Parliamentary questions

Alex Neil

3,059 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it takes the impact on the (a) environment and (b) health of the local population into consideration when deciding on the route of any motorway which it is considering constructing.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Yes. These issues are covered in an Environmental Statement which is published with the draft scheme orders.

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the construction of motorways through major urban settlements.

Answer · Tavish Scott: There is no pre-defined policy. The options for the route of a new motorway are judged against the Governments five assessment criteria of Integration, Economy, Safety, Environment, and Accessibility.

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest cost estimates are for (a) upgrading the A80 from Stepps to Haggs through Cumbernauld to full motorway status and (b) constructing a motorway through the identified Kelvin Valley route to join the M80 at Stepps to the M80 at Haggs.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The estimated total scheme cost of the on line route lies in the range £127 million to £146 million excluding VAT at 2004 quarter 1 prices. The equivalent range for a route through the Kelvin Valley is £239 to £271 million.

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers the benefits to be of the new Auchenkilns grade separated junction on the A80.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The new junction has removed a significant bottleneck from the A80. It will greatly ease traffic flow, improving journey times, reliability and removing pollution generated as a result of queueing traffic.

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the conversion of the Auchenkilns Roundabout on the A80 to a grade separated junction indicates its preference for upgrading the A80 through Cumbernauld to full motorway status.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The preference for an on line route was announced in 1997 and reaffirmed by the Strategic Roads Review in 1999. The decision to proceed to construct the new Auchenkilns Junction was taken on the economic benefits of that scheme.

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20285 by Mr Andy Kerr on 10 November 2005, whether there have been any instances where the Scottish Medicines Consortium has made a recommendation on the use of a drug to NHS Scotland but has been subsequently contradicted by the National Institute f…

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) reviewed Pimecrolimus cream (ElidelÒ) in July 2004, and did not recommend it for use. SMC advice was: “Pimecrolimus cream is the first topical immunomodulator licensed for the treatment of signs and s…

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20285 by Mr Andy Kerr on 10 November 2005, whether the decisions of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency or the European Medicines Agency are binding on the Executive and the NHS in Scotland.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Before a medicine can be placed on the UK market it must have a marketing authorisation either from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency or the European Medicines Agency. Decisions on the marketing authorisations of medicines made by the MH…

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20285 by Mr Andy Kerr on 10 November 2005 and if it is the responsibility of the Scottish Medicines Corsortium to advise the NHS on the suitability of medicines, why it is the responsibility of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland to advise NHS Scotland …

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) advises NHSScotland on the clinical and cost effectiveness of all new medicines, formulations and indications at, or as soon as possible after, the time of launch of a medicine. National Institute for Health and Clinica…

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20285 by Mr Andy Kerr on 10 November 2005, what the relationship is between the Scottish Medicines Consortium and NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.

Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answer given to S2W-21270, answered on 12 December 2005. 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…

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20285 by Mr Andy Kerr on 10 November 2005, why the Scottish Medicines Consortium does not recommend that Memantine (Exiba ®) is used to treat moderately severe to severe Alzheimer’s Disease and whether this indicates that the drug is used to treat mi…

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) reviewed memantine (Ebixa) in July 2003 and did not recommend it for use within NHS Scotland. Its advice was that, although this is currently the only agent licensed for use in moderately severe to severe Alzheimer's di…

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20285 by Mr Andy Kerr on 10 November 2005, why NHS Quality Improvement Scotland is awaiting the final recommendation of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in relation to its consultation document, Alzheimer’s disease – donepezil, rivastig…

Answer · Andy Kerr: NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) has published comments on all NICE appraisals since May 2001. It does not re-assess the evidence used by NICE to avoid duplication of effort and to ensure public resources are used effectively and efficiently. NHS QI…

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20285 by Mr Andy Kerr on 10 November 2005, whether the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is a UK-wide body whose decisions are binding on the Executive and the NHS in Scotland.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The regulation and safety of medicines is a reserved matter. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is the government agency which is responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices marketed in the UK are acceptably safe. I…

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the National Institute for Clinical Excellence advises the NHS in Scotland.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The conclusions of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Multiple Technology Appraisals (MTA) (previously called Technology Appraisal Guidance) are considered by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS). NHS QIS make recommendations o…

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20865 by Cathy Jamieson on 29 November 2005, who would be responsible for payment of damages to the family of James Barclay if the family was awarded damages by the court.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The responsibility for the payment of any damages would depend on the terms of any court judgement.

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20864 by Cathy Jamieson on 29 November 2005, whether the reason for no disciplinary action or penalty being imposed on HM Prison Kilmarnock was because the position was one of failure to meet a particular contractual commitment and not a result of a …

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-21262 on 9 December 2005. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on t…

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20864 by Cathy Jamieson on 29 November 2005, why no disciplinary action or penalty was imposed on HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:Liquidated damages are the remedyspecified in the contract for the late opening of the prison. The contract can beviewed on the SPS w…

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20863 by Cathy Jamieson on 29 November 2005 and if it is the case that failure to meet a particular contractual commitment is not a breach of contract, whether it considers that its contracts are rigorously enough drafted to ensure that contractors a…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows: Failure to report a performance measure would lead to the application of the appropriate performance points. I refer the member to the ans…

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20863 by Cathy Jamieson on 29 November 2005 and if it is the case that failure to meet a particular contractual commitment is not a breach of contract, whether this is the position in relation to all contracts it or its agencies sign or just in the s…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-21258 on 15 December 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available o…

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20863 by Cathy Jamieson on 29 November 2005, what the distinction is between “failure to meet a particular contractual commitment” and “a breach of contract”.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-21258 on 15 December 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available o…

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows: The responsibilities of each of the contracting parties are fully defined in the Minute of the Agreement to the contract which can be view…

30 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy is for increasing the use of public transport.

Answer · Tavish Scott: In 2005-06, for the first time, we are spending over £1 billion on transport, increasing to almost £1.4 billion by 2007-08. 70% of this will be spent on public transport over the period of the long-term investment plan. This investment will lead to sus…

24 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20283 by Tavish Scott on 17 November 2005, whether these extra costs that must be met by the contractor result from their contract with the Executive and, if so, whether it will provide details.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Under the contract, the contractor is responsible for the design and construction of the works. As I said in my reply to you on 17 November 2005 the amount of any extra costs incurred by the contractor is not known to the Scottish Executive.

24 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the purpose is of transferring a prisoner from a regular prison to an open prison.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows: For two main reasons, first to test and help prepare suitable long-term prisoners for their return to society, secondly to manage carefull…

24 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20542 by Cathy Jamieson on 21 November 2005, what the average length of time is that a prisoner awaiting transfer from a regular prison to the open estate must wait before such transfer is complete.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows: Prisons keep a current list of those prisoners agreed as eligible for transfer to an open prison. However, historical data is not retained…

24 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20542 by Cathy Jamieson on 21 November 2005, what the (a) highest and (b) lowest number of prisoners awaiting transfer to the open estate was in each of the last five years.

24 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20542 by Cathy Jamieson on 21 November 2005, what the average number of prisoners who should have been held in an open prison but were not was in each of the last five years.

21 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it is able to provide on what steps are being taken to resolve the disagreement between fingerprint experts in Aberdeen and the Scottish Criminal Records Office and whether it considers that such disagreement might jeopardise future court cases involving the Scottish Fing…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The only known disagreement concerns an identification made by the Glasgow bureau in 1997, about which three fingerprint officers in the Aberdeen bureau published an opinion in 2005. This opinion had no impact on the case in question and has no implications f…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S2W-20144 by George Lyon on 9 November 2005, what the definitional issues and complex and significant national and local financial implications are of making all pensioners exempt from paying council tax.

Answer · George Lyon: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-20868 on 30 November 2005. 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/weba…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20144 by George Lyon on 9 November 2005, whether it will estimate what the total cost to it would be of making all pensioners wholly exempt from paying council tax with the proviso that any such estimate is a speculative one.

Answer · George Lyon: Council tax is levied on households. Estimates of the costs of making pensioners exempt from paying council tax will vary according to how exemptions are applied. For example, treating pensioners as “disregarded adults” for the purpose of council tax w…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-17676 by Cathy Jamieson on 7 July 2005, how the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is able to fulfil its responsibility, under the terms of clause 49.1 of the minute of agreement between the Scottish Prison Service and Kilmarnock Prison Services Ltd, to p…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows: Staff turnover is not information relating to the performance of the contractor or the subcontractor under the contract so falls outwith t…