John Swinney

29 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which organisation carries out the monitoring and scrutiny of conditions when individuals are held in cells in court, in the same way that prison visiting committees carry out this function for individuals held in prisons.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Under the Criminal Justice andPublic Order Act 1994, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) has a statutory responsibility“to inspect the conditions in which prisoners are transported or held in pursuanceof prisoner escort arrangements.” This includes custodie…

29 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which organisation carries out the monitoring and scrutiny of conditions when individuals are being transported to and from court by Reliance, in the same way that prison visiting committees carry out this function for transportation to and from prisons.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>The Scottish Prison Service.</p>

13 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the speed camera on the southbound carriageway of the A9 at Ballinluig was operational at the time of the accident at the junction on 25 October 2006.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I can confirm that the safetycamera on the A9 at Ballinluig was operational at the time that the fatal accidentoccurred at this location. The film from the camera has been examined by the policeofficers investigating the accident.</p>

9 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on which occasions a member of the Cabinet has spoken on behalf of the Executive in a debate called during opposition debating time in session 2 of the Parliament.

Answer · Margaret Curran: The information requested canbe obtained from the Official Report.</p>

29 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the process is for introducing a ban on alcohol consumption in specific public places.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Bans on alcohol consumption inspecific public places are dealt with by local authority byelaws. Where a localauthority wishes to put such a byelaw in place, detailed proposals are discussedand agreed with the Scottish Executive. This part of the process is de…

29 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider implementing a fast-track procedure to introduce a ban on alcohol consumption in specific public places.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: To date, byelaws have been confirmedbanning alcohol consumption in specific public places in over 480 towns and villagesacross Scotland. We will continue to work with local authorities to ensurethat byelaws are workable and proportionate. It is important that…

28 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has asked COSLA to have with parents’ groups on the consultation process that should be carried out in connection with rural school closures, in light of the issues raised by Petition PE872.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The statutory requirementsfor consultation on any local authority school closure proposal are set out inthe Education (Publication and Consultation Etc.)(Scotland)Regulations 1981. Guidance on these regulations was issued in 1981 and the Scottish Executive is…

28 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with parents’ groups on the consultation process that should be carried out in connection with rural school closures, in light of the issues raised by Petition PE872.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The statutory requirementsfor consultation on any local authority school closure proposal are set out inthe Education (Publication and Consultation Etc.)(Scotland)Regulations 1981. Guidance on these regulations was issued in 1981 and the Scottish Executive is…

28 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with local authorities on the consultation process that should be carried out in connection with rural school closures, in light of the issues raised by Petition PE872.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The statutory requirementsfor consultation on any local authority school closure proposal are set out inthe <i>Education (</i>Publication and Consultation Etc.)(Scotland)Regulations 1981. Guidance on these regulations was issued in 1981 and the Scottish Execu…

28 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with COSLA on the consultation process that should be carried out in connection with rural school closures, in light of the issues raised by Petition PE872.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The statutory requirementsfor consultation on any local authority school closure proposal are set out inthe Education (Publication and Consultation Etc.)(Scotland) Regulations 1981.Guidance on these regulations was issued in 1981 and the Scottish Executiveiss…

28 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the survival rate has been of golden eagle chicks removed from nests in Scotland and relocated to Ireland in each year since the golden eagle reintroduction project began.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Mortality rates are not availableon a yearly basis. Twenty-six of the 42 individuals released (62%) were<b> </b>knownto be alive at the end of 2005. This should not be seen as a definitive survivalrate as it would be incorrect to assume that most of the other…

28 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether golden eagle offspring destined for relocation to Ireland under the golden eagle reintroduction project are removed from nests as chicks or as fledglings.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The birds are removed from nestswhere there are two viable chicks after they are about six weeks old. At this stageof their development they are capable of feeding themselves from food provided tothem.</p>

28 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish golden eagle offspring have been relocated to Ireland in each year since the golden eagle reintroduction project began.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Forty-two birds have been releasedbetween 2001 when the project began and the end of 2005; figures for the individualyears are available in the following table. I understand four birds were relocatedin 2006, but final confirmation of this figure will be avail…

25 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the key performance indicators will be in the contract to provide the Scottish Regional Treatment Centre at Stracathro Hospital.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Contract negotiations with thepreferred bidder are on-going, the details of which are “commercial in confidence”at this stage. The contract will, however, set out a comprehensive and sophisticatedperformance management regime whereby the provider must meet a …

25 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how value for money will be achieved in the contract for provision of services at the Scottish Regional Treatment Centre at Stracathro Hospital.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Value for Money (VfM) will bedelivered in this project through a structure that makes effective use of key resourcessuch as staff and facilities. VfM has been demonstrated through a quantitative assessmentof price and a qualitative assessment of the bidder’s …

25 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what stage has now been reached in the tendering process to provide the Scottish Regional Treatment Centre at Stracathro Hospital.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Contract negotiations with thepreferred bidder are on-going.</p>

25 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies responded to the invitation to tender to provide the Scottish Regional Treatment Centre at Stracathro Hospital.

Answer · Andy Kerr: One company submitted a tenderto provide the Scottish Regional Treatment Centre at Stracathro Hospital.</p>

25 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the names and addresses are of the companies which were invited to tender to provide the Scottish Regional Treatment Centre at Stracathro Hospital.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The names and addresses of thecompanies which were invited to negotiate are as follows:</p><p>NationsHealthcare Ltd</p><p>GreencoatHouse</p><p>FrancisStreet</p><p>London</p><p>SW1P 1DH</p><p>CapioHealthcare Ltd</p><p>AriaHouse (Level 6)</p><p>23Craven Street<…

25 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies were invited to tender to provide the Scottish Regional Treatment Centre at Stracathro Hospital.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Following a public advertisementand prequalification process, three companies were selected to proceed to the Invitationto Negotiate stage of the NHS Tayside procurement.</p>

21 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Chief Executive of Transport Scotland will reply to my letter of 27 July 2006 regarding Inveraldie Granary.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Transport Scotland didnot receive the letter of 27 July 2006. A faxed copy was received on 22 September and the Chief Executive will reply within the next two weeks.</p>

20 Sep 2006 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentists are providing NHS services in the North Tayside parliamentary constituency.

Answer · Andy Kerr: At 31 March 2006, there were39 dentists providing NHS general dental services in the North Taysideparliamentary constituency. This figure comprises non-salaried and salariedprincipals, assistants and vocational dental practitioners, and is based on thelocatio…

14 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish proposals to extend broadband access to people in remote locations that cannot receive broadband through existing exchanges.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-28329 on 6 October 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’swebsite, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…

14 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in providing access to broadband for people in remote locations.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-28329 on 6 October 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’swebsite, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…

14 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its response to the consultation on the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Strategic TransportProjects Review is expected to conclude by summer 2008. The Scottish Executivewill announce its response thereafter.</p>

22 Aug 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many appeals against council tax banding there have been in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority.

Answer · George Lyon: The information requested isnot held centrally.</p>

22 Aug 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform will publish the report of the Budget Review Group.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The report will be publishedas background information that informed spending review decisions when the Executive announces the outcome of the next spending review in September 2007.</p>

22 Aug 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why the publication of the report of the Budget Review Group has been delayed until 2007, given the Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform's statement to the Finance Committee on 7 November 2005 that the findings would be published by spring 2006 (Official Report c. 3012).

Answer · Tom McCabe: There is a general expectationthat the substantial rises over the last two spending reviews are unlikely to berepeated. Therefore, ministers may need tomake some careful choices and the outcome of this review, which was submitted tome in July, will assist wit…

27 Jul 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to review the water abstraction licence for the River Garry under the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 and what the process will be for this review.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish EnvironmentProtection Agency (SEPA) will undertake a prioritised review of authorisations underthe Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 startingin late 2006. It is an operational matter for SEPA to determine how t…

27 Jul 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on whose advice it decided to vary the New Dimensions programme in Scotland from the programme led by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The Scottish Executive providedthe initial funding in 2002 to support additional capability and resilience in boththe areas of Mass Decontamination and Specialist Rescue, whilst the original fundingprovided in England and Wales during this period by the then …

27 Jul 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the New Dimension national co-ordination centre is aware of any technical and skill differences in fire and rescue services across the United Kingdom and within Scotland.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The Fire and Rescue Service (FRS)national New Dimension Co-ordinating Centre located at West Yorkshire FRS was establishedto co-ordinate the availability of the English fleet of vehicles and to co-ordinaterequests for cross regional and national mobilisation.…