Parliamentary questions

Mr Keith Harding

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

22 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the evaluation of the Dundee Families Project by Glasgow University referred to in paragraph 43 of Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour: The Way Ahead and which other local authorities have subsequently implemented similar programmes.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: The evaluation of the Dundee Families Project is not due for completion until the end of May 2001. A copy of the Report, when published, will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. We are not aware of any other similar programmes in operation.

22 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison officers employed at Glenochil Prison and aged under 35 have left the service in each of the past three years.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<CENTER><TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=379><TR><TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="TOP">Year</TD><TD WIDT…

21 Mar 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of Fife Council and what issues were discussed.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive regularly meets representatives of councils, including Fife Council, to discuss matters of mutual interest.

15 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much money was spent in each of the last two years by it and other publicly funded bodies on the production and publication of newsletters, maga'ines and periodicals concerning social inclusion and social justice.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: The Scottish Executive spent approximately £13,000 in 1999 and £20,000 in 2000 on issues of a Social Inclusion Research Bulletin, GOSSIP (the quarterly newsletter for Social Inclusion Partnerships) and a New Community Schools newsletter.Information on mate…

15 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what financial impact it expects its draft Freedom of Information legislation to have on local authorities in each of the next three years, and whether it has already provided for this impact in its recently announced three-year financial settlement.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Executive's consideration of the potential cost to Scottish public authorities arising from freedom of information is set out in Freedom of Information - Consultation on Draft Legislation, published on 1 March 2001. Many Scottish public a…

15 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to address levels of absenteeism in local government.

Answer · Angus MacKay: As independent corporate bodies, it is for individual local authorities to determine the terms and conditions of employment of their employees and to consider what, if any, action is required to address absenteeism.

1 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the full costs were of launching, publishing and distributing its document Freedom of Information - Consultation Draft Legislation.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The publication and distribution of the Executive's draft Freedom of Information Bill cost £5,564. There was no additional cost associated with the launch.

1 Mar 2001 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer how many annual subscriptions to Official Report - Written Answers have been taken out.

Answer · David Steel: 182

1 Mar 2001 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer how many annual subscriptions to What's Happening In The Scottish Parliament have been taken out.

Answer · David Steel: 266

1 Mar 2001 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer how many annual subscriptions to Official Report - Meetings of the Parliament have been taken out.

Answer · David Steel: 178

28 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans for a revaluation of properties for council tax purposes.

Answer · Peter Peacock: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-13768.

28 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the banding arrangements for council tax.

Answer · Peter Peacock: We have no such plans at present. However, these matters fall within the remit of the current inquiry by the Local Government Committee into local government finance. We will give careful consideration to any recommendation the committee makes about them.

28 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any future meetings are planned as part of the public meetings exercise involving the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and when any such meetings will take place.

Answer · Tom McCabe: A series of meetings is planned but specific locations and dates have yet to be identified.

28 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings have so far been held as part of the public meetings exercise involving the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and where and when any such meetings took place.

Answer · Tom McCabe: One, in Inverness on Monday 11 December 2000.

23 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the abolition of advance corporation tax on pension funds has had on the budget of Scottish Enterprise and each local enterprise company in each year since its introduction in July 1999.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I have asked the Chairman to respond to the member direct. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

2 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued or plans to issue guidance to valuation boards on whether the siting of an automated teller machine within retail premises would have any effect on that premise's business rates.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The interpretation of the non-domestic rating regulations is a matter for the Scottish Assessors who act independently of local and central government.

1 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the recent Hard Evidence report by Edinburgh Streetworkers and Shelter Scotland, it will review the working of the Rough Sleepers Initiative in Edinburgh.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: Projects in Edinburgh funded under the RSI include the provision of integrated housing, social work and health services at the Single Access Point; a wet hostel providing accommodation and support for rough sleepers with alcohol problems; the Cow…

30 Jan 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer question S1W-11911.

Answer · Tom McCabe: As soon as possible.