Parliamentary questions

John Wilson

696 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

8 Mar 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it takes to monitor the performance of local authorities in relation to empty homes

Answer · Alex Neil: Bringing empty properties back into use is a matter for individual authorities. Where there are significant issues locally we would expect authorities to address these in their local housing strategies. However, a variety of information is collected and publi…

8 Mar 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much Housing Association Grant has been made available to registered social landlords in each year since 2007.

Answer · Alex Neil: The following table shows how much Housing Association Grant (HAG) has been made available to registered social landlords (RSLs) in each year since 2007: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td valign=top > 2007-08 £ …

24 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-39416 by Keith Brown on 23 February 2011, whether the indicative timetable for the delivery of the new class 380 trains remains confidential and, if so, for what reason.

Answer · Keith Brown: The timetable for the delivery of the new class 380 trains is not confidential. ScotRail anticipates delivery of the full fleet of class 380 trains by June 2011.

3 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-38973 by Keith Brown on 3 February 2011, whether ScotRail has given a timetable for delivery of new Class 380 trains by Siemens.

Answer · Keith Brown: Yes, the Scottish Executive has received an indicative timetable for the delivery of the new class 380 trains. This is subject to ongoing discussion between ScotRail and the train manufacturer Siemens.

27 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-38733 by Keith Brown on 20 January 2011, what information ScotRail is contractually obliged to provide regarding the Motherwell/Coatbridge Central/Cumbernauld route and whether the Scottish Government will provide this.

Answer · Keith Brown: The operational information ScotRail is required to supply Transport Scotland is set out in Appendix 3 to Schedule 13.2 of the Franchise document. A copy of the ScotRail Franchise Agreement is in the Scottish Parliament''s Information Centre (Bib. numb…

27 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning application appeals have been upheld by it in each year since 2006.

Answer · John Swinney: The number of appeals upheld against decisions made by local planning authorities since 2006 is: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td valign=top > Year </td> <td valign=top > Num…

27 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many local planning applications have been referred to it in each year since 2006.

Answer · John Swinney: The Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals has received the following number of appeals against decisions made by local planning authorities on planning applications since 2006: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td…

24 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a service level agreement with ScotRail regarding the Airdrie-Bathgate line and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38973 on 3 February 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busines…

24 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what agreement was reached with ScotRail regarding the timetable for trains on the Airdrie-Bathgate line.

Answer · Keith Brown: A service level commitment for new Airdrie-Bathgate services was finalised with ScotRail in December 2009. This reflects the four trains per hour assumption in the business case for Airdrie-Bathgate services. However, a revised introductory hourly timetable w…

24 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was provided to ScotRail in relation to the Airdrie-Bathgate line.

Answer · Keith Brown: The franchise payment to ScotRail is for delivering the terms of the franchise agreement including the services specified. Airdrie-Bathgate services have been included within the services specified for ScotRail to operate from December 2010. This payment is n…

21 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding the removal of community X-ray facilities in Coatbridge and Cumbernauld.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish Government officials remain in close contact with all NHS boards and ministers have been fully briefed on the issue of community radiology services in Lanarkshire. Due to its age, the equipment in Cumbernauld and in Kilsyth can no longer be covered b…

21 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions drivers prosecuted for road traffic offences that would normally result in a ban have not received a ban in each year since 2007.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The available information on the number of driving offences for which persons were disqualified from driving is given in table 25 of the Criminal Proceedings in Scottish Courts 2007-08 statistical bulletin, table 6 of the motor vehicle offences 2008-09 additi…

20 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been issued to Scottish National Heritage and the Scottish Agricultural College in relation to the use of neonicotinoid insecticides.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: No specific guidance on the use of neonicotinoid insecticides has been issued to Scottish Natural Heritage or the Scottish Agricultural College. However, there is extensive guidance on the appropriate use of pesticides in the Pesticides Code of P…

20 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been carried out in relation to the use of neonicotinoid insecticides and their effects.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: A wide range of studies on neonicotinoids are submitted as part of the pesticide approval process. Additional research has been carried out by government and other organisations. There are currently three Defra-funded research and development pro…

19 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the membership is of the Scottish Local Authorities Remuneration Committee.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Local Authorities Remuneration Committee members are; Ian Livingstone CBE (Convener), Marlene Anderson, Dan Brown, Declan Hall, Mark Irvine and Jack Wilson.

19 Jan 2011 · Written Question

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Arts and Business Scotland received public funding, from the Scottish Government and other national organisations, of: (a) £462,000 in 2008-09 plus lottery funding of £32,650. (b) £484,400 in 2009-10 plus lottery funding of £21,930. …

11 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many train journeys on the Motherwell/Coatbridge Central/Cumbernauld route were cancelled between November 2010 and 11 January 2011.

Answer · Keith Brown: The information requested is not held centrally. ScotRail is not contractually required to produce performance information in this format.

21 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many trains have been cancelled on the Airdrie to Bathgate rail line under the current amended timetable.

Answer · Keith Brown: The information requested is not held centrally. ScotRail is not contractually required to provide performance information in this format.

16 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with NHS Lanarkshire regarding hospital discharge times for people requiring care home provision.

Answer · Shona Robison: Ministers and officials discuss a range of issues with all NHS boards, including NHS Lanarkshire. Hospital discharge formed part of these discussions.

16 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with North Lanarkshire Council regarding care home provision.

Answer · Shona Robison: We have not discussed care home provision specifically with North Lanarkshire Council. Local authorities have a duty under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to assess the needs of, and provide appropriate services - including care home provision -…

16 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is for admission to care homes in North Lanarkshire.

Answer · Shona Robison: Information on waiting times for admission to care homes is not available centrally.

16 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest average delayed discharge period is for patients being transferred from hospital to care homes in the NHS Lanarkshire area.

Answer · Shona Robison: Latest information on NHS Lanarkshire delayed discharge patients awaiting placement in a care home as recorded at the October 2010 Delayed Discharges census is shown in the following table. Table 1. Number of patients outwith the six week planning pe…

11 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36938 by Shona Robison on 11 November 2010, whether it can confirm that there were no meetings with individuals or organisations to discuss the establishment of a commissioner for older people.

Answer · Shona Robison: We have had no discussions about the establishment of the office of a Commissioner for older people in Scotland.

11 Nov 2010 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Ministers and officials meet representatives of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency on a regular basis. The most recent ministerial meeting was on 3 November 2010 when I met Deputy Director General Johnny Gywnne at Woodfarm Education C…

14 Oct 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had regarding the establishment of a commissioner for older people; when these discussions took place; with whom, and at what locations.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-36937 on 4 November 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busines…

14 Oct 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to establish a commissioner for older people prior to April 2012.

Answer · Shona Robison: We have no plans to establish the office of a commissioner for older people. We have, however, established the Scottish Older People''s Assembly as a voice for older people: it first met in the Parliament on 2 October 2009, and will hold its second meeting in…

16 Sep 2010 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with public bodies regarding plans to merge those with overlapping functions.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is continuing to look for opportunities to simplify and streamline the public bodies landscape in Scotland wherever possible.

7 Sep 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many councillors the Improvement Service has dealt with directly as part of its role in promoting local government.

Answer · John Swinney: This is a matter for the Improvement Service and individual local authorities. The information requested is not held centrally.

7 Sep 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Improvement Service is subject to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Answer · John Swinney: The Improvement Service is not subject to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, which applies to Scottish public authorities. A list of the relevant authorities is available on the website of the Scottish Information Commissioner: <a href="…

7 Sep 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-19966 by John Swinney on 27 January 2009, what level of funding it provided to the Improvement Service for 2009-10.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government provided £1.5 million in grant funding to the Improvement Service for 2009-10 for specific projects. These are Shared Services, Customer First, the Planning Development Programme and an Outcome Related Capacity Building Pilot for Commu…