- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 June 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Maxwell on 19 July 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses for social rent ministers aim to build over the next three years.
Answer
Decisions on affordable housing investment during the period2008-11 will depend on the outcome of the spending review process later this year.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 June 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Maxwell on 19 July 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it plans to take to improve the uptake of private landlord registration.
Answer
There has been a good responsefrom private landlords to the requirement to apply for registration. Local authoritieshave a range of measures available to them to identify those who have not yet appliedand ensure that they do so. It is also encouraging to note that some interests,such as local newspapers and mortgage lenders, are supporting the scheme by requiringproof of a valid application for registration from those seeking to let property.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 June 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Maxwell on 19 July 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of investment in housing will be considered by the comprehensive spending review.
Answer
The strategic spending reviewis examining all of the Scottish Government’s spending programmes. At the conclusionof the review, we will announce our spending plans for the period 2008-11, includingour planned investment in housing.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 28 June 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Maxwell on 19 July 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-954 by Stewart Maxwell on 18 June 2007, what the minister would define as assistance to those who are excluded from the housing market.
Answer
Assistance to those who are excludedfrom the housing market could include financial help or practical help through adviceand guidance.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 28 June 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Maxwell on 19 July 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-703 and S3W-954 by Stewart Maxwell on 15 and 18 June 2007, why the minister considers that Homestake should be made available to those who aspire to home ownership, but who are unable to become owner-occupiers with their own resources, but that a first-time buyers’ grant should be made available to all first-time buyers.
Answer
Homestake is targeted mainlyat first-time buyers on low to modest incomes, but it can help a number of otherpriority groups too, such as disabled owner-occupiers requiring to move and ownerswhose homes are being demolished. The Scottish Government is considering grantsto first-time buyers as part of a package of support for first-time buyers.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 28 June 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Maxwell on 19 July 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what the Minister for Communites and Sport understands by targeting resources on those in need.
Answer
The framework underpinning anyinitiative or programme which aims to target resources on those in need will varyaccording to the context.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 28 June 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Maxwell on 19 July 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-954 by Stewart Maxwell on 18 June 2007, whether it is possible to support more individuals and families who are excluded from the housing market by providing a £2,000 grant to all first-time buyers.
Answer
The Scottish Government willlook closely at the benefits for the people of Scotland which might be achievedfrom any new initiatives. The Scottish Government wants to help more individualsand families to meet their ownership aspirations and is considering a range of measuresto achieve this. In addition to development of the Scottish Housing Support Fundfor shared equity provision announced on 21 June, we are also considering grantsto first-time buyers.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 28 June 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Maxwell on 19 July 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-954 by Stewart Maxwell on 18 June 2007, whether the minister considers all first-time buyers to be excluded from the housing market.
Answer
No. There were around 38,900first-time buyers in 2006. Many more households are currently struggling to accessowner-occupation. The Scottish Government wants to help more first-time buyers tomeet their ownership aspirations. We are looking at a range of measures to achievethis, including development of the Scottish Housing Support Fund for shared equityprovision announced on 21 June and also grants.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 July 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Maxwell on 19 July 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will confirm whether abolition of Communities Scotland would require legislation, as discussed during the Local Government and Communities Committee meeting on 27 June 2007 (Official Report c. 20).
Answer
Ministers are currently consideringthe most effective organisational structures for the future delivery of CommunitiesScotland’s functions. That process will involve consideration of any legislationthat might be necessary to support the transfer of Communities Scotland’s functions,although legislation would not of itself be required to abolish Communities Scotland.
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 June 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 16 July 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive when guidance on the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 will be made available to local licensing boards.
Answer
The Scottish Parliamentapproved the first draft guidance for Licensing Boards prepared under section 142of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 on 7 March 2007. The guidance was issued to boards on 4 April 2007 and is available at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/175487/0049459.pdf.Revised guidance willbe prepared later in the year to take account of the various Regulations being madeunder the act.
