Mr Duncan Hamilton

15 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what priority is being given to the maintenance and upgrading of Dunoon Pier as part of an integrated ferry transport policy.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Dunoon Pier is owned by Argyll and Bute Council and its maintenance and upgrading is a matter for the Council. However, the Government has made allowances for Argyll and Bute's special needs in respect of piers and harbours generally, by providing additional…

15 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the report into the operation of Caledonian MacBrayne ferries on the Firth of Clyde will be published.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: In 1997 The Scottish Office commissioned consultants Deloitte & Touche to examine future options for the provision of ferry services between Gourock and Dunoon. The report was received by the Government at the end of last year. One of the options was ide…

15 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will explain the rationale behind the decision to keep the minutes of discussion in the National Goose Forum confidential.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: he National Goose Forum decided that, in order to encourage full and frank discussion of the complex and sensitive issues which Ministers asked it to address, the minutes of its discussions should be confidential. It has, however, prepared and updated regula…

15 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive to provide details of the proportion of finance for the maintenance of Private Finance Initiative contracts for new capital projects within the National Health Service in Scotland which is being met from the revenue budgets of NHS Trusts, by project and by Trust.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Until the contract for a PFI funded project has been signed, and the development is available for use, no revenue costs fall on the NHS Trust concerned. Once the project is being used by a NHS Trust, it pays a charge for that use from revenue funds. Details…

15 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive to specify the number of students who have graduated with a degree in orthoptics from either a Scottish university or college in each of the past five academic years.

Answer · Henry McLeish: Information is not available specifically for graduates in Orthoptics. <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">However, the numbers of students who graduated from Scottish universities or colleges with a first degree in Ophthalmics, which includes Orthoptics and Optometry, are as…

15 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from Scottish universities indicating a willingness to run a degree course in orthoptics.

Answer · Susan Deacon: We have received informal enquiries from a number of Scottish Universities expressing a possible interest in running a degree course in orthoptics. No formal representations have been received.

15 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a commitment to ensure that an orthoptic degree course is continued at one of the universities or colleges in Scotland.

Answer · Susan Deacon: The future of orthoptic education in Scotland has been under consideration for some time. There are many factors involved. I hope to examine all the issues in the near future in order to determine the way forward that best suits the interests of the NHS in Sc…

15 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the funding arrangements for Glasgow Caledonian University in respect of the education and training of orthoptists.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The Scottish Higher Education Council allocates funding by subject groups which, for Orthoptics, would be under "Other Health and Welfare". In 1998/99, the gross unit of teaching funding allocated to Glasgow Caledonian University was £5,326 (which includes a…

25 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to publish details of the proportion of NHS new building costs which are being drawn from NHS Trust Revenue Budgets.

Answer · Susan Deacon: New buildings in the NHS in Scotland are funded from public or private sector capital, not revenue budgets. The business cases published for capital projects detail the impact of these projects on Trust revenue budgets.

24 Jun 1999 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to publish details of the proportion of NHS new building costs which are being drawn from NHS Trust Revenue Budgets.

Answer · Susan Deacon: New buildings in the NHS in Scotland are funded from public or private sector capital, not revenue budgets. The business cases published for capital projects detail the impact of these projects on Trust revenue budgets.

17 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to affirm its commitment to a maximum working week of 56 hours for junior doctors in Scotland.

Answer · Susan Deacon: A commitment to the achievement of the 56 hour target here in Scotland has already been given and I can restate our determination to see that fully implemented.

16 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a commitment to publish on a quarterly basis from 1 July the waiting times for those seeking a first out patient appointment, including a breakdown by specialist area.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Detailed information on waiting times for a first outpatient appointment, is published annually in Scottish Health Statistics and the NHS in Scotland Annual Report. Summary information is published in the NHS in Scotland Quarterly Bulletin.<P>The Scottish Exe…

16 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a commitment to publish from 1 July the minutes of all future meetings of the National Goose Forum.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: No. Discussion in the National Goose Forum is confidential to the participants. I envisage however that the Forum's advice to Ministers will be made publicly available.

16 Jun 1999 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to affirm its commitment to a maximum working week of 56 hours for junior doctors in Scotland.

Answer · Susan Deacon: A commitment to the achievement of the 56 hour target here in Scotland has already been given and I can restate our determination to see that fully implemented.