Parliamentary questions

Bill Kidd

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

11 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many assaults on police officers have been reported in the last 10 years, broken down by police force.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is given in tables 1 and 3 of Assaults on police officers and other emergency workers, in Scotland, 1999-00 to 2008-09 published by the Scottish Government in June 2010, a copy of which is available in the Scottish Parliament…

3 Dec 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive what effects it considers the UK Government’s proposed changes to attendance allowance and disability living allowance would have on the provision of services to older and disabled people in Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: I have put on record to the Secretary of State for Health my concerns about the limited detail set out in the English Green Paper exploring the options for the future funding of social care and support. Any reforms to the benefits system by the UK Government …

17 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Working Group on Scotland Without Nuclear Weapons.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The working group has spent the last 18 months considering the issues in its remit, all of which centred around the removal of nuclear weapons from Scottish soil. The group''s remit and its membership are listed in its report. The group met five times between…

27 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will present its coordinated approach on tackling sectarianism.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I can confirm that the Scottish Government''s strategy on tackling sectarianism will be presented on 23 November 2009 at an event I will be hosting to mark the achievements of those organisations that have been working in this area. I will be inviting those M…

29 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have employees engaged as HMIE Associate Inspectors.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: All 32 local authorities have associate assessors who work with HMIE.

29 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of HMIE Associate Inspectors represents paid employees of local authorities and from which departments they are drawn.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: At 4 October 2009, 71% of associate assessors were employed by local authorities. The remainder were employed in areas including the voluntary sector, the health service, police and colleges. Within local authorities, the associate assessors are dra…

9 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what cultural, trade or other engagements it has had with Armenia.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Executive does not have active cultural, trade or other engagement with Armenia. However, His Excellency Mr Vahe Gabrielyan, the Armenia Ambasador to the United Kingdom, paid a courtesy call on Mr Nicol Stephen MSP, the then Deputy First Minister…

3 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment provides to local authorities to allow local residents to make use of unused derelict lands in urban areas for the purpose of community growing projects, gardens and orchards.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0903-01.htm">http://www.scot…

18 Jun 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is promoting Scottish literature in schools during the Year of Homecoming.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This Government is committed to promoting Scottish culture and heritage in schools. Curriculum for Excellence explicitly promotes the value of the culture, languages and literature of Scotland and encourages teachers to introduce Scottish literature into teac…

28 May 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the potential benefits of vitamin D supplements as a preventative measure against the occurrence of multiple sclerosis.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is aware that research has been carried out in relation to vitamin D and multiple sclerosis. We recognise the importance of vitamin D in a number of health issues. Additionally, the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) has rece…

1 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many betting shop licences have been issued in each year since 1999, broken down by (a) local authority and (b) parliamentary constituency.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This is a matter for the Gambling Commission and Licensing Boards. The information requested is not held centrally.

12 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning last met Glasgow City Council education department and what issues were discussed.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0312-01.htm">http://www.scot…

15 Jan 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage the spread and development of new and existing woodland areas in urban environments.

Answer · Michael Russell: This PQ was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0115-01.htm">http://www.scottish.p…

8 Jan 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage the promotion of positive citizenship in schools.

Answer · Maureen Watt: This PQ was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0108-01.htm">http://www.scottish.p…

14 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow, including its frontage, approach steps and interior, for protected status under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: When requested Historic Scotland assesses buildings for statutory protection under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997. I am aware that Historic Scotland have now been approached formally and asked to consider the Royal …

14 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider shortening the period of time that must elapse before a building is considered for listing status under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Historic Scotland state in the Scottish Historic Environment Policy (October 2008) (paragraph 2.34f) which supports the legislative remit for listing, that buildings less than 30-years-old will normally only be considered for listing if found to be of outstan…

14 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to protect modern iconic buildings in city centres from unsympathetic development proposals.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government has a range of measures available to protect key modern buildings from unsympathetic development proposals through the provisions of the planning system. The main vehicle for this is the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 an…

29 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of its commitment to tackling poverty and in order to facilitate maximum uptake of benefits, what measures it has taken, is taking and plans to take to encourage the provision by local authorities of dedicated welfare benefit advice for citizens.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: We are jointly funding a pilot with DWP through Age Concern Scotland to encourage older people to maximise the benefits to which they are entitled in the East End of Glasgow and the area around Macduff in Aberdeenshire. Free benefit checks are given through t…

29 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of its commitment to tackling poverty and in order to facilitate maximum uptake of benefits, what measures it has taken, is taking and plans to take to encourage the provision by housing associations of dedicated welfare benefit advice for tenants.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government works with a range of intermediaries, including housing associations, to encourage and support vulnerable individuals to claim the financial assistance to which they are entitled. Housing associations are well placed to make an importa…

9 Oct 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it received about the 100 nuclear safety lapses at Faslane and Coulport since June 2006, given that one such incident was categorised as having a “high potential for actual radioactive release to the environment”.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This is a reserved issue and a matter for the Ministry of Defence. There are no routine arrangements in place to notify the Scottish Government of minor on-site incidents at naval sites. The Scottish Government is opposed to the use or holding of nuclear weap…

17 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a list of buildings with levels of asbestos that pose a risk to people, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government does not hold information on the presence of asbestos in public or other buildings. The presence of asbestos in buildings does not of itself present a risk to health. The risk arises if fibres are released and inhaled. The Control of A…

17 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it will make to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in support of an investigation into the operation of XL immediately before it ceased trading, in light of the impact of XL’s collapse on the local economy around Glasgow Airport.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The administrators of XL Leisure Group plc have a duty to consider the conduct of its directors. However, notwithstanding this, if any information were presented to us then we would pass this to the Companies Investigation Branch at the Department for Busines…

17 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the UK Government regarding the compensation being made available to Scottish passengers left stranded or financially out of pocket as a result of XL ceasing trading, in light of any impact on financial inclusion in Scotland.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We have made no representations to the UK Government on this matter. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Air Travel Organisers'' Licensing Scheme is a well established scheme for the protection of package holiday-makers if their tour operator or airline become…