Parliamentary questions

Colin Campbell

340 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

5 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31477 by Mrs Mary Mulligan on 11 December 2002, whether it will now give information on the destination of graduates from medical schools for 2002.

Answer · Mary Mulligan: Information on the destinations of graduates from Scottish medical schools for 2002 is available in the table. <TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=524><TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">Taking up PRHO posts in:</TD><TD WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="…

13 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the procedures for disciplining, removing or transferring head teachers are uniform throughout Scotland.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers agreed a revised disciplinary framework for teachers on 27 November 2002. The precise details of disciplinary procedures are matters for education authorities within the context of that agreement.

13 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the procedures used by local authorities in relation to disciplining, removing or transferring head teachers.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The discipline, removal or transfer of head teachers are matters for education authorities as employers. The Scottish Executive does not monitor the procedures involved.

3 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what stocks it has of antidotes against the effects of chemical, biological or radiological attacks.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Contingency plans exist to deal with chemical, biological or radiological incidents whether caused naturally, by accident or as a result of an act of terrorism. Working closely with other UK Health Departments, strategic supplies of antidotes to deal with the…

3 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have emergency headquarter facilities; how many are protected against attack by (a) terrorists in person, (b) explosives delivered by short range missiles or aircraft, (c) chemical weapons, (d) biological weapons and (e) radiological weapons, and how many are fully…

Answer · Hugh Henry: All local authorities in Scotland have identified facilities which can be utilised when dealing with a range of major incidents that may occur in their area. Information on the physical characteristics of these centres is not held centrally.

3 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many emergency headquarter facilities it possesses; how many are protected against attack by (a) terrorists in person, (b) explosives delivered by short-range missiles or aircraft, (c) chemical weapons, (d) biological weapons and (e) radiological weapons, and how many are fully equipp…

Answer · Hugh Henry: The Executive has a permanent emergency communications facility and, if required, can open others at short notice in accordance with a contingency plan for such situations. This facility is safeguarded by a range of security measures which are kept under clos…

30 Jan 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-33145 by Dr Elaine Murray on 22 January 2003, which specific reasons for withholding information on the grounds of confidentiality referred to in paragraphs 14 and 15 of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information apply to inform…

Answer · Elaine Murray: The information was withheld under Paragraph 13 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information (third party's commercial confidences). Under this exemption information is exempt from disclosure if its release would disad…

22 Jan 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS operations have been cancelled at less than one (a) day's and (b) week's notice due to lack of bed space in each hospital in each NHS board area in the last 12 months and how many surgeons have been affected as a result of such cancellations.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Information on the number of operations cancelled by NHSScotland is not available. However, data is collected centrally on the number of planned admissions to hospital for in-patient/day case treatment (including non-surgical treatment) which are cancelled. T…

15 Jan 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what sanctions and penalties it can impose if it assesses the work carried out by Amey Highways Ltd on the clearance of litter from the central reservations, verges, and slip roads of the A1, A720 and M8 to be below standard.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Any non-compliance with the contractual requirements by Amey Highways Ltd can result in the issue of a Default Notice by the Scottish Executive and the withholding of payment for that work.

15 Jan 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what systems and mechanisms it utilises to monitor the clearance of litter carried out by Amey Highways Ltd from the central reservations, verges, and slip roads of the A1, A720 and M8.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The performance of Amey Highways Ltd in the clearance of litter is monitored by the independent Performance Audit Group (PAG). PAG's field engineers carry out regular inspections of the routes to assess compliance with the requirements of the Trunk Road Maint…

15 Jan 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the standard of work carried out by Amey Highways Ltd on the clearance of litter from the central reservations, verges, and slip roads of the A1, A720 and M8 is satisfactory.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The performance of Amey Highways Ltd on the clearance of litter from the M8, and on those sections of the A1 and A720 for which they are responsible, is monitored by the Scottish Executive and the independent Performance Audit Group (PAG). The Scottish Execut…

14 Jan 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to appoint an official to the monitoring committee for the Urbact programme under the URBAN II initiative and, if not, how it will ensure that towns and cities will be selected for the programme.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The United Kingdom will be represented on the monitoring committee. Liaison between UK Structural Funds Departments will ensure that Scottish interests are represented at this strategic level.Precise arrangements have still to be agreed for appraisal and s…

14 Jan 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has, in the light of its cities review, to promote the Urbact programme under the URBAN II initiative in towns and cities.

Answer · Peter Peacock: We were successful in securing URBAN II status for Port Glasgow and Clydebank South for the 2000-06 period. I expect the area to take full advantage of the URBAN II funding available and complementary initiatives such as URBACT. Partner organisations have alr…

14 Jan 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which towns and cities have benefited, or are benefiting, from the URBAN I and II programmes and from urban pilot projects.

Answer · Peter Peacock: Glasgow North and Paisley participated in the 1994-99 URBAN I programme. Port Glasgow and Clydebank (South) are eligible under URBAN II for the 2000-06 programming period.

13 Jan 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-31965 and S1W-32522 by Dr Elaine Murray on 9 and 27 December 2002 respectively, whether a decision on the commercial confidentiality of information lies with it, its agencies or any other public body, or with the commercial interest with which they…

Answer · Elaine Murray: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-33145 today. 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/webapp/searc…

13 Jan 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-31965 and S1W-32522 by Dr Elaine Murray on 9 and 27 December 2002 respectively, what its definition of commercial confidentiality is; where this is available and, if no written definition of commercial confidentiality exists, who decides against di…

Answer · Elaine Murray: Guidance on the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information is available to officials who provide advice to ministers on whether the information held by the Scottish Executive should be disclosed.A copy of the Code of Practice is av…

13 Jan 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-32523 by Dr Elaine Murray on 13 January 2003, what its definition of transparency is in relation to answers to parliamentary questions, and where it is available.

12 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates since October 2001 local authorities and emergency services have carried out emergency drills for terrorist attacks; where such drills took place, and what agencies were involved.

Answer · Hugh Henry: All 32 local authorities and the emergency services in Scotland carry out a comprehensive exercise programme on an on-going basis covering a wide range of different scenarios, including dealing with the consequences of a terrorist attack. The detailed informa…

12 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates since October 2001 local authorities and emergency services have carried out nuclear emergency drills in co-operation with UK agencies and where any such drills were carried out.

Answer · Hugh Henry: A list of nuclear exercises since October 2001 in which the emergency services, local authorities and other UK agencies have participated, is given in the following table. An exercise at Faslane planned to take place in November was cancelled due to MoD invol…