Parliamentary questions
John Young
37 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
4 Dec 2002 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit has made in reducing bureaucratic burdens on business.
Answer · Iain Gray: The Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit ensures that all departments take full account of business interests where regulation is necessary.<P>Regulatory Impact Assessment Reviews ensure that regulations are fit for purpose.
30 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what equipment at the HCI International Medical Centre, Clydebank, (a) has been and (b) is planned to be taken out of service since the NHS bought the hospital; what will be done with each item of such equipment, and, in each case, what the nearest location to Clydebank is where similar e…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-31125 today. 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/webapp/searc…
30 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what courses of treatment available at HCI International Medical Centre, Clydebank, before its purchase by the NHS (a) have been or (b) are planned to be discontinued since the NHS bought the hospital and what the nearest location to Clydebank is where each such course of treatment is ava…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive purchased the former HCI hospital complex for NHSScotland, and it is being transformed into a National Waiting Times Centre to enhance the capacity of NHSScotland and reduce waits for patients throughout Scotland.<P>Radiotherapy treatme…
11 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any projected population figures for Scotland covering the next 50 years.
Answer · Richard Simpson: Population projections for Scotland are prepared by the Government Actuary at the request of, and in consultation with, the Registrar General for Scotland. The latest, 2000-based, projections for Scotland are available up until 2040 and can be accessed on the…
11 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the National Group on Domestic Abuse will examine any links between cruelty to animals and various forms of domestic abuse, including cruelty to children.
Answer · Margaret Curran: There are currently no plans for the national group to look at links between domestic abuse and cruelty to animals.
11 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to amend the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 which forbids the sale of alcohol in supermarkets prior to 12.30 pm on Sundays.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Executive appointed an independent committee in July 2001, chaired by Sheriff Principal Gordon Nicholson, to review liquor licensing law. The committee is expected to report early next year and I assume this is one of the issues the report will comment on…
11 Sep 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the request by the Society of William Wallace to mark and identify the tombs of former Scottish Kings including Malcolm Canmore, Edgar, Alexander I, David I, Alexander II, Alexander III and Robert II.
Answer · Elaine Murray: I have asked Graeme Munro, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Historic Scotland has no plans to mark and identify the tombs of former Scottish Kings, including Malcolm Canmore, Edgar, Alexander I, David I, Alexander…
31 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a failure to reach agreements with the relevant local authorities is creating any problems in relation to the proposal for a rail link to Glasgow Airport.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: No. The study examining options for rail links is still at an early stage. Local authorities will play an important role in the provision of any such link.
31 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it is making to Consignia regarding the social and economic effects in Scotland of the proposed alterations to morning mail deliveries, possible reduction of staff and closure of sorting offices.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Consignia, post offices and postal services are reserved matters.<P>The Scottish Executive recognises the importance of the availability of postal services across Scotland. It is in regular contact with Consignia on a range of issues.
31 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding the installation in Scotland of the European hi-tech train protection system and what position it has taken in any such representations.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including railway safety.
22 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures it has in place to liaise with Her Majesty's Government over possible Orders in Council under section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive and the UK Government liase closely as a matter of course in relation to possible Orders in Council under section 30 of the Scotland Act.
21 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any risk that exclusion of certain age groups of children and young people from appearing at court will result in their victims taking vigilante action.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Children and young people are not excluded from appearing at court, although a child under the age of eight cannot currently be prosecuted for a criminal offence. We are not aware that this has led to any vigilante action, which none of us would condone.
21 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a target date has been set for construction of a new hospital building to replace the Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: No. The future of the Victoria Infirmary forms part of Greater Glasgow NHS Board's review of acute services throughout the city. The Executive will shortly receive the NHS Board's Acute Strategy and Implementation Plan for consideration.
21 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to fabric decline and reduction in facilities for staff at the Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: This is a matter for South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust.<P>The trust's Chief Executive, Mr Robert Calderwood, has advised me that there have been no reductions to clinical services provided on the Victoria Infirmary (VI) estate in the period from Ap…
21 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it, or any bodies within its general responsibility, will have any responsibility in relation to overseeing arrangements for any referendum on the euro.
Answer · Andy Kerr: UK membership of the European single currency is a reserved matter. Any referendum on UK membership would be held in accordance with the provisions of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.<P>Although the Executive would not have a formal …
21 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why it is not introducing a 'ero tolerance policy in relation to violent attacks on NHS and ambulance staff.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: <I>Our National Health</I> made a commitment to provide staff with a safe working environment. Since then we have issued guidance on <I>Dignity at Work: Eliminating Bullying and Harassment in the Workforce</I> and are now in the process of preparing further g…
21 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether consideration is being given to banning powerboats and similar vessels on Loch Lomond.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Schedule 2 to the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 provides National Park Authorities with wide-ranging byelaw making powers. These include powers to make byelaws to secure the public enjoyment of, and safety in, the National Park; the prevention or suppres…
21 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether offenders who have been sentenced to undertake community service orders can be ordered to perform their sentence by collecting litter.
Answer · Richard Simpson: Work placements for those sentenced to community service orders are designed to present a challenge to the offender and to enable the offender to make reparation to the community for the offence. Work undertaken can range from physically demanding outdoor env…
21 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase direct exports from Scotland.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Global Connections Strategy, launched in October 2001, sets out the Executive's aims for future international economic development activity. The strategy led to the creation of Scottish Development International which brings together the experience and ex…
2 Oct 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many cyclists have been charged with road traffic offences in Edinburgh since 1 May 1999.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The available information, which is for calendar year 1999, is given in the table. Data for the year 2000 are not yet available.<P><P>Persons proceeded against for road traffic offences involving bicycles, Edinburgh<SUP>1</SUP>, 1999<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=…
27 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans for the building of any major new hospitals in South Glasgow.
Answer · Susan Deacon: It is for NHS Boards to develop and implement services, including proposals for new hospital building projects, in the light of their assessments of need. A review of acute hospital services provision throughout Glasgow is currently under way. One of the opti…
27 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to have discussions with Her Majesty's Government regarding the possibility of amending the Scotland Act 1998.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues.
27 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to tackle any deterioration in the road conduct of cyclists with a view to protecting the interests and safety of pedestrians.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: In the absence of any indicators to suggest that there is a significant problem in this area, I consider that existing remedies are adequate to address such problems as exist. <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Sections 28 to 32 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 list a number of …
27 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on Glasgow City Council's proposal to demolish high rise blocks, outlined in its report Housing Plan 2001 Draft for Consultation - Preparing Together for Glasgow's Future in Housing.
Answer · Margaret Curran: We look forward to seeing the conclusions from the council's consultation in due course. Glasgow City Council has also recently decided to proceed to consultation on Glasgow Housing Association's transfer proposal, which includes proposals to undertake, in co…
27 Mar 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9992 by Mr Tom McCabe on 4 October 2000, whether the result of the study to establish the average cost of parliamentary questions is now available and, if so, what that average cost is.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The Executive has considered the initial findings of the study of the costs of answering Scottish Parliamentary questions. The preliminary results suggested that the average cost of answering a PQ was £82, which is broadly in line with the experience in Westm…
27 Mar 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings it has had with senior officials of (a) Railtrack and (b) ScotRail over the past three months; what matters were discussed at any such meetings; what action was agreed, and whether satisfactory progress is being made in relation to any such agreed action.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Scottish Executive officials regularly meet representatives of Railtrack and ScotRail to discuss a wide range of issues regarding the operation of railways in Scotland.
21 Mar 2001 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what lessons have been learned from this year's foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Our top priority is to contain and eradicate this disease. Then I feel that it is essential that an in-depth review of this devastating outbreak and the lessons to be learned from it, needs to be undertaken. Meantime, consultations are underway with a view to…
8 Mar 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is reviewing practices in the court system with a view to a more modern image being conveyed.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The work of the courts is kept under review in a variety of ways to ensure that the practices and procedures of the courts meet modern requirements.
23 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the publicly funded groups or bodies working in the field of drugs education or rehabilitation or otherwise with drug misusers in Scotland, including their function, the sources and amount of public funding each receives annually, and whether it monitors the activ…
Answer · Angus MacKay: The national organisations funded directly by the Scottish Executive are shown below:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=616><TR><TD WIDTH="25%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">Name of body</TD><TD WIDTH="25%" VALIGN="TOP"…
21 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual cost to the NHS in Scotland of ailments stemming from drug misuse is.
Answer · Susan Deacon: Information is not collected in a way that enables the cost to the NHS in Scotland of treating drug-related ailments to be identified.