Parliamentary questions
Brian Adam
1,580 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
6 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what communications have taken place in 1999 between the reference laboratories working group and/or the Scottish Executive and the Aberdeen reference laboratory about quality concerns in the Aberdeen E coli laboratory.
Answer · Susan Deacon: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-1829.
6 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when concerns over quality in the E coli laboratory at Foresterhill were drawn to the attention of Grampian University Hospitals Trust.
Answer · Susan Deacon: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-1829.
6 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the reference laboratories working group sought any clarification on statistical difficulties in the Aberdeen reference laboratory's annual report from the reference laboratory in Aberdeen between receipt of the report and the National Services Division of the Common Services Agen…
Answer · Susan Deacon: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-1829.
6 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the reference laboratories working group sought further information about the samples listed in the Aberdeen reference laboratory's annual report as falling outwith the eight day turnaround time from the reference laboratory in Aberdeen prior to reaching its decision that it did n…
Answer · Susan Deacon: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-1829.
6 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the reference laboratories working group sought any clarification of the seven reasons given in the Aberdeen reference laboratory's annual report for E coli 157 response times exceeding targets from the reference laboratory in Aberdeen prior to reaching its decision that it did no…
Answer · Susan Deacon: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-1829.
5 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what is the membership of the reference laboratories working group.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The membership of the Reference Laboratories Working Group is as follows:<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Chairman:<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Dr B Watt			Director<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">				Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">			&#…
5 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what is the turnaround time for specimens in the E coli laboratory at Foresterhill in the current financial year and how this compares with the target turnaround time.
Answer · Susan Deacon: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-1829.
5 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the user survey which it conducted with the Aberdeen reference laboratory on the usefulness of typing campylobacters was conducted, when the results of the survey will be published and whether the reference laboratories working group discussed the results of the survey before coming …
Answer · Susan Deacon: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-1829.
5 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the reference laboratories working group consulted any campylobacter experts inside or outside Scotland before coming to a decision that there was no current justification for the continuation of a reference laboratory service for campylobacter in Scotland.
Answer · Susan Deacon: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-1829.
5 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the reference laboratories working group consulted formally with the advisory committee on the microbiological safety of food before coming to a decision that there was no current justification for the continuation of a reference laboratory service for campylobacter in Scotland.
Answer · Susan Deacon: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-1829.
16 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what is the average contribution to the total weekly cost of their accommodation and care made by residents in nursing and residential homes.
Answer · Iain Gray: An estimated 5,300 older people were admitted to long term residential care during the year to 31 March 1999. Of these 1,200 (22%) received contributions towards the cost of their care only from DSS (pensions and residential allowance). These 1,200 older peop…
9 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much contingency funds within its budget are as yet uncommitted in the current financial year.
Answer · Jack McConnell: Scotland's Supply Estimates for 1999-2000, published on 4 February 1999, fully allocate all the funds available to the Scottish Executive to expenditure programmes.
8 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to resolve the Junior Hospital Doctors' grievances over long hours, working conditions and out of hours pay.
Answer · Susan Deacon: On 22 September I announced a package of measures designed to accelerate progress in reducing junior doctors' hours and improving existing working conditions in line with the New Deal targets and standards. The key elements of the package include:<DIR><P>a ne…
8 Sep 1999 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much contingency funds within its budget are as yet uncommitted in the current financial year.
Answer · Jack McConnell: Scotland's Supply Estimates for 1999-00, published on 4 February 1999, fully allocate all the funds available to the Scottish Executive to expenditure programmes.
24 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to allocate funds to universities to develop techniques to produce new products out of recyclable waste.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer to the answer (S1W-868) I gave to Richard Lochhead on 24 August.
24 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to amend the Environmental Protection Act (1990) to give Environmental Protection Officers power to require a person to give their name and address in order to enforce penalties for littering.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: We have no such plans.
24 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce legislation relating to mental health issues other than the proposed Incapable Adults (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Susan Deacon: Scottish Ministers confirmed on 24 August their intention to put a Mental Health Bill before the Scottish Parliament using emergency procedures upon the resumption of Parliament. This Bill addresses issues raised by the case of Noel Ruddle. The Mental Health…
17 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or intends to make to Her Majesty's Government regarding British Telecom's proposed plans in Scotland for new high speed data services, technically known as asymmetric digital subsriber line (ADSL), and whether it will seek to encourage their installation …
Answer · Henry McLeish: The question of the roll-out of high speed data services such as ADSL is a commercial matter for BT. However, OFTEL is currently consulting on the issue of access to bandwidth in general, and my officials intend to respond, drawing the regulator's attention t…
17 Jun 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement on the total cost of abolishing Skye bridge tolls with immediate effect.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The basis for costing abolition of the tolls is stipulated in the contract for procuring the bridge. The Scottish Executive has no plans to initiate any negotiations about abolition with the concessionaire. Its policy is to freeze tolls at 1999 cash levels …
16 Jun 1999 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement on the total cost of abolishing Skye bridge tolls
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The basis for costing abolition of the tolls is stipulated in the contract for procuring the bridge. The Scottish Executive has no plans to initiate any negotiations about abolition with the concessionaire. Its policy is to freeze tolls at 1999 cash levels fo…