Parliamentary questions

Willie Coffey

538 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

27 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the impact of Part 2 of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 2003 and what plans it has to review operation of the legislation.

Answer · Michael Russell: Registers of Scotland maintain a public register where details of registrations, under the provisions of Part 2 of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 2003, can be checked online at <a href="http://rcil.ros.gov.uk/">http://rcil.ros.gov.uk</a>. As at 30 O…

25 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what training and development is available to GPs to enable them to recognise and treat older people with depression.

Answer · Shona Robison: GPs as independent contractors are expected to identify, assess and address their own training and educational needs aligned to the needs of their patients. On-going attention will include consideration of needs for the identification, treatment and recovery …

25 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve the diagnosis and treatment of depression among older people.

Answer · Shona Robison: We are working with GPs so that new patients with depression receive a formal assessment using a standardised tool and matched therapy appropriate to the level of need. The GP contract provides additional resources to practices to make objective asse…

25 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of older people treated for clinical depression make a full recovery.

Answer · Shona Robison: It is difficult to estimate the numbers of those making a full recovery given the range of possible reasons for non presentation following initial contact and support. The 2003-06 Scottish Government Doing Well by People with Depression initiative wh…

25 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of older people affected by clinical depression seek treatment

Answer · Shona Robison: The total number of older people affected by clinical depression is not recorded centrally. Estimates drawn from a sample of general practices in Scotland indicates that 23,000 patients over age 65 consulted their GP or practice nurse in 2006-07 bec…

25 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many older people are affected by clinical depression.

Answer · Shona Robison: The total number of older people affected by clinical depression is not recorded centrally. It is generally acknowledged that a large proportion of people with depression remain with their condition unrecognised and untreated. To address this the Sc…

25 Sep 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors changes in the number of households threatened with homelessness through actions for repossession.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: National homelessness statistics collected by local authorities on a case-by-case basis are the main mechanism by which changes in the number of households threatened with homelessness, and the reasons for this, are monitored. Statistics relating to 2007-08 w…

9 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it defines full-time education for children of (a) primary and (b) secondary school age.

Answer · Maureen Watt: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-13996 on 17 June 2008, which sets out the position with regard to full time education. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which ca…

9 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive under what statute or guidance local authorities are required to provide full-time education to children of (a) primary and (b) secondary school age.

Answer · Maureen Watt: Whilst there is no specific statute or guidance which defines full time education, legislation does set out the parameters whereby education must be provided. Section 1(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 sets out that every education authority has a duty…

9 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4713 by Peter Peacock on 15 December 2003, what the average time has been for education authorities to find alternative education for excluded pupils in each year from 2003-04 to 2006-07, broken down by education authority.

Answer · Maureen Watt: The information requested is not held centrally. The Scottish Government collects national statistics on exclusion from school which includes information on the type of alternative provision made. These statistics are available from: 2004-05…

9 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4713 by Peter Peacock on 15 December 2003, what the average length of time was before (a) temporarily and (b) permanently excluded pupils received any form of education in each year from 2003-04 to 2006-07.

Answer · Maureen Watt : The information requested is not held centrally. The Scottish Government collects national statistics on exclusion from school which includes information on the type of alternative provision made. These statistics are available from: 2004-05…

9 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-4714 by Peter Peacock on 15 December 2003, how many excluded pupils were provided with alternative education that was not sufficient to meet their educational needs in each year from 2003-04 to 2006-07.

9 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has given to local authorities regarding the education of children temporarily withdrawn from state schools during a dispute over suitability of provision for the additional support needs of the child.

Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government has provided guidance within Included, Engaged and Involved Part 1: attendance in Scottish schools which recognises that in some circumstances parents may condone absence due to difficulties in school. Guidance encourages early…

9 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has given to local authorities regarding educating children temporarily excluded from state schools.

Answer · Maureen Watt: Guidance on the exclusion of pupils from school, including educational provision during exclusion, is contained within the publication Exclusion From Schools In Scotland<i: Guidance to Education Authorities Circular 8-03. The circular is…

9 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has given to local authorities regarding educating children permanently excluded from state schools.

9 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is in a position to announce the result of its review of the Domiciliary Oxygen Therapy Service.

Answer · Shona Robison: We are not yet in a position to announce decisions on the future shape of the Domiciliary Oxygen Therapy Service (DOTS). This will depend on the outcome of the review of DOTS, which is currently underway.