Parliamentary questions

Ms Wendy Alexander

505 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for tourism.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Executive’s key objectivefor Scottish tourism is to support sustainable growth of the contribution that tourismmakes to economic growth right across Scotland, thus achieving the widely shared ambition to grow tourismrevenues by 50% over the decade to 2015…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for energy.

Answer · Jim Mather: In a statement to the Scottish Parliament on 31 May 2007 I set out our objectives for energy. These are:the need to reduce carbon emissions,and so tackle climate change;the need to ensure security ofenergy supplies by fostering a vibrant, divers…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for European Structural Funds.

Answer · Jim Mather: For 2007-13, European StructuralFunds will contribute to achieving the key priorities of the new administration.In particular, our priorities for a wealthier and fairer Scotland anda smarter Scotland can be enhanced by productive use of European fundingwithin…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for community business and corporate development.

Answer · Jim Mather: We are committed tofollowing through on the strategy and action plan set out in Better business– a strategy and action plan for social enterprise in Scotland (Bib. number 42840) which highlights the importantcontribution a social enterprise busi…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for corporate social responsibility, the voluntary sector and the social economy.

Answer · John Swinney: We recognise that volunteers,voluntary organisations and social enterprises have a major contribution to makeacross our five strategic objectives and we will work closely with the sector toenhance the lives of individuals and communities across Scotland.<…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for trade and inward investment.

Answer · Jim Mather: Through our trade andinvestment arm, Scottish Development International, we will promote Scottisheconomic growth by:increasing the participationof Scottish companies – especially those with strong growth potential in theindustries1 designate…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for business and industry, including Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Answer · Jim Mather: Our prime objective is toincrease the rate of Scottish economic growth and to ensure that this iseconomically and environmentally sustainable. We will aim to bring it into linewith that of other small European nations. We intend to use a range of measuresto a…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for procurement and budgetary monitoring.

Answer · John Swinney: The Executive’s immediate procurementobjective is to accelerate the programme of public procurement reform which is alreadyunderway. Two key themes underpin this programme. The first is to ensure effectivecollaboration amongst public sector bodies, to deliver…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for the Scottish Public Pensions Agency.

Answer · John Swinney: The agency’s objectives are todeliver a high quality, customer focussed and cost-effective service to its stakeholders.The agency’s 2005-08 corporate plan, which can be viewed at <ahref="http://www.sppa.gov.uk/">www.sppa.gov.uk</a>, provides further details o…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for e-government.

Answer · John Swinney: My top objectives are supportinge-government initiatives which build Scotland’s economy and using information and communications technologyto improve public services focused on the needs of business and citizens and tosecure greater efficiencies.

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for the relocation of civil service jobs.

Answer · John Swinney: I am currently considering thefuture arrangements for reaching decisions on the locations of public bodies, inlight of the experience of previous relocation policy, the findings of the Financeand Audit Committees of the Scottish Parliament and our wider commi…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for the General Register Office for Scotland and Registers of Scotland.

Answer · John Swinney: The work of the General RegisterOffice for Scotland and Registers of Scotland is essential to Scotland.I expect the General RegisterOffice for Scotland to continue, on behalf of the Registrar General for Scotland,to arrange for the registration of life…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for cities and community planning.

Answer · John Swinney: The government’s objectives forcities are the same as for Scotland as a whole. We want cities to be wealthier andfairer; to be healthier; to be safer and stronger; to be smarter, and to be greener.Our objectives for communityplanning are consistent wit…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for public service delivery.

Answer · John Swinney: The First Minister has made itclear that the purpose of his new administration is to focus government and publicservices on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotlandto flourish, through increasing sustainable growth. The five …

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for local government.

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for deregulation.

Answer · Jim Mather: Our priorities are to createregulatory conditions in Scotland that allow delivery of our five strategic objectivesat least cost to industry. I will meet with industry to establish their prioritiesfor action and have already agreed to meet the industry Chair o…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for public service reform.

Answer · John Swinney: The First Minister has madeit clear that the purpose of his new administration is to focus government andpublic services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities forall of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable growth.The five s…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for the Scottish budget.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government’s topobjectives for its budget will reflect the Government’s purpose which is to focusgovernment and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunitiesfor all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainab…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for the economy.

Answer · John Swinney: Our overarching priority is fasterand more sustainable economic growth. We start from the ambition and belief thatwe can rank among the top 15 most competitive nations in the world and at leastmatch United Kingdom growth in the lifetime of this Parliament.</p…

12 Dec 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote the performance of its agencies in their attainment of employment monitoring data in line with their duties under the Race Relations Act 1976.

Answer · Tom McCabe: In line with our legal obligations,Diversity Strategy and Departmental Diversity Delivery Plan, the Scottish Executive,as an employer, is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce and thequality of employment monitoring data, including for those a…

2 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many elderly residents have received (a) free central heating and (b) a concessionary travel card in the Paisley North parliamentary constituency.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Information on numbers who have received free central heating is only available at main postcode level. In the PA post code area the number of properties that have benefited from the Central Heating Programme in the private sector, since the programme began i…

9 Aug 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will update the table “How the measures are being used” on page 11 of Standing Up to Antisocial Behaviour: First Anniversary Report to provide the most recent data available in respect of the number of times used and locations for the specified antisocial behaviour legal measur…

Answer · Hugh Henry: The most recent published informationon the use of the legal measures in the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland)Act 2004 is provided in our Standing Up To Antisocial Behaviour CommunityNewsletter which can be viewed via the attached link:<ahref="http://www…

7 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-10335 by Mr Andy Kerr on 21 September 2004 on non-domestic rate income, whether it will publish the same table updated for each year since 1995-96, including estimates for 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07.

Answer · Tom McCabe: Estimated and actual non-domestic rate income (NDRI) are shown in the following table. <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> Year</td> <td> Estimated NDRI <p align…

30 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the waiting times were for (a) in-patient, (b) day and (c) out-patient cases for (i) all specialities and (ii) coronary care specialties, such as angioplasty, angiography and coronary artery bypass graft, and what information it has on the equivalent waiting times in England in each …

Answer · Andy Kerr: The majority of patients who require in-patient or day case treatment, including heart operations, are treated quickly. Nearly 55% of patients treated in NHSScotland hospitals are admitted immediately and never join a waiting list. Of those who do wait, 41% a…

1 Jun 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the timetable for constructing the new Renfrew Health Centre will be affected by the plans for NHS Argyll and Clyde.

Answer · Andy Kerr: There is nothing in these planswhich should delay the current timetable.

20 Apr 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by the independent Local Government Finance Review committee.

Answer · Tom McCabe: I understand that the committee is making good progress, in line with the timetable set out on its website. The committee is of course independent. Its target remains to report by summer 2006.

24 Mar 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, of the total number of young people considered to be persistent young offenders in each of the last four years, how many (a) first came into the Children's Hearing system on care and protection grounds, (b) had serious drug and alcohol issues and (c) started their offending behaviour whi…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Statistics for the children’s hearings system are a matter for the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA). The information requested by the Member is not held centrally. The youth justice performance baseline announced to Parliament on 4 No…

16 Mar 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many traffic commissioners there have been to monitor bus operators in each year since 1996.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The responsibility for monitoring bus operators rests with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency of the Department for Transport (DfT). Prior to 1999 the monitoring of operators compliance with bus registrations was undertaken as required by staff from DfT…

19 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it can encourage entrepreneurs or philanthropists to invest in education.

Answer · Peter Peacock: We are actively working with a number of philanthropists who currently are investing or have expressed an interest in investing in education.We are keen to develop those discussions and we are actively doing so.

22 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-12838 by Johann Lamont on 16 December 2004, against which targets there has been (a) a consistent improvement and (b) a deterioration in trend performance and what the reasons are in each case.

Answer · Johann Lamont: The sixth report of the Planning Audit Unit provides an analysis and assessment of trends across Scotland as a whole and identifies those authorities who have met targets. The audit report is available at: <ahref="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/planning/…