Willie Coffey

25 Jun 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the rise in antidepressant prescribing over the last 10 years, from 43.54 defined daily doses per 1,000 population per day in 1997-98 to 93.20 in 2007-08.

Answer · Shona Robison: The answer is complex. There are four reasons why anti-depressant prescribing can rise. Firstly, more people may be anxious or depressed at a level which would meet the guidance for prescribing of anti-depressants. Secondly, more people may present to their G…

28 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-7080 by Tom McCabe on 1 April 2004, what additional services for people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy (CFS/ME) have been established since February 2003.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Service developments since February 2003 include the employment of a CFS/ME nurse specialist in NHS Fife and the development of a CFS/ME assessment clinic in NHS Lothian. A programme for people with CFS/ME has also been developed by the Centre for Integrative…

28 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the number and value of grants made under Cashback for Communities are to applicants in the Kilmarnock and Loudoun Scottish Parliament constituency.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: To date, the Scottish Government has committed to invest over £13 million in the CashBack for Communities programme which includes diversionary and participatory projects for young people across Scotland. </p> <p >£3 million of this investment was allocated …

28 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission carried out a consultation in January 2009 under section 29(4) of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 and, if so, when a copy of that consultation will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) consulted the relevant parties under Section 29 (4) of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 in January 2009. There is no requirement under the Act for a copy of the consultation to be placed in…

28 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the progress being made to establish the website of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The website of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission is fully operational and can be located at <a href="http://www.scottishlegalcomplaints.org.uk/">www.scottishlegalcomplaints.org.uk</a>. The website is constantly under review and further adjustments are …

28 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the progress being made by the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission to publicise the outcomes of its consultations.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Under Section 29 (8) of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) is required to publicise the responses to its consultation with the professional organisations relating to its budget by 31 March ea…

28 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-23606 by Kenny MacAskill on 11 May 2009, when the consultation carried out in accordance with section 32 of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 will be published on the website of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Under Section 32 (5) of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission is required to consult various parties before publishing its rules. There is no requirement under the Act for the consultation to be publis…

28 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-23606 by Kenny MacAskill on 11 May 2009, whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) a copy of the consultation carried out in accordance with section 32 of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Under Section 32 (1) of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission is required to publish its rules and make them available to the public in a form that is readily accessible. There is no requirement under …

28 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the employment outcomes of recent teaching graduates are being monitored and when the results of any monitoring will be published.

Answer · Keith Brown: The General Teaching Council for Scotland carry out a survey of the employment status of teachers in their post probation year each October. The Council now also conducts a follow-up survey each April. The results of the latest follow up survey from April 200…

28 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-20991 by Alex Neil on 11 March 2009, when the equalities impact assessment of the work of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum will be published and how disabled people’s organisations will be consulted about the outcome.

Answer · Alex Neil: The equalities impact assessment was published in March and can be accessed here:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Equality/18507/EQIADetails/Q/Id/241" title="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Equality/18507/EQIADetails/Q/Id/2…

6 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the impact of the anticipated reduction in the Scottish block grant for 2010-11 and 2011-12 announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his recent budget statement, broken down by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority area.

Answer · John Swinney: The UK Budget Red Book confirmed that the Scottish Government''s Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) budget would be reduced by £496 million in 2010-11 in comparison with original spending plans.</p> <p >Assuming that this reduction is spread evenly between…

6 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission has established an appropriate programme of consultations about how it should conduct its inquiries.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) published its draft rules on 28 April 2008. At that time the SLCC consulted the relevant parties required under section 32 of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007. The finalised rules are publi…

6 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the first review of the performance of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission to be (a) initiated and (b) concluded.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: We do not intend to carry out a review of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission in the near future. It is too early to assess the effectiveness of the commission, as it has only been operational since October 2008.</p> <p >Under the Legal Profession and L…

6 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the weekly impact on single person and family households of the reduction in VAT announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 24 November 2008, broken down by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority area.

Answer · John Swinney: The temporary cut in the standard rate of VAT from 17.5% to 15% announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 24 November is estimated to increase the average Scottish household''s income by approximately £4 a week in 2009-10.</p> <p >Table 1 summarise…

6 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the weekly impact on single person and family households of the reduction in VAT announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 24 November 2008, broken down by (a) National Statistics Socio-economic Classification and (b) Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation ca…

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23604 on 14 May 2009. The analysis was conducted using the Expenditure and Food Survey which does not provide a breakdown by National Statistics Socio-economic Classification or by Scottish Index of Multiple De…

6 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what work it or its agencies is undertaking with the retail and banking sectors to promote acceptance of the euro in everyday transactions.

Answer · Jim Mather: I understand that some of the larger retail outlets already accept the euro in every day transactions. Most banks make available foreign exchange and international banking facilities for many major currencies “ including the euro.</p> <p >These can help to …

6 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next review the calculation used in determining eligibility for Educational Maintenance Allowance.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: As a result of the <i >16+ Learning Choices: First Step Activity and Financial Support</i> consultation, we announced on the 13 May 2009 several changes which target our support system more effectively at those young people who are most in need. This includes…

6 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the calculation used in determining eligibility for Educational Maintenance Allowance takes account of the number of dependent children in the household.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: As a result of the <i >16+ Learning Choices: First Step Activity and Financial Support</i> consultation, we announced on the 13 May 2009 several changes which target our support system more effectively at those young people who are most in need. This includes…

6 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact of phasing out incandescent bulbs on people affected by lupus and other conditions inducing light sensitivity.

Answer · Shona Robison: Possible health concerns related to the provisions of European Framework Directive 2005/32/EC and the related <i>Working document on possible ecodesign requirements for general lighting equipment</i> are being taken forward on a UK-wide basis as this is a res…

1 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the last fatal accident inquiry into the death of a pedestrian at a level crossing took place.

Answer · Frank Mulholland: Whilst it is possible to provide the number of Fatal Accident Inquiries which are concluded in any given year, information about the subject matter of these Inquiries is not held centrally and it is not possible to identify when the last fatal accident inquir…

12 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funds is providing to Kilmarnock College in 2008-09 to support students with childcare responsibilities.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: <i > This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0312-01.htm">http://www.scot…

5 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact on Scotland’s manufacturing sector of the UK Government’s announcement of £2.3 billion in loan guarantees for the car industry.

Answer · Jim Mather: <i > This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0305-01.htm">http://www.scot…

25 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many hours of study per week qualify as full-time study for students applying for Education Maintenance Allowance to study for highers in (a) schools and (b) colleges.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Young people are required to attend non-advanced full-time courses, including highers, in order to be eligible to apply for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). Within the school sector, full-time usually means at least 21 guided learning hours per week.…

13 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to licensing boards on the content and implementation of codes of conduct or codes of practice for the holders of off-sales licences.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Development of such codes are a matter for licensing boards. The Scottish Government has not issued guidance in this respect.</p>

13 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive under what statutory provision licensing boards operate codes of conduct or codes of practice for the holders of off-sales licences.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: It is for licensing boards to determine the most appropriate statutory basis for their actions.</p>

13 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the number of occasions on which Cold Weather Payments have been triggered in each of the last five years, broken down by each of the weather stations to which Scottish properties are linked by The Social Fund Cold Weather Payments (General) Amendment Regulation…

Answer · Alex Neil: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has provided the following information:</p> <p >Number of Times Each Weather Station has Triggered Each Year</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td valign=top > <p >Weather …

13 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to the introduction of compensation payments for adjacent owners where planning applications, for wind turbines or other developments, are judged to have had an adverse impact on the value of their properties.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There are no plans at present to consider the introduction of compensation under the planning system for owners of land adjacent to wind turbines, or indeed any other developments, in regard to potential adverse impact on the value of their property.</p> <p …

13 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in what circumstances the planning system provides for adjacent owners to be compensated for adverse impact of a development on the value of their properties.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There are no circumstances where the planning system provides for compensation for adverse impact of a development on the value of adjacent properties.</p> <p >The planning system does not exist to protect the interests of one person or business against the …

13 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place to enable disabled peoples’ organisations to be involved in formulating policies to tackle fuel poverty.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum''s remit includes monitoring the implementation of the new Energy Assistance Package; the Forum plans to set up an Equalities Working Group to ensure its work is inclusive. An equalities impact assessment has been carried out o…

13 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to extending eligibility for enhanced measures under the Energy Assistance Package to pensioners in receipt of attendance allowance but not the guarantee credit element of pension credit.

Answer · Alex Neil: I can confirm that Attendance Allowance is a qualifying benefit for the Energy Assistance Package. Pensioners in the private sector who receive Attendance Allowance will be eligible for enhanced measures under stage 4 of the package if they live in a home wit…