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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 1407 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S3W-38646

Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 10 January 2011
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 19 January 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been received by the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit in each year since 2004.

Question reference: S3W-38291

Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 December 2010
Current Status: Answered by Adam Ingram on 11 January 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what the proposed start date will be for the new Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme and how much advance notification will be given of the start of the scheme

The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme will start in February 2011. This follows an announcement on 3 November 2010 to delay commencement of the scheme from the planned date of 30 November 2010 to February 2011. The date of 30 November 2010 was previously announced on 29 June 2010 providing five months notice for stakeholders. The delay until February 2011 will provide a further two to three months preparation time. The specific date in February will be announced shortly.

Question reference: S3W-38292

Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 December 2010
Current Status: Answered by Adam Ingram on 11 January 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive when the updated code of practice for the new Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme will be ready

The Code of Practice is published by the Scottish ministers under Section 122 of the Police Act 1997. It is currently being revised for the introduction of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme in February 2011, at which point the revised Code of Practice will be formally published, laid in the Scottish Parliament and come into force.

The revised Code of Practice will be made available on Disclosure Scotland''s website in mid-January, in advance of coming into force, to assist registered persons in preparing for the PVG Scheme.

Question reference: S3W-38293

Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 December 2010
Current Status: Answered by Adam Ingram on 11 January 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are for marketing and publicity of the new Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme to the (a) voluntary sector, (b) public sector and (c) general public

Since the bill was first introduced to the Scottish Parliament, the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme has been the subject of wide ranging communications and consultation activities with the voluntary, public and private sectors across Scotland.

Communications activities have included information events, both open and targeted to specific interests, publication of a regular newsletter and web-based materials and editorial and direct mail activities.

A comprehensive package of guidance and training materials, developed in partnership with a group of representatives from the public and voluntary sectors, has been available and publicised since summer 2010. Also since the summer 2010, Disclosure Scotland has been operating a PVG telephone and email helpline service dealing with specific queries. A parallel service has been operating for the voluntary sector via the Central Registered Body in Scotland (CRBS).

All of these materials have targeted the public, private and voluntary sectors using an extensive database of over 9,000 contacts which is added to daily by individuals and organisations registering on the PVG Scheme information website.

Additional support has been made available to the voluntary sector through CRBS, which provides information, support and training to third sector groups and organisations. To date, more than 1,400 people who work and volunteer with vulnerable groups have attended PVG Scheme training sessions run by CRBS.

In the run up to commencement, public awareness raising activities include advertising in the Scottish daily press, editorials in local press, adverts on local radio and also direct mailing, web and public relations activities to reach less visible groups and organisations.

Question reference: S3W-38203

Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2010
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 22 December 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions with the UK Government regarding the future of Remploy

Officials in the Scottish Government have regular communications with the UK Government on its reform agenda. These discussions have included the future of Remploy and its status as a non-departmental public body.

In the light of the spending review settlement DWP has confirmed that the budget for Remploy Limited remains unchanged. Remploy continues to be part of the UK Government''s programme of support to help severely disabled people into work. The status of Remploy as a non-departmental public body also remains unchanged, however, UK Ministers want to look at how they ensure continued improvements in the service provided by Remploy to disabled people.

Officials in the Scottish Government will continue to discuss the future of Remploy as part of the continuing reform changes.

Question reference: S3W-37980

Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Current Status: Answered by Jim Mather on 22 December 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism will provide an update on the progress of the strategic plan for the distribution of funds from dormant bank accounts, as outlined in the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Act 2008.

The next critical step in the distribution of funds under the 2008 act is the order to be made by the UK Government for the apportionment of the funds between UK administrations. We understand that the UK Government plans to open the consultation on the apportionment under section 17 of the act in January and the subsequent affirmative order will be laid before the UK Parliament in early spring.

The Scottish plans for distribution, as I outlined to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee in June 2010, depend to some extent on the level of funds which will be available. Current indications are that the total amount for distribution is likely to be lower than expected and the reclaim company may well release those funds more slowly. I will report to the Parliament once these issues, which are principally matters for the UK Government, have been resolved.

Our best estimate is that the BIG Lottery Fund may be able to release some funds in late summer 2011.

Question reference: S3W-38216

Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2010
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 20 December 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Age Scotland, WRVS and other relevant organisations regarding the needs of older and vulnerable people during severe weather.

Question reference: S3W-38214

Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2010
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 16 December 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide the (a) date and (b) time of each meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Scottish Government Resilience since 1 December 2010 at which a communications strategy to meet the needs of older and vulnerable people in the event of severe weather was discussed.

The agenda for the meetings of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Scottish Government Resilience held since 1 December 2010 includes standing items on communications and on the current situation and outlook for health and community care. This allows communications issues relating to the needs of older or vulnerable people to be raised as required.

For dates and times of meetings of the Cabinet Sub-Committee since 1 December 2010, I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38184 on 15 December 2010. 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/Default.aspx.

Question reference: S3W-38210

Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2010
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 16 December 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates and at what times the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Scottish Government Resilience has met since 1 December 2010.

Question reference: S3W-38215

Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2010
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 16 December 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the second supplementary to question S3F-2698 by the First Minister on 11 November 2010 (Official Report, c. 30366), whether it will consider the establishment of a national helpline for older and vulnerable people in the event of severe weather.

There are already established helplines in operation that are funded by the Scottish Government providing information and advice to older and vulnerable people.

For example, Care Information Scotland is a helpline and website providing information on all aspects of community care for older people. During the recent severe weather, Care Information Scotland was able to direct people to local sources of help and support.

The Scottish Government also provides funding to Age Scotland for the Scottish Helpline for Older People. This is a telephone helpline service for older people ensuring that both they and their families/carers are provided with high quality, relevant information for their needs. It also gives appropriate signposting to other helplines and organisations.

In addition, the Scottish Government''s Home Energy Scotland Hotline is in place to provide a one-stop shop where households can get all the help and advice they need to cut their fuel bill and keep their homes warm during a cold winter spell.

The Scottish Government also published a new section of the Ready Scotland website called Ready Winter, which provides practical advice on the simple practical precautions that people, including the elderly and vulnerable and their families, carers and communities can take to mitigate the worst effects of winter weather while going about their daily lives.