Parliamentary questions
Tommy Sheridan
857 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
13 Jan 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on adult literacy in Scotland in each of the last five years and what the projected figures are for the next year.
Answer · Henry McLeish: This information is not held centrally.
15 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for dealing with any increased burden of water and sewerage charges on poor people in Scotland.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Charging arrangements in Scotland, in particular, the link between charges and Council Tax bands, provide a substantial measure of protection for many of the least well off households.
15 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) campaign in Scotland and whether it will meet representatives of CRY to discuss screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other related matters.
Answer · Susan Deacon: I can confirm that the Scottish Executive has received representations from the Cardiac Risk in the Young Campaign about the introduction of population screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>I intend to write shortly to CRY abo…
14 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will rescind the capital receipt payback rule in respect of the housing accounts of local authorities in Scotland.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The housing capital receipts set-aside rules are in place to reduce the overall level of local authority housing debt. There are no plans to rescind the rules.
14 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to set up an initiative to monitor the pay of Scottish chief executives and directors of companies, and to compare them with the average wages of their employees.
Answer · Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive has no plans to do so.
7 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the progress of the state aid map submitted to the European Commission by the Department of Trade and Industry on behalf of Scotland, as to whether the British map has been regarded as meeting European Union criter…
Answer · Henry McLeish: Ministers and officials of the Scottish Executive are in close touch with the progress of the UK Government's exchanges with the Commission on a new Assisted Areas Map. All concerned are committed to seeking an early resolution and acceptance for an effective…
7 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take as a result of viewing the North West Communities Alliance video presented to the First Minister on 18 November.
Answer · Donald Dewar: A videotape in cellophane wrapping was presented to me on 18 November. When played, nothing was discovered to be contained on the tape.
7 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will carry out an inquiry into the administration and operation of housing associations in Scotland, looking in particular at their accountability and democratic practices.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: No. Registered housing associations are subject to monitoring and regulation by Scottish Homes. The regulatory framework includes a requirement to comply with a detailed set of Performance Standards which cover a range of important issues including governance…
7 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints have been received about the operation of housing associations in Scotland, how many of these complaints have been upheld by the courts and ombudsman, and whether it will provide details of the outcome of the complaint and any subsequent case in respect of Grampian Ho…
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The following table sets out the total number of complaints received by the Housing Association Ombudsman for Scotland in 1998-99 and how these were dealt with:-<P><TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=468><TR><TD WIDTH="83%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE…
2 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in Brussels with regard to the State Aid Map submitted to the European Commission by the Department of Trade and Industry on behalf of the Scottish Executive; whether this map has been regarded as not meeting European Union criteria; whether the map is likely t…
Answer · Henry McLeish: Discussions continue with the European Commission on the proposed new Assisted Areas Map submitted by the UK Government in July. The Commission has made no formal statement on these proposals. It has not proved possible to have a new map agreed before the end…
26 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make the bid document for Objective 2 funding and the rank ordering of all wards in Scotland that meet EU criteria for Objective 2 Funding publicly available.
Answer · Jack McConnell: The bid document for all Objective 2 coverage in the UK was that published by DTI, the Scotland Office and other UK Government Departments on 8 October (URN99/1021). On that day I made available to this Parliament the proposals for Scotland, wh…
26 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reduce the threat posed to health by smoking in public places and in particular what steps it is taking to encourage or require train operators to ban smoking on all trains.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive position on smoking in public places is set out in the White Paper, <I>Smoking Kills</I>, copies of which are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)<I>. </I>Officials of the Scottish Executive have had discuss…
26 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Virgin Trains about the policy whereby passengers who purchase SuperAdvanced Saver tickets are allocated seats in smoking coaches.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: This is an operational matter for Virgin Trains. The Scottish Executive does not have any powers to intervene.
26 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed M74 Northern Extension complies with its guidelines for local authorities on local transport strategies.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer to the answer given to question S1W-2825.
26 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether cost-comparative studies of alternatives to the construction of the proposed M74 Northern Extension will be undertaken prior to approval being given to this project.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer to the answer given to question S1W-2825.
26 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any studies comparing the economic and environmental impact of the construction of the proposed M74 Northern Extension and alternatives to this project, in particular the further development of rail passenger and freight services across Glasgow, are being or will be undertaken.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: When I announced the conclusions of the Strategic Roads Review on 4 November, I indicated that the City of Glasgow and South Lanarkshire Councils should take forward consideration of the M74 Northern Extension, involving neighbouring authorities and othe…
26 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, if the proposed M74 Northern Extension was to be funded by private finance, how much, and over what period, it estimates the project would cost council tax payers in Glasgow and South Lanarkshire.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: No such estimates have been or will be made by the Scottish Executive.
26 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make the Scottish Enterprise study on the economic impact of non-construction of the proposed M74 Northern Extension available for public scrutiny.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: I have arranged for a copy of the summary report on the study (<I>Scottish Enterprise - M74 Northern Extension, Economic Impact Assessment, Report Summary</I>) to be lodged in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).
25 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that there is evidence of significant support among Glasgow's council tenants for its proposals for community ownership of council housing in Glasgow.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: Glasgow City Council has decided to explore transfer of its housing into community ownership. Tenants will be fully consulted in the development of any proposal and, transfer will take place only if tenants vote for it.
24 Nov 1999 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that there is evidence of significant support among Glasgow's council tenants for its proposals for community ownership of council housing in Glasgow.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: Glasgow City Council has decided to explore transfer of its housing into community ownership. Tenants will be fully consulted in the development of any proposal and, transfer will take place only if tenants vote for it.
23 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what response East Dunbartonshire residents and councillors who contacted the Executive about the council's budget situation received and what plans it has to meet with East Dunbartonshire's new administration to discuss the budget situation.
Answer · Jack McConnell: I have agreed to meet the administration of East Dunbartonshire Council to discuss their budget situation soon. I first met with the former Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council about this matter on 28 June and there have been a number of further letters and …
23 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that existing levels of local service provision in East Dunbartonshire are maintained and, in particular, whether these plans include the release of additional funds to East Dunbartonshire Council.
Answer · Jack McConnell: It is a matter for East Dunbartonshire Council to decide its own priorities for delivering services within the overall budget available to it and having regard to the Executive's expenditure guidelines. I expect to announce AEF figures for all authorities soo…
23 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, if East Dunbartonshire Council limits the increase in its council tax rates for 2000-01 to the level recommended by the Executive, it will be allowed to set a budget above the Executive's expenditure guidelines.
Answer · Jack McConnell: I made it clear in the reply I gave to a question from Mr Watson on 15 October that I will expect East Dunbartonshire to return to their guideline figure and I would expect to see them making clear progress towards that next year.
23 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why it has told East Dunbartonshire Council to cut its planned expenditure for 2000-01 and whether it has considered the potential impact of such a reduction in expenditure on local service provision and council jobs.
Answer · Jack McConnell: I considered very carefully the budget submission, which East Dunbartonshire Council sent me after my meeting with the former leader on 28 June. I took account of the likely impact on local services and this is why East Dunbartonshire, uniquely, has been give…
18 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that there is evidence of significant support among Glasgow's council tenants for its proposals for community ownership of council housing in Glasgow.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: Glasgow City Council has taken the decision to explore transfer of its housing into community ownership against a number of objectives for improving housing in Glasgow, and addressing concerns expressed by tenants. Tenants will be fully consulted in the devel…
18 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-620 by Sarah Boyack on 14 September 1999, when it expects to bring forward legislation concerning the siting and erection of telecommunication masts and whether this legislation will stop such masts below 15 meters being erected without planning perm…
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The report of the Transport and the Environment Committee's inquiry into the proposals to introduce new planning procedures for telecommunications developments was published on 29 March. The report is currently under consideration and the Executive's response…
18 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it made any contribution towards the #1.5m raised by the Glasgow Evening Times appeal to purchase a magnetic resonance imager scanner for Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive did not contribute towards the Glasgow Evening Times MRI scanner appeal.
15 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are employed in total in Scottish call centres; what the average wage is of such employees; what is the trade union density in this sector, and whether there is any monitoring of the conditions experienced by call centre staff.
Answer · Henry McLeish: There are more than 170 call centres in Scotland. Latest figures show there are currently around 28,500 jobs in these call centres. Information on earnings, and on union representation in call centres is not collected centrally.
15 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many recorded convictions there have been for trafficking in cannabis, amphetamines, heroin, ecstasy and cocaine in each of the last five years to date.
Answer · Angus MacKay: The number of people convicted in Scottish courts between 1993 and 1997 for drug trafficking is set out in the table below. Information on the type of drug involved in drug trafficking offences is not collected centrally, although it is estimated that about h…
15 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive to provide a breakdown of the premature deaths in Scotland in each of the last five years to date related to each of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, heroin, ecstasy and cocaine.
Answer · Susan Deacon: It is not possible to give precise figures on premature deaths resulting from tobacco use. However, it is estimated that each year more than 13,000 people in Scotland die from smoking-related diseases, including lung cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke.…