Parliamentary questions

Donald Gorrie

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

14 May 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are national guidelines for charges that local authorities may make for access to archives under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The charges that can be madefor access to information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland)Act 2002 will be governed by fees regulations to be made under section 9 of theact. The draft regulations are presently the subject of a consultation exercisewhic…

14 May 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what figures are available in respect of the number of professional archivists and other staff employed by local authorities on archival work in (a) 2002-03 and (b) 2003-04 and what the projected figures are for such staff in 2004-05.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The information requested isnot held centrally.

14 May 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available from its Freedom of Information Unit for local archives and what funding the Executive will provide to local authorities to enable them to provide archives that meet the requirements of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and associated codes of practi…

Answer · Tavish Scott: Local archives are funded bythe relevant local authority and the Freedom of Information Unit provides no directfunding. The future arrangements for resourcing archive services will beconsidered as part of the development of the Scottish Public Records Strateg…

13 May 2004 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer what the legal basis is for its rules regarding the activities of MSPs' staff during elections.

Answer · Robert Brown: The SPCB has issuedguidance, not rules, for the assistance of members and staff during electionperiods. This guidance makes reference to the existing practices and rules onthe use of parliamentary resources under the Code of Conduct, Members’Allowances Scheme…

13 May 2004 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether it will provide MSPs with a staff training and development budget to enable them to provide similar personal and career development opportunities to their staff to those offered to staff directly employed by it.

Answer · Duncan McNeil: Members’ staff trainingcosts are a legitimate charge against the Members’ Support Allowance. The CorporateBody has no plans at present to increase the Members Support Allowance.

13 May 2004 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the answer to question S2W-7769 by Duncan McNeil on 12 May 2004, how it is decided whether any classroom-based course being offered to its staff is appropriate to MSPs' staff and who makes such decisions.

Answer · Duncan McNeil: Normally the decision is ajoint one between the employing member and the Training and DevelopmentManager, having regard to the particular development needs of the individualconcerned.

13 May 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-7400 by Mr Frank McAveety on 4 May 2004, who will be involved in developing the National Language Strategy referred to in the answer.

Answer · Frank McAveety: The National Language Strategyis a partnership commitment of the Scottish Executive and as such is the responsibilityof Scottish ministers, working with relevant interests where appropriate.

12 May 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what response it will make to the research by the Scottish Council for Single Homeless stating that local authorities estimate that 12,500 new, affordable, rented homes are needed every year, compared with the 4,900 completed in 2003-04.

Answer · Margaret Curran: The Executive’s current review ofaffordable housing will take account of this contribution from the Scottish Council for Single Homeless.

10 May 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-7477 by Mr Andy Kerr on 7 May 2004, what independent information it has in relation to the data provided by Response Handling Ltd regarding response times for the period covered by the answer.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The call-handling system operatedby Response Handling automatically records details of individual calls and summaryreports based on this data are routinely passed to the Executive. The Executivehas been assured, and accepts, that this arrangement delivers acc…

5 May 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the powers to advance well-being, granted to local authorities under Part 3 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 could be applied by local authorities when making decisions on planning applications.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The power to advance well-beingis an enabling measure available to local authorities: it is for the local authority to decide whether any particularaction would be likely to promote or improve the well-being of its area and/or personsin it. The exercis…

29 Apr 2004 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether it plans to conduct an equal opportunities survey or MSPs' staff similar to the survey of SPCB staff and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Duncan McNeil: The SPCB does not plan to conduct such a survey of MSPs' staff. The equal opportunities audit of SPCB staff was carried out to ensure that the SPCB was meeting its own obligations under equal opportunities legislation as an employer.In relation to empl…

23 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a report on the outcome of inspections and investigations at the Rosepark Care Home.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Until a conclusion has been reachedon the investigation being undertaken by the Area Procurator Fiscal, it would beinappropriate for the Executive to make any comment on the investigations of theRosepark Care Home tragedy.

23 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in respect of the inspection of care homes by fire services and when it expects to publish a report on the inspections.

Answer · Hugh Henry: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-7679 on 6 May 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility can be foundat http:/ /www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa T…

23 Apr 2004 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Answer · Duncan McNeil: The SPCB does not adviseMSPs’ staff of training opportunities that are available to SPCB staff unlessthere are spaces on a classroom based course which may be of relevance to MSPstaff<ins cite="mailto:s013691" datetime="2004-05-03T11:50">.</ins>

23 Apr 2004 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether MSPs' staff have an equal opportunity to apply, and be accepted, for training courses being offered to SPCB full-time, temporary and agency staff.

Answer · Duncan McNeil: As employers in their ownright, Members are responsible for the training and development of their staff. They do not therefore have equal access to training courses being offered toSPCB staff.

21 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued any guidelines to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in respect of the acceptability of digital photographs provided by a complainer as supportive evidence of allegations of pollution or on any other environmental issue and, if so, what such guidelines are.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive has not issued guidance to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency about the acceptability or admissibility of digital photographs provided by a complainer as evidence inrespect of any alleged pollution incident or other environmenta…

21 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the objectors who have written postcards to it in respect of the proposed extension to landfill sites by Eden Waste Recycling Limited in the village of Greengairs.

Answer · Mary Mulligan: Responses are presently being issued to all those parties who have submitted postcards.

19 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent by South Lanarkshire Council on the unsuccessful Greenhall planning application for a crematorium in Blantyre.

Answer · Mary Mulligan: The Scottish ministers do nothold such information which is a matter for South Lanarkshire Council, as planningauthority.

19 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will invite Audit Scotland to review the governance arrangements within South Lanarkshire Council in light of the unsuccessful Greenhall planning application for a crematorium in Blantyre.

Answer · Andy Kerr: It is the responsibilityof the Accounts Commission for Scotland to commissionthe audit of local government, which includes as standard a review of local governancearrangements. It is also for the Accounts Commission to decide what further investigationmight b…

14 Apr 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the provision of vocational college courses for pupils of 14 and older who wish to have that option.

Answer · Euan Robson: TheExecutive launched a review of collaboration between schools and furthereducation colleges in October 2003 and a consultation in February 2004. These addressprovision of vocationalcollege courses for pupils of 14 and older. The review will lead to a joint …

8 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether public sector bodies, including local authorities, should undertake displacement effect and distributional impact analysis when appraising a potential public private partnership involving public funds.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Potential publicprivate partnership projects should be appraised in terms of their overall valuefor money compared to conventional procurement. Treasury Taskforce PPP guidancedoes not currently recommend the use of distributional impact analysis, althoughthis…

8 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what payback period is expected in circumstances where a public sector body or local authority wishes to invest in a long-term public private partnership involving public funds.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The payback period in a publicprivate partnership project will depend on the specific project, however PPP contractsfor accommodation facilities typically last 25 to 30 years. The long term natureof PPP projects means that the whole life costs under the contr…

8 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the use of HM Treasury's Green Book is compulsory in relation to financial matters and activities of Scottish local authorities.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Green Book applies to appraisaland evaluation in central government. In some cases where the Scottish Executive provides financial support or approval for individual projects to localauthorities it is a requirement that guidance that is consistent with Gr…

8 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is given to public sector bodies, including local authorities, with regard to investment appraisal where the use of public funds is being considered or undertaken.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish Public Finance Manual(SPFM) requires public sector bodies such as the Scottish Parliamentary CorporateBody, the Scottish Executive and relevant bodies sponsored by the Scottish Executive to secure and maintain best value. The characteristics of a…

7 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the current system for dealing with applications for public appointments was instigated; when it is due for review, and what systems are in place to ensure that it is functioning satisfactorily.

Answer · Andy Kerr: After a competitive tenderingexercise, a one year contract was awarded on 2 February 2003with an option to extend it for a further 12 month period. This option was takenup and the contract has been extended to 1 February 2005.Action to re-tender for the perio…

7 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average time taken was to deal with in-bound calls by the organisation responsible for the operation of its phone line for applications for public appointments in each of the last six months.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Response times are affectedby the number of appointment rounds being handled at any given time and theaccompanying level of public interest.According to data providedby Response Handling Ltd, the average time taken to answer in-bound calls duringthe la…

7 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the target response time is for dealing with in-bound calls by the organisation responsible for the operation of its phone line for applications for public appointments.

Answer · Andy Kerr: According to the service levelagreement between the Scottish Executive and Response Handling Ltd, the target is for all in-boundcalls to be answered within five rings. If the lines are engaged, a welcome announcementis activated which invites the caller to ho…

7 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which organisation is responsible for the operation of its phone line for applications public appointments.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The contract was awarded to ResponseHandling Ltd after a competitive tendering exercise.

1 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set up a board to promote Scots as a living language, similar to the Ulster-Scots Agency set up under the Good Friday Agreement, which advises ministers and co-ordinates activities relating to the promotion of Ulster-Scots as a living language.

Answer · Frank McAveety: The establishment of anUlster-Scots agency was in response to a particular set of circumstances in Northern Ireland. The Scottish Executive currently has no plans to set up a similar agency inScotland. There is at present a wide range of groups and organisati…

31 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in enabling local authorities and other relevant bodies to meet their archival commitments under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Answer · Tavish Scott: In November 2003, I publishedthe Code of Practice on Records Management in accordance with section 61of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. This provides guidance for Scottish publicauthorities on the practices which they should follow in r…