Parliamentary questions
John Lamont
759 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
20 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many newly qualified teachers have been unable to find permanent full-time work at either a primary or secondary school in each year since 2003.
Answer · Maureen Watt: Information on thenumber of newly qualified teachers who sought but were unable to find permanentfull-time work in each year since 2003 has not been held centrally.</p>
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many litres of bottled water it purchased for hospitals and care homes and at what cost in each of the last three years, and what its policy is on the provision of water for staff and visitors.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Governmentis not responsible for purchasing for either hospitals or care homes. Responsibilityfor all procurement for the health service lies with NHS National Services Scotland.In the case of care homes, responsibility lies in the main with indi…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its audit processes ensure the provision of fresh chilled drinking water in hospitals.
Answer · Shona Robison: The provision of freshchilled drinking water in hospitals is specifically covered in the <i>NHS QualityImprovement </i><i>Scotland</i><i> (NHS QIS) Clinical Standards for Food, Fluid</i> <i>and Nutrition</i>. Standard 3 states that,where clinically appropriat…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that its care standards require fresh drinking water to be (a) made available and (b) regularly offered to care home residents throughout the day.
Answer · Shona Robison: The National CareStandards for care homes describe what each individual person can expect from aservice provider. They focus on the quality of life that the person using the serviceactually experiences.</p><p>Included in the standardsis the right to have snac…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recognises the importance of good hydration and supports the World Health Organization's definition of water as an important nutrient for the human body.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Governmentagrees with the World Health Organization that water is critical to human life.</p><p>In temperate climates,such as the UK, the Food Standards Agency advises that sixto eight glasses (about 1.2 litres) of water, or other fluids, should …
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people who have had central heating installed since 1 October 2006 under the central heating programme have made a contribution towards the cost of their installations.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>Householders can anddo make a contribution towards the cost of their central heating system if the costof installing the system is above the m…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average time is that sub-contractors employed by Scottish Gas under the central heating programme take between being issued with work specifications and completion of the work.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>The Programme ManagingAgent (Scottish Gas) has indicated that contractors take around ten days from beingissued with specifications to complet…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many sub-contractors have been employed by Scottish Gas to carry out installations under the central heating programme and what percentage of the value of all work under the programme since 1 October 2006 has been carried out by sub-contractors.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>The Programme ManagingAgent (Scottish Gas) has indicated that 87 contractors have been engaged to carryout installations under the central hea…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications under the central heating programme have resulted in the installation of central heating and subsidiary works since Scottish Gas was awarded the contract in October 2006, broken down into (a) oil, (b) gas, (c) electric and (d) solid fuel systems.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>The number of centralheating systems installed, by fuel type, since October 2006 until July 2007 is shownin the following table:</p><table bo…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications under the central heating programme have been received by Scottish Gas since it was awarded the contract in October 2006.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>The Programme ManagingAgent (Scottish Gas) has indicated that 31,720 applications have been received sinceOctober 2006.</p>
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a ban on burning garden waste in private domestic gardens.
Answer · Michael Russell: No. There is existinglegislation allowing local authorities and the Scottish Environmental ProtectionAgency within the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as amended to take action againstthose causing a nuisance or pollution through bonfires.</p>
13 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to limit the size of multi-stage composite classes in rural schools.
Answer · Maureen Watt: No. Teachers termsand conditions of service already limits the size of all composite classes to amaximum of 25 pupils. In time this composite limit will reduce to 18 when the classcontains any P1 to P3 pupils.</p>
10 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to streamline the disclosure process for churches, voluntary and charitable organisations.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The Protection ofVulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 will provide a modern, streamlined,efficient and effective vetting and barring system. People who work or volunteerwith children and/or protected adults will apply to join the vetting and barringscheme on…
10 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to reduce the legislative burden on voluntary organisations.
Answer · Jim Mather: We are committed toreducing unnecessary burdens on all public service providers. The Independent Review of Scrutiny, led by ProfessorLorne Crerar, is examining how regulation, audit, inspection and complaints arefunctioning in Scotland’s public services. The …
10 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to encourage and expand the voluntary sector.
Answer · Jim Mather: We are determinedto focus government and public services on creating a more successful countrywith opportunities for all to flourish through increasing sustainable growth. Wewant the third sector at the heart of this agenda for change, as servicedelivery part…
10 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator plans to define public benefit when assessing the charitable status of fee-paying schools.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Under the Charitiesand Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 a body must demonstrate it provides,or intends to provide, public benefit in order to pass the charity test. When determiningwhether a body provides public benefit the Office of the Scottish Charit…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1653 by Michael Russell on 24 July 2007, which local authorities have applied for financial support for flood prevention schemes for the period 2006-2008.
Answer · Michael Russell: For the period 2006-07the following local authorities have applied for and been granted financial supportfor flood prevention schemes;</p><p>Argyll and Bute Council</p><p>Dumfries and Galloway Council</p><p>City of EdinburghCouncil</p><p>East Ayrshire Council…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what statutory controls are in place to regulate the taxi licensing regime, in particular to ensure that vehicles operating as taxis fulfil minimum safety standards.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Licensing authoritieshave powers to regulate the taxi licensing regime under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.</p><p>These powers providethat an authority may not grant or renew a taxi licence unless they are satisfiedthat the vehicle is suitable in t…
30 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to extend the disabled blue badge system to families with disabled children.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The eligibility criteriafor the Blue Badge scheme was widened in April 2007 to include disabled childrenunder two years with specific medical conditions which require bulky medical equipment.Department for Transport are currently carrying out a three month re…
30 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the disabled blue badge system.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The eligibility criteriafor the Blue Badge scheme was widened in April 2007. Department for Transport arecurrently carrying out a three month review of the scheme which will assist in acomprehensive Blue Badge Reform Strategy by April 2008 and the government …
24 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to carry out a detailed appraisal of the potential of hydrogen to contribute to Scotland’s energy mix.
Answer · Jim Mather: A report by the Forumfor Renewable Energy Development in Scotland in 2006 concluded that by 2020,given appropriate support, 40% of renewable energy installations could havehydrogen production and storage facilities and 20% of homes be fitted with fuelcell bas…
24 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to carry out a review of the electricity infrastructure implications of its renewable energy policies, particularly in light of the National Grid Company’s grid connection charging policy.
Answer · Jim Mather: A study examiningthe effects of increased amount of renewable power generation on the Scottish gridis well underway. We will publish the results of that study before the end of thisyear. We will continue to press for grid policies and charges which are fair a…
24 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will draw up a locational strategy and accompanying planning guidance for onshore wind development for local authorities, investors and third parties to expedite the decision-making process.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The government believesthat Scottish Planning Policy (SPP)6 – Renewable Energy provides a sound nationalpolicy context for addressing onshore wind development. We want to see the SPP’sprovisions taken forward urgently, with local authorities engaging with com…
24 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will redefine its 2020 target for the proportion of electricity generated from renewable resources in terms of a reduction in greenhouse gases to meet the UK’s 2020 target on emissions reductions and whether it will set out a detailed and comprehensive strategy for meeting its …
Answer · Jim Mather: This Government wantsScotland to show leadership in facing up to the globalthreat posed by climate change. We plan to publish a consultation before the endof the year on a Scottish Climate Change Bill with proposals to set a mandatorytarget to achieve an 80% …
24 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will develop an energy policy and targets for the railway system as part of the capital rail strategy.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There are currentlyno plans to develop a specific energy policy and targets for the railway systemfollowing the publication of <i>Scotland’s Railways</i>. The Scottish government will continue to exploreopportunities for its transport policy to contribute to …
24 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will develop fuel substitution targets for the main energy consumption sectors, namely transport, heating and electricity, as part of its energy strategy.
Answer · Jim Mather: Our energy strategywill set out objectives and key areas for action. A target for generation of electricityfrom renewable sources is already in place and this Government has ambitions foran approach to renewables which extend beyond that. Targets for heat and…
24 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the definition of forest waste used by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency enables state and private forest owners to utilise forestry thinning and other wood materials in energy production.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: It is for the ScottishEnvironment Protection Agency (SEPA) to apply the definition of waste in Scotsand Community law and its decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis.</p><p>As a general rule however,SEPA’s current guidance, which can be found at <ahref…
24 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Enterprise will undertake research into clean coal technology and develop a programme for its use in Scotland.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish EnterpriseEnergy Team have previously provided joint funding for a feasibility study examiningthe use of clean coal technology at Longannet Power Station. They have also supportedwork with Heriot-Watt University and the Department of Trade and In…
24 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether bus transport operators have been given any incentives through the Executive’s current service support mechanism to operate a wider range of vehicle types to handle variable passenger loads.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Executive isworking closely with key stakeholders to implement Moving into the Future – anAction Plan for Buses to benefit passengers and further improve the experienceof using bus services. As part of this implementation the Scottish Executive i…
24 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering any measures to encourage higher occupancy of private vehicles, such as the use of lane preference and variable charging systems.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Powers exist in theTransport (Scotland) Act 2001 for local authorities to come forwardwith proposals for variable charging systems on local roads. There are no proposalsin Scotland at present.</p><p>Transport Scotland is examining the feasibility of introduci…