Parliamentary questions
Johann Lamont
1,407 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
29 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-684 by Stewart Maxwell on 18 June 2007, whether it has considered how it could set up a new lottery distribution body for sports funding, given that this is a matter reserved to the UK Parliament.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Arrangements for thedistribution of the lottery sports fund in Scotland would be consideredalongside consideration of the future of sportscotland.</p><p>Primary legislation relatingto the National Lottery is of course reserved to Westminster. However, there i…
28 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-703 and S3W-954 by Stewart Maxwell on 15 and 18 June 2007, why the minister considers that Homestake should be made available to those who aspire to home ownership, but who are unable to become owner-occupiers with their own resources, but that a f…
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Homestake is targeted mainlyat first-time buyers on low to modest incomes, but it can help a number of otherpriority groups too, such as disabled owner-occupiers requiring to move and ownerswhose homes are being demolished. The Scottish Government is consider…
28 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the Minister for Communites and Sport understands by targeting resources on those in need.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The framework underpinning anyinitiative or programme which aims to target resources on those in need will varyaccording to the context.</p>
28 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-954 by Stewart Maxwell on 18 June 2007, what the minister would define as assistance to those who are excluded from the housing market.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Assistance to those who are excludedfrom the housing market could include financial help or practical help through adviceand guidance.</p>
28 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-954 by Stewart Maxwell on 18 June 2007, whether it is possible to support more individuals and families who are excluded from the housing market by providing a £2,000 grant to all first-time buyers.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government willlook closely at the benefits for the people of Scotland which might be achievedfrom any new initiatives. The Scottish Government wants to help more individualsand families to meet their ownership aspirations and is considering a ra…
28 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-954 by Stewart Maxwell on 18 June 2007, whether the minister considers all first-time buyers to be excluded from the housing market.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: No. There were around 38,900first-time buyers in 2006. Many more households are currently struggling to accessowner-occupation. The Scottish Government wants to help more first-time buyers tomeet their ownership aspirations. We are looking at a range of measu…
28 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what input the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and the Minister for Communities and Sport will have in the wider review of public bodies which will include a consideration of Communities Scotland and sportscotland.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to thequestion S3W-1699 answered on 23 July 2007. Cabinet Secretaries and theirMinisters will take the decisions on public bodies within theirresponsibilities, in line with the principles and approaches developed over thesummer.</p><p>All a…
28 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will give a commitment not to make a decision on the future of (a) Communities Scotland and (b) sportscotland during the parliamentary recess in order to allow the full involvement of the Parliament in the review.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to thequestion S3W-1701 answered on 23 July 2007. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website the search facility forwhich can be found at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…
28 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will give a commitment to consult the Parliament and its committees prior to making a decision on the future of (a) Communities Scotland and (b) sportscotland.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member toquestion S3W-1701 answered on 23 July 2007. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website the search facility forwhich can be found at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.se…
28 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whom it will consult on the future of (a) Communities Scotland and (b) sportscotland.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: It is important that we takedecisions on the future of both organisations through a robust and properprocess, to ensure that those decisions are clear and transparent, provideclarity for staff and stakeholders, and also contribute to simplifying andenhancing …
28 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a timescale and timetable for a review of Communities Scotland.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to thequestion S3W-1699 answered on 23 July 2007. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website the search facility forwhich can be found at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…
28 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the criteria by which it will decide the future of (a) Communities Scotland and (b) sportscotland.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: As the Cabinet Secretary forFinance and Sustainable Growth announced on 24 May 2007, we intend to take action to achieve a simpler, smallergovernment in Scotland, de-cluttering and simplifying thepublic service landscape. Clarity about the role of agencies an…
28 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Communities and Sport will argue for an increase in funding for disability sport in the comprehensive spending review.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Funding for disability sportis provided by sportscotland to the sport’s governing body Scottish Disability Sport.Funding is based on the sport’s development plan and is determined by the boardof sportscotland.</p><p>Decisions on the 2007 SpendingReview will b…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many placing requests so far for P1 to P3 classes in Glasgow primary schools have been refused for session 2007-08.
Answer · Maureen Watt : We do not hold theinformation requested. We will be collecting placing request statistics in theautumn, and will publish them in spring 2008.</p>
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many placing requests for P1 to P3 classes in Glasgow primary schools were refused for each of the last five school years.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The informationrequested is only available in relation to placing requests for P1, and for P2to P7 collectively. The table shows the number of placing requests refused byGlasgow City Council for years P1-P7 for the last five years. It does notinclude placing …
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how any consultation on the level of investment to be considered by the comprehensive spending review will be conducted.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Along with my Cabinet Secretaryand ministerial colleagues, I will be in dialogue with a range of stakeholders overthe summer to gather evidence and views on how we can use the strategic spendingreview to set spending plans that will enable us to fulfil our pu…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of investment in housing will be considered by the comprehensive spending review.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The strategic spending reviewis examining all of the Scottish Government’s spending programmes. At the conclusionof the review, we will announce our spending plans for the period 2008-11, includingour planned investment in housing.</p>
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it plans to take to improve the uptake of private landlord registration.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: There has been a good responsefrom private landlords to the requirement to apply for registration. Local authoritieshave a range of measures available to them to identify those who have not yet appliedand ensure that they do so. It is also encouraging to note…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action the Minister for Communities and Sport plans to take in respect of the single seller survey.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-173 on 6 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.sear…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Homestake programme will continue to be made available.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I announced duringthe Parliamentary Housing Debate on 21 June that the Scottish Government would takeforward its proposal to establish a Scottish Housing Support Fund, and in so doingthat we would build on the successful Homestake programme and look to expand…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses for low-cost ownership ministers aim to build over the next three years.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-1580 on 19 July 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.s…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses for social rent ministers aim to build over the next three years.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Decisions on affordable housing investment during the period2008-11 will depend on the outcome of the spending review process later this year.</p>
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether pressured area status will continue to be made available.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Yes. The pressuredarea mechanism was introduced by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and this legislation remains in force. However, the Scottish Governmentrecognises the pressures which right to buy sales can place on affordable housingin some communities, and…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support will be given to local authorities where stock transfer of housing was rejected by tenants in a ballot.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Local authoritieswhere tenants voted against stock transfer are developing standard delivery planssetting out how they will achieve the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS).It will be for those councils, as it is for all other councils in Scotland, to det…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposal for a £2,000 first time buyer’s grant will be submitted for consideration by the comprehensive spending review.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Yes. The funding of all aspects of housing willbe under consideration as part of the spending review process.</p>
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions will be held with COSLA regarding the implementation of the policy of having 18 pupils or fewer in P1 to P3 classes.
Answer · Adam Ingram: Officials will holddiscussions with COSLA in due course. The Scottish Executive is embarking upon anambitious programme of class size reduction which will bring huge benefits to pupilsand teachers. Its success depends on the co-operation of everyone involved.…
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of P3 composite classes have 18 pupils or fewer.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The latest informationavailable is from the Statistical Bulletin <i>Pupils in </i><i>Scotland</i><i>, 2006</i>, published on 27 February 2007. At census week in September2006, 32 percent of P3 Composite classes had 18 pupils or less.</p>
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of P2 composite classes have 18 pupils or fewer.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The latest informationavailable is from the Statistical Bulletin <i>Pupils in </i><i>Scotland</i><i>, 2006</i>, published on 27 February 2007. At census week in September2006, 36 per cent of P2 composite classes had 18 pupils or less.</p>
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of P1 composite classes have 18 pupils or fewer.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The latest informationavailable is from the Statistical Bulletin <i>Pupils in </i><i>Scotland</i><i>, 2006</i>, published on 27 February 2007. At census week in September2006, 47 per cent of P1 Composite classes had 18 pupils or less.</p>
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of P3 classes have 18 pupils or fewer.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The latest informationavailable is from the Statistical Bulletin <i>Pupils in </i><i>Scotland</i><i>, 2006</i>, published on 27 February 2007. At census week in September2006, seven per cent of single stage P3 classes had 18 pupils or less.</p>