Parliamentary questions

Mr Bruce McFee

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

14 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what requirements were placed on Barrhead Housing Association to secure private sector finance for the Barnes Street, Barrhead, project; how much private sector funding was involved; by which date was the finance to have been secured, and whether it was secured.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:It is a condition of the Housing Association Grant offer that the association obtains written confirmation regarding the availability of all …

14 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many units have been completed at Barnes Street, Barrhead, for Barrhead Housing Association; how many remain incomplete, and when work on these units commenced.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:The development at Barnes Street will provide 37 units for social rent and six units for refuge provision. Work began on the developme…

14 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much public funding has been made available to Barrhead Housing Association for the construction of new housing units at Barnes Street, Barrhead, and when this funding was paid to Barrhead Housing Association.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:The association was given Tender Approval and an offer of Housing Association Grant in the amount of £1,929,677.50 on 28 March 2002. Prior to…

14 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the accounts of Barrhead Housing Association have been passed without reservation or comment in each year since 1999.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Ms Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:The annual financial statements of Barrhead Housing Association Ltd have received an unqualified external audit opinion each year since 19…

14 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many socially-rented units have been completed by Barrhead Housing Association in each year since 1999; which contractors were involved, and how many units were completed by each contractor.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:Barrhead Housing Association has completed 188 units for social rent since 1999. The contractors involved and the number of units completed i…

14 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much public funding has been allocated to Barrhead Housing Association in each year since 1999.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:Since 1999 Barrhead Housing Association has received £7.124 million in public funding. This is broken down as follows:<table border=1 ce…

30 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many new jobs will be created at IBM Greenock as a result of the offer of a £5 million Regional Selective Assistance grant announced on 28 October 2004.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-12735 answered on 15 December 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.parliamen…

30 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs will be safeguarded at IBM Greenock as a result of the offer of a £5 million Regional Selective Assistance grant announced on 28 October 2004.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) offer £5.16 million is focussed on helping the company grow the service side of its business. The grant will be paid in instalments as new jobs are created and capital expenditure targets are met. The company estimates …

30 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average length of time is for offers of Regional Selective Assistance grants to be accepted.

Answer · Jim Wallace: There are no records held on the average length of time taken for firms to accept Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) offers. Successful applicants are given three months to accept an RSA grant offer.

30 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding the impact of rising energy prices on the manufacturing sector of Scottish industry.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Energy prices are determined by UK and world markets. The Scottish Executive has a broad range of energy efficiency initiatives in place which assist businesses to reduce their energy consumption, and hence their energy costs.

30 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding the effects of rising energy prices on the Scottish economy.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Energy prices are determined by UK and world markets. The Scottish Executive has a broad range of energy efficiency initiatives in place which help the business, public and domestic sectors to reduce their energy consumption and hence their energy costs.

30 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive has received no representations from the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association.

15 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the progress made to date in considering a new junction on the M8 motorway near Bishopton is compatible with its aim of growing the Scottish economy.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The issues to be addressed in considering a new junction on the M8 motorway near Bishopton are complex. In reaching its decision on whether to allow new accesses on a motorway, the Scottish Executive needs to consider the impact that providing extra accesses …

15 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to accelerate progress on the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance report and recommendations in respect of a new M8 motorway junction near Bishopton.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has encouraged close contact with the consultant developing the applicant’s Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance submission. Scottish Executive officials have made themselves available to provide advice and guidance in an effort to avo…

15 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance report and recommendations in respect of the proposed new M8 motorway junction near Bishopton and when a decision is anticipated.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the question S2W-12255 answered on 29 November 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/webap…

15 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in determining whether a new junction should be permitted on the M8 motorway to facilitate improved access to the Royal Ordinance factory site at Bishopton to accommodate the proposed regeneration.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive received the main audit report on 19 November and made this available to the developer on 23 November. The audit report identifies the need for further information. The timetable for decision will be dependent on the submission and audi…

15 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what specific steps it has taken to advance the regeneration of the site of the Royal Ordinance Factory at Bishopton, Renfrewshire.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Executive established and then participated in the Bishopton Working Group. As a result of this work, developers were able to compile a master plan for the site and it is now for them to take forward the project. Scottish Enterprise is maintaining contact…

2 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients receive Forsteo (teriparatide) for osteoporosis, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answer to S2W-8260, on 26 May 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/wa.search">…

2 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients have osteoporosis, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Andy Kerr: This information is not available centrally in the form requested. However, it is estimated, from information derived from the Continuous Morbidity Recording (CMR) system, that approximately 18,600 people in Scotland were seen by General Practitioners in resp…

2 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been received from Renfrewshire Council regarding its allocation of funding under the Supporting People initiative, following the announcement on Supporting People funding by the Minister for Communities on 1 October 2004.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We have received representations on behalf of Renfrewshire Council from Wendy Alexander MSP.I have met with COSLA on several occasions and listened to their concerns about the allocations announced on 1 October. I have offered to slow down the rate of …

2 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been received regarding the announcement on Supporting People funding by the Minister for Communities on 1 October 2004.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We have received representations from COSLA, local authorities, providers, stakeholders and a range of other organisations and individuals.I have met with COSLA on several occasions and listened to their concerns about the allocations announced on 1 Oc…

2 Nov 2004 · Written Question

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: (1) The allocations in the table were based on a formula composed of indicators that reflect the key client groups which are intended to benefit from the Supporting People programme and for which data of a sufficient quality is available. The methodology is t…

22 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what elements of accreditation are expected to be included in the National Registration Scheme for Private Landlords.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Mandatory registration in terms of Part 8 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 provides for a “fit and proper person” test and for a list of houses that are let. Local schemes for the voluntary accreditation of landlords will build on registra…

22 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the National Registration Scheme for Private Landlords will be brought into effect.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 (Commencement and Savings) Order 2004 provisions of part 8 of the act (which introduces a national registration scheme for private landlords) which are not already in force will come into force on 15 Nov…

19 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-9060 by Nicol Stephen on 29 June 2004, what analysis and conclusions were drawn from the business case.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Renfrewshire Council has provided a two page briefing note on four bridges in the area which require strengthening works, rather than a detailed business case. As such, it has not been possible to carry out any detailed analysis of the position.

19 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-9060 by Nicol Stephen on 29 June 2004, what the purpose was of requesting a business case outlining the importance of four bridges, including Lochwinnoch Bridge, in key locations in the area.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: A detailed business case from the council would allow the Executive to examine the issues involved, and decide what advice or support might be offered to the council.

5 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) revenue and (b) capital support will be provided to local authorities under the prudential borrowing scheme.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The Prudential Code for capital finance in Local Authorities (CIPFA), introduced in April 2004, enables authorities to determine their own level of capital expenditure according to what they consider to be affordable, sustainable and prudent.Prudential…

5 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what approaches have been made by Renfrewshire Council arising from the authoritys proposal to remove 12 schools from the Renfrewshire Schools PPP scheme and to seek refurbishment of these schools via (a) the prudential borrowing regime, (b) additional borrowing consent or (c) any o…

Answer · Tom McCabe: It is entirely the responsibility of Renfrewshire Council to determine capital expenditure on school buildings within what they can afford and using the most appropriate funding method, including the prudential regime.

5 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice Renfrewshire Council (a) sought from and (b) was given by the Executive with regard to EU procurement law before 2 September 2004, following any advice from the councils specialist PPP legal advisers arising from the proposed change in scope of the Renfrewshire Schools P…

Answer · Tom McCabe: It is the responsibility of Renfrewshire Council, as the procuring body for their schools Public Private Partnership project and after having taken appropriate legal advice, to ensure that EU procurement law is adhered to.

5 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what approaches were made by Renfrewshire Council before 2 September 2004 concerning the authoritys proposal to review the overall scope of the Renfrewshire Schools PPP involving only one bidder.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The scope of Renfrewshire Council’s schools public private partnerships project is a matter for the council.