Drew Smith

14 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on implementing a tenancy deposit scheme.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 came into force on 7 March 2011. Proposals for Tenancy Deposit Schemes may now be submitted to the Scottish Ministers for approval, and will be evaluated against the conditions set out in the Regulation…

14 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering reintroducing a city growth fund as part of its cities strategy.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The cities strategy is being developed with cities themselves alongside other stakeholders. What is clear at this stage is that it will focus first on maximising the impact of existing spend and second on exploring the full range of innovative finance availab…

13 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that it has the power to regulate the print media.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01647 on 11 August 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/MAQASearc…

13 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the (a) UK Government and (b) Press Complaints Commission since 5 May 2007 concerning regulation of the print media in Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including on matters relating to regulation of print media and the Leveson Inquiry. The Scottish Government has not held formal discussions with the self-regulator…

13 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has taken on whether it has the power to regulate the print media.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01647 on 11 August 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/MAQASearc…

13 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering bringing forward legislation to regulate the print media.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01647 on 11 August 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/MAQASearc…

11 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-01340 by Michael Russell on 11 July 2011, how many of the teaching graduates took up probationer posts and how many subsequently obtained (a) full-time, (b) supply and (c) part-time teaching posts and what information it has on any other employment.

Answer · Michael Russell: As previously indicated, a high proportion of teaching graduates take up places on the teacher induction scheme each year and the relevant figures are shown in column 2 of the table. The Scottish Government does not collect information on the full employment…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Crown Office about implications for convictions in Scotland arising from allegations of interception of telephone communications by media organisations.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: On the assumption that this question relates to the telephone hacking allegations reported in the media, the Scottish Government has had no discussions with Crown Office about implications for convictions.

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government about allegations of interception of telephone communications by media organisations.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: On the assumption that this question relates to the telephone hacking allegations reported in the media, Scottish Government officials are liaising with Home Officials.

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the Crown Office determines when to instigate a perjury investigation.

Answer · Frank Mulholland: Perjury is an extremely serious offence and any allegation of perjury brought to the attention of the prosecution will be thoroughly investigated. Crown Counsel’s authority is required before any proceedings for perjury are initiated. Before a prosecution for…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with media organisations about allegations of interception of telephone communications.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: On the assumption that this question relates to the telephone hacking allegations reported in the media, the Scottish Government has had no discussions with media organisations.

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Crown Office about allegations of interception of telephone communications by media organisations.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: On the assumption that this question relates to the telephone hacking allegations reported in the media, the Scottish Government has liaised with the Crown Office in relation to the terms of reference of the UK Government judicial inquiry.

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the police about allegations of interception of telephone communications by media organisations.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: On the assumption that this question relates to the telephone hacking allegations reported in the media, the Scottish Government is aware that the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has asked Strathclyde Police to consider the wider matter of telephon…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will conduct a needs-based analysis for the future provision of (a) sites and (b) services for Gypsy/Travellers.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has no plans to conduct a national needs-based analysis focused on Gypsy/Traveller communities Assessment of housing need by local authorities is carried out through a Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA). Scottish Government Gu…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it provides to support the Gypsy/Traveller communities.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government’s Race, Refugee and Integration funding stream has allocated funding to voluntary organisations to develop projects specifically targeting the Gypsy/Traveller community. During 2011-12 we are providing funding of £62,250 to Article 12…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that there is sufficient capacity on local authority-managed sites to accommodate all Gypsy/Travellers who apply for a pitch.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The latest figures available, based on a count undertaken by the Scottish Government in July 2009, showed that there are 31 local authority/registered social landlord (RSLs) managed sites across Scotland. Of these, 15 sites were fully let and 15 sites had ava…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is measuring the specific impact of recession on the Gypsy/Traveller communities.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Executive is not specifically measuring the impact of the recession on the Gypsy/Traveller communities.

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action the NHS is taking to increase GP registration and ensure better access to healthcare for Gypsy/Travellers.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS boards are responsible for providing primary medical services and for ensuring that these services recognise cultural diversity and respond to the healthcare needs of all ethnic groups and communities. There should be no barriers to Gypsy/Travellers acc…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what site management guidance it provides to local authorities that support the rights of Gypsy/Travellers.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The existing site management guidance was published in January 1998 by the then Secretary of State’s Advisory Committee on Scotland’s Travelling People. We are presently considering a review of the guidance on site management. An exact date of publication can…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it is providing to Gypsy/Traveller organisations.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01570 on 27 July 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/MAQASearch/…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average level of occupancy is on local authority-managed Gypsy/Traveller sites.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The latest figures available, based on a count undertaken by the Scottish Government in July 2009, showed that there were a total of 478 pitches on local authority / registered social landlord sites. Of these, 345 pitches (72%) were let and 61 pitches (13%) w…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it provides to the police on moving on Gypsy/Travellers from unauthorised sites.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government guidelines on managing unauthorised camping aim to help the police and local authorities to develop their own strategies for managing encampments. The guidelines discuss the importance of suitable site provision for Gypsies/Travellers…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is reviewing the Gypsy/Traveller site management guidance provided to local authorities and, if so, when new guidance will be issued.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is presently considering review of the guidance on site management. An exact date of publication cannot be confirmed at the current time.

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions of Gypsy/Travellers there have been under the Trespass (Scotland) Act 1865 in each year since 2007.

Answer · Frank Mulholland: The table below shows the number of charges reported to Procurators Fiscal under the Trespass (Scotland) Act 1865, section 3 where court proceedings were initiated. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service database does not contain information that iden…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reduce racism against Gypsy/Travellers.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government acknowledges that Gypsy/Traveller communities are amongst the most disenfranchised and discriminated against in Scotland. Our Race Equality Statement identified Gypsies/Travellers as a priority group, who are ethnically distinct and we…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues to local authorities on the use of unauthorised sites by Gypsy/Travellers and how it defines an unauthorised site.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government issued Guidelines for Managing Unauthorised Camping by Gypsies/Travellers in Scotland in December 2004. These guidelines aim to strike a balance between the needs and legitimate expectations of members of the settled community, local b…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to promote better community relations between the settled communities and Gypsy/Travellers.

Answer · Michael Matheson: In accordance with the Scottish Government’s overarching approach and our Race Equality Statement, we place significant importance on ensuring that good relationships exist between settled communities and the Gypsy/Traveller community. To this end, the previo…

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has policies to specifically support the Water Gypsy community in Scotland.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is not aware of any Water Gypsies, or bargee families living in Scotland currently. Policies to support this community specifically have not been developed.

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates to be the size of the Gypsy/Traveller communities, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The estimated total population of Gypsy/Traveller communities for Scotland is 2,120. Estimated figures by local authority areas are shown in the table below. Local Authority Estimated Number of Households Estimated Gypsy/ Traveller Population Aberdeen …

7 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it measures the prevalence of racism against Gypsy/Travellers.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Executive measures attitudes towards discrimination against Gypsy/Travellers using the Attitudes to Discrimination module of the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey. The latest available results are from 2006. The 2010 results will be published on 1…