Mr Brian Monteith

6 Feb 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance exists for local authorities with regard to the provision of a gritting service on school bus routes.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Guidance with regard to theprovision of a gritting service on school bus routes is contained in “DeliveringBest Value in Highway Maintenance – Code of Practice for Maintenance Management”.This Code of Practice has been prepared by the Institution of Highways …

6 Feb 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2866 by Malcolm Chisholm on 6 October 2003, how much the healthyliving line cost to run in each month since September 2003.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The operational costs forthe healthy living line from 1 September 2003 to 31 January 2004 are presentedin the table.</p><p>Operational Costs for the HealthyLiving Line (September 2003 – January 2004)</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <t…

3 Feb 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs were of publishing, printing, distributing and launching Helping Homeless People: Delivering the Action Plan for Prevention and Effective Response.

Answer · Margaret Curran: The cost of publishing andprinting the <i>Helping Homeless People: Delivering the Action Plan forPrevention and Effective Response</i> was £3,274.28, which includes costs forweb conversion. Distributing costs to date are £416.13, further copies maybedistribut…

30 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why its published documents often do not contain a date of publication and whether steps are being taken to ensure that all publications include either a date of publication or dated ministerial forward.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive adheres to the standard publication conventions used by all publishers.This means that the publisher’s name and address, copyright statement and yearof publication are all shown on the copyright page which is included at thefront of all…

30 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average number of sick days taken per annum is for civil servants.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The member is referred tothe Cabinet Office report “Analysis ofSickness Absence in the Civil Service 2002”, published 1 December 2003.</p><p>Thisreport is available at URL:</p><p><ahref="http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/civilservice/publications/sickness/sick…

30 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many retirements from the civil service were due to ill-health and how many retirements there were in total from the civil service in each year since 1996.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The information requestedcan be found in the following table:</p><p>Scottish Executive Core Departments - Retirements by reason 1996-2003</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 width=554> <thead> <tr> <td> <p> </p> </td> <td> <p>Year</p> …

30 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many retirements from local authorities were due to ill-health and how many retirements there were in total from local authorities in each year since 1996.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Data on the total number of retirements to local authority pension schemes has been collected by the Scottish Executive since 1998-99. Data on the number of retirements due to ill-health is only available at the Scotland level from 2000-01. The table below pr…

28 Jan 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next meet representatives of COSLA and what issues will be discussed.

Answer · Andy Kerr: We meet regularly with COSLAto discuss issues relevant to local government. My next meeting with the Conventionis on 26 February.</p>

27 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5311 by Mr Andy Kerr on 21 January 2004, what the cost of the commissioned research on overseas views of different marketing approaches will be.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The research activitypresently underway is designed to build upon our knowledge of how Scotland isperceived in a range of countries and domestically; and how we can use creativematerial to change or build upon those perceptions. It will inform a number ofelem…

22 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2864 by Malcolm Chisholm on 6 October 2003, how many calls there have been to the healthyliving line in each month since September 2003.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The number of calls to the healthy living advice line between 1 September 2003 and 25 January 2004 are as follows:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p>Month</p> </td> <td> <p align=center>Number of Calls</p> </td>…

15 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive what the average waiting time was for an appointment with a dermatologist and to obtain a biopsy in each NHS board area in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The median waiting times fora first outpatient appointment with a consultant in the specialty of dermatology,following referral by a general medical practitioner, by NHS board ofresidence, in each of the last 10 years are given in the table.</p><p>Information…

13 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #285 million council tax rebate grant paid by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) was paid to each local authority in 2001-02.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The information requested isgiven in the following table. This is as reported to the Scottish Executive by local authorities.</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 width=320> <thead> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p>Council Tax Benefit - DWP Contribut…

12 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost to introduce an 80% relief from business rates for all registered community amateur clubs, other than sports clubs.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The information required toanswer this question is not held centrally.</p>

9 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide additional funding for Stirling Council to make improvements to its roads infrastructure, in light of the decision to locate the new acute hospital for Forth Valley at Larbert.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: No. Funding for local roadsand bridges forms part of the general local government finance settlement. Aspart of this, Stirling Council receives above inflation increases in revenuesupport of 9.1% this year, and of 6.3% and 4.4% over the next two years. It ise…

8 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents occurred on the B822 between the Gonachan Bridge, Fintry and the border with East Dunbartonshire, north of Lennoxtown, in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Data about injury roadaccidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the Stats 19 statistical report format. These returns cover onlyaccidents in which one or more people were injured: they do not cover damageonly accidents…

8 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its recent decision to award funding to local authorities for 20 mph speed restrictions outside schools, whether it will allow local authorities to use this money for other purposes such as improved gritting on school bus routes.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The capital funding beingmade available by the Executive to local authorities for the introduction of 20mph speed limits around schools can also be used for safer routes to schoolprojects and the development of home zones. A wide range of measures can beimple…

6 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available for the development of an advertising slogan to promote Scotland abroad.

Answer · Andy Kerr: As detailed inevidence recently submitted to the European and External Relations Committee,the Executive is looking at all aspects of its work to promote Scotland's interests overseas. Part of this work involves ensuringthat the public sector's overseas marke…

18 Dec 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the outstanding council tax bills from 2002-03 has been written off by local authorities.

Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-5138. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_…

18 Dec 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the outstanding council tax bills from 2001-02 has been written off by local authorities.

Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-5138. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_…

18 Dec 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the outstanding council tax bills from 2000-01 has been written off by local authorities.

Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-5138. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_…

18 Dec 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the outstanding council tax bills from 1999-2000 has been written off by local authorities.

Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5138. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search…

18 Dec 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the outstanding council tax bills from 1998-99 has been written off by local authorities.

Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-5138. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_…

18 Dec 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the outstanding council tax bills from 1997-98 has been written off by local authorities.

Answer · Tavish Scott: This information is not heldcentrally.</p>

15 Dec 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the terms were of the agreement reached with Hoover to secure the retention of research and development and manufacturing at its Cambuslang plant; whether funds from the Executive or Scottish Development International were allocated to Hoover as part of the agreement, and whether th…

Answer · Jim Wallace: Hoover was not offered any new regional selectiveassistance (RSA) in relation to the retention of research and development andmanufacture at its Cambuslang facility. However the terms of the existing RSAoffer of £1.7 million, which had been paid in full, have…

12 Dec 2003 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer what the estimated cost for architects' fees for the Holyrood project was in (a) March 2001, (b) March 2002, (c) March 2003 and (d) December 2003.

Answer · George Reid: I am informed by the convenerof the Holyrood Progress Group that the estimated cost for architects scale feesfor the dates requested are as follows:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p>Date</p> </td> <td> <p>Cost (£…

12 Dec 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the current status is of the independent review of youth football by PMP Consultancy and when the report will be published.

Answer · Frank McAveety: The independent review ofyouth football commissioned by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) has beenconcluded. The Executive is currently in discussion with the SFA and <b>sport</b>scotlandon the report’s recommendations and how best to take these forward…

8 Dec 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the decision by Stirling Council to close the denominational Holy Trinity Episcopal Primary School, whether there is any deadline by which ministers must either approve or reject the closure decision.

Answer · Peter Peacock: No such deadline isspecified in statute. A decision will be reached as soon as is practicable,bearing in mind the need to give the proposal the careful consideration whichit requires.</p>

8 Dec 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Education and Young People has any plans to visit Holy Trinity Episcopal Primary School in Stirling.

Answer · Peter Peacock: I have no plans to visit theschool.</p>

2 Dec 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs were of publishing, printing, distributing and launching Scotland's National Cultural Strategy Annual Report 2003.

Answer · Frank McAveety: The cost, including webconversion, for publishing and printing the three annual reports of the <i>NationalCultural Strategy</i> amounts to £23,595. The report is disseminated widely throughroutes such as cultural organisations’ networks, local authorities and…

27 Nov 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when Scottish fathers will have the same parental rights and responsibilities as unmarried fathers in England, under the Adoption and Children Act 2002, to jointly register the birth of their child with the mother.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Unmarried fathers are ableto jointly register the birth of a child with the mother. However, this doesnot automatically give the father parental rights and responsibilities inrelation to the child. These can be secured by marrying the mother, completinga pare…