Parliamentary questions

Gil Paterson

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

5 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many palliative care specialist posts there are.

Answer · Shona Robison: The information requested is not held centrally. However, information showing NHS staff employed by specialty, including palliative medicine, is published annually as part of the workforce census at 30 September each year. This data for 2009 is avail…

5 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many practising palliative care specialists there are.

5 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average NHS expenditure is on a person in receipt of generalist palliative care services.

Answer · Shona Robison: Information on average NHS expenditure on a person in receipt of generalist palliative care services is not held centrally. NHS boards are responsible for the planning and provision of NHS services for their populations and it is for NHS boards to ag…

5 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average NHS expenditure is on a person in receipt of specialist palliative care services.

Answer · Shona Robison: Information on average NHS expenditure on a person in receipt of specialist palliative care services is not held centrally. NHS boards are responsible for the planning and provision of NHS services for their populations and it is for NHS boards to ag…

23 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the Efficient Government Outturn Report for 2008-09.

Answer · John Swinney: We have today published the first Efficient Government Outturn Report for the 2008-2011 Efficient Government programme. It shows that efficiency gains of £838.9 million were made in 2008-09, against the target of £534.4 million. We have also today published t…

12 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has considered the inclusion of additional deaths to be investigated by the Penrose Inquiry.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I have invited Lord Penrose to consider three additional deaths through the Penrose Inquiry. I announced the terms of reference of the Penrose Inquiry in January 2009 to investigate the circumstances in which hepatitis C/HIV infection were acquired f…

10 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many small businesses in West Dunbartonshire have applied for the Small Business Bonus Scheme.

Answer · Jim Mather: We do not hold data on the number of applications for the Small Business Bonus Scheme. Earlier this year, we published a report which showed that 655 business properties in West Dunbartonshire benefited under the Scheme in 2008-09, to the value of over £3 mil…

3 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when an announcement will be made about the terms of reference for the public inquiry into the Clostridium difficile outbreak at the Vale of Leven hospital and when it intends formally to set up the inquiry.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The public inquiry into the outbreak of C difficile at the Vale of Leven hospital will be set up on 1 October 2009. The Right Honourable Lord MacLean has been appointed to chair this Inquiry, to be known as the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry, and the Instrume…

3 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it will make to the UK Government on the proposed high-speed rail link connecting central Scotland to London.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson : This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0903-01.htm">http://www.scot…

31 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide the names of the special advisers currently in post; what their responsibilities are; what their pay bands are for 2009-10; how many special advisers are in each pay band, and what the total salary cost of employing special advisers was in 2008-09.

Answer · John Swinney: There are currently nine special adviser full-time appointments. The special advisers and their specific responsibilities are as follows: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 > <tr > <td width=120 valign=top > Na…

24 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the terms of reference for the public inquiry into the Clostridium difficile outbreak at the Vale of Leven Hospital and when it will formally set up the inquiry.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Crown Office statement of 24 June indicated that they will not pursue criminal prosecutions following the investigations into the circumstances surrounding the Clostridium difficile outbreak. In my statement to Parliament on 22 April, I indicated my inten…

12 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will indicate when the next update of its Economic Recovery Programme will be published.

Answer · John Swinney: <a name=DateForAnswer></a>I am pleased to announce that the latest update of the Scottish Economic Recovery Programme, Preparing for Recovery, is being published on 15 June 2009 and will be available through the Scottish Government''s website. Copies w…

12 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will indicate how much of the funding consequentials arising from the UK Budget 2009 it intends to allocate to housing in Scotland.

Answer · John Swinney: As a result of the funding consequentials from the UK Budget, we are allocating an extra £31 million in 2009-10 to boost affordable housing supply in Scotland. This will include new funds to accelerate and sustain investment in new housing developments for af…

3 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will indicate how it intends to allocate funding consequentials arising from the UK Budget 2009.

Answer · John Swinney: I am delighted to announce that, within the consequentials for Scotland from the Budget totalling £104 million, we intend to provide Scotland''s colleges with additional funding of £19.7 million in 2009-10 and £8.4 million in 2010-11. The new money includes b…

7 May 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress there has been on the national food policy.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: A national food and drink policy reflecting growth, health, affordability and environmental sustainability is a priority for this administration. To deliver this I set up a Leadership Forum to recommend the next steps for action. This group will report soon a…

23 Apr 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it is taking to support health services for young people with disabilities.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon : This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0430-01.htm">http://www.scott…

22 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a report of the recent visit to China by the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.

Answer · Michael Russell: The First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning travelled to China this April in order to advance Scotland''s relationship with China as set out in the Scottish Government''s International Framework, and more specifically the …

18 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it intends to give to the Keep Scotland Beautiful National Spring Clean campaign.

Answer · Richard Lochhead : This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0326-01.htm">http://www.scot…

11 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has plans to screen for asbestos-related diseases.

Answer · Shona Robison : This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0312-01.htm">http://www.scott…

26 Feb 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next meet representatives of supermarkets to discuss reducing unnecessary packaging on products.

20 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a paper examining options for fiscal autonomy in Scotland.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government will outline and assess the range of options for fiscal autonomy in its paper Fiscal Autonomy in Scotland: The Case for Change and Options for Reform. The paper will be published today and will be available to download…

9 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the independent review team (IRT) into the Clostridium difficile related deaths at the Vale of Leven Hospital has now completed its follow-up review of the progress made by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in implementing the seven recommendations contained in the IRT’s original repo…

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The independent review team, including a patient and family representative, has now concluded its follow up review and its findings are published today.

5 Feb 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it envisages any changes to the law on limitation.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Section 3 of the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill makes specific provision in relation to the law on limitation as it affects civil actions for conditions such as pleural plaques. We are also looking at the merits of changes to the law on…

29 Jan 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on analysing the responses to the consultation on draft guidance for local authorities on the use of biometric technology in schools.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0129-01.htm">http://…

8 Jan 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for architecture in Scotland.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: This PQ was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0108-01.htm">http://www.scottish.pa…

3 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to consider a registration scheme for builders that would help identify bogus builders.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The identification of traders acting illegally is a matter for local authorities under consumer protection powers reserved to the UK Government. However, as part of its work to support local authorities in their implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Act 20…

27 Nov 2008 · Written Question

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: UK Sport expects to distribute approximately £6.7 million in 2008-09 to support Scottish athletes, although they may not necessarily be based in Scotland. It will also provide investment of £520,000 in UK Governing Body posts and programme costs based in Scot…

27 Nov 2008 · Written Question

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Scottish Screen has advised that the UK Film Council cannot provide the particular information requested. The UK Film Council provides funding both directly, through targeted funding schemes in areas such as development, production, distribution and exhibitio…

27 Nov 2008 · Written Question

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The total budgets and planned budgets for Creative Scotland proposed to Parliament are £50.2 million in 2008-09, £55.1 million in 2009-10 and £57.5 million in 2010-11. Included in these figures are specific amounts for the Youth Music Initiative (£10 million …

6 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in taking forward the development of the Scottish Futures Trust.

Answer · John Swinney: I shall be announcing today the appointment of two Non-Executive Directors to the Board of Scottish Futures Trust: Councillor Jim Fletcher, Leader of East Renfrewshire Council, and Colin Maclean, former Group Head of Procurement and Supply Chain Management wi…