Alex Neil

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) households and (b) pensioners' homes in postcode areas covering (i) Hamilton North and Bellshill and (ii) Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency have (1) benefited in 2001-02 and (2) are expected to benefit in 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05 under its Central Heating…

Answer · Margaret Curran: East Ayrshire Council installed central heating in 133 dwellings in 2001-02, and expect to install it in 80 dwellings in 2002-03 and 203 dwellings in 2003-04. South Lanarkshire Council installed central heating in 863 dwellings in 2001-02, and expect to insta…

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) households and (b) pensioners' homes in postcode areas covering the (i) Hamilton North and Bellshill and (ii) Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency are estimated to be eligible for free central heating under its Central Heating Installation Programme.

Answer · Des McNulty: There is no information on which to base such an estimate. Any local authority stock in these postcode areas which currently lacks central heating should have it by 31 March 2004. Any housing association stock which currently lacks central heating should have…

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available to cocaine and crack cocaine addicts in the (a) Hamilton North and Bellshill and (b) Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Guidance on the development of service provision for psychostimulant users, including cocaine and crack cocaine, was issued last August by the Executive's Effective Interventions Unit, based on the work of the Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse. Train…

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many recorded convictions there have been for drug trafficking in the (a) Hamilton North and Bellshill and (b) Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The information held centrally on persons with a charge proved cannot be broken down by parliamentary constituency. Figures for Hamilton and Kilmarnock Sheriff Courts are given in the table. Data for the year 2002 are not yet available.<P>Persons with a Charg…

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who, or what body, will represent the collective interests of sectors skills councils.

Answer · Iain Gray: Any collective representation of the interests of sector skills councils is a matter for those employer-led councils to determine for themselves.

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications have been referred to its Inquiry Reporters Unit in each year since 1999 in the (a) Hamilton North and Bellshill and (b) Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency.

Answer · Des McNulty: While information is not held centrally on a parliamentary constituency basis, the following table provides a breakdown of figures on a local authority basis.<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=510><TR><TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="TOP"><P>Year (1 April…

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are employed in the construction industry under the modern apprenticeship scheme in the (a) Hamilton North and Bellshill and (b) Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency.

Answer · Iain Gray: There are 59 modern apprentices (MA) in the Hamilton North and Bellshill parliamentary constituency and 78 in the Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency who are training towards Construction Industry Training Board MA frameworks.

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been taken to address any shortage of NHS dentists in the (a) Hamilton North and Bellshill and (b) Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency.

Answer · Mary Mulligan: Staffing issues are, in the first instance, for the appropriate NHS boards and trusts. However, at a national level, action has been taken to tackle shortages in dentistry.<P>In April last year, I announced a £1 million package of measures to encourage the re…

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the targets are for installations under its central heating installation programme in the (a) Hamilton North and Bellshill and (b) Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency for (i) all households and (ii) pensioners' homes.

Answer · Des McNulty: The targets are that any local authority stock in the area which currently lacks central heating should have it by 31 March 2004. Any housing association stock which currently lacks central heating should have it during March 2004. Owner-occupiers and private…

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Sector Skills Development Agency has the experience and expertise to provide the services previously provided by other bodies such as Sector Skills Alliance Scotland and, if not, how long it will take to develop the necessary expertise.

Answer · Iain Gray: The role of the Sector Skills Development Agency is to guide, core-fund and monitor the evolving sector skills council network. Its role is independent of that of other bodies such as Sector Skills Alliance Scotland.

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken in respect of employment sectors that are not covered by sectors skills councils.

Answer · Iain Gray: Responsibility for essential functions, such as National Occupational Standards and Modern Apprenticeship Frameworks, for sectors which are not be covered by an individual Sector Skills Council rests with the Sector Skills Development Agency.

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many sector skills councils are currently in place and how many will be in place by the end of (a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005.

Answer · Iain Gray: There are presently five Trailblazer Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) in place, provisionally licensed to March 2004, and a further nine aspirant SSCs in development. The Sector Skills Development Agency expects to have (a) 10 SSCs licensed by September 2003, (b…

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the mortality rates per 100,000 population from coronary heart disease in the (a) Hamilton North and Bellshill and (b) Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency compare with the Scottish average in each year from 1996 to 2001.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The information requested is given in the following table.<P>Mortality Rates from Coronary Heart Disease<SUP>1</SUP> Per 100,000 Population<SUP>2</SUP>, 1996-2001<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=2 WIDTH=420><TR><TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="TOP"><P>Year</TD>…

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether (a) it was and (b) each of its executive agencies and non departmental public bodies were advised of any financial irregularities in the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company and, if so, when.

Answer · Des McNulty: I have asked Bob Millar, Chief Executive, Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Towards the end of last year Communities Scotland were advised by Renfrewshire Council of its intention to carry out a financial health check in relation …

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it, or its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies, will undertake an inquiry into the running of the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company, including the use to which public monies have been put.

Answer · Des McNulty: I have asked Bob Millar, Chief Executive, Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Renfrewshire Council are in the process of compiling a report into the operation of this company. This report, when complete, will be passed on to Communi…

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the total value is of consultancy work commissioned by, or for, the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company paid for, directly or indirectly, by the Executive, what the remit of any such consultancy was, and what outcomes have been achieved.

Answer · Des McNulty: I have asked Bob Millar, Chief Executive, Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The value of consultancy work, the remit of such work and the outcomes achieved by it are matters currently under consideration by Renfrewshire Council as…

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it, or any of its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies, plan to request a police inquiry into the financial affairs of the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company.

Answer · Des McNulty: I have asked Bob Millar, Chief Executive, Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:<P>There are no plans at present to request a police enquiry into the financial affairs of the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company. Renfrewshire Council…

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what terms and conditions, including non-disclosure agreements, have been attached to any pay-off packages awarded to senior management staff of the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company and what contribution it, and its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies, made to a…

Answer · Des McNulty: I have asked Bob Millar, Chief Executive, Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company is a private company limited by guarantee. As such, issues relating to the terms and conditions of employment of …

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether all audits and any other reports relating to the financial and operational management of the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Answer · Des McNulty: I have asked Bob Millar, Chief Executive, Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Renfrewshire Council are in the process of compiling a finalised report into the operation of this company. This report, when complete, will be passed on …

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who its, and its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies, representatives are on the board of the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company.

Answer · Des McNulty: I have asked Bob Millar, Chief Executive, Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The Scottish Executive has no representatives on the board of the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company (PPRC). The present membership on the board of …

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measurements it, and its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies, used to monitor value for money obtained by the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company and what the company's performance has been against each of these targets since the company was established.

Answer · Des McNulty: I have asked Bob Millar, Chief Executive, Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows: <P>Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company receives Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) funding and as such is subject to the same monitoring and appraisal …

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what strategic objectives and operational targets it, and its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies, set for the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company.

Answer · Des McNulty: I have asked Bob Millar, Chief Executive, Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company provides the support team for the Paisley Partnership, and as such its strategic objectives and operational targe…

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what purposes it, and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies, invested money in the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company.

Answer · Des McNulty: I have asked Bob Millar, Chief Executive, Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Since it's inception in 1998 the primary focus of the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company has been around three objectives. These are to:<P>service, …

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has, and its executive agencies and non-departmental bodies have, invested in the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company in each year since the company was established.

Answer · Des McNulty: I have asked Bob Millar, Chief Executive, Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Investments by the Scottish Executive and Communities Scotland in the Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company are outlined in the table.<P>Paisley Partne…

8 Jan 2003 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to announce specific measures to tackle the falling population.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Executive believes that a growing population, with a highly skilled and motivated workforce, will help grow the economy. We want Scotland to be an attractive place to live and work for both individuals and businesses. Measures that will affect the size of…

20 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the internal organisation of its Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department, detailing the specific roles of divisions within the department.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The information requested about the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department can be found in the Scottish Executive Business Directory, which is available to MSPs.

12 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-2006 by Mr Jim Wallace on 3 November 1999, how many staff have left HM Prison (a) Kilmarnock, (b) Barlinnie, (c) Edinburgh, (d) Perth and (e) Peterhead since April 1999.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. <P>Staff leaving SPS were as follows:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=2 WIDTH=106><TR><TD WIDTH="64%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=16><P>Barlinnie</TD><TD WIDTH="36%" VA…

12 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-2393 by Mr Jim Wallace on 19 January 2000, whether it will provide up-to-date percentage staff turnover figures since April 1999 for HM Prison (a) Barlinnie, (b) Edinburgh, (c) Kilmarnock, (d) Perth and (e) Peterhead.

Answer · Hugh Henry: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:<P>I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-30525 on 28 October 2002, which contains the most recent information held on perce…

12 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-2015 by Mr Jim Wallace on 28 October 1999, whether it will provide details of any breach of HM Prison Kilmarnock's operating contract with the Scottish Prison Service since the answer was given, including details of what the breaches have been, on wh…

Answer · Hugh Henry: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>There has been no breach of contract.

4 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many classroom assistants are currently employed in each local authority area.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Details of the number of classroom assistants currently employed in each local authority area are not held centrally.