Phil Gallie

21 Jul 1999 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer when it is intended to make available search facilities within the Official Report section of the Scottish Parliament website.

Answer · David Steel: The need for searching was a principal consideration in planning the site. It is a major analysis and design task which will continue to develop over several months and which could only commence once the document formats and structure of the Parliament's pub…

21 Jul 1999 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer when it is intended to make the Scottish Parliament website accessible for people with visual impairment.

Answer · David Steel: It was a mandatory requirement for the design of the Scottish Parliament's web site that it take account of how it could be accessed by people with a visual impairment. The facilities to translate or adapt internet material to accommodate visual impairment re…

20 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm its commitment to continued development of cochlea transplant technology and implementation within the Ayrshire Hospital Trust.

Answer · Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive is committed to securing for patients the benefits which cochlear implants can provide. The National Services Division of the Common Services Agency is currently carrying out a review of the provision of cochlear implant services in Sco…

20 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive to specify the locations where cochlea transplants have taken place throughout the last five years, and the number of transplants recorded at each location.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Cochlear implants undertaken in Scotland in the last five years have been carried out at the City Hospital, Edinburgh and Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock. The number undertaken at each centre is provided in the table. During that period, 8 children were also …

20 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many cochlea transplants have been undertaken within the NHS in Scotland over the last five years.

Answer · Susan Deacon: The total number of cochlear implants undertaken within the NHS in Scotland in the five years from 1994/95 is 176.

12 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are ongoing legal proceedings between the constructors of the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow and the Scottish Executive or any local authority.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: There are no legal proceedings in progress against any of the parties that were responsible for the design and construction of the Kingston Bridge.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>The Secretary of State inherited two court actions against the consulting engineers…

12 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what date Planning Application 98/01178/COU, approved by South Ayrshire Council, was received by the Scottish Executive for its approval.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Information Centre has an annual budget of £163,250 for the purchase of whatever reference stock staff judge necessary to fulfill the anticipated information needs of MSPs, and maintain a central resource for the Parliament. MSPs may suggest items for Inf…

12 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what is the cost of answering the thirty-eight questions tabled by Keith Raffan MSP as published in the Scottish Parliament Business Bulletin of Friday 9 July 1999.

Answer · Jack McConnell: Preliminary work on estimating the cost of answering Scottish Parliamentary Questions suggests an average cost of about £100 per question - a figure that is consistent with evidence from the UK Parliament. This takes account of time spent by staff of the Scot…

12 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what is the average cost incurred in processing and answering MSPs' written questions.

Answer · Jack McConnell: We are conducting an analysis of a random sample of questions from MSPs with a view to establishing an average cost figure.

7 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to redefine the responsibilities of the Lord Advocate.

Answer · Donald Dewar: There are no plans to do so in the short term. Scottish Executive portfolios will, however, be kept under review in the light of developing experience of operating the devolved administration.

7 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many times have the Deputy Minister for Justice and the Lord Advocate met to discuss policy.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Deputy Minister for Justice and the Lord Advocate have discussed policy matters from time to time.

7 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many times have the Deputy First Minister and the Lord Advocate met to discuss policy.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice and the Lord Advocate discuss policy regularly.

25 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether (a) it will make available to all members the report produced for the Scottish Office, as agreed with the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS), by Scott Oswald CA into the management and financial arrangement of TPAS; (b) it will state whether the report was limited in it…

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The report was commissioned by TPAS, not the Scottish Office. The report is currently with TPAS and the Scottish Executive awaits its response. All grant to the Tenant Participation Advisory Service is being withheld until the Scottish Executive is satisfie…

15 Jun 1999 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive to state it's attitude to the ban on handguns.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive strongly supports the legislation which has banned all large and small calibre handguns.

10 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive to state it's attitude to the ban on handguns.

Answer · Jim Wallace: <FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica" SIZE=4>The Scottish Executive strongly supports the legislation which has banned all large and small calibre handguns.</FONT>

26 May 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what is the total anticipated annual salary cost (excluding the standard MSP salary) of; and, the total anticipated annual cost of providing office facilities, support staff, cars and drivers for, the Scottish Ministers (including the First Minister and the Scottish Law Officers) and juni…

Answer · Jack McConnell: The basis of the costs requested are explained below. The total anticipated annual salaries costs for Scottish Ministers (based on the actual salaries paid to Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Law Officers) is £697,539. Office facilities costs are £312,913 …

26 May 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the support staff which will be provided for each Scottish Minister (including the First Minister and the Scottish Law Officers) and junior Scottish Minister.

Answer · Donald Dewar: The civil servants of The Scottish Office (and of the Crown Office in relation to Law Officers) will support Scottish Ministers in the execution of their Ministerial responsibilities. Details of the Private Office staff who will be provided for each Minister…

26 May 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether responsibility for the operation in Scotland of - the Harbour Grants Scheme; the Fishing Vessels (Safety Improvements)(Grants) Scheme 1995; and European grants under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance, will transfer to the Scottish Executive on 1 July 1999 and, if so,…

Answer · Ross Finnie: Responsibility for the operation in Scotland of the Harbour Grants Scheme and European grants under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) will transfer to the Scottish Executive on 1 July 1999. It will be for the Scottish Parliament to deter…