- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 31 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on local authority housing, including repairs and new building, in the North Ayrshire local authority area in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99, (d) 1999-2000, (e) 2000-01 and (f) 2001-02.
Answer
I regret that it is not possible to provide a reply prior to dissolution but I will write to the member as soon as possible.
The following is a further answer (published on 7 May 2003); see below.Ms Margaret Curran: The table below shows how much was spent on local authority housing, including repairs and new building, by North Ayrshire Council in the years from 1996 to 2002.North Ayrshire Council Local Authority Housing Expenditure
| 1996-97(£ million) | 1997-98(£ million) | 1998-99(£ million) | 1999-2000(£ million) | 2000-01(£ million) | 2001-02(estimate)(£ million) |
| Capital Expenditure | 10.90 | 6.81 | 6.14 | 7.54 | 7.20 | 7.38 |
| General Repairs and Maintenance (Funded Through Revenue) | 12.315 | 13.327 | 13.829 | 14.577 | 14.099 | 14.87 |
Note:Capital expenditure (including planned major repairs) is made up of annual HRA (Housing Revenue Account) borrowing consent, usable capital receipts and capital funded from rental income. General repairs and maintenance programmes are funded through revenue raised from rental income. This information is collected from individual local authorities and published annually by the Scottish Executive in the Statistical Bulletin - Housing Series.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 10 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 28 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the successful bidders in the latest round of applications for school rebuilding and refurbishment under the public private partnership scheme.
Answer
I refer to Cathy Jamieson's letter of 18 March 2003 to the Convener of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee, which was copied to you. Copies are also available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 27153).
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mike Watson on 28 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to organise a television debate featuring politicians, including the First Minister, that would promote the importance of the Union of the Crowns and, if so, what the status of such plans are; whether the proposal has been discussed by the advisory group and, if so, what the opinion of the group was, and whether any broadcasting organisation has been, or will be, approached by the First Minister or the Executive to show such a programme during the formal campaign for the Scottish Parliament elections, or at any other time.
Answer
There are no plans to have such a debate.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 27 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the charges levied by some airports for the provision of wheelchairs for disabled or infirm passengers.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is not aware of any charges being levied by airports in Scotland for the provision of wheelchairs. The responsibility for handling all passengers, including those with special needs, rests with airlines or their appointed handling agents.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 27 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its subsidy to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd makes any provision for free access to assistance for disabled or infirm passengers.
Answer
No. Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd makes no charge for the provision of assistance to passengers with special needs at its airports. The responsibility for handling all passengers, including those with special needs, rests with airlines or their appointed handling agents.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mike Watson on 27 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive when sportscotland intends to decide on a relocation of its headquarters and whether North Ayrshire is being considered as a possible location.
Answer
Following consideration of the report from the consultants, we and sportscotland commissioned to carry out a property review and national facilities study, I announced on 23 March a strategy for the development and procurement of national and regional sports facilities. As part of that announcement, I made clear that the consultants' report found that there is an economic case for relocating sportscotland's HQ. We intend to pursue this by investigating fully the case for co-locating it with a major sports facility development in the central belt area. We shall also pursue with equal vigour the case for relocation as a stand alone option. The central belt area identified by the consultants as eligible does not include North Ayrshire but it will be open to any local authority area which considers it can make a persuasive case for locating the HQ there to do so.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 27 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers were employed in the North Ayrshire local authority area in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99, (d) 1999-2000, (e) 2000-01 and (f) 2001-02.
Answer
Information on full-time equivalent (FTE) primary and secondary teachers employed in the North Ayrshire local authority area in 1998-99 to 2001-02 is available from the Summary of Results of the September 1998 to 2001 School Censuses and can be accessed using the following hyperlinks:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library2/doc02/ecsb-00.htmhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00013-00.asphttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00079-00.asphttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00168-00.aspHyperlinks are not available for earlier years but copies of the relevant bulletins are in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 16940 and 20188).Information available on FTE pre-school and special FTE teachers employed in the North Ayrshire local authority area in 1996-97 to 2001-02 has not been disaggregated to local authority level in publications and therefore is given in the table:
| | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 |
| Pre-School1 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 36 | NA | 58 |
| Special | 35 | 40 | 42 | 39 | 39 | 38 |
Note:1. Data for 1996-97 and 1997-98 only includes teachers in publicly funded nursery schools. Thereafter (due to changes in the sector) data includes pre-school education centres working in partnership with local authorities and the Scottish Executive. Figures exclude teachers working in daycare centres. Figures for pre-school teachers were not available from the 2001 pre-school census.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mike Watson on 27 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it is providing to schools and young people with regard to the historical significance of the Union of the Crowns; who has drawn up such information, and what efforts have been made to ensure that it is fair and balanced.
Answer
Education features strongly in the plans to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Union of the Crowns this year. Historic Scotland are inviting pupils from schools across Scotland to participate in a Schools Art Competition to design a crown, a sword or a sceptre for the Coronation of a King or Queen. Further details of the competition, pictures and further information on the Union of the Crowns can be found on the Historic Scotland website and in the specially commissioned Schools Art Competition brochure.In association with the Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network (SCRAN), a Union of the Crowns website has also been set up as part of the wider programme of events. The Union of the Crowns Advisory Group has overseen the arrangements for the design of the website, which provides access to a wide range of learning resources.All members of the advisory group contributed to the setting up of the Union of the Crowns programme of events. The group includes representatives from the City of Edinburgh Council, the University of Edinburgh, Unique Events, Historic Scotland, VisitScotland, the Scottish Tourism Forum, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the Scotland Office and the Scottish Executive. Independent academics from the University of Edinburgh assessed the content of the Union of the Crowns website to ensure that it is fair and balanced.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 27 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the period of consultation on the draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill in regard to the replacement of the present Record of Needs legislation, in light of any concerns from parents of children that will be affected by the proposals.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has no plans to extend the period of consultation. Parents of children who will be affected by the legislation have expressed a range of views about the proposals in the draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill. Ministers will consider carefully all views received in response to the consultation.The introduction of the bill to Parliament will be subject to the new administration. After introduction, a further stage of consultation will begin. At this time, normal practice is that a lead committee will consider the proposals in the draft bill, and take evidence from any individual or organisation wishing to submit their views. The lead committee will also scrutinise the adequacy of the consultation process.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 27 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek confirmation from every school and local authority that parents likely to be affected by the proposals in its draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill on the replacement of the present Record of Needs legislation were informed of the proposals in the draft bill, had the opportunity to give their views on the matter and that robust and accurate procedures were in place to communicate these views in detail to the Executive.
Answer
Over 7,000 copies of the draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill have been sent out. Every school in Scotland - mainstream, grant-aided, self-governing and independent - has been sent a copy, as have all education authorities, parent teacher associations, and many voluntary sector organisations. Head teachers were encouraged to inform parents of the new proposals, and to invite their comments. It is not intended to ask each school or education authority to report on the action taken in the consultation process.Fourteen seminars have been held in six towns/cities across Scotland, with 1,210 delegates attending. Additionally, Scottish Executive officials have been invited to talk and listen at various discussion groups involving parents.A report on the written responses to the consultation will be published in due course.
