Parliamentary questions
Colin Fox
197 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
3 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how much it cost to repair the MV Hascosay, a NorthLink cargo boat, while it was in dry dock in Fredrickshavn in Denmark in March and April 2005.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The price paid for this work is a commercially sensitive matter between NorthLink and the Danish company that carried out the work. However, I understand that NorthLink is confident that the price paid represented good value for money and that in addition, th…
24 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what environmental impact assessments have been carried out on the route of the Dalkeith bypass, giving the dates of such assessments, and whether it will place copies of all reports on the issue in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.
Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the question S2W-18658 answered on 6 September 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.…
24 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has made for an integrated transport strategy for the Dalkeith area.
Answer · Tavish Scott: An integrated transport strategy for the Dalkeith area is a matter for Midlothian Council and could be addressed in its local transport strategy. Broader transportation issues will be addressed by the South East Scotland Transport Partnership’s regional trans…
24 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has investigated the impact that the proposed Borders railway link will have on traffic volumes on the proposed A68 Dalkeith northern bypass.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The impact which the Borders railway will have is being assessed as part of the updating of the scheme information. The development of the railway proposals has been recognised in the decision to proceed with a single carriageway bypass rather than a dual car…
24 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a multi-modal study has been carried out in respect of the A68 Dalkeith northern bypass.
Answer · Tavish Scott: A multi-modal study is in hand as part of the updating exercise for the scheme.</p>
24 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what environmental information it considered when granting funding for the A68 Dalkeith northern bypass and whether it will place copies of all reports on the issue in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.
Answer · Tavish Scott: Environmental impact assessments were carried out prior to the public local inquiries in 1992 and 1996. Copies of the reports are being prepared and will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 37393).</p>
24 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its reasons are for approving funding for the development of the A68 Dalkeith northern bypass.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Dalkeith Northern Bypass will improve strategic access to the Central Borders and bring relief to Dalkeith and its inhabitants by removing through traffic from the centre of the town.</p>
26 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives to youth clubs and youth projects in West Lothian.
Answer · Euan Robson: The Scottish Executive provides a range of funding to West Lothian that may be used for youth clubs and youth projects. In 2005-06, West Lothian Council receive £3,788,000 through Grant Aided Expenditure for Community Education (including youth work) and £151…
20 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on its review of NHS prescription charges.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The review comprises two phases. Phase 1, a literature research project, is now complete. Phase 2 will commence later in the year and will take the form of a wide ranging consultation with members of the public, patient interest groups, NHS professionals and …
17 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances it will give to staff at HM Prison Low Moss that transfer requests to other parts of the prison estate will be respected whilst a new prison is built on the site.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>We are working in partnership with our recognised trade unions to ensure that appropriate transfer opportunities are available for the sta…
17 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what aspects of the prison service would be different if its "bridge the gap" proposals were implemented.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>"The challenge set for the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and the SPS-Trade Union Side (TUS) has been to develop a robust and credible…
17 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether both new prisons at Addiewell and Low Moss will be privately operated.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-11262 on 28 October 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on…
17 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the two new prisons at Addiewell and Low Moss will be opened.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>The opening date of the new prison at Addiewell will be determined by the procurement process, which is currently underway.</p><p>Subject …
15 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-5331 by Cathy Jamieson on 10 February 2005, whether it will support Miscarriages of Justice Organisation (Scotland) (MOJO) in its attempt to establish a counselling scheme for those released from prison after being found to be the victim of a miscarr…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I was pleased to announce on 14 March 2005 that the Justice Department would provide MOJO (Scotland) with funding of a total of £103,000 over the next two years. This funding will help MOJO (Scotland) provide advice and practical assistance to those who have …
2 Feb 2005 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what lessons have been learned from recent high-profile miscarriage of justice cases and whether it is satisfied that no other injustices persist.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I am satisfied that our system is robust and fair, but no system of criminal justice is failsafe. Our system therefore includes an independent body, namely the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, with a remit to investigate alleged miscarriages of just…
13 Jan 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the means by which students in further and higher education are informed that they can apply for help with some healthcare costs through the HC1 form.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The HC1 form is used to claim help with health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Forms are widely available from community pharmacies, GP and dental practices, Citizen Advice Scotland Offices and Local Authority One Stop Shops. An explanatory booklet <…
13 Jan 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how many students in full-time and part-time further and higher education use the HC1 form to apply for help with the cost of prescription charges, dental charges and charges for eye tests and spectacles.
Answer · Andy Kerr: During 2003-04, 7,407 full‑timestudents applied for and received help under the NHS Low Income Scheme using theHC1 form. Part‑time students and students in higher education are classifiedwith the Prescription Pricing Authority under the occupation…
13 Jan 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many students over 16 are in (a) full-time and (b) part-time further and higher education.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The following tables give thenumbers of students or enrolments aged over 16 in further and higher education forthe year 2002-03. This is the most recent year for which data are available at present.</p><p>(a) Full-Time Study</p><p>Full-Time Students Aged Over…
12 Jan 2005 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a risk evaluation has been made of any threat to patients' lives posed by the two-hour power failure on the night of 6 and 7 January 2005 at Edinburgh's New Royal Infirmary.
Answer · Andy Kerr: This is an operational matterand therefore primarily for NHS Lothian. I understand from the board that the publicelectricity supply to the hospital was interrupted for a few seconds around midnight on 6 to 7 January.This led to some parts of the hospital bein…
16 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will endorse a road equivalent tariff ferry structure as a quid pro quo for the Western Isles' contribution towards meeting the Executive's renewable energy targets.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search">http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search</a>.</p>
9 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of complaints it has received against Eaga Partnership Ltd and its sub-contractors in respect of the programmes to install central heating and insulation in pensioners" homes.
Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>Between April 2004 and November 2004, 7,369 central heating systems have been installed under the central heating programme and 7,617 ins…
9 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it has monitored customer satisfaction of the work carried out to install central heating and insulation in pensioners' homes.
Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>Eaga Partnership, who administer the programme on behalf of the Scottish Executive, issue applicants to the programme with a questionnair…
9 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the installation of central heating and insulation in pensioners' homes is being carried out by accredited companies and to the highest standards of quality.
Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>Eaga Partnership, who administer the programme on behalf of the Scottish Executive, ensure all installers engaged on the programme have p…
9 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on its programmes to install central heating and insulation in pensioners' homes.
Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Angiolina Foster, the Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>Since the programme began in September 2001 until the end of November 2004, 26,628 central heating systems have been installed by Eaga Pa…
2 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will decide whether both new prisons to be built at Low Moss and West Lothian will be privately operated.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-11262,answered on 28 October 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are avai…
2 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the breakdown is of the basic components of its annual cost per prisoner place of £33,800, including food provision, building programmes, staff costs, and other costs.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>A breakdown of the Scottish Prison Service expenditure is available from the SPS Annual Report and Accounts 2003-04, a copy of which …
2 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether staff turnover rates at HM Prison Kilmarnock remain at three times the average for the publicly-owned estate.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>Staffing issues are a matter for Kilmarnock Prison Services Ltd. The Scottish Prison Service does not hold this information.</p>
2 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to reduce the support it gives people with disabilities through home improvement grants.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Housing Improvement Grants to assist owners who need support to improve or repair or adapt their home are the responsibility of local authorities. The Scottish Executive provides funding to local authorities for this and other purposes through the Private Sec…
11 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how the percentage of prisoners in privately-run penal establishments compares with the rest of Europe and how the percentage of prisoners in such establishments would compare with the rest of Europe in the event of (a) one of and (b) both the proposed new pris…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>The SPS does not have such information in relation to the rest of Europe</p>
11 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what levels of asbestosis have been recorded in (a) Firrhill, (b) Oxgangs and (c) south Edinburgh in each of the last 15 years.
Answer · Andy Kerr: An estimate of the levels of asbestosis can be derived from hospital in-patient and day case discharges.</p><p>However, these figures are likely to be an undercount of the total number of hospital admissions caused by asbestos. This is because asbestos will c…