Parliamentary questions
Bill Butler
673 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
2 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what training the Scottish Ambulance Service provides to volunteer ambulance drivers.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Ambulance Service does not currently provide training for voluntary ambulance car drivers but does plan to do so in the future.</p>
2 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many volunteer drivers are utilised by the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), broken down by (a) NHS board, (b) local authority and (c) SAS division area.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10473 on 10 March 2008. 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/webapp…
20 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive .
Answer · John Swinney: Draft proposals for single outcome agreements were submitted by all 32 councils by 1 April 2008. 30 were received on or before 31 March 2008, and two were received on 1 April 2008.</p>
21 Feb 2008 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in Scotland are diagnosed as suffering from Barrett’s oesophagus.
Answer · Shona Robison: This information is not available centrally.</p> <p >However, based on sample general practice team information, it is estimated that 900 people across Scotland consulted a member of the general practice team about Barrett''s oesophagus in 2005-06.</p>
8 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the commercial banking sector in respect of the Curriculum for Excellence.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: A number of discussions have taken place with the commercial banking sector, including meetings with the Scottish Centre for Financial Education Advisory Group, which has representatives from the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Standard Life, Clydesdale Bank …
8 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what role commercial banks will have in the promotion of money management and savings in schools.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Local authorities and schools are best placed to decide which other organisations should be involved in the promotion of money management and savings to meet local circumstances. The financial services industry, money advice agencies, including Citizens Advic…
8 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what role citizens advice bureaux will have in the promotion of money management and savings in schools.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9718 on 5 March 2008. 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/webapp/wa…
8 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement law and money advice centres will have in the promotion of money management and savings in schools.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9718 on 5 March 2008. 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/webapp/wa…
8 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8857 by Maureen Watt on 6 February 2008, how it plans to encourage local authorities to seek assistance from credit unions to help to deliver the Curriculum for Excellence, especially in areas where they already run junior savers schemes.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Local authorities and their schools are best placed to decide which other organisations, including credit unions, should be involved in the delivery of the Curriculum for Excellence, reflecting organisations knowledge and expertise.</p> <p >When writing the…
31 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are diagnosed as suffering from Barrett’s oesophagus in each NHS board area.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Information on the number of people diagnosed with Barrett's oesophagus in Scotland is not available centrally.</p> <p >However, it is possible to estimate the number of patients seen for the condition in general practices across Scotland using Practice Team…
31 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to raise awareness of Barrett’s oesophagus among the health professionals and GPs.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Barrett''s oesophagus is a condition which is not in itself a cancerous condition but is recognised as having an association with the subsequent development of oesophageal cancer in some cases.</p> <p >In June 2006, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Ne…
31 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what provision it is making for further medical research into Barrett’s oesophagus.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Government''s Health Directorates, has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health and health care needs in Scotland. The CSO supports research projects of a sufficiently high standar…
31 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to raise awareness of Barrett’s oesophagus among the general public.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: No specific action is being taken to raise awareness of Barrett''s oesophagus as a condition. Action is, however, taking place to tackle known risk factors for the condition such as alcohol, diet, smoking and deprivation.</p> <p >The launch of the discussion…
31 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many legal actions have been brought against human traffickers since March 2004, broken down by procurator fiscal district.
Answer · Elish Angiolini: Since the implementation of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003, one case has been reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service containing charges under section 22(1)(a)(i) of the act. The case in question was reported to the Procurator Fis…
31 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to local authorities to combat human trafficking.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The primary responsibility for enforcement action to combat human trafficking lies with the police. However, local authorities also have an important role, especially in relation to the provision of care and support to victims of human trafficking.</p> <p >T…
31 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to tackle human trafficking.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government is undertaking a wide-ranging programme of action to combat human trafficking. The UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking, published by the Home Office and the Scottish Executive in March 2007, outlines the work being undertaken …
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed Glasgow Crossrail project will be approved as part of the Strategic Transport Projects Review.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: <a name="OLE_LINK1">The StrategicTransport Project Review (STPR) will deliver its findings to the Scottishministers in the summer of 2008. It is, therefore, too early to comment </a>on the conclusions of the review.</p>
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed Glasgow Crossrail project will be considered as part of the Strategic Transport Projects Review.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Yes.</p>
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recognises the value for money of the proposed Glasgow Crossrail.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We will assess the value formoney and affordability of the various incremental elements of Crossrail by consideringit through the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) and assessing it alongsideall other priorities.</p>
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recognises the benefits of the proposed Glasgow Crossrail project to the entire Scottish rail network.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We will assess the impacts, bothbenefits and disbenefits, of the various elements of Crossrail by considering itthrough the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR), which is due to deliverits findings to the Scottish ministers in the summer of 2008.</p>
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that the proposed Glasgow Crossrail project could be delivered in time for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic Transport ProjectsReview (STPR), due to deliver its findings to the Scottish ministers in the summerof 2008, will profile when projects to betaken forward are expected to be delivered.It is, therefore, too early to comment, but Glasgow Crossrail…
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change last met representatives of Network Rail to discuss progress on the reopening of the Airdrie to Bathgate line.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-8927 on 6 February 2008. Allanswers 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/wa.…
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change last met representatives of Network Rail to discuss progress on the construction of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I meet regularly withNetwork Rail to discuss progress on the portfolio of rail projects.</p>
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that all rail projects, including the Glasgow Airport Rail Link and the reopening of the Airdrie to Bathgate line, are delivered on time and within budget.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government,through its transport agency, Transport Scotland, takes active steps to control the cost and delivery timescale of both theGlasgow Airport Rail Link, and the Airdrie to Bathgate project. Transport Scotlanduses normal project management…
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place between the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change and Network Rail to ensure that rail passengers and the economy do not experience a recurrence of the recent issues caused by the over-running of engineering projects.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Minister for Transport,Infrastructure and Climate Change spoke with the Chairman of Network Rail duringthe disruption.</p>
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change has taken to ensure that rail passengers and the economy do not experience a recurrence of the recent issues involving Network Rail and the over-running of engineering projects.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Maintenanceof the railway is an operational matter for Network Rail, who are funded by Scottishministers under the terms of the Railways Act 2005. Transport Scotland has contributedin strong terms to the Office of Rail Regulation investigation into Network Ra…
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement credit unions will have in the promotion of money management and savings.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Promoting savingsis the core business of credit unions. They are not-for-profit organisations andexist to provide a safe, convenient place for members to save money and to get loansand other financial products and services at a reasonable rate for those who m…
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the credit union movement in respect of the Curriculum for Excellence programme.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The Curriculum forExcellence comprises a series of learning outcomes and experiences; many of whichsupport financial capability. It is for local authorities to determine how to deliverCurriculum for Excellence and to seek contributions to that from local orga…
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been held in the Glasgow Anniesland parliamentary constituency since 16 May 2007, broken down by (a) ministerial portfolio, (b) date and (c) location.
Answer · John Swinney: The information requested is listed in the following table.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td valign=top > <p align=center >Cabinet Secretary/Minister</p> </td> <td valign=top > <p align=center >Date…
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the effectiveness of legislation to address sectarian behaviour and other public disorder offences during public parades.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: We work closely withthe Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland to monitor the effectivenessof the new procedures for marches and parades introduced in the Police, Public Orderand Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006, and will be consulting all inter…