Parliamentary questions
John Park
411 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
28 Jun 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to make representations to the UK Government regarding amendments to the Harbours Act 1964.
Answer · Keith Brown: We have no such plans.
28 Jun 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its (a) role and (b) responsibility is in relation to Marine Scotland in ensuring that licences granted under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 comply with the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Licences granted under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 are issued by Marine Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers. The procedural requirements of Part IV of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 must be executed by any competent authorit…
28 Jun 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who is responsible for determining whether a development proposal meets the requirements and description of a national development listed in the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2 and what criteria they use to make such a determination.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Whether a development proposal meets the requirements and description of a national development designated in the National Planning Framework is a matter for the determining authority, having regard to the descriptions of the development, its location and its…
28 Jun 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in what circumstances the (a) relevant consenting body, (b) Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals, (c) Scottish Government and (d) Scottish Parliament should treat whether a development proposal meets the description of a national development listed in the National Planning F…
Answer · Derek Mackay: The considerations which are material to the determination of an application for development consent are a matter for the determining authority. For proposals considered under the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006, a proposal which is considered to be a natio…
28 Jun 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how Part IV of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 is applied to orders made under the Harbours Act 1964.
Answer · Keith Brown: The procedural requirements of Part IV of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 must be executed by any competent authority for any plan or project. This includes situations where orders made under the Harbours Act 1964 constitute plans or…
6 Jun 2012 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to tackle racist hate crime.
23 May 2012 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the potential impact of the recommendations of the Beecroft report on employment in Scotland.
16 May 2012 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of modern apprenticeships by level.
25 Apr 2012 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to tackle animal cruelty.
6 Mar 2012 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what percentage of staff absenteeism due to mental ill-health in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, (c) 2009-10 and (d) 2010-11 was for a period of (i) less than 2 months, (ii) between 2 and 4 months, (iii) between 6 and 12 months and (iv) over a year.
Answer · David Stewart: The following table below provides a breakdown of the percentage of staff absent due to mental ill-health for 2007-2011 which includes absences due to mental ill-health that are recorded as stress; emotional upset; depression; and anxiety. We have defined men…
29 Feb 2012 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase women’s access to the jobs market.
22 Feb 2012 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to ensure that inward investors promote high quality employment opportunities.
22 Feb 2012 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the European Commission regarding public procurement processes.
8 Feb 2012 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the planned refurbishment of the Kincardine Bridge will commence and what measures it will put in place to minimise the impact of the works on the local community.
25 Jan 2012 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on the Forth Replacement Crossing project.
24 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-04149 by John Swinney on 1 December 2011, whether the information regarding part-time staff includes those working on a job-share basis.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-05172 on 2 February 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentary…
24 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-04149 by John Swinney on 1 December 2011, whether its current human resource system records how many staff work on a job-share basis and, if so, whether it will provide these details.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-05172 on 2 February 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamenta…
24 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-04149 by John Swinney on 1 December 2011, when its current human resource system was introduced.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-05172 on 2 February 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentar…
24 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-04149 by John Swinney on 1 December 2011, how many of its staff work part-time, broken down by (a) gender and (b) pay-grade, also expressed as a percentage of its employees.
Answer · John Swinney: The following tables show percentages of part-time staff in Scottish Government (SG) core directorates by gender and pay range at 31 October 2011. Part-time Staff by Gender Part-time Staff by Gender Female Male Total SG Core Full-Time 1,898 2,566 …
24 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-04147 by John Swinney on 6 December 2011, what consideration is given to (a) flexible and (b) part-time working during the recruitment process.
Answer · John Swinney: As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring all staff can enjoy a satisfactory work-life balance, the Scottish Government’s recruitment policy requires all recruiting managers to consider the flexible working options that can be accommodated, including part…
24 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-04146 by John Swinney on 6 December 2011, whether the number of places at its workplace nursery in Victoria Quay takes into account a flexible working hour range of 7.00 am to 7.00 pm.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government workplace nursery at Victoria Quay is open from 7.30am to 6.30pm and also has a wrap-a-round care provision providing parents with additional flexibility. Parent/guardian representatives and the trades unions were fully involved in set…
24 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-04146 by John Swinney on 6 December 2011, whether the number of places at its workplace nursery in Victoria Quay is determined by facility limitation or by staff demand.
Answer · John Swinney: In line with Care Inspectorate guidelines and regulations, the number of places in the Scottish Government workplace nursery in Victoria Quay is limited by the size and physical layout of the facility.
24 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-04145 by Angela Constance on 5 December 2011, when the review and update of the existing data on childcare provision will be completed and made publicly available.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Work to synthesise recent research and statistics mapping childcare provision in Scotland is ongoing. This draws on published Care Inspectorate findings, along with published statistics covering provision and use of childcare and pre-school in Scotland; and r…
24 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-04144 by Angela Constance on 5 December 2011, what mechanisms it has in place to ensure that the Early Years Early Action Fund improves the (a) quality, (b) accessibility, (c) affordability and (d) flexibility of childcare and what improvements the …
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The £6.8 million Early Years Early Action Fund was set up to support the broad aims of the Early Years Framework, particularly in the area of early intervention. The fund is administered by Inspiring Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. As part of I…
24 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-04144 by Angela Constance on 5 December 2011, how much of the Early Years Early Action Fund has been allocated; to what projects; how many families are receiving the fund, and in what way.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The entire Early Years Early Action Fund for the financial year 2011-12 has now been allocated. The projects receiving funding are as follows. Aberlour Child Care Trust Glasgow Bridges Aberlour Child Care Trust Partnership Early Years Service Dumfries an…
24 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it (a) assesses and (b) prioritises schools in the Scottish Schools for the Future programme.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-05162 on 3 February 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busines…
24 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it provides to local authorities seeking to replace school buildings rated category D for condition or suitability of estate.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is providing assistance to local authorities to replace school buildings through the Scotland’s Schools for the Future building programme, the third phase of which has been recently announced. We are currently finalising the process an…
24 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it provides to local authorities on the formal consultation processes required when altering education provision.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 sets out the consultation process that is to apply as respects various proposals made by education authorities for schools. The Scottish Government provides statutory guidance to local authorities on the applicat…
24 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Fife Council regarding the future of Madras College in St Andrews following the breakdown of negotiations with the University of St Andrews.
Answer · Michael Russell: There have been no discussions. Fife Council have subsequently taken a decision to rebuild the school on the Kilrymont site and they are currently undertaking a statutory public consultation.
18 Jan 2012 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses in Mid Scotland and Fife have taken part in the small business bonus scheme.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Data on the number of recipients of the small business bonus scheme is held on a local authority and not a constituency area basis. The number of recipients of the small business bonus scheme by local authority area as at September 2011 was published on 27 O…