Bill Butler

8 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive over what timescale central heating will be installed in houses in Glasgow under the Warm Deal should there be a yes vote in the Glasgow housing stock transfer ballot.

Answer · Margaret Curran: If tenants vote yes in the Glasgow housing stock transfer ballot, all homes with a long-term life will have central heating within four years of transfer.

8 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what levels of investment there will be on housing stock in each Glasgow parliamentary constituency over 30 years after the transfer of housing stock to Glasgow Housing Association, should there be a yes vote in the Glasgow housing stock transfer ballot.

Answer · Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-23896.

8 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what levels of investment there will be on housing stock in each Glasgow parliamentary constituency over the first 10 years after the transfer of the housing stock to Glasgow Housing Association, should there be a yes vote in the Glasgow housing stock transfer ballot.

Answer · Margaret Curran: This information is not available on a constituency basis. Indicative levels of investment, subject to a yes vote in the ballot, are provided for each local housing organisation over the first 10.5 years in the city council's second stage consultation notice.…

27 Feb 2002 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is providing to the police in order to ensure that racist incidents are dealt with appropriately.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The extra resources we have made available have led to record numbers of police officers. New guidelines on racist crime issued by the Lord Advocate provide practical advice on the way such incidents are handled by the police. And a national code of practice …

6 Feb 2002 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the development of its guidance on home education.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Draft guidance on the circumstances in which parents may choose to educate their children at home has been issued for consultation. The consultation period runs until 29 March 2002. The Scottish Executive will then consider all representations received before…

28 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the protection of Scotland's water environment.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: I am publishing today a consultation paper<I> Rivers, Lochs, Coasts: The Future for Scotland's Waters</I>. This paper sets out how we propose to secure and promote the environmental health of our rivers, lochs and coastal waters for future generations. It see…

20 Jun 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its next steps will be to assist tourism.

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: We are currently reviewing our strategy for the tourism industry and will publish a Framework for Action early in the New Year. We will also review how the Area Tourist Boards can best deliver support for the industry.

14 Mar 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-3070 by Allan Wilson on 8 March 2001, when the guidance on the setting up of football supporters' trusts is expected to be completed.

Answer · Allan Wilson: We shall address the need for and structure of guidance in the course of a seminar in the Spring. The seminar will assess issues relating to supporters’ trusts and the wider relationship between football clubs and their communities.

13 Mar 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be made to ensure that Glasgow's local authority tenants are empowered to run housing services in their communities should there be a yes vote in the Glasgow housing stock transfer ballot.

Answer · Iain Gray: If tenants vote "yes" in the Glasgow housing stock transfer ballot, local Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) tenants will be in control through their Local Housing Organisations (LHO) and will have a real say in all decisions affecting housing matters in their…

14 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its better regulation strategy and review of small business rate relief as detailed in Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive recognises the importance to business, and in particular small business, of tackling red tape and business rates. We therefore committed ourselves to action in these two areas in <I>Working together</I> <I>for Scotland: A Programme for …

7 Feb 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the future of the New Community Schools initiative will be.

Answer · Jack McConnell: I hope that the pilot New Community Schools programme will in due course act as a catalyst for wider change. I am presently considering how this will be managed, and I expect to make an announcement soon.

31 Jan 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the whole of Scotland has access to GP services of the highest quality.

Answer · Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive is determined to improve access to primary care services. Section 4 of <I>Our National Health: a plan for action, a plan for change</I> sets out our commitment to ensure that patients in every part of Scotland can get access to an appro…

24 Jan 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to ensure that discipline in schools is improved.

Answer · Jack McConnell: I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1O-2893 today.