Parliamentary questions
Bill Butler
673 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has held since 16 May 2007 with the representatives of each of the organisations involved in signing the statement on tackling abusive behaviour at marches and parades.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: We have on-going discussionswith all interested parties and have developed a constructive dialogue about manyaspects of marches and parades.</p><p>We will be consultingon the implementation of the new procedures for marches and parades introduced inthe Police…
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to promote human rights and community relations by publicising the implications of criminal and employment legislation in relation to discrimination on the grounds of religion.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Governmentwill work with the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland, the recently established new single equality commission,to identify positive measures which will help to foster good community relationsand safeguard the rights of Sco…
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to increase the success rate of applications for football banning orders.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: It is a matter for the policeto determine which cases are suitable for a football banning order and to make thatrecommendation in the report to the Procurator Fiscal. Procurators fiscal will drawsuch a recommendation to the attention of the court, following a…
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to address the 20% reduction in the number of convictions for religious-aggravated offences between 2005-06 and 2006-07.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: We understand that this questionmay relate to figures provided in answer to question S3W-3013 on 31 August 2007.</p><p>As the data provided in thatanswer makes clear, the numbers of convictions where the charge includes a religiousaggravation in terms of sect…
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executivehow it plans to challenge and monitor sectarian attitudes in and around Scotland’s higher education institutions during 2008.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Higher education institutionsare responsible for challenging and monitoring all unacceptable behaviours amongstaff and students. They have legal responsibilities to ensure that their studentsand staff are protected from discrimination. The government will len…
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-3014 by Maureen Watt on 16 August 2008, how it plans to monitor effective delivery of and outcomes from work carried out in schools as a result of awards from the anti-sectarian project fund.
Answer · Maureen Watt: Projects supportedby the fund incorporate self-evaluation outcomes and impact, locally. Good practiceexamples are shared through the anti-sectarian website “Don’t Give It, Don’t TakeIt” at <a href="http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/antisectarian/">http://www.ltsco…
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-3014 by Maureen Watt on 16 August 2008, what progress has been made in distributing the £100,000 fund to support anti-sectarian project work in schools.
Answer · Maureen Watt: Thirty-three schoolprojects, across 21 local authority areas, are currently underway.</p>
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-3019 by Fergus Ewing on 23 August 2008, what recommendations officials have made in respect of further academic research into religious intolerance.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: As noted in the answerto question S3W-3016 on 5 September 2007, the Scottish Government does not directlysupport academic research. Officials are currently engaging with stakeholdersto identify what useful research could be taken forward to support work totac…
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to publish a national strategy on tackling sectarianism during 2008.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Governmentis determined to eradicate all forms of religious bigotry, and tackling sectarianismis an important element of this. Our work in this area also includes the promotionof interfaith dialogue and we do not believe that a further strategy s…
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to host a third summit on sectarianism during 2008.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Governmentis taking a holistic approach to tackling all forms of religious intolerance andthe development of interfaith dialogue. Our priorities are to focus on communityand grassroots initiatives, as well as high-profile national events such as …
24 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it provides specific sectarianism awareness training to its staff.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Governmentprovides Diversity Awareness training to its staff, which covers a range of issuesincluding religious intolerance. The Scottish Government also covers a range ofequality and diversity issues in its management and policy skills training.…
23 Jan 2008 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it will provide for Project Scotland after 31 March 2009.
Answer · John Swinney: I had a useful meetingon 28 January with a cross-party group of MSPs and the Chair and Chief Executiveof Project Scotland in which I confirmed funding for 2008-09 of£1.4 million to meet current commitments to volunteers.</p><p>In doing so, I recognisedthe qua…
28 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to be able to respond to the findings of the hospital parking charges review group.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I am carefully consideringthe report of the review group which I received on 30<sup> </sup>November 2007. I will announce my decision on its recommendationsin due course.</p>
31 Oct 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its timetable is for delivering a doubling of its international aid budget.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-4132 on 18 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/…
25 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff in its justice department will be required to work on 1 January 2008.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: No staff in the Scottish Government’s Justice Directorates will be required to work on 1 January 2008. This does not include staff who will be on call norstaff working in Government Agencies such as the Scottish Prison Service (whereup to 1,000 staff (approxi…
24 Oct 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what protection it will offer to shop workers and retail staff who are compelled to work on New Year¿s Day.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The regulation ofemployment rights is reserved under section H1 of the Scotland Act 1998.</p><p>Terms and conditions of employment are a discretionarymatter for employers, providing they comply with any relevant statutory requirements.</p><p>In addition, I wo…
18 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support proposals to expand the Glasgow subway network to the east end of the city to support regeneration and boost economic development.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Governmentwill carefully consider any proposals to expand the Glasgow Subway. We have yetto receive formal proposals from SPT.</p>
18 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change will next meet the Chair and Chief Executive of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to discuss improvements to the Glasgow subway network.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: If proposals are receivedI would be happy to meet with SPT to discuss improvements to the Glasgow subwaynetwork.</p>
18 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it will provide to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to investigate improvements to the Glasgow subway system.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: SPT have a capitalbudget of £25 million in 2007-08, some of which they have used to fund an outlinebusiness case for improving the subway system. My officials will be happy to meetwith SPT to discuss any funding issues identified by the study.</p>
18 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost to link the existing Glasgow subway network to the site of the new national indoor arena, near the planned Commonwealth Games village in the east end of the city.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No proposals haveyet been received. If we receive a formal proposal my officials will be happy toengage with SPT.</p>
18 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will work with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to consider proposals to expand and develop Glasgow’s subway system.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No proposals haveyet been received. My officials are in regular contact with SPT and would be happyto discuss any proposals they may have regarding the Glasgow subway.</p>
3 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the money that has been saved by decisions to reverse measures initiated by previous administrations between 17 May and 3 September 2007, showing (a) date of decision, (b) amount saved and (c) description of decision reversed.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-969 on 11 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…
3 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much money has been saved by its decisions to reverse measures initiated by previous administrations between 17 May and 3 September 2007.
Answer · John Swinney: Changes to the Scottish Budget will be made, as normal, in the autumn and spring budget revisions.</p>
3 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the money that has been saved by decisions to cut bureaucracy between 17 May and 3 September 2007, showing (a) date of decision, (b) amount saved and (c) description of what was cut.
Answer · John Swinney: Estimated savingsrealised through the restructuring of the Scottish Government and consequent reductionsin the number of ministerial and official posts are shown in the following table.These changes were introduced with immediate effect when this government t…
3 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it has saved by cutting bureaucracy between 17 May and 3 September 2007.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the Memberto the answer to question S3W-3968 on 11 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/…
3 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in the establishment of Creative Scotland.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: The First Ministerannounced, on 5 September 2007, the Scottish Government’s intention to introducelegislation to establish Creative Scotland. Alongside this, the joint board of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, led by Dr Richard Holloway, are wor…
23 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review existing guidelines relating to the granting of retrospective planning applications.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Where there has beena breach of planning control, planning authorities may request that a developersubmits a retrospective planning application. The Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 includes provisions which, when implemented,will enable planning authorities …
23 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance it has given to the Glasgow Housing Association to support its antisocial behaviour strategy in each financial year since its inception.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Glasgow Housing Associationdoes not receive any annual grants specifically to support its antisocial behaviourstrategy from the government. It does receive an annual repayable grant from thegovernment to support its business plan, which includes the delivery …
8 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to engage with Scotland’s faith communities to combat sectarianism.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Governmentwill continue to engage with Scotland’s faith communities in a variety of ways toensure that their views are being listened to and understood. This will includedirect Ministerial meetings, visits to places of worship and attendance at o…
8 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what commitment it will make to continuing its support for grassroots anti-sectarianism education initiatives such as Nil by Mouth and Sense Over Sectarianism.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Governmenthas supported a number of grassroots anti-sectarianism education initiatives overrecent years, and recognises the important role played by such projects in tacklingsectarianism in our communities.</p>