Alison McInnes

6 Sep 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will address issues regarding the training of medical practitioners identified by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland in its report, Not Properly Authorised.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Approved medical practitioners are required under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (Qualifications, experience and training of approved medical practitioners) Direction 2005 to meet certain requirements, which include completing a tr…

18 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy has had with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth to ensure the next budget bill increases funding for measures to improve health while tackling climate change.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is clear that action to meet statutory emissions reduction targets is a collective responsibility across all ministerial portfolios, and all Cabinet Secretaries are therefore in regular and ongoing discussion in preparation for the Spe…

18 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy has had with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth to ensure that the next budget bill increases funding towards active travel and the extent to which this could contribute to meeting the a…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is clear that action to meet statutory emissions reduction targets is a collective responsibility across all ministerial portfolios, and all Cabinet Secretaries are therefore in regular and ongoing discussion in preparation for the Spe…

28 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will maintain a separate monitoring role for prison visiting committees.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: We consulted formally in January and February on the most effective way of providing independent monitoring of prisons. The consultation received a significant number of detailed submissions which we are currently considering. A formal response will be publi…

28 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the importance of the role of prison visiting committees, following its consultation on the independent monitoring of prisons.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government recognises the dedication of visiting committee members and the important work they carry out. We consulted formally in January and February on the most effective way of providing independent monitoring of prisons. The consultation r…

22 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to (a) scrap or (b) reduce the amount spent on consultants' distinction awards.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I have previously made clear my belief that the current award scheme needs reform in order to make it sustainable, fit for the future and value for money. The Scottish Government has already reduced the amount spent on distinction awards by introducing a free…

22 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many test purchases of alcohol were carried out in (a) on-sales and (b) off-sales premises in 2010; how many resulted in alcohol being sold to (i) an underage person and (ii) an underage person for the second time; what action was taken against the licensee in each case; and how many …

Answer · Michael Matheson: The following information has been obtained from the Scottish Police Service in respect of on-sales and off-sales test purchases during 2010. All alcohol test purchasing is intelligence-led. Please note that information is not held centrally in relation to …

22 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many gastric (a) band and (b) bypass operations were performed in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The following tables show information on the number of gastric band and gastric bypass operations undertaken in NHS hospitals, where a main diagnosis of obesity has been recorded, by NHS board of residence in the last three financial years. Table 1: The numb…

22 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on consultants' distinction awards in each year since 2007.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The total spend on distinction awards in Scotland in each financial year since 2007 is as follows: Financial Year £ 2007-08 24,164,310 2008-09 26,460,756 2009-10 27,961,798 2010-11 27,023,579

22 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many retailers were prosecuted for selling alcohol to a drunk person in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11, broken down by police force, and what fines were issued in each case.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: One person was prosecuted with no fines issued in the Strathclyde police force area in 2009-10. Information for 2010-11 will not be available until publication of the Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2010-11 Statistical Bulletin. This is due to be published …

22 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated annual (a) quantity and (b) cost of unused drugs and medicines is in the NHS, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The requested information is not held centrally.

22 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many retailers were prosecuted for selling alcohol to underage customers in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11, broken down by police force area, and what fines were issued in each case.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following tables. The data held centrally cannot be broken down between shop owners and licensed drinking establishments. Information for 2010-11 will not be available until publication of the Criminal Proceedings in …

22 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether bariatric surgery is available to patients in all NHS board areas.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Bariatric surgery is a treatment option for all NHS board areas.

22 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultants' distinction award holders there are, broken down by award level.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Information relating to the number of NHS consultants in Scotland in receipt of distinction awards, broken down at each level of award, can be found in the Scottish Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards (SACDA) Annual Report via the following link: http:…

1 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what organisations it has consulted, or will consult, regarding its plans to introduce new legislation to tackle sectarianism.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Plans to introduce new legislation to tackle sectarianism have been discussed with a range of partners including COSLA, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, Scottish Courts Service, Scottish Prison …

1 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the Joint Action Group on Football to report back to Ministers with their final recommendations.

1 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Joint Action Group on Football will report its final recommendations to ministers.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Joint Action Group will report to Scottish ministers before the start of the 2011-12 Scottish football season. The Joint Action Group, chaired by me, has been considering proposals to deliver the eight commitments agreed at the summit on 8 March 2011. I…

1 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Joint Action Group on Football’s report will include issues beyond the eight-point action plan agreed to at the Old Firm summit in March 2011.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-421 on 10 June 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/…

1 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has attended meetings of the Joint Action Group on Football at which it has considered its report on the eight-point action plan agreed to at the Old Firm summit in March 2011.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-421 on 10 June 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/…

1 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has asked the Joint Action Group on Football to consider, in formulating its final report, issues beyond the eight-point action plan agreed to at the Old Firm summit in March 2011.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-421 on 10 June 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/…

1 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on developing proposals for further research into the religious context of religiously aggravated offences, as committed to following the Cabinet meeting of 15 March 2011.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is reviewing the existing analysis on religiously aggravated offences (under Section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003), and what additional information could usefully be captured in future analyses. Progress is being made…

31 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the publication in April 2011, of an open letter from the chief constables of Grampian Police, Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and Northern Constabulary opposing the creation of a single force, whether it remains its position to reduce the number of police forces and, if s…

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-390 on 8 June 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/D…

31 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the comments by the chief constable of Strathclyde Police that it would be preferable to stay with eight police forces rather than move to three or four forces, as reported in The Scotsman on 25 May 2011.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: We are committed to reform of the police service in Scotland to improve services and outcomes, provide greater local accountability and engagement and achieve the efficiencies necessary to sustain frontline policing for the long term. However, no decision on …

31 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the vote at the 2011 Scottish Police Federation conference, where 78% of delegates voted against the creation of a single police force, whether it remains its position to reduce the number of police forces and, if so, by how many.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-390 on 8 June 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/D…

31 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the responses to its consultation on the future of policing will be published.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-380 on 8 June 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/D…

19 May 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to build a grade-separated junction on the A90 at Laurencekirk.

28 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish an action plan for low-carbon vehicles as referred to on page one of its 2009 Consultation on Low Carbon Vehicles.

Answer · Keith Brown: <i >Consultation on Low Carbon Vehicles</i> stated on page one that ¦we are conscious there remains a significant amount of work in front of us before the completion of a strategy and supporting targets. </b></p> <p >Work is currently ongoing to review the a…

10 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost (a) is of Transport Scotland’s (TS) contract with the Performance Audit Group (PAG) and (b) was of previous contracts for work for TS currently carried out by PAG.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The estimated cost for the current Performance Audit Group contract is £20 million over the seven year contract period. This represents a £9.1 million reduction over the previous contract for 2002 to 2009, which was for £29.1 million. The cost of the initial …

10 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the duration is of Transport Scotland’s contract with the Performance Audit Group.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The duration of the current Performance Audit Group Commission contract is seven years from 1 December 2009. The previous contract was also for a period of seven years.</b></p>

19 Oct 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimated costs are for the A90 Balmedie-Tipperty dual carriageway.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The current estimated total scheme cost for the A90 Balmedie-Tipperty Scheme is £51 to £64 million excluding VAT. This estimated cost will be reviewed and updated once the statutory procedures are complete and prior to the commencement of the procurement proc…