Questions · Hugh Henry

28 Oct 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what increased support it intends to provide to people with polio who begin to experience progressive deterioration in their health later in life.

Answer · Susan Deacon: I fully sympathise with those who had polio in childhood and then find themselves suffering from a deterioration of their health in later life.Our health services must be responsive to the needs of all patients. The long-term cons…

29 Sep 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to support and finance integrated inter-agency action to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Executive will continue to support and monitor the range of measures already in place, including those introduced under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and to promote good practice.We recently announced funding of £186,000 to…

29 Sep 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to monitor the use of Anti Social Behaviour Orders and how it will encourage standard implementation across Scotland.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Guidance on Anti-Social Behaviour Orders was issued by the Scottish Office in March 1999. Local authorities are however expected to develop the use of ASBOs in the light of local circumstances. Arrangements are being put in place to monitor local authorities'…

29 Sep 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it intends to take to support the victims of anti-social behaviour.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Executive will continue to support and monitor the range of measures already in place, including those introduced under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and promote good practice in relation to the use of professional witnesses and victim support initiati…

16 Sep 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it intends to take to relieve traffic congestion on the M8 motorway at Paisley.

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: The Scottish Executive will continue to work closely with Renfrewshire Council to ensure that junctions on the M8 operate efficiently and safely; to develop local and national policies to reduce traffic congestion; and to promote public transport.

15 Sep 1999 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it intends to take to relieve traffic congestion on the M8 motorway at Paisley.

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: The Scottish Executive will continue to work closely with Renfrewshire Council to ensure that junctions on the M8 operate efficiently and safely; to develop local and national policies to reduce traffic congestion; and to promote public transport.

2 Sep 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many crimes were committed in Scotland by those released on bail, and how many of these were crimes of violence, for each of the last five years.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I shall write with full details. Between 1993 and 1997 convictions for offences committed on bail averaged just under 12,000 per annum. Of these, serious non-sexual offences of violence averaged around 600 per annum.

2 Sep 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considered, while developing proposals on citi'ens' juries, any potential impact which payments to participants in citi'ens' juries will have on the full range of social security benefits and, if so, whether it will provide details of any potential impact.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: We are currently working with representatives and experts from Social Inclusion Partnerships and other organisations to develop detailed guidelines for People's Juries, and this includes details of the conditions under which jurors will take part.

1 Sep 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will give to organisations representing older people such as the Renfrewshire Elderly Forum, and whether it is currently supporting any pilot projects for such organisations.

Answer · Iain Gray: The Scottish Executive is committed to the involvement of service users in the planning and provision of services and has provided some funding for national networking conferences for the three Scottish Better Government for Older People projects. We recognis…

1 Sep 1999 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many crimes were committed in Scotland by those released on bail, and how many of these were crimes of violence, for each of the last five years.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I shall write with full details. Between 1993 and 1997 convictions for offences committed on bail averaged just under 12,000 per annum. Of these, serious non-sexual offences of violence averaged around 600 per annum.

25 Aug 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take in the light of the recent comments on smoking by the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland.

Answer · Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive shares the view expressed by the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland that robust action is required to restrict smoking in public places. Officials of the Executive are currently in discussion with the hospitality trade in Scotland, and …

25 Aug 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will recognise Renfrewshire Council's case for continued European Structural Funding when it is negotiating with Her Majesty's Government.

Answer · Jack McConnell: The UK Government secured a significant success at the Berlin Summit, where agreement was reached to concentrate Structural Funds support on areas of greatest need while providing a safety net to limit reduction in Objective 2 coverage and transitional f…

25 Aug 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what protocol exists for notifying constituency MSPs of Ministerial visits within a member's constituency.

Answer · Donald Dewar: In accordance with the Ministerial Code, Ministers of the Scottish Executive aim to notify MSPs of Ministerial visits to their constituency or region as soon as firm plans of the visit are made. We are exploring the possible use o…

25 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote participation in sport in primary schools.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Lottery funding of £2.1m over 3 years has been earmarked to make the TOP Play TOP Sport programmes available to all primary schools. This package can be used to enhance existing sports and physical activity programmes.

24 Jun 1999 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote participation in sport in primary schools.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Lottery funding of £2.1m over 3 years has been earmarked to make the TOP Play TOP Sport programmes available to all primary schools. This package can be used to enhance existing sports and physical activity programmes.