Willie Rennie

27 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many and (b) what percentage of freedom of information enquiries received by it in the last six months have been answered (i) within and (ii) outwith 20 working days of receipt.

Answer · Brian Adam: In the six months ending on 27 February 2012 we received 873 freedom of information requests. 732 (84%) were answered within 20 working days of receipt and 141 (16%) were answered outwith that deadline.

20 Feb 2012 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

3 Feb 2012 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

23 Jan 2012 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

16 Jan 2012 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

19 Dec 2011 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

9 Dec 2011 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

8 Dec 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) males and (b) females under 25 years have committed acts of self-harm in each of the last ten years, broken down by age.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The following tables show information on the number of males and females admitted to acute hospitals in Scotland with a diagnosis of intentional self-harm in the financial years ending 31 March 2002 to 2011 by age band. These figures are limited to cases whe…

5 Dec 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) terms and conditions and (b) salary will be of the chief constable of the proposed single police force and what relevant discussions have taken place.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The salary and terms and conditions of the chief constable of the single Police Service have yet to be determined. Terms and conditions of service for all police officers, including the salaries of chief constables, are set out in police regulations and subje…

28 Nov 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the sources are of the £144.3 million funding pot to deliver next generation broadband.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government has committed funding up to £144.3 million until the financial year 2015-16, for the specific purpose of the accelerated roll-out of next generation broadband throughout Scotland. This funding will help deliver the Scottish Government…

28 Nov 2011 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

21 Nov 2011 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

11 Nov 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many modern apprenticeship new starts there were in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and have been in 2011-12, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to respond to you with this information. You may find it helpful to note that Skills Development Scotland publish Modern Apprentic…

7 Nov 2011 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

31 Oct 2011 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

4 Oct 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many doctors are licensed to prescribe heroin for the treatment of drug addiction.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The licensing of diamorphine for the treatment of addiction is provided for within the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (and subsequent amendment of June 2007). As this is reserved legislation it is the UK Government Home Office that provides a general licence to cov…

3 Oct 2011 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

26 Sep 2011 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

12 Sep 2011 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

5 Sep 2011 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

18 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to improve access to universities for less well-off students from the rest of the UK.

Answer · Michael Russell: In addition to the comprehensive support already available through the discretionary fund system, principals in the higher education sector are considering what further support might be offered such as bursaries and scholarships. The issue will also be consid…

18 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to increase participation in the digital economy in all communities.

Answer · Alex Neil: Scotland’s Digital Future: A Strategy For Scotland, published on 3 March 2011, sets out the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring that Scotland is at the forefront of the digital economy. Our ambition is to ensure that the rate of broadband uptake in S…

18 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to increase broadband take-up in areas where it is already available.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: We are committed to increasing broadband take-up in Scotland, Scotland’s Digital Future: A Strategy for Scotland, http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/03/04162416/0. Actions we are undertaking include: exploring options for making cheaper computer…

18 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will widen access to universities.

Answer · Michael Russell: As outlined in my statement to Parliament on 16 June 2011, I will set out a wider package of reforms on post-16 education later this year. Any changes to widening access initiatives would be brought forward next year as part of this process.

18 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish details of its plans for the next generation digital fund.

Answer · Alex Neil: Plans for the next generation digital fund, which is part of the Scottish Futures Fund, are a matter for the Spending Review, which will report this autumn.

18 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the next generation digital fund will be allocated to ensure that all communities are able to access superfast broadband.

Answer · Alex Neil: Plans for the next generation digital fund, which is part of the Scottish Futures Fund, are a matter for the Spending Review, which will report this autumn. The allocation of the fund will be considered by the Scottish Government after this time.

18 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for the introduction of the next generation digital fund.

Answer · Alex Neil: The timetable for introduction of the next generation digital fund, which is part of the Scottish Futures Fund, is a matter for the Spending Review, which will report this autumn.

18 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether universities that increase fees for students from the rest of the UK will be expected to widen access for less well-off students.

Answer · Michael Russell: Universities Scotland has confirmed that higher education institutions are considering proposals for further support, such as bursaries and scholarships, that could be offered to help students from the rest of the UK.

18 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to change how information is presented in energy performance certificates.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government will publish a consultation on the recast of Directive 2010/31/EU on The Energy Performance of Buildings, later this year. The possibility of amending the Energy Performance Certificate will form part of this consultation.

18 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the warm homes fund will operate alongside the Green Deal programme.

Answer · Alex Neil: The warm homes fund will deliver renewable energy and energy-efficient homes in those communities worse affected by fuel poverty. We expect to publish more details on the fund following the Spending Review. We will explore any opportunities to maximise the im…