George Foulkes

12 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on investing in bodies registered offshore.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government, including its Executive Agencies, do not invest resources outside the public sector. Bodies sponsored by the Scottish Government, essentially non-departmental public bodies, are not permitted to make investments of a speculative natur…

12 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish ministers have had any communication with Oakholdings plc since May 2007.

Answer · John Swinney: Scottish ministers have no record of any contact with Oakholdings plc since May 2007.</p>

11 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21401 by Stewart Stevenson on 9 March 2009, what temporary changes have been made to the management of Transport Scotland since the appointment of its new chief executive and when the Scottish Government expects any framework changes to be implemente…

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No temporary changes have been made since the appointment of the new chief executive. The chief executive is currently considering future senior management responsibilities in consultation with the Permanent Secretary.</p>

11 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21414 by Fiona Hyslop on 9 March 2009, at which of the bi-monthly meetings between the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and COSLA reducing class sizes and increasing teacher numbers were discussed and what the outcome of the disc…

Answer · Keith Brown: All of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning''s bi-monthly meetings with COSLA discuss progress on the concordat as a whole and all the commitments it contains. The outcome of these discussions is a continued focus by the Scottish Governme…

11 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21402 by John Swinney on 10 March 2009, what severance grant payments have been made since May 2007.

Answer · John Swinney: Since May 2007, a total of £163,024.25 has been paid in severance grants to ministers and junior ministers in accordance with Article 6 of The Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Grants to Members and Officeholders) Order Statutory Ins…

11 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the occasions when Scottish ministers and officials have met representatives of the Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign since May 2007, the names of attendees and the topics that were discussed.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government has not held any meetings at ministerial or official level with representatives of the Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign.</p>

11 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Violence Reduction Unit concerning gender-based violence.

Answer · Alex Neil: Tackling domestic abuse and other forms of gender-based violence is a vital priority for this government which is why we have allocated £44 million over the financial period 2008-11 to support the agenda.</p> <p >The Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is one of …

11 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is concerned that its conclusion in its report Changing Scotland’s Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action, that alcohol is a major cause of violence may undermine the work of the violence against women sector, which has consistently argued that alcohol abuse is not a…

Answer · Shona Robison: The alcohol framework for action does not undermine the work of the violence against women sector. The framework discusses the link between alcohol and violence, but does not specifically refer to domestic abuse. The Scottish Government is clear that the rela…

11 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring systems are in place to compare local authorities’ policies on the licensing of lap dancing clubs.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The licensing of premises providing adult entertainment is a matter for local licensing boards to deal with as they consider local circumstances demand. Boards are required by the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 to establish and maintain a Statement of Licensin…

11 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the opening of another lap dancing club in Edinburgh, whether it considers that amendments to the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 are required to ensure tighter regulation of adult entertainment on licensed premises.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: We are presently in the transition from the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 regime to the new regime of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 which comes into force on 1 September 2009. This means any new premises will at present be operating under the 1976 act.</p…

11 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-3785 by Kenny MacAskill on 11 September 2007, whether any recommendations of the Adult Entertainment Working Group have been implemented and, if so, which ones.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Licensing boards have been made aware of the Adult Entertainment Working Group report. It is for them to choose which of the recommendations to apply in light of local circumstances. Such an approach does not limit what the local licensing board may wish to d…

4 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its plans to improve the funding for pupils in child poverty who are seeking entry to higher education.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The consultation paper on higher education (HE) student support, <i >Supporting a Smarter Scotland,</i> was launched by the Scottish Government on 15 December 2008 and will run until 30 April 2009. This consultation paper is seeking the views of stakeholders…

4 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the real-terms reduction is in the budget of each local authority as a result of two years’ freeze in council tax.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government provided local government with baselined funding of £70 million in 2008-09 and will be providing a further baselined allocation of £70 million in 2009-10. Over the two year period 2008-10 this equates to a cumulative total of £210 mill…

4 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the staff complement is in each of its directorates and agencies and how these figures compare with those at May 2007.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not hold information on staffing complements.</p> <p >The following tables provide information on the staff in post as at 31 May 2007 compared to 28 February 2009. The Scottish Government only holds this information for those …

4 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used to determine whether SNP should be used before the word government in its press releases or official publications.

Answer · John Swinney: All terminology used in press releases or official publications is included as appropriate.</p>

4 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what energy-saving measures have been introduced at (a) St Andrew’s House, (b) Victoria Quay, (c) Saughton House and (d) other Scottish Executive buildings and what the effect has been in each case.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is taking part in the Carbon Trust''s Carbon Management Programme to help ensure it achieves an 80% reduction in emissions from its business activities by 2050. The following interim targets have been set:</p> <p >Contributing to the…

4 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many mobile phones are provided to staff in each of its directorates; who is responsible for payment of the accounts; what the cost was in 2007-08, and what the estimated cost is for 2008-09.

Answer · John Swinney: The detailed information requested is currently being collated and I will write to the member as soon as the information is available. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47911).</p>

4 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what translation and interpretation services are available to its directorates.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government Directorates have access to a central Translator''s database, via the intranet. This contains names of 49 internal staff willing to provide verbal and/or written translations, along with 38 external providers of these services. 82 lang…

4 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many parliamentary questions each minister has dealt with in each month since May 2007 and how this compares with an equivalent period up to May 2007.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: The Scottish Government does not hold the information on a monthly basis. The current administration collates and publishes statistics on parliamentary questions on a quarterly basis, as did the previous administration. The audits for each quarter since 1 Jan…

4 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the arrangements are in Scotland for consideration of nominations for honours and what changes there have been since May 2007.

Answer · John Swinney: Nominations are received from a variety of sources, including members of the public, outside organisations and Lord-Lieutenants. Prior to May 2007, Scottish ministers added their own nominations to those from other sources. Nominations from all sources are in…

4 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will clarify the situation regarding the Scottish Police Services Authority’s proposed centralisation of forensic services from Edinburgh to Glasgow and Aberdeen to Dundee.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The provision of police forensic science services is a matter for the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA). The SPSA are currently consulting on the future delivery of forensic science services to the north and north east of the country and will shortly …

26 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons were for the change in responsibilities for junior Scottish ministers following the First Minister’s reshuffle in February 2009.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: Changes to the responsibilities of some junior Scottish ministers were made by the First Minister in order to utilise the wealth of talent that exists right across the government''s benches.</p>

26 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will discuss with the UK Government any implications of the extension of the roles of the Association of Chief Police Officers and Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland on the accountability of police operations.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Individual chief constables are accountable for police operations in their force. The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland has not sought to extend its role in operational policing matters.</p>

26 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to use its slots in the Parliament’s business programme to debate (a) free personal care, (b) the extension of the ScotRail franchise and any conflicts of interest and (c) major capital project funding.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: In proposing the Business Programme to the Parliamentary Bureau, following consultation with Business managers, the Scottish Government ensures that the programme contains debates of importance to the people of Scotland.</p>

26 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the next steps will be in relation to the National Conversation.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government will build on the success of the National Conversation so far by making sure that the people of Scotland have the opportunity to debate the options for constitutional change set out in <i >Choosing Scotland''s Future</i> before reachin…

26 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many hits on the National Conversation website there were in each month of 2008 and what percentage of hits has been return or multiple visits.

Answer · Michael Russell: There have been over 474,000 hits on the National Conversation website themed pages; 36,500 people have read the white paper on-line; 10,800 downloads of the white paper; and 4,300 comments have been posted on the blog. This is evidence of the website''s succ…

26 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what relative contribution (a) VisitScotland and (b) the Year of Homecoming 2009 are expected to make in relation to encouraging people from overseas to visit Scotland and what arrangements there are for ensuring that the necessary accommodation is available.

Answer · Jim Mather: For the duration of the Year of Homecoming, the promotion of Homecoming runs through VisitScotland''s entire marketing campaign and is integral to the drive to promote Scotland domestically and internationally as a quality, must see, must return destination. …

26 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the countries in which there is expenditure on some aspect of the Year of Homecoming 2009, also showing the expenditure in each case.

Answer · Jim Mather: From the Homecoming budget, £3 million has been allocated to programme expenditure, to create and enhance a programme of events in Scotland. This forms the key element of the marketing offer. In addition to this, £1,915,000 has been spent on marketing and com…

26 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what engagements the First Minister undertook during his visit to the United States of America; what topics were dealt with in each case, and whether he proposes to make a statement on these matters.

Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21578 on 5 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…

26 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what subjects were discussed at the meeting between the First Minister and the US Secretary of State.

Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21578 on 5 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…