- Asked by: David Mundell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 March 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 27 March 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to establish a transport authority, similar to that being considered for the Highlands and Islands, for any part of the South of Scotland.
Answer
The Executive has no such plans. The consideration being given to a Transport Authority for the Highlands and Islands reflects the potential for devolving central Government responsibilities for Caledonian MacBrayne and Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd to the local communities most affected by their activities.
- Asked by: David Mundell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 March 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 27 March 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any powers to review the decision by Dumfries and Galloway Council to grant planning permission to West of Scotland Water to extend and develop the Annan Sewerage Works and, if so, whether it will conduct such a review.
Answer
The Scottish Executive does not have powers to review the decision to grant planning permission.
- Asked by: David Mundell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 March 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 24 March 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is taking steps to provide government services online as identified as a commitment in the Cabinet Office Report,
[email protected].
Answer
Yes. I set out the current position and our plans in response to S1W-2859 on 1 December 1999.
- Asked by: David Mundell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 March 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 24 March 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to monitor any groups who are without access to all the elements required for full participation in information technology, as mentioned in the Cabinet Office Report,
[email protected].
Answer
We are determined that nobody should be left behind as we move into the information age. Last November, when we set out our social justice targets, they included a milestone of accelerating the number of households in disadvantaged areas with access to the Internet. The Scottish Household Survey produces quarterly statistics indicating the number of Scottish households with Internet access from home. In disadvantaged areas Social Inclusion Partnerships are required to monitor the percentage of households with Internet access from home and also the percentage of households with at least one adult who has Internet access elsewhere.
- Asked by: David Mundell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 March 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 23 March 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what concerns it has about the possible take-over of Border Television, and whether it intends to make any representations to Her Majesty's Government on this matter.
Answer
It is important that Border Television should provide a high quality service to viewers in Scotland in line with their licence obligations. The Executive keeps in touch with the Government on a range of matters, including broadcasting.
- Asked by: David Mundell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 March 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 22 March 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has produced any guidelines on the rehabilitation of sex offenders and, if so, to whom they have been issued and whether a copy will be made available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.
Answer
Local Authorities provide criminal justice social work services which are set firmly in the context of enhancing community safety and minimising the risk from offenders, including sex offenders. They work to National Objectives and Standards for Social Work Services in the Criminal Justice System in delivering these services.
Additional guidance has been issued to local authority social work departments on the operation of the provisions in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which allow courts to impose extended sentences which provide additional post-release supervision for violent or sex offenders where necessary.
The report by the Chief Inspector of Social Work A Commitment to Protect contained proposals for more effective practice in the monitoring and the supervision of sex offenders. The recommendations of the report are being taken forward by the Expert Panel on Sex Offending under the Chairmanship of Lady Cosgrove, and have informed the development of social work practice in dealing with sex offenders.
The Scottish Executive Social Work Services Inspectorate recently undertook an inspection of the management of sex offender cases by local authorities, which will be published soon. This will contain recommendations about the management of sex offenders.
Copies of the documents referred to will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.
- Asked by: David Mundell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 March 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 22 March 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it carries out any national monitoring of implementation of reduced speed limits and traffic calming measures, broken down by local authority and, if so, whether it will publish the results.
Answer
The Scottish Executive does not carry out as a matter of routine national monitoring of reduced speed limits and traffic calming measures implemented by local authorities.
The Scottish Executive is evaluating the effectiveness of the 20mph pilot projects implemented in a number of local authority areas throughout Scotland in 1998. A list of the authorities that have implemented 20mph pilot projects was given in my reply to question S1W-4975. The pilot projects are testing the effectiveness of 20mph schemes which do not include the use of relatively expensive engineering measures to force down the speed of traffic. The results will be available in September and the report will be published as soon as possible thereafter. It will be distributed to all local authorities in Scotland and other interested parties and copies will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.
- Asked by: David Mundell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 06 March 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 20 March 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what part improved signage of tourist attractions and tourist facilities will play in the implementation of the national tourism strategy.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is very aware of the importance of clear road signage to tourist attractions and has regular contact with the Scottish Tourist Board on this matter. A New Strategy for Scottish Tourism highlights the importance of the quality of our attractions and facilities. Tourist signage plays a valuable role in enhancing this quality by easing accessibility.
- Asked by: David Mundell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 06 March 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 20 March 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that the new accommodation booking service, Project OSSIAN, will meet the needs of small hotels, guests houses and bed and breakfasts with less than five rooms, what consultation it has had with such accommodation providers regarding OSSIAN and what feedback it has received.
Answer
Every member of an Area Tourist Board is given a free entry on the Internet through the Ossian system. Small businesses therefore receive high exposure and market reach in a very cost-effective way. Area Tourist Boards keep in regular contact with their members and conduct satisfaction surveys to ensure a high level of service delivery is achieved.
- Asked by: David Mundell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 March 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 16 March 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current status is of the Dietary Targets for Scotland in 2005, set in 1993.
Answer
The Scottish dietary targets were set in 1994. Their continuing relevance was confirmed in the White Paper, Towards a Healthier Scotland, published in February 1999 and endorsed by the Scottish Parliament the following September.
