Ken Macintosh

11 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice was issued by the police or other emergency services about holding a bonspiel on the Lake of Menteith.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I understand that the Royal Caledonian Curling Club held two meetings with Central Scotland Police and other public agencies to discuss holding a bonspiel, or Grand Match, on the Lake of Menteith. The police and other emergency services gave advice about safe…

11 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice ministers or other public authorities received from the emergency services including the police about holding a bonspiel on the Lake of Menteith.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The decision on whether to hold a bonspiel was a matter for the Royal Caledonian Curling Club not ministers so the emergency services did not provide any such advice to ministers.</p>

6 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the economic and environmental benefits of introducing a boiler scrappage scheme similar to that on offer in England.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government will consider the economic and environmental benefits of a range of energy saving scheme options, including potential incentives for replacing inefficient boilers, in the context of the development of our Energy Efficiency Action Plan …

6 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will introduce a boiler scrappage scheme similar to that on offer in England.

Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-30390 on 18 January 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <u><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/A…

24 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing mandatory statutory consultation and limit changes to once every six months for proposed bus timetable changes.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has no plans at this time to amend the regulations governing changes to bus timetables.</p>

24 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on bringing the legislation governing the changing of bus timetables into line with that for companies operating rail services.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has no plans at this time to amend the regulations governing changes to bus timetables.</p>

24 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the difference between the rules for rail companies wishing to change their train timetables and those for bus operators wishing to change their timetables.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Buses and trains work in very different operating environments. We believe that the current legislation governing changes to bus timetables as administered by the Traffic Commissioner strikes the right balance between maintaining a stable network and allowing…

24 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the level of protection provided for passengers by the legislative regime for bus operators wishing to change their timetables.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We believe that the current legislation governing changes to bus timetables as administered by the Traffic Commissioner strikes the right balance between maintaining a stable network and allowing operators to adjust services to meet commercial needs. A streng…

24 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to reform the regulations governing proposed changes to bus timetables by bus operators or transport companies.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has no plans at this time to amend the regulations governing changes to bus timetables.</p>

15 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-25345 by Shona Robison on 21 July 2009 and following the monitoring of the direct-to-pharmacy scheme, what its position is on the impact of the new quota system on local pharmacists and their patients.

Answer · Shona Robison: While the choice of method of medicines distribution is a commercial decision by the individual pharmaceutical company, the Scottish Government expects patients to continue to receive the medicines they need promptly.</p>

15 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-25345 by Shona Robison on 21 July 2009, whether ministers will publish any information or advice from Community Pharmacy Scotland on the operation of the direct-to-pharmacy scheme.

Answer · Shona Robison: Information on the operation of Direct to Pharmacy schemes was provided to Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) by their members. CPS has shared this information with the Scottish Government as it relates to difficulties in the medicines supply chain. The Scotti…

15 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-25345 by Shona Robison on 21 July 2009, whether Community Pharmacy Scotland has identified any instances where patient care has been directly affected because of the introduction of the direct-to-pharmacy scheme.

Answer · Shona Robison: We are aware that Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) has been collecting information from community pharmacists about supply difficulties. We understand from CPS that this information contains details of difficulties with supply but no clinical details about i…

10 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support the European Union in the creation of a European standard for reduced ignition propensity cigarettes.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29998 on 15 January 2010. 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/Apps…

10 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to help introduce reduced ignition propensity cigarettes, following the publication of Scotland Together: A Study examining fire deaths and injuries in Scotland.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Scottish ministers support the introduction of any innovation that has the potential to save lives. Product safety matters are reserved to Westminster and the introduction of reduced ignition propensity (RIP) cigarettes must be done within the European legal …

26 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps ministers are taking to increase the number of post-mortem examinations following stillbirth.

Answer · Shona Robison: Maternity and Neonatal Units have explicit guidelines surrounding the occurrence of stillbirths, neonatal deaths and maternal deaths. There is a range of appropriate specified investigations, including a post mortem examination, to try to identify a cause for…

26 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers consider that increasing the number of post-mortem examinations will provide further information into the causes of stillbirth.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Morbidity and Mortality Research Action Group supports and endorses the continuing value of post mortem examinations. They allow greater understanding of the causes of death which may have implications for preventative strategies.</p> <p >Work i…

6 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether GPs are expected to start vaccinating priority patients against influenza A (H1N1) before their Directed Enhanced Services contract is in place.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: No. The Primary Medical Services (Directed Enhanced Services “ Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) Vaccination Scheme) (Scotland) Directions 2009 came into force on Thursday 29 October 2009. Under these directions, health boards must offer primary medical services cont…

6 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether GPs have all software in place required to help identify priority patients for the influenza A (H1N1) vaccine.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Given that the clinical priority groups for the influenza A (H1N1) vaccination are similar to those for the annual seasonal flu vaccination, GP practices are already able to identify these patients prior to the new specific software being rolled out.</p> <p …

6 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it was decided to use GP surgeries to distribute the influenza A (H1N1) vaccine.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Agreement was reached with the General Practitioners Committee on 15 September that GP practices would deliver vaccination to those in the initial priority groups.</p>

6 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the software required by GP surgeries to help identify priority patients for the influenza A (H1N1) vaccine was not in place sooner.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The final specification for software development to help GP practices identify priority patients for the influenza A (H1N1) vaccine was issued to GP IT suppliers as soon as practically possible, once the full information required for the specification became …

6 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many fees for public entertainment licences were waived for free events and how many fees for market-operating licences were waived for non-commercial organisations in the last year.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This information is not held centrally.</p>

5 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers a period of nine months between the launch of a consultation and the provision of information about its outcome to be consistent with best consultation practice.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: Scottish Government guidance on managing consultations makes clear that consultees should normally receive feedback on a consultation within a similar length of time to the period within which consultees were themselves asked to respond.</p>

5 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what responses it received to the consultation on its draft Gaelic language plan; what analysis it has undertaken of those responses; what changes it has made to the draft plan in light of the consultation responses and whether it plans to publish information in relation to the responses,…

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government Gaelic language plan was approved in principal by B²rd na G idhlig on the 25 August. The b²rd have asked for some clarity on a few points and work is ongoing to address these issues. During the consultation period on the draft plan a t…

5 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to keep the Gaelic community, interested members of the public and the Parliament informed of developments and decisions relating to its draft Gaelic language plan.

Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28659, on 17 November 2009. 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/A…

5 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the status of its Gaelic language plan.

Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28659, on 17 November 2009. 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/Ap…

8 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to provide financial support for families who need to purchase tinted glasses for children affected by Meares-Irlen Syndrome.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28103 on 2 November 2009. 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/Apps…

8 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has taken steps to support families who have children affected by Meares-Irlen Syndrome.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28103 on 2 November 2009. 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/Apps…

8 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any research that establishes a link between higher educational attainment and the use of tinted glasses among people affected by Meares-Irlen Syndrome.

Answer · Shona Robison: We are not aware of any such research. If you have information on any research which you consider my colleague Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, and I should be aware of we would be happy to look at this.</p>

8 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware that children requiring tinted glasses due to Meares-Irlen Syndrome do not receive support to purchase tinted glasses.

Answer · Shona Robison: Help with the cost of glasses under the NHS is by way of a voucher scheme and is limited to certain categories of people, including children under 16. However, vouchers can only be provided where the patient requires glasses to correct, remedy or relieve a de…

8 Oct 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason Barrhead High School has not been included in the list of schools granted funding under the new School Estate Strategy.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: <i >This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor1008-01.htm">http://www.scott…