Parliamentary questions
Peter Peacock
1,395 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
24 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-16164 and S3W-16163 by Stewart Stevenson on 23 September 2008, whether there are circumstances in which a general requirement to tender can be waived or an exemption sought and, if so, what such circumstances are.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Where EU procurement law imposes a requirement to tender, there is no provision for waiver or for seeking an exemption.</p>
24 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-16164 and S3W-16163 by Stewart Stevenson on 23 September 2008, what value of contract would trigger a requirement for an open and transparent procurement process under EU rules and whether there are different limits for different types of contract.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 which can be found at the following website:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2006/20060001.htm#12">http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2006/2006…
17 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether adjustments have been made to its Rural Directorate budget this year that required adjustments to the budget of any of its agencies and, if so, how much and what adjustments were made.
Answer · Michael Russell: No such adjustments have been made. The budget lines set out in the <i >Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007</i>, including the current year''s budget, have been re-aligned in the <i >Scottish Budget: Draft Budget 2009-10</i> to reflect more clearly the port…
9 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether CalMac Ferries Ltd can enter leasing arrangements on the open market for vessels or for vessels and vessel operating services in the provision of its services.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: CalMac Ferries Ltd can enter leasing arrangements on the open market for vessels or for vessels and vessel operating services in the provision of services. This is provided they continue to deliver the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services as per the terms of the…
9 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether CalMac Ferries Ltd could be authorised or has the power to enter into arrangements with others for the provision of services or to assist with the provision of services for which they hold contracts.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: CalMac Ferries Ltd are able to enter into arrangements with others for the provision of services or to assist with the provision of services for which they hold contracts. This is provided they continue to deliver the Clyde and Hebrides ferry service as per t…
9 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15433 by Stewart Stevenson on 3 September 2008, under what provisions the need for an open and transparent tendering process arises.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I referred in my answer to question S3W-15433 to the tendering of a subsidised ferry service in an open and transparent procurement process. A requirement for an open and transparent procurement process can arise as a result of the operation of general princi…
9 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the decision to proceed with a ferry services review has any bearing on the timescales for making a decision about the proposed Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry service.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The decision to proceed with a ferry services review has no bearing on the timing of current deliberations regarding the proposed Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry service.</p>
8 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a list of small units eligible for consideration under the Small Units Initiative and provide dates when their location may become due for review.
Answer · John Swinney: The identification of individual small units that are potential candidates for relocation under the Small Units Initiative will be an on-going process influenced by a range of factors including value for money, operational effectiveness, organisational restru…
8 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to change the criteria defining a small unit under the Small Units Initiative.
Answer · John Swinney: There are no plans to review the interpretation of small units for the purposes of the Small Units Initiative.</p>
8 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many relocations of government or agency jobs to the Highlands and Islands are currently being considered.
Answer · John Swinney: The new approach to relocation policy announced by the Scottish Government in January 2008 set out the criteria which would lead to consideration of relocation for individual organisations. The application of those criteria to individual relocations is kept u…
8 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits previous relocations of government or agency jobs have brought to rural areas, such as Tiree.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-16091 on 17 September 2008. 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…
8 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a case study has been carried out to assess the economic benefit gained by rural areas where government jobs have been relocated.
Answer · John Swinney: No case studies were commissioned by the previous administration in respect of the impact of its relocation policy. The new government''s policy recognised that relocations under the Small Units Initiative had brought high quality jobs to remote and rural are…
8 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what duties local authorities are under to keep road ditches, culverts and drains clear to minimise flood risk.
Answer · Michael Russell: Under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961, local authorities are under a duty to clean, repair or otherwise maintain any watercourse in their area to a due state of efficiency where such action would substantially reduce the likelihood of flooding of non…
8 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its proposed Bill on flooding will make provision to ensure that each local authority adequately maintains road ditches, culverts and drains in order to minimise the risk of flooding.
Answer · Michael Russell: The bill will continue the current duty on local authorities to assess watercourses to ascertain their risk of flooding. Maintenance requirements that are identified will inform the maintenance schedule in a local flood risk management plan.</p>
8 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that the maintenance of road ditches, drains and culverts is adequate across Scotland in order to minimise flood risk.
Answer · Michael Russell: It is of course for local authorities to fulfil their statutory duties in these areas.</p>
8 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether spending is increasing on the maintenance of road ditches and on keeping culverts, drains and ditches clear in order to reduce the risk of flooding.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Overall funding to local government is increasing by 13.1% over 2008-11. The responsibility for allocating funds for specific projects rests with the councils. All funding allocations are decided on a needs-based formula which was agreed with COSLA.</p> <p …
8 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was aware of a report by RPS Ecology on the ornithology of the site associated with the Gordonbush wind farm planning application when granting that application consent and whether it believes that the granting of consent is consistent with the findings of the report.
Answer · Jim Mather: Scottish ministers received a copy of the RPS Ecology report commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) on its publication in June 2006. At that time, SNH objected to the proposal. Subsequently the developer submitted further information which enabled SN…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recommends the In Control project approach to the provision of services for adults with learning disabilities as being capable of providing for all adults with learning disabilities.
Answer · Shona Robison: In Control is an organisation, independent of central government, which some local authorities are funding to promote personalised support for adults, including those with a learning disability. It is, therefore, not for central government to recommend but fo…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that some adults with learning disabilities are likely to require support services from day care facilities for adults with learning disabilities in the future.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15787 on 17 September 2008. 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…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that adults with more complex support needs will form a greater proportion of all adults with learning disabilities in future years.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Health Needs Assessment Report for people with learning disabilities in Scotland (2004) at <a href="http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/1040.aspx">http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/1040.aspx</a>, reported that social and medical changes have res…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that all support services for adults with learning disabilities can be delivered through all such adults and their carers accepting personal responsibility for the organisation and procurement of their individual care.
Answer · Shona Robison: The extent to which people are able to take personal responsibility for the organisation and procurement of their individual care is dependent on the individual case and local circumstances. A range of options are available to adults with learning disabilitie…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to invite the Social Work Inspection Agency to conduct an inspection of services for adults with learning disabilities.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA) and its partners published the report, <i >Multi-agency Inspection of Services for People with Learning Disabilities in Ayrshire</i>, in March 2007. This was the first multi-agency inspection of its type in Scotland. I…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any new guidance has been issued to, or requirement has been placed on, local authorities on the provision of services for adults with learning disabilities since the publication of Changing lives: Report of the 21st Century social work review, designed to meet any of its recommen…
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15784 on 17 September 2008. 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…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any new guidance has been issued to, or requirement has been placed on, local authorities on the provision of services for adults with learning disabilities since the publication of The same as you?- A review of services for people with learning disabilities, designed to meet any …
Answer · Shona Robison: There is a requirement for local authorities to produce single outcome agreements and deliver services in line with those agreements. The Scottish Government expects these to outline positive outcomes for all people in receipt of services including those with…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what principal changes in services for adults with learning disabilities have taken place since the publication of The same as you?- A review of services for people with learning disabilities.
Answer · Shona Robison: The most significant and welcome change in services for people with learning disabilities since publication of <i >The same as you?</i> has been the move for many people from institutional settings to community based support services.</p> <p >Annual returns …
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its forecasts are for the number of adults who will require services as adults with learning disabilities for each of the next five years and, thereafter, for the period over which such forecasts exist.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member the answer to question S3W-15778 on 17 September 2008. 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…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the number of people diagnosed as having conditions that will, or may, give rise to a requirement for support services for adults with learning disabilities is growing.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member the answer to question S3W-15778 on 17 September 2008. 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…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what conditions are regarded as conditions that may define someone as an adult with a learning disability and whether the incidence of such conditions is growing in the Scottish population.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to answer to question S3W-15778 on 17 September 2008. 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…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether and, if so, how it assesses the potential growth in the number of adults within the broad group of those described as having a learning disability who may require services and whether it assesses this on (a) an all Scotland level or (b) by local authority area.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to answer to question S3W-15778 on 17 September 2008. 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…
26 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the number of adults assessed as having an adult learning disability is growing.
Answer · Shona Robison: The number of adults with a learning disability known to social care services in Scotland is provided in annual <i >The same as you?</i> returns and can be found at: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/03/20154612/0">http://www.sco…