Parliamentary questions
John Wilson
696 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
5 Feb 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how Skills Development Scotland is performing in relation to its key performance indicators for 2008-09.
Answer · Maureen Watt: <i > This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0205-01.htm">http://www.scot…
29 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much each contracted consultancy firm has received from the Justice Analytical Services Division since 2003-04.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The detailed information requested is currently being collated and I will write to the member as soon as the information is available and a copy will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47541).</p>
29 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list consultancy firms that were awarded consultancy contracts with regard to its Justice Analytical Services Division in each year since 2003-04.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The detailed information requested is currently being collated and I will write to the member as soon as the information is available and a copy will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47540).</p>
29 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many contracts were awarded by its Justice Analytical Services Division to PA Consulting in each year since 2003-04 and of what value.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The detailed information requested is currently being collated and I will write to the member as soon as the information is available and a copy will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47539).</p>
29 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of consultancy contracts was issued for acceptance by its Justice Analytical Services Division without involving an element of competitive tendering in each year since 2003-04.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The detailed information requested is currently being collated and I will write to the member as soon as the information is available and a copy will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47538).</p>
29 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent by its Justice Analytical Services Division on consultancy fees in each year since 2003-04.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The detailed information requested is currently being collated and I will write to the member as soon as the information is available and a copy will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47537).</p>
29 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-19443 by Jim Mather on 20 January 2009, how much the public sector has contributed to the Ravenscraig site in Lanarkshire in each year since the start of the redevelopment project, broken down by public sector agency.
Answer · Jim Mather: Between 1999 and 2008 Scottish Enterprise has invested approximately £20,370,000 in the Ravenscraig Development Project and through EU funding £7,370,000 has been provided broken down as follows:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> …
28 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much Housing Association Grant funding was allocated per registered social landlord in North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire council areas in 2007-08 and 2008-09.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The amount of Housing Association Grant funding that was allocated per registered social landlord in North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire council areas in 2007-08 and 2008-09 is shown on the following tables.</p> <p >South Lanarkshire</p> <table border…
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-19452 by John Swinney on 15 January 2009, whether it will provide the dates of board meetings of the Improvement Service since its inception, also showing who represented the Scottish Government at those meetings.
Answer · John Swinney: Scottish ministers were represented at Improvement Service (IS) Board meetings by:</p> <p >Tom McCabe, Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform: Director of IS - July 2005 - May 2007.</p> <p >Ruth Parsons, Public Service Reform Director: Director of I…
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-19452 by John Swinney on 15 January 2009, what the level of funding to the Improvement Service has been in each financial year since its inception.
Answer · John Swinney: The funding provided by the Scottish Government to the Improvement Service is as follows:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td valign=top > <p > </p> </td> <td valign=top > <p align=center >2005-06</p>…
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-19452 by John Swinney on 15 January 2009, how it monitors best value and the use of public money in relation to the Improvement Service.
Answer · John Swinney: Core funding for 2005-08 was subject to a three year grant agreement, with detailed use agreed on an annual basis through the business planning process. Expenditure and performance were monitored through regular reports and meetings between Scottish Governmen…
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-19452 by John Swinney on 15 January 2009, what the financial contributions to the Improvement Service were of (a) COSLA and (b) individual local authorities prior to the local authority settlement for 2008-09.
Answer · John Swinney: COSLA did not make any financial contributions to the Improvement Service prior to the local authority settlement for 2008-09. Contributions were made by individual local authorities during this period in relation to training programmes and fees for attendanc…
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the dates and locations of meetings and discussions that it has had with the leadership of the majority party in North Lanarkshire Council.
Answer · John Swinney: Meetings and discussions take place from time-to-time between the Scottish Government and the leadership of the majority party in North Lanarkshire Council. Recent examples include:</p> <p >A meeting with the Leader and Deputy Leader of North Lanarkshire Co…
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done by Skills Development Scotland to develop initiatives to encourage young people into employment, education and training in (a) South Lanarkshire, (b) North Lanarkshire, (c) Falkirk and (d) East Ayrshire.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Each of these local authorities is implementing 16+ Learning Choices, our new model for ensuring that all young people have an appropriate offer of post-16 learning well before they reach their school leaving date. A range of Skills Development Scotland (SDS)…
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much SMART:Scotland funding was allocated by the Improvement Service to assist the creation of North Lanarkshire Council’s approved trader scheme since its inception.
Answer · John Swinney: The SMART: SCOTLAND scheme, delivered by the Scottish Government''s Innovation and Investment Grants Division, has allocated no funding to North Lanarkshire Council''s Approved Traders Scheme.</p> <p >The Improvement Service set up a SMART Ideas Fund with gr…
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have been held with disability groups and others regarding concessionary travel companion cards for people accompanying disabled passengers.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Prior to the introduction of the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People in April 2006, discussions were held about concessionary travel companion cards with the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland, the Confederation of Passe…
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-16793 by Stewart Stevenson on 27 October 2008, whether it will list the disability groups that it has met in relation to the concessionary travel pass, also showing (a) dates and (b) locations of the meetings.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Prior to the introduction of the Scotland-Wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People, the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland was represented on the National Concessionary Travel Implementation Project “ Eligibility Task Group. The Group…
14 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the anticipated schedule is to deliver the enhanced park-and-ride facilities at Croy railway station.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Strathclyde Partnership for Transport was awarded Scottish Executive funding in 2002. SPT is responsible for the delivery of the car park extension at Croy railway station. SPT is working with First ScotRail to develop a final design, which is necessary befor…
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its expenditure was on medical research in the field of asthma and respiratory conditions over the last five years and how this compares with the UK Government’s expenditure for the same period.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Chief Scientist Office (CSO), of the Scottish Government''s Health Directorates, has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health and health care needs in Scotland. One of the main agencies through which the UK Government funds medic…
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the report from Asthma UK Scotland commissioned by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, In their Own Words, Asthma services in Scotland from the perspective of children and young people, whether further training will be provided to non-healthcare professionals regarding the moni…
Answer · Shona Robison: Training for non-healthcare professionals is a local issue and should be provided through continuing professional development.</p> <p >The Scottish Government issued guidance on the Administration of Medicines in Schools in 2001. The guidance emphasises tha…
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional (a) financial or (b) professional support will be given to people with asthma by NHS Lanarkshire.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This is a matter for NHS Lanarkshire.</p>
8 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17756 by Nicola Sturgeon on 24 November 2008, how many GP practices in Coatbridge participate in the extended opening hours scheme and what the associated costs are.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Two of the eight GP practices in Coatbridge are contractually signed up to provide extended opening hours. The total payment to these practices for the provision of extended opening hours in this financial year is projected to be £15,429.66.</p>
8 Jan 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding will be provided to the National Theatre of Scotland for the financial year 2009-10.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: <i > This PQ was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0108-01.htm">http://www.scottish.p…
18 Dec 2008 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to monitor the safety of food products imported from European countries and the rest of the world.
Answer · Shona Robison: This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-08/sor1218-01.htm">http://www.scottish.parl…
4 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what NHS Lanarkshire is doing to increase specialist nursing services for people with multiple sclerosis.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The planning of the workforce, including multiple sclerosis specialist nurses, is a matter for NHS Lanarkshire who are responsible for planning services in their area based on clinical need. Services for people with long-term conditions are also for NHS board…
13 Nov 2008 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will list, by position, staff who have their travelling expenses for their daily journey to the Parliament paid for them.
Answer · Mike Pringle: There are no staff of the Parliament who have their travelling expenses paid for daily journeys to the Parliament. </p>
13 Nov 2008 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it maintains a family relationship register for staff, similar to that maintained for MSPs.
Answer · Mike Pringle: No.</p>
13 Nov 2008 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how many members of the same families are employed in the Parliament, excluding MSPs’ staff.
Answer · Mike Pringle: There is no formal requirement for staff of the Parliament to declare their personal family relationships. So this information is not held.</p>
12 Nov 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many GP practices in the Monklands area participate in the extended hours scheme and what the associated costs are.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Five of the 11 GP practices in Airdrie, which cover the Monklands district, are contractually signed up to provide extended opening hours. The total annual payment to these practices for the provision of extended opening hours is £94,562.</p>
12 Nov 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many GP practices in the Monklands area do not participate in the extended hours scheme.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Six of the 11 GP practices in Airdrie, which cover the Monklands district, are not contractually signed up to provide extended opening hours.</p>