Robert Brown

3 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many places are available for children suffering from autistic spectrum disorder in (a) South Lanarkshire, (b) Glasgow City, (c) East Renfrewshire and (d) North Lanarkshire council areas, showing also the types of facilities available.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The information requestedis not held centrally.</p><p>However, the numbersof pupils in each local authority with an autism spectrum disorder identified astheir main difficulty of learning or their reason for support in primary, secondaryand special schools, a…

28 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it remains committed to supporting second stage transfer of Glasgow Housing Association housing stock.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to thequestion S3W-143 answered on 1 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website the search facility for which can befound at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.…

27 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to proceed with the draft Children’s Services (Scotland) Bill and, if so, when.

Answer · Adam Ingram: We are currently consideringwhether the draft Children’s Services (Scotland) Bill developed by the previousadministration will support our agenda to improve outcomes for children.</p>

25 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports a reduction in motorway and trunk road maintenance to £50 million per annum, as identified in the Howat report.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The <i>Budget Review</i>report will contribute to our strategic thinking around the Spending Review. Itwould be inappropriate to comment on the detail or pre-empt any commitment aheadof <i>Spending Review 2007</i>.</p>

24 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive

24 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive

24 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive

24 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive

24 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive

24 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive

24 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive

24 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive

24 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive

13 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is providing for Gaelic and Scots lexicographical projects and whether it plans to increase this support.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive recognisesthe importance of dictionaries for the language and culture of Scotland andcommends the valuable work that has been done over the years. Scottish Executivefunding for Gaelic and Scots lexicographical projects is provided throu…

7 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether current arrangements for homeless people moving to permanent lets of houses in Glasgow are adequate.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Glasgow City Council (GCC) has a statutory duty to provide permanentaccommodation to unintentionally homeless people who have a priority need and RegisteredSocial Landlords (RSLs) have a statutory duty to comply with local authority requeststo provide permane…

7 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to develop and implement a national strategy for interpretation and translation services in the public sector for minority ethnic communities, in light of the Scottish Consumer Councils report, Is anybody listening?.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive welcomes the opportunity to consider the findings of the Scottish Consumer Council’s report and officials are making arrangements to meet with the council to discuss this matter.</p> <p>The Scottish Executive has also commissioned a res…

24 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many supply teachers are available across Scotland, broken down by subject.

Answer · Peter Peacock: From research we commissioned on the management of supply cover we know there are approximately 11,000 supply teachers in Scotland, representing around 20% of the total workforce. A Summary Insight Report of this research can be accessed using the following h…

24 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has carried out workforce planning in respect of current and projected needs for supply teachers.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The requirement for supply teachers is discussed with members of the Teacher Workforce Planning Advisory Group which includes representatives of education authorities and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC). The purpose of the group is to of…

24 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address any shortfalls in supply teachers in subjects such as chemistry and maths.

Answer · Peter Peacock: We have no evidence of any significant or generalised shortfall of permanent teachers in chemistry or maths. Although, it is recognised that teacher supply is tighter this year than in the past, particularly in relation to the availability of supply teachers.…

10 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it intends to take to improve the sustainability of university research, with particular reference to addressing the costs of research commissioned by public bodies.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Ensuring the long-term sustainability of university research is an essential feature of the Executive’s science and innovation policy, which underpins the future success of the Scottish economy. However, successive reviews of the funding of university researc…

11 Apr 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address any shortfall in numbers of physics and chemistry teachers.

Answer · Peter Peacock: We have no evidence of any significant or generalised shortfall in numbers of physics teachers and chemistry teachers.</p> <p>The Scottish Executive carries out an annual teacher workforce planning exercise to ensure at a national level the number of teachers…

11 Apr 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that the science curriculum in schools is kept up to date.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The review of the school science curriculum, which is one of the main priorities identified within <i>A Curriculum for Excellence</i>,<i> </i>has commenced. Learning and Teaching Scotland, who keep aspects of the curriculum under review, launched a set of upd…

11 Apr 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the shortcomings in science education identified in Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education's report, Improving Achievement in Science in Primary and Secondary Schools.

Answer · Peter Peacock: Since 2002, Education Authorities have been provided with additional funding of £18 million to invest in new science equipment and other resources. In February 2005, we announced investment of more than £300,000 to provide a programme of residential summer sc…

24 Mar 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many green transport plans are in place in the Strathclyde Passenger Transport area.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: This information is not collectedcentrally. However, a study commissioned by the Scottish Executive is currentlybeing undertaken to provide a clearer picture of green travel plan activity in Scotland. Thefindings of the study are expected to be received short…

21 Mar 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will simplify the criteria required to be met for the declaration of a pressured area under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We have no plans to change the criteria. The Executive is required by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 to report on the effect of the right to buy by September 2006, and will consider the merits of the cases being made for further adjustments to the operation …

21 Mar 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assess the effectiveness of the correctional opportunities offered to prisoners.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron,Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>The SPS Analytical Serviceshas a programme of work to evaluate SPS accredited programmes designed toaddress offending behaviour. An as…

21 Mar 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in response to the Audit Scotland report, Scottish Prison Service: Correctional Opportunities for Prisoners, published in January 2005.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>The information requested is available on the SPS website at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.sps.gov.uk/keydocs/Audit%20Scotland/SPS%20Res…

16 Mar 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the increasing number of needs-based referrals to children's panels.

Answer · Euan Robson: The Scottish Executive is implementing a range of measures to ensure that children and young people get the help they need when they need it, including Sure Start Scotland, Additional Support for Learning (ASL), the Child Protection Review Programme and imple…

9 Mar 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to restrict the use of special offers at off-licences and supermarkets in a similar way to proposed restrictions on happy hours in public houses.

Answer · Tavish Scott: At present there is no firm evidence available to link binge drinking with consumption from the off-sales sector. However, the Scottish Executive is committed to conduct further research into this matter and will discuss its concerns with the licensed trade a…

28 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to standardise the foster care allowance paid by local authorities.

Answer · Euan Robson: No. However, we are providing £12 million over two years to enable local authorities to improve recruitment and retention of foster carers. We hope many of them will take this opportunity to increase the allowances they pay.</p>