Parliamentary questions
Phil Gallie
528 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
28 Nov 2001 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 220,000 Individual Learning Accounts referred to by the First Minister on 25 October 2001 were recorded as active on 25 November 2001.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: Of the 245,420 Individual Learning Accounts open at 19 November, almost 110,000 were active.
17 Oct 2001 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any correspondence from individuals seeking access to police road traffic accident reports under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Iain Gray: No, but the Scottish Executive has received correspondence about whether police road traffic accident reports would be accessible under the proposed Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill.
24 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what range of fines was imposed on drivers found guilty of driving without insurance in 1999, what total amount of fines was levied and what monies in respect of those fines have been received to date.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The available information, which relates to 1999, is given in the table. Information on the amount of money received to date in respect of these fines is not readily available.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Fines imposed in Scottish Courts where the offence was failing t…
24 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15495 by Mr Jim Wallace on 6 June 2001, what penalties were imposed on the 10,669 offenders found guilty of driving without insurance whose convictions did not result in custody, a community service order or admonition.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The information requested is given in the table.<P>Number of offences of failing to insure against third party risks with a charge proved in Scottish courts where the outcome was not custody, a community service order or admonition, 1999<TABLE BORDER CELLSPAC…
24 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what range of fines was imposed on drivers found guilty of driving whilst disqualified in 1999, what total amount of fines was levied and what monies in respect of those fines have been received to date.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The available information, which relates to 1999, is given in the table. Information on the amount of money received to date in respect of these fines is not readily available.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Fines imposed in Scottish courts where the offence was driving w…
24 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15496 by Mr Jim Wallace on 6 June 2001, what penalties were imposed on the 1,081 offenders found guilty of driving whilst disqualified in 1999 whose convictions did not result in custody, a community service order or admonition.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The information requested is given in the table.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Number of offences of driving while disqualified with a charge proved in Scottish courts where the outcome was not custody, a community service order or admonition, 1999<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACI…
24 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue the policy of prescribing beta interferon through the NHS to those people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who it is considered could benefit from the drug.
Answer · Susan Deacon: I have asked the Health Technology Board for Scotland to provide NHSScotland with a Scottish Comment on the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on beta interferon and glatiramer when this is available. As with all medicines, the decisio…
21 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information the Scottish Legal Aid Board has available to it on the general standard of complexity or difficulty of evidence presented at employment tribunal hearings in order to assist it in deciding whether a case involves evidence of a difficult or complex nature.
Answer · Jim Wallace: This is a matter for the Scottish Legal Aid Board. The basic criteria to be applied are set out in The Advice and Assistance (Assistance by Way of Representation) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2001. The information requested is not held centrally.
21 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the Scottish Legal Aid Board's total outlay in respect of grants for assistance by way of representation at employment tribunals has been since January 2001.
Answer · Jim Wallace: This is a matter for the Scottish Legal Aid Board. The information requested is not held centrally.
21 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for legal aid in the form of assistance by way of representation at employment tribunals have been received by the Scottish Legal Aid Board in each calendar month since January 2001; how many of the applications received in each month were from (a) employees pursuin…
Answer · Jim Wallace: This is a matter for the Scottish Legal Aid Board. The information requested is not held centrally.
20 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure the validity of applications for Individual Learning Accounts and how it monitors their subsequent management.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: Responsibility for checking the validity of Individual Learning Account (ILA) applications rests with Capita Business Services Ltd who operate the ILA Centre under contract to the Scottish Executive.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The Scottish Executive regularly receives…
20 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Individual Learning Account funds can be passed to claimant training companies without proof of agreement from fund holders.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: No. The learning provider must obtain the Individual Learning Account (ILA) holder's signature on an enrolment form before the course of study commences. This serves as the ILA holder's authority for the learning provider to claim ILA monies from the holder's…
20 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Individual Learning Accounts (ILA) can be set up without the requirement for the signature of individual applicants.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: No. An Individual Learning Account (ILA) can only be opened on receipt of a signed ILA application form.
20 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many Individual Learning Account payments have been assigned to Shock Mind Computer Training Company.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: As at Thursday 27 September, payments have been made to Shock Mind Computer Training in respect of 813 claims they have made under the Individual Learning Account scheme.
20 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it authorised the Shock Mind Computer Training Company to promote Individual Learning Accounts.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive does not authorise learning providers to promote Individual Learning Accounts.
10 Sep 2001 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Executive's draft budget for 2003-04 will require any use of its tax-varying power.
Answer · Henry McLeish: No.
24 Aug 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the police have approved a police service parliamentary scheme and, if so, when the Executive will take a decision on the scheme.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Scottish ministers support the development of appropriate arrangements for the exchange of information between the police service and members of the Scottish Parliament. The precise form of these arrangements is however a matter for police forces and MSPs to …
23 Aug 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recommendations it has made to Her Majesty's Government or the European Commission with respect to nephrops mesh si'es in the west of Scotland.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17755.
23 Aug 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what negotiations it has had with the European Commission regarding possible banning of 70 to 79 millimetre mesh si'es for nephrops in the west of Scotland.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: Measures to protect cod in waters to the west of Scotland next year were agreed in July. Nephrops fishermen will be able to continue to catch nephrops in these waters with nets of mesh sizes between 70 to 79 millimetre provided that no more than 5% of the cat…
18 Jul 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12936 by Mr Jim Wallace on 31 January 2001, when it will bring forward legislation regarding high hedges and what other action it will take following the consultation exercise on this issue.
Answer · Jim Wallace: On 31 January this year I announced the Executive's intention to introduce a statutory remedy of last resort, involving complaints to the local authority and enforcement action in appropriate cases, where other avenues had been exhausted. I also made clear th…
16 Jul 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether referrals to Victim Support Scotland have fallen as a consequence of the Data Protection Act and, if so, what steps are being taken to ensure that maximum use is made of victim support services.
Answer · Jim Wallace: There has been a reduction in referrals in some areas. The Scottish Executive is working to resolve the matter with the Information Commissioner by agreeing a system, which both complies with the Data Protection Act and improves the level of referrals.
11 Jul 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the contents of the article "Ferris Floods Prison with Heroin" in the Sunday Mail on 1 July 2001 and whether it will investigate whether Brian Ferris is breaking his parole licence.
Answer · Iain Gray: I am aware of the article. William Ferris is on life licence and subject to supervision. Any reports of activity contrary to licence conditions are carefully investigated. The Scottish Executive has received no reports from the supervising authority or the po…
29 Jun 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what directions have been given to the Governor of HM Prison Barlinnie in respect of ending slopping out.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>No directions have been given to the Governor. The options for ending slopping out in all Scottish prisons, including HM Prison Barlinnie, are …
29 Jun 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether funds are available within this year's budget of the Scottish Prison Service and its budget for 2002-03 that would allow renovation work to be carried out at HM Prison Barlinnie to end slopping out and, if so, what conditions will be applied to the use of any such funds for this …
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>No, but funds have been made available to upgrade one hall at Barlinnie. The funds must be expended in accordance with the terms of the SPS Fin…
28 Jun 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have been made aware of the work being done by Hydro-Gen Industries on fuel cell technology, what communication each minister has received on this issue and what action has been taken as a result of any such communications.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: Mr Gallie will be aware that he wrote to the previous minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning on 27 September 2000 concerning Hydro-Gen Industries' involvement in fuel cell technology. Following this, officials from the Scottish Executive and Scottish E…
28 Jun 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its officials have had discussions with Hydro-Gen Industries on developing fuel cell technology.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: Representatives from the company met with officials from the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise on 18 December 2000 to discuss the company's involvement in fuel cell technology.
28 Jun 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been involved in organising the seminar on fuel cells to be held in Edinburgh on 29 June 2001, if so, in what way, and why Hydro-Gen Industries was not invited to attend.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The seminar was organised by the Scottish Fuel Cell Consortium, although the Executive assisted the organisers by offering its conference facilities for the event, and by the Scottish Energy Efficiency Office posting details of the seminar on its website (www…
26 Jun 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address on an urgent basis any problems being experienced by applicant groups and organisations in using the spreadsheet-based electronic application form for assistance from European Structural Fund programmes, in particular any problems caused by the computer memory…
Answer · Peter Peacock: We responded to the issues raised by setting up support centres around Scotland, together with a Scottish Executive telephone helpline, to assist applicants. The support centres were staffed by officers from the Programme Management Executives and the Scottis…
26 Jun 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what complaints it has received from applicant groups and organisations regarding any difficulties being experienced in using the spreadsheet-based electronic application form for assistance from European Structural Fund programmes.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Over 100 enquiries have been registered by applicants experiencing difficulty with the spreadsheet-based application form and these have been answered by a Scottish Executive helpline. Three official letters of complaint have been received, and replied to, ab…
21 Jun 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether charges of murder remain in place against Andrew Affleck and Gavin Armstrong in relation to a fatal fire in Irvine on 2 March 2001.
Answer · Colin Boyd: The accused Andrew Affleck and Gavin Armstrong appeared on petition charged with murder on 6 April 2001. Those proceedings remain active.