Parliamentary questions

Christopher Harvie

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

26 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what referral paths there are for professional psychological therapy or counselling for trauma experienced by victims of sexual assault or childhood sexual abuse and whether the service provision differs according to gender.

Answer · Shona Robison: NHS boards are responsible for providing treatment for people who have experienced trauma, including access to psychological therapies. Referral to these services can be through a number of different routes including referral by a GP or self-referral.…

22 Apr 2010 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to safeguard and expand the provision of artistic and cultural education in schools.

Answer · Michael Russell: We are working closely with our partners, including the Scottish Arts Council and Learning Teaching Scotland, to develop an action plan of practical steps to enhance the use of the arts, culture and creativity in the delivery of Curriculum for Excellence.…

4 Mar 2010 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made toward creating a task force for co-ordinating marine renewables construction and transmission over the next five years.

Answer · Jim Mather: A number of joint industry and public sector groups are already working on a range of activities aimed at accelerating the development of the offshore wind and wave and tidal energy sectors. For example, the Offshore Wind Industry Group and Pentland Firth Del…

1 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost is over the term of the contract of the PPI project for the new Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy and whether a figure can be put on the net clinical benefit that the new hospital is expected to deliver to NHS Fife over that period.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information on the total cost of the PPP project is available within the Full Business Case Addendum which is held within the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) (Bib. number 49763). The objectives, benefits realisation plan and detailed value …

8 Oct 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to assess energy usage and promote energy conservation in mobile homes.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Energy Assistance Package offers insulation and heating measures for eligible households living in residential mobile homes. These will proceed once technical development of the most appropriate measures for mobile homes has been completed in the near fut…

9 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans to offer a social or community year along European lines to young people between school and higher education, in order to enhance social responsibility and illustrate career possibilities, and to offer educational credits for the first year in higher education in a…

Answer · Keith Brown: 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/sor0917-01.htm">http://www.scot…

3 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what statistical information it has documenting closures of pubs, village stores, post offices and schools affecting rural communities in Scotland and the impact of those closures on rural communities.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government holds statistical information in the form of business registers and surveys that could be used to document closures of schools and provide estimates of the change in the number of rural enterprises, such as pubs, village stores and pos…

24 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will lay the final National Planning Framework for Scotland 2 before the Parliament in accordance with the requirements of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006.

Answer · John Swinney: I am pleased to announce that the final version of Scotland''s second National Planning Framework was published and laid before the Scottish Parliament this morning, 25 June 2009. The National Planning Framework for Scotland 2 builds on the …

11 Jun 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards creating a national protocol for the objective and independent handling of employment disputes between foster carers and the local authorities they are contracted by.

Answer · Adam Ingram: A small number of foster carers are employed in which case they would be subject to normal employment terms and conditions. Where foster carers are not employees then a written agreement between the agency and the foster carer, would exist setting o…

28 May 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advances have been made in the treatment of and research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Scotland in the last 12 months.

Answer · Shona Robison: Better integration of specialist services has made a major contribution to the significant improvement in life expectancy of people with muscular dystrophy over recent years. We therefore support the efforts of the Scottish Muscle Network in supporting teams …

21 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when guidance to NHS boards establishing clear referral pathways for patients requiring bariatric surgery will be published and what safeguards are in place to ensure that funding from boards without centres for bariatric surgery is available to facilitate referral and access to surgery i…

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network has recently published its Final Peer Review Draft National Clinical Guideline on the Management of Obesity. This includes guidance on referral criteria for bariatric surgery. Information about Scottish …

1 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the consultation report on initiatives related to the ScotRail franchise extension.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The report into the consultation on initiatives related to the ScotRail franchise extension will be published today. Based on the results of the consultation I intend to discharge my obligation under the motion as amended during the debate on the Sco…

11 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether statistical information is available on complaints raised under the dignity at work programme and their outcomes for representative authorities within NHS Scotland and what external monitoring or mediation is being undertaken in contentious cases.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon : 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.scott…

5 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any new initiatives for cooperation between Scotland and the United States of America are being considered as a result of the Scottish Government’s recent discussions with the US Secretary of State.

Answer · Michael Russell: 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/sor0305-01.htm">http://www.scot…

5 Feb 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing technical and training partnerships with European advanced regions, such as the Four Motors for Europe, that are known to be interested in establishing links with Scotland.

Answer · Linda Fabiani : 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/sor0205-01.htm">http://www.scot…

11 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to lay a proposed National Planning Framework before the Parliament in accordance with the requirements of the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006.

Answer · John Swinney: I am pleased to announce that the proposed National Planning Framework was laid before the Parliament on Friday 12 December 2008, for a period of 60 days consideration. The proposed framework builds on the first National Planning Framework, drawing…

9 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which independent and impartial complaints body is authorised to investigate complaints against local authorities from foster carers contracted by them on a self-employed basis.

Answer · Adam Ingram: There is no specific independent body which investigates complaints against local authorities from foster carers. The Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care can investigate complaints about the quality of service provided by registered care s…

9 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it is pursuing to curb the practice of pavement parking and what guidelines are in place for local authorities.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There are existing powers available to help local authorities and the police in dealing with these illegally parked vehicles. For example, it is an offence to park a vehicle on a road, including the pavement, and to cause an obstruction (Section 103 of the Ro…

9 Oct 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive ,in light of disruption to growth and investment from economic upheaval and scarcity of resources, whether it has plans to consider scenario-modelling strategies to envisage possible future developments and to audit the social, economic and environmental consequences of these.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government uses a range of tools and methodologies across policy areas such as climate change to consider possible future developments and their consequences.

23 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Adapting our Ways: Managing Scotland’s Climate Risk consultation document will be published.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The consultation document Adapting our Ways: Managing Scotland’s Climate Risk will be published today. Copies are available at <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechangeadaptation">www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechangeadaptation</a>. It ca…

12 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on research into tinnitus and whether any specific research plans, other than specialism in selected hospitals, have been put forward.

Answer · Shona Robison: We are not aware of any specific plans at this stage. However, the Audiology Services Advisory Group (ASAG), which is responsible for advising the Scottish Government on audiology issues, includes the issue of tinnitus on its agenda, and will continue to moni…

11 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what timeframe is envisioned for a Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Order between Scotland and the government of the island of Jersey to come into effect.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Arrangements to enable reciprocal maintenance arrangements between Jersey and Scotland, by designating Jersey as a reciprocating country for the purposes of the Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972, are at an advanced stage. A Designation Orde…

7 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will take forward its commitment to publish a revised National Planning Framework in accordance with the requirements of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006.

Answer · John Swinney: I am pleased to announce the launch today of the National Planning Framework “ Discussion Draft. The draft framework sets out what we believe is an ambitious agenda for shaping Scotland''s long-term development. It has a critical contribution to make to our o…

21 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what statistics or estimates are available on the cost to the NHS of dentures lost when patients are admitted to accident and emergency departments.

Answer · Shona Robison: This informationis not held centrally.

21 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any powers of intervention when contested urban development has become deadlocked.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: ScottishMinisters have a power, under planning legislation, to intervene by calling inplanning applications for their own determination. This decision-makingresponsibility is taken over from planning authorities only where Ministersconsider such action necess…

10 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what communications it has had from the Department of Trade and Industry and its successor about the reasons for the collapse of the Farepak company; how many savers were involved in Scotland, and what information it has about when the department will make public the findings of its inqui…

Answer · Jim Mather: The Department forBusiness, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) informed the Scottish Government that as of 4 October 2007 the company is inliquidation and the Farepak website (<a href="http://www.farepak.co.uk/">www.farepak.co.uk</a>)was updated to refle…

10 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many householders in Scotland are affected by subprime mortgage commitments and whether it regards this situation as satisfactory.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Financial ServicesAuthority (FSA) defines “subprime” mortgages as those “targeted at consumers withimpaired or low credit ratings who may find it difficult to obtain finance fromtraditional sources”.Data are availablefor those with impaired credit …

2 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding is available on a cross local authority basis for the provision of necessary services, such as nursery services, on a shared basis to people in neighbouring authority areas, such as the proposed Wee Guys Nursery serving a clientele in the Fife and Perth local authority are…

Answer · Adam Ingram: Childcare StrategyFunding is provided to local authorities through the core local government financesettlement to support the delivery of services which meet the needs of childrenand families. Local authorities, in conjunction with local child care partnershi…

12 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that Communities Scotland provides full support to Community Self-build Scotland to enable successful delivery of its projects, particularly the proposed five new self-build low carbon homes in Abbeyview, Dunfermline.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:Communities Scotland, in partnershipwith local housing associations, has worked with Community Self-Build Scotland (CSBS)on…