Margaret McDougall

16 Sep 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with telecommunications companies regarding rolling out next generation broadband.

Answer · Alex Neil: As part of our ongoing programme of industry engagement, the Scottish Government has regular meetings with telecommunications companies to discuss rolling-out next generation broadband. This includes meetings of the Scottish Ministers and Scottish Government …

16 Sep 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what areas it is considering for the creation of enterprise zones.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is currently working to introduce four Enterprise Areas in Scotland. Scottish Government officials are working closely with their counterparts in Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to identify an initial selection…

16 Sep 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will spend the £68.8 million allocated by the UK Government to increase access to broadband. 

Answer · Alex Neil: We have only recently been advised of Scotland’s share of UK Government funding for broadband, and have only just received the data model and methodology used by the UK Government to make its regional allocations. Until we have fully examined the UK Governmen…

16 Sep 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that enterprise zones provide sustainable growth.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is currently developing plans for the introduction of a number of enterprise areas in Scotland so as to maximise their economic impact. The criteria used to assess the sites considered for inclusion will enable us to ensure that they d…

16 Sep 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in making next generation broadband available in each local authority area and what the timescales are for rolling it out to those where it is not available.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government is working with a wide range of stakeholders, including local authorities, to develop a strategic national plan to facilitate the roll-out of next generation broadband to all parts of Scotland. This plan will fulfil the Scottish Govern…

16 Sep 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used in designating enterprise zones.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is currently developing plans for the introduction of a number of Enterprise Areas in Scotland so as to maximise their economic impact. The criteria that we will use to identify specific sites will balance a number of considerations. T…

16 Sep 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for upgrading the A737.

Answer · Keith Brown: A scheme at the Den Dalry is currently in preparation and another scheme at the Head Street Roundabout has completed the statutory process. Progression to its construction phase is dependent on the availability of funding and the competing priorities of other…

14 Sep 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to meet the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to discuss the European bathing water directive.

31 Aug 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to address the impact on schools with higher than average returns of S5 and S6 pupils.

22 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-01210 by Michael Matheson on 21 July 2011, what work is being done to tackle social deprivation and inequality in North Ayrshire.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01979 and S4W-01980 on 25 August 2011. 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/A…

22 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-01210 by Michael Matheson on 21 July 2011, when the last periodic review was conducted of NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s property and accommodation.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Ayrshire and Arran is currently reviewing its property and accommodation.

22 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any ministerial visits planned to general medical practices within North Ayrshire.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: There are currently no ministerial visits planned to general medical practices within North Ayrshire.

22 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to hold ministerial-level meetings to discuss NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s estate.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: There are no plans for ministers to meet with NHS Ayrshire and Arran specifically to discuss its estate.

22 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-01210 by Michael Matheson on 21 July 2011, whether it will (a) clarify what it means by "and beyond" and (b) list the activities which will address health inequality and social deprivation that are being carried out beyond Glasgow.

Answer · Michael Matheson: In the context of the answer to question S4W-01210 “and beyond” refers to the activity of the Glasgow Centre of Population Health which focuses on the characteristics of Glasgow but at times extends to include other parts of Scotland, the UK and Europe. Such …

22 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-01210 by Michael Matheson on 21 July 2011, what plans it has to extend the Healthier, Wealthier Children project outwith the NHS Glasgow and Greater Clyde area.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has no plans to extend the Healthier, Wealthier Children project outwith the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

9 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action the police took in response to any incitement of racial hatred through the display of placards at the Scottish Defence League demonstration in Irvine on 6 August 2011.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This information is not held by the Scottish Government. This is an operational matter for Strathclyde Police, who may be able to provide the information requested.

9 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many arrests were made as a result of the demonstration by the Scottish Defence League in Irvine on 6 August 2011.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This information is not held by the Scottish Government. This is an operational matter for Strathclyde Police, who may be able to provide the information requested.

9 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers were involved in policing the Scottish Defence League demonstration in Irvine on 6 August 2011, broken down by police division.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This information is not held by the Scottish Government. This is an operational matter for Strathclyde Police, who may be able to provide the information requested.

9 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of policing the Scottish Defence League demonstration in Irvine on 6 August 2011.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This information is not held by the Scottish Government. This is an operational matter for Strathclyde Police, who may be able to provide the information requested.

3 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a Housing Association Grant will be provided for the third phase of the Vineburgh regeneration project.

Answer · Alex Neil: Phase 3 of the Vineburgh Regeneration project is the subject of a bid by Cunninghame Housing Association to the housing association stream of the Innovation and Investment Fund. All bids to the fund are currently being assessed by the Scottish Government. It …

3 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for investment in social housing in North Ayrshire.

Answer · Keith Brown: A new competitive funding arrangement, the Innovation and Investment Fund, has been introduced by the Scottish Government to allow all suppliers to provide new affordable housing. The fund is divided into three streams: Council house building (social rent), …

3 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of unintentionally homeless.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government does not have a definition of unintentionally homeless. Rather, the definition of intentionally homeless is set out in section 26 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987: A person becomes homeless intentionally if he/she deliberately does…

3 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what new powers it will give to local authorities to deal with private landlords who fail to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Act 2011 requires that when considering whether a private landlord is a fit and proper person to let property, a local authority must take into account antisocial behaviour affecting the property, whether by the landlord,…

3 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support the funding of affordable housing in North Ayrshire.

Answer · Keith Brown: Over the past four years we have awarded £31 million to housing associations in North Ayrshire and £1.6 million to North Ayrshire Council to support the delivery of affordable housing. During that period we approved 293 housing association homes for rent, 35 …

3 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many families are on the housing transfer list in North Ayrshire.

Answer · Keith Brown: Information on the housing transfer list is held on the basis of households. On 31 March 2009 there were 1,150 households on North Ayrshire Council’s housing transfer list. This is the most recent date for which figures are available.

3 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are considered (a) unintentionally and (b) intentionally homeless in North Ayrshire.

Answer · Keith Brown: The latest available statistics in the following table provide the number of applications in North Ayrshire where the applicant household was assessed as either priority unintentionally homeless or as priority intentionally homeless, from 1 January to 30 Sept…

3 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to stimulate the construction industry in the housing sector.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is making a significant investment and taking a range of action to stimulate activity and create and support employment in the housing sector, including through the Innovation and Investment Fund, the New Supply Shared Equity with Deve…

3 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to bring forward general schemes to help first-time house buyers.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government’s Low-Cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT) brings together a range of schemes to help first time buyers. For 2011-12, we are continuing to invest in the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme and the New Supply Shared Equity with Dev…

3 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on its commitment that all unintentionally homeless households will be entitled to settled accommodation by December 2012.

Answer · Keith Brown: The main indicator of progress towards the target is the percentage of homelessness assessments regarded as being in priority need; the closer a local authority is to assessing 100% then the closer it is to meeting the 2012 target. In 2003, when the act was …

3 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what new powers it will give local authorities to deal with landlords who leave properties (a) vacant or derelict and (b) run down.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government plans to introduce powers to allow local authorities to charge a Council Tax levy on long-term empty properties. This will aim both to encourage homeowners to make their homes available for rent or sale and to raise additional revenue …