Parliamentary questions
John Park
411 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
22 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will report on the outcomes of the National Economic Forum and what format this report will take.
Answer · John Swinney: Reports of the discussions held at the first meeting of the forum, which took place on the 6 February 2008, have been published recently and are available on the Scottish Government website. The reports represent summaries of the three discussions held, rathe…
22 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will encourage local authorities to adopt a progressive procurement policy.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has provided financial support for the establishment of Scotland Excel, a centre of expertise for local authority procurement. The Scottish Procurement Directorate expects to work closely with Scotland Excel to help promote improved pe…
22 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to effectively promote the Community Benefits in Public Procurement report and accompanying guidance to contracting bodies and stakeholders.
Answer · John Swinney: The Community Benefits in Public Procurement Report was launched at an event in Raploch, Stirling on 19 February 2008. The report is a Scottish Government publication and has received support from Local Authorities in the form of Local Authority participation…
8 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to create modern apprenticeships at SVQ Level 2 and, if so, how many places will be created.
Answer · Maureen Watt: When the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning launched Skills for Scotland - a Lifelong Learning Strategy on 10 September last year she committed to implementing the conclusions of the MA consultation, including the introduction of MAs at SVQ…
8 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what engagement it has had with the food and drink sector skills council, Improve, on proposals to create modern apprenticeships at SVQ Level 2.
Answer · Maureen Watt: Scottish Government officials recently held two days of surgeries with representatives from Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), and the development of the modern apprenticeship (MA) programme, including the introduction of a Level 2 MAs in Scotland were covered by…
8 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with sector skills councils on its plans to increase the number of modern apprenticeships.
Answer · Maureen Watt: Since last summer Scottish ministers have met with the majority of Sector Skills Council Chief Executives to discuss skills issues, including modern apprenticeships (MA), in Scotland.</p> <p >Scottish Government officials are also in frequent and close conta…
13 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses it has received to Choosing Scotland’s Future: A National Conversation that have not been web-based or sent by email.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The website has been the mainfocus of responses to the national conversation during its first phase, where thegovernment’s aim was to move from polarised debate to mature dialogue, and to startto engage the public, media and academics in the debate, as well a…
13 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many requests for printed copies of Choosing Scotland's Future: A National Conversation have been received from (a) individuals and (b) organisations.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government distributedover 3,000 hard copies of Choosing Scotland’s Future: A National Conversation to all key stakeholders and public libraries followingthe launch of the white paper. In addition, a number of hard copies have been distributedint…
13 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many downloads of Choosing Scotland’s Future: A National Conversation have been from Scottish Parliament or Scottish Government IP addresses.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-7812 on 10 January. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilities for whichcan be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.s…
13 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many hits on (a) the National Conversation home page and (b) National Conversation-themed web pages have been from Scottish Parliament or Scottish Government IP addresses.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-7812 on 10 January. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilities for whichcan be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.s…
13 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many individual IP addresses have called up Choosing Scotland’s Future: A National Conversation for reading online and how many have been unique hits.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-7812 on 10 January. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilities for whichcan be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.s…
13 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many individual IP addresses have accessed the national conversation home page; how many individual IP addresses have accessed the National Conversation-themed web pages, and how many have been unique hits.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The IP addresses of individualcontributions to the National Conversation are not captured as a matter of course.</p><p>Thegeneral privacy statement on the Scottish Government’s main website, which includesthe National Conversation pages, states that any analy…
26 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to establish mechanisms for formal engagement between Skills Development Scotland, further education colleges and the Scottish Funding Council.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: It will be vital forSkills Development Scotland to develop close and effective links with the ScottishFunding Council, further education colleges and other key stakeholders and I will ensure that such links are established. Thechange programme now in place wi…
26 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring progress on implementing the aims of Digital Inclusion In Partnership.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is monitoring progress of the deliverables and timescales outlined, against the strategy''s action plan.</p>
26 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the aims of Digital Inclusion In Partnership are implemented.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Governmentwill encourage local authorities to take the lead on digital inclusion and sharegood practice, skills and knowledge. By avoiding duplication of effort, resourcescan be focused more effectively on the needs of disadvantaged groups and ac…
26 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on implementing the aims of Digital Inclusion In Partnership.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is broadly supportive of the aims of the previous government''s <i >Digital Inclusion In Partnership Strategy</i>. Implementation of the strategy has been progressed in line with the action plan.</p>
26 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the fourth supplementary to question S3F-284 by Alex Salmond on 22 November 2007 (Official Report c. 3702) and statements by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 21 November 2007 on the number of modern apprenticeships and training places …
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The qualificationachievable is dependent upon the training course undertaken.</p><p>Skillseekers worktowards a qualification at SVQ level 2. In <i>Skills for Scotland: A Lifelong LearningStrategy</i>, we outlined how Skillseekers will be phased out and replac…
26 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the fourth supplementary to question S3F-284 by Alex Salmond on 22 November 2007 (Official Report c. 3702) and statements by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 21 November 2007 on the number of modern apprenticeships and training places …
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The level ofaccreditation for training programmes is a matter for the accrediting body andnot for Scottish ministers.</p><p>There is pilotwork underway with the Scottish Qualifications Authority to credit rate andlevel 10 modern apprenticeship frameworks. Thi…
26 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the fourth supplementary to question S3F-284 by Alex Salmond on 22 November 2007 (Official Report c. 3702) and statements by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 21 November 2007 on the number of modern apprenticeships and training places …
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-6985 on 4 December 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…
26 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the fourth supplementary to question S3F-284 by Alex Salmond on 22 November 2007 (Official Report c. 3702) and statements by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 21 November 2007 on the number of modern apprenticeships and training places …
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: We will notoverburden Skills Development Scotland with volume based targets, as these inisolation can drive behaviour. Rather, we will work with them to ensure thereis a progressive growth in apprenticeships and training, creating a bettermatch between supply…
26 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the fourth supplementary to question S3F-284 by Alex Salmond on 22 November 2007 (Official Report c. 3702) and statements by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 21 November 2007 on the number of modern apprenticeships and training places …
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: SkillsDevelopment Scotland will have operational responsibility for the delivery andmanagement of the Modern Apprenticeship, Skillseeker programmes as well asother related training interventions.</p>
26 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the fourth supplementary to question S3F-284 by Alex Salmond on 22 November 2007 (Official Report c. 3702) and statements by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 21 November 2007 on the number of modern apprenticeships and training places …
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: We will develop arange of meaningful targets with Skills Development Scotland to ensure that thegovernment’s priorities are met.</p>
26 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the completion rates for modern apprenticeships have been in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) local enterprise company area and (b) modern apprenticeship framework.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Completion ratesfor modern apprenticeships broken down by local enterprise company and modern apprenticeshipframework is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. This information is not heldcentrally.</p>
26 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-3885 by Jim Mather on 18 September 2007, when it expects that the training programmes being delivered through PILOT to ensure a safe, effective and highly skilled workforce will be available to workers in the oil and gas industry.
Answer · Jim Mather: PILOT is a joint industry/governmenttaskforce to consider key issues that affect the oil and gas sector. It does nothave a direct role in the delivery of training.</p><p>Scotland’s colleges, higher education institutionsand private training providers already …
26 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-3885 by Jim Mather on 18 September 2007, how the training programmes being delivered through PILOT to ensure a safe, effective and highly skilled workforce will be affected by the establishment of Skills Development Scotland.
Answer · Jim Mather: The creation of SkillsDevelopment Scotland will give Scotland a coherent body to deliver comprehensive information,advice and guidance for careers and learning as well as the delivery of skills development.We expect all Sector Skills Councils, including Cogen…
26 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-3885 by Jim Mather on 18 September 2007, what training programmes are being delivered through PILOT, the joint oil and gas industry/government taskforce, to ensure a safe, effective and highly skilled workforce.
Answer · Jim Mather: PILOT is a joint industry/governmenttaskforce to consider key issues that affect the oil and gas sector. It does nothave a direct role in the delivery of training. There are already a number of colleges,higher education institutions and training providers in …
21 Nov 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with stakeholders to obtain their views on improving the effectiveness of the transposition process of EU directives into Scottish law.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: Todate, we have not had discussions with stakeholders. However, we intend toconsult fully with them on our proposals for reforming the transposition process,something which is high on our list of priorities and one of our manifestocommitments. We have already…
16 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-5971 by John Swinney on 6 November 2007, if the proposals to remove or reduce business rates will substantially benefit small and medium-sized businesses by giving them a competitive advantage, over whom this advantage will occur and on what basis it…
Answer · John Swinney: Business ratesaccount for a higher proportion of costs for small businesses than they do forlarger businesses, so reductions in business rates for small and medium-sizedbusinesses will reduce this competitive disadvantage.</p><p>I also refer themember to the …
16 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-5971 by John Swinney on 6 November 2007, how it will ensure that business rate reductions will be utilised effectively in meeting aspirations to become a high skills, high wage economy.
Answer · John Swinney: <i>The GovernmentEconomic Strategy</i>identifies lower business taxation for small and medium-sized businesses as oneof a range of measures to create a more supportive business environment andincrease sustainable economic growth in Scotland. The economic impa…
16 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-5971 by John Swinney on 6 November 2007, what measures it will take to encourage investment by small and medium-sized businesses in research and development.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Executive is workingclosely with the business community to help improve our position with regard tobusiness expenditure on research and development.</p><p>There is a comprehensivepipeline of business support and we are simplifying our research anddevelopm…