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.

Question reference: S4W-01341

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 June 2011
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 28 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the outcome of the British-Irish Council Summit.

On 20 June 2011, the First Minister, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth and I represented the Scottish Government at the 16th Summit of the British-Irish Council in London. The summit was attended by all eight member administrations and was hosted by the UK Government.

The meeting began with a significant discussion on economic growth where the First Minister made the case for flexibility particularly in relation to capital expenditure and for the fiscal levers necessary to help economic recovery in Scotland. The Council acknowledged the challenging economic circumstances facing its members and considered how member administrations could continue to learn from each others successes.

The Council then welcomed a paper on an all islands approach to energy resources and had a very positive discussion about greater cooperation on renewables and improving connection and transmission between member administrations and other European nations, including developing the North Sea grid.

Member administrations discussed the establishment of the Standing Secretariat; the headquarters of which are due to be located in Edinburgh. The Council agreed to a target start date of 1 January 2012, subject to final details and related issues being agreed.

I am placing a copy of the Summit Communiqué agreed by the British Irish Council in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. (Bib. number 53002).

Question reference: S4W-00137

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 May 2011
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 1 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will initiate an investigation with the fire services, NHS and local government to determine whether the installation of domestic fire safety sprinklers should be a prerequisite of supporting technology where a vulnerable person is supported in their own home.

The Scottish Government works with partners to support independent living for older people through the development and realisation of new technology services across Scotland. Domestic safety continues to be an important element of Telecare services in Scotland, many of which link hard-wired smoke detectors to appropriate emergency services.

NHS24 is leading on Telecare service developments across Scotland and, with the Scottish Government, will continue its strategic dialogue with fire service representatives to monitor and where appropriate address particular concerns about the role Telecare can play in support of domestic fire safety.

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