Parliamentary questions
Robert Brown
1,531 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that local authorities and NHS boards record and share information on the number of people with autism.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government published guidance for commissioners of health and social care services in 2008 recommending that local authorities and health boards should work together to identify and keep a record of people on the autism spectrum in their area. Th…
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the transition arrangements for people with autism from services for children and young people to adult services.
Answer · Adam Ingram: Robust transition arrangements should be in place for all children and young people moving to adult services, including those with autism. Specifically, the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 requires education authorities to take…
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the effectiveness of coordinated support plans under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 in meeting the needs of young people with autism.
Answer · Adam Ingram: Her Majesty''s Inspectorate of Education reported on the consistency, effectiveness and efficiency of education authorities in implementing the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 in November 2007.</p> <p >The report identified th…
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people aged (a) under 18 and (b) 18 and over are recorded as having a condition on the autistic spectrum, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Shona Robison: People with autism spectrum disorder are most likely to be diagnosed in an out-patient clinic and managed in the community or general practice. Diagnostic information for patients attending outpatient clinics is not available centrally.</p> <p >However, dat…
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to review the screening of prisoners for autism.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) does not currently routinely screen prisoners for autistic spectrum disorder.</p> <p >The SPS is assist…
8 Jan 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support the re-establishment of a training course for rehabilitation workers for people with visual impairments.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Between 2004 until 2007 the Scottish Government provided Guide Dogs for the Blind £225,000 to develop a rehabilitation course in Scotland. I understand that Guide Dogs for the Blind have reached an agreement with Glasgow Caledonian University to run a two y…
23 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has power to intervene in the proposed closure of Parkhead fire station and, if so, whether it intends to.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Primary responsibility for setting fire cover lies with Strathclyde Joint Fire Board. Under section 45 (1) of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 ministers may make a property and facilities order in circumstances where they consider it necessary for public safety p…
11 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is in place for visual rehabilitation by trained rehabilitation specialists for patients following a stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Rehabilitation, including visual rehabilitation, for patients following a stroke or traumatic brain injury is provided by a variety of qualified professionals who work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, including orthoptists, occupational therapists, physi…
11 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review SIGN guidelines to include the need for a routine vision assessment covering visual acuity, field and perception following a stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18882 on 8 January 2009. 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/Apps2…
11 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that patients receive a routine vision assessment following a stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: SIGN Guideline 108, on the management of patients with stroke or TIA: assessment, investigation, immediate management and secondary prevention, published on 16 December 2008 deals with the early management of stroke or TIA, and focuses on aspects of immediate…
11 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will end any fare discrimination against single rail journeys and rail passengers who do not return the same day.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Every journey has at least either a day return or period return as well as a single fare depending on the nature of the journey and typical journey pattern. There are no plans to change this general arrangement.</p>
11 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider extending the national concessionary travel scheme to provide parity between buses and trains.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: A review of the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People is currently underway. I expect to receive a final report of the review this month and shall consider its recommendations regarding any possible changes.</p>
11 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will allow community pharmacists to access patients’ healthcare records.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Community pharmacists have already requested that they are given the authority to access their patient''s electronic emergency care summary records. Work is underway to give careful consideration to the possibilities around extending both the users of this sy…
9 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many under 18-year-olds have been convicted of illegally carrying (a) knives or (b) other weapons in each year since 1990.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table.</p> <p >Persons Aged Under 18 with a charge proved for Carrying Knives or Offensive Weapons<sup>1</sup> in Scottish courts 1990-91 to 2006-07</p> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <th…
9 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been killed by (a) knives, (b) guns or (c) other weapons in each year since 1990.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Homicide victims, by main method of killing and financial year recorded, 1990-91 to 2007-08</p> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td width=75 valign=bottom > <p align=center >Year</p> </td> <td width=65 valign=bot…
8 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it costs to install a new CCTV camera.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The information requested is not held centrally. However, it would depend on many variables including the type of camera, the technology employed, the location of the camera, and other factors.</p>
8 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how regularly on average a CCTV camera requires to be replaced.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The information requested is not held centrally. However, the answer will depend on many variables including the type of camera, the technology employed, the location of the camera, and other factors.</p>
8 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many CCTV cameras there were in each of the last 10 years, broken down by local authority.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: No central records have been kept of this data over the last 10 years. No instruction has been given by the Scottish Government for this data to be so held.</p> <p >The strategic review of public space CCTV in Scotland, which is expected to conclude shortly,…
27 Nov 2008 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether is considers that Scotland’s culture is enhanced by a viable local newspaper sector.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: <i >This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p >http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-08/sor1127-02.htm#Col12885</p>
26 Nov 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils have been suspended for alcohol-related issues in each local authority in each of the last five years.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The available information on the number of pupils of temporarily excluded from school in each local authority area for Substance misuse “ alcohol from 2003-04 - 2006-07, is given in the following table.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <t…
19 Nov 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the events to which the major events strategy, within the responsibilities of the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, applies.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: Events of all kinds are a valuable way of driving sustainable economic growth, promoting Scotland and showcasing Scotland on a world stage. Events such as Edinburgh''s Festivals, the Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup, Scotland''s Winter Festivals, Homecoming …
19 Nov 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15628 by Kenny MacAskill on 9 September 2008, what its reasons are for it not divulging the legal advice it has received regarding minimum pricing per unit of alcohol.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: It is standard practice not to release legal advice on policy formulation or otherwise.</p>
19 Nov 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many licence holders or employees have received fines under section 76 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 for supplying alcoholic liquor to a drunken person in licensed premises in each of the last five years and what the level of fine was in each case.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Data from the Scottish Government Court Proceedings database shows that, in 2002-03 to 2006-07, there were two people fined under section 76 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 for supplying alcoholic liquor to a drunken person in licensed premises (where th…
19 Nov 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many under-18s have received fines under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 for buying or attempting to buy alcohol in each of the last five years and what the level of fine was in each case.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table.</p> <p >Persons Under 18 Fined for Buying Excisable Liquor or Consuming in a Bar<sup> 1</sup>, 2002-03 to 2006-07</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td width=10…
19 Nov 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17380 by Kenny MacAskill on 13 November 2008, how many (a) test-purchase visits and (b) off-sales licences there were in each local authority area.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Information is available by police force area for test purchasing. From December 2007 to August 2008, the number of test purchase visits carried out was as follows:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td width=242 valign=…
19 Nov 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17380 by Kenny MacAskill on 13 November 2008, what sanctions were applied to those off-sales premises that received (a) two, (b) three and (c) more than three test-purchase visits.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Sanctions can be considered and applied by licensing boards following a test purchasing failure, not a test purchase visit. Information is not held centrally on sanctions applied following test purchase failures. Under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 licens…
19 Nov 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17380 by Kenny MacAskill on 13 November 2008, how many of the 1,180 off-sales premises received repeat test-purchase visits.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Under the standard procedures laid for test purchasing of alcohol and other age-restricted products (A Practical Guide To Test Purchasing in Scotland which can be accessed on the Scottish Government website: <u><a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publication…
13 Nov 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is prepared to support the Glasgow Crossrail project.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Scottish ministers are currently considering the emerging findings from the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR). The Review will set out national investment priorities for 2012 to 2022. Glasgow Crossrail is being considered as part of this process. An …
31 Oct 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals have been prosecuted for buying alcohol for under-18s in each year that this has been an offence and what the level of punishment was in each case.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The following table gives the number of people prosecuted for this offence under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976.</p> <p >Persons Proceeded Against in Scottish Courts for Purchasing Excise Liquor for Consumption by Persons Aged Under 18<sup> 1</sup>, 1977-…
31 Oct 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been given to licence holders with regard to customers buying alcohol for under-18s.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Guidance is given to prospective personal licence holders as part of the training required by the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. Before a personal licence can be granted, the applicant must possess a licensing qualification. The training which leads to the aw…