Parliamentary questions

Des McNulty

1,840 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what actions have been taken to limit the negative environmental effects created by greenhouse gas emissions.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive is limiting the negative environmental effects of greenhouse gas emissions by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, as a contribution to wider global reduction efforts, and taking action to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Ex…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for the number of operations to be carried out at the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank over the next five years.

Answer · Andy Kerr: In Fair to all, personalto each, published in December 2004, I set out ourplans to expand activity at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital so that by 2007-08, it will undertake 28,000procedures a year.

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations have been carried out at the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank in each year since it has been within the NHS.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Information on the number of operations undertaken by the Golden Jubilee National Hospital since 1 July 2002 is provided in the following table. The Hospital expects to undertake over 13,000 operations in 2005-06. <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpaddin…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many procedures have been carried out at the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank in each year since it has been within the NHS.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Information on the number ofprocedures undertaken by the Golden Jubilee National Hospital since 1 July 2002 is provided in the table. The Hospitalis currently working to a target of undertaking 25,000 procedures in 2005-06.<table border=1 cellspacing=0 c…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to improve services to children at risk.

Answer · Robert Brown: I would draw your attention to the Partnership for a Better Scotland document at <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/government/pfbs-00.asp">http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/government/pfbs-00.asp</a> which sets out the Scottish Executive’s commi…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage the provision of low-cost insurance products for people on low incomes.

Answer · Johann Lamont: We have taken a number of actions. We have invested £2.1 million directly to grow the credit union movement in Scotland to equip them to increase membership and further develop their services to their members, including insurance services. In 2003-04, …

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many modern apprenticeships have been taken up by residents of the (a) West Dunbartonshire and (b) East Dunbartonshire local authority area in each year since 1999.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The number of modern apprentices (MAs) broken down by local authority area and by year is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. This information is not held centrally. However, Scottish Enterprise have publ…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken since 1997 to increase the proportion of older people in the (a) East Dunbartonshire and (b) West Dunbartonshire local authority area who are able to live independently as a result of increasing home care opportunities.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Executive has introduced a range of polices designed to assist older people live healthy independent lives such as free personal and nursing care, supporting people, care and repair scheme and rapid response teams. It has made provision for community care…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on crime prevention by (a) central government, (b) East Dunbartonshire Council and (c) West Dunbartonshire Council in each year since 1997.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Spending on crime prevention by East Dunbartonshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Council is a matter for these councils. This information is not held centrally. Scottish Executive spending on crime prevention since 1997 is: <table border=1 cellspacing…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it is introducing to enhance capacity-building and self-sufficiency and improve social inclusion in communities in the (a) West Dunbartonshire and (b) East Dunbartonshire local authority area.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows: The Scottish Executive is contributing to the enhancement of capacity-building and self-sufficiency and improving social inclusion in a numb…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what strategies it has to tackle (a) coronary heart disease, (b) stroke, (c) diabetes, (d) cancer, (e) smoking-related illnesses and (f) alcohol-related illnesses and what resources have been directed towards addressing each of these.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The specific strategies inplace to address coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, smoking andalcohol use are:A CHD and Stroke Strategywas published in October 2002 and updated in 2004. An additional £40 millionover three years was all…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how mortality rates per 100,000 population from (a) coronary heart disease, (b) stroke, (c) diabetes, (d) cancer, (e) smoking-related illnesses and (f) alcohol-related illnesses in the (i) West Dunbartonshire and (ii) East Dunbartonshire local authority area compare with the Scottish aver…

Answer · Andy Kerr: The information requested is set out in the following tables: (a) Coronary Heart Disease1, Mortality Rate Per 100,000 Population (Not Age Standardized)<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> </t…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) households and (b) pensioners' homes in the (i) West Dunbartonshire and (ii) East Dunbartonshire local authority area benefited under the central heating programme in (1) 2002-03, (2) 2003-04 and (3) 2004-05 and how many are expected to benefit in (A) 2005-06 and (B) 2006-07.

Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows: Eaga Partnership Ltd administers the central heating programme for pensioners’ homes in the private sector. However, in the private sector t…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) households and (b) pensioners’ homes in the (i) West Dumbartonshire and (ii) East Dunbartonshire local authority area are estimated to be eligible for free central heating under the central heating installation programme.

Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows: Estimates of eligibility are based on data contained in the Scottish House Condition Survey 2002. However, that survey does not produce reli…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the targets are for installations by Eaga Partnership Ltd under its central heating installation programme in the (a) West Dunbartonshire and (b) East Dunbartonshire local authority area in respect of (i) all households and (ii) pensioners’ homes.

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it has provided to Clydebank College and how many students have attended it in each year since 1996-97.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The funding council and its predecessors provided funding as follows: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> Year  </td> <td> Support …

10 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the results of the second phase of the Tolled Bridges Review.

Answer · Tavish Scott: We are considering the findings of the Tolled Bridges Review Phase Two and will announce our decisions on the outcomes in due course.

10 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its latest calculations are of the annual cost to businesses of congestion on the Kingston Bridge and in the Clyde Tunnel.

Answer · Tavish Scott: We have not made any calculation of these costs.

10 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5889 by Nicol Stephen on 12 February 2004, which of the companies listed are subject to current contracts for the provision of services in relation to the Erskine Bridge.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The information requested is as follows: Alliance and Leicester Commercial BankAmey HighwaysAPCOA Parking UK LtdAstron Document ServicesAudit ScotlandC Spencer LtdData ControlsThe Post Office (ends 25 No…

10 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the assessment by West Dunbartonshire Council that removal of the tolls on the Erskine Bridge would create 100 jobs and provide a significant boost to the economic development of West Dunbartonshire.

Answer · Tavish Scott: We are aware that the Leader of West Dunbartonshire Council made a statement to this effect in evidence to the Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee on 28 June 2005 (PE869 - Erskine Bridge (Tolls)). However, we have not seen any evidence to support this cla…

10 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address vehicle exhaust fume-related air pollution in Glasgow city centre and around the Clyde Tunnel.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Regulations have been in place since April 2003 enabling local authorities to undertake roadside exhaust emissions testing and to issue fixed penalty notices where prescribed standards are not met. The regulations also allow fixed penalties to be issued to dr…

10 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address congestion on the Kingston Bridge and Clyde Tunnel in Glasgow.

Answer · Tavish Scott: A number of initiatives have been implemented to address congestion on the M8 through Glasgow in recent years. These include ramp metering at junction 16 to allow smoother merging and improved traffic throughput; journey time information panels on eastern app…

10 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it agrees with the Scottish Council for Development and Industry’s view that making the Erskine Bridge toll-free would boost the west of Scotland economy by reducing business costs and getting people to work and goods to market more quickly.

Answer · Tavish Scott: In its response to the public consultation paper on the Tolled Bridges Review Phase Two earlier this year, and in a related press release on 25 July, the Scottish Council for Development and Industry called for the abolition of tolls at all three of Scotland’…

10 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the most recent calculation is of the surplus of tolls collected above the cost of maintaining the Erskine Bridge since the commencement of tolling.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Erskine Bridge Accounts 2003-04 showed that there was an accumulated surplus on the Operating Account of £19,741,862 at 31 March 2004. A copy of the accounts is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 34771).

31 Oct 2005 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it is reviewing its Publication Scheme, particularly in relation to allowances information, in the light of the experience of implementing the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Answer · George Reid: Yes. Since the act came into effect on 1 January this year, the SPCB has been constantly monitoring its effect on members, staff and parliamentary resources. Our aim, since the creation of the Parliament in 1999, has been to live up to our principles of openn…

21 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether all NHS boards have sufficient stocks of respirators for use in the event of a serious outbreak of avian flu among humans.

Answer · Andy Kerr: In the event of an outbreak of avian flu, respirators would be used as part of the protective clothing for people who came into very close contact with birds infected by avian influenza. The Scottish Executive is currently discussing with the relevant …

21 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any provision for commandeering sufficient eggs for the production of any new vaccine that might be required to deal with a serious outbreak of avian flu among humans.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Flu vaccine manufacturers havegiven assurances to the UK Government that they have sufficient provision of eggsfor flu vaccine production.

21 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a list has been compiled of recently retired medical, paramedical and nursing staff who might be able to assist in the event of a serious outbreak of avian flu among humans, as recommended in the Health and Community Care Committee's 13th Report 2000 (Session 1), Report on Influen…

Answer · Andy Kerr: Relevant professional regulatorybodies have lists of retired health care professionals. Training implications wouldalso be taken into consideration.

21 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether all NHS boards have joint emergency plans in place with local authorities to deal with any serious outbreak of avian flu among humans.

Answer · Andy Kerr: All NHS boards have emergencyplans in place which include joint working arrangements with local authorities.In addition, in the event of an outbreak of pandemic flu NHS boards and local authoritieswould work jointly through the eight regional strategic co-ord…

30 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the £5 million per annum for the Financial Inclusion Action Plan announced earlier this year will be distributed.

Answer · Johann Lamont: In line with our Closing theOpportunity Gap target, this funding will be distributed to the areas where there are currently the greatest problems of financialexclusion. Based on levels of income deprivation and the numbers of Scottish peoplewithout a bank acc…