George Foulkes

19 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people previously convicted of dangerous driving had their licence renewed in 2010.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is not held centrally.</b></p>

19 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, how many people under 25 have been convicted of causing death or serious injury through dangerous driving in each of the last five years and how many have (a) received a lifetime ban, (b) had their car confiscated, (c) had their car seized and (d) had their licence removed.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The available information on persons disqualified from driving for causing death through dangerous driving in 2005-06 to 2009-10 is given in the following table.</p> <p >There were no disqualifications for life during this period. Information on the numbers …

19 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people under 25 convicted of dangerous driving in each of the last five years have (a) received a lifetime ban, (b) had their car confiscated, (c) had their car seized and (d) had their licence removed.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table.</p> <p >There was one person aged under 25 disqualified for life in 2008-09. Information on the numbers of cars confiscated or seized is not held centrally.</p> <p >Persons Under 25 with a Charge Pr…

19 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many instances of dangerous driving by people under 25 have been recorded in each of the last five years.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is not held centrally. The police recorded crime data collected centrally is based on an aggregate return from each of the eight police forces in Scotland and does not include the ages of perpetrators.</b></p>

11 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has estimated the cost of setting up separate departments for (a) pensions, (b) employment, (c) social security benefits, (d) road tax, (e) passports, (f) driving licences, (g) defence, (h) foreign affairs and (i) other reserved areas should Scotland become independent.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-30960 on 16 February 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p >http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Ap…

11 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated number of crossings of the Forth Road Bridge was in each of the last five years for which information is available.

Answer · Keith Brown: Responsibility for the operations of the Forth Road Bridge is a matter for the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA).</p>

11 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has made regarding the amounts that might be realised from the sale of public assets in each year to 2015.

Answer · John Swinney: The 2011-12 draft budget contains estimated health capital receipts of £10 million. Additional receipts would add to capital spending within individual portfolios. Detailed decisions as to the scale and timing of future disposals are a matter for the next spe…

11 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what posts are currently unfilled in each prison and young offenders institution.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:</b></p> <p >As at 18 January 2011 the posts that were vacant in each public sector prison and young offenders institution were as follows:<…

11 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to assess the risk to it and its agencies from (a) cybercrime and (b) cyber attack.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government ICT network is connected to the Government Secure Intranet (GSI) and complies with the requirements for GSI accreditation. Risk assessment of the GSI is carried out by CESG, the national technical authority for information assurance. T…

11 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has available demonstrating the connection between police numbers and the level of crime.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The research report <i >Community Policing: A review of the Evidence</i> by Mackenzie and Henry, demonstrates that effective community policing is associated with a reduction in crime and disorder. This report was published by the Scottish Government in 2009,…

11 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what public engagements were undertaken by each minister between 23 December 2010 and 9 January 2011.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is committed to pro-actively publishing all ministerial engagements three months in arrears. The information the member has requested will be published on the Scottish Government website in line with this commitment.</b></p> <p >You c…

11 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for people to purchase prepaid prescriptions and what percentage of the adult population purchases these.

Answer · Shona Robison: A person who has a Community Health Index (CHI) number, or who is the holder of a valid entitlement card, is eligible to buy a Prescription Pre-payment Certificate (PPC). The people most likely to benefit from buying a PPC include those with long-term medical…

10 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from Martin Hunt, the managing director of Tartan Silk, regarding compensation from The Gathering 2009 and what response it has given Mr Hunt.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change represented the Scottish Government at a meeting on 25 November 2010 attended by Martin Hunt at which Mr Hunt represented 11 of the creditors for The Gathering 2009 Ltd.</b></p> <p >At that meeti…

10 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what reports it has received in the last three months regarding the health of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi from (a) Libyan sources and (b) East Renfrewshire Council.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: East Renfrewshire Council has sent copies of Mr Al-Megrahi''s monthly medical reports to Scottish Government officials, covering October, November and December 2010. These reports are prepared by Libyan medical personnel.</b></p>

10 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what contact it has had with the Government of Libya regarding Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi in the last six months and for what purpose.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: There has been contact between Scottish Government officials and Libyan Government officials on a number of matters, including the supervision of Mr Al-Megrahi''s licence under section 3 of the Prisons and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993, and the ann…

10 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what changes there have been in the method of recording of crimes and offences in the last five years.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Crime Recording Standard (SCRS) was introduced throughout all Scottish police forces on 1 April 2004. The main aim of the SCRS is to provide a more victim orientated approach that ensures greater consistency and uniformity in crime recording stan…

10 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what changes there have been in the method of reporting of crimes and offences in the last five years.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Police forces in Scotland report cases to procurators fiscal. Changes in the reporting of crime over the past five years have been driven by Lord Advocate''s Guidelines.</p> <p >In terms of the actual recording of crimes, the Scottish Crime Recording Standar…

22 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what approaches it has received from John Beckett regarding his scheme to strengthen the Forth Road Bridge by re-engineering it; what consideration it has given to the scheme, and what response it has issued.

Answer · Keith Brown: Transport Scotland have received a number of written submissions from Mr Beckett containing proposals to modify the Forth Road Bridge since January 2009. These have been considered in detail by the project team. However, they have not been taken forward due t…

21 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37254 by John Swinney on 22 November 2010, what advice and support the Director of Learning has provided in relation to stakeholder communication across Scotland; what stakeholder engagement events the Director of Learning has managed, and what minis…

Answer · Michael Russell: The Director of Learning communicates frequently with stakeholders by letter, telephone, at stakeholder events and meetings. The Director also provides frequent briefing to ministers and ensures core scripts are frequently maintained.</b></p>

21 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37254 by John Swinney on 22 November 2010, what action the Director of Housing and Regeneration has taken regarding (a) housing and regeneration programme expenditure, (b) business continuity and (c) general contacts in the last six months

Answer · Alex Neil: In common with his fellow directors across the Scottish Government, the director has ensured that programme expenditure is monitored, controlled and assessed on a regular basis; and that business continuity and contacts with stakeholders are also part of the …

21 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37254 by John Swinney on 22 November 2010, what the contracted hours are for each job role listed

Answer · John Swinney: Scottish Government employees, including members of the Senior Civil Service (which includes the Scottish Prison Service and Transport Scotland representatives on the Infrastructure Investment Group) are required to work a minimum (over a five day week) of 42…

21 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the impact of the rise in the cost of a franked (a) first class letter to 39p and (b) second class letter to 28p on the budget of (i) the Scottish Government, (ii) each Scottish Government directorate and (iii) the NHS in 2010-11.

Answer · John Swinney: Based on 2009-10 volumes, the estimated impact on the rise of a franked (a) first class letter to 39p and (b) second class letter to 28p on the budget of (i) the Scottish Government is an increase of (a) £2,204 and (b) £6,449. This equates to an overall incre…

20 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all (a) activities and (b) events that each minister attended in connection with St Andrew’s day 2010, providing the (i) date, (ii) name, (iii) description and (iv) purpose of each.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Executive is committed to promoting Scotland as a great place to live, work, learn, visit, do business and invest in. The St Andrew''s Day celebrations are a time for everyone with a Scottish connection to celebrate Scotland''s people and history…

20 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the impact of the rise in the cost of a (a) first class stamp to 46p and (b) second class stamp to 36p on the budget of (i) the Scottish Government, (ii) each Scottish Government directorate and (iii) the NHS in 2010-11.

Answer · John Swinney: The estimated impact of the rise in the cost of a (a) first class stamp to 46p and (b) second class stamp to 36p on the budget of the Scottish Government is (a) £45 and (b) £14. This equates to an overall increase of 16% per annum in that part of the postal b…

20 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of its mail was despatched by (a) the Royal Mail and (b) other carriers in the last year and at what cost per carrier.

Answer · John Swinney: In the financial year 2009-10, the Scottish Government sent the following mail volumes and incurred costs with the following carriers</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td width=94 valign=top > <p align=center >Carri…

20 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the Saltire-branded products that it commissioned or produced for the purpose of celebrating St Andrew’s Day 2010.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Executive has transferred operational responsibility for the delivery of St Andrew''s Day and Winter Festivals commitments to EventScotland from 2010 onwards.</p> <p >I have asked EventScotland to respond. Their response is as follows:</p> <p >…

20 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it provided to schools regarding St Andrew’s Day 2010 and at what cost.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government held a St Andrew''s Day poster competition on the theme of Scotland''s Food and Drink and sent a promotional leaflet to schools, pre-schools, nurseries, playgroups and family centres. The design, print and distribution of the leaflet, …

20 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the (a) agencies, (b) organisations and (c) public bodies and services that it has provided with Saltire flags for the purpose of celebrating St Andrew’s Day 2010 and what the total cost was.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Executive has transferred operational responsibility for the delivery of St Andrew''s Day and Winter Festivals commitments to EventScotland from 2010 onwards.</p> <p >I have asked EventScotland to respond. Their response is as follows:</p> <p >…

20 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive where the Saltire flags procured for the purpose of celebrating St Andrew’s Day 2010 were manufactured.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Executive has transferred operational responsibility for the delivery of St Andrew''s Day and Winter Festivals commitments to EventScotland from 2010 onwards.</p> <p >I have asked EventScotland to respond. Their response is as follows:</p> <p …

23 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37254 by John Swinney on 22 November 2010, what the (a) job description and (b) salary is for each of the posts listed.

Answer · John Swinney: With regard to Infrastructure Investment Group membership, the functions of the Scottish Government officials, and those of Transport Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service are available on the government''s staff directory, to which members of the Scottish…