Parliamentary questions

Robert Brown

1,531 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

28 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the rates of foster care allowances are, broken down by local authority.

Answer · Euan Robson: Local authorities set the rates of foster care allowance based on local circumstances and the needs of the children and young people that are looked after. The information requested is not held centrally.

9 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make provision for issues regarding Jewish divorce in the Family Law (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The Family Law (Scotland) Billwas introduced on 7 February. The bill does not contain any provisions relatingto Jewish divorce.We remain in close contact withrepresentatives of the Jewish community in Scotland and appreciate their concernto ensure appr…

9 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to increase the number of geography teachers in order to meet demand.

Answer · Peter Peacock: We have not seen evidence of significant or generalised teacher vacancies in Geography. Nevertheless, as part of our commitment to increase teacher numbers, we encouraged general increase in intakes to courses of initial teacher education. Entrants to Geograp…

9 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether geography will remain a core subject in all primary and secondary schools.

Answer · Peter Peacock: As part of the over-arching reviewof the curriculum 3-18, a cycle of continuous updating and reform of all areas of learning, including geography, has begun. A programme board has been set up totake this work forward. It has yet to determine a timetable for …

9 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage the use of reusable nappies and reduce the waste caused by disposable nappies.

Answer · Ross Finnie: We are providing a total of £845,300 in 2004-05 and 2005-06 to the Waste and Resources Action Programme to carry out work on real nappies as part of their waste prevention initiative. This funding includes: financial support for the Scottish Real Nappy Networ…

8 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed ban on smoking in public places will apply to railway stations such as Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The premises or classes of premises which will be covered by the smoke-free legislation will be outlined in regulations which will go out to consultation shortly. The intention, however, is that those parts of railway stations which are wholly enclosed, excep…

19 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will review the right to buy under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 requires Scottish ministers to publish, by September 2006, a report on the effect of the Right to Buy (RTB). We willconsider the case for any further adjustments to the operation of RTB in thelight of that report.

22 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any targets for the use of renewable energy in its and other public buildings.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The electricity consumed by the Scottish Executive is generated from 100% renewable sources. The Executive also has an overall energy target which states that it will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 7% from 2003-04 levels by 2011. There are no further targ…

22 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support the development of small-scale renewable energy projects in urban areas.

Answer · Jim Wallace: We are supporting the developmentof a range of renewables technologies in homes and communities across Scotland throughour Scottish Community and Household Renewables Initiative (SCHRI). The SCHRI, recentlyextended for a further three years with an additional…

22 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much energy was produced in Scotland from (a) wind farms, (b) solar power and (c) small-scale domestic factory-size windmills in each of the last three years.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The information is not available, as renewable energy output figures are not broken down in the manner requested.

10 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available to schools and local authorities to enable them to embed the concept of sustainable schools in their procurement programmes.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Schools Estate Strategy Buildingour Future: Scotland’s School Estate which was published jointly by the Scottish Executive and COSLA in 2002, and many of our subsequent publications in support ofthat strategy, highlight the importance of sustainabi…

10 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the achievement of sustainable schools is a priority under the Ambitious, Excellent Schools programme.

Answer · Peter Peacock: Our agenda for action set outin Ambitious, Excellent Schools is set in the context of a very significantcommitment to investment in the largest Scottish school building programme of moderntimes.Earlier this month we launcheda new publication in …

7 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how progress being made by Scottish local authorities towards achieving significant improvements in domestic energy efficiency through the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 compares to local authorities in England and Wales.

Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-10827 on 13 October 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available o…

7 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to carry out a review of progress on the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 following the publication of the Third Home Energy Conservation Act Progress Report for Scotland.

Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:A review towards progress on local authorities energy efficiency targets under the Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) is due to take plac…

7 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-11582 by Johann Lamont on 18 November 2004, when the Third Home Energy Conservation Act Progress Report for Scotland, covering the period from April 2001 to March 2003, will be published.

Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:The Third Home Energy Conservation Act Progress Report for Scotland is expect to be published early next year.

2 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any guidance is issued to public sector workers about exposure to environmental tobacco smoke when they make home visits to patients or clients who smoke.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Guidelines have been made available to NHS boards and local authorities to assist them in developing and implementing comprehensive workplace tobacco policies. It is for individual authorities to set their own policy in consultation with staff and other key i…

22 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support and encourage interest by young people in the built environment and Scotland’s architectural heritage.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The policy on architecture contains a commitment to provide guidance to schools on the potential of information relating to architecture and the built environment to inform subject areas and support National Priorities for education. Guidance has been …

17 Nov 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the introduction of any super casinos in Scotland

Answer · Tavish Scott: Whatever the UK regulatory framework, the position of this devolved government is that new casinos in Scotland will only be agreed if they are licensed by Scottishlicensing boards and regulated by conditions set by Scottish ministers.In addition, the U…

15 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure adequate provision of specialist residential childcare accommodation.

Answer · Euan Robson: It is for local authorities to ensure that they have the correct range of services available to meet the needs of children in their care. In discharging their duties to children they are looking after, local authorities may place them in residential ho…

15 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many places are available for (a) residential childcare and (b) residential respite care.

Answer · Euan Robson: Figures on the number of residential childcare places was published in Children’s social work statistics 2003-04 on 26 October 2004. Full details can be found at: <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00369-00.asp">http://www.scotland.gov…

15 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will move towards priority of status in pay between residential child care and field social work.

Answer · Euan Robson: Pay of workers in these sectors is a matter for employers and there are no plans for the Scottish Executive to become involved.

15 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the entry qualification is for staff working in residential child care.

Answer · Euan Robson: Employers in recruiting and selecting staff for care homes for children and young people take into account the type of post applied for, safe recruitment practices including Disclosure Scotland requirements and checks with previous employers, and Scottish Soc…

12 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government on plans for a Civil Service Bill.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The civil service is a reserved matter. We have been consulted in detail by the UK Government over its commitment to consult on a draft Civil Service Bill which would put the current arrangements for the civil service on a statutory footing. A consulta…

10 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1390 by Mr Jim Wallace on 4 August 2003, what the outcome was of the review of funding of learners in further and higher education.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Review of Funding of Learners was published on the 22 September 2004. Copies of the Report are available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre and it is also available on the Funding of Learners Review website: <a href="http://www.scotland.go…

3 Nov 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Uk Government over the outcome of the North East Assembly referendum and the impact this would have on Scotland.

Answer · Margaret Curran: The Executiveis in regular contact with the UK Government and has been kept informed about theevolution of proposals to establish assemblies in English regions. However, we havenot specifically discussed the outcome of the North East Assembly referendum.

26 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider operating Kerelaw School as a national facility.

Answer · Euan Robson: The Scottish Executive does not own or run secure accommodation. The Executive and the Care Commission each has a role only in registration of secure accommodation provided by others.Under current statute, local authorities have the responsibility to i…

21 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty’s Government regarding the implications for the Executive of the introduction of child trust funds.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive is in regular discussions with Her Majesty’s Government on a variety of matters including the introduction of child trust funds and the implications for the Executive.

21 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-10827 by Johann Lamont on 13 October 2004, when information for the two years to 2003 regarding the percentage improvement in energy efficiency will be available.

21 Sep 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-8206 by Cathy Jamieson on 25 May 2004, when it will make an announcement on the establishment of a Scottish Human Rights Commission.

Answer · Hugh Henry: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-10185 on 11 October 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…

21 Sep 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it remains committed to the establishment of a Scottish Human Rights Commission.