Parliamentary questions
Des McNulty
1,840 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
28 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines are in place regarding grants being made to charitable bodies that are not yet registered as charities; whether the procedures adopted in providing grants to the Scottish-Islamic Foundation in advance of that organisation being registered as a charity were fully in accorda…
Answer · Alex Neil: Individual organisations do not need to be registered charities to receive funding from the Scottish Government. I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31179 on 26 February 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Sc…
28 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15005 by Fergus Ewing on 3 September 2008, how many future leaders have been empowered as a result of the £190,000 grant to the Scottish-Islamic Foundation; how these leaders were selected; what activities they took part in; what evaluation has been …
Answer · Alex Neil: The Empowering Youth: Future Leaders project is being funded through the Race, Religion and Refugee Integration (RRRI) Funding Stream 2008-11. The project aims to work with young Muslims aged between 18 and 25 years old and a core group of 40 young people are…
28 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15005 by Fergus Ewing on 3 September 2008, whether it will publish a breakdown of the uses to which £10,152 and £5,600 awarded to the Scottish-Islamic Foundation for set-up costs and training costs respectively were put and what individuals or organi…
Answer · Alex Neil: A breakdown of the uses for which the £10,152 and £5,600 grants were given has already been published and can be found at: </p> <p ><u><a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Equality/18934/SIFapplicationofficecosts">http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topi…
28 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15005 by Fergus Ewing on 3 September 2008, whether it will detail the procedures that were followed in the award to the Scottish-Islamic Foundation of £190,000 in relation to Empowering Youth: Future Leaders, including (a) when notification was issue…
Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15820 on 3 September 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Scottish Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.scotti…
28 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15005 by Fergus Ewing on 3 September 2008, whether it will detail the procedures that were followed in the award to the Scottish-Islamic Foundation of £200,000 in connection with the proposal for an IslamFest, including (a) when notification was issu…
Answer · Alex Neil: Funding for IslamFest was not a part of an open bidding process when it was given Ministerial approval in March 2007 by the previous administration. The commitment given was rolled forward by the current administration. I refer the member to the answer to que…
28 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether due diligence was undertaken regarding the governance arrangements of the Scottish-Islamic Foundation before paying a grant to that organisation; whether that due diligence included ascertaining the names of members of the board of the Scottish-Islamic Foundation, and whether memb…
Answer · Alex Neil: Audit Scotland conducted an enquiry into Scottish Government funding awarded to the Scottish Islamic Foundation in response to a request from George Foulkes MSP. Audit Scotland examined all matters connected with SIF funding applications and clearly and defin…
25 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received a review of progress made on the Curriculum for Excellence from the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board following the request from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, as noted in his letter of 8 January 2010 entitled Taking Forward Cur…
Answer · Michael Russell: I wrote to the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board on 8 January 2010 asking it to review progress and report its findings to me as we work towards full adoption of Curriculum for Excellence. Its next meeting is on 25 February 2010 and I expect its repo…
14 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S3W-27902, which received a holding reply on 29 October 2009.
Answer · John Swinney: Parliamentary question S3W-27902 was answered on 25 January 2010. </p> <p >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/App…
6 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-13291 by Nicola Sturgeon on 30 May 2008, whether it will provide an updated list of the sources of anticipated capital receipts that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will use to contribute funding for the new Southern General Hospital and in which finan…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The sources of anticipated capital receipts are unchanged from the previous answer given to S3W-13291 on 30 May 2008. </p> <p >The exact timing and final value of individual capital receipts will be dependent upon detailed negotiations, prevailing property m…
6 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-13290 by Nicola Sturgeon on 30 May 2008, how much will remain in each year from 2009-10 to 2017-18 from the capital allocation to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde after funding for the new Southern General Hospital has been excluded.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The capital allocations available in 2009-10 and 2010-11 are unchanged. The level of capital resources available to all NHS boards after 2010-11 will be subject to the outcome of future spending reviews and the outcome of a review of the basis of distributing…
18 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who authorised the removal of the active travel overarching statement “I know and can demonstrate how to travel safely whether on foot, on a bicycle, in a motor vehicle or on public transport” and the outcome “I am encouraged and supported to travel actively and safely to and from my plac…
Answer · Michael Russell: Safe and active travel has not been removed from the new curriculum framework. The draft outcome and overarching statement were simplified to broaden the basis for interpretation and delivery and to allow active travel to permeate health and wellbeing. The Le…
18 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its explanation is for the removal of the active travel overarching statement “I know and can demonstrate how to travel safely whether on foot, on a bicycle, in a motor vehicle or on public transport” and the outcome “I am encouraged and supported to travel actively and safely to and…
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answers to questions S3W-27966 and S3W-27967 on 26 October 2009.</p> <p >In addition, the member will wish to be aware that, due to concerns about the size and complexity of the curriculum as a whole, the Curriculum Governing Group …
4 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the volume of freight traffic is on the Forth Rail Bridge.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There is currently no rail freight traffic moving on the Forth Rail Bridge. The allocation of train paths is a matter for Network Rail.</p>
4 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the modal split between road and rail of freight tonnage arriving in Fife.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Origin “ destination data on freight movements at a local authority level is not held centrally.</p>
4 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the modal split between road and rail of freight tonnage commencing its journey in Fife.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Origin “ destination data on freight movements at a local authority level is not held centrally.</p>
4 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the percentage of freight tonnage arriving in Fife that originates in (a) Edinburgh, (b) the Lothians region, (c) the Scottish Borders, (d) north-east England, (e) west central Scotland and (f) north-west England.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Origin “ destination data on freight movements at a local authority level is not held centrally.</p>
4 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the percentage of freight tonnage commencing its journey in Fife that is travelling to (a) Edinburgh, (b) the Lothians region, (c) the Scottish Borders, (d) north-east England, (e) west central Scotland and (f) north-west England.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Origin “ destination data on freight movements at a local authority level is not held centrally.</p>
4 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the percentage of freight tonnage commencing its journey in Fife that remains in Fife.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Origin “ destination data on freight movements at a local authority level is not held centrally.</p>
4 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, should cable drying on the Forth Road Bridge fail to arrest the corrosion on the main cables and restrictions be applied to the volume of HGV traffic allowed on the bridge at one time, what number of HGV vehicles it envisages allowing on the bridge.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The degree of future restrictions necessary across the Forth without the availability of the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) or the replacement of cables on the Forth Road Bridge (FRB) would depend on considerations based on future strength assessments. Beca…
4 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, should cable drying on the Forth Road Bridge fail to arrest the corrosion in the main cables, whether it is envisaged that restrictions will be imposed on HGV traffic and whether such restrictions would limit the overall number of HGV vehicles using the bridge or the number allowed on at…
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) has reported in June 2008 that if dehumidification fails to halt corrosion, then restrictions will more likely need to be considered at some time between 2017 and 2021. </p> <p >The Scottish Government has committ…
20 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what new or refurbished colleges have been completed since 17 May 2007, broken down by (a) procurement method, (b) date when the outline business case was approved and (c) date that construction commenced.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The issues raised in the question are ones for the Scottish Funding Council and the colleges concerned. I will ask the chief executive of the Scottish Funding Council to reply to the member.</p>
20 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many openings of new or refurbished colleges ministers have attended since 17 May 2007, broken down by (a) date, (b) college and (c) minister attending.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the following table:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=612 > <thead> <tr > <td width=139 valign=top > <p align=center >Date</p> </td> <td width=149 valign=top > <p align=center >College</p> <…
19 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to assess progress or record achievement in literacy and numeracy in (a) S1, (b) S2 and (c) S3.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to answers to questions S3W-29158 and S3W-29166 on 7 December 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scott…
19 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to assess progress or record achievement in literacy and numeracy in primary schools.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to question S3W-29158, answered on 7 December 2009. 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/Apps2/B…
19 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the statement by the President of School Leaders Scotland in relation to the implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence that “there is no doubt that the combination of unit assessments and coursework in every subject, plus the examination at level 5, will in n…
Answer · Michael Russell: The new National 4 and National 5 qualification will be introduced from session 2013-14. Detailed assessment arrangements for the new qualification are being developed and I am confident that the concerns of the retired President of School Leaders Scotland wi…
19 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to the work undertaken by School Leaders Scotland on the implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence.
Answer · Michael Russell: The long-standing and continuing commitment to Curriculum for Excellence by School Leaders Scotland, together with the other teacher representative organisations, the EIS, SSTA and AHDHs, is valued greatly by the Scottish Government. </p> <p >Each of these o…
19 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive through what mechanism it will address the views and concerns of head teachers regarding the implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence.
Answer · Michael Russell: There are regular meetings between Scottish Government officials and each of the teacher representative organisations. The Curriculum for Excellence management board is overseeing implementation. Of its 17 non-Scottish Government members, four are from the te…
19 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what role it envisages for (a) head teachers and (b) School Leaders Scotland in implementing the Curriculum for Excellence.
Answer · Michael Russell: Head teachers have a critical leadership role in raising educational standards and ensuring children and young people in their schools fulfil their potential. They are responsible for the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence within their school, in par…
19 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the concern expressed by the President of School Leaders Scotland (SLS) that “developments in education, particularly those related to Curriculum for Excellence, are heading in directions which will not necessarily be fruitful for pupils” and what discussions have …
Answer · Michael Russell: As stated by Ken Cunningham, General Secretary, School Leaders Scotland (SLS), in <i >The Sunday Post</i> on 14 June 2009 We need a robust education system to meet the challenges of the modern world and this is just another step in a series of improvement to …
19 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is to be no accountability in relation to literacy and numeracy during the first seven years of education under plans for implementing the Curriculum for Excellence, as stated by the President of School Leaders Scotland, and what the reasons are for its position on this matt…
Answer · Michael Russell: Such an understanding of future assessment is incorrect. There will be accountability at classroom, school, education authority and national level for the achievements of children and young people at all stages against the standards and expectations in Curric…