Parliamentary questions
Kenny MacAskill
2,611 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
25 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what fuel costs were incurred by (a) each police force, (b) the Scottish Ambulance Service, (c) each fire board, (d) its car pool and (e) each NHS board in each year since 1999.
Answer · Tom McCabe: This information is not available centrally.</p>
25 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop a parkway station at Musselburgh and what information it has regarding possible passenger use and cost.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive does not have plans to develop a parkway station at Musselburgh and has not therefore explored possible passenger use and cost. The business case for any such proposals should be made in the first instance by local promoters rather than…
25 May 2005 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to review the bail procedure.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I am very aware of public concern, which ministers share, about the frequency with which the terms of bail granted are breached. This is why we asked the Sentencing Commission to review the use of bail and remand as a priority.</p> <p>We are currently conside…
24 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been contacted by BBC Scotland regarding the possibility of extending the provision of local news content for television and radio using digital or analogue media and what its position is on the matter.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: We have regular high-level meetings with BBC Scotland to discuss potential improvements in terms of serving the Scottish public, including the provision of local news services and other public service broadcasting matters. We set out our views on regional and…
24 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it has offered Scottish Development International for its hosting of a stall/pavilion at MIDEM 2006.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Scottish Executive funding for Scottish Development International (SDI) is allocated in a block grant via Scottish Enterprise and there is no specific allocation made for any individual industry sector.</p> <p>SDI involvement and support for activities at the…
24 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of financial support it has provided for the promotion of the Scottish music industry in each year since 1999 and which organisations it worked with on this matter.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive has not earmarked specific financial support for the promotion of the Scottish music industry. Its support for the industry is provided through fundingmade available to its principal cultural and economic development agencies i.e.the Sc…
24 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of financial support it has provided to Scottish Development International for the promotion of the Scottish music industry in each year since 1999.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Scottish Executive funding for Scottish Development International is allocated in a block grant via Scottish Enterprise and there is no specific allocation made for any individual industry sector. Therefore data is not available centrally on the breakdown of …
20 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much the hospital information system in use at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh cost and what level of funding for that system came from the Executive.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The cost of hospital information systems used in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh is a matter for Lothian Health Board. The information requested is not held centrally. No funding has been allocated from the Executive.</p>
20 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken, or plans to take, to ensure that organisations which could be considered to be public authorities, and are created by new legislation, are designated asScottish Public Authorities and included in Schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The case for any such organisation to be brought within Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 is considered on its own merits.</p>
20 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-16621 by Ms Margaret Curran on 17 May 2005, whether it will make representations to the UK Government in connection with its Equality Bill to provide that the duty placed on Scottish public authorities to promote equality between men and women will a…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Scottish Executive officials regularly participate in and contribute to UK discussions on all aspects of the Equality Bill. This includes the procurement of services by public bodies, a subject which is currently under consideration.</p>
17 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it requires the provision of changing facilities for women when it provides funding through its agencies to clubs for stadia and other sporting facilities; what separate changing facilities have been provided in each year since 1997 and, if no such facilities exist, whether it wil…
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: One of the criteria to be met when applying for funding from <b>sport</b>scotland is that the recipient operates an equal opportunities policy. <b>Sport</b>scotland funded projects, where practicable, provide separate changing facilities for both men and woma…
17 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which companies it (a) wholly owns, (b) partially owns only with other Scottish public authorities listed in schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and (c) partially owns with organisations or individuals not listed in schedule 1 to the Act.
Answer · Margaret Curran: (a) Companies which the Scottish Executive wholly owns:</p> <p>Caledonian MacBrayne Limited</p><p>David MacBrayne Limited</p><p>Caledonian MacBrayne Holdings Limited</p><p>Highlands and Islands Airports Limited</p><p>Companies Limited by Guarantee:</p><p>Bord…
17 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will assist in providing funding for a block insurance policy for womens football, including adequate insurance for players against injury and the cost of treatment.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: <b>Sport</b>scotland provide funding for the Scottish women’s A team and Under-19s team who are covered under the athlete support medical scheme for five physiotherapy sessions per year and unlimited operations. This only applies to activities in the UK.</p> …
17 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance has been given to the Scottish Women's Football Association to meet the costs of compliance by clubs and individuals with the requirements of Disclosure Scotland and child protection measures and what further annual or regular assistance will be provided.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Criminal record checks issued by Disclosure Scotland are free for volunteers working with children. The Executive covers the cost of these checks and in addition core funds the Central Registered Body in Scotland which provides guidance and advice and process…
17 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been provided for the development of women's football in each year since 1999; to which organisations such funding has been paid, and through which funding bodies.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Since 1998-99, <b>sport</b>scotland has invested in excess of £1 million of Exchequer and Lottery funding for the development of women’s and girls’ football. This is broken down in the following table. In addition, under its new funding arrangements to govern…
16 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-16051 by Ms Margaret Curran on 29 April 2005, what the maximum length of time was to give substantive answers after holding answers were given in each year since 1999.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The information sought could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Substantive answers are provided whenever the information requested is available. The length of time involved will depend on a number of factors.</p>
16 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15336 by Patricia Ferguson on 15 April 2005, in light of its news release on 30 March 2004 pledging12.2 million of Executive funding for the Action Plan for Youth Football project and further to the answer to question S2W-13631 by Patricia Ferguson o…
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive news release of 30 March 2004 announced the launch of the Scottish FootballAssociation’s Action Plan for Youth Football, with support from the Scottish Executive. The news release and my answer to question S2W-13631 on 31 January 2005ma…
12 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much was paid in VAT in respect of each payment to Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd under the contract for the provision of prisoner escort and court custody services.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p class=MsoHeader>The information requested is provided in the following table.</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> …
12 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many days of Scottish Prison Service staff time have been taken each month in monitoring the effective delivery of services by Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd to Glasgow courts, broken down by rank.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>The SPS does not operate a staff time recording system so the information sought is not available.</p>
12 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will designate Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd as a public authority under section 5 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 in respect of the service it provides under the contract for the provision of prisoner escort and court custody services.
Answer · Margaret Curran: Ministers are considering a number of issues relating to the use of section 5 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.</p>
12 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide the full terms of its agreement with Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd regarding the monthly performance summary of the contract for the provision of prisoner escort and court custody services.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>The SPS and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd and have agreed that the following performance summary information can be released:<…
12 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-8434 by Cathy Jamieson on 8 June 2004, how public safety or public order might be endangered by the provision of the information requested.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>It was believed at the time, given the stage of the rollout of the contract, release of this information would give opportunities for disr…
12 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-8626 by Cathy Jamieson on 11 June 2004, how long it took for each prisoner released in error by Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd to be returned to police custody.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>The SPS is not routinely notified when the prisoner is returned to police custody. Some cases may be dealt with by the issuing of an…
12 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-8623 by Cathy Jamieson on 16 June 2004, whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy, suitably edited to protect security and personal data, of the results of each investigation conducted by the contract monitor into eac…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>No. The necessary removal of security and personal data would render the reports of such investigations meaningless as much of the r…
12 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-8485 and S2W-10935 by Cathy Jamieson on 8 June 2004 and 19 October 2004, how many prison officer hours have now been released from prisoner transport duties as a result of the contract with Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the provision of p…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-10935 on 19 October 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on…
12 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the proposal by the UK Government and others for a European Council Framework Decision on the retention of data processed and stored in connection with the provision of publicly available electronic communications services or data on public communications networks for the p…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-16495 on 23 May 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/weba…
12 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what opportunity the Scottish Parliament will have to scrutinise the proposal of the UK Government and others for a European Council Framework Decision on the retention of data processed and stored in connection with the provision of publicly available electronic communications services o…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-16495 on 23 May 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/weba…
12 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what opportunity it has had to make its views known to the UK Government on the proposal for a European Council Framework Decision on the retention of data processed and stored in connection with the provision of publicly available electronic communications services or data on public comm…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The UK Government leads in negotiations with EU member states in all areas of justice and home affairs, including the matters contained in this draft Framework Decision.</p> <p>The Scottish Executive maintains regular contact with the Home Office on a wide ra…
12 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the proposal of the UK Government and others for a European Council Framework Decision on the retention of data processed and stored in connection with the provision of publicly available electronic communications services or data on public communications networks …
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The matters contained in this draft framework decision are reserved to the UK Government.</p> <p>The Scottish Executive supports the UK Government’s efforts to succeed in the fight against organised crime and terrorism and to work with other member states to …
12 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on where the UK Supreme Court should be located.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The UK Government's preferred option is to locate the Supreme Court for the United Kingdom in Middlesex Guildhall, Parliament Square, London for the reasons set out by Lord Falconer in his statement to both Houses on 14 December 2004. The permanent siting of …