Mr Duncan Hamilton

13 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26164 by Mr Jim Wallace on 5 June 2002, whether the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland is consulting health and safety specialists outwith the Scottish Police Service in order to determine whether current shift patterns are affecting th…

Answer · Jim Wallace: This is a matter for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, who are currently conducting a review of the shift systems used by the Scottish Police Service. The Scottish Executive is not a member of the review team.

13 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on air travel for (a) staff and (b) patients by each NHS board in each of the last three years.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The information requested is not held centrally.

13 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26283 by Ross Finnie on 5 June 2002, what stakeholders will be consulted on the finalised strategy for enhancing disease surveillance.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Stakeholders with an interest in animal health and welfare will be consulted. The consultation document will also be made publicly available.

13 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26283 by Ross Finnie on 5 June 2002, on what date the finalised strategy for enhancing disease surveillance is expected to be (a) put forward for stakeholder consultation and (b) published following the consultation.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-26677 on 25 June 2002.

13 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17343 by Angus MacKay on 29 August 2001, how many websites offering devolved government services online, other than those provided by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, now use customer relationship management systems.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Student Awards Agency for Scotland remains the only body within the Scottish Administration that currently utilises a customer relationship management system in delivering its online services.

13 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many test sites of genetically modified crops there are and where each such site is situated.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Detailed information about releases into the environment of GM crops is placed on a public register, a copy of which is held by the Scottish Executive. Site information is also routinely placed on the Internet on the Executive's GM website. <P>There are 11 si…

11 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26283 by Ross Finnie on 5 June 2002, when the stakeholder consultation into a strategy for enhancing disease surveillance is expected to be completed, and how long after completion of the consultation the report will be published.

Answer · Ross Finnie: We plan to issue the consultation in the autumn. The document will be revised in the light of consultation responses and will be finalised as soon as possible.

7 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek a derogation from any proposed ban by the European Union on the transportation of livestock by sea when wind speeds are Force 5 or over.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The EU has not, as yet, put forward any new welfare proposals involving the welfare of animals during transport. When the EU does proceed, all aspects will be considered carefully from a Scottish perspective.

5 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any consultation has taken place between Caledonian MacBrayne and those responsible for drawing up the draft specifications for the Islay route prior to competitive tendering and whether new Caledonian MacBrayne plans for the Islay route will be incorporated into those draft speci…

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Scottish Executive officials have consulted Caledonian MacBrayne on a broad range of operational issues in preparation for the consultation exercise on the future tendering of Clyde and Hebridean Isles ferry services. We plan to issue that consultation paper …

29 May 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what opportunities there will be for local authorities, interested parties and the general public to contribute to the review of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency announced on 28 May 2002 and when the review is expected to be completed.

Answer · Allan Wilson: A series of seminars for SEPA's stakeholders are being held as part of the review. The first of these took place on 17 June. Others are planned for September. A consultation document, which takes account of comments made by those present at the 17 June semina…

29 May 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the review of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is expected to be published.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The review will be published as soon as practicable after its completion. Completion is expected by summer 2003.

23 May 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the exact wording of the frequency limitation order placed on the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry service from Gourock to Dunoon.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The restriction of Gourock to Dunoon services to one an hour was made by the Secretary of State for Scotland in a House of Commons Parliamentary Question on 12 February 1982, reference Volume 17/56, Column 480. The answer stated that -<P>I announced on 12 Oct…

23 May 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the review of foot-and-mouth disease surveillance provision announced by the Minister for Rural Development last year has taken place and, if so, when the findings will be published.

Answer · Ross Finnie: A strategy for enhancing disease surveillance in the United Kingdom is being developed and will provide a framework for veterinary surveillance as a whole, not just foot-and-mouth disease. The finalised strategy will be published after stakeholder consultatio…

23 May 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Department of Trade and Industry to extend the EU Working Time Directive to protect public sector workers in Scotland from working more than seven consecutive days.

Answer · Iain Gray: The Scottish Executive has no functions in relation to employment issues. <P>The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of employment matters, including the Working Time Directive.

23 May 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the frequency limitation order in regard to the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry service from Gourock to Dunoon specifies the type of service to be provided.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: When scheduled sailings on the Gourock to Dunoon route were restricted to one per hour in 1982, Scottish Office ministers announced that Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd would continue to provide a passenger and vehicle service.

22 May 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to limit the number of consecutive night shifts worked by police officers to ensure their health and safety.

Answer · Jim Wallace: In deploying their officers, chief constables are bound by regulations governing employment within the police service as well as generally. There are no current plans to amend these regulations as regards the number of consecutive night shifts worked by polic…

22 May 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make additional funding available to tackle wildlife crime in remote areas given the logistical difficulties in policing such areas.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Budget proposals submitted via the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland for 2002-03 were met in full in the funding settlement. As a result, the level of funding provided to forces is now at record levels. It is an operational matter for chief con…

30 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the figures relied upon by Caledonian MacBrayne to reach the conclusion that the proposed service configuration on the Dunoon to Gourock ferry route is the most cost-effective option.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-25474.

30 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) children and (b) adults with alcohol-related problems were admitted to each (i) children's hospital and (ii) acute hospital in each of the last three years, broken down by age profile where appropriate.

Answer · Mary Mulligan: Information on the number of children and adults with an alcohol-related diagnosis who were discharged from children's hospitals and general acute hospitals in the last three years is given in the following table.<P>Alcohol-related discharges from children's …

30 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has had with (a) MSPs representing the parliamentary constituency of Argyll and Bute and the Highlands and Islands parliamentary region, (b) interested community bodies in Dunoon and (c) the wider Dunoon community in regard to proposed restructuring of the Caledonian…

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: None. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-25474.

30 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to Caledonian MacBrayne's position that a reduced ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon provides best value for the people of that area and what definition of "best value" was used.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Only the passenger element of Caledonian MacBrayne's service on this route is within the undertaking between the company and the Scottish ministers. The provision of a vehicle ferry service is outwith the undertaking, and therefore the company's decision to i…

30 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether an assessment of the two roll-on roll-off ferry services operating on a half-hourly basis between Gourock and Dunoon has been, or will be, carried out.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-25422.

26 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Caledonian MacBrayne is under a continuing instruction to provide an hourly ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon and what the reason is for its position on this matter.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-25321 on 7 May 2002.

26 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any letter of instruction from it to Caledonian MacBrayne in regard to the frequency of ferry services on the River Clyde.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive has not issued any such letter.

26 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for the delivery of replacement vessels for the ferry service operated by Caledonian MacBrayne between Gourock and Dunoon; what the proposed replacement vessel specification is, and how much each vessel will cost.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Proposals for the future operation of the Gourock to Dunoon route will be set out in the draft service specification for the Clyde and Western Isles tendering exercise, which we expect to issue for consultation shortly.<P>Decisions on the timing, specificatio…

26 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any economic assessments have been carried out into the viability of introducing half-hourly ferry services between Gourock and Dunoon operated by Caledonian MacBrayne for (a) passengers only and (b) passengers and vehicles and whether any such assessments will be published.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: No such assessments have been made or are planned, but carrying statistics for the service operated by Caledonian MacBrayne do not suggest that there is any unmet demand that could sustain a more frequent service.

25 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what paediatric care exists for patients living in Caithness and Sutherland.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: This is a matter for NHS Highland. However, I understand that the Medical Paediatrics Department at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness provides a service for the whole of the Highland area, including patients in Caithness and Sutherland.

5 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-24181 by Mr Jim Wallace on 2 April 2002, where information on the expenditure by police forces in respect of overtime for police officers attending court is held.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The individual forces hold information on their expenditure in respect of overtime for police officers attending court. It would be open to the member to approach forces directly or through the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, if he wishes to…

21 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to extend trunk road status to the A83 from Kennacraig to Campbeltown.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The last review of the trunk road network was launched in October 1994, with the consultation paper <I>Local Government Reform: Shaping the Trunk Road Network</I>. This made a number of proposals geared to provide the road user with a coherent, logical and re…

20 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the Creagan Road Bridge was commissioned and on what date the bridge was completed.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The works were commissioned to start on 20 April 1998. On completion the bridge opened to traffic on 21 June 1999.