Parliamentary questions

Donald Gorrie

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

28 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to present its proposals on prisons in the light of responses to the Scottish Prison Services Estates Review and whether it will consult further with the Parliament and bodies concerned before finalising its proposals.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive's proposals for the future of the Scottish prison estate were published on 21 March 2002 for public consultation. The proposals focused on three main challenges: to provide enough places for the prisoner population; to end the practice …

27 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to attract more people to become foster parents.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive values the role played by foster carers. However, it is for local authorities to consider whether there are sufficient foster carers in their area to provide the type of care required. I met recently with members of the Fostering Networ…

27 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3541 by Ms Margaret Curran on 6 June 2001, whether the outcome of any ballot undertaken prior to any transfer of Scottish Homes properties to other social landlords in the Central Scotland parliamentary region will have any legal standing or impose a…

Answer · Margaret Curran: Ballots held by Scottish Homes are not required by statute, but are held as a matter of good practice. Although not binding, transfers will not proceed unless the majority of tenants vote in favour.

27 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3541 by Ms Margaret Curran on 6 June 2001, what independent monitoring will be put in place to ensure that any transfer of Scottish Homes properties in the Central Scotland parliamentary region fully complies with its Code of Practice for Tenant Part…

Answer · Margaret Curran: The Scottish Executive has no plans to put in place any independent monitoring to ensure compliance with this voluntary Code of Practice.

27 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3541 by Ms Margaret Curran on 6 June 2001, what steps it will take to ensure that Communities Scotland complies fully with its Code of Practice for Tenant Participation in Stock Transfers in relation to any transfer of Scottish Homes properties to ot…

Answer · Margaret Curran: Communities Scotland does not have a landlord role, therefore there is no obligation to comply with the Code of Practice for Tenant Participation in Stock Transfers. Scottish Homes does encourage tenant participation in the transfer process; methods of…

27 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3541 by Ms Margaret Curran on 6 June 2001, what plans it has to publicise its Code of Practice for Tenant Participation in Stock Transfers during any transfer of Scottish Homes properties to other social landlords in the Central Scotland parliamentar…

Answer · Margaret Curran: The Code of Practice for Tenant Consultation in Stock Transfers will be re-issued by the Scottish Executive in August 2002 to local authorities, Registered Social Landlords and other interested parties as part of the guidance for the implementation of …

27 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3541 by Ms Margaret Curran on 6 June 2001, what plans it has to ensure the provision of independent professional advice to tenants in the Central Scotland parliamentary region as to their rights in relation to the transfer of Scottish Homes housing s…

Answer · Margaret Curran: Scottish Homes, in line with its published procedures, will ensure that an independent adviser is made available to advise all tenants on all facets of the potential landlord(s) proposals for the houses.

27 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3541 by Ms Margaret Curran on 6 June 2001, when the transfer of Scottish Homes housing stock in the Central Scotland parliamentary region to other social landlords will take place.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Proposals from Clyde Valley Housing Association for stock in Hamilton are currently with Scottish Homes Board for consideration and, subject to ministerial approval, should proceed to ballot in August. Subject to a successful ballot of tenants, it is proposed…

20 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the United Kingdom pay review bodies to raise the pay scales of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists in order to improve recruitment into these professions.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Pay for speech and language therapists is not determined by the pay review bodies, but through the appropriate functional Whitley Council.As far as occupational therapists and physiotherapists are concerned, the Scottish Executive submits evidence to the r…

20 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on Careers Scotland having given no indication to career advisers who are currently on temporary contracts as to whether their contracts will be extended when these contracts expire on 30 June 2002.

Answer · Iain Gray: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. However, I understand that the position of all staff on temporary contracts was clarified in the week commencing 24 June.

20 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its intention is in regard to the continued use of HM Prison Kilmarnock when the 25-year contract with Kilmarnock Prison Services Ltd ends and what arrangements it proposes for the management of the prison at that time.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:No decisions have been taken. Options will be evaluated near the end of the contract period which ends in 2024.

13 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-25969 by Ms Margaret Curran on 6 June 2002, when it will put into effect the principles and processes aimed at making it easier for voluntary organisations to apply to it for funding and when any new procedures will be fully in place.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Our timetable for the introduction of the new principles and processes is that we expect to pilot some of them in 2002-03, rolling out their introduction across the Executive in 2003-04. The timetable for the introduction of a generic funding power will be de…

10 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to postpone the repayment of student loans and payment of the graduate contribution and not to charge interest in the meantime to those students who go on to study for a post-graduate research degree.

Answer · Iain Gray: The Executive has no plans to change the procedures for repaying student loans or for the payment of the graduate endowment. All liable graduates can choose to meet their graduate endowment liability by taking out a student loan or adding to their existing lo…

7 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what examples there are of posts where the postholder works jointly for it, voluntary organisations and/or non-departmental public bodies or is jointly funded by them, as distinct from positions in voluntary organisations, part of whose funding comes from the Executive or non-departmenta…

Answer · Peter Peacock: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-26488.

7 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the post of Agri-Environment Officer advertised in The Sunday Herald on 19 May 2002, whether the postholder will be a civil servant; who will employ the postholder and who the postholder's line manager will be.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The post of Agri-Environment Officer will be a civil service post within the Scottish Executive's Environment and Rural Affairs Department. The post is jointly funded by the Scottish Executive, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Royal Society for the Protectio…

5 Jun 2002 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how alcohol misuse services are currently being improved.

Answer · Mary Mulligan: The Executive's Plan for Action on alcohol problems, which was published on 18 January, acknowledges that there are gaps in current alcohol problems support and treatment services across Scotland. It requires local Alcohol Action Teams to assess needs …

5 Jun 2002 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to help and promote the Scottish film industry.

Answer · Elaine Murray: The Scottish Executive sponsors Scottish Screen to encourage the development of the Scottish film, television, and related media as an industry and to promote film culture. Scottish Screen receives £2.6 million in grant from the Scottish Executive and is also…