Parliamentary questions

Mr Keith Harding

382 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

20 Sep 2001 · SPCB Written Question

Answer · David Steel: We estimate that the cost of the scheme will be up to around £200,000 per annum. Since the scheme is being introduced later this year, the cost in the current financial year will be considerably less.

19 Sep 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the number of visually impaired people voting in local elections.

Answer · Angus MacKay: The Representation of the People Act 2000 made changes to parliamentary elections rules in relation to assistance with voting for people with disabilities. Similar measures will be introduced for local government elections later this year and will make it eas…

17 Sep 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any implications for its plans to change the date of the next local authority elections arising from the incorporation of European Convention on Human Rights into Scots law.

Answer · Peter Peacock: There are no implications as it is not considered that there is anything in the proposals put forward in this Bill which will infringe ECHR.

5 Sep 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and launch, of Connecting Scotland: our broadband future.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The total cost of producing and distributing the document Connecting Scotland: our broadband future was £6,252.93.

5 Sep 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration was given during the selection of the members of the committee set up to review liquor licensing law to any impact which their age profile would have on the committee's ability to address effectively issues relating to drinking habits and culture amongst younger people…

Answer · Iain Gray: We appointed the Chief Executive of Youthlink, Mr Simon Jaquet, as a member of the committee specifically to reflect the interests of younger people. How the committee now addresses these issues is for the committee itself to decide. The Committee will be abl…

5 Sep 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Finance and Local Government last met CoSLA, what issues were discussed and when he next plans to meet CoSLA.

Answer · Angus MacKay: I met representatives of CoSLA on 3 May to sign the local government Partnership Framework.I am meeting CoSLA on 26 September to discuss local government finance.

4 Sep 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-17365 and S1W-17678 by Sarah Boyack on 21 and 28 August 2001, what it is doing to reduce the number of personal injury accidents on the Tayport to Glenrothes part of the A92.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Actions to improve road safety on the Glenrothes to Tayport section of the A92 will include alterations to the Balfarg Junction and the construction of a roundabout at the A92/Markinch Road Junction. These two schemes are programmed to commence in October 200…

3 Sep 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of the DTZ Pieda research project on a community ownership information pack carried out on its behalf.

Answer · Margaret Curran: The cost of the DTZ Pieda research project on preparing a community ownership information pack was £9,950 excluding VAT.

30 Aug 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many invitees attended the Budget Roadshows in (a) Kilmarnock and (b) Dundee.

Answer · Angus MacKay: 67 people from across a broad range of public and private sector bodies attended the Budget Roadshow in Kilmarnock and 48 attended in Dundee.

24 Aug 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of local election polling stations do not have access for disabled people.

Answer · Peter Peacock: This information is not held centrally.

24 Aug 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of local election polling stations have adjustable shelves for disabled people.

Answer · Peter Peacock: This information is not held centrally

15 Aug 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13022 by Henry McLeish on 31 July 2001, whether any other employees of the Scottish Executive receive an employer's contribution to their pension exceeding 15% and, if so, which employees these are.

Answer · Angus MacKay: The Scottish Executive pays employer's pension contributions in the form of Accruing Superannuation Liability Charges (ASLC's) for staff who are members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS). The employer's contribution exceeds 15% for all sta…

7 Aug 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been allocated to cover the costs of the liquor licensing review committee.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The members of the committee are giving their time freely, but will receive travel and other reasonable expenses. We are able to meet those costs from within the Justice Department's existing budget allocation, and will set a precise figure when the committee…

7 Aug 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates the liquor licensing review committee is scheduled to meet over the next 12 months.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I understand that the committee met for the first time on 1 August 2001. It is for the committee to arrange its own programme of work.

7 Aug 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it selected the members of its liquor licensing review committee.

Answer · Jim Wallace: We gave the committee a wide remit (including health and public order as well as licensing law). We therefore tried to secure a committee that combined a broad range of interests with a manageable size. We chose members with immediate expertis…

2 Aug 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the growth in teenage drinking reported in the National Centre for Social Research/National Foundation for Educational Research report Smoking, drinking and drug misuse among young people in Scotland in 2000.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive supports a range of measures to tackle young people's drinking. Alcohol education in schools is an integral part of health education and personal and social development. This ensures that information about alcohol is given as part of a …

26 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to redefine council tax bandings to take account of house price inflation.

Answer · Peter Peacock: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13768 on 14 March 2001.

25 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage local authorities to improve the collection of council house rent arrears in the light of the increase in total rent arrears reported in Local Authority Housing Income and Expenditure 1999-2000 to 2001-02.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: In June 2000 the Accounts Commission and Scottish Homes published a report on Managing Rent Arrears. The report recommended actions that should be taken by both local authorities and registered social landlords to improve their management of rent arrea…

25 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what factors it took into account in deciding (a) the locations for its "Budget Roadshows" and (b) which organisations and interest groups to invite to them.

Answer · Angus MacKay: The roadshow locations were chosen, as last year, to reflect a mix of urban and rural areas outwith the central belt.We have endeavoured to invite people to represent the public, private and voluntary sectors in the areas surrounding the host town or city,…

25 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of hosting its three "Budget Roadshows" in Inverness, Kilmarnock and Dundee, including the hire of the facilities, any use of external consultants and publicity.

Answer · Angus MacKay: The Budget Roadshow in Inverness cost £2,876. This comprised £291 for the hire of the venue and refreshments, £2,435 for the hire of audio visual facilities, staging and the operating staff, and £150 for publicity. This does not include Executive staff costs.…

6 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will address the suggestions relating to information technology made in item 11 on page 235 of the April 2001 report by the Leadership Advisory Panel, Scottish Local Government's Self-Review of its Political Management Structure.

Answer · Peter Peacock: Changes to legislation which currently affects the use of ICT in the conduct of council meetings are being considered. In terms of increasing levels of ICT investment, local authorities can benefit from the Modernising Government Fund and other Executive fund…

6 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in respect of the mothballing, with the loss of 110 jobs, of the Kvaerner fabrication yard in Methil, Fife.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: At the end of 1999, the Oil and Gas Industry Task Force (now renamed Pilot) set up a Fabricators Support Group. This brought together the oil industry, Government, the fabricators themselves and other interested parties to develop an integrated approach to th…

3 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to increase (a) the number of social workers and (b) the number of applicants for social work diploma courses.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Regulation of Care Bill, which has now been passed by the Parliament, provides for the establishment of the Scottish Social Services Council (The Council). This body will have powers, delegated by Scottish ministers, to undertake workforce planning for so…

3 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action will be taken to address the situation highlighted in the Scottish Local Government Information Unit's publication, Scotland's Councillors, where it is reported that 70% of councillors require more information about the impact of the Scottish Parliament on local government.

Answer · Peter Peacock: This is a matter for the Parliament to take forward together with CoSLA and local authorities. The Covenant between the Parliament and local government and the proposed Standing Conference, both currently under discussion, will address this issue.

3 Jul 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that local authorities increase the level of o'one-damaging gases that are removed from redundant fridges and free'ers.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Removal of ozone depleting substances from waste fridges and freezers prior to disposal is the responsibility of the holders of the waste. EC Regulation 2037/2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer requires that, after 31 December 2001, all ozone depl…

29 Jun 2001 · Written Question

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Leadership Advisory Panel has been a very successful exercise for modest outlay. The costs of publication of the LAP report can be broken down as follows:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=318><TR><TD WIDTH="42%" VALIGN="TOP"> </TD><TD W…

28 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in establishing and maintaining its Leadership Advisory Panel in each of the past two years, including any staff, accommodation, travel and administrative costs.

Answer · Peter Peacock: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16680.

26 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in light of the report by Audit Scotland, 'A safer place': revisited - A review of progress in property risk management in schools, to reverse the increase in malicious fire damage to schools across Scotland.

Answer · Jack McConnell: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16592.

26 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it plans to take in light of the report by Audit Scotland, 'A safer place': revisited - A review of progress in property risk management in schools, to ensure that more headteachers are involved in and consulted on decisions to improve local security and risk management in s…

Answer · Jack McConnell: The experience of school staff and, in particular, the headteacher is valued by authorities. The improvement framework contained in the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc (Scotland) Act 2000 offers an additional means through which the headteacher and school…

26 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take in light of the report by Audit Scotland, 'A safer place': revisited - A review of progress in property risk management in schools, to increase the use of closed-circuit television in primary schools.

Answer · Jack McConnell: School vandalism issues need to be considered on a local basis, and measures adopted which are appropriate to local circumstances. There is no single cause of school vandalism and, therefore, there can be no single solution. Education authorities will conside…