Parliamentary questions
Richard Baker
2,136 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many motorists in (a) Grampian and (b) Tayside were caught speeding in (i) 2003, (ii) 2004, (iii) 2005, (iv) 2006 and (v) 2007.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The number of recorded crimes of speeding by police force area is included in table 4a of the Recorded Crime in Scotland statistical bulletin, copies of which are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (2003 “ Bib. number 33018, 2004-05 “ Bib…
21 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to raise awareness of suicide prevention in (a) schools and (b) the workplace.
Answer · Shona Robison: Choose Life is Scotland''s national suicide prevention strategy and action plan, and suicide prevention is a cornerstone of the Scottish Government''s action on population mental health improvement.</p> <p >A key part of Choose Life''s action is raising awar…
21 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in discussions between sportscotland and Aberdeen City Council on the construction of a 50-metre swimming pool in the city.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Representatives from sportscotland''s Facilities team attended a meeting with Aberdeen City Council on 13 February 2008, which was also attended by key stakeholders. There were a number of actions agreed and further work is to be taken forward.</p>
19 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that adequate funding is provided to deliver support services across (a) Aberdeen City, (b) Aberdeenshire and (c) Angus for victims of domestic abuse.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Provision of local support services is the responsibility of local agencies and the Scottish Government is working with COSLA on how equality issues will be covered in the single outcome agreements.</p> <p >The Scottish Government is strongly committed to t…
19 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in Grampian from 2001-02 to 2006-07 were drug-related.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: This information is not held centrally.</p>
19 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in Grampian from 2001-02 to 2006-07 were alcohol-related.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: This information is not held centrally.</p>
19 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to create a mechanism for Grampian that would systematically review drug-related deaths.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: We are taking forward one of the recommendations from the National Forum on Drug-related Deaths which called for a new system to collect and standardise data on drug deaths. Working with Alcohol and Drug Action Teams (ADATs) across Scotland and in collaborati…
19 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths in (a) NHS Grampian and (b) NHS Tayside hospitals from 1999 to 2007 were drug-related and, of these, how many were individuals aged (i) under 18, (ii) 18 to 29, (iii) 30 to 55 and (iv) over 55.
Answer · Shona Robison: The information requested is given in the following tables for 1999 to 2006. The definition of drug-related deaths which was used to produce these figures is described in an annual paper entitled Drug-related Deaths in Scotland, which can be found on the webs…
19 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths in (a) NHS Grampian and (b) NHS Tayside hospitals from 1999 to 2007 were alcohol-related and, of these, how many were individuals aged (i) under 18, (ii) 18 to 29, (iii) 30 to 55 and (iv) over 55.
Answer · Shona Robison: The information requested is given in the following tables for 1999 to 2006. It uses a definition of alcohol-related deaths agreed with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in 2006 following wide consultation. Figures only include cases where the selected…
19 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support children who have been affected by substance misuse.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The Scottish Government is currently updating its approach to protecting and supporting children affected by parental substance misuse, building on the work done through Hidden Harm in the context of its early intervention agenda. Actions to support children …
19 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to support those who live with people suffering from mental health and substance abuse problems.
Answer · Shona Robison: We continue to work with NHS boards, local authorities and their partners, to ensure the best possible care and treatment for all.</p> <p >That attention is focused around the clear recommendations within our 2007 report <i >Mind the Gaps “ Making a Differe…
19 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to raise awareness of drug support services in the north east of Scotland.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10004 on 27 February 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/web…
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to raise awareness of drug treatment services in the north east of Scotland.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government, in partnership with the Scottish Drugs Forum, launched an updated National Directory of Drug Services in Scotland in June 2007 which lists all 237 specialised drug services in Scotland which includes those in the north east. The direc…
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be provided to deliver drugs support and treatment services in (a) Aberdeen City, (b) Aberdeenshire and (c) Angus during the spending review period.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: No decision has yet been taken on funding allocations to individual health boards for drug treatment and rehabilitation services. The spending review proposes £29.5 million/£32 million/£32.8 million for the period 2008-09 to 2010-11 for the drug misuse budget…
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be provided to deliver alcohol support services in (a) Aberdeen City, (b) Aberdeenshire and (c) Angus during the spending review period.
Answer · Shona Robison: In 2008-09, over £26 million will be allocated to NHS boards to tackle alcohol misuse. We will write to NHS boards shortly to set out details of allocations.</p> <p >Funding for 2009-10 and 2010-11 has not yet been set.</p>
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was provided to deliver drugs support and treatment services in (a) Aberdeen City, (b) Aberdeenshire and (c) Angus from 2003 to 2007.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Funding is allocated to health boards for drug treatment and care services. Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire falls within the boundaries of NHS Grampian and Angus within NHS Tayside. The following table sets out the funding that has been made available to NHS …
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was provided to deliver alcohol support services in (a) Aberdeen City, (b) Aberdeenshire and (c) Angus from 2003 to 2007.
Answer · Shona Robison: NHS boards are responsible for onward distribution to Alcohol and Drug Action Teams (ADATs) of Scottish Government funding to tackle alcohol misuse.</p> <p >The following table sets out the funding for Grampian Health Board (covering Aberdeen City, Aberdeens…
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to ensure that adequate funding is being provided to deliver alcohol support services in (a) Aberdeen City, (b) Aberdeenshire and (c) Angus.
Answer · Shona Robison: Over the next three years we are investing an additional £85 million to increase access to early intervention and treatment for people with alcohol problems. The majority of the funding will be allocated either directly to the NHS or for services commissioned…
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to ensure that adequate funding is spent on delivering effective drug treatment services in Grampian.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government allocates funding from different sources for delivering effective drug treatment services across Scotland. This includes money from the Justice portfolio budget, from the local government finance settlement, the unified health board bu…
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many 999 calls (a) Tayside Fire and Rescue Service, (b) Tayside Police and (c) NHS Tayside responded to in (i) 2003, (ii) 2004, (iii) 2005, (iv) 2006 and (v) 2007.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Information on the number of 999 calls responded to by Tayside Fire and Rescue Service and Tayside Police is not held centrally. However, information on the number of calls handled by Tayside Fire and Rescue and the number of 999 calls handled by Tayside Poli…
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many 999 calls (a) Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, (b) Grampian Police and (c) NHS Grampian responded to in (i) 2003, (ii) 2004, (iii) 2005, (iv) 2006 and (v) 2007.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Information on the number of 999 calls responded to by Grampian Fire and Rescue Service and Grampian Police is not held centrally. However, information on the number of calls handled by Grampian Fire and Rescue and the number of 999 calls handled by Grampian …
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many attacks were recorded on (a) firemen, (b) police officers and (c) hospital staff in Tayside in (i) 2003, (ii) 2004, (iii) 2005, (iv) 2006 and (v) 2007.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The police recorded crime statistics collected centrally are based on an aggregate return, and do not distinguish the circumstances of the crime, such as the occupation of the victim. Following the introduction of the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act in 2005,…
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many attacks were recorded on (a) firemen, (b) police officers and (c) hospital staff in Grampian in (i) 2003, (ii) 2004, (iii) 2005, (iv) 2006 and (v) 2007.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The police recorded crime statistics collected centrally are based on an aggregate return, and do not distinguish the circumstances of the crime, such as the occupation of the victim. Following the introduction of the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act in 2005,…
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to ensure that charities that help homeless people in Aberdeen and Grampian are adequately funded.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government recognises the important role charities play in Aberdeen and Grampian and across Scotland as local partners in assisting local authorities in implementing strategies to tackle and prevent homelessness.</p> <p >Funding for tackling and…
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage all individuals registered with a GP to undergo annual mental health check-ups.
Answer · Shona Robison: Alongside the clear care incentive the GP contract already provides financial encouragement for Practitioners to undertake mental health assessments for those who have a particular physical long term condition and have symptoms of, or are at risk, of developi…
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address health inequalities in Grampian.
Answer · Shona Robison: <i >Better Health, Better Care</i> confirms that it is a key Government priority to tackle health inequalities.</p> <p >We are delivering the Keep Well programme, which anticipates preventable ill-health by strengthening and enhancing primary care services i…
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of MRSA were recorded in NHS Grampian in (a) 2002, (b) 2003, (c) 2004, (d) 2005, (e) 2006 and (f) 2007.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9073 on 25 February 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/weba…
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses in Grampian received a start-up grant from Scottish Enterprise in (a) 2002-03, (b) 2003-04, (c) 2004-05, (d) 2005-06 and (e) 2006-07.
Answer · Jim Mather: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its chief executive to write to you in this regard.</p>
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many doctors and nurses were employed in NHS Grampian in (a) 2002, (b) 2003, (c) 2004, (d) 2005, (e) 2006 and (f) 2007.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The following table how many doctors and nurses were employed in Grampian, between 2002-07. All figures are headcount as at 30 September each year.</p> <p >Table 1: Number of Doctors and Nurses in NHS Grampian since 2002</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 c…
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many social care workers were registered in (a) Aberdeen City, (b) Aberdeenshire and (c) Angus in each year from 2002 to 2007.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The number of social care workers registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Angus for each year from 2002 to 2007 are presented below.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > …