Parliamentary questions

Stuart McMillan

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

25 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, given the ageing population, what measures are being taken to accommodate the health and social care needs of the increasing number of blind and partially sighted people.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government, NHS Scotland and local authorities have recently embarked on a major programme to reshape care for older people and all aspects of delivering care are within the scope of that review. We are therefore committed to an extensive program…

24 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what provision it has made for dropped kerbs in connection with public transport facilities.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland''s policy on dropped kerbs is outlined in Transport Scotland''s Disability Discrimination Act - Good Practice Guide for Roads. This document can be accessed on Transport Scotland''s website at the following address: <a href…

24 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to take forward the report, Station Car Parking Policy in Scotland Consultation: Analysis of Responses.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Station Car Parking Report was published on 18 February 2010 and sets out in detail the areas where further analysis is required. Transport Scotland has commissioned additional research, which is expected to be completed later this year and will a…

18 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in (a) how many and (b) what percentage of cases that have received legal aid has a plea of not guilty been submitted in each of the last five years, broken down by sheriffdom in the west of Scotland, and in (i) how many and (ii) what percentage of these cases has a guilty verdict been pr…

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is not held centrally.

14 Jan 2010 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive , further to the letter of 17 December 2009 signed by all 17 of Scotland’s public health chiefs in support of minimum pricing for alcohol, what other support exists for its Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Our Alcohol Bill is receiving growing support, and minimum pricing is now backed by a broad coalition. As well as all 17 of Scotland''s public health directors in NHS Scotland, others supporting our policy on minimum pricing include the four UK Chief Medical …

4 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to meet the European Commissioner for Competition Policy to discuss competition within the banking sector in Scotland.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth wrote to Commissioner Kroes on 3 November 2009 on a number of issues in relation to Scotland''s financial services industry and, in particular, the banking sector. The letter also highlighted t…

4 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available to organisations that wish to invest in renewable technologies to make their businesses more environmentally friendly.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government provides support for businesses to invest in renewable energy through a number of schemes. These include the Energy Saving Scotland small business loan scheme, which provides small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with interest free …

4 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the National Lottery in relation to funding and supporting renewable projects in the West of Scotland.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is aware that the Big Lottery Fund has supported a number of renewable energy projects in Scotland. Scottish Government officials recently met with Big Lottery staff based in Scotland to emphasise the importance of continuing support f…

7 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to support credit unions that are allegedly paying £1,500 a year in interest as a result of the bail-out of financial institutions.

Answer · John Swinney: The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is the UK''s statutory fund of last resort for customers of financial services firms, banks and building societies, and credit unions. The FSCS is an independent body, set up under the Financial Services and M…

24 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in addition to submitting a response to the Free-to-air Events Review consultation, what correspondence it has had with the UK Government regarding consideration of adding Scotland’s competitive international football matches to the list of so-called crown jewels.

Answer · Michael Russell: On 28 January 2008, Linda Fabiani, the then Minister for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, wrote to Andy Burnham, the then UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Linda Fabiani''s letter, which followed a debate on the televising of Scottish f…

21 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that new PPP schools comply with health and safety regulations in relation to dust extraction facilities.

Answer · Keith Brown: Compliance is a matter for the local authority and its PPP partner. A new Health and Safety (Offences) Act came into force in January, following which the Health and Safety Executive issued a detailed new Enforcement Policy Statement.

21 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what dealings it has had with local authorities over reports of problems in the new PPP schools with regard to dust extraction facilities for woodworking equipment.

Answer · Keith Brown: There have been discussions between officials, although local authorities recognise that these are matters to be resolved with their PPP partners.

15 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the findings of the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland: Consultation, what action it is taking to improve public health and to encourage more people to cycle.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government will publish the findings of the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland consultation document in November. The findings will help to inform the recently announced inquiry into Active Travel being undertaken by the Transport, Infrastructure a…

15 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it has allocated to each local authority for treating epilepsy in each of the last five years.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government does not allocate funding to local authorities for the treatment of epilepsy. However, each local area health board is required to determine the amount of funding required for the treatment of epilepsy within its own area from within t…

2 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available for cycling provision in the last five years, broken down by (a) year and (b) local authority area.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The tables below show the amount of funding allocated for cycling projects to individual local authorities in each of the last five years. Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Grant <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td wid…

2 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance it has given, or plans to give, to NHS boards in relation to the provision of services for patients who suffer from multiple chemical sensitivities.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has no plans to issue specific guidance to NHS boards on the issue of multiple chemical sensitivity. In reviewing evidence relating to such concerns, UK government''s committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and th…

22 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance is available for the testing of adults for dyslexia.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Free access to dyslexia assessment is available, in certain circumstances, for adults depending on their individual circumstances. Those in higher and further education may have access to free assessment; unemployed adults may be referred for assessment to an…

18 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding is provided to each local authority to help them tackle dyslexia.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is currently providing local government in Scotland with record levels of funding, £23 billion for the period 2008-10. The vast majority of the funding, including the funding for tackling dyslexia, is being provided by means of …

18 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been diagnosed with dyslexia in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Keith Brown: There is no central register of adults assessed as having dyslexia. However, the number of pupils with additional support needs due to dyslexia are reported each year in Pupils in Scotland, available on the government website using the following link:<…

11 Jun 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance and support is available for people who are made redundant and how this support is obtained.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government''s Partnership Action for Continuing Employment PACE initiative provides support to people who are facing redundancy. People can access the helpline or the website for financial assistance which is available through a number of initiat…

14 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many solicitors’ practices undertook civil legal aid work for which they received fee payments, excluding VAT, from the Scottish Legal Aid Board of (a) less than £25,000, (b) £25,000 to £50,000, (c) £50,000 to £75,000, (d) £75,000 to £100,000 and (e) more than £100,000 in the last yea…

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The following table gives details of the fees paid to solicitors'' firms between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009 for civil legal advice and assistance work and civil legal aid work. All fee payments are exclusive of VAT and include solicitor and solicitor-advo…

14 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with local authorities on using Rhinopatch technology to deal with potholes.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: None. Maintenance of the local road network, and how they undertake any repairs, is a matter for individual local road authorities. I understand there are a number of road repair processes available to local authorities of which Rhinopatch is one. Sc…

23 Apr 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to improve road safety.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson : 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/sor0423-01.htm">http://www.scott…

20 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with local authorities in connection with single status pay in the last 12 months.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is in regular contact with COSLA on a range of issues facing local authorities, including the costs of equal pay. The Scottish Government is not, and has not been, involved in discussions connected with the single status pay agreement …

20 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to help organisations and groups throughout Scotland gain access to promotional materials relevant to the Homecoming Scotland celebrations.

Answer · Jim Mather: It is straightforward for people to obtain suitable promotional materials at no cost that are relevant to the Homecoming Scotland celebrations. Individuals, organisations or groups can order promotional material either by contacting the Homecoming team direct…

15 Apr 2009 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government has taken in light of the Audit Scotland report, Drug and alcohol services in Scotland.

Answer · Alex Salmond: 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/sor0423-01.htm">http://www.scott…

31 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the safety partnerships similar to the A77 Safety Group, broken down by local authority.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The list of safety partnerships in Scotland, broken down by local authority are shown in the following tables. These are further broken down by operating company area. South West Unit: Trunk Road Operating Company: Amey Infrastructure Servic…

31 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides to the A77 Safety Group.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland provides administrative support for the group as well as funding for specific campaign initiatives.

23 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21139 by Fergus Ewing on 4 March 2009, whether it proposes to legislate on the issue of high hedge disputes.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has recently had a very productive meeting with Scothedge, an organisation which represents many of those affected by this issue in Scotland, and which can be contacted via <a href="http://www.pentlandhedge.colwat.com/">http://www.pent…

23 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it offers to members of the public when dealing with high hedge disputes.