Christina McKelvie

12 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much money was allocated to each local authority for the construction of new council houses in (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05, (c) 2005-06, (d) 2006-07, (e) 2007-08, (f) 2008-09 and (g) 2009-10.

Answer · Alex Neil: No funding was allocated to local authorities to support the construction of new council houses between 2003-04 and 2008-09. In 2009-10, the Scottish Government allocated £49.9 million across two rounds of funding to support new council house building. A furt…

12 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much money has been allocated to each local authority area under the CashBack for Communities programme since the inception of the scheme, also broken down by year.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government does not hold the amount allocated broken down by each local authority except for the funding given to Youthlink Scotland, which is broken down in this way for each year. The following table sets out the amounts administered by Youthli…

12 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) change in percentage use of and (b) expenditure for agency and bank nursing and midwifery staff was in each NHS board in (i) 2006-07, (ii) 2007-08, (iii) 2008-09 and (iv) 2009-10.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is as follows:</p> <p >(a) Separate tables showing information about the change in percentage use of agency and bank nursing and midwifery staff have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 52305 and …

30 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many and (b) what percentage of its employees is paid at or above the living wage target of £7.15 per hour and how this compares with each year since 1999.

Answer · John Swinney: All 5,492 staff (100%) in the core directorates of the Scottish Government are paid above £7.15 per hour. The minimum rate of pay in the government is currently £7.23 per hour.</p> <p >The Scottish Living Wage was established in 2009 at £7.00 per hour. The m…

28 Oct 2010 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what position it takes on tuition fees.

Answer · Michael Russell: We believe that access to higher education should be based on the ability to learn and not the ability to pay. We have firmly ruled out the option of charging tuition fees, a position which has been supported by the Parliament.</b></p>

21 Sep 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many modern apprenticeships were there in (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2009-10, broken down by local authority.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to the member with the information requested.</b></p>

20 Sep 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reach the 2020 emissions reduction target of 42% and how it is measuring progress.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: On 22 September 2010, the Scottish Government laid a draft Order before Parliament that will set annual emissions reduction targets for the years 2010 to 2022. These targets are designed to prescribe an emission trajectory which will achieve the 42% reduction…

20 Sep 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits accrued from the Cabinet’s summer programme.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: The Cabinet''s summer programme has given local communities a greater opportunity to speak directly to Ministers about important issues of local and national concern. The Scottish Cabinet visited Dornoch, Stirling, Isle of Bute and Kilmarnock. As well as the …

20 Sep 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will enhance the assistance that it gives to asylum seekers and, if so, how.

Answer · Alex Neil: Asylum support (accommodation and cash support) for asylum seekers is a matter for the UK Border Agency. However, through the Race, Religion and Refugee Integration Funding Stream the Scottish Government has provided £5.6 million for the period 2008-11 to imp…

20 Sep 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that dawn raids on asylum seeker families have ended.

Answer · Alex Neil: This government has made very clear its opposition to dawn raids and to the enforced removal and detention of children. The Minister for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, wrote to Damian Green, the UK Government''s Minister for Immigration, on 9 Sep…

20 Sep 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives to the development of rugby.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government through sportscotland provides financial and other support to Scottish Rugby to support the development of rugby. In addition, Scottish Rugby was also awarded funding over three years through the Cashback for Communities initiative to …

6 Sep 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average saving has been for businesses in each savings band as a result of the introduction of the small business bonus in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · John Swinney: Average savings under the small business bonus scheme (SBBS) in each local authority by savings band is shown in the following tables for the first two years of the scheme, 2008-09 and 2009-10. Figures for 2010-11 will be available after the end of the curren…

19 Aug 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether consideration has been given to providing Mohs surgery for patients with dermatological cancers in the NHS Lothian and Borders areas.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: All patients within the region covered by the South East Scotland Cancer Network (SCAN) have access to Mohs surgery for dermatological cancers, and this includes patients in the NHS Lothian and NHS Borders areas.</p> <p >NHS Lothian are currently looking to…

17 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it collects information on how much is spent by each of the NHS Scotland territorial boards specifically on services for people affected by motor neurone disease and, if so, how much each board has spent in each year for which figures are available.

Answer · Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally.</p>

17 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent in Scotland on research into motor neurone disease in each year since 2000.

Answer · Shona Robison: One of the main agencies through which the UK Government funds medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC).</p> <p >Total direct expenditure in the UK by the MRC on MND since 2000 is as follows:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cel…

16 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it holds figures on the numbers of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who have undergone clinical tests or treatment for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI).

Answer · Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally.</p>

16 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has met or has plans to meet the Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland or other interested parties to discuss further research on possible links between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Answer · Shona Robison: The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Government Health Directorates has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health and health care needs in Scotland. CSO has not met nor has any plans to meet the Multiple Sclerosis Soci…

16 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any plans to conduct clinical trials in Scotland based on research that suggests possible links between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is aware of the research into possible links between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and multiple sclerosis (MS) but is not aware of any plans at this stage to conduct clinical trials in Scotland based on this resear…

1 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide the PFI revenue costs as a share of gross local authority education expenditure for 2008-09, comparable to the figures given up to that year in Education Revenue Costs of PFI School Estate Schemes.

Answer · Michael Russell: PFI revenue costs accounted for 5.0% of total gross local authority education expenditure in 2008-09. This is a rise of 1.2% on the previous year and compares with 0.4% in 2000-01.</p>

22 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients have received care or treatment in each year since May 2007 at (a) Monklands accident and emergency unit, (b) Ayr accident and emergency unit, (c) Aberdeen children’s cancer unit, (d) Edinburgh children’s cancer unit, (e) Vale of Leven maternity unit, (f) Inverclyde mate…

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The relevant NHS boards have provided the activity information requested and this is detailed in the following tables.</p> <p >(a) Total Attendances “ Monklands Hospital A&amp;E Unit<u></u></p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr …

18 Mar 2010 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to increase the use of self-directed support by users of health and social care services.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government''s vision to increase the uptake of Self Directed Support is outlined in our National Strategy that is currently subject to consultation.</p> <p >Soon we will also consult on proposals for new Self Directed Support legislation. These…

17 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, following its announcement on 17 March 2010 of almost 20,000 people starting a modern apprenticeship over the last year, whether it will provide a breakdown of these apprenticeships by (a) constituency and (b) local authority area.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to respond to you with this information.</p>

3 Dec 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive what percentage of the NHS Scotland budget is represented by prescription drug costs and how that figure compares with those from 2005-06 to 2007-08.

Answer · Shona Robison: Prescribed drugs costs for 2008-09 were £1,277.9 million, representing 15% of net service expenditure. The proportion of service expenditure represented by prescribed drug costs has fallen every year since 2005-06 when it was 16.1%.</p>

25 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to begin its consultation on the eligibility of small businesses with multiple properties to qualify for the Small Business Bonus Scheme.

Answer · John Swinney: In my statement to Parliament on 26 November 2009 I confirmed that all existing business rate relief schemes, including the Small Business Bonus Scheme, will continue in 2010-11. I also confirmed that I am currently considering the impact that the 2010 revalu…

6 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its response to the consultation on supporting learners in higher education, Supporting a Smarter Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I am pleased to announce that the government''s response to the consultation <i >Supporting a Smarter </i><i >Scotland</i> will be published today. Copies of the government''s response plus supporting analysis has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Inform…

25 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which community health partnerships currently provide a specialist paediatric occupational therapy service for children with sensory impairment.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally. It is for NHS boards to determine the services they provide for this group of children, based on local priorities and clinical need. The Scottish Government has funded an allied health professions officer and an educati…

25 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is issued to community health partnerships regarding the provision of specialist paediatric occupational therapy services for children with sensory impairment.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 introduced a new framework to assist children and young people with additional support needs who face barriers to learning. The act imposes a duty on NHS boards and others to comply with requ…

25 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is issued to local community care partnerships with regard to the provision of equipment and adaptations for people with progressive illnesses such as motor neurone disease.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Current guidance on the provision of equipment and adaptations is contained in NHS circular 1976 (GEN) 90. This guidance splits the provision of equipment into two separate lists “ aids and equipment required on medical or nursing grounds and aids to daily li…

25 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is issued to local community care partnerships with regard to advance planning for the expected future care needs of people with progressive illnesses such as motor neurone disease.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: No such guidance has been issued. Community care partnerships are responsible for such planning in the light of local needs and circumstances.</p> <p >NHS Quality Improvement Scotland is however, developing generic clinical standards for neurological conditi…

25 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on the action that it has taken following the publication in 2008 of the Audit Scotland report, Improving the school estate.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I am pleased to announce that the Scottish Government and COSLA are launching a new School Estate Strategy <i >Building Better Schools: Investing in </i><i >Scotland</i><i >''s Future </i>today. Copies have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information…