Wednesday 27 June 2012 SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE Enterprise and Environment Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-06877 by Fergus Ewing on 8 May 2012, whether it will publish details of the mechanisms which are in place following the recommendations of the Audit Scotland and Public Audit Committee reports on The Gathering 2009 to provide the necessary accountability and transparency for all public resources invested by the Scottish Government in the Homecoming Scotland 2014 celebrations and to ensure that the related governance arrangements are fit for purpose. Holding answer issued: 24 May 2012 (S4W-7131) Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has published guidance designed to promote good practice in the governance of public-private sector projects. In addition, relevant recommendations by the Public Audit Committee have been reflected in updated guidance in the Scottish Public Finance Manual. Governance and Communities Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to allow local authority officials to combat antisocial behaviour by (a) tenants and (b) home owners. (S4W-7870) Keith Brown: In March 2009 the Scottish Government and COSLA jointly published their Framework for tackling antisocial behaviour, Promoting Positive Outcomes. It followed a thorough review of national antisocial behaviour policy, recognising that prevention; early and effective intervention; and diversion, should be at its heart. There is a range of tools available to local authorities and other partners to tackle antisocial behaviour across a range of tenures and the extent to which they are used and in what circumstances is an operational matter for those local authorities and other partners. Guidance on the use of tools to tackle antisocial behaviour can be found on the Scottish Government s website at: www.scotland.gov.uk. Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what new legislation is being considered to deal with antisocial behaviour by tenants. (S4W-7871) Keith Brown: The Scottish Government consultation Affordable Rented Housing: creating flexibility for landlords and better outcomes for communities suggested 10 proposals for legislative change. Four of these proposals would give social landlords (local authorities and Registered Social Landlords) greater flexibility around allocations, tenancies and evictions and help deal with antisocial behaviour by their tenants. Any changes to be taken forward will form part of a Housing Bill. The consultation closed on 30 April 2012 and the paper can be accessed online at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2012/02/9972/0. The Scottish Government is currently consulting on the development of a strategy aimed at growing and improving standards within the Scottish private rented sector. As part of this, the Scottish Government is seeking views on how problem tenants living within privately rented properties can be more effectively dealt with to help both neighbours and landlords. The consultation runs until 10 July 2012 and can be accessed online at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/resource/0039/00391609.pdf.
Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans to reduce the time taken by the process for local authority housing officers to deal with antisocial behaviour. (S4W-7872) Keith Brown: The Scottish Government consultation Affordable Rented Housing: creating flexibility for landlords and better outcomes for communities included a number of proposals to give social landlords (local authorities and Registered Social Landlords) greater flexibility in tackling antisocial behaviour and asked whether we need to simplify the eviction process where another court has already considered antisocial behaviour by a tenant or their household. Any changes to be taken forward will form part of a Housing Bill. The consultation closed on 30 April 2012 and can be accessed online: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2012/02/9972/0. Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many properties are valued (a) at under 180,000, (b) between 180,000 and 350,000 and (c) above 350,000, also broken down by local authority. Keith Brown: This information is not held centrally. (S4W-7928) Stewart Maxwell (West Scotland) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it has given to Veterans Scotland in each year since 2007. (S4W-8026) Keith Brown: Veterans Scotland has been provided with a range of grant, fee and other payments from the Scottish Government since 2007. These total 141,900. Stewart Maxwell (West Scotland) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive which projects have received funding and how much money each has received from the Scottish Veterans Fund in each of the last five years. (S4W-8027) Keith Brown: Organisations that have received Scottish Government grant funding from the Scottish Veterans Fund since its introduction in 2007-08 are as follows:- Financial Year 2008-09 Organisation Project Award Veterans Scotland Funding for Veterans Awareness Day 2200 Veterans Scotland Freight Agency Erskine Poppy Scotland/Scottish Association for Mental Health To organise a Thanksgiving Service for the lives of Service personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan Commission a book aimed at school children and young people to communicate the experiences of veterans returning from conflict Research into the needs of Service personnel returning from active service Commission a report to gain better understanding of alcohol dependency issues as they relate to veterans 5500 7800 8000 9000
Financial Year Organisation Project Award Scottish Association for Mental Health/Combat Stress Scottish Poverty Information Unit To provide a practical veterans guide to those agencies working with mental health difficulties Commission a report to collect baseline information on the financial situation and wellbeing of veterans in Scotland 9500 9500 Lady Haig Poppy Factory Ventilation system for the factory 9500 2009-10 Scottish Veterans Residences First Base Agency To build a new website with a focus on housing for Service leavers Pilot project of improvement for Service personnel with drug dependency as a result of being unable to cope with civilian life 9500 9500 Gardening Leave To train a fully qualified horticultural therapist 3000 Gordon Highlanders Museum Officers Association Scotland Poppy Scotland/Blake Stevenson To hold workshops to give children a better understanding of veterans affairs To run a pilot scheme for a bespoke service assisting transition to civvy street For research into employment needs of disabled veterans 4500 4500 5750 Veterans Scotland Bi-annual newsletter and directory for veterans 9000 Cadet Training Centre Inverness Poppy Scotland Trip to Normandy for 12 cadets and 4 veterans carrying the baton of Remembrance to celebrate the D-Day landings with presentations on return A 3 year educational programme for children 3-18yrs on the importance of remembrance and the main issues facing veterans today 2500 Erskine Development of web-based CMS system 9000 Holybush House To set up and support a carers support website 3500 Combat Stress A one year fixed-term contract Assistant Psychologist Officers Association Scotland To gain accreditation in coaching 4500 Scottish Veterans Residences To covert the games room at Whiteford House into a resource and IT centre for use by veterans 7500 Erskine Start up costs fro Pathfinder initiative 4750 2010-11 Combat Stress Veterans Scotland To fund the 90th anniversary service at St Giles Cathedral on 14 May 2009 Complete the Veterans Scotland e-hub following update work carried out on member sites 1500 9000
Financial Year Organisation Project Award Poppy Scotland/ Citizens Advice Scotland ASAP Project To develop a booklet which will complement the e-learning tool being developed for advisers working in Citizens Advice Bureaus 6150 Lady Haig Poppy Factory Poppy Scotland Poppy Scotland Scottish Veterans Residences Mark Wright Project Thistle Foundation Erskine Royal British Legion Scotland To support the interactive mobile museum used to educate school children on remembrance and ongoing problems affecting veterans Conference to highlight the problems of employment facing disabled and vulnerable veterans Sowing the Seed Phase 3 educational pack for school teachers on the subject of remembrance Remembrance service to celebrate 125 years of service to veterans Funding for the physical activity outdoor programme designed to help veterans in accessing healthy outdoor activates Funding for veterans lifestyle management courses to improve the health and wellbeing of veterans through participation Funding to support a pilot scheme offering supported transition for Service leavers utilising 5 new properties at Erskine Project and competition for schools centred around war memorials 7000 7950 1250 9900 7250 2011-12 Royal British Legion Scotland Funding to publicise a scheme to fund travel and subsistence costs of non-next of kin to visit seriously wounded Servicemen/women being treated in MDHU England 1500 Firm Base Agency The carnsallaoch walled garden 8160 Stirling University/Erskine Scottish Society For The Employment of Ex-Regular Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen Scottish Society For The Employment of Ex-Regular Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen /Borders New Way Partnership Glasgow Help For Heroes Mark Wright Project Synergy Training Dementia research to improve the quality of care for veterans in Scotland Training provision specifically aimed at vulnerable early Service leavers life skills awareness Handbook to support veterans and families in the Borders Provision of services for veterans and their families not currently funded by local authorities or MOD Support training and employability for ex-services recruitment Funding for pilot employability programme for vulnerable veterans 1000 4400 5000 5000 Thistle Foundation Veterans programme 5000
Financial Year Organisation Project Award Scottish Society For The Employment of Ex-Regular Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen /South Ayrshire Council SSAFA Forces Help Veterans First Point South Ayrshire Phase 1 to cover areas which fall within the remit of the SVF Improved support to Scottish veterans through better training SSAFA case workers 6000 6000 Horseback UK Veterans courses 6000 Scottish Veterans Residences Royal British Legion Scotland 2012-13 Tayforth Veterans Project Dundee First Base Agency Officers Association Scotland Gardening Leave Alcohol support pilot aimed at reducing the number of failed tenancies due to alcohol addiction and behavioural problems at SVR properties Support for standard bearers and bands taking part in the Armed Forces Day national event 2011 Assistance with set up costs for veterans drop in centre Assistance with costs associated with the provision of psychotherapy/counselling/acupuncture services in conjunction with local NHS Funding for pilot scheme offering enhanced support to veterans finding it difficult to transit to civilian life Funding for the provision of equipment to set up a new facility at SVR in Dundee 8000 5440 6000 6000 6120 2499 Thistle Foundation Part funding for lifestyle management courses Health in Mind Health in Mind Apex SSAFA Forces Help Veterans Scotland Assistance in providing hardware in support of additional facilities to help those with combat stress disorder to cope with their disability To provide training aids and support to children and families of those veterans affected by mental illness to better understand the condition Funding for costs associated with setting up and running a facility for veterans leaving custody within the SPS To assist with costs associated with a conference to bring together SSAFA volunteers from across Scotland to advance their training and awareness of available services Housing research for forward planning of housing needs for veterans 4400 9891 9359 Glasgow s' Helping Heroes Training veterans in accessing the job market 5732 Jim Hume (South Scotland) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive how many pressured areas each local authority has created since the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010 came into force, broken down by month of creation. (S4W-8033)
Keith Brown: There is no statutory requirement for local authorities to inform the Scottish Government when they designate, amend or revoke a pressured area. The Scottish Government is aware of five local authorities who have made use of the provisions in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010 to extend existing pressured area designations. These authorities are: Dumfries and Galloway - June 2011 Highland - October 2011 Perth and Kinross - December 2011 Argyll and Bute - January 2012 Fife - March 2012. Health and Social Care Margaret McCulloch (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on NHS Lanarkshire s aim of delivering two integrated mental health facilities, and what action it has taken to assist the board in doing this. Holding answer issued: 26 June 2012 (S4W-7828) Nicola Sturgeon: It is for NHS Lanarkshire to plan and provide mental health services which meet the needs of their local communities, in line with national policy, frameworks and guidance. Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to complete the cleansing of the data regarding the (a) number of clinical midwives, (b) average and range of midwife to birth ratio and (c) caseload of each full-time equivalent community midwife in each NHS area. (S4W-7843) Nicola Sturgeon: The work being taken forward by Scottish Government and key stakeholders including NHSScotland and the Royal College of Midwives to improve the quality of workforce data for Midwifery staff is due to be completed and published by National Services Scotland, Information Services Division, by the end of this year. The published data will provide information on (a) the number of clinical midwives and (b) average and range of midwife to birth ratio. It will not provide information on the caseload of each full-time equivalent community midwife. Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what contingency plans are in place in relation to the planned industrial action by the British Medical Association on 21 June 2012. (S4W-7851) Nicola Sturgeon: All NHS boards have robust business continuity plans in place to deal with disruptions such as those caused by industrial action and to ensure that core services are maintained. NHS boards worked closely with the BMA local representatives to assess the impact of the industrial action. NHS boards worked locally with doctors to agree the level of services that would be provided on the day and to avoid unnecessary disruption to patients. Urgent and emergency care was not affected. Health boards confirmed that all patients whose appointments had been cancelled and rescheduled were informed by letter or telephone. GP practices were responsible for informing their patients of the level of services they would provide on 21 June. Doctors were available to ensure that urgent and emergency care was not affected, this includes cancer treatment and other on-going treatment. Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has estimated the likely impact on NHS services of the planned industrial action by the British Medical Association on 21 June 2012.
(S4W-7852) Nicola Sturgeon: The industrial action was targeted at routine GP and hospital appointments, including planned surgery and outpatient clinics. NHS Boards worked closely with the BMA local representatives to assess the impact of the industrial action. Management information collected on the day of industrial action shows approximately 3200 outpatient appointments and 450 inpatient and day cases were cancelled, and 60% of GP practices were affected to some degree. Doctors were available to ensure that urgent and emergency care was not affected, this includes cancer treatment and other ongoing treatment. Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive when (a) the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy and (b) Health Facilities Scotland received a medical alert about problems with PIP breast implants; what action was then taken to notify women, and when. (S4W-7987) Nicola Sturgeon: Medical device alerts, including those about PIP silicone breast implants, are sent by MHRA directly to Health Facilities Scotland who distribute them to their network of equipment coordinators in NHS boards. Those co-ordinators are responsible for cascading alerts to the appropriate areas within their NHS board and the alert specifies what action or actions are to be taken. Medical device alerts about PIP silicone breast implants were issued by MHRA on 31 March 2010 (MDA/2010/025), 4 October 2010 (MDA/2010/078) and 15 March 2012 (MDA/2010/011). The first alert, issued in 2010, indicated that further advice about the clinical management of patients implanted with PIP silicone breast implants would be made available, and that advice was provided in the latter two alerts. Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will call a summit with private health providers to ensure a consistency of approach for women with PIP breast implants. (S4W-7988) Nicola Sturgeon: I have made it very clear that I expect private healthcare providers to provide an appropriate package of care to their patients. There are no plans to call a summit of private healthcare providers to discuss this issue. Stewart Maxwell (West Scotland) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the action plans that are in place for specific diseases. (S4W-8024) Nicola Sturgeon: All of our disease specific Action Plans can be found on the publications page of the Scottish Government website which can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/recent. Currently we have the following live action plans which are disease specific: The Better Heart Disease and Stroke Care Action Plan. The Diabetes Action Plan. Better Cancer Care. Scotland s Dementia Strategy. Tuberculosis Action Plan. HIV Action Plan.
All of our disease specific Action Plans are fully aligned to our Quality Strategy to ensure that they deliver safe, effective and truly person centred care for people living with these conditions in Scotland. Information on the Quality Strategy can be accessed via the Scottish Government website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/health/nhs-scotland/nhsquality Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurses specialise in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, broken down by NHS board. (S4W-8044) Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not centrally held as data specifically for nurses specialising in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy is not captured separately in workforce statistics. NHSScotland Information Services (ISD) staff publish data quarterly and trend information for headcount and whole time equivalent (WTE) of nursing staff by band and NHS Board as of 30 September 2011 is available at: http://www.isdscotland.org/health-topics/workforce/publications/2011-11- 29/Clinical_Nurse_Specialist_S2011.xls. Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the report, Future arrangements to secure food standards and safety in Scotland. (S4W-8273) Michael Matheson: The Scudamore review was as a direct result of the UK Government s decision to move responsibility for nutrition and food labelling in England from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to the Department of Health and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2010. These changes in England removed significant capacity in the FSA s nutrition and labelling functions for Scotland, undermining our drive to improve public health through diet. Given the importance of food safety to Scotland s health, we asked Professor Jim Scudamore to head an independent review to determine the best outcome for Scotland s long term interests. They recommended creating a new Scottish body for food safety, food standards, nutrition, food labelling and meat inspection, utilising the experience and capacity which exists already in Scotland. We have accepted that majority recommendation. We did not seek any change in the FSA s functions, but we must react to the machinery of government changes in 2010. A new body will allow a Scottish approach to be taken to tackle poor diet and food-borne diseases and should support our food and drink industry in growing its strong, international reputation for safe, quality food. We have accepted all of the Panel s recommendations. This means that the new body will be at arms-length from the Scottish Government. The body will encompass nutrition and labelling policy, and meat inspection policy and operational delivery, in addition to food safety and standards. We will establish a new body which is independent, evidence-based, consumer-focussed and transparent. Creating a new Scottish Food Standards body will require primary legislation, and we plan to consult on options before the end of this year. Learning and Justice Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with communities concerned about antisocial behaviour. (S4W-7876) Keith Brown: In March 2009 the Scottish Government and COSLA jointly published their Framework for tackling antisocial behaviour, Promoting Positive Outcomes. It followed a thorough review of national antisocial behaviour policy, recognising that prevention; early and effective intervention; and diversion, should be at its heart. The Scottish Government has recently engaged and is engaging with communities across a number of issues where antisocial behaviour is one of many issues under consideration.
The first Scottish Social Housing Charter was introduced on 1 April 2012. This followed extensive consultation with tenants, landlords and other interested parties to find out what they wanted the Charter to include. The outcomes contained in the Charter describe the results that tenants and other customers can expect social landlords to achieve. The Charter includes an outcome on social landlords working in partnership with other agencies to ensure that tenants and other customers live in well maintained neighbourhoods where they feel safe. In addition to this, the Scottish Government recently consulted on Affordable Rented Housing: Creating flexibility for landlords and better outcomes for communities. This closed in April 2012 and included some proposals on tackling antisocial behaviour in the social rented sector. The responses to the consultation are currently being analysed. We are also consulting on a strategy for the Private Rented Sector which asks how problem tenants living within privately rented properties could be more effectively dealt with to help both neighbours and landlords. This consultation closes on 10 July. Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive how many workless households there are and how many there were in May 1999. (S4W-7908) John Swinney: The latest available data for workless households comes from the Labour Force Survey household dataset for April-June 2011. The number of workless households in Scotland during the period April-June 2011 was 359,000. During the period April-June 1999 in Scotland, the number of workless households was 393,000. Note: 1 - Households including at least one person aged 16 to 64. 2 Estimates only include those households with at least one person aged between 16-64. 3 - A workless household is a household that includes at least one person aged 16 to 64 where noone aged 16 or over is in employment. Source: Labour Force Survey household dataset (not seasonally adjusted). Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many modern apprenticeships have been created in the Almond Valley and Linlithgow constituencies. (S4W-7975) Angela Constance: Modern apprenticeship starts are recorded by local authority area rather than constituency area. There were 894 modern apprenticeship starts in the West Lothian local authority area in 2011-12. Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding holding military inquests in Scotland. (S4W-7995) Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04694 on 4 January 2012. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. Scottish Government officials continue to be in regular contact with the Ministry of Justice regarding the commencement of sections 12 and 50 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 which make provision for a fatal accident inquiry to be held in Scotland into the death abroad of any service personnel domiciled in Scotland. These provisions have not yet been commenced by the Ministry of Justice, but we understand that it is their intention to do so as soon as practicable.
Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses have applied to the Low Carbon Skills Fund, broken down by local authority area. (S4W-7997) Angela Constance: 432 businesses have applied to the Low Carbon Skills Fund since the launch in October 2010 until 31 March 2012. The breakdown by local authority area is detailed in the following table. Local Authority Applications Received Aberdeen City 12 Aberdeenshire 9 Angus 4 Argyll and Bute 16 Clackmannanshire 10 Dumfries and Galloway 12 Dundee City 5 East Ayrshire 14 East Dunbartonshire 7 East Lothian 7 East Renfrewshire 7 Edinburgh, City of 41 Eilean Siar 4 Falkirk 6 Fife 22 Glasgow City 41 Highland 32 Inverclyde 3 Midlothian 9 Moray 7 North Ayrshire 9 North Lanarkshire 22 Orkney Islands 2 Perth and Kinross 16 Renfrewshire 16 Scottish Borders 2 Shetland Islands 3 South Ayrshire 16 South Lanarkshire 36 Stirling 15 West Dunbartonshire 5 West Lothian 19 Outside Scotland 3 Total 432 Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses have received funding from the Low Carbon Skills Fund, broken down by (a) value of award and (b) local authority area. (S4W-7998) Angela Constance: 227 businesses have received funding from the Low Carbon Skills Fund since its launch in October 2010 until 31 March 2012. Number of LCFS applications claimed and value by Local Authority
Local Authority Applications Claimed Value of LCSF Claims Paid ( ) 0-100 101-999 1000-4,999 5,000+ Aberdeen City 7 0 2 5 0 Aberdeenshire 6 0 4 2 0 Angus 1 0 1 0 0 Argyll and Bute 3 0 3 0 0 Clackmannanshire 6 0 6 0 0 Dumfries and Galloway 7 0 6 1 0 Dundee City 4 0 4 0 0 East Ayrshire 7 0 6 1 0 East Dunbartonshire 1 0 1 0 0 East Lothian 6 0 1 2 3 East Renfrewshire 4 0 2 1 1 Edinburgh, City of 22 0 19 2 1 Eilean Siar 4 0 4 0 0 Falkirk 5 0 4 1 0 Fife 11 1 7 2 1 Glasgow City 20 2 15 3 0 Highland 20 1 13 5 1 Inverclyde 1 0 1 0 0 Midlothian 5 0 2 3 0 Moray 4 0 4 0 0 North Ayrshire 3 0 3 0 0 North Lanarkshire 9 0 7 1 1 Orkney Islands 2 0 1 1 0 Perth and Kinross 8 0 6 2 0 Renfrewshire 8 0 6 1 1 Scottish Borders 2 1 0 1 0 Shetland Islands 2 0 2 0 0 South Ayrshire 8 0 7 1 0 South Lanarkshire 25 1 17 6 1 Stirling 6 0 5 1 0 West Dunbartonshire 1 0 1 0 0 West Lothian 9 0 7 1 1 Total 227 6 167 43 11 Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many employees have received training funded by the Low Carbon Skills Fund. (S4W-7999) Angela Constance: In the 15 month period between October 2010 and December 2011, training for 396 individual employees was supported by the Low Carbon Skills Fund. However, just over 1,400 training opportunities were supported under the fund in the 18 months since its launch in October 2010 until 31 March 2012. An individual may have benefited from more than one training opportunity. Year Opportunities Approved 2010-11 640 2011-12 765 Total 1,405
Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it has made available for the Low Carbon Skills Fund. (S4W-8000) Angela Constance: 945,000 has been made available for the Low Carbon Skills Fund since its launch in October 2010 until 31 March 2012. Year Funding ( ) 2010-11 585,000 2011-12 360,000 Total 945,000 Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many new recruits have completed police training in each of the last eight years. (S4W-8040) Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what major changes there have been in police training over the last eight years. (S4W-8041) Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what reduction there has been in the length of police training for new recruits in each of the last eight years. (S4W-8042) Kenny MacAskill: The recruitment and training of police officers is an operational matter for chief constables. Strategy and External Affairs Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether HM Revenue and Customs has indicated that it is likely to (a) inhibit or (b) veto decisions of the Scottish Government in respect of fiscal policy and whether any similar discussions have taken place with the (i) Bank of England or (ii) Treasury with respect to a Scotland separated from the rest of the UK using sterling. Holding answer issued: 26 June 2012 (S4W-7798) John Swinney: In evidence to the Scottish Parliament s Finance Committee on 30 May 2012, HMRC set out the limitations of the role they would play in the collection and administration of the two replacement taxes devolved by the Scotland Act 2012: If it (the Scottish Government) wants something that has a different framework or different rates, we would have to look at the details of what it wanted to do and decide whether it made sense for us to try to adapt our systems to operate that or whether we would need to say that it was so different that there would be no point in our trying to operate it. The Scottish Government engages in discussions with the Bank of England and UK Government on matters of importance to the Scottish economy. Under independence fiscal policy would be the responsibility of the Scottish Government.
Jenny Marra (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring forward proposals for the new renewables obligation certificates regime. Holding answer issued: 26 June 2012 (S4W-7825) John Swinney: Ministers are considering the many issues raised by consultees in response to the recent consultation and review of support levels under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland), and will publish their decisions and response to the consultation shortly. John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how many requests for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 it has (a) received and (b) refused, broken down by year. (S4W-8199) Brian Adam: This information is published in the Annual Reports on Information request handling in the Scottish Government which are available on the Scottish Government s website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/information/foi/reporting. Transport Scotland Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) travel expenses and (b) subsistence costs have been incurred by its officials in relation to the Scottish Ferries Review and draft ferries plan since 2008. Holding answer issued: 14 June 2012 (S4W-7535) Keith Brown: Travel expenses and subsistence costs incurred by Transport Scotland officials in relation to all ferry-related business since 2008 amount to approximately 100,000. Ferries officials make regular visits to those communities that rely on ferry services throughout the year to engage with stakeholders. Some of these costs will be associated with the Draft Ferries Plan presentations offered to all Local Authorities and, on request, to Ferry User Groups and other associated organisations. These presentations took place throughout February and March this year and regularly involved travel over multiple days and for long distances throughout Scotland. It is not possible to provide details of the separate Ferries Review and Draft Ferries Plan costs. David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what Barnett consequentials will arise from the UK Government s proposed high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham. (S4W-7763) Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is of the view that consequentials should arise from the UK Government s investment in the High Speed 2 link between London and Birmingham, and from its subsequent stages of development. However, I am aware there is no committed budget allocated for the construction of HS2; construction is planned to commence from 2017. Proposals for the inclusion of funding for the scheme in future Comprehensive Spending Reviews will be a matter for the UK Government. I expect that any additional funding secured for the scheme will carry consequentials for Scotland. Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether bus companies have a duty of care to protect passengers from potential passengers who are intoxicated or on drugs. (S4W-7873)
Keith Brown: The duty of care to protect passengers is included as part of the terms and conditions of the operating licence from the Traffic Commissioner. Most bus operators currently use conditions of carriage to which both the passenger and the bus operator themselves must adhere. This can include refusing entry or removing passengers who are believed to be intoxicated, on drugs or appear likely to behave in an anti-social manner. Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to protect bus drivers from verbal and physical attack by passengers. (S4W-7874) Keith Brown: The Scottish Government attaches the greatest importance to the safety of all passengers and staff using and delivering bus services and will continue to work in partnership with local authorities, transport operators and others on a range of deterrent and enforcement measures to make public transport safer for both passengers and staff. Common deterrents currently in use include protective screens on buses separating bus drivers from passengers, the use of radio to report disturbances, the provision of CCTV coverage on buses and the use of signage to highlight that any physical attacks on drivers will not be tolerated and offenders prosecuted. Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances can be given to bus passengers that their journeys will not be disrupted by abusive passengers. (S4W-7875) Keith Brown: The Scottish Government will continue to work in partnership with local authorities, transport operators and others on a range of deterrents and enforcement. Passengers will see this commitment reflected in practical measures such as CCTV, the use of radio to report disturbances, and signage to provide appropriate information and warnings. Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what action can be taken to prevent disruption to bus journeys by abusive passengers. (S4W-7897) Keith Brown: In addition to various practical measures on buses themselves, the police, local authorities, and other local agencies are responsible for tackling anti-social behaviour at local level. Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how many accidents there have been on the A9 between Perth and Inverness in each year since 2007 and, in light of this, whether it plans to bring forward the duelling of the road. (S4W-7933) Keith Brown: The following table shows the number of accidents which resulted in personal injury on the A9 between Perth and Inverness in each year since 2007. Transport Scotland collates information on reported personal injury accidents on trunk roads in Scotland and this database is updated periodically, as data provided by the Police is checked and verified. The year-end figures for 2011 have yet to be received and verified. A9 Perth to Inverness Accidents by Year/Severity Fatal Serious Slight Total 2007 7 10 43 60 2008 5 11 38 54 2009 3 14 46 63
A9 Perth to Inverness Accidents by Year/Severity Fatal Serious Slight Total 2010 9 9 41 59 2011* 7 5 31 43 5 year total 31 49 199 279 Note: *2011 stats are not fully complete for all Police forces and are subject to change on submission of further datasets. The figures quoted may differ slightly from those published elsewhere due to being extracted on a different date and the database may have changed between the two dates, e.g. due to late returns or corrections. We are the first Government to commit to dualling the A9, and we have just announced more details of the ambitious timetable and full dualling programme for the A9 between Perth and Inverness. Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-07191 by Keith Brown on 24 May 2012, what the cost has been of maintaining MV (a) Hrossey, (b) Hjaltland and (c) Hamnavoe in each year since 2002. (S4W-7973) Keith Brown: The following table sets out the maintenance costs of MV Hrossey, MV Hjaltland and MV Hamnavoe since 2002:- Vessel Maintenance Hrossey Hjaltland Hamnavoe Total July - June ( k) 2002-03 (Oct-Jun) 10 11 18 39 2003-04 78 59 78 215 2004-05 133 137 103 373 2005-06 255 186 160 601 2006-07 445 505 373 1,323 2007-08 398 524 354 1,276 2008-09 407 545 262 1,214 2009-10 574 548 520 1,642 2010-11 687 873 289 1,849 Notes: The twelve month information runs from July to June. The information relates to vessel maintenance costs. It does not include any overhaul costs. Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-07190 by Keith Brown on 24 May 2012, what the annual value of the Northern Isles ferry contract for 2012-18 will be to the successful bidder. (S4W-7974) Keith Brown: Serco Ltd emerged as the successful bidder for the 2012-18 Northern Isles ferry services contract. Their total price for the full period of the contract was 222,845,789, although the undiscounted price on a yearly basis comes to 243,015,553. Annually, this price is represented below, starting with Year 1, July 2012 to July 2013: Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 40,578,165 35,231,359 38,542,943 43,599,327 43,572,948 41,490,812 It should be noted, however, that these figures are subject to change and that the final outturn annual costs will not be known until the end of each contract year. This is due to the unpredictability of
the effects of inflation, particularly with regard to fuel costs. The Year 6 figure reflects the fact that the final contract year covers onlynine months, from July 2017 to April 2018. Colin Keir (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what economic benefits the construction of the Forth Replacement Crossing has brought to South Queensferry and Kirkliston. (S4W-7981) Keith Brown: Across the Forth Replacement Crossing project there are currently nearly 800 site based employees and 268 Scottish firms have already benefitted from 52 million of subcontracts and supply orders. At its peak the project will directly support 1,200 jobs and the Chambers of Commerce estimate that the FRC will deliver economic benefits worth around 6 billion to Scotland s economy. It is not possible to provide a breakdown for South Queensferry and Kirkliston. Colin Keir (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs the work on the Forth Replacement Crossing has brought to residents of South Queensferry and Kirkliston and how many will be created on completion of the project. (S4W-7982) Keith Brown: Across the Forth Replacement Crossing project there are currently nearly 800 site based employees. This figure does not include those employed by the 268 Scottish firms who have already benefitted from subcontracts and supply orders on the project. At its peak the project will directly support 1,200 jobs. It is not possible to provide a breakdown for South Queensferry and Kirkliston. Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Executive by what process it will review the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland and what opportunities there will be for representations. (S4W-8146) Keith Brown: Cycling Scotland is due to submit the first Cycling Action Plan for Scotland progress report to Ministers by the end of July 2012. I gave a commitment to a refresh of the 2010 document during the Green Party debate on cycling and road safety in March. Officials in Transport Scotland will conduct the refresh in consultation with key stakeholders and further details on the process and the opportunities for representation will be given following full consideration of the progress report. SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTARY CORPORATE BODY S4W-06042 John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour) To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what percentage of staff absenteeism due to mental ill-health in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, (c) 2009-10 and (d) 2010-11 was for a period of (i) less than 2 months, (ii) between 2 and 4 months, (iii) between 6 and 12 months and (iv) over a year. (S4W-06042) David Stewart: The following table below provides a breakdown of the percentage of staff absent due to mental ill-health for 2007-2011 which includes absences due to mental ill-health that are recorded as stress; emotional upset; depression; and anxiety. We have defined mental ill-health here in its broadest terms to refer to someone s general mental and emotional state to cope with the normal stresses of everyday life rather than as a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Year* Total % of staff absent % of staff absent due to % of staff absent due to % of staff absent due to % of staff absent due to
due to mental ill health mental health for less than 2 months mental health between 2 and 4 months mental health between 6 and 12 months mental health for over a year. 2007-08 5% 84% 11% 5% - 2008-09 6% 77% 14% 9% - 2009-10 4% 82% 12% 6% - 2010-11 3% 83% 17% - - *Calculations are based on the financial year from 1 April to 31 March. Kezia Dugdale (Lothians) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether Sodexo staff working in the Parliament are entitled to sick pay. (S4W-07275) Linda Fabiani: All Sodexo employees receive sick pay as part of their contractual terms and conditions which is linked to their length of service. S4W-07850 The following questions were given holding answers: