Tommy Sheridan

23 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the total expenditure has been to date on implementation of the slaughter policy in respect of foot-and-mouth disease.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The total cost of the foot and mouth cull, taking into account manpower and other costs is not currently available. However to date, compensation costs have totalled approximately £120 million.

6 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will communicate with and seek the advice of bodies such as the Scottish Gypsy/Traveller Association in relation to any future policy decisions regarding travelling people.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14936.

6 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any current legislation contributes to any discrimination experienced by gypsies and travellers and, if so, what plans it has to amend any such legislation.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14936.

6 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that gypsies and travellers are included in all future discussions, and in the drafting of legislation, relevant to their situation.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14936.

6 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish an inclusive forum for consideration of issues relating to travelling people which would invite participation from gypsies and travellers.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14936.

6 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that all local authorities act in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to gypsies and travellers.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Under the Human Rights Act 1998, all public authorities, including local authorities, are required by law to act compatibly with the European Convention on Human Rights. If they fail to do so, action may be taken against them in the courts.

6 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether its policies on social inclusion include provision for gypsies and travellers.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14936.

6 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in what ways it informs itself of the requirements of gypsies and travellers.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: The Executive aims in all its work to ensure that the particular needs, circumstances and choices of all Scotland's communities including travelling people are taken into account. To further that aim, work is in hand, under the Executive's Equality Strategy, …

3 Apr 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why the NHS Direct service is not available in Scotland approximately two years after it was established in England.

Answer · Susan Deacon: NHS 24, the Scottish equivalent to the NHS Direct service in England, will provide the people of Scotland with nurse-led advice, guidance, referral and information on healthcare services in one phone call.<P>To ensure that this service is as integrated as pos…

27 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in connection with its social justice objectives, it has carried out any research into the impact of varying take-up rates of the Working Families' Tax Credit on unemployment levels in deprived communities and, if not, whether it will commission such research.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: All tax matters, including the Working Families' Tax Credit, are reserved to the UK Government. Operational matters are therefore an issue for the Inland Revenue. The Executive will, however, continue to work closely with UK ministers on this and other issues…

23 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any ban on fishing from riverbanks which currently exists, includes or exempts fishing for salmon.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: As a result of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease situation, a number of proprietors of salmon rod fisheries around Scotland have closed their fisheries until further notice.

16 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the findings of a recent report by the Scottish Charities Office into allegations of bullying and poor management practice at the charity Children in Scotland will be made available to the public.

Answer · Colin Boyd: The Scottish Charities office examined concerns about maladministration expressed by a former employee at the charity Children in Scotland. The investigation found no cause for formal regulatory action by way of proceedings before the Court of Session. The ex…

6 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any police forces in Scotland are currently understaffed; if so, how many officers of each rank any such forces are short of and how long each such force has been understaffed.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The information sought is not held centrally. From 1 April 1996 the controls previously exercised by Ministers over police force numbers were removed. Since then it has been entirely for chief constables in consultation with police authorities to decide on st…

2 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the total amount of unpaid council tax for 1999-2000 unpaid water and sewerage charges represent.

Answer · Peter Peacock: This information is not held centrally.

28 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary schools employ a full-time nurse during school hours.

Answer · Susan Deacon: School nurses are not employed directly by schools, but by the NHS.<P>Deployment of school nurses is a matter for NHS Boards to decide locally on the basis of assessed needs.

28 Feb 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made to the proposals affecting it in the Scottish Affairs Committee Report, Poverty in Scotland.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: There was no formal requirement for the Scottish Executive to respond to the Scottish Affairs Committee's Report on <I>Poverty in Scotland</I>. However, as part of our ongoing co-operation and dialogue with the UK Government, I wrote to the then Secretary of …

19 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to transfer the responsibility for meat inspections from the Meat Hygiene Service to slaughterhouse operators utilising their own employees and what consequences any such change will have for jobs and food safety.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Food Standards Agency advises that there are no plans to transfer responsibility for meat inspection from the Meat Hygiene Service to slaughterhouse operators.

16 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to make representations to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar regarding the proposed closure of Lews Castle School in Stornoway and whether it has received any petitions from local people on this matter.

Answer · Jack McConnell: No. The proposed closure of Lews Castle School is a matter for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. A copy of a petition was received in November 2000.

14 Feb 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the remit of the working group on a replacement for poindings and warrant sales.

Answer · Angus MacKay: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-3002 today.

1 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether emissions from factories producing medium density fibreboard pose any health risks; whether it is aware of the concern of the local community in Cowie, Stirlingshire, about such emissions from Nexfor on 26 January 2001, and whether it will take any steps to investigate these conce…

Answer · Sam Galbraith: Factories producing medium density fibreboard in Scotland are authorised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency under Part I of the Environment Protection Act 1990. When issuing an authorisation SEPA must have regard to the emission limits set down in …

22 Jan 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what response it will make to the statements by Glasgow City Council in a paper to its Policy and Resources Committee on 16 January 2001 and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities in the December 2000 issue of CoSLA Forward regarding the number of the poorest citi'ens in Glasgow an…

Answer · Sam Galbraith: The submission from Glasgow City Council in response to the consultation paper Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges is presently being considered as part of the consultation process.

18 Jan 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether pensioner households in Glasgow will benefit from the central heating and insulation investment project planned by it during the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: Yes.

18 Jan 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many miners have (a) received compensation in relation to serious and debilitating illnesses contracted as a result of their employment, such as emphysema, bronchitis and vibration white finger, and (b) applied for compensation but are yet to receive any payment.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Mineworkers' compensation is a reserved matter.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>This information can be obtained from the Department of Trade and Industry.

11 Dec 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many pensioner households have had whole house central heating installed since 1 May 1997 and how many it estimates will have had it installed by 1 May 2001.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: There are no figures for the period concerned. However the 1996 Scottish House Condition Survey estimated that 88,000 pensioner households did not have any form of central heating system. We estimate that about 18,000 of those will since have had central heat…

8 Dec 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will replace capital receipt payback rules with a system which allows local authorities to retain and spend all capital receipts in time for the next financial year.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: The debt redemption rules have helped to reduce local authority housing debt significantly. It is important that we continue to reduce the debt burden on council house tenants. There are no plans to revise the current arrangements.

8 Dec 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has encouraged Scottish multiple sclerosis sufferers to participate in clinical trials to establish the therapeutic properties of cannabis and how many are expected to participate in these trials.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Recruitment of subjects for clinical trials is the responsibility of the investigator who must provide full information about the proposed study to obtain the informed consent to the subject.

6 Dec 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people died prematurely from illnesses which resulted from living in cold homes over the last three years and how many are expected to die over the next three years in similar circumstances.

Answer · Iain Gray: There is no recognised grouping or selection of cold-related illnesses. Many illnesses may be exacerbated by cold conditions, but it is impossible to quantify the role of such an effect in any resultant deaths.

15 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much money earmarked for the detection, care and treatment of cancer patients within the NHS will be specifically devoted to patients suffering from methoselioma.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Cancer is a priority for the NHS in Scotland and a National Cancer Plan will be published in March 2001.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>Funding is not specifically earmarked for cancer services, which are an integral part of the treatment and care provided by th…

15 Nov 2000 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made to the Scottish Affairs Select Committee report Poverty in Scotland.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: I have written to the Secretary of State for Scotland with the Scottish Executive's views on the relevant parts of the Scottish Affairs Committee report <I>Poverty in Scotland</I>. I have made copies of this letter available in SPICe.

9 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current consideration of the housing stock transfer issue by seven local authorities will have any bearing on any application which they make for central heating installation funding.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: If the tenants vote in favour of stock transfer, the new community landlords will install central heating and insulation and carry out other improvements and repairs, in many cases to a total value considerably greater than the £2,500 per house available unde…