Parliamentary questions
Michael McMahon
323 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
11 Jan 2012 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of NUS Scotland.
21 Dec 2011 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment has had with construction sector representatives in Lanarkshire and what issues were discussed.
9 Nov 2011 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met NHS Lanarkshire to discuss cancer services.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish ministers last met with NHS Lanarkshire on the 30 August 2011 for the purposes of the boards annual review. Cancer services where referred to during this meeting with NHS Lanarkshire being congratulated for successful performance against the 31 and 6…
2 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has estimated the extra cost to local authorities of administering and collecting the proposed public health levy.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-03471 on 27 October 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentar…
26 Oct 2011 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth last met COSLA.
Answer · John Swinney: I met COSLA yesterday as part of an ongoing series of discussions in relation to the 2012-15 local government finance settlements.
18 Oct 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) cost and (b) benefits to local authorities will be of administering and collecting its proposed public health levy.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government already takes account of the administration and collection cost associated with local taxation within the local government finance settlement. We cannot afford to ignore the scale of social problems that put pressure on the public pur…
18 Oct 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ask local authorities to ring fence for health purposes the money collected from its proposed public health levy.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-03471 on 27 October 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentar…
16 Oct 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-02826 by Nicola Sturgeon on 29 September 2011, for what reason this was not an issue in NHS 24, in which details of any gender, age and disability pay gap have been available via equal pay reviews in each of the last three years.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: It is for NHS boards as employers to decide when they can publish an equal pay review based on the information available to them. With the exception of NHS 24, NHS boards are awaiting the final element of the Agenda for Change pay system involving remuneratio…
16 Oct 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-02826 by Nicola Sturgeon on 29 September 2011, whether a deadline will now be set by which detailed equal pay reviews will be carried out by each NHS board.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Negotiations are currently taking place around remuneration for on-call commitments under the Agenda for Change pay system. The majority of boards are awaiting the outcome of these before progressing equal pay reviews. These negotiations need to be allowed to…
16 Oct 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-02826 by Nicola Sturgeon on 29 September 2011, (a) when and (b) how women in the NHS will benefit from their employers being required to “go beyond the letter of the law to ensure that they are exemplary employers” on equal pay.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Equality and Human Rights Commission have published a Code of Practice on Equal Pay. The code recognises that regular review and monitoring of pay practices is not a formal legal requirement. However, it suggests that equal pay reviews may be the most eff…
24 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it introduced modern apprenticeships at SVQ level 2.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: It was announced in Skills for Scotland A Lifelong Learning Skills Strategy, launched in September 2007, that the modern apprenticeship frameworks would be extended to S/NVQs level 2. The first modern apprenticeship framework at level 2 was approved for use i…
24 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many SVQ level 2 courses are currently recognised as modern apprenticeships.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: A modern apprenticeship framework consists of a competency based qualification, such as an SVQ, and Core Skills at an appropriate level. It may also include additional mandatory or optional enhancements, depending on the job role. As at the 3 October 2011 th…
17 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will agree a vesting date for land subject to compulsory purchase order in respect of the A8 Newhouse to Baillieston upgrade.
Answer · Keith Brown: Transport Scotland is currently developing a programme to take forward all outstanding elements of the A8 scheme.
17 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the District Valuer has been instructed to commence the resolution of compensation cases for landowners who were advised in 2007 that their land would be subject to a compulsory purchase order for the A8 Newhouse to Baillieston upgrade.
Answer · Keith Brown: The District Valuer has not been instructed to take forward discussions on compensation. This normally takes place after the vesting date. Some advanced informal discussions have taken place on a case by case basis on request by landowners.
17 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-02518 by Nicola Sturgeon on 15 September 2011 and in light of the comments made by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing on 6 October 2009 that "there is a clear expectation that all boards will get on and complete [equal pay] reviews as qui…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHSScotland remains absolutely committed to providing equal pay for work of equal value. I can confirm that the expectation for all boards to complete equal pay reviews remains. As I also pointed out on 6 October 2009, however, there was an issue about the ex…
2 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS boards have published an equal pay review since 1999.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: There is presently no statutory duty on public authorities to carry out equal pay reviews. However, NHSScotland recognises the value of this tool to the goal of being an exemplar employer. Only NHS 24 has so far published an equal pay review but all boards ar…
8 Jun 2011 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review its position on sentencing for knife crime.
6 Jun 2011 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government remains confident in the costings for a five year council tax freeze set out in the SNP 2011 election manifesto.
28 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which delegated planning appeal decisions referred to the Reporter under the Town and Country Planning (Determination of Appeals by Appointed Persons) (Prescribed Classes) (Scotland) Regulations 1987 remained outstanding at 22 March 2011.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Planning appeals are submitted directly to the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals. The majority of appeals are determined by a reporter who is appointed by Scottish ministers. The following cases remained live as at 22 March 2011. Reference …
28 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many delegated planning appeal decisions referred to the Reporter under the Town and Country Planning (Determination of Appeals by Appointed Persons) (Prescribed Classes) (Scotland) Regulations 1987 were (a) determined and (b) announced between 22 March and 25 May 2011.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Planning appeals are submitted to the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA). The majority of appeals are determined by reporters, appointed by Scottish ministers. In the period 22 March to 25 May 2011, 43 decisions were issued and publishe…
19 May 2011 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review planning regulations regarding waste incinerators.
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will consult on the options for its proposed alternative to council tax benefit.
Answer · John Swinney: We will bring forward proposals for an alternative to council tax benefit in due course once full detail of the UK Government’s welfare reforms and devolution of council tax benefit are known.
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many Careers Scotland offices have (a) closed or (b) relocated to Jobcentre Plus offices in each year since May 2007.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to the member with the information requested.
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has carried out an analysis of what the impact would be on each local authority of a 10% reduction in council tax benefit.
Answer · John Swinney: We are working with COSLA and Scotland’s local authorities to assess the impact of the UK Government’s proposals to reduce council tax benefit by 10%.
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of modern apprenticeships have been filled by (a) school leavers, (b) people claiming jobseeker's allowance, (c) people in training and (d) people in employment in each year since May 2007.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions with (a) the UK Government and (b) COSLA regarding the abolition and replacement of council tax benefit.
Answer · John Swinney: Discussions have taken place on this subject with the UK Government and with COSLA.
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the analysis, reported to have been written by the Chief Economic Adviser to the Scottish Government in 2009, of the financial implications of the proposed local income tax.
Answer · John Swinney: This information forms part of an appeal to the Court of Session and it would be inappropriate to comment pending a decision of the Court.
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many modern apprenticeships have been taken up by (a) school leavers, (b) people claiming jobseeker's allowance, (c) people in training and (d) people in employment in each year since May 2007.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to the member with the information requested.
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent in legal fees relating to the freedom of information request regarding the advice that it received on its proposed local income tax.
Answer · John Swinney: The total legal fees to date, inclusive of VAT, incurred by the Scottish Government on legal advice in connection with the freedom of information request regarding the advice that it received on its proposed local income tax amounted to £41,694.28.
23 Feb 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of new disposal techniques for human remains such as resomation, cryomation and promession.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government remains open to new ideas and innovations. New and emerging technologies were included in a consultation which the Scottish Government ran in early 2010. The consultation was based on recommendations stemming from the independent repor…