Parliamentary questions
Kenny MacAskill
2,611 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
16 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure the efficient operation of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Health Departmentsponsors and funds the Tribunal. The Department works with the Mental HealthTribunal Administration (an Executive Agency) to ensure the efficient andeffective delivery of tribunals.</p><p>TheTribunal will produce its first annual report (…
16 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for a compulsory treatment order have not been heard by a tribunal panel because the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland was unable to provide a panel to hear the application, broken down by NHS board area.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Since the establishment of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland there have been no cases where the tribunal has been unable to provide a panel to hear an application.</p>
27 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the number of research projects involving behavioural genetics which have been approved by the National DNA Database Board using DNA profiles or DNA samples collected in Scotland since 1995.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive is not aware of any such research projects.</p>
27 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the number of research projects which have been approved by the National DNA Database Board using DNA profiles or DNA samples collected in Scotland since 1995.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive isaware of nine research projects that have been approved by the National DNADatabase Board. None of these will have used DNA samples collected by Scottishpolice forces as the National DNA Database does not hold such samples.Information…
27 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy position is in respect of oversight of the use of DNA profiles exported from Scotland to the National DNA Database.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Management and oversight of the National DNA Database is a matter for the UK Government.</p><p>Scottish interests arerepresented on the National DNA Database Board by the Deputy Chief Constable ofTayside Police, Willie Bald, who is a member of the board.</p>
25 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what specific action it has taken to use the Tartan Day celebrations in New York to attract people, particularly expatriate Scots, to live and work in Scotland.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The 2006 Tartan Day programme will include a large number of events that will showcase Scotland as a place to visit, live and work. The Executive works with private, public and voluntary sector bodies in Scotland and in the USA to co-ordinate the programme.</…
25 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it agrees with the statement by the Office of Fair Trading in paragraph 26 of its decision on the proposed acquisition of Ottakar’s book stores, published in December 2005, that there is “no evidence to suggest that Scotland should be looked at as a distinct geographic market” and…
Answer · Allan Wilson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-22649 on 3 February 2006. 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/webap…
25 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it, or any of its agencies, made to the Competition Commission’s investigation into the proposed acquisition of Ottakar’s book stores by HMV/Waterstones.
Answer · Allan Wilson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-22649 on 3 February 2006. 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/webap…
25 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it, or any of its agencies, made to the Office of Fair Trading’s investigation into the proposed acquisition of Ottakar’s book stores by HMV/Waterstones.
Answer · Allan Wilson: As I advised during the Ottaker’s takeover debate on 9 November 2005, competition policy, including that on mergers and takeovers, is a reserved issue. Not only is it reserved, but the United Kingdom Government has ceded mergers and takeover policy to the equ…
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21465 by Tavish Scott on 19 December 2005, whether it considers that other organisations, such as the City of Edinburgh Council, should contribute to the costs of Phase 2 of the upgrade and refurbishment of Waverley Station and, if so, which organisa…
Answer · Tavish Scott: Whilst a number of options are being considered, further work is required and no decisions have been taken on Waverley Phase 2. Therefore, we would not expect any organisations, including our own to commit funding at this early stage.</p>
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21465 by Tavish Scott on 19 December 2005, what options have been considered for Phase 2 of the upgrade and refurbishment of Waverley Station.
Answer · Tavish Scott: City of Edinburgh Council and Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian (SEEL) are currently working on a number of options to further develop Waverley station beyond Phase 1. Along with Network Rail, we are advising in this process. As yet, no decision has b…
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21465 by Tavish Scott on 19 December 2005, how much it will commit to the cost of Phase 2 of the upgrade and refurbishment of Waverley Station.
Answer · Tavish Scott: We have made no commitment to support or fund any work beyond the current Phase 1. Funding for future rail projects such as Waverley Phase 2 would be subject to detailed feasibility analysis, the outcome of the Strategic Projects Review and future spending re…
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on levels of (a) consumer and (b) overall debt in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Executive does not currently collect information on (a) consumer debt and (b) overall debt. A recent report from the Department for Trade and Industry contains some information on debt for Great Britain, however we do not have this information at Scotland…
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of debt (a) in total and (b) on average people using the Debt Arrangement Scheme have had since it came into force, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The total debt covered by the Debt Arrangement Scheme is £1,039,947.83. The table outlines total debt and average debt broken down by local authority.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p align=center>Authority</p…
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have defaulted on a debt payment programme since the Debt Arrangement Scheme was created, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Since the inception of the Debt Arrangement Scheme one debt payment programme has been revoked due to debtor default. This programme was in Dumfries and Galloway.</p>
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been placed on a debt payment programme since the Debt Arrangement Scheme was created, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The following table outlines the number of Debt Arrangement Scheme debt payment programmes broken down by local authority as at 24 January 2006.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <tr> <td> <p>Argyll and Bute</p></td> <td> <p align=ri…
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding the Debt Arrangement Scheme has received in each year since its inception, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Allan Wilson: There was no direct funding for local authorities to deliver the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) at its inception in November 2004.</p> <p>The Scottish Executive has given the local authorities funding of £2 million in 2005-06 to support the development of mon…
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20069 by Hugh Henry on 8 November 2005, whether it will provide a breakdown of the number of approved money advisers to the Debt Arrangement Scheme by local authority area.
Answer · Allan Wilson: </p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <tr> <td> <p>Aberdeen</p></td> <td> <p align=right>1</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Aberdeenshire</p></td> <td> <p align=right>Nil</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Angus</p></td> …
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Fresh Talent initiative was first considered; when it was first made public and promoted; when the Executive acquired the rights to the domain name "fresh talent"; how much this acquisition cost, and why the Executive did not register the name at the outset of the initiative.
Answer · Tom McCabe: In February 2003, the First Minister announced his intention to take action to increase Scotland’s population by attracting people to live and work in Scotland. Following this announcement, a project team was set up in the Executive to develop proposals to en…
15 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what role it considers that radio has in supporting and promoting Scottish culture.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: While broadcasting is a reserved matter, the Scottish Executive recognises that it has a central part to play in Scotland’s cultural and civic life. We attach importance to the role radio can play in reflecting and nurturing our rich cultural diversity.</p>
15 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would support the creation of a centre for the Scottish diaspora.
Answer · Tom McCabe: There are no plans to support the creation of a centre for the Scottish diaspora.</p>
15 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to forge links with the Scottish diaspora.
Answer · Tom McCabe: Ministers regularly engage with diaspora groups during international visits. The Executive engages with the diaspora through a number of other methods: through the internet sites, Scotlandistheplace.com and Friendsofscotland.gov.uk; inward press visits for in…
23 Nov 2005 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it and its agencies, and NHS boards, provide for women¿s football at a grassroots level, in light of the health and social benefits of participation in the game.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: <b>Sport</b>scotland has committed £400,000 towards supporting the Scottish Women’s Football Association’s current four-year development plan. In addition, implementation of the Action Plan for Youth Football will help deliver a step change in the development…
21 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many third generation artificial playing pitches have been built in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: This information is not held centrally.</p>
21 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been given for capital investment to (a) National Services Scotland, (b) the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, (c) the Protein Fractionation Centre and (d) Alba Bioscience in each of the last five years.
Answer · Andy Kerr: National Services Scotland are given an annual capital allocation which they then apportion to it’s internal divisions.</p> <p>The funding shown for the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), the Protein Fractionation Centre (PFC) and Alba Biosc…
21 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of income has been generated by (a) National Services Scotland, (b) the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, (c) the Protein Fractionation Centre and (d) Alba Bioscience from sales and services in each of the last five years.
Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-20899 on 12 December 2005. 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/web…
21 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been allocated to (a) National Services Scotland, (b) the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, (c) the Protein Fractionation Centre and (d) Alba Bioscience in each of the last five years.
Answer · Andy Kerr: National Services Scotland (NSS) are given an annual revenue allocation from which they apportion the relevant funding to their Internal Divisions.</p> <p>The funding shown for the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), the Protein Fractionation…
17 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-19966 by Cathy Jamieson on 10 November 2005, how many accidents in each year since 1999 involved motor vehicle drivers or riders with illegal alcohol levels, broken down by (a) severity of accident and (b) number of casualties.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The estimated numbers of accidents which involved motor vehicle drivers or riders with illegal alcohol levels and the numbers of casualties in such accidents, for each year from 1999 to 2002, were published in Table 22 of <i>Road Accidents Scotland</i> <i>200…
16 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what up-to-date information it has on the benefit to the economy of cruise line traffic.
Answer · Tavish Scott: While some information on cruise liner traffic is available, for example from the annual reports of some harbour authorities, this does not permit a wider assessment of the economic benefits of this business to Scotland. However, I understand that VisitScotla…
16 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which port organisations were allowed to tender or be considered for the northern isles ferry contract; whether private sector port organisations were able to tender, and what the reasons are for its position on the matter.
Answer · Tavish Scott: A Scottish Executive advertisement seeking expressions of interest from potential operators of the Northern Isles passenger and vehicle services was published in the <i>Official Journal of the European Union</i> on 19 April 2004 (reference number 64997-148/20…