Parliamentary questions
Johann Lamont
1,407 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
9 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates and at what times the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Scottish Government Resilience has met since 1 December 2010.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38184 on 15 December 2010. 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…
9 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions with the UK Government regarding the future of Remploy
Answer · Angela Constance: Officials in the Scottish Government have regular communications with the UK Government on its reform agenda. These discussions have included the future of Remploy and its status as a non-departmental public body.</p> <p >In the light of the spending review …
30 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism will provide an update on the progress of the strategic plan for the distribution of funds from dormant bank accounts, as outlined in the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Act 2008.
Answer · Jim Mather: The next critical step in the distribution of funds under the 2008 act is the order to be made by the UK Government for the apportionment of the funds between UK administrations. We understand that the UK Government plans to open the consultation on the appor…
30 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether guidance on planning and implementation of the change fund will specify the (a) need to recognise the role of unpaid carers and the support that they need to continue caring and (b) role of community health and care partnerships in local implementation plans.
Answer · Shona Robison: Access to the fund will be contingent on local partnerships “ NHS, local authorities and third and independent sector representation “ drawing up joint plans for its use. Local change plans will be prepared and submitted through local community planning partn…
30 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the change fund outlined in the draft budget will be available beyond 2011-12.
Answer · Shona Robison: The change fund outlined in the draft budget is being allocated to health boards in 2011-12 on a recurrent basis. It will therefore be available beyond 2011-12 within health boards'' baseline funding.</p>
30 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what resources are made available to the Scottish Traveller Education Programme and the e-learning and traveller education project.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The Scottish Government is providing funding totalling £65,000 to the Scottish Traveller Education Programme and up to £50,000 for the Scottish Traveller Education Programme <i >e-Learning and Traveller Education Scotland</i> (eLATES) in this financial year (…
30 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what resources are made available to support the education of Gypsy/Traveller children.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting and improving the education of all children and young people. All children should benefit from an education system that is engaging, relevant, tailored to their needs and best prepares them for their future l…
30 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Housing and Communities last met representatives of the Gypsy/Traveller communities and what issues were discussed.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Minister for Housing and Communities last met with representatives of the Gypsy and Traveller Community on 17 November 2010. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how best to ensure that some of the tensions that were evident in Aberdeen and Aberdeens…
26 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will discuss with the relevant bodies the implications of An Independent Review of the Work Capability Assessment by Professor Malcolm Harrington for (a) support services and (b) employment services for people with mental health problems and other impairments.
Answer · Alex Neil: The recommendations contained in Professor Harrington''s review of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) go a substantial way to addressing the concerns raised by stakeholders. Any implications are a matter for the Department for Work and Pensions. The Scottis…
18 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the research, The Opportunities and Challenges of the Changing Public Services Landscape for the Third Sector in Scotland - A longitudinal Study, will be available.
Answer · John Swinney: We plan to publish the initial baseline report from the first year of the study <i>The Changing Public Services Landscape in Scotland: Opportunities and Challenges for the Third Sector </i>at the end of January 2011. The final report of the study which will t…
11 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to hold discussions with the UK Border Agency regarding the ending of its contract with Glasgow City Council for asylum seekers in light of the impact on services in Glasgow.
Answer · Alex Neil: The ending of the contract is a matter between the UK Border Agency and Glasgow City Council. However, the Scottish Government is clear that asylum seekers dispersed to Scotland are treated fairly and humanely and whilst they are in Scotland must be welcomed …
9 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will discuss with the voluntary sector the implications on that sector of the UK Government’s proposal to require recipients of benefits to work unpaid as a condition of continuing to receive benefits.
Answer · Keith Brown: We intend that such discussions should take place. A meeting with relevant officials will be taken forward.</p>
9 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36476 by John Swinney on 30 September 2010, whether a decision has been taken on providing an analysis of the implementation of the 2009-10 single outcome agreements.
Answer · John Swinney: No decision has yet been made.</b></p>
2 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36795 by Alex Neil on 27 October 2010, whether it will contribute to the independent review by Professor Michael Harrington to scrutinise the assessment process.
Answer · Alex Neil: The call for evidence for the independent review of the Department for Work and Pensions'' Work Capability Assessment, being carried out by Professor Malcolm Harrington, ended on 10 September 2010. The Scottish Government did not make a submission. Its report…
2 Nov 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many Permanence Orders were used in (a) 2008 and (b) 2009 and have been used in 2010.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The Children Looked After Statistics show that on both 31 March 2008 and 31 March 2009 there were four children subject to Permanence Orders.</b></p> <p >However, as Permanence Orders came into effect on 28 September 2009, these figures, as reported by loca…
27 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities will have a role in administering the UK Government’s proposed cap of £500 per week on state benefits.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) anticipate that in the first instance the proposed cap is likely to be delivered by local authorities through housing benefit payments. In the longer term the cap will be administered as part of the new universal cre…
27 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will have a role in administering the UK Government’s proposed cap of £500 per week on state benefits.
Answer · Alex Neil: It is not envisaged at present that the Scottish Government will have an immediate role in administering the UK Government''s proposed cap on state benefits, however responsibility for administering council tax benefit will transfer to the devolved administra…
27 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department of Work and Pensions regarding the UK Government’s proposal of a £500-per-week cap on state benefits.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Minister for Schools and Skills, Councillor Harry McGuigan, representing COSLA, and I met with Chris Grayling MP, Minister for Employment in the UK Government on 28 October 2010. Discussion covered a range of welfare reform issues.</b></p> <p >Given the …
27 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to discuss with the UK Government its proposals regarding the future of Citizens Advice.
Answer · Alex Neil: We are already engaged in discussions with the UK Government about its proposed changes to consumer protection functions, including those which impact on the future of Citizens Advice.</b></p>
27 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to discuss with COSLA the UK Government’s proposals for the localisation of council tax benefits.
Answer · John Swinney: I intend to do so.</p>
27 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to discuss with the UK Government its proposals for the localisation of council tax benefits.
Answer · John Swinney: I intend to do so.</p>
27 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland regarding changes to the role of the organisation proposed by the UK Government.
Answer · Alex Neil: The future role and function of the Equality and Human Rights Commission is a reserved matter. Officials from the UK Government Equality Office have been in contact with Scottish Government officials and I am writing to Lynne Featherstone MP, Minister for Equ…
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will monitor the pilot scheme on changes to incapacity benefit in Aberdeen with a view to contributing to the independent review of the process announced by the UK Government.
Answer · Alex Neil: My officials will continue to liaise with the Department for Work and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, local employability partners and health services to monitor developments from the trial in Aberdeen on changes to incapacity benefit. I am not aware of any indepen…
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance to local authorities on the need for equality impact assessments on programmes of budgetary reductions.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-36474 on 13 October 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busines…
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with local authorities regarding the need to conduct equality impact assessments on programmes of budgetary reductions.
Answer · John Swinney: Local authorities are subject to the public sector equality duties. They must have due regard to the need to promote race, disability and gender equality across all of their functions. The Scottish Government is in regular communication on the budget process …
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-35723 by Shona Robison on 1 September 2010, what the outcome was of the discussion on 16 September 2010 with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People on changes to the Independent Living Fund.
Answer · Shona Robison: On 16 September 2010 I had a discussion with Maria Miller MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People, where I expressed concerns over the future of the Independent Living Fund. I also set out our preference for the fund to be devolved, as …
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will conduct research on the effects on households, registered social landlords and local authorities of the UK Government’s proposed changes to housing benefit.
Answer · Alex Neil: In addition to contributing to the Department for Work and Pensions'' housing benefit reform impact study, we are carrying out our own detailed assessment of the impact on Scotland''s housing system and will seek to resist any changes that would have a detrim…
29 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions there have been with COSLA regarding the possible funding implications of the decision of the Independent Living Fund not to accept new applications.
Answer · Shona Robison: There have been ongoing discussions with COSLA about the Independent Living Fund''s decision to stop new applications since July 2010. Scottish Government officials met with officials from COSLA, ADSW and representatives of the independent living movement on …
29 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36145 by Alex Neil on 16 September 2010, what topics were discussed at the meeting between the Minister for Housing and Communities and the UK Minister for Disabled People on 29 July 2010.
Answer · Alex Neil: The topics discussed at the meeting between the UK Minister for Disabled People and I on 29 July 2010 were:</b></p> <p >Independent Living Fund;</p> <p >Lack of consultation with regard to policy developments with implications for Scotland;</p> <p >Welfare…
29 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with representatives of organisations involved in providing legal, welfare rights and money advice services regarding how they can be supported in meeting the potential increased demand resulting from proposed reductions in benefits.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government meets frequently with representatives of such organisations.</b></p>