Alex Neil

24 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make an assessment of the impact on the Scottish economy of the proposed Climate Change Levy.

Answer · Henry McLeish: I<B> </B>am aware that concerns have been expressed about the impact of the proposed Climate Change Levy on particular areas and industries. I do intend to keep the matter under close review.

24 Jun 1999 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to assess the impact of Social Inclusion Partnerships.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: We shall be monitoring the progress of Social Inclusion Partnerships against the targets and indicators set for each partnership.

23 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to request the Raptor Working Group to consider proposing measures to protect racing pigeons.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Interaction between birds of prey and pigeons is already one of the issues which the Raptor Working Group is considering.

23 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make a statement on its role in the New Deal for Communities.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: In Scotland a different but no less innovative approach to community regeneration has been adopted to that being pursued in England. Our approach reflects particular Scottish needs and circumstances. It is guided by the principle, which has been established…

23 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive if it intends to review the scope and availability of concessionary travel for elderly and retired people.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: At present, under the existing legislation - section 93 of the Transport Act 1985 - decisions on the extent and administration of concessionary travel schemes for certain categories of person, including pensioners, are solely for local authorities taking acco…

23 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to seek representation on the UK, Oil and Gas Industry Task Force.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive is represented on the Task Force.

23 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to publish details of any representations it receives in respect of the role of the voluntary sector in tackling social exclusion.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: We intend to make available copies of representations received, in response to formal consultations on tackling social exclusion, provided the authors have no objections. These will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

23 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to undertake a study into the impact on road traffic on the A77 and B764 roads of the proposed extraction of timber from Whitelee Forest near Fenwick in Ayrshire.

Answer · John Home Robertson: We have no plans to undertake such a study. However, the Forestry Commission is looking at possible alternative routes for lorries taking timber from Whitelee Forest, starting next year. The Commission is carefully considering all aspects, including the imp…

23 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to publish an updated forecast of population trends in Scotland over the next thirty years.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Registrar General intends to publish later this year 1998-based population projections for Scotland, by age and sex for the period in question. Sub-national projections, consistent with these national projections, for Scotland's administrative areas are p…

23 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to publish details of the status of its evaluation of the proposed new Glasgow South orbital road.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: As the proposed Glasgow Southern Orbital road (GSO) needs a safe and reliable link with the existing A77 trunk road, or with any upgraded M77/A77 which might replace it, implementation of the GSO proposals is linked to decisions on the A77. A proposed upgrad…

23 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it intends to take to end discrimination against single people in respect of the services delivered within its own areas of responsibility.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: We are committed to mainstreaming of equality into all aspects of Scottish Executive policy and service delivery. This means that all policies will be examined for any differential impact on different groups within society. This could include people of diff…

15 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to be represented at the special meeting of the European Council on Employment, Economic Reform and Social Cohesion to be held in the spring of 2000.

Answer · Jack McConnell: Meetings of the European Council are normally only attended by the Heads of State and Government.

15 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for a breakdown of its plans for the individual funding allocation over the next 3 years for (a) the new Social Inclusion Partnerships in Drumchapel, Greater Pollok and Glasgow, and (b) the 21 Social Inclusion Partnerships formed from the previous Programme for Partnership Areas and Rege…

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The information requested is given in the table.<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=2 WIDTH=625><TR><TD WIDTH="53%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=17><P></TD><TD WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=17><P></TD><TD WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=17><P></TD><TD WIDTH="15%…

15 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make an estimate of the impact on employment in Scotland resulting from the implementation of the European Employment Pact.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The European Employment Pact aims to strengthen existing strategies for economic reform and employment. It does not introduce specific employment measures, and we therefore have no plans to assess its impact on employment in Scotland.

15 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to implement any measures within its areas of responsibility to address the inequality in pay between men and women in Scotland.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: The Scottish Executive will be seeking to promote equal opportunities across its responsibilities. Through its education, training and childcare policies it will enable women to take a more active part in the labour market and maximise their earnings.

15 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to publish the mission statement and the strategic and operational objectives for departments of the Scottish Administration.

Answer · Jack McConnell: Departmental aims and objectives, along with expenditure plans, were published in 'Serving Scotland's Needs' (Cm 4215) in March 1999. Revised objectives for the Scottish Executive will be published as soon as possible.

9 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to support the provision of free residential and nursing care for elderly people.

Answer · Iain Gray: The recommendations in the report of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care about social work, health and housing matters will be for Scottish Ministers from 1 July. These include the recommendations about personal care and nursing care. We are considering ou…

9 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to ring fence any or all of the planned expenditure for the implementation of the National Carers Strategy.

Answer · Iain Gray: I am considering with my colleagues in the Scottish Executive how to take the National Carers Strategy forward in Scotland. An announcement will be made in due course.

8 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to publish a progress report on the implementation of the National Carers Strategy in Scotland.

Answer · Iain Gray: I am considering with my colleagues in the Scottish Executive how to take the National Carers Strategy forward in Scotland. An announcement will be made in due course.

8 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to increase its planned expenditure on the National Carers Strategy and if so, when and by how much.

Answer · Iain Gray: I am considering with my colleagues in the Scottish Executive how to take the National Carers Strategy forward in Scotland. An announcement will be made in due course.

8 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to bring forward legislation to abolish warrant sales in Scotland.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Warrant sales act as an ultimate sanction within a range of remedies available to the creditor for all types of debt. The system of warrant sales was reformed by the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987. These reforms removed the most resented and harsh aspects of th…

8 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review the plans to establish a new college of Further Education at Kilwinning in Ayrshire.

Answer · Henry McLeish: No. The contract was signed in March 1999 and construction is underway. The people of North Ayrshire are looking forward to the benefits of accessing a major new local FE facility by the middle of the year 2000.

2 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for dealing with fuel poverty in Scotland.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: We attach high priority to tackling fuel poverty in Scotland. We are pursuing this through the new £12 million Warm Deal which will come into effect on 1 July 1999 and will help low-income households in all sectors of the stock and provide work for unemploye…

1 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a higher grant for those recipients of the "Warm Deal" in Scotland programme who are unemployed.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: There are no such plans. To introduce a higher grant for those who are unemployed would reduce the amount available for pensioners and other vulnerable householders who are not in the labour market.

1 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the maximum grant of #500 payable under the "Warm Deal in Scotland" programme.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: With effect from 1<SUP> </SUP>July, the maximum grant will be increased from £315 to £500. We have no present plans for any further increase. In contrast to the previous more limited scheme, the new Warm Deal will provide a more extensive package of works, …

27 May 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations, if any, it has made to Her Majesty's Government in respect of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill currently under consideration in the Westminster Parliament.

Answer · Donald Dewar: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with United Kingdom Government Ministers and Departments, including the Department for Social Security, on a wide range of issues.

27 May 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings of the EU Council of Ministers will Scottish Ministers be attending over the next six months.

Answer · Jack McConnell: Scottish Ministers may attend EU Council meetings, where appropriate, as part of the UK delegation.

27 May 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends, after 1 July 1999, making proposals to bringing forward the start date for the upgrading of the A77 road between Fenwick and Malletsheugh.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The proposal to upgrade the A77 trunk road to motorway between Fenwick and Malletsheugh was one of 17 major road improvement schemes considered in the Scottish Strategic Roads Review initiated by the UK Government. The Scottish Executive will wish to take st…

27 May 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for providing its publications in an accessible format for people with sight impairments and other disabilities.

Answer · Jack McConnell: The Scottish Office has produced key documents in a number of formats including Braille, large print, audio and sign language video formats. It is expected that this practice will continue under the Scottish Executive. We will also be taking into account th…