Questions · David Whitton

14 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of demand is for flexible training opportunities for 2011-12.

Answer · Angela Constance: Flexible training opportunities were announced last year to meet the needs of small businesses. Skills Development Scotland has advised us that as they have promoted the scheme interest and uptake has increased. We have subsequently increased the number of pl…

14 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been applied for from the European Social Fund to pay for flexible training places for 2011-12.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to the member with the information requested.

14 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many flexible training opportunities have been funded through the European Social Fund in 2010-11; how many were applied for, and how many people have completed their training.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to the member with the information requested.

14 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for modern apprenticeship places there have been for 2011-12 for people aged (a) 16 to 19 and (b) 20 and over.

Answer · Angela Constance: Skills Development Scotland is currently undertaking a procurement exercise for modern apprenticeship places. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested once this exercise is complete.…

14 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been allocated for the 25,000 modern apprenticeship places for 2011-12.

Answer · Angela Constance: In the budget in February, we announced that we will invest a further £11.5 million to create 25,000 modern apprenticeship places. Skills Development Scotland will detail plans for the delivery of the 25,000 modern apprenticeships in its operating pl…

14 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what level of demand there is for modern apprenticeship places for 2011-12, also broken down by category.

Answer · Angela Constance: Skills Development Scotland is currently undertaking a procurement exercise for modern apprenticeship places. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested once this exercise is complete.…

10 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the extra 8,500 modern apprenticeship places will be made available.

Answer · Angela Constance: Following the budget we are discussing with Skills Development Scotland how to maximise the benefit of the additional modern apprenticeship places. We are keen to ensure that all 25,000 places are made available as soon as possible and in line with procuremen…

10 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will distribute the 25,000 modern apprenticeship places by sector.

Answer · Angela Constance: The breakdown of modern apprenticeships by age and by sector for 2011-12 will be considered by Skills Development Scotland in line with industry and economic needs, as part of Skills Development Scotland''s ongoing procurement processes.

14 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the prisoner escort contract is currently being tendered, in light of the current contract not expiring until 2012.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: The current Prisoner Escort and Court Custody Service contract is due to expire in January 2012. The procurement timetable is designe…

14 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to announce what company has been successful in the bid for the new prisoner escort contract.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38809 on 24 January 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availa…

14 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies are on the shortlist for the new prisoner escort contract; what companies, and how many originally expressed interest in it.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is currently conducting a procurement process for the renewal of the current Prisoner Escort and Co…

14 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to move the specialist unit for sex offenders at HMP Peterhead to the replacement prison at Low Moss.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows: Convicted sex offenders are currently held in a number of establishments across the SPS estate; including Peterhead, Polmont, D…

14 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff will be employed at the replacement prison at Low Moss.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: Staff numbers have yet to be finalised but are expected to be in the region of 350.

14 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the first prisoners to arrive at the replacement prison at Low Moss.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: The first intake of prisoners is expected to be in the spring of 2012.

14 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the construction of the replacement prison at Low Moss is due for completion.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: Construction of HMP Low Moss is due to be completed in the autumn of 2011.

29 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been informed of the estimated number of people on incapacity benefit or employment support allowance who will be required to seek work under the welfare reform proposals and, if so, what the impact of this will be on the Scottish economy.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has been informed that an estimated 175,000 current Incapacity Benefit customers will be reassessed at a rate of approximately 1,100 per week. The Department for Work and Pensions estimate that 23 per cent will be deemed fit f…

26 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is for each of the measures listed as priorities on pages 17 and 18 of Scotland’s Spending Plans and Draft Budget 2011-12.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-37909 on 9 December 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps…

26 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated savings in 2010-11 and 2011-12 are for each of the measures listed as spending cuts on pages 15 and 16 of Scotland’s Spending Plans and Draft Budget 2011-12.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government''s document Scotland''s Spending Plans and Draft Budget 2011-12, published on 17 November 2010, set a budget to address the financial challenge of a reduction of £1.3 billion in cash terms in 2011-12. In the document, the Scott…

23 Sep 2010 · Written Question

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to the member with the information requested.

23 Sep 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how Skills Development Scotland is promoting the availability of additional places for stonemason apprentices in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to the member with the information requested.

23 Sep 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional apprenticeship places for stonemasons have been created by the (a) public and (b) private sector as a result of its 2010-11 budget.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to the member with the information requested.

24 Jun 2010 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review targets to reduce waiting times for cancer testing and receiving results.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Cancer targets have already been reviewed and were included and published in the updated cancer plan, Better Cancer Care. The old 62-day target performance has now been met for five consecutive quarters and two new tougher 31 and 62-day targets have been intr…