Kevin Stewart

21 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many trained alcohol counsellors are working in each local authority area.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The number of trained alcohol counsellors is not held centrally. Responsibility is devolved to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) to commission (informed by robust needs assessment) evidence based, person centred and recovery-focused treatment services to …

21 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much money is allocated annually to train alcohol counsellors.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Funding allocations to train alcohol counsellors is not held centrally. Responsibility is devolved to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) to commission (informed by robust needs assessment) evidence based, person centred and recovery-focused treatment servi…

19 Nov 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to boost co-operation between Scottish universities and their international counterparts to enhance research and student opportunities.

1 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many staff are employed by Network Rail to deal with the rail network in Scotland.

Answer · Keith Brown: This is an operational matter for the company and the Scottish Government has no direct responsibility in this area.

1 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many Network Rail staff are based in Scotland.

Answer · Keith Brown : This is an operational matter for the company and the Scottish Government has no direct responsibility in this area.

1 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what input it has into the tendering of cross-border rail services.

Answer · Keith Brown: Cross border passenger rail services are specified by the Department for Transport. The Scottish Government currently provides ‘non-binding’ advice to the Department on its expectation of the level of service provision specified for cross border rail franchi…

1 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what rail operating companies it provides funding to and how much each company receives.

Answer · Keith Brown: Scottish Ministers have responsibility for procuring rail passenger services which operate wholly in Scotland. There is currently one main contract, the rail franchise operated by First ScotRail, and this is due to end in November 2014. The cost of this rail …

1 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the rail network is funded.

Answer · Keith Brown: The rail network is managed by Network Rail. For financial planning purposes Network Rail works within five-year 'Control Periods' each one beginning on 1 April and ending on 31 March to coincide with the financial year. The next control period starts on 1 Ap…

29 Oct 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve recycling rates.

26 Oct 2012 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost is of the combined Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and A90 Balmedie to Tipperty project.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) is vital for jobs, the economy and improving the transport infrastructure of Aberdeen and the north east. Over the next three decades, the project is expected to bring in an additional £6 billion to the north east …

22 Oct 2012 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what obligations Scottish Water has to deal with persistent flooding from its sewerage network.

1 Oct 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it carries out of literacy initiatives such as the Reading Bus in Aberdeen.

24 Sep 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) total value is and (b) cash balances are of local authority common good funds.

Answer · John Swinney: This information is not held centrally. All common good assets which are held by local authorities are accountable within the audited accounts of each local authority.

21 Sep 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what level of reserves is held by each (a) local authority and (b) NHS board.

Answer · John Swinney: The following tables show the level of revenue and capital reserves held by each local authority as at 31 March 2011. NHS boards do not hold reserves.  Revenue Reserves General Fund Housing Revenue Account Renewal and Repairs Insurance Fund Other Statut…

20 Sep 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the total saving to businesses in Aberdeen City has been under the small business bonus scheme.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Since its introduction in 2008 by this government, the small business bonus scheme has saved businesses in Aberdeen City £12.7 million in business rates taxation.

20 Sep 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses in Aberdeen City have benefited from a reduction in rates under the small business bonus scheme.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Official Statistics, published on 27 October 2011, showed that 2,010 business premises in Aberdeen City were paying reduced or zero business rates under the small business bonus scheme.

20 Sep 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people live in supported accommodation.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: The information requested is not held centrally. We have been consulting with stakeholders on the information needed to assess the impact of possible changes in housing benefit for those in supported accommodation. Following these discussions we are now plann…

10 Sep 2012 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the possible impact on its anti-poverty strategy, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding its contract with Atos for carrying out work capability assessments.

31 Aug 2012 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Aberdeen City Council has submitted any new tax incremental financing applications since rejecting the business plan incorporating the City Garden Project.

9 Aug 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has received from Aberdeen City Council regarding the council's (a) review of the proposed third Don crossing and (b) plans for improvements at the Haudagain roundabout.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government has received no correspondence from Aberdeen City Council in relation to a review of a Third Don Crossing. A number of meetings were held between Transport Scotland and Aberdeen City Council before the publication of the A90/A96 Hauda…

9 Aug 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many vehicles each local authority has procured using funding from the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Support Scheme, broken down by engine type.

Answer · Mr Alex Neil MSP : The following tables show the number and types of vehicles purchased by each local authority, and their community planning partners, in the 2 years the scheme has operated, 2010-11 and 2011-12. In 2010-11 the scheme was also opened up to wider public bodies. …

11 Jul 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people accessed advocacy services in the last year, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) local authority.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally. I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04931 on 23 January 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http:/…

11 Jul 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much public money was spent on advocacy in the last year, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) local authority and also expressed per head of population.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally. I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04930 on 23 January 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://…

11 Jul 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many advocacy services have been put out to competitive tendering in the last year and how many were won by local organisations.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally. Commissioning of advocacy services is a matter for local authorities and NHS boards as they have responsibility, within their respective areas, for provision of advocacy for those who need it. Guidance on the Procur…

10 Jul 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of GP practices in each NHS board area have enhanced service contracts for drug treatment.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This is a matter for NHS boards. The information requested is not held centrally.

5 Jul 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much each local authority has paid in landfill tax in each year since 1999.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: This information is not held centrally.

5 Jul 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities provide a food waste recycling service.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The following table identifies those local authorities currently providing a household food waste recycling service: Council Full/Part Rollout How is food collected? How often? 1 Aberdeen City Part Food and Garden Fortnightly 2 Aberdeenshire Par…

5 Jul 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what business waste recycling rates have been achieved in each local authority in each year since 1999.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The information requested is not held centrally.

5 Jul 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what household recycling rates have been achieved in each local authority area in each year since 1999.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The following table gives the household recycling rate achieved in each local authority area in each year since 1999. Household Waste Recycled or Composted (% Tonnes) Local Authority 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2…

26 Jun 2012 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the report, Future arrangements to secure food standards and safety in Scotland.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scudamore review was as a direct result of the UK Government’s decision to move responsibility for nutrition and food labelling in England from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to the Department of Health and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural A…