Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S1W-04369

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 February 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sam Galbraith on 29 February 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of recent events surrounding the actions of East Ayrshire Council's Social Work Department, it will review the relevant procedures for the care and protection of young people whilst under the supervision of a social worker.

It is not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases. Under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, local authorities have a duty to safeguard the welfare of children in need. This is especially the case when children are under the supervision of local authorities. Extensive guidance has already been issued to local authorities to help them discharge their duties under the Act.Proposals for legislation to regulate the social services workforce are contained in the consultation paper Regulating Care and the Social Services Workforce which issued in December 1999. The legislation will establish the Scottish Social Services Council which will register key groups of social work staff as a prerequisite before they can be employed or continue in employment. In developing this body, the Scottish Executive is seeking to ensure that users of social services have confidence in those who provide the services.

Question reference: S1W-04408

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 February 2000
Current Status: Answered by Jackie Baillie on 29 February 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for improving facilities for disabled people in Scotland and in particular whether it intends to introduce any new legislation in this area.

In December 1999 the UK-wide Disability Rights Task Force (DRTF) reported on a comprehensive review of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The Executive is considering the DRTF recommendations although any new legislation would be reserved to the UK Parliament. Meanwhile, the remaining provisions of the DDA on access to goods and services are being implemented between now and 2004. For example, from 1 October 1999 service providers are required to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, such as providing extra help or making changes to the way they provide services. From 2004 it is intended that service providers will have to make reasonable adjustments to the physical features of their premises to overcome physical barriers to access.

Question reference: S1W-04405

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 February 2000
Current Status: Answered by Jack McConnell on 29 February 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive to provide a breakdown of the Special Deprivation Allowance by local authority for the current financial year and each of the next two years.

We agreed with CoSLA that special deprivation payments for 2000-01 should be targeted, as follows, at those councils experiencing higher levels of deprivation: Clackmannanshire (£0.13 million), Dundee City (£1.6 million), East Ayrshire (£1.1 million), Eilean Siar (£0.17 million), City of Glasgow (£8.7 million), Inverclyde (£0.9 million), North Ayrshire (£1.2 million), North Lanarkshire (£2.9 million), Renfrewshire (£1.4 million), South Lanarkshire (£1.5 million) and West Dunbartonshire (£1.0 million).The payments are for 2000-01 only, pending the completion of a review of the account taken of indicators of deprivation and poverty within the local government finance distribution system.

Question reference: S1W-04407

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 February 2000
Current Status: Answered by Jackie Baillie on 29 February 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the financial support which it and its executive agencies are providing to voluntary organisations in Scotland during the current financial year and the forecast level of support for each of the next two years.

The table below shows the level of funding made available by The Scottish Office to voluntary organisations for 1998-99 by Department. An exercise is due to commence shortly to update this database to show funding from the Scottish Executive. That information will show outturn figures for 1998-99 and 1999-2000 and planned funding for 2000-01.

It is also planned to collect data relating to the funding of voluntary organisations by executive agencies. At present this information is not readily available. I will arrange for this information to be made available once it has been collected.

Department	£
Agriculture Environment & Fisheries	4,153,214
Development	2,186,837
Education and Industry	8,937,282
Health	1,036,700
Home	6,553,473

Total	22,867,506

Question reference: S1W-04404

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 February 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 29 February 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what the current status is of the proposed Glasgow Southern Orbital road in respect of the planning and other statutory procedures which require to be undertaken prior to commencement and whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the sequence of activities between now and the issuing of invitations to tender for the construction contract.

The Glasgow Southern Orbital Route is being jointly promoted by East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire Councils as a local authority development. The scheme currently before Scottish Ministers comprises two Notices of Intention to Develop. In addition, each council has promoted a Compulsory Purchase Order and a Side Roads Order. These Orders, which are deemed necessary by them to facilitate the building of the road, are currently the subject of objections. Negotiations between the Councils and the objectors are ongoing.

In the event of the objections to the Orders not being withdrawn, the parties have the right to be heard at a Public Local Inquiry (PLI). In such a case, papers would be passed to the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit whereupon relevant notice of the PLI would be issued to each of the organisations and individuals who had made representations concerning the merits of the proposal.The sequence of other activities leading to the invitation to tender is a matter for East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire Councils, as promoters for the scheme.

Question reference: S1W-04346

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 25 February 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what the current status is of the proposed upgrade of the A77 between Fenwick and Malletsheugh in respect of the planning and other statutory procedures which require to be undertaken prior to commencement and whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the sequence of activities between now and the issuing of invitations to tender for the construction contract.

The following orders for the M77 scheme were made on 17 December 1999:

The M77 Special Road (Fenwick to Floak) Special Road Scheme 1999

The M77 Special Road (Fenwick to Floak) Side Roads Order 1999

The M77 Special Road (Fenwick to Floak) (Supplementary) Side Roads Order 1999

The M77 Special Road (Fenwick to Floak) Side Roads (No.2) Order 1999

The M77 Special Road (Fenwick to Floak) Appropriation Order 1999

The M77 Special Road (Fenwick to Floak) Compulsory Purchase Order 1999

The M77 Special Road (Floak to Malletsheugh) Special Road Scheme 1999

The M77 Special Road (Floak to Malletsheugh) Side Roads Order 1999

The M77 Special Road (Floak to Malletsheugh) Appropriation Order 1999

The M77 Special Road (Floak to Malletsheugh) Compulsory Purchase Order 1999

The following orders will be made shortly:

The M77 Special Road (Fenwick to Floak) Extinguishment of Public Rights of Way Order 2000

The A77 Trunk Road (Fenwick to Floak) de-trunking Order 2000

The M77 Special Road (Floak to Malletsheugh) Extinguishment of Public Rights of Way Order 2000

The A77 Special Road (Floak to Malletsheugh) de-trunking Order 2000 The main activities remaining are minor adjustments to the design to take account of changes to farm accesses, drainage and landscaping. These changes are likely to result in supplementary side road and land orders. The preparation of the tender document will follow, with ground investigation and archaeological investigations to be undertaken. My officials are working to a programme to invite tenderers to submit bids for a Design Build Finance and operate (PPP) contract in Spring 2001 with a view to a contract being awarded in Spring 2002. Design and construction work will be undertaken in advance of the main contract to provide replacement holes at Eastwood Golf Course.

Question reference: S1W-04341

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 25 February 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what its current assessment is of the viability of a public-private partnership for the proposed A77 upgrade between Fenwick and Malletsheugh.

Question reference: S1W-04344

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 25 February 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish the environmental study for the Floak to Malletsheugh section of the proposed A77 upgrade.

Question reference: S1W-04340

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 25 February 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what its current estimate is of the likely vesting day for the A77 upgrade between Fenwick and Malletsheugh and for the proposed Glasgow Southern Orbital Road project.

Question reference: S1W-04342

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 25 February 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a preferred location for a new service station on the M77 between Malletsheugh and Fenwick once it is completed.