Parliamentary questions
Andrew Welsh
539 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
26 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what statutory powers it has in respect of the reciprocal enforcement of maintenance orders.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Of the bi-lateral ormulti-lateral arrangements to which the UK is party for the reciprocal recovery of maintenance,the majority are incorporated into domestic law in terms of the MaintenanceOrders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972 or by modifications thereto.…
26 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which countries are designated as reciprocating in respect of the reciprocal enforcement of maintenance orders.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The following countries reciprocate with Scotland:</p><p>Commonwealth and Ex-Commonwealth Countries</p><p>(Dealt With Under Part I of The Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) 1972 Act)</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <tr> <td> <p>Angu…
26 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for the reciprocal enforcement of a maintenance order have been successfully enforced in each year since 1999 and in which countries.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The figures are as follows: </p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p>Year</p> </td> <td> <p>Country</p> </td> <td> <p align=center>Number</p> </td> </tr> </thead> <tr> <td> <p>1999</p> </td> <td> <p> </p> …
26 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been received for the reciprocal enforcement of a maintenance order in each year since 1999.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The number of applications coming in to Scotland and going out from Scotland through the central authority is as follows:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p>Year</p> </td> <td> <p align=center>Number</p> </td> <…
8 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will reach a decision on the retail development planning application at Westway Retail Park, Arbroath, following the local public inquiry held in October 2003.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: The Scottish ministers arecurrently awaiting the recommendations from the inquiry reporter on thisplanning application. When the report becomes available, ministers willconsider the findings carefully and every effort will be made to reach an earlydecision.</…
3 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the balance of funding review group.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The balance of fundingreview is looking at how local government in England is funded. Local governmentfunding is a devolved issue. We have made no representations to this review.</p>
27 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made with regard to Implementing a Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: <i>T</i><i>he Framework for Maternity Services</i> establishes clear action points and recommendationsto enable NHS boards, trusts and other agencies to put in place maternity servicesappropriate to the needs of the population and demography of Scotland.</p><…
27 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on students graduating in midwifery last year who have not found full-time employment as midwives.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: This information is not heldcentrally. However the One Year Guarantee Scheme was put in place to ensurethat all newly qualifying nurses and midwives could obtain employment inNHSScotland if they wished. By April 2003 no midwives were registered on thescheme s…
27 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many student midwives are undertaking their final year of study.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: There are approximately 200student midwives currently in their final year of training.</p>
27 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies for midwife posts there are, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Information on vacancies andstaff establishments is reported annually by NHS trusts. The latest availablefigures for midwifery posts are shown in the table.</p><p>QualifiedMidwife Vacancies by NHS Board</p><p>Whole TimeEquivalent: at 31 March 2003</p><table b…
20 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has encouraged, or commissioned, research on the prevalence of essential fatty acids in children on the autistic spectrum.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Chief Scientists Office(CSO), within the Scottish Executive Health Department, has responsibility forencouraging and supporting research into health and health care needs in Scotland.CSO is largely a response mode funder of research and has recently recei…
18 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in respect of any health risks from the installation of terrestrial trunked radio masts near schools.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: TETRA systems aresubject to the same provisions for control of public exposures toradiofrequency (RF) radiation as global systemfor mobile telecommunications (GSM) equipment. These provisionsinclude a requirement that operators ensure that public exposures ar…
13 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received in respect of extending safety guidelines for mobile phones to terrestrial trunked radio network.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Executivehas received a number of enquiries about the possible adverse health effects ofTETRA systems. All the provisions for control of public exposures toradiofrequency radiation from the GlobalSystem for Mobile Telecommunications apply equally toTETRA …
13 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made on extending safety guidelines for mobile phones to the terrestrial trunked radio network.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The provisions for limitingthe exposure of members of the public to radiofrequency emissions from theequipment that forms the Global System for Mobile Telecommunications (GSM) applyequally to emissions from the TETRA system. This includes a requirement fromth…
13 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it has on any long-term health risk to people living near cell phone base stations.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Two of the principalconclusions of the report of the independent expert group on mobile phones,issued in May 2000, were that the balance of evidence to date suggests that (i)exposure to radiation from mobile phone technologies at levels below currentguideline…
13 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the current emissions pulse transmitted by the terrestrial trunked radio network in Scotland.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive does not maintain records on the emissions from the terrestrial trunkedradio network in Scotland. The Radiocommunications Agency undertakemeasurements from TETRA and cellular base stations on a United Kingdombasis and publish these resu…
13 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what figures it has on the number of terrestrial trunked radio masts that have been, or are currently in the process of being, installed in Scotland.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: Whilst the Scottish Executive collects data on the number of planning applications submitted for radiotelecommunications developments, it does not ask planning authorities todistinguish between operators or technologies. We are, therefore, unable toprovide th…
6 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has of the number of small businesses associated with the equine industry.
Answer · Ross Finnie: None. The information is notheld centrally.</p>
6 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make representations to Her Majesty's Government to seek a review of the classification of the horse to the category of agricultural animal for tax purposes.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive has no such plans.</p>
6 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received with regard to passports for horses.
Answer · Ross Finnie: A consultation document onthe proposed extension of the horse passport scheme was sent out to interestedparties on 17 July 2003. Comments were requested by 14 September 2003 and responses were subsequently received from the following:</p><p>Scottish Soci…
6 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has of revenue turnover in the equine industry in the last year.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The information requested isnot held centrally.</p>
6 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has of employment in the equine industry, broken down by sector.
Answer · Ross Finnie: None. This information isnot held centrally.</p>
5 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the economic importance and potential of the equine industry.
Answer · Ross Finnie: No specific assessment hasbeen made.</p>
5 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its Environment and Rural Affairs Department has commissioned any research on the equine industry.
Answer · Ross Finnie: No.</p>
5 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Environment and Rural Affairs Department has been invited to participate in the UK working group on the equine industry and, if so, whether it will participate.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I am not aware of any such UK working group,but the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department is a memberof the steering group for a British research project on the horse industry.</p>
5 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Network Rail regarding its plans to close access to level crossings.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Network Rail on a wide range of issuesincluding the closure of level crossings in Scotland.</p>
5 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will legislate to provide rights of way across level crossings.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive has no plans to legislate to provide rights of way across levelcrossings. </p><p>The Executive is committedto encouraging responsible access to the countryside. This is the reason forthe legislation which establishes rights of responsib…
19 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what youth cafi and other alcohol-free projects there are.
Answer · Tom McCabe: There are Youth Community Alcohol Free Environments (CAFEs) in 21 of the 22 local Alcohol Action Team (AAT) areas. Details of individual projects are not held centrally at present but are currently being assessed within the action plans of each AAT. These pla…
19 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial and other support it has allocated in each of the last five years to youth cafis and other alcohol-free projects for young people.
Answer · Tom McCabe: Funding for Youth Community Alcohol Free Environments (CAFEs) and other alcohol-free projects for young people is provided within resources allocated to local authorities and NHS boards but is not identified specifically by the Executive.
13 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to appoint a dedicated team within its Environment and Rural Affairs Department to promote equine matters within the rural economy.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Equine matters are diverse including animal health, tourism and rural enterprise. These issues are dealt with by a number of Scottish Executive departments and we are not convinced that a dedicated team in a single department would improve the consideration o…