Parliamentary questions
George Foulkes
1,927 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
28 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether proposals for a separate Scottish Olympic team have been considered by any of its agencies or bodies with a remit for sport and what the responses have been.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15829 on 11 September 2008. 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./w…
28 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions ministers have had with sport governing bodies about the First Minister’s suggestion for a Scottish Olympic team and what the responses have been.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: On 23 August 2007 the Scottish Government convened a meeting with stakeholders to discuss Scottish representation on the international sporting stage and consider the feasibility of a Scottish Olympic team. A summary of the summit can be found at:</p> <p ><a…
28 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list for each sport that was competed at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games (a) whether it has a separate Scottish governing body, (b) how much its governing bodies received from the Scottish Government or its agencies in 2007-08 and (c) how much its governing bodies are budge…
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The following table shows those sports in which Team GB competed at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.</p> <p >It should be noted that not all sports governing bodies share the same financial year end. This means that sportscotland''s investment process is …
8 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15148 by John Swinney on 7 August 2008, whether the car parking fines listed in the answer were incurred during the course of ministerial business and, if so, which ministers were involved.
Answer · John Swinney: The government car service does not routinely keep a record of which of their customers has been the passenger when a car parking fine has been incurred. It is not therefore possible to provide the breakdown of information requested.</p>
7 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its female employees receive lower pay than male colleagues of comparable age, length of service and qualifications.
Answer · John Swinney: It is not possible to produce the requested information as no central record is kept of the qualifications of staff.</p> <p >The pay structure in the Scottish Government comprises nine pay ranges. The factors which are used to determine the salary for each m…
31 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has considered for an Islam fest; what assurances have been given that such an event will not be used for racist or extreme political propaganda, and what financial assistance has been sought or granted for such an event.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Ministers in the previous government, considered proposals for an Islam fest and, in March 2007, agreed in principle that such an event be developed and financially supported. The Scottish Government has taken this forward by providing £200,000 to the Scottis…
31 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any complaints about anti-police statements made at the Weaving the Tartan conference on 5 August 2007.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: No complaints have been received by the Scottish Government about any alleged statements made at the Weaving the Tartan conference on 5<sup> </sup>August, 2007.</p>
31 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which civil servants attended the Weaving the Tartan conference at Eastwood Park Theatre on either 5 or 6 August 2007 and what reports they have provided to ministers on the proceedings.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: No civil servants attended the Weaving the Tartan conference on either 5 or 6 August 2007.</p>
31 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which civil servants accompanied the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing to the Weaving the Tartan conference at Eastwood Park Theatre on 6 August 2007.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: No civil servant accompanied the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, to the Weaving the Tartan conference.</p>
31 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated under the Race, Religion and Refugee Integration Funding Stream 2008-11, broken down by organisation, and which organisations were unsuccessful in their applications for funding under the stream.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15060 on 6 August 2008, which provides an allocation total and a breakdown of all organisations which were successful under the Race, Religion and Refugee Integration Fund.</p> <p >The Scottish Government doe…
31 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when ministers first received recommendations from civil servants regarding the allocation of grants from the Race, Religion and Refugee Integration Funding Stream 2008-11; when the first letters were sent to bodies advising of those allocations; when ministers decided the letters should …
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Ministers received recommendations for funding under the Race, Religion and Refugee Integration (RRRI) Fund on 19 June 2008. In anticipation of a decision on the fund, officials started drafting letters in preparation. 22 of these draft letters were sent out …
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many freedom of information requests it has received in the last year and, of these, in how many cases the information was provided and how many cases were referred to the Scottish Information Commissioner.
Answer · Bruce Crawford: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-12302 on 9 May 2008, in relation to the time period 31 May 2007 to 23 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can b…
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister has travelled to an official engagement by train and, if so, when and where.
Answer · John Swinney: The First Minister has travelled by rail on two separate occasions, details of which are as follows:</p> <p >3 April 2008 - Washington (US) to New York (US)</p> <p >25 April 2008 - Edinburgh to Inverurie.</p>
29 Jul 2008 · 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.
Answer · John Swinney: Over the period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 the Scottish Government despatched mail to the value of £439,146. This is broken down as follows:</p> <p >(a) Royal Mail “ 585,106 items at a cost of £283,509</p> <p >(b) Other Carriers “ 21,548 items at a cost …
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken in the last year to (a) place its business with the Royal Mail and (b) encourage the use of post offices.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government continues to use the Royal Mail for its mail services. Officials meet regularly with representatives of Royal Mail to discuss a range of issues covering service provision.</p> <p >I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9304…
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister has made any referrals to the independent advisers on the ministerial code.
Answer · Bruce Crawford: No referrals have yet been made to the independent advisers on the ministerial code.</p>
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that goods used in the celebration of St Andrew’s Day 2008 are manufactured in an appropriate location.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government are sourcing Saltire flags and other promotional goods for use in the celebrations of St Andrew''s Day 2008 from Scottish Government approved suppliers according to procurement guidance. The buying decision is made on quality, price an…
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many railway stations have disabled access; who is responsible for ensuring compliance with legislation on disabled access at stations, and what action it is taking to improve the situation.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There are 346 railway stations in Scotland. At present, 204 stations are considered to be fully accessible for people with reduced mobility.</p> <p >Disabled access to the UK rail network is a matter reserved to Westminster under the auspices of equalities l…
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many dinners and receptions have been held in Bute House by the First Minister in 2008, showing in each case (a) who the guests were, (b) what the cost was and (c) who the caterers were.
Answer · John Swinney: The information regarding dinners and receptions held in Bute House by the First Minister for the period 1 January to 1 July 2008 and which have been receipted is detailed in the following table. The table is arranged by: event name, date of the event, overal…
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of Scottish ministers have their principal residence in the area covered by the former Strathclyde Regional Council.
Answer · John Swinney: 28% of Scottish Government ministers have their principal residence in the area covered by the former Strathclyde Regional Council.</p>
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what further discussions it has had with, or representations it has made to, the Department of Health Donor Task Force, chaired by Elizabeth Biggins, and what consideration it is giving to the need for legislation in this area.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland is represented on the UK-wide Organ Donation Taskforce, which is currently considering the risks and benefits associated with a move to a system of opting out as the basis of organ donation. The taskforce will be submitting its report on the subject …
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that all local authorities take account of sections 15, 16 and 17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and what the reasons are for its position on the matter.
Answer · John Swinney: Sections 15 to 17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 would place a duty on local authorities to ensure that the political balance on council committees reflects the political balance on the council itself. These sections have not been fully brought …
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the findings of The people’s rail: a mutually run, publicly accountable Network Rail and, if so, what action it has taken as a result.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Scottish ministers only have power over the Scotrail franchise.</p>
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time staff in each of its departments and agencies are over the age of (a) 60, (b) 65 and (c) 70.
Answer · John Swinney: As at 1 August 2008, the number of full time employees aged 60 or over in the Scottish Government, broken down into the groups of directorates that report to the Permanent Secretary and each Director General respectively, and agencies was as follows:</p> <ta…
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its civil servants were seconded to commercial or industrial forums and how many people were seconded to it from commerce and industry in the last year.
Answer · John Swinney: In the last year, three people have been seconded to private sector organisations by the Scottish Government. In the same period eight people have been seconded from private sector organisations to the Scottish Government.</p>
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what work has been undertaken in relation to the preparation of disaster recovery and business continuity plans for each of its departments and agencies.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has a well established set of disaster recovery and business continuity plans (BCP), which are kept under constant review. These plans are being revised in the light of recent internal restructuring of the organisation. In addition, th…
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken in the last year to replace traditional light bulbs with low energy bulbs in each building for which it is responsible and what its current estimate is of the number of bulbs that are low energy in the total estate.
Answer · John Swinney: Throughout the estate general lighting is provided by modern fluorescent tube type fittings. A small number of traditional bulbs, less than 1% of the total, are used within desk task lights and some period light fittings.</p>
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints there have been in each of its directorates and agencies of (a) race discrimination, (b) gender discrimination and (c) harassment in the last year.
Answer · John Swinney: There were two complaints under the Scottish Government''s Dignity at Work policy in 2007, one each in Directorates in the Justice and Communities and Education portfolios respectively, and one so far in 2008 in a Directorate in the Finance and Sustainable Gr…
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in which of its directorates or agencies there are differential rates of pay for women and men in the same job.
Answer · John Swinney: Within the Scottish Government main bargaining unit staff are paid on pay ranges appropriate to their job. These pay ranges have a minimum and maximum rate of pay and a number of intermediate pay steps. If staff are assessed as performing to an effective stan…
29 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the education ministers will discuss with private schools ways in which such schools can do more for local communities and local schools to justify their charitable status, in advance of the review by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: At a recent meeting, with the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, I encouraged the independent sector to continue to work closely with local authorities (LAs) and schools across Scotland''s educational community to share and promote best practice for ins…