Parliamentary questions
Kenneth Gibson
2,008 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that retained firefighters working in the public sector are allowed time off work to enable them to carry out their firefighting duties without penalty.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The co-operation of primary employers,whether in the public or private sector, is essential to supporting the role ofa retained firefighter. The government has no plans to prescribe how this is done,rather it will continue to fall to each Fire and Rescue Serv…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive by what date it estimates that homeless people will no longer be accommodated in bed and breakfast accommodation.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Executive does nothave an estimated date for this. Homelessness legislation introduced standards which temporary accommodation for householdswith children and pregnant women must meet and prohibits routine use of B&Bsand other unsuitable acco…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much (a) local authority housing was owned and (b) total housing debt was accrued by each authority in the last year for which figures are available.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: This information is publishedin tables 3 and 14 of the statistical bulletin <i>Local authority housing incomeand expenditure 2004-05 to 2006-07.</i> This is available online in the publicationssection of the housing statistics branch reference site:</p><p><ah…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what practical steps it will take, and in what timescale, to make more affordable housing available to (a) urban, (b) rural and (c) island communities.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: We recognise the acute shortageof affordable homes that exists in many communities, whether urban, rural or island,and are committed to improving the supply and affordability of housing through targetedinvestment and by removing barriers to provision. We are …
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will introduce a new entrants scheme for farming.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: We propose to include a newentrants measure for farmers in the new Scotland rural development programme, which we hope to launchtowards the end of this year.</p>
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for upgrading the A737.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The current investment programme to 2012 will see the delivery of £7.25 million investment in the A737. The Strategic Transport Projects Review will also examine the longer term needs of Scotland''s nationally strategic transport network to develop the invest…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that no wind turbines are erected in Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.
Answer · Jim Mather: It is for developers to proposethe location of wind farms. Subsequent applications for planning permission or forconsent under the Electricity Act are subject to consultation requirements and authoritiesdetermining an application must fully consider all mater…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it will make to Her Majesty’s Government to enable the Executive to be formally entitled “The Scottish Government”.
Answer · Bruce Crawford: We have no plans tomake representations to Her Majesty’s Government on this issue.</p><p>The term “ScottishGovernment” can already be used to denote the Scottish Executive, which, in termsof Section 126 of the Scotland Act 1998, comprises the Scottish ministe…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that no new nuclear power stations are constructed in Scotland against the wishes of the Parliament.
Answer · Jim Mather: Any proposal to build a new nuclearpower station in Scotland would require consent from Scottish ministers. Given our position on energy policy, our generating capacity,our multiplicity of energy sources and our strong alternative strategies, such anapplicati…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how much lottery funding has been spent in Scotland in each of the last three years and what impact it estimates that the 2012 London Olympics will have on continued funding.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: The distribution of NationalLottery funds is a matter for the lottery distribution bodies: Scottish Arts Council,Scottish Screen, sportscotland, the Big Lottery Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers (a) began and (b) completed the Chartered Teaching course in each of the years since the inception of the programme.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Data relating to teachersbeginning Chartered Teacher programmes is not held centrally.</p><p>Chartered Teacher programmesare modular in nature and were designed so that steady progress can lead tofull qualification in about six years. At the moment prior lear…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact it estimates the cost of gaining the Chartered Teacher qualification has on discouraging teachers from commencing and continuing with the modules.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Progression on the six-pointChartered Teacher salary scale typically involves one-off costs of around £1,200in return for an automatic increase of between £774 and £1,436 per annum inpensionable salary - overall £7,161 above the top of the unprompted teachers…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to encourage more teachers to take the Chartered Teacher qualification.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Chartered Teacher alreadyoffers teachers substantial salary rewards in return for advanced learningwhich can lead to improved classroom practice. The scheme is currently beingreviewed to examine possible improvements. In the meantime universities reportincrea…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to attract jobs and investment to North Ayrshire.
Answer · Jim Mather: We place great importance onattracting jobs and increasing investment throughout Scotland, includingNorth Ayrshire.</p><p>Together with the local authority,training agencies, the voluntary sector, Communities Scotland and other local partners,Scottish Enterpr…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to reverse the decline in the population of North Ayrshire.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Executive has been workingwith Irvine Bay Urban Regeneration Company and local partners, including North AyrshireCouncil, Communities Scotland and Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, to assist in thedevelopment of comprehensive proposals for the regeneration of…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of additional investment it estimates will be made in the west of Scotland in the first five years after the completion of the M74 northern extension.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The information requested isnot available. Estimates and projections of the economic benefits of the schemehave been made based on new jobs created to the area during the construction andfollowing completion of the M74 and benefits to users of the road networ…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many new jobs it estimates will be created in the west of Scotland in the first five years after completion of the M74 northern extension as a direct result of its completion.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There is no assessment for thefirst five years but it is estimated that up to 25,000 jobs will be created in theWest of Scotland by 2030 following the completion of the M74.</p>
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the M74 northern extension to be completed.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We expect the M74 Completionscheme to be complete and open to traffic in 2011.</p>
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to enhance the road and rail infrastructure of North Ayrshire.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We are investing £40 millionin the trunk road infrastructure in North Ayrshire including the completed A78“Three Towns Bypass” (Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenson), four improvements schemeson the A737 and a study of the traffic problems affecting Dalry which…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of investment it will commit towards the regeneration of Ardrossan.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Executive hasbeen working with Irvine Bay Urban Regeneration Company (URC) and localpartners, including North Ayrshire Council, Communities Scotland and ScottishEnterprise Ayrshire, to assist in the development of comprehensive regenerationpropos…
22 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take in conjunction with NHS Ayrshire and Arran to establish a community casualty facility within the three towns area of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston in North Ayrshire.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Ayrshire and Arran is responsiblefor service change proposals and for maintaining high quality healthcare servicesfor all residents of its area, within available resources. I have made clear thatwe will reverse the previous decision on accident and emerge…
14 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to expand illness prevention initiatives, such as flu vaccination schemes, in order to include care providers.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises all UK health departments on issues relating to vaccination and immunisation, based on currently available scientific evidence. <P>Last year, the committee considered whether carers should be …
13 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will instigate an income maximisation campaign for carers to increase benefit take-up and, if so, what steps it plans to take to do so.
Answer · Frank McAveety: The UK Government, through the Department for Work and Pensions, is responsible for social security benefits and campaigns to maximise uptake of benefits. Under our Carers Strategy, the Scottish Executive is committed to improving the information available to…
13 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that resources are made available so that carers have access to respite from caring.
Answer · Frank McAveety: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-34221 on 5 March 2003. 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/we…
13 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that carers' assessments for accessing services are adequately funded and implemented.
Answer · Frank McAveety: The resources allocated by the Executive to local authorities to support carers will have risen from £5 million in 1999-2000 to £21 million in 2003-04. This level of investment will be sustained over the next three years and increased in line with pay and inf…
21 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to integrate carers' needs into education and lifelong learning strategies.
Answer · Iain Gray: The Executive's recently published strategy <I>Life Through Learning; Learning Through Life</I> has a key goal of ensuring that everyone has the chance to learn, irrespective of their personal circumstances. Our policy on widening access to further education …
21 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to fully implement and monitor best practice on patient discharge from hospitals to carers at home.
Answer · Frank McAveety: Our Delayed Discharge Action Plan committed us to developing a model national framework for joint hospital discharge policies and protocols. Consultation has taken place on a draft and guidance will be issued. We intend to publish Local Authority and NHS Boar…
21 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are being made to prioritise carers' health in public health promotion strategies over the next parliamentary session.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: National and local health promotion activities and initiatives aim to improve the health of everyone in the community. Programmes cover a wide range of topics including diet, exercise, smoking cessation, oral health, mental health and well-being. Services pro…
21 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are being made to increase carers' access to all preventative screening services, such as dental services and eye tests.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: Carers have access to preventative screening services on the same basis as other users of NHS services.
21 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that carers' health is central to all strategic health planning at both a national and local level.
Answer · Frank McAveety: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-34219 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…