Parliamentary questions

Christina McKelvie

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

15 Jan 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in providing specialist nurses for motor neurone disease sufferers.

Answer · Shona Robison : 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.scotti…

8 Jan 2009 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what implications the decision by HM Treasury to refuse the proposed funding package for the new Forth crossing will have for capital spending by the Scottish Government.

Answer · Alex Salmond: 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…

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish details of its plans for support for higher education students.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I am pleased to announce that the consultation by the government on supporting learners in higher education: Supporting a Smarter Scotland has been published today. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centr…

9 Dec 2008 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the answer to question S3W-17978 by Alex Fergusson on 4 December 2008, who owns the reports created by the Official Report.

Answer · Alex Fergusson: These reports were published and are owned by the Commission for Scottish Devolution.

9 Dec 2008 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the answer to question S3W-17978 by Alex Fergusson on 4 December 2008, what involvement the Broadcasting Office has had in the Calman Commission.

Answer · Alex Fergusson: The Parliament''s Broadcasting Office arranged for the recording and broadcasting via webcam of the oral evidence sessions held in the Scottish Parliament. They also provided assistance to the commission with its information video.

9 Dec 2008 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the answers to questions S3W-17981 and S3W-17978 by Alex Fergusson on 4 December 2008, whether it will clarify how it ensures best value from the resources it allows to the Calman Commission.

Answer · Alex Fergusson: Having resolved to instruct the SPCB to allocate resources, it is for the Parliament to decide whether best value is obtained. However, as confirmed in answer to questions S3W-17981 and S3W-17978, the SPCB continues to monitor the level of resources committe…

26 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide further information on its intentions for the Scottish Science and Language Baccalaureates.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Today I am announcing that the specifications for the Scottish Science and Language Baccalaureates will be as follows: Both the Baccalaureates will comprise two Advanced Higher courses, one Higher course and an Interdisciplinary Project, which will …

20 Nov 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support small businesses through the credit crunch.

Answer · Jim Mather: The purpose of the Scottish Government is to increase sustainable economic growth. The changing economic climate has further increased the importance of ensuring that the right advice and support is readily available to firms. The actions we are taking under …

19 Nov 2008 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how it ensures best value from its resources used by the Calman Commission.

Answer · Alex Fergusson: I refer you to my answer to question S3W-17978.

19 Nov 2008 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what additional calls on its budget it anticipates from the Calman Commission.

Answer · Alex Fergusson: I refer you to my answer to question S3W-17978.

19 Nov 2008 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body from what budget the resources it has committed to the Calman Commission are funded.

Answer · Alex Fergusson: I refer you to my answer to question S3W-17978.

19 Nov 2008 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what resources it has so far committed to the Calman Commission.

Answer · Alex Fergusson: In answer to questions S3W-17978, S3W-17979, S3W-17980, and S3W-17981 and as set out in SPCB(2008) Paper 61, one member of staff has been assigned to the Commission on Scottish Devolution. Other resources provided to the Commission have included research and…

19 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the UK Government’s proposed right to request time off to train will apply to employees in Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I am pleased to announce that I have written to John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills to signal my support for the proposal to give employees a legal right to request time off to train and to formally request that the propose…

18 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many unaccompanied asylum seeking children in Scotland were charged under section 2 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 for documentation offences in each year since 2005; how many of these were (a) found guilty and (b) given custodial sentences, and …

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is not held centrally. The information which is held relates to alien and immigration offences in general.

18 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many adults in Scotland were charged under section 2 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 for documentation offences in each year since 2005; how many of these were (a) found guilty and (b) given custodial sentences, and what impact this has had on pol…

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is not held centrally. The information which is held relates to alien and immigration offences in general.

13 Nov 2008 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what resources it has so far committed to the Calman Commission; from which budget these resources are funded; what additional calls on its budget are anticipated from the commission, and how it ensures best value from the resources committed.

11 Sep 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards meeting its targets on renewable energy.

Answer · Jim Mather: Good progress has been made. Since May last year the Scottish Government has consented 13 large scale renewable energy projects. We are on course to meet our target of generating 31% of Scottish electricity demand from renewables by 2011. This target…

10 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken following the publication of the Audit Scotland report, Improving the school estate.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has discussed this report with COSLA as most of the recommendations were addressed to local authorities, or jointly to the Scottish Government and local authorities. We accept the recommendations of the report in full. A joint Scottish…

20 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Joint Future Thinking Taskforce on Universities expects to report.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I am pleased to announce that the taskforce plans to publish our interim report on 24 June 2008. The report will be accessible at: <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/UniversitiesColleges/16640/hetaskforce">http://www.scotland.gov.u…

13 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what responses have been received to the Minister for Public Health’s letter of 27 July 2007 to NHS boards regarding the arrangements for formalising the relationship with the voluntary sector in respect of services for people with motor neurone disease.

Answer · Shona Robison: Responses were received from all the geographical Boards other than NHS Highland, as well as from NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, NHS National Services Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service and the Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland. These are summar…

13 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on finding a way in which NHS boards and their planning partners can work with organisations such as the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association to ensure that innovations introduced in the voluntary sector become part of mainstream provision.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association is represented on the group set up by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland to develop clinical standards for Motor Neurone Disease. This will help ensure that the standards focus on the aspects of services of greates…

13 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps NHS boards are taking to assist with the costs incurred by Scottish Motor Neurone Association care teams.

Answer · Shona Robison: Nine NHS boards have indicated that they are either providing 50% support for the services provided by Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association (SMNDA), or are in the process of developing an agreement. As I said in my letter to Chief Executives i…

4 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide further information on its intentions for science and languages baccalaureates, as promised during the debate on International Education on 24 April 2008 (Official Report c. 7881-7913).

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish science baccalaureate and Scottish language baccalaureate will be important elements within the wider Curriculum for Excellence programme. They will also contribute to the government’s principal purpose and strategic objectives. The awards…

8 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the ministerial involvement was in Fairtrade Fortnight 2008.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I undertook a number of engagements to highlight Fairtrade Fortnight 2008. These events are listed below: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td width=88 valign=top > Date </td> <td valign=t…

8 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what activities it undertook during Fairtrade Fortnight 2008.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I refer the member to the events mentioned in the answer to question S3W-11693 on 14 April 2008. The Scottish Government has provided support to the Scottish Fair Trade Forum to take forward the campaign for Scotland to achieve Fair Trade Nation status. …

27 Mar 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to ensure that vulnerable children are supported in the school system.

Answer · Maureen Watt: The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, which commenced in November 2005, aims to ensure that the additional support needs of all children and young people are addressed. Education authorities are required to identify, meet an…

21 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support is provided to Scotland-domiciled prisoners undertaking a higher education qualification.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows: In order to receive support to undertake a higher education course in a Scottish prison, a convicted prisoner requires to apply t…

8 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scotrail franchise includes clauses relating to industrial action and, if so, whether it will publish these clauses.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The ScotRail Franchise Agreement does include clauses relating to industrial action and these clauses are already published in the Public Register version of the Franchise Agreement. The Public Register is maintained by Transport Scotland on behalf o…

8 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many rural school closure decisions have been reversed by ministers in each year since 1999 and who the responsible minister was in each case.

Answer · Maureen Watt: Ministers have no powers to reverse school closure decisions once such decisions have been taken. In certain limited circumstances, set out in statute, local authorities cannot implement a proposal to close a school, rural or urban, without the consent of the…

23 Jan 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has estimated what effect the reduction in business rates, scheduled to begin in April 2008, will have in helping businesses through the current economic situation.

Answer · Jim Mather: With the global economicoutlook suggesting a challenging period ahead, the effect of the reductions in businessrates delivered by our Small Business Bonus Scheme will be a key element in helpingto sustain existing small businesses and in allowing more people …