Parliamentary questions
Ms Rosemary Byrne
600 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the shortfall in primary teachers is in each local authority area in order to implement fully reductions in class contact time in line with the McCrone Agreement.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The reduction in class contact time was taken into account in previous teacher workforce planning exercises. The Scottish Executive is not aware of any education authority being unable to introduce the agreed reduction.</p>
5 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what flood alleviation measures (a) have been initiated since 1999 and (b) are planned for the next three years, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Local authorities’ activities to reduce flood risk are carried out using powers available under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961: the information we hold on flood prevention schemes does not differentiate between flood defence or flood alleviation mea…
5 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what flood defence measures (a) have been initiated since 1999 and (b) are planned for the next three years, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: It is for local authorities to determine what measures they will take under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 to mitigate the flooding of non-agricultural land in their areas. Flood defence measures initiated by local authorities which led to flood pre…
5 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what levels of funding have been allocated to flood alleviation measures.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Local authorities’ activities to reduce flood risk are carried out using powers available under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961. In providing resources in support of local authorities’ activities to reduce flood risk, the Executive does not different…
5 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what levels of funding have been allocated to flood defence measures.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: As an outcome of the recent Spending Review, £89 million is to be made available over the period 2005-08 to support the construction of local authorities’ confirmed flood prevention schemes or approved coast protection schemes. It is, however, for local autho…
5 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it has put in place to enhance urban landscapes, as referred to in the Partnership Agreement.
Answer · Johann Lamont: Through its guidance and financial support the Executive is actively supporting the enhancement of the urban landscape. A range of initiatives, both in place and underway, will introduce a more effective system for improving conservation and design. </p><p>Me…
5 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many green space areas have been (a) lost and (b) created since 1999, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Johann Lamont: This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Individual planning authorities may, however, be able to provide such information.</p>
5 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to protect urban green space from development.
Answer · Johann Lamont: The Scottish Executive has in place planning policy and advice designed to protect and enhance open spaces, for example National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 11: <i>Sport, Recreation and Open Space</i>. (Bib. number 1096)</p><p>The Partnership Agreement c…
3 Nov 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address the issue of low pay in the South of Scotland.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Growing the economy is the Executive’stop priority and our policies are directed to that end. Our focus is on competitivenessthrough high value, high skills activity. The refreshed <i>A Smart, Successful Scotland</i>,which the Deputy First Minister launched t…
1 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what health monitoring it intends to carry out in the communities surrounding Hunterston.
Answer · Andy Kerr: There are already robust provisions for monitoring the incidence of disease in Scotland, at both at local and national level. The Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health monitors infectious diseases through its Scottish Infectious Disease Surve…
1 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who will pay for the clean-up of the contaminated land at Hunterston.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the question S2W-11878 answered on 15 November 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…
1 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much the clean-up of contaminated land at Hunterston will cost.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the question S2W-11878 answered on 15 November 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…
1 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are employed in cleaning up radioactive contaminated land surrounding nuclear facilities in Scotland.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the question S2W-11878 answered on 15 November 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…
1 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are employed in monitoring radioactive contaminated land surrounding nuclear facilities in Scotland.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the question S2W-11878 answered on 15 November 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…
1 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding is allocated for the clean-up of radioactive contaminated land.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the question S2W-11878 answered on 15 November 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…
1 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding is allocated to monitoring radioactive contaminated land.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This answer addresses written questions S2W-11878 to S2W-11883, as all these questions enquire about monitoring and cleaning up radioactively contaminated land.</p><p>The site operator is responsible for monitoring land on the site which has been radioactivel…
19 Oct 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-9635 by Mr Tom McCabe on 10 August 2004, whether it now has information on how many detoxification beds for alcohol misusers are available in each NHS board area.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The table below details the total number of beds in residential facilities which provide a detoxification service for people with alcohol problems, according to information provided by drug and alcohol action teams. As can be seen the majority of these servic…
7 Oct 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Scottish Borders Council regarding proposed closure of Hutton Primary School.
Answer · Peter Peacock: None. Our understanding is that the council has yet to take a decision on the matter, following the consultation process.</p>
1 Oct 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-10738 by Peter Peacock on 29 September 2004, what percentage of class sizes in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools is above the national average.
Answer · Peter Peacock: In September 2003, 57% of primary classes were above the national average of 23.7. Ninety-nine per cent of all primary classes were at or below the recommended class size maximum. For secondary information is only available for S1/S2 maths and English classes…
1 Oct 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-10738 by Peter Peacock on 29 September 2004, how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school classes have 30 or more pupils, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The information requested, which is available for Primary and S1/S2 Mathematics and English classes is set out in the tables below. The class size maximum for P1 - P3 is 30 and for P4 – P7 and S1/S2 Maths and English it is 33. The composite class size maximum…
30 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Better Neighbourhood Services Funding should pay for services and amenities that are the responsibility of local authorities.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the question S2W-11062 answered on 14 October 2004. 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/webapp…
30 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines are issued to local authorities when allocating Better Neighbourhood Services Funding.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The guidelines setting out the operation of the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund issued to local authorities can be found at:</p><p><a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/DD/H3/00014328/page121602847.aspx">http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/DD/H3/00014328/…
16 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support is available to local authorities to regenerate town centres.
Answer · Margaret Curran: No specific support is available to local authorities to regenerate town centres. However, Scottish local authorities are now responsible for deciding how much they can afford to spend on investment in capital infrastructure. Additionally, local authorities a…
16 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school classes have 25 or more pupils, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The information requested, which is available for Primary and S1/S2 Mathematics and English classes is set out in the following tables:</p><p>Primary Class Sizes, September 2003</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p align=…
16 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of Tackling Drugs Misuse, the #3 million project announced by the Minister for Communities on 5 February 2004, was allocated to North Ayrshire.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>North Ayrshire has been allocated £93,576 of the Tackling Drugs Misuse monies in 2004-05.</p>
16 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the legal position is in respect of planning applications that are dependent on land being purchased from a local authority being considered by the same local authority.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: As far as the requirements of planning legislation are concerned, a planning authority must process a planning application in which they have an interest as they would any other. In addition, the <i>Town and Country Planning (Notification of Applications) (Sc…
16 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure provision of permanent community warden services.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The Scottish Executive is providing support for Community Warden schemes across Scotland over the period 2004-06 through two rounds of funding to tackle antisocial behaviour. While we cannot pre-empt the outcome of the spending review, we anticipate that Anti…
16 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend the provision of community wardens.
Answer · Margaret Curran: Scottish Executive funding to tackle antisocial behaviour is supporting community wardens in every local authority area in Scotland in neighbourhoods prioritised by Community Planning Partnerships. While we cannot pre-empt the outcome of the spending review, …
16 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the implementation of the McCrone agreement.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Implementation of the teachers’ agreement <i>A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century</i> is on track. All key milestones to date have been met, and we expect that it will be implemented in full by August 2006.</p>
16 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria require to be met prior to any proposed loss of green space in urban areas being referred to the Executive.
Answer · Johann Lamont: The extent of any Executive involvement in such matters will depend on issues such as the nature of the project leading to the loss of such space, any formal designation on the site and the particular consent procedures involved.</p><p>To take the planning sy…