Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

7 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much money there currently is in the bank accounts of former NHS Trusts.

Answer · Susan Deacon: There is no money currently held in the bank accounts of former NHS Trusts.

7 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much money there has been in the bank accounts of former NHS Trusts since they were wound up; when any such funds were fro'en, and why any such accounts were fro'en.

Answer · Susan Deacon: On 1 April 1999, assets and liabilities of the demitting NHS Trusts were transferred to the new reconfigured Trusts. The bank balances of the old Trusts were among those balances.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The exception was surplus working capital.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">…

7 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the surplus was of each former NHS Trust at the time when each such Trust was wound up.

Answer · Susan Deacon: The table provides the retained surplus/(deficit) position of each of the former Trusts as at 31 March 1999. The figures have been taken from the Annual Accounts of each Trust and provided the basis for the Summarised Account of the NHS Trusts in Scotland 199…

7 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give the City of Edinburgh Council expert advice and guidance in connection with any need for additional flood prevention measures alongside the Water of Leith.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: The need for additional flood prevention measures for the Water of Leith is entirely a matter for the City of Edinburgh Council. However, the Executive is in contact with the council and, should the council decide to take such measures, the Executive stands r…

7 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will hold discussions with Scottish Enterprise on the prospects for a new Scottish slate industry, given that over 300,000 homes will require roofing renewal over the next 30 years.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Stone Liaison Group, funded by Historic Scotland, is considering a pilot project to quarry a small amount of Scottish slate. Such an exercise would involve discussions with Local Enterprise Companies. Scottish Enterprise is willing to consider pr…

30 Oct 2000 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Executive will, as a matter of priority, conduct relevant research and put in place contingency arrangements to deal with predicted increased flooding in Scotland.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive has already commissioned research studies to consider the impact of climate change on the frequency of flooding, design standards to protect against flooding and, more generally, adaptation measures required to address the threat of cli…

25 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to conduct research or a feasibility study on the best use of water which is surplus to requirements in Scotland in view of the increasing demand for water throughout the world.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: The Executive has no present plans of this nature.

25 Oct 2000 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for promotion and encouragement of a Scottish slate industry.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Executive recognises the role of indigenous Scottish slate in preserving the characteristics of historic Scottish buildings. In early November Historic Scotland is co-hosting the Traditional Scottish Roofing Conference and launching two commissioned resea…

11 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when funds will be provided for redevelopment and utilisation of the East Side of the National Portrait Gallery.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-10332 on 20 October.

4 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates the market demand for slate to be in Scotland annually.

Answer · Henry McLeish: Reliable estimates of demand for slate in Scotland are not available. However Scottish Homes estimate that there are currently 642,000 houses with slate roofs in Scotland. It is estimated that around 50% of these homes will require roofing renewal over the ne…

4 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate can be made of the percentage of slate being used in Scotland which is (a) recycled from abroad and (b) imported.

Answer · Henry McLeish: Ongoing demand in Scotland exists primarily for slate to repair historic buildings of importance. Scottish slate has been out of production since the 1950s and demand for slate in Scotland is met either by recycling slate from existing buildings or by import …

4 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses have roofs tiled with slate and what percentage this represents of the total housing stock.

Answer · Frank McAveety: The 1996 Scottish House Condition Survey estimated that slate was the predominant roof covering for 642,000 houses, or 30% of the stock.

4 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be necessary to establish a college to train physical education teachers to meet any increased demand for physical education teachers to be employed in primary and secondary schools.

Answer · Peter Peacock: There are no plans to establish a college to train physical education teachers.

3 Oct 2000 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body received any information from the Scottish Office on whether the appointment of Bovis as main contractor for the Holyrood project was in accordance with UK and EU guidelines for public building procurement.

Answer · David Steel: The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) was briefed by senior Parliament officials about the appointment of Bovis as Construction Managers for the Holyrood project following the transfer of responsibility for the project to the SPCB on 1 June 1999. T…

3 Oct 2000 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body received any information from the Scottish Office on whether the tender bid of Bovis was higher that that of McAlpine's and what criteria were applied in appointing Bovis as main contractor to the Holyrood project.

Answer · David Steel: The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) was briefed by senior Parliament officials about procedures used for the Construction Management appointment for the Holyrood project following the transfer of responsibility for the project to the SPCB on 1 Ju…

3 Oct 2000 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body received any information from the Scottish Office on how the composition of the Parliament building project selection panel was decided upon and whether any posts were advertised.

Answer · David Steel: The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) was briefed by senior Parliament officials about the selection process which culminated in the appointment of EMBT/RMJM as architects for the new Parliament building, following the transfer of responsibility fo…

3 Oct 2000 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body received any information from the Scottish Office on what consideration was given to the practice resources, back up and track record of Enric Miralles before his appointment.

Answer · David Steel: The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) was briefed by senior Parliament officials about the selection process which culminated in the appointment of EMBT/RMJM as architects for the new Parliament building, following the transfer of responsibility fo…

3 Oct 2000 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body received from the Scottish Office evidence that all EU Regulations for public building procurement procedures were fully complied with in respect of all professional appointments, including that of lead architect, associate architects, proj…

Answer · David Steel: The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) was briefed by senior Parliament officials about procedures used for appointments of the consultants and professionals involved in the Holyrood project following the transfer of responsibility for the project t…

28 Sep 2000 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether the levels of payment of remuneration in respect of the Holyrood Project consultants' fees will be or have been checked to ensure compliance with EU, UK and Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland guidelines on best practice.

Answer · David Steel: The appointments of the main consultants to the Holyrood Project, including agreement on fee levels, were made prior to 1 June 1999 and were therefore the responsibility of the Scottish Office. I understand however that each member of the Design Team has been…

28 Sep 2000 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will give a projected breakdown, including recipients, of the #26 million in respect of consultants' fees for the Holyrood Project and what scope there is for all or any element of any fees not to be incurred.

Answer · David Steel: The Auditor General's report on the new Scottish Parliament building, made available to MSPs on 19 September, gave latest approximate forecast outturn costs for the main Project consultants at exhibit 14. I understand from the Convener of the Holyrood Progres…

28 Sep 2000 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer what the specific role of RMJM is in the Design Team for the Holyrood Project.

Answer · David Steel: The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body's first report to MSPs of 9 June 1999 explained that RMJM Scotland Limited are partners with EMBT in the joint venture company EMBT/RMJM Limited, the architects of the new Parliament building. RMJM Services also separ…

27 Sep 2000 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make funding available to the City of Edinburgh Council for flood prevention schemes.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive makes funding available to local authorities, under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961. Subject to flood prevention schemes meeting specific cost benefit criteria, grant for confirmed schemes is available at a rate of 50%.<P>The C…

14 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what emergency planning powers available to it have been invoked in the current fuel situation.

Answer · Henry McLeish: None. The powers which were used during the recent fuel supply emergency to designate filling stations are reserved powers under the Energy Act 1976, and the various Orders were made by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

14 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is consulted over the number and siting of fuel distribution centres and what response it has made to any such consultation.

Answer · Henry McLeish: There has recently been extensive consultation between the Scottish Executive and the UK Government about locations of fuel distribution centres and priority filling stations. The Executive has in turn been consulting a number of organisations in Scotland abo…

31 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Fatal Accident Inquiries are outstanding when decisions to hold them have been made (a) awaiting for the hearing to be held and (b) awaiting for the hearing to be completed.

Answer · Neil Davidson: The information requested is not currently available.

31 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Fatal Accident Inquiries were completed in 1999 and what the length of time was for each hearing (a) to be heard from the time of the decision to hold one and (b) to be completed from the time of the decision to hold one.

Answer · Neil Davidson: The information requested is not currently available.

31 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the recommended length of time is that it should take for a Fatal Accident Inquiry to be completed from the time of the decision to hold one.

Answer · Neil Davidson: There is no recommended time for the completion of a Fatal Accident Inquiry once a decision has been taken to hold one. The hearing, once commenced, can vary in length according to a number of different factors including the amount of evidence led, the availa…

31 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the recommended length of time is that it should take for a Fatal Accident Inquiry to be heard from the time of the decision to hold one.

Answer · Neil Davidson: The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have an internal target of holding 95% of discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiries within 12 weeks of receipt of Crown Counsel's instructions. In relation to mandatory Fatal Accident Inquiries, the target is to hol…

13 Jul 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive by how much the average life expectancy of (a) women and (b) men is expected to increase between 1997 and 2007.

Answer · Jim Wallace: At the request of the Registrar General, the Government Actuary prepares projections on life expectancy in Scotland as part of the preparation of population projections. Between 1997 and 2007 the Government Actuary projects the increase in life expectancy in …

13 Jul 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8323 by Sarah Boyack on 12 July 2000, whether it holds any information on the percentage of households which own one or more cars as opposed to those which have regular use of a car; if so, what percentage of households owned one or more cars in each…

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The only information held on household car ownership comes from the Scottish Household Survey, which started last year.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The table below gives the latest information that is available. Because, for some purposes, vans are counted with cars, t…