to benefit in (1) 2002-03, (2) 2003-04 and (3) 2004-05 under its central heating installation programme.
Answer · Des McNulty: In 2001-02 Renfrewshire Council installed central heating in 121 dwellings under the Executive's central heating programme. In 2002-03 they should install central heating in another 121 dwellings and in 2003-04 in 395 dwellings. All council stock in Renfrewsh…
23 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31831 by Ms Margaret Curran on 13 January 2003, where in the Renfrewshire Council area the 1,033 new homes financed with #42.205 million worth of investment from Communities Scotland have been, or will be, built.
Answer · Margaret Curran: Since 1997, Communities Scotland has provided new or refurbished accommodation for social rent or home ownership in the Paisley, Renfrew, Linwood and Johnstone areas of Renfrewshire. Within the Paisley area, investment has been targeted within social inclusio…
23 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-32813 by Iain Gray on 17 January 2003, on what dates its study of rail links to Glasgow and Edinburgh airports, the Clyde Corridor Transportation Study and the Braehead Fixed Links study by the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive will report.
Answer · Iain Gray: The consultants' report on rail links to Glasgow and Edinburgh airports is expected this month. I understand that an interim report from the Clyde Corridor Transportation study will be available shortly, and that the Braehead Fixed links study will report to …
19 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to strengthen enforcement measures against anti-social neighbours.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The introduction of interim Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO) through the current Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill will provide more immediate protection from anti-social neighbours. Breach of an interim ASBO will be a criminal offence punishable by up to f…
19 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for a light rail link between Renfrew, Braehead retail centre and Glasgow city centre.
Answer · Iain Gray: The Scottish Executive has funded a study of rail links to Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports, and the Clyde Corridor Transportation Study, both of which examine the scope for a light rail link between Renfrew, Braehead retail centre and Glasgow city centre. The …
19 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken, and is taking, to promote the development of new air routes from Glasgow Airport.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The First Minister recently announced the creation of an Interim Route Development Fund aimed at investing in new air routes which provide the maximum return for Scotland as a whole in terms of business links, foreign direct investment and in-bound tourism. A…
19 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to increase the number of overseas students studying at universities.
Answer · Iain Gray: The Prime Minister's initiative, launched in June 1999, aims to attract more overseas students to the UK. The Scottish Executive is involved with the funding and development of the strategy in partnership with other devolved administrations, UK government dep…
19 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing the secure estate.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: We are making progress to increase the secure estate by around 25 extra places. <P>We have now assessed the geographical spread of need by looking at the numbers of young people, the numbers of deprived young people and the numbers of secure authorisations in…
11 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its Development Department research programme research findings no.70, 1999, An Evaluation of the New Life for Urban Scotland Initiative, (a) how many of the (i) 3,726 new houses built, (ii) 9,253 houses improved or rehabilitated and (iii) 3,203 positive training outcomes …
Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-32162 on 13 December 2002. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:<P><A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliamen…
11 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31744 by Malcolm Chisholm on 28 November 2002, how the mortality rates per 100,000 population from coronary heart disease in the Renfrewshire Council area compare with the Scottish average in each year from 1996 to 2001.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Mortality Rates per 100,000 population from coronary heart disease in the Renfrewshire Council Area and Scotland, 1996-2001:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=274><TR><TD WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP" ROWSPAN=2> </TD><TD WIDTH="83%" VALIGN="TOP" …
4 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional restrictions will be proposed on the sale of fireworks.
Answer · Andy Kerr: There are complex issues involved and the Executive is<B> </B>still considering<B> </B>what<B> </B>can be done within devolved powers to address concerns about the inappropriate sale and use of fireworks.
2 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the New Life for Urban Scotland Initiative, how much of the (a) #485 million of public expenditure and (b) #55 million spent on enterprise employment and training of residents was spent in Ferguslie Park, Paisley and how many of the (i) 3,126 new houses, (ii) 9,253 improve…
Answer · Margaret Curran: I have asked Mr Bob Millar, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Under the New Life for Urban Scotland Initiative, Ferguslie Park received (a) £81.6 million of public expenditure (b) £2.5 million of expenditure on …
2 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to enable working women to balance work and family life.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Our Child Care Strategy is about supporting children and families. Good quality affordable child care not only benefits children, but can help parents to take up work or study. We allocated £16.75 million to local authorities through Child Care Strategy fundi…
28 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the annual (a) regeneration and (b) social inclusion partnership (SIP) budget was allocated to Paisley Partnership in each year since 1997.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The information requested is given in the following table. Allocations for 1997-98 and 1998-99 relate solely to the former Urban Programme. <TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=585><TR><TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"> </TD><TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN=…
26 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31383 by Dr Elaine Murray on 18 November 2002, how much additional money has been allocated to school sport in Renfrewshire in each year since 1998-99.
Answer · Elaine Murray: Funding from<B> sport</B>scotland for school sport is available on the basis of applications from local authorities and/or individual schools, not allocations. Since the commencement of the National Lottery, school sport in Renfrewshire has benefited as follo…
26 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on drug-related activities in each year since 1998-99, broken down by expenditure on (a) education, (b) rehabilitation and (c) treatment by Argyll and Clyde Drug Action Team.
Answer · Hugh Henry: Detailed spend on drug-related activities at a local level is not held centrally. However, some information is contained within the Argyll and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Action Team Corporate Action Plan which can be found on the national drugs website at:<P><A H…
22 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the (a) #100 million to tackle drug misuse in communities, (b) funding for 34 new CCTV projects and (c) #45.5 million to tackle youth crime will be spent in the Renfrewshire Council area and how these funds will be used.
Answer · Hugh Henry: The most complete information we have about Renfrewshire's allocation from the £128 million (£100 million augmented by a further £28 million over three years from Budget Consequentials) additional funding made available for tackling drug misuse is contained i…