Questions · Iain Smith

5 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether projects previously allocated funding from the LEADER programme will be able to reapply under the new arrangements announced in its press release of 25 September 2009.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28979 on 18 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/App…

5 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to implement the increase in funding through the LEADER programme announced in its press release of 25 September 2009.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28979 on 18 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/App…

5 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects agreement from the European Union on the transfer of funds to the LEADER programme as announced in its press release of 25 September 2009.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28979 on 18 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/App…

5 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the increased funding for the LEADER programme announced in its press release of 25 September 2009 will be passed on to local action groups or administered by the Scottish Executive.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28979 on 18 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/App…

5 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the total increase will be in funding through the LEADER programme announced in its press release of 25 September 2009.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28979 on 18 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/App…

5 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will provide the increase in funding through the LEADER programme announced in its press release of 25 September 2009.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28979 on 18 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/App…

24 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met NHS Fife and what issues were discussed.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I met representatives of NHS Fife on 22 September when I opened the new St Andrews Community Hospital and attended a Patient Safety Month event at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline. Our discussions focussed on the events in question. Scottish Governm…

22 Jun 2009 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure parity of coverage for all homes in Scotland following the digital switchover.

Answer · Alex Salmond: 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/sor0625-01.htm">http://www.scot…

17 Jun 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review the procedures for considering applications for new pharmacies.

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/sor0625-01.htm">http://www.scot…

11 Jun 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it proposes to make a statement to the Parliament on the details of its proposed Scottish Investment Bank.

Answer · John Swinney: I will make a statement to the Parliament as soon as possible after the summer recess to provide further details of progress in developing the Scottish Investment Bank.

28 May 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will improve the provision of mental health services.

Answer · Shona Robison: We will continue to deliver on our challenging national performance targets, supported by a range of other activity, designed to improve and modernise the provision of mental health services and ensure that quality, integrated mental health services are avail…

14 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the planned independent study into the noise issues of air source heat pumps will be published; which organisation is undertaking the research, and how much the study cost.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We are currently undertaking a competitive tendering exercise to appoint a research contractor to undertake the study. This will explore the feasibility of introducing permitted development rights for air source heat pumps with recommendations expected before…

14 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the grounds were for rejecting general permitted development rights for air source heat pumps in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Domestic Microgeneration) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2009 and whether the criteria for planning approval differs from Englan…

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Consultation confirmed that further work was needed to explore the feasibility of introducing permitted development rights for air source heat pumps and so it was decided to commission an independent study to examine the issues in further detail. The analysis…

14 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its officials visited the Mitsubishi Electric UK plant in Livingston, a manufacturer of air source heat pumps, during the process of drawing up a regulatory impact assessment in advance of the laying of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Domestic…

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No, although the views of stakeholders were sought on a draft of the regulatory impact assessment.

14 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister, the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism or any other minister visited the Mitsubishi Electric UK plant in Livingston, a manufacturer of air source heat pumps and employer of 420 people, in a…

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No, although the views of stakeholders were sought through consultation prior to the Order being laid.

12 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to events to celebrate St Andrew’s Day in the Year of Homecoming.

Answer · Michael Russell: 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.scot…

5 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce how the £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund will be allocated.

Answer · John Swinney: 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/sor0305-01.htm">http://www.scot…

4 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it is making available in 2009-10 to Skillset, either directly or through Scottish Screen or any other agency, to support the development of improved training and continuing professional development in the creative industries.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government provides no core funding to Skillset, or any other Sector Skills Council. This funding is provided by the UK Commission for Employment Skills via a grant in aid from the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills. Howev…

4 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is ensuring that Skills Development Scotland, Skillset and the further and higher education sectors are positioned to anticipate changes in the skills requirement in the fast-moving broadcasting environment and realign their activities accordingly to avoid skills gaps, in line with…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is committed to taking forward the recommendations in the Scottish Broadcasting Commission report “ Platform for Success “ which seek to address skills issues within the sector. We are working with all the organisation…

4 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in the absence of Creative Scotland, who is playing a leadership role in bringing together broadcasters, production companies, economic development bodies, skills agencies and the further and higher education sectors to work collaboratively in delivering what is required to ensure a thri…

Answer · Linda Fabiani: There are several agencies involved in supporting the broadcasting industry in Scotland, including Scottish Screen and the Enterprise bodies. The Scottish Government is establishing Creative Scotland as a publicly owned limited company by the turn of the year…

4 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects Scottish Enterprise to publish an economic development strategy for broadcasting, as recommended by the Scottish Broadcasting Commission.

Answer · Jim Mather: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its chief executive to write to you in this regard.

21 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17913 by Stewart Stevenson on 18 November 2008, whether it considers rail fares in Fife to be fair, compared with the rest of Scotland.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I am satisfied that rail fares across all areas of Scotland are broadly equitable.

21 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17913 by Stewart Stevenson on 18 November 2008, whether rail fares across Scotland are fully aligned.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Fares alignment means that all regulated fares will now change in January of each year which is consistent with the main industry fare change date.

21 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17913 by Stewart Stevenson on 18 November 2008, why it has not aligned Fife fares with the rest of Scotland from January 2009, as it has with Strathclyde.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Fares alignment means that all regulated fares, including Fife fares, will now change in January of each year which is consistent with the main industry fare change date.

2 Oct 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met First ScotRail to discuss rail services in Fife and what issues were discussed.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland meets regularly with First ScotRail to discuss a range of issues including Fife services. A meeting took place on Thursday 25 September 2008 to discuss timetabling including matters relevant to Fife services.

4 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to bring forward regulations to allow same-sex couples to apply to foster children.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The consultation on the draft Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations which includes provision to remove the prohibition on same-sex couples fostering ended in March 2008. I intend to write to the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee shortl…

4 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to bring into force section 29 of the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007.

Answer · Adam Ingram: I wrote to the Convener of the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee on 19 June 2008 setting out the process for implementing the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007. I intend to write again shortly to set out a more detailed timetable for …

19 Jun 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met the chairman of the Scottish Arts Council and what issues were discussed.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: My last formal meeting with Richard Holloway was on the 16 of April, when we discussed the establishment of Creative Scotland.

22 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to support bus passengers in Fife, in light of the recent announcement by Stagecoach in Fife to raise bus fares.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Bus fares are a matter for individual operators who use their own commercial judgement as to the fare structure to be applied, taking into account the level of patronage, in order to provide a viable service. The Scottish Government provides an annual subsidy…

21 Feb 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that healthy living centres can continue to improve community health and wellbeing.

Answer · Shona Robison: As announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing on 19 February, the Scottish Government has established a one-year Healthy Living Centre Transition Fund of up to £2.5 million. This recognises the unique nature of healthy living centres and the …