Parliamentary questions
Des McNulty
1,840 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it anticipates making available to organisations wishing to participate in the national conversation described in Choosing Scotland's Future: A National Conversation.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The white paper invitespeople to sign up for the national conversation, and indicate how they wish to contribute.The paper also invites people to suggest how the conversation would best be structuredto ensure the greatest possible involvement of the people of…
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost would be to it of negotiating a settlement with the Government of the United Kingdom so that Scotland becomes an independent state, as set out in Choosing Scotland’s Future: A National Conversation.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: On the basis of sucha negotiation taking place after the support of the Scottish people in a referendum,the government would expect such negotiations to be friendly and speedy.</p>
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many public meetings, events, workshops. roadshows, exhibitions, conferences and media opportunities have been planned for the national conversation described in Choosing Scotland's Future: A National Conversation.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The white paper invitespeople to sign up for the national conversation, and indicate how they wish to contribute.The paper also invites people to suggest how the conversation would best be structuredto ensure the greatest possible involvement of the people of…
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil servants will be involved in the national conversation described in Choosing Scotland’s Future: A National Conversation.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The white paper invitespeople to sign up for the national conversation, and indicate how they wish to contribute.The paper also invites people to suggest how the conversation would best be structuredto ensure the greatest possible involvement of the people of…
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is envisaged that the outcome of the national conversation described in Choosing Scotland's Future: A National Conversation will be reported to the Parliament.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The government willreport to Parliament in due course.</p>
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans that the national conversation described in Choosing Scotland's Future: A National Conversation will end.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The government willreport to Parliament in due course.</p>
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates have been made of the cost of conducting the national conversation described in Choosing Scotland's Future: A National Conversation.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The cost of producingand translating the document is around £35,000 (including the web version, the design,printing and the summary in eight languages and a full Gaelic version). Distributionof the document cost a further £5,000, and the cost of the launch ev…
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2526 by Stewart Maxwell on 14 August 2007, what legislative or administrative proposals it is considering in relation to promoting the successful and sustainable transformation of communities across Scotland.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Governmentwill be bringing forward proposals for the successful and sustainable transformationof communities in the context of the spending review. We will make announcementsin due course.</p>
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2526 by Stewart Maxwell on 14 August 2007, how it will devolve power to the local level.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-3318 on 3 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2526 by Stewart Maxwell on 14 August 2007, how it will target action in the most disadvantaged communities.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-3318 on 3 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2526 by Stewart Maxwell on 14 August 2007, how it will create the right environment for private and public investment.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-3318 on 3 September 2007. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its objectives are in conducting its national conversation on Scotland's constitutional future.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-3313 on 12 September 2007. Allanswers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website,the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will measure whether its national conversation on Scotland's constitutional future has been a success.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The government aimsto build support for a referendum in the lifetime of this Parliament. The governmentalso aims for widespread participation by the people of Scotland in the national conversation to discuss, and decide,the future of our country.</p>
15 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2836 by John Swinney on 14 August 2007, why it does not plan to introduce legislation to implement its commitment to a local income tax until 2008-09.
Answer · John Swinney: It is my intentionto consult on our proposals for a fairer local tax before we introduce the necessarylegislation. That is why the legislation will not be introduced to Parliament until2008-09.</p>
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing a system of recording and sharing information among registered landlords about antisocial behaviour and problems affecting neighbours with the aim of ensuring that information relevant to the allocation and effective management of tenancies is passed t…
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: We have no plans tointroduce a central scheme of this nature. Landlords are able to share informationon these issues.</p>
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing more rapid eviction procedures where tenants have a previous record of causing disturbances or antisocial behaviour and where this behaviour is repeated in a new tenancy.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-3269 on 29 August 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.s…
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing supervision requirements for tenancies where prospective tenants have a record of causing disturbances or antisocial behaviour.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Where anti-socialbehaviour has been established through the granting of an ASBO or eviction withinthe previous three years, a social landlord can offer a probationary style shortScottish secure tenancy to prospective tenants. The landlord is required to provi…
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing longer probationary periods for tenancies where prospective tenants have a record of causing disturbances or antisocial behaviour.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: No. We consider thatthe current 12 month probationary period of a short Scottish secure tenancy fortenants in social rented properties, which the landlord is required to support shouldbe sufficient to establish whether the tenant is capable of sustaining a fu…
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing streamlined and more rapid eviction procedures in circumstances where neighbours are affected by a tenant’s antisocial behaviour.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Eviction proceduresfor tenants in the social rented sector are governed by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and are designed to afford protection to allparties concerned. They are intended to protect tenants’ rights by requiring proofof the offending conduct b…
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing age restrictions on eligibility for new tenancies in tower blocks to help to ensure the safety and security of older tenants already resident in the buildings.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: We have no plans tointroduce age restrictions on eligibility for new tenancies in tower blocks. Itis for landlords and the police to ensure that all tenants can be safe and securein their homes.</p>
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities (a) operate and (b) do not operate 24-hour concierge schemes in tenanted tower blocks above 8 storeys.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: This information isnot held centrally.</p>
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many tenanted tower blocks above 8 storeys currently have 24-hour concierge schemes.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: This information isnot held centrally.</p>
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will re-examine current legislation, along with financial arrangements and guidance to local authorities and housing associations, to encourage allocation and management arrangements that promote tenant safety and security in multi-storey tower blocks.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: We have no plans tore-examine legislation or financial arrangements regarding allocation and managementof multi-storey tower blocks. We have commissioned research on landlords’ viewsof tensions in allocations policy and practice, and expect to publish this in…
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are employed by (a) it, (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies and (c) local authorities.
Answer · John Swinney: The official sourceof public sector employment is the Quarterly Public Sector Employment in Scotland series. Table 1 shows the number of people employed inthe public sector in Q1 2007 (the latest data available).</p><p>Table 1 PublicSector Employment in Scotl…
13 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-92 by Stewart Stevenson on 1 June 2007, what actions it plans to take to maintain and enhance the quality of the natural heritage and built environment.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: As indicated inmy earlier answer to question S3W-00092, answered on 1 June 2007 the planning system is being modernised to make itfit for purpose to achieve its objectives which include – maintaining andenhancing the quality of the natural and built environme…
13 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-92 by Stewart Stevenson on 1 June 2007, what actions it plans to take to use land use planning as an instrument to encourage and support regeneration.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Governmentis committed to the sustainable growth of Scotland’s economy and the planning system plays a vital role in delivering thisthrough the <i>National Planning Framework (NPF)</i> and the development planningstructures. The <i>NPF</i> identi…
13 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-92 by Stewart Stevenson on 1 June 2007, what actions it plans to take to ensure that the land use framework promotes sustainable economic development.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The government’s toppriority is increasing sustainable economic growth to create a more successful country.A modern, up-to-date planning system is critical to achieving that objective. Sustainablegrowth requires development, and the role of planning is to ens…
13 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-95 by Stewart Stevenson on 1 June 2007, whether it plans to make any modification to SPP1 (Scottish Planning Policy 1: The Planning System).
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: SPP1 will be reviewedto reflect the changes to the current planning system and support the introductionof the reformed system. The reformed system should come into force in 2008. Therevised SPP1 will also set out the government’s aspirations for the planning …
13 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-95 by Stewart Stevenson on 1 June 2007, what actions it plans to take to achieve a focus on the needs of Scottish commuters and how it will work to make journeys greener, safer and easier.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We are promotingactive travel through school travel co-ordinators, school and workplace travelplans and through funding local authorities, Cycling Scotland and Sustrans forinfrastructure, services and cycling training.</p><p>We will publish a 10-year plan to …
13 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-95 by Stewart Stevenson on 1 June 2007, what actions it plans to take to ensure delivery of the right infrastructure for business success.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Details of the deliveryof our current committed programme of major and important trunk road and rail infrastructureimprovements can be found on the Transport Scotland website at <ahref="http://www.transportscotland.co.uk/">www.transportscotland.gov.uk</a>. Fu…