- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 23 November 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 7 December 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19645 by Angus Mackay on 19 November 2001, what locations within North Ayrshire are being considered for relocation of civil service jobs from Edinburgh and Glasgow; what discussions are taking place with North Ayrshire Council on this matter, and what criteria will be used to reach any final decision on the matter.
Answer
The Executive wrote to all local authorities and local enterprise companies in December last year seeking information about relocation opportunities in local areas. We received a number of responses, including information about opportunities in North Ayrshire, which will continue to be considered. Following the announcement on 19 November 2001 on the progress of the policy (question S1W-19681) we will write again to provide details of the likely requirements of the new bodies in the programme. The relocation policy states that when the Scottish Executive establishes a new unit or agency, or where an existing unit is merged or otherwise reorganised, there should be a presumption against location in Edinburgh. It also states that where a significant property break point is reached - for example, the termination of an existing lease - relocation options outside Edinburgh will be considered. In each case, ministers will look at alternative locations. The criteria to be taken into account will vary according to the circumstances of the organisation under review.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 6 December 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what weight local authorities should give to its planning guidelines, in particular to National Planning Policy Guideline 3, Land for Housing, which deals with the suburbanisation of the countryside.
Answer
National Planning Policy Guidelines (NPPGs) provide statements of Scottish Executive policy on nationally important land use and other planning matters. It is for the decision-maker (normally the planning authority) to assess the weight to be afforded to NPPGs and other relevant issues when reaching a decision.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 6 December 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what weight local authorities should give to the views of existing local residents when considering applications for planning permission that appear to breach National Planning Policy Guideline 3, Land for Housing.
Answer
The weight given to public concern should be based on the relevance of the planning issues raised, and is a matter for the decision-maker to assess.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 6 December 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with East Lothian Council on any planning developments that may breach National Planning Policy Guideline 3, Land for Housing.
Answer
The Executive does not enter into discussions with planning authorities on the planning merits of applications for planning permission, in case they prejudice the position of the Scottish ministers in relation to subsequent notification or appeal procedures.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 6 December 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a development at East Saltoun by Cala Homes and the planned housing development at Aberlady are in breach of National Planning Policy Guideline 3, Land for Housing.
Answer
It is up to planning authorities to interpret National Planning Policy Guidelines in the first instance. I cannot comment on the merits of individual planning proposals as this could prejudice the position of the Scottish ministers in relation to future notification or appeal procedures.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 5 December 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a financial contribution to Humboldt University in Germany on a similar basis to contributions recently made by the Irish and Manx Governments in order to allow the continuation of Celtic Studies courses there.
Answer
We have no plans to do so.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 November 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus MacKay on 26 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the explanation given by the Minister for Finance and Local Government in his interview with the Irvine Times published on 2 November 2001 for the decision to relocate jobs from the Scottish Public Pensions Agency to Galashiels rather than Irvine is consistent with the previous explanation given by its officials to North Ayrshire Council.
Answer
Relocation decisions are based on a range of issues including costs, quality and efficiency of service, economic factors such as unemployment, availability and suitability of property and staff, transport issues, and the position of staff concerned. Further criteria to be taken into account will depend on the organisation itself and the nature of the work in question.In my interview I indicated that a range of factors was taken into account in deciding where the Scottish Public Pensions Agency should be sited. Scottish Executive officials also met with North Ayrshire Council to explain the range of factors taken into account. Each case is considered on its merits.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 29 October 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 26 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the decision by the Scottish Prison Service with regard to the application of the Data Protection Act 1984 in relation to correspondence from MSPs on behalf of prisoners is consistent with practice by other public bodies.
Answer
I have asked Mr Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows: Prior to implementation of the new procedures, the Scottish Prison Service sought advice from a number of relevant bodies including the Office of the Information Commissioner. The tenor of that advice suggested that public bodies should all adopt such a procedure and we were told that many have done so.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 29 October 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 26 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive how the work of MSPs and others representing prisoners will be affected by the decision of the Scottish Prison Service to require the explicit written consent of a prisoner before releasing to MSPs or others any information about that prisoner and whether this is an appropriate use of the provisions under the Data Protection Act 1984.
Answer
I have asked Mr Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:The work of MSPs and others representing prisoners will be facilitated by the decision. The relevant legislation is now the Data Protection Act (1998) which came into effect on 24 October 2001 and superseded the 1984 Act. The new Act updates and extends the scope of data protection provided by the 1984 Act and translates into United Kingdom legislation the 1995 European Union Directive on data protection. The action by the Scottish Prison Service has been taken to comply with the Data Protection Principles laid down by the 1998 Act, and is consistent with best practice, legal advice and is entirely in line with the spirit and intent of the Act. The new arrangements allow the Scottish Prison Service to continue to provide the information requested in accordance with the new legislation.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 09 November 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 23 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Health and Community Care will reply to the letter that my constituent, Councillor Eli'abeth McLardy, wrote to her on 26 July 2001 regarding attempts by another of my constituents to obtain an electric wheelchair.
Answer
The letter does not appear to have been received but if the member wishes to send another copy it will be given prompt attention.
