Parliamentary questions
Des McNulty
1,840 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what submissions it has received from local authorities, voluntary sector providers and private sector providers regarding the implications of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care being expected to become self-financing through registration fees from 2004-05.
Answer · Tom McCabe: In recognitionof the potential difficulties in moving to full cost recovery fee levels in2004-05 for service providers, ministers have reviewed the full cost recoverypolicy. While we still wish to deliver the original policy intention, we havenow proposed tha…
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it still expects the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care to become self-financing through registration fees from 2004-05.
Answer · Tom McCabe: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-4976 on 20 January 2004.All answers 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/we…
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has invited, or received, submissions from local authorities regarding the cost in the current and subsequent financial years of training their (a) unqualified and (b) qualified staff to meet the additional qualification requirements for adult care staff as consequence of the R…
Answer · Euan Robson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-4970 on 12 January 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.paliament.uk/web…
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has of the cost to each local authority of training their (a) unqualified and (b) qualified staff to meet the additional qualification requirements for adult care staff as a consequence of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001.
Answer · Euan Robson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-4970. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.paliament.uk/webapp/search">http://…
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its current estimate is of the cost of training (a) unqualified and (b) qualified local authority staff to meet the additional qualification requirements for adult care staff as a consequence of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 in each year to 2006-07.
Answer · Euan Robson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-4970 on 12 January 2004.All answers 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/we…
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its current estimate is of the cost of training qualified voluntary sector staff to meet the additional qualification requirements for adult care staff as a consequence of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 in each year to 2006-07.
Answer · Euan Robson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-4970 on 12 January 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.paliament.uk/web…
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its current estimate is of the cost of training unqualified voluntary sector staff to meet the qualification requirements for adult care staff as a consequence of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 in each year to 2006-07.
Answer · Euan Robson: The Scottish Social ServicesCouncil is responsible for setting the qualifications criteria for registrationwith the council. Consultation on the criteria for workers in the adult caresector has just been completed and no decision has yet been made on what the…
8 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4238 by Ross Finnie on 3 December 2003, what consultations there were between it and the Water Industry Commissioner prior to the approval of the charging scheme with regard to determining what level of charge increases would be set.
Answer · Ross Finnie: No consultations between the Scottish Executive and Water Industry Commissioner were necessary asagreement on a scheme of charges was reached between Scottish Water and theWater Industry Commissioner.</p>
8 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4240 by Ross Finnie on 3 December 2003, whether any analysis or assessment has been undertaken on the impact of the introduction of competition, as referred to in the draft Water Services (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Sections A17 to A19 and E10to E12 of the consultation paper accompanying the draft Water Services(Scotland) Bill summarise the Executive’s analysis of the expected impact oncustomers generally of licensed competition in the provision of retail waterand sewera…
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why it considers that the household sector would not benefit from competition in the provision of sewerage services.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Paragraphs A14 to A16 of theconsultation paper on the draft Water Services (Scotland) Bill (Bib. Number.29575) make clear that the Executive considers, in light of the currentarrangements for charging the household sector, that it is unlikely that retailcompe…
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits it has identified in respect of disallowing competition in the sewage treatment sector.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The benefits of prohibiting thirdparties from drawing sewage from the public networks for treatment, are set outat paragraphs A11 and A12 of the consultation paper on the draft Water Services(Scotland) Bill (Bib. Number. 29575). These benefits include minimis…
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what customer protection is provided for in the Draft Water Services (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Paragraph A23 of theconsultation paper on the draft Water Services (Scotland) Bill (Bib Number.29575) proposes that the Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland’s dutiesshould be extended. Under this proposal the Commissioner would be given ageneral function …
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what safeguards are in place to prevent water or sewerage service retail licensees from charging high amounts for services under the provision of the Draft Water Services (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Under the proposals outlinedin the Executive’s consultation on the draft Water Services (Scotland)Bill (Bib. Number. 29575), the amounts charged by retailers will reflect theservices that they offer to non-household customers and customers’willingness to pay …
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why the Procurator Fiscal decided to take no further action on the report submitted to him in respect of an alleged breach of section 76C of the Water (Scotland) Act 1980 by Scottish Water in North Ayrshire on 16 April 2002.
Answer · Colin Boyd: In any case reported to aProcurator Fiscal, a decision will be made in the public interest whether toprosecute or take alternative action, including taking no proceedings. It is animportant feature of our criminal justice system that Procurators Fiscal makede…
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when Scottish Water expects drinking water supplies will meet relevant national standards in relation to trihalomethanes.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This is an operationalmatter for the Chief Executive of Scottish Water and I have asked him to writeto you about this matter.</p>
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a review of access to water and waste services is being carried out as part of work being undertaken for the Clyde waterfront development project and what steps will be taken to deal with any development constraints in the context of Scottish Water's Quality and Standard III proce…
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Clyde waterfrontdevelopment project is an overall strategy which is made up of a wide number ofindividual projects. While the issue of access to water and waste waterservices has been recognised at the development project level, it would only becomea fact…
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the former water authorities would have been prevented by legislation from establishing a joint venture such as that with Scottish Water Solutions Ltd, prior to the enactment of the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002.
Answer · Ross Finnie: It would have been for theformer water authorities to determine whether any joint venture complied withthe powers and duties placed upon them under the Local Government etc. (Scotland)Act 1994 and by all other legislation.</p>
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken by Scottish Water to reduce the levels of trihalomethanes in drinking water supplies.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This is an operationalmatter for the Chief Executive of Scottish Water and I have asked him to writeto you about this matter.</p>
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Water will be able to establish further joint ventures such as that with Scottish Water Solutions Ltd if the Draft Water Services (Scotland) Bill is enacted.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The draft Water Services (Scotland)Bill has no bearing on Scottish Water’s power to enter into joint ventures asprovided for by section 25 of the Water Industry (Scotland)Act 2002.</p>
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms will be established to monitor the 1,500 projects to be commissioned by Scottish Water Solutions Ltd.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This is an operationalmatter for the Chief Executive of Scottish Water and I have asked him to writeto you about this matter.</p>
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the constitution of Scottish Water Solutions Ltd will be made public.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This is the responsibilityof the Chief Executive of Scottish Water. I understand that, in accordance withthe Companies Act 1985 as amended, the document you seek is in the publicdomain and available from Companies House at <ahref="http://www.companies%1ehouse…
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what powers the Auditor-General has to examine how Scottish Water Solutions Ltd manages its finances to ensure that it achieves value for money.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Auditor General, inaccordance with section 23 of the Public Finance and Accountability ScotlandAct 2000, may initiate an investigation into any aspect of Scottish Water’sactivities, provided he consults the Water Industry Commissioner.</p>
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on other jurisdictions where water utilities have entered into relationships with the private sector similar to that between Scottish Water and Scottish Water Solutions Ltd.
Answer · Ross Finnie: None. The Executive is awareof some countries around the world where like Scotland – the provision ofwater and waste water services has remained in the public sector. Some water utilitieshave entered into joint venture relationships for delivery of capitalpro…
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what external and independent advice was received by Scottish Water when shortlisting bidding consortia during the process leading to the establishment of Scottish Water Solutions Ltd.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This is an operationalmatter for the Chief Executive of Scottish Water and I have asked him to writeto you about this matter.</p>
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Water Solutions Ltd is required to lay an annual report before the Parliament.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Annual accounts for ScottishWater, which are laid before Parliament, will reflect the activities ofScottish Water Solutions Ltd.</p>
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the remuneration is of each director of Scottish Water Solutions Ltd.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This is an operationalmatter for the board of Scottish Water and they have been asked to write to youabout this matter.</p>
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what contracts or other documents have established the legal relationship between Scottish Water and Scottish Water Solutions Ltd and whether such documents will be made publicly available.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This is an operation matterfor the Chief Executive of Scottish Water and I have asked him to write to youabout this matter.</p>
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why the draft Water Services (Scotland) Bill does not contain provisions to promote greater water conservation similar to those in the Water Act 2003.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Section 1 of the Water (Scotland)Act 1980, as amended by the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002, places aduty on Scottish Water to promote the conservation and effective use of waterresources throughout Scotland. In addition to this, section 51 of the WaterIn…
21 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W- 22913 by Ross Finnie on 22 February 2002, what costs are accruing to Scottish Water due to any delays in the commencement of construction of the Katrine Water project.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This is an operationalmatter for the Chief Executive of Scottish Water and I have asked him to writeto you about this matter.</p>
21 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S1W-22912 and S2W-22913 by Ross Finnie on 22 February 2002, what steps are being taken to address any continuing risks to the Glasgow drinking water supply from cryptosporidium and, in light of any such risks, what justification there is for any delays …
Answer · Ross Finnie: Scottish Water has madeconsiderable effort to reduce the risk of cryptosporidium in the Glasgowdrinking water supply, including improving drainage; improving surface waterand area watercourses above the aqueduct which pose the greatest risk;installing kerbs a…