Questions and answers

Question reference: S4W-12573

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 25 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 7 February 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many students applied for, but did not obtain, college places in 2012-13, broken down by institution.

Question reference: S4W-11921

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 18 January 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 16 January 2013

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11036 by Michael Matheson on 22 November 2012, what information it has regarding whether additional processes were introduced by the (a) Medical and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and (b) Commission on Human Medicines to ensure the quality, efficacy and safety of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in light of the litigation initiated between 1992 and 2003 regarding its safety.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the government agency that has responsibility for the regulation of medicinal products including vaccines in the UK. The MHRA has robust procedures in place to continually review the safety of vaccines on an on-going basis and where any new evidence is presented, the Scottish Government will consider this as a priority. Further safety information can be obtained from www.mhra.gov.uk.

Question reference: S4W-11418

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2012
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 10 January 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many objections were or have been received to applications for wind turbine developments under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010, (d) 2011 and (e) 2012.

The following is broken down by year of application submission and, for those still under consideration, is subject to change as further representations are received and logged.

Development

Status

Supporting Representations

Objecting Representations

2008

Black Law Extension	Consented	0	11
Doronell	Consented	608	635
Earlshaugh	Public Inquiry	8	509
Whitelee Extension	Consented	2	56

2009

Wester Dod (Aikengall II)	Ministerial Consideration	382	103
Harelaw	Public Inquiry	23	175
Kilbruar Extension	Consented	18	3
Millennium Extension	Consented	2	2
Newfield	Public Inquiry	15	54
Viking	Consented	1109	2772
Whitelee Ext Phase 2	Consented	0	0

2010

Braemore	Application	230	420
Galawhistle	Consented	0	2
Killgallioch	Application	22	66
Muaitheabhal East Extension	Consented	0	5
Rowantree	Application	4	30
Waterhead Moor	Withdrawn	0	380

2011

Allt Duine	Public Inquiry	24	139
Beinneun	Consented	1	0
Black Law Ext Phase 2	Application	0	328
Clyde Extension	Application	2	5
Druim Ba	Public Inquiry	437	342
Glenmorrie	Application	32	209
Harburnhead	Application	967	511
Kype Muir	Application	12	13
Lochluichart Extension	Consented	9	124
Mid Hill	Application	0	4
Middle Muir	Application	4	63
Sallachy	Application	72	217
Stornoway	Consented	7	11

2012

Bhlaraidh	Application	6	25
Brown Muir	Application	10	2102
Cloich Forest	Application	1	127
Dalnessie	Application	3	3
Fauch Hill	Public Inquiry	10	85
Glencassley	Application	5	27
Nathro	Application	6	211
Stronelairg	Application	6	92
Whitelee Ext Phase 3	Application	13	7

Question reference: S4W-11831

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 December 2012
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 9 January 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many major service changes proposals made under the guidance, CEL 4 (2010), Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Care Services, it has approved and (a) have been and (b) are subject to an independent scrutiny panel, broken down by proposal.

Question reference: S4W-11834

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 December 2012
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 9 January 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses to determine whether a proposal for a service change made under the guidance, CEL 4 (2010), Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Care Services, should be subject to an independent scrutiny panel.

This is ultimately a matter for ministerial discretion, based on a range of factors. Ministers may decide to establish an Independent Scrutiny Panel to assess the safety, sustainability, evidence base and value for money of proposals. The Panel will seek to ensure that proposals are robust, person-centred and consistent with clinical evidence and/or best practice, national policy and that all practical options have been considered. Ministers have been consistently clear that independent scrutiny will be deployed where, in their view, the benefits outweigh the costs.

Question reference: S4W-11829

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 December 2012
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 9 January 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS boards have asked for advice on whether a proposal for a service change should be classified as major change, as set out under the guidance, CEL 4 (2010), Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Care Services, and how many it has designated as such, broken down by proposal.

Scottish Government officials regularly discuss service redesign proposals, including their consistency with national guidance, policies and frameworks, with all territorial NHS boards. As informed by such dialogue with the Scottish Government and Scottish Health Council, boards often determine themselves that certain service proposals are “major” and proceed accordingly.

Since the CEL 4 (2010) Guidance issued, the Scottish Government has designated two proposals as major: the Community Maternity Unit at Inverclyde Royal Hospital and NHS Grampian’s maternity services review.

Question reference: S4W-11832

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 December 2012
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 9 January 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses to determine whether a proposal for a service change made under the guidance, CEL 4 (2010), Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Care Services, should be classified as major change.

This is ultimately a matter for ministerial discretion, based on a range of factors such as the potential number of local people or patients affected, and consequences for local access to NHS services. The Scottish Health Council provides detailed guidance to NHS boards on considering whether service proposals may be major or not. This can be accessed on the Council’s website at:

http://www.scottishhealthcouncil.org/publications/guidance.aspx.’

Question reference: S4W-11835

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 December 2012
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 9 January 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what support it has given to NHS boards in delivering formal option appraisals made under the guidance, CEL 4 (2010), Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Care Services.

The Scottish Government’s CEL 4 (2010) Guidance is clear about the key reference material to assist boards in delivering effective and appropriate options appraisal, including the Scottish Capital Investment Manual, HM Treasury Green Book, and Scottish Health Council advice on the public engagement aspects of options appraisal, which can be accessed on the Council’s website at:

http://www.scottishhealthcouncil.org/publications/guidance.aspx.

Question reference: S4O-01655

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 January 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the A9 Safety Group on speed limits for HGVs on the A9.

Question reference: S4F-01074

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 December 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 December 2012

To ask the First Minister what action is being taken to minimise disruption from industrial action over the festive season.

Chamber and committees