Parliamentary questions
Euan Robson
186 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
26 Jul 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the chlorine level is in water supplies in the towns of Jedburgh, Kelso, Duns, Eyemouth and Coldstream as a percentage of the maximum permitted chlorine level.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: There is no maximum permitted level for chlorine in the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990. The World Health Organisation guideline value for chlorine in drinking water is 5 milligrammes per litre but most individuals can detect chlorine…
26 Jul 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what investment is proposed by East of Scotland Water to remedy any identified deficiencies in water filtration plants in the constituency of Roxburgh and Berwickshire.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: East of Scotland Water will be making significant investment in the Roxburgh and Berwickshire area. Replacement of the filters at Dodburn and the microstrainers and chlorination system at Flex is estimated to cost £6.4 million.
26 Jul 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether water filtration plants in the constituency of Roxburgh and Berwickshire are of a satisfactory standard.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The condition of the water supply facilities in the Roxburgh and Berwickshire area is generally sound but refurbishment and renewal is required in certain areas. East of Scotland Water Authority has improvements planned for 2001-02.
10 Jul 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it envisages that after its housing stock transfer proposals are implemented the local authority strategic function will include determining adequate levels of housing provision for victims of domestic abuse and violence and monitoring the level of such provision by housing associ…
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Code of Guidance on Homelessness, to which local authorities must have regard in applying the homelessness legislation, provides guidance on how local authorities should apply the legislation to those households affected by domestic disputes.<P ALIGN="JUS…
10 Jul 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 (Amendment) Regulations 2000, articles exempt from poinding will be exempt only in poindings executed on or after 10 July 2000.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987, which came into force on 30 November 1988, provided an extended list of goods, particularly household goods, which may be exempt from poinding if reasonably required for the use of the debtor or his household. The Debtors (Sco…
10 Jul 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 (Amendment) Regulations 2000, time to pay orders will apply only to decrees granted on or after 10 July 2000.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Time to pay orders were introduced by the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 which came into force on 30 November 1988. Applications for time to pay orders can only be granted by the court after a decree for payment has been made and diligence against the debtor has…
10 Jul 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 (Amendment) Regulations 2000, time to pay directions will apply only to actions commenced on or after 10 July 2000.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Time to pay directions were introduced by the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 which came into force on 30 November 1988. The Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 (Amendment) Regulations 2000 raise the limit for which it is competent for courts to grant a time to pay direc…
23 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration on the implementation of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information is due.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration intends to submit his first annual report to the Scottish Parliament before the autumn recess.
23 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has offered to bodies delivering a public service in relation to Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive has issued guidance to public authorities on the European Convention of Human Rights entitled <I>A New Era of Rights and Responsibilities: Core Guidance for Public Authorities</I>. This document is available on the Internet and covers a…
23 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish an advisory group on openness in the public sector.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive said in last autumn's consultation document on freedom of information, <I>An Open Scotland</I>, that it would draw on the results of the United Kingdom Government's Advisory Group on Openness in the Public Sector, and that a Working Gro…
23 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to prepare the public sector for the introduction of freedom of information.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive is preparing draft freedom of information legislation, which will be published for consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny prior to its introduction to the Parliament. This and last year's consultation exercise should help raise aware…
23 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5908 by Jim Wallace on 4 April 2000, what type of information, and on what subjects, was being sought by the ten requests for information under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information which were refused and what were the reas…
Answer · Jim Wallace: The following table provides the information requested.<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=616><TR><TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Number<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">of<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">refusals</TD><TD WIDTH="34%"…
6 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has investigated or intends to investigate any discrepancies and anomalies in ticket prices in newly published railway timetables issued by train operators.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Railway timetables do not contain information about ticket prices.
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce subordinate legislation to exempt low income groups such as those on income support from court fees when lodging a small claim and, if so, when it plans to do so.
Answer · Jim Wallace: In line with the practice of previous administrations, I propose to issue a public consultation document on fees in the Supreme and Sheriff Courts. Amongst other matters, I will seek views on the case for exemptions from fees for individuals on state benefits…
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how often the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments has been consulted on issues relating to prisons since 1 June 1999 and on which issues.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The association is consulted regularly by the Scottish Prison Service on visiting committee matters. It may also from time to time be consulted on matters that may affect or be of interest to its constituent visiting committees such as the Scottish Prison Ser…
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what are the statutory duties of the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments has no statutory duties.
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments is independent from the Scottish Prison Service.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments is, and has been since its creation in 1988, independent of the Scottish Prison Service. Although funded by SPS, the association is wholly separate from it, and its members are appointed…
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to ring-fence funding for the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments in order to facilitate it carrying out its statutory duties.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Mr Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The Scottish Prison Service already allocates a specific budget each year to cover the cost of the association's activities…
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct the Scottish Prison Service to make available secure facilities in every prison for the materials and equipment used by the Association of Visiting Committees for Scottish Penal Establishments.
Answer · Jim Wallace: No. While space within establishments is at a premium, the association will in most cases continue to have available facilities which are shared with other uses.
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to prevent the intimidation of witnesses and victims given the proposed repeal of sections 24 and 26 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The proposed repeal of sections 24 and 26 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 means that the sheriff court must consider whether to grant bail in all cases brought before it, in accordance with well established principles of common law. Amongst othe…
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether NHS Trusts are not permitted to sell services such as laundering at less than cost or on a loss leading basis and what specific instructions exist to that effect.
Answer · Susan Deacon: Guidance on income generation published by the NHS Management Executive in 1989 states that in developing income generation opportunities NHS organisations should ensure they act in a commercial manner and charge on an appropriate commercial basis. Their expe…
12 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what practical and financial assistance it will give to Scottish Borders Council to address the consequences of Scottish Ministers' dismissal of the Council's appeal against a waste management condition at the Easter Langlee landfill site near Galashiels demanded by the Scottish Environme…
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Provisions for the collection and disposal of waste by local authorities are set out in the Environmental Protection Act 1990.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Local authorities have a duty under the Act to dispose of waste which they collect. Local authorities receive a si…
11 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it gives to health boards to encourage the prevention of the spread of headlice and what its policy is on whether teachers, school nurses and other staff should be advised to inform parents or guardians when their child is infected.
Answer · Susan Deacon: Each health board is responsible for developing and implementing, in conjunction with other interested bodies, a policy for dealing with headlice infestation. The policies are aimed at ensuring that schools, General Medical Practitioners, Community Pharmacist…
11 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will instruct water authorities to include the address and telephone number of the Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland on the reverse of bills in line with the practice of energy companies which list the addresses and telephone numbers of electricity and gas consumer repre…
Answer · Sarah Boyack: It is important that customers know who best to contact if they have a query about their bill.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">For household bills, details of the water and sewerage charges are included on council tax bills issued by local authorities. Until now, following…
10 May 2000 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for the implementation of Agenda 21 strategies by local authorities and how the progress of such strategies is being monitored.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: In June 1997, at the UN General Assembly in New York, the Prime Minister challenged every local authority to have a Local Agenda 21 strategy by the end of the year 2000. LA 21 was established at the Rio Summit in 1992 as a programme for local authorities. Set…
27 Apr 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what advice Seafield Sewage Treatment Works has received from the Health and Safety Executive regarding public safety implications of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act (1974) and, in particular, the Control of Substances Ha'ardous to Health Regulations (1999).
Answer · Sarah Boyack: It is necessary for the operator of any wastewater treatment facility to comply with Health and Safety legislation as appropriate, and the current Services Contract for the Seafield site makes specific provision for this.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">However, the Health…
26 Apr 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether water authorities in Scotland currently invite visitors in organised parties to their water treatment or sewage works and, if so, which authorities do so and whether those authorities have accepted visitors in organised parties in the last five years.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Each year water authorities undertake a series of open days and organised visits involving a wide range of organisations.
26 Apr 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether school children have visited water treatment or sewage works in Scotland in the last five years and, if so, what safety and protective precautions were taken, and should by law have been taken, during such visits.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Each year the water authorities undertake a whole series of open days and organised visits involving schools and various other organisations. These are carried out under the strictest safety conditions. All water authorities operate in compliance with the gen…
26 Apr 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in how many sewage works in Scotland untreated effluent is used, or has been used in the last five years, to wash screens in screen houses, and to list these works.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Waste water from the outlet of sewage works is used in some plants to wash screens in screen houses using an automated process. However potable water is used in most cases. Waste water (sewage works effluent) is used at 10 sewage works to wash screens in scre…
26 Apr 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether washing screens in screen houses of sewage works with untreated effluent produces a local atmosphere containing biological agents of a ha'ardous nature.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Waste water from the outlets of sewage treatment works is used as wash water for cleaning screens in screen houses at the inlet of some works. The process is carried out automatically without the need, in general, for manual intervention. It may, however, pro…